NIHONJINKAI/The Japanese Association of Denmark
Annual General Meeting 2024
Venue: Christianskirken, Chr.X Allé 120, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby
Date: 10th March 2024

MINUTES
1. Welcome and election of a chairman of the annual general meeting and approval ofthe agenda.
Ms. Rie Tsuchiya was elected as a chairman of the annual meeting. The following agenda wasapproved by the members.
Agenda
1. Welcome and election of a chairman of the annual general meeting
2. Report on the fiscal 2023 from the committee
3. Financial report for the year 2023 and approval
4. Approval of the committee members for 2024
5. Member fees for the year 2025 and approval
6. Activities and financial plan for 2024 and approval
7. Other matters

2. Report on the fiscal 2023 from the committee
The committee members reported the activities for 2023 as below:
2.1 General
Although the president was absent, the number of members increased. Contact with theJapanese supplementary school decreased. This year, no one could attend the graduationand entrance ceremonies, but we should participate in the future.
2.2 JDNet magazine
The March 2023 issue was published in paper format, including the minutes of the general
meeting and the financial report. A continuous concern is the lack of feedback from readers.
Although we have conducted giveaways and surveys, there has been no response. The
contributors are enthusiastic readers, so we would like to ask members for their cooperationin submitting articles and ideas for future projects. Yoko Mainatz, who has led the lay-out
team for many years, stepped down at the end of 2023 and will support us in a supervisoryrole. We have received new energy from Ayumi (Kazuko’s granddaughter), who has joined
the team.
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2.3 Local activities-Sjælland: 6 events were held. Some our “traditional” events were replaced by new
arrangements such as Museum visit and professional guided tour and they are successful.
-Fyn: A Committee member Ms. Daifuku took a year off. Although there are few members inFyn, Danish people tend to participate individually. The venue is small, so there is a limit of
40 people.
-Jylland: 5 events were held. As a first attempt, we held a Shichi-Go-San celebration at theyear-end party. We prepared kimonos and Chitose candy. We hope more children will
participate next time.
-Senior meetings: There are 56 registered members. Kazuko continues as therepresentative. Even Danish husbands whose Japanese wives have passed away havebecome new members and are participating. The age range is wide, from 55 to 91 years
old. Meetings are held every two months at lunchtime, with 15-20 participants. We arealways looking for recommended restaurants (limited to those that use chopsticks).
-Choir: We held a concert to celebrate our 8th anniversary, with about 90 attendees. Thelyrics translated into Danish and displayed via projector were very well received.
Currently, we have 19 members. We practice on Monday mornings from 10 AM to 12 PM.
We are currently practicing for our 10th anniversary concert in 2025.
-Copenhagen Sakura Festival: Members expressed the opinion that the content of theprogram needs to be explained in more detail, otherwise it would be difficult for foreigners
who are unfamiliar with Japanese culture.
-ENJA: The 11th Swiss Conference was held online in June. The theme focused on thelives of Japanese people growing old in foreign lands. The topics were ‘Welfare and Care’and ‘Japanese Language Education’ for those living and growing up in foreign countries. Itis up to the host country to decide whether to choose one of these themes or to challengeboth, but the possibility of connections between the two themes was also mentioned as a
new direction. Please see the webpage summarizing the past activities of ENJA.
https://enja.jimdosite.com/
https://sites.google.com/view/11enja/%E3%83%9B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0-online events: In collaboration with the Fukuoka Denmark Association, the first
International Dialogue Café was held on January 28, 2024. The theme was ‘SupportingChildren’s Mental Health: School Refusal.’ The second session was held on March 17,
focusing on ‘Supporting Children’s Mental Health: Safe Spaces for Children.’ Ai Yamakawa
and Emi Aoyama Eskildsen from the Japanese Association gave presentations. There werealso recorded sessions available, providing inspiration for Japanese people both in Japanand Denmark. The event is planned to be held every three months.

3. Financial report for the year 2023 and approvalThe committee members reported the financial status in fiscal year 2023 audited by Mr.
Toshimitsu Ueda (*appendix 1). It was approved by the members.
3.1 The number of members and changes are as follows:
Members in total (as of 31st December 2023): 245 families (+26 families)
Standard membership: 202 families (incl. free membership for over 80 years old: 14families)
Studens: 12 members
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Corporate members: 7 organizations (17 families)
Andersen Bakery Europe A/S
DNP Denmark ApS
Embassy of Japan in Denmark
Gloval Vision Europe A/SJanax A/SNyborg & Rørdam Advokatfirma
Tokai University European center
Although there are fees, the ability to join and pay membership dues at times other thanJanuary 1st, as well as the introduction of MobilePay, might be making it easier to join.
In the financial year 2023, the balance of income and expenditure remained negative, just likelast year. Members pointed out that if this situation continues, bank deposits will run out withina few years. The question was raised as to whether membership fees should be used in thecurrent manner.
4. Approval of the committee members for 2024
The following new committee members were proposed and approved by the members.
Chairperson: no candidate*The chairperson is a signatory on behalf of the Japanese Association of Denmark.
Committee members (6): Kimiko Laursen, Michiko Winsløw, Harumi Daifuku Dahl,
Maki Ishii-Dodson, Megumi Yamakawa, Atsuko Sonohata (treasurer)
Committee counsel (6): Merete Pedersen, Aya Nakamura, Emi Aoyama Eskildsen,
Noriko Vestergaard, Tokuko Matsumoto, Alina Koriakina
Consultants (3): Hisamitsu Takai, Midori Fischer, Kazuko Mayer
Auditor: no candidate5. Member fees for the year 2025 and approval
The committee proposed as below and approved by the members.
Standard Membership: DKK 250/family
Students: DKK 100 (incl. working holiday visitors)
Standard membership over 80 years old (if they apply by themselves): free
Corporate membership: DKK 2000
6. Activities and financial plan for 2024 and approval
Planned activities in 2024 were explained by the committee. The financial plan was proposed(see appendix 1). Both were approved by the members.

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Due to the incomplete management and updates of the website, the payment has not beenmade. We would like to complete it within the 2024 fiscal year if possible. Assistant Arena andDirector Sonohata are in charge.

Event plans for each region were announced and approved.
Jylland made a special arrangement collaborating with Horsens and Randers commune in
beginning of March. Total visitors were up to 400 and successfully done. Thanks for allvolunteers.
The next ENJA conference is scheduled to be held online in 2025, hosted by the London
Japanese Association. Although it has been free until now, this needs to be reconsidered.
Advisor Midori Fischer is planning to gradually hand over responsibilities to Director Maki Ishii
Dodson, who has already been attending meetings. In 2025, she is expected to take on a mainrole.
The JDNet magazin is scheduled to continue to be published once in color paper version andonce in digital version in 2024.
Copenhagen Sakura Festival 2024 flyer is finished. A Taishogoto group will be coming. The
mochi pounding and bazaar will be held as usual. This year, as a trial, we extended therestaurant’s closing time.
7. Other matters
As mentioned in the financial report section, members suggested that they would like to havefurther discussions on how to use membership fees in the future.
Committees wish to increase the number of events. How about focusing on traditional events
like Setsubun and Hinamatsuri? Kimono dressing is always popular, but is it possible?

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APPENDIX 1

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