Consulate Updates - Consulate

Consulate Updates
February 2014
In This Issue
Consulate-General of Japan, Brisbane
We’ve Launched a Facebook Page!
We’ve Launched a Facebook
Page!
The Consulate-General of Japan in Brisbane has
established a Facebook page!
Japanese Government
Monbukagakusho (MEXT)
Scholarships – NOW OPEN
The page will be used to keep subscribers up to
date with local events, activities of the ConsulGeneral and our office, and also interesting
Japanese cultural information.
The Queensland Forum on
Japanese Language
Education – Past, Present
and Future
JENESYS 2.0 – JapanASEAN-Oceania Student &
Youth Exchange Program
Tokyo Metropolitan
Government Scholarship
Students Visit Queensland
New Voices Journal
BrisAsia Festival
Hiromi Ashlin: TAKARA Solo
Exhibition
QJCCI Shinnenkai (New Year
Party)
Hands on Brisbane
Workshops
Cherry Blossom Film
Festival: Visions of Japan
Internment Symposium –
Civilian Internment in
Australia during WW2
Kakehashi Charity Concert
Japanese Language and
Cultural Workshops
Japan and Friends Day
Language Exchange
Sessions
Taiko Baka Festival – Jazz
Band and Drumming
Collaborative
Australia-Japan Foundation
Grant Program for 2014-15
Head over to our page and ‘like’ us to receive
regular updates!
https://www.facebook.com/JapanCons.Brisbane
Japanese Government
Monbukagakusho (MEXT)
Scholarships – NOW OPEN
The applications for MEXT Scholarship 2014
Japanese Studies and Teacher Training Categories
are now open.
The Teacher Training Scholarship is offered to
teachers of primary and high schools who have more
than five years of teaching experience as of the 1 st
April, 2014. The scholarship will be paid up to 18
months for recipients to complete their chosen
course.
The Japanese Studies Category Scholarship is offered
to undergraduate students to complete a major in the
field of Japanese language or culture at a Japanese
university and is for the duration of one year.
Applications for both scholarships are due by Monday the 17 th of
March, 2014.
For further information please visit the Embassy of Japan, Canberra’s website
below:
http://www.au.embjapan.go.jp/en/education/education_monbukagakusho.html
Any queries regarding these scholarships should be directed to the Embassy of
International Animation
Festival in Japan –
HIROSHIMA 2014
Japan in Canberra:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (02) 6272 7268
Cultural Achievement Award
for Mr. Nao Hirano
Ethnic Business Awards –
NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
UQ Japanese Taiko
Drumming Team
Japanese Cultural Centre
Languages Australia Website
Launch of the Ryokan
Experience Website
School Exchange Program in
Kyoto
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific
University – Summer
Educational Programme
Recommended
Websites
Embassy of Japan, Canberra
http://www.au.embjapan.go.jp
The Queensland Forum on Japanese
Language Education – Past, Present
and Future | 12th April | South Bank
The Queensland Forum on Japanese Language Education – Past, Present and
Future will be held on Saturday the 12th April, 2014 at “The Shores” South Bank.
Jointly hosted by the Consulate-General of Japan, Brisbane; Modern Language
Teachers’ Association of Queensland; Griffith University; and The University of
Queensland, this Forum is a unique opportunity for Japanese language teachers
from all sectors to come together to examine the history of Japanese language
education, the current situation and also discuss the future direction (including
ACARA).
Selected Japanese teachers will also present their successful Japanese language
programs and offer suggestions for teachers on how to increase interest in
Japanese language amongst their school community.
