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BREEZE #63

JANUARY, 2013: BREEZE ISSUE #63
Like 0ShareA Free E-Newsletter for Friends of Japan & Teachers of Japanese

GREETING FROM THE DIRECTOR

Happy New Years From The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles!
It has been just over half a year since we moved into our new office on the Miracle Mile and I would like topersonally thank the many guests who have visited during this time. In 2013, we plan to proactively
expand our many programs including but not limited to film screenings, lectures, workshops, JF Nihongo
Courses, cultural activities, and school programs so please make sure to join us to experience Japan.
Also, we plan to have the results of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) available online by theend of January. The 2012 test was held in 243 cities in 62 countries world-wide, but unfortunately in Chinaand South Korea with the most test takers, the number of examinees dropped by 24% and 17%
respectively. In contrast, the United States saw an increase in the number of examinees by 28% with theaddition of two new test sites in Michigan and Houston. This would not be possible without the hard workof those who are studying Japanese language and I am grateful for your support.
Misako Ito, Director

EXHIBITION: CELEBRATING NEW YEARS WITH JAPANESE TOYS
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One of the features of Japanese toys is their close connection with annual events celebrated at different
times of the year with customs originating in religious rituals. This sense of history and traditional custom
is particularly alive in the games children play during New Years. For the month of January, we will be
disiplaying different Japanese toys typically played by children during this time of year. Make sure to dropby JFLA to view the different items on display and play New Year's board games, and spinning tops.

JFLA LECTURE SERIES 2: PARO
SATURDAY, JAN. 12, 1-2:30PM
In this lecture, Dr. Takanori Shibata, the creator of PARO will speak about the development of PARO and its
practical applications, and the cultural impact of robotics in Japan. The therapeutic robot PARO wasdesigned to comfort the elderly, people with disabilities, dementia patients, as well as autistic children.
PARO has been used in Japan, Europe and the U.S. for several years.
Read More

JFLA LECTURE SERIES 3: RESTORATION OF FUKUSHIMA FROM 3.11
THURSDAY, JAN. 24, 7PM-8:30PM
In this lecture, Mr. Satoru Mimura of Fukushima University's Future Center for Regional Revitalization(FURE) will talk about the restoration and rehabilitation of Fukushima after the Great East JapanEarthquake.
Read More

MAKING SUSHI IN JAPANESE: SETSUBUNWEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30TH AT 7PM
Let's celebrate Setsubun , traditional Japanese event, by making special sushi, Eho-maki ! We will throw
soybeans to chase out demons and eat sushi in the traditional way to bring in good fortune. All through,Privacy - Terms
you will learn Japanese vocabulary and basic expressions as well as Japanese culture, while making sushi

through the instruction of a professional chef of Sushi Chef Institute (www.sushischool.net). No priorJapanese learning experience necessary. Seats are limited, so please register now!

JANUARY JAPANEMA SCHEDULE
1/9 "CRAYON SHINCHAN THE STORM CALLED..."
1/9 "ECLAIR FOR OUR FUTURE, FOR CHILDREN"
1/16 "WANKO THE STORY OF ME, MY FAMILY AND MY DOG"
1/23 "CAN YOU SEE OUR LIGHTS? FIRST FESTIVAL AFTER THE TSUNAMI"
1/30 "FUKUSHIMA HULA GIRLS"

JF NIHONGO - WINTER TERM COURSEEARLY BIRD REGISTRATION DEADLINE 10% OFF: JANUARY 10TH, 2013
We will be starting our second year of JF Nihongo Courses with winter term at the end of January, 2013. To
mark our one year anniversary, we will be offering a 10% discount if you apply before the early bird
deadline (Jan. 10). Past students will also be eligible for an additional 10% discount for if their continued
support of our courses. The Everyday Japanese series including Mastering Kana and Making Friends 1 & 2
will be offered at both our Little Tokyo and Miracle Mile locations and Business Japanese will only beoffered at our Miracle Mile location. We look forward to offering Japanese language classes in 2013.
Read More2013 J-LEAP APPLICATION ENDING SOON
DEADLINE: JANUARY 31ST, 2013
The Japan Foundation is now accepting applications from host schools for the 2013 Japanese Language
Education Assistants Program (J-LEAP). Click Here if you are interested in inviting a Native Japanese
Teaching Assistant to your school next year.

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[IMPORTANT] CALLING ALL JAPANESE TEACHERS: THE 2012 JAPAN FOUNDATION SURVEY
We ask for your help with our 2012 Japanese Language Education survey we are currently conducting. Theresults of this survey will give a good idea of the current state of Japanese Education around the world. If
you are a Japanese language teacher in the United States including Guam, the Mariana Islands, andPuerto Rico we ask for your cooperation and support. Click Here for the results of the previous survey
conducted in 2009. If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Andrew
Cohen at Survey2012@jflalc.org.

NIKKATSU'S "ROMAN PORNO"THE CINEFAMILY
1/13 at 8PM "Angel Guts: Red Classroom"
1/20 at 6:45PM "Following Desire (aka Ichijo's Wet Lust)"
1/27 at 7PM "Twisted Path of Love (aka Lovers Are Wet)"

2013 JET MEMORIAL INVITATION PROGRAM (JET-MIP) ANNOUNCEMENTOn March 11, 2011, two Americans participating in the JET Programme as assistant English language
teachers lost their lives during the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Taylor Anderson, who was inIshinomaki City and Montgomery Dickson, who was in Rikuzentakada City will be forever remembered ascultural ambassadors representing the U.S. They had a positive influence on the people and communities
they served and JET-MIP was created immediately following the disaster to commemorate their work. Thisyear we will continue this program, which provides 32 high school students the opportunity to visit Japan,
with a focus on the Tohoku region, and learn about Japanese language and culture first hand.

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2012 JET MEMORIAL INVITATION PROGRAM REPORT PART 6: SENDAI AND ISHINOMAKI
In the morning we hopped on the bus and headed towards Sendai. This was the longest ride thus far atabout three and a half hours. When we got to the city, the bus made its way to Sendai Castle where wehad lunch. Afterwards, we had some time and were able to walk around the castle; however, many
participants didn't know that this was the castle. There were lots to see there including Gokoku Shrine, alarge equestrian statue of Date Masamune, and various shops and vendors.
Read More2012 JET MEMORIAL INVITATION PROGRAM: PARTICIPANT ESSAYS PART 5
This is the fifth part of an eight part series that will highlight the experiences of 32 participants of the 2012JET Memorial Invitational Program. Through this program, participants travelled to Japan in July of 2012 fora two week study tour of the Tohoku area, focusing on the cities of Rikuzentakata and Ishonomaki. Thesewere the cities that Montgomery Dickson and Taylor Anderson were assigned to during their tenure as JET
Assistant English Teachers. Sadly, they lost their lives during the Great East Japan Earthquake andTsunami in March, 2011 and this program was created to commemorate their work. Participants took part inexchanges with local elementary, and high school students as well as local community members with thepurpose of fostering friendship and goodwill between both countries. This month, we will be featuring theessays of the following participants:
Jessica KawanaKathryn Lasseter
La'Tia Smith
Lena Morrow

J-LEAP REPORT: PART 3
For the 2012-2013, we invited 10 additional teaching assistants to various schools around the country as
part of the Japanese Language Education Assistant Program (J-LEAP). We have been featuring reports
from all the participants describing their experiences as teaching assistants at American high schools. Thismonth, we will introduce the following TAs:
Yuka Nakanishi: International School of Beaverton in Beaverton, OR
Nobuyuki Umeji: Appoquinimink High School in Middletown, DE
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