For further information and to register to attend please visit:
http://www.mltaq.asn.au/associationnews/qld-forum-on-japaneselanguage-education-sat-12-april
The Japan Foundation,
Sydney
http://www.jpf.org.au/
Japan National Tourism
Organization
http://www.jnto.org.au/
Japan External Trade
Organization
http://www.jetro.go.jp/
Japan Exchange Teaching
(JET) Programme
http://www.jetprogramme.org
/
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Japan (MOFA)
http://www.mofa.go.jp/
Official Tokyo Travel Guide:
GO TOKYO
http://www.gotokyo.org/
Contact Us
Consulate-General of Japan,
Brisbane
17th Floor, 12 Creek Street
Brisbane Qld. 4000
JENESYS 2.0 – Japan-ASEAN-Oceania
Student & Youth Exchange Program
In January 2013, Prime Minister of Japan Mr. Shinzo Abe, during his visit to
Indonesia, announced that a new youth exchange program would be undertaken
between Japan and ASEAN Member States, among other Asian and Oceania
countries, under the name “JENESYS 2.0”. Intended as a successor to JENESYS
(Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youth) commenced by
Prime Minister Abe in 2007, the purpose of the new program is to further
strengthen partnerships between Japan and ASEAN Member States. The aim of
JENESYS 2.0 is also to increase potential interest in Japan and the number of
foreign visitors to Japan, by way of assisting Japan’s economic recovery as well as
global understanding towards Japanese strengths such as “Cool Japan”, brands
and values, and to further deepen mutual understanding among the youth of
Japan and the ASEAN-Oceania region.
Last year from the 2nd to the 10th of
December, seven students from
Robina State High School participated
in the JENESYS 2.0 Program and
travelled to Japan. Ashleigh Ross,
Bridgette
Taggert,
Rebekah
Efthymiou,
Sam
Jones,
Bliss
Bampton, Nicole Moore and Chloe
Marshall joined 300 students from
the Oceania and South East Asian
regions on the scholarship program. Australian participants included those from
high schools and universities throughout the country. Once in Japan, participants
Phone: (07) 3221 5188
Fax: (07) 3229 0878
[email protected]
http://www.brisbane.au.embjapan.go.jp
Office Opening
Hours
Monday to Friday
9:00am – 12:30pm
were separated into groups and sent to different prefectures. A number of
participating students from Robina State High School have kindly shared their
reflections about their time on the JENESYS 2.0 Program.
From Rebekah Efthymiou
I was in Chiba City. Chiba is located 1.5 hours from Tokyo, in the countryside. In
Chiba they produce fresh fish and fruit. I was taken to a loquat and mandarin
picking farm and sampled some of their freshest fruit. I was given a cooking lesson
with one of Chiba’s finest cooks and he taught me how to cook fish and it was very
delicious. I visited many temples and shrines whilst learning about the history of
how these buildings were made. This was a great experience and I made many
friends during my stay, not just from Japan but from many countries. We still keep
in touch via Facebook and Instagram.
From Nicole Moore
My group stayed in Tokyo for the majority of the
program, at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel. What an
amazing place! It had everything from arcades to
aquariums. We went to Shibuya, Harajuku,
Asakusa, Akihabara and many more places. This
meant that we experienced the cool side of Japan as
well as the more traditional side. We had amazing
tour guides and great presenters to take us
everywhere and show us different things. On the
last day of the program we went to a university and
every country performed a traditional dance for our
Japanese friends. It was amazing to see the different
cultural aspects presented by the other participants.
I feel so lucky to have been a JENESYS participant.
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Gold Coast Consular
Service
The next Gold Coast
Consular Service is
scheduled for:
Thursday 10th April
10:00am – 12:30pm
25 Mawarra Building
3108 Gold Coast Highway
Surfers Paradise
Rockhampton
Consular Service
The next Rockhampton
Consular Service is
scheduled for:
Thursday 13th March
10:30am – 1:30pm
From Bliss Bampton
I was part of the group to travel to Wakayama. While we were there we stayed at a
castle turned into a Japanese style inn that was situated in a lovely valley. Despite
the cold temperature at this time of year the countryside was wonderful. The
following day we visited a local high school that was very hospitable to our group.
We participated in a class with the students and afterwards we were welcomed by
their school concert band. After watching a short film about their school and town
we were given treats of local foods and then we were off to visit a Buddhist temple.
Whilst we were at this temple we were told a story, read from ancient scrolls, by a
very humorous monk. At the end of the day we met our host families and settled
down at home. There we ate local cuisine and slept on traditional futons on the
tatami floor. The next day our host mother showed us some traditional Japanese
clothes and we got dressed up in yukatas (cotton kimonos). We were also given
some local produce because Wakayama produces lots of oranges and persimmons.
After a wonderful stay in Wakayama we had to head back to Tokyo and it was sad
to say goodbye to our host families. It was great to experience the cultural
difference of Japan and other countries and I cannot wait to visit Japan again.
Rockhampton Regional
Council Chambers
Ground Floor
232 Bolsover Street
Rockhampton
Word of the Month
留学生
Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Scholarship
Students Study
in Queensland
On the 13th of January, ConsulGeneral Ms. Yoko Yanagisawa
visited Indooroopilly State High
School where she welcomed 50
Japanese high school students to
(ryūgakusei)
“an exchange student; an
international student”
Queensland. The students have received scholarships from the Tokyo Board of
Education to study in Queensland for 10 months under the “Development of Next
Generation Leaders” Program.
The students were selected from 650 applicants in their home city for a fully
funded year of study in Queensland. This is the second year which the program
has sent students to the state, with a further 150 students studying in New Zealand
and the USA.
The students spent two weeks at Indooroopilly State High School studying High
School Preparation and were then transferred to their 50 destination schools (one
student to each school) later in the month.
Ms. Yanagisawa encouraged the students to try and approach the experience with
an open mind, to make an effort to form new friendships and to not hesitate when
trying new things.
We warmly welcome them to Queensland and wish them all the best!
New Voices Journal
The latest issue of New Voices, an academic journal produced by the Japan
Foundation, has been released.
The issue features work on Japanese gardens, linguistics, Sino-Japanese relations
and music in rakugo.
The journal is available online at:
http://newvoices.jpf-sydney.org/vol6.html
Submissions are open to Honours and Masters graduates and PhD candidates who
are citizens or residents of Australia or New Zealand. The next call for papers is
scheduled to open in March.
For further information, please visit The Japan Foundation, Sydney’s website:
www.jpf.org.au
BrisAsia Festival | Now Until 1st March
| Brisbane
The BrisAsia Festival is in full swing as Brisbane
celebrates its connections with Asia through until
the 1st of March! The BrisAsia Festival features a
range of traditional and contemporary arts and
cultural events, as well as hands-on workshops held
across the city.
Over this and next weekend you can check out
these Japanese themed events and activities:
-- Karate and self defence for all - Saturday
22nd February | 8:00 – 9:00am | A.R.C. Hill Park
-- Art Bites: Paper Lanterns - Saturday 22nd
February | 10:00am – 12:00noon | Weller's Hill and Tarragindi Uniting Church
Hall
-- Neon Pop - Saturday 22nd February | 5:00 – 8:00pm | King George Square
-- Bands in Parks - BrisAsia Music - Sunday 23rd February | 2:00 - 4:30pm |
New Farm Park
-- Art Bites: Amigurumi - Saturday 1st March | 10:00am – 12:00noon | Manly
Lota Scout Den
-- Kick Arts - Saturday 1st March | 10:00am – 4:00pm | Albert Street, Brisbane
-- Art Bites: Sashiko - Saturday 1st March | 12:30 - 2:30pm | Manly Lota Scout
Den
-- Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre: Celebrating BrisAsia
Festival - 8:30am - 4:00pm daily | (Yatsu Higata in Tokyo Bay is the Sister
Wetland of Boondall Wetlands)
For further details about the BrisAsia Festival visit Brisbane City Council's website
at:
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/whats-on/featured/brisasia-festival/
Hiromi Ashlin: TAKARA Solo
Exhibition | Showing Now Until 9th
March | Cairns Regional Gallery
Hiromi Ashlin is an artist who is based in Cairns and is actively engaged in the
creative arts community. Her body of work blends her Japanese heritage with her
connection to the Australian landscape. Hiromi utilises the traditional art forms of
origami and calligraphy that she became fond of from a young age, whilst featuring
the rich natural Australian environment.
Hiromi’s artwork, which is currently on display until the 9 th of March at the Cairns
Regional Gallery, will allow you to feel the depth and strength of life inherent in
Australian nature.
For further information, please visit the Cairns Regional Gallery website below:
http://www.cairnsregionalgallery.com.au/exhibitions.html
QJCCI Shinnenkai (New Year Party) |
26th February | Brisbane
The Queensland Japan Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (QJCCI) will hold a celebration of the New
Year at their special Shinnenkai networking event on
Wednesday the 26th of February.
In Japan, shinnenkai have been held since the 15th
century to celebrate the new year and toast each other's
good health and prosperity. The QJCCI wishes to
follow this tradition with an event aimed at helping you
to meet other members and new contacts in a friendly
environment. This event will even provide structured activities to ensure you make
the most of the evening and will also feature the latest news about the QJCCI’s
Business Matching website, which aims to link businesses in Queensland and
Japan, as well as an update on the Chamber’s June 2014 Business Mission to
Japan.
So please come along, meet some old and new friends, and celebrate the new year
together with QJCCI.
Date: Wednesday 26th February
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Venue: Tattersall's Club (215 Queen Street, Brisbane, entrance via Tattersall's
Arcade)
Cost: Members - $49 | Premium Members - Free | Non-Members - $59
For enquiries please contact QJCCI's General Manager Paul Sergeant at
[email protected]
For further information about the event and to secure your booking, please visit
the QJCCI's official website below.
https://www.qjcci.asn.au/content/standard.asp?name=Event_2602201
4
Hands on Brisbane Workshops |
February Onwards | Brisbane
Bleeding Heart Gallery is continuing its ‘Hands on Brisbane’ workshops in 2014.
This series of art, craft and design workshops, dem0nstrations and Q&A sessions,
now in its third year, include a number of different art and craft techniques, and
some Japanese art forms, such as origami. The workshops are a fantastic
opportunity for people to learn new skills, showcase local talent and add extra
creativity to Brisbane.
The workshops are conducted by some of Brisbane’s finest artisans to give you a
hands on approach to learning your new skill. Many classes also provide the
materials you need to begin straight away, so all you need to do is turn up and start
creating!
Please visit the following link below for further information:
http://handsonbrisbane.com
Cherry Blossom Film Festival: Visions
of Japan | Sundays in March | State
Library of Queensland
Celebrate the world of Japanese cinema through
these free films showing at the State Library of
Queensland throughout the month of March. All
films are shown in Japanese language with
English subtitles.
Tokyo Story (PG, 1953, 136 minutes)
Sunday 2nd March
The melancholy beauty of mid-20th century
Japanese life is played out amongst the simple
poetry of the everyday.
Izo (R18+, 2004, 128 minutes)
Sunday 9th March
A journey through space, time and the soul as a lowly samurai seeks revenge
from the afterlife.
Tetsuo II: Bodyhammer (R18+, 1992, 83 minutes) and Tetsuo III: The
Bullet Man (R18+, 2009, 69 minutes)
Sunday 16th March
The modern allegory of a man shifting into machine has rarely played out as
forcefully, dramatically or poetically.
The Hidden Fortress (PG, 1958, 126 minutes); Throne of Blood (PG, 1957,
110 minutes); or Seven Samurai (PG, 1954, 207 minutes)
Sunday 23rd March
Choose between the above three classics from legendary director Akira
Kurosawa. Vote at www.slq.qld.gov.au/whats-on
Spotlight on Sogo Ishii (not rated, suitable for mature audiences)
Sunday 30th March
Sogo Ishii has been pushing the boundaries of cinema since 1978. Enjoy a
selection of his thrilling, innovative works.
Asia Strikes Back (30 minutes)
The Master of Shiatsu (13 minutes)
Shuffle (30 minutes)
Internment Symposium – Civilian
Internment in Australia during WW2:
History, Memories and Community
Heritage | 6th – 9th March | Cowra NSW
The Internment Symposium presents a unique opportunity to learn about civilian
internment in Australia during WW2, a less well-known part of our history. The
Symposium will be held during Cowra’s annual Festival of International
Understanding (6th – 16th March, 2014). Of particular significance to the town of
Cowra is that about 200 graves of the Japanese internees who died during the
Pacific War are now located in the Cowra Japanese Cemetery. Participants in the
Symposium will be given the opportunity to learn more and meet others interested
in this topic. Registration is open to the general public, and will be of interest to
both researchers and non-researchers, as well as former internees and their
families. It will be a very special chance to take a glimpse into and share in the life
stories of those connected with this aspect of our history.
Event details
Dates: 6th – 9th March 2014
Venue: Civic Centre, Cowra, NSW
Fee: $130 (to be confirmed) including;
Lunches, morning and afternoon teas during the Symposium (7th – 8th March)
Unlimited admission to the Japanese Garden
Unlimited admission to the Ames Errantes photo exhibition
Historians, creative writers, artists and members of the local community where
intern camps were built will tell Symposium participants about how they have
maintained and developed the legacy of the wartime camps as part of their
community heritage. Participants will not only come from within Australia, but
also Japan and New Caledonia.
Attendees will be able to experience:


A special talk by Professor Bill Gammage on his award-winning book, the
Biggest Estate on Earth (on 6th March)
Community youth performances inspired by civilian internment


experiences, facilitated by Mayu Kanamori with artists Alan Schacher,
Weizen Ho and Jumaadi
A photographic exhibition Ames Errantes (Wandering Spirit: the fate of
an Okinawan emigrant in New Caledonia) by Mutsumi Tsuda at Cowra
Japanese Gardens and Cultural Centre. The exhibition tells a story about a
Japanese-Kanak family broken up by the war.
The unveiling of an interpretive board and a special commemoration
ceremony for the Japanese civilian internees buried at the Cowra Japanese
War Cemetery.
The organisers of the Symposium hope it will expand our understanding of the
consequences of, and the legacy of internment inflicted upon all nationalities, and
re-examine the impact of war and conflict on the civilian population.
For further information, and for a detailed provisional schedule of the Symposium,
please contact conveners Dr Yuriko Nagata (The University of Queensland,
[email protected]) and Dr Keiko Tamura (The Australian National
University, [email protected]).
The provisional schedule is also viewable at:
http://nikkeiaustralia.com/symposium-civilian-internment-in-australiaduring-ww2-memories-history-and-community-heritage/
Kakehashi Charity Concert | 8th March
| Brisbane
A night of modern, contemporary and
traditional Japanese music, art and creativity
dedicated to the people affected by the March
2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and
Tsunami in the Tohoku region of Japan.
Kakehashi is a collective of Brisbane based
musicians, artists and the like that aim to
create a bridge of compassion between
Brisbane
and
Tohoku.
Despite the lack of media attention both in Japan and abroad, there is still a lot of
work that needs to be done. Even though it’s been almost three years since the
tragic event, many people are still living in temporary housing and have lost hope.
One of the greatest concerns is the younger generation as they are at such an
influential age.
All profits raised from the event will go to the International PreSchool
Pinocchio in Ishinomaki. This preschool is located in one of the worst affected
areas. The money donated will go to the purchase of Japanese taiko drums that
will be used to help the children move toward a more positive frame of mind while
helping
to
build
relationships
and
inspire
others.
Auditorium:
Kurilpa String Quartet (QLD symphony), Nozomi Omote and Nick
Harmsen (QLD symphony) marimba and clarinet, Bashow Kanagawa (Taiko
drummer from Nara Japan), Takako Nishibori (Koto), Phill Wilson (Guitar),
Hik Sugimoto (Drums) and Toko-ton (Brisbane based taiko group).
Foyer:
Japanese Artist/Printmaker sensation, Kay Watanabe, Japanese pop band
and hula - Brisbane Japanese Hula Girls. There will also be food, snacks and
drinks available to purchase on the night from Nonbei, GenkiMart, Japanese
bakery and the BEMAC bar.
Event snapshot
Date: Saturday 8th March
Time: Doors open from 6:00pm for foyer entertainment. Concert runs from
7:00pm to 9:30pm (20 minute interval)
Venue: BEMAC, Queensland Multicultural Centre (102 Main Street, Kangaroo
Point, directly under the Story Bridge)
Tickets: Full price $20; Concession and BEMAC members $12
Bookings: http://www.trybooking.com/74739
Charity t-shirts now on sale
You can also show your support by purchasing a stylish, high quality Kakehashi
Tohoku t-shirt, depicting Brisbane’s own iconic Story Bridge. The t-shirts feature
calligraphy by Brisbane based artist Eimatsu Kojima and a logo by Steve Mason
from Toko-ton.
Adult sizes: $20
Kids’ sizes: $15
To order a t-shirt please e-mail [email protected] and an order
form will be sent to you.
For more information you can visit www.facebook.com/kakehashitohoku, email [email protected] or phone Takako on 0418-188-347.
Japanese Language and Cultural
Workshops | Once a Month | Brisbane
Would you like to expand your knowledge of Japanese language and culture? The
Australia Japan Society – Queensland Inc. will again be holding various Japanese
language and cultural workshops throughout 2014. There are two engaging
sessions per day on a variety of topics, and the program is organised by Dr. Fujiko
Chamberlain AM.
Upcoming sessions include:
Saturday 15th March
Session 1 (10:00am – 12:00noon):
Business and formal letter writing
Session 2 (12:30pm – 2:30pm):
Basic expressions: Kore wa X desu
Saturday 26th April
Session 1 (10:00am – 12:00noon):
Australia-Japan historical relations (1832)
Session 2 (12:30pm – 2:30pm):
From 12:30pm: Introduction
From 1:30pm: Japanese tea ceremony
Venue: Brisbane City Square Library (266 George Street)
For further information, please visit the Australia Japan Society – Queensland
Inc.’s website below:
http://www.austjpnsoc.asn.au/contact/
Japan & Friends Day | 16th March |
Gold Coast
The Japanese Society of Gold Coast in conjunction with
the Consulate-General of Japan, Brisbane, will hold the
annual Japan and Friends Day event next month, which
aims to enhance exchange with the local community
through Japanese culture.
The event will feature Japanese dancing, performances
such as taiko drumming, and stalls selling Japanese
food and folk art.
This year there will also be a Yukata Contest!
Participants of any age are welcome to enter and should
wear a yukata on the day. The winner of the contest will receive a prize.
And, there will be Yosakoi Dance Workshop held on the day too! Those interested
in taking part can register on the day.
Date: Sunday 16th March
Time: From 10:00am
Venue: Albert Waterways Community Centre (Corner of Hooker and Sunshine
Boulevardes, Mermaid Waters)
For further information please contact the Japanese Society of Gold Coast on (07)
5531 6661 or at [email protected]
You can also visit the Japanese Society of Gold Coast’s website below:
http://www.jsgc.org.au/
Language Exchange Sessions | 18th
March | Taringa
The Japanese Club of Brisbane hold regular Language
Exchange Sessions in Taringa. The organisation
welcomes participation from English speakers wishing
to practise their Japanese language skills, together with
Japanese speakers wishing to practise their English
language skills. English proficiency and Japanese
proficiency levels do not matter.
Please note the details of the next Language Exchange
Session below:
Date: Tuesday 18th March
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Venue: Place of Stones (86 Whitmore Street, Taringa), a 10 minute walk from
Taringa Train Station
Telephone: (07) 3870 0360
Admission: Free. (You can also order your own food from the restaurant menu.)
For
further
information,
please
contact
Mr.
Ray
Gagen
([email protected])
or
Mr.
Hideaki
Maruoka
([email protected]) from the Japanese Club of Brisbane.
Taiko Baka Festival – Jazz Band and
Drumming Collaborative | 29th March |
Somerset College, Gold Coast
Somerset College presents an introduction to
Japan’s
culture
through
taiko
drum
performances, a jazz band, traditional Japanese
dance, and a taiko collaboration.
The event is supported by the Japanese Society of
Gold Coast, and Multicultural Communities
Council Gold Coast. Proceeds will be donated to
earthquake relief in north eastern Japan.
Date: Saturday 29th March
Time: From 6:00pm
Venue: Performing Arts Centre, Somerset College (Somerset Drive, Mudgeeraba)
Entry: $20
Inquiries: Telephone the Somerset College Event Office on (07) 5559 7377 or email [email protected]
For further information and to book tickets, visit the Somerset College website
below:
http://www.somerset.qld.edu.au/events/taiko-baka/
Australia-Japan Foundation Grant
Program for 2014-15
The Australia-Japan Foundation’s Grant Program for 2014-15 is currently open for
projects commencing between the 1st of July 2014 and the 30th of June 2015.
Australia-Japan Foundation (AJF) grants are intended to provide seed funding for
innovative proposals relevant to the objectives and key themes of the AJF. These
include proposals which demonstrate the potential for the development of longterm links between individuals and institutions in Australia and their counterparts
in Japan. In addition to the objectives and themes outlined, the AJF Board
continues to be interested in receiving grant applications for proposals that aim to
assist communities in the Tohoku region of Japan recover from the Great East
Japan Earthquake of March 2011.
As applications are assessed against the AJF funding guidelines, all applicants
should familiarise themselves with these guidelines before submitting the online
application for funding.
Grant applications can be submitted up until Friday the 4 th of April at
7:00pm (AEST) or 5:00pm (Japan) using the smartygrants online
application form at:
https://dfat.smartygrants.com.au/AJFMajorGrantsRound2014-15
For further information about the AJF Grant Program, and to read the guidelines
for funding applicants and recipients, please visit the website below:
http://ajf.australia.or.jp/en/awards/grants/
Inquiries may be directed to the AJF Secretariat on (02) 6261 3989 (Australia) or
+81-3-5232-4065 (Japan), or via e-mail at [email protected] or
[email protected]
15th International Animation Festival in
Japan – HIROSHIMA 2014 | 21st – 25th
August | Hiroshima
The 15th International Animation Festival will be held
from the 21st to the 25th of August, 2014 in Hiroshima,
Japan.
The festival was established in 1985, as a project to
commemorate the 40th anniversary of the atomic
bombing. The festival is aimed at promoting
international mutual understanding and the pursuit of
peace through the development of animation art. It is
endorsed by the Association Internationale du Film
d’Animation (ASIFA), and is co-organised by the City of
Hiroshima and ASIFA-Japan.
The entry period for submitting works is from the 1st of February to the
1st of April, 2014.
For further information about the festival, and to download an entry form and
shipping label please visit the official festival website below:
www.hiroanim.org
Cultural Achievement Award for Mr.
Nao Hirano
We would like to congratulate Mr. Nao
Hirano,
Multicultural
Community
Development Officer at The Multicultural
Communities Council Gold Coast on his
recent
Cultural
Achievement
Award!
Mr. Hirano received the award at the City of
Gold Coast 2014 Australia Day Awards in
recognition of his ongoing and very
significant contributions towards cultural
development within the city of the Gold
Coast over the past 15 years, and in particular his continued promotion of
Japanese culture. He was presented with this award at an awards ceremony
breakfast
on
the
17th
of
January.
We wish Mr. Hirano all the very best in his future efforts as he continues to
promote Japanese and other cultures to the people of Queensland.
Ethnic Business Awards –
NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
Nominations are now open for the 2014 Ethnic Business Awards.
The Ethnic Business awards are Australia’s longest running business awards and
recognise and reward the contributions of migrants and indigenous members of
the community to the Australian economy. The awards highlight the benefits of
diversity in ensuring sustainable economies, nurturing innovation and accelerating
productive growth to secure Australia’s future.
Last year’s gala event showcased the achievements of some of Australia’s most
extraordinary migrants who came to Australia with a “suitcase full of dreams” and
achieved success beyond measure.
Nominations are in three categories: small business, medium to large business and
indigenous in business.
Visit www.ethnicbusinessawards.com for more information.
UQ Japanese Taiko Drumming Team is
looking for NEW MEMBERS
A brand new taiko team has formed at
The University of Queensland called the
UQ Japanese Taiko Drumming Team!
Although the team is based at The
University of Queensland, the group’s
motto is 「みんなの太鼓グループ
(everyone’s taiko group) 」 , so anyone
and everyone who is interested in trying
out taiko drumming is welcome to join
their team! They are looking for new
members, and would love to have keen
and enthusiastic community members join them. Absolutely no experience with
taiko or any musical background is necessary. 一緒に太鼓を叩いてみたいという
方、経験を問わず募集しております！
The group aims to share the joy of taiko drumming through weekly practices
together and, eventually, with more people around Brisbane by performing at
various community events. One to two hour practices will be held once a week
from March at The University of Queensland's St. Lucia campus. First-time
membership fee for community members is $35, which includes weekly practices
throughout the university semester (beginning of March – end of June) and a pair
of your very own drum sticks. From then on, each semester’s membership fee is
$25 to cover the weekly practice costs.
What is taiko?
Taiko, in Japanese, literally means "big fat drum". Taiko is a form of traditional
music and art that has been a very important part of Japanese culture for over
1000 years. Taiko drumming has now spread all around the world, and is
capturing many people's hearts through a combination of powerful beats, dynamic
movements, and energetic performances.
Taiko is awesome because...
(1) It's so much fun to hit these big drums!!!
(2) You'll make new friends
(3) It's great exercise
(4) It's perfect for stress relief
(5) You could become a musician!
(6) You could get six pack abs!
(7) If you're Japanese, it's one way to nurture and share your cultural heritage
(8) If you're not Japanese, it's one way to learn about another culture
(9) It makes people happy
(10) It's never been so easy to make such as big, loud statement
(11) It's for people of all ages, from all places, from all musical and non-musical
backgrounds... It's just so much fun to play taiko together!
For more information about the UQ Japanese Taiko Drumming Team or to
express your interest in joining the group, you can e-mail them at
[email protected] or visit their Facebook page below.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/UQ-Japanese-Taiko-Drummingteam/1468439213376888?id=1468439213376888&sk=info
Japanese Cultural Centre
Japanese cultural activities have been
offered by Ms. Akiko Yamada and Mr.
Carl Rathus at the Japanese Cultural
Centre (JCC) since 1987. The centre is a
reference point for persons seeking
lessons or demonstrations in aspects of
Japanese culture and there is a particular
emphasis on cultural programs for
schools.
The Japanese Cultural Centre conducts a
special program for school groups of approximately 30 students at the Japanese
Gardens in the Mt. Coot-tha Botanic Gardens in Brisbane, and also at schools upon
special request. The centre offers students a rare opportunity to experience
Japanese culture first-hand. Items offered for student participation include the
Japanese tea ceremony; shakuhachi (bamboo flute) music; martial arts; Japanese
calligraphy; an opportunity to wear kimono; folk dancing; kite making; and haiku
(Japanese poetry).
Generally at least one month notice is required to arrange an event, and
performance items are dependent on the availability of presenters.
For more information on the Japanese Cultural Centre or to make a booking please
contact the centre via e-mail at [email protected]
Languages Australia Website
Languages Australia is a directory of foreign language options available in
Australia for children aged 0-18 years.
The directory listing contains:

Over 270 bilingual playgroups in Australia

Over 120 preschool age options: including day-care with a foreign
language program and bilingual story-time in libraries

A list of government schools, and their foreign language programs

After school community language options and Saturday schools

A new local cultural events noticeboard
Visitors to the Languages Australia website can
also add their own organisation or event details
to the site, and sign up and contribute to their
monthly newsletter. Languages Australia also
has a Facebook page.
Be sure to have a look at the website below:
www.languagesaustralia.com.au
You can also contact Karen Nejad, the owner
and creator of the site at [email protected] for further
information.
Launch of the Ryokan Experience
Website
A new website has been launched called ‘Ryokan
Experience’. This website gathers information from
various traditional inns throughout Kyoto and brings
all of the information together in one convenient place.
Users can browse through 25 different accommodation
sites and look at information such as location, facilities
provided, whether or not the accommodation has an
English speaker available, cuisine, accommodation
options for children, cancellation policies and pictures
of rooms. It is hoped that the number of sites featured
will increase to 100 over the coming year. This
information is all displayed in English and bookings
can be made through the site.
The Ryokan Experience website will certainly make booking traditional
accommodation in Japan much easier and less intimidating. This is a must visit
site for anyone planning an upcoming trip to Japan and wanting to book a stay in a
traditional inn, without having to search for hours and being limited to the few
websites that feature information in English.
School Exchange Program in Kyoto
Kyoto Utano Youth Hostel has started a School
Exchange Program. Through this initiative visiting
Australian school groups can have a school exchange
program organised for them during their stay in
Japan.
Primary, high school or university groups can
participate in the school exchange program, and
must apply five months before departure.
For further information about this program, please
contact Ms. Kiyomi Seiriki via e-mail at [email protected] or telephone on +81-75-462-2288.
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University –
Summer Educational Programme
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University is now accepting applications for its summer
educational programme (Academic and Cultural Experience Programme). The 11
day programme is open to high school students in grades 10 to 12 who have an
interest in Japanese language and culture.
Students will be given the opportunity to study Japanese language and Asian
culture at the university, interact with students from over 80 countries and
regions, take part in a variety of educational and cultural activities, and enjoy a
rural home stay and the natural beauty of Beppu City in Oita Prefecture.
For further information please visit:
http://admissions.apu.ac.jp/student_life/ace2014.html
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The Consulate-General of Japan, Brisbane is not affiliated with the above events unless stated, and is
not responsible for these events or the content of linked websites. For further details on any of the
above events, please contact the event organisers directly.
If you know of any upcoming Japan-related events and would like to publicise them in our enewsletter, please e-mail the details through to us at: [email protected]
The final choice of articles will be at the discretion of the Consulate-General of Japan, Brisbane.