SEARCH

Contact Us

Site Map

BREEZE #75

JANUARY, 2014: BREEZE ISSUE #75
Like 0ShareA Free E-Newsletter for Friends of Japan & Teachers of Japanese

GREETING FROM THE DIRECTOR

Happy New Year! (Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu)
I wish you all a healthy, happy and fruitful 2014.
As many of you may know, the Abbot of Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto announces the most popular Kanjicharacter every December that reflects the mood of the past year. The kanji WA (輪）was chosen in 2013,
which means circle and signifies the connections involved in networking with many people. It is also
symbolic of the Five Olympic Rings hinting at Japan's successful bid for the 2020 Summer Games.
If you go by the phonetic sound of WA, it has the additional meaning of peace (和) and circulation of thenew and the old (環).
Last month, ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) got together inTokyo and celebrated the 40th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. On thisoccasion, Japanese Prime Minister Shintaro Abe announced to further enhance the Heart-to-Heart
understanding between Japan and all ASEAN members by strengthening our mutual trust and friendship.
To accomplish this goal, PM Abe pointed out three important points; 1) promote art and cultural exchanges
as well as people-to-people exchanges, 2) enhance cooperation in education, including, among others,
language learning, and 3) preserve diverse culture and traditions. This also happens to correlate to themain mission of the Japan Foundation.
I am particularly happy to know that the three kanji characters for WA (和、環、輪）were used in hismessage to promote cultural exchange and language education, which are becoming ever more importantto furthering international understanding.
Privacy - Terms

In the coming year, the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles, will continue to serve our friends here in theUnited States, and we sincerely wish for your continued support because a friend in need is a friend
indeed.
Misako Ito, Director

PHOTO EXHIBITION: THE WORLD HERITAGE IN JAPANPART 1: JANUARY 28TH TUE. – FEBRUARY 22ND SAT.
PART 2: FEBRUARY 25TH TUE. – MARCH 22ND SAT.
From historical monuments to beautiful natural environments, currently, there are a total of 17 cultural andnatural sites in Japan registered as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Over 60 beautiful photographs ofthese sites taken by a renowned photographer, Kazuyoshi Miyoshi will be displayed as a two-part
exhibition at JFLA starting January 28th through March 22nd during normal library hours.

FREE JAPANESE FILM SCREENING!!
WOLF CHILDREN (117MIN., 2012)
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22 AT 7PM
VENUE: JFLA AUDITORIUM
Older sister Yuki and younger brother Ame have a secret. They are “wolf children,” half human and halfwolf. Their mother Hana met and fell in love with a wolf man. The family lives discreetly in a quiet corner ofthe city, keeping their secret to themselves. But one day, their father passes away. Their mother Hana thendecides to take Yuki and Ame out from the city and live in the countryside surrounded by nature.

Privacy - Terms

KAMISHIBAI: TRADITIONAL JAPANESE STORYTELLINGSATURDAY, JAN. 25 AT 2PM (JFLA)FREE EVENT! NO RSVP REQUIRED
Come and explore Japanese traditional storytelling, Kamishibai. This paper theater storytime incorporates
pictures, sounds, and movement for young children. It's also good for adults to learn Japanese culture andlanguage. The program will be in Japanese with English handouts.

JFLA LECTURE SERIES 15
BUILDING ART: AN ARCHITECT'S TRIP TO JAPANTHURSDAY, JANUARY 30TH, 7PM
Peter Zellner, principal and founder of ZELLNERPLUS in Venice, CA and professor at the Southern
California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) will share his thoughts about his experiences in the Japan-US
Curator Exchange Program sponsored by the Japan Foundation. Zellner along with a group of architects,scholars, and architectural curators from all over the U.S. visited projects at the Benesse Art Site inNaoshima, Aichi Triennale 2013, and the Tohoku area while exchanging opinions with architects andscholars in Japan.
Read More & RSVPJF NIHONGO TEA TIME: LET'S CHAT IN JAPANESE
SAT. JANUARY 18, 1PM AT JFLA
Come join our casual and informative conversation café that starts off the new term of our language
courses. You'll enjoy fun games and Japanese tea & snacks while chatting with native Japanese speakers- all levels are welcome! Japanese language experience is not necessary, but participants should be 18and up. If you are interested in our JF Nihongo language courses, this is a good opportunity to visit ourinformation center, see our classroom, and meet our staff.

Privacy - Terms

REGISTER NOW! JAPANESE LANGUAGE COURSES
WINTER TERM: JAN. - MARCH 22
Winter term will be starting soon so register now to learn Japanese with us! JF Nihongo(Nihongo=Japanese) features fun and unique language courses for both new Japanese-language learners
as well as those who are interested in improving their existing language skills. Get 10% off with the early
bird discount when you register by January 10. Ready, set, register!
Register HereJAPANESE-LANGUAGE EDUCATION UPDATE 2: 2012 SURVEY AND ADVOCACY PAGE
UPDATESREPORT BY AMANDA ROLLINS
Greetings, educators! We have recently updated our Survey Report on Japanese-Language Education
Abroad 2012 page to showcase the final results of the 2012 survey: Japanese learners have increased by
9.2% in the last three years! On this updated page you can find the answers to questions like: What
textbooks are American teachers of Japanese using in the classroom? Have the numbers of Japanese
language learners increased or decreased in my state? What problems and concerns are facing teachersof Japanese today? Please feel free to download the PDF graphs of the collected data and share themwith your students, parents, and administrators in advocacy presentations and reports.
Read More2014 J-LEAP: SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATIONS SOON!
DEADLINE: JANUARY 21, 2014
Privacy - Terms

There are less than two weeks remaining to submit an application for the 2014 Japanese Language
Education Assistants Program (J-LEAP). If you are interested in inviting a native Japanese teachingassistant to your school next year, please click below for more information!
Read MoreANNOUNCEMENT FOR JAPANESE TEACHERS: 2014 JET-MIP
SEND A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT TO JAPAN FOR TWO WEEKS NEXT SUMMER
On March 11, 2011, two Americans participating in the JET Program as assistant English language teachers
lost their lives during the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. They had a positive influence on thepeople and communities they served and JET-MIP was created immediately following the disaster tocommemorate their work. This the fourth year of this program and we will again provide 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. To apply, applicants must take the 2014 National Japanese Examorganized by AATJ (Registration Deadline: February 8, 2014).
*Participate in a free Webinar on Sunday, January 12, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Pacific time (4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Eastern time). Log in as a Guest at http://aatj.adobeconnect.com/r28uxv8jneb/ to hear the test developers
give an orientation to this year's NJE and answer your questions.

THE JAPAN FOUNDATION'S TRAINING PROGRAM FOR OVERSEAS TEACHERS OF
JAPANESEREPORT BY EMILY ORILLON
Every year, several non-native teachers nationwide are accepted to our teacher training program at theJapan Foundation Japanese Language Institute Urawa. The short term training program is offered in three
durations at different times during the year for participants to improve their Japanese-language skills,
teaching methodology, and their knowledge of Japan. Click below to read the read about experiences ofMs. Emily Orillon who participated in the short term program during the summer of 2013.
Read More

Privacy - Terms

J-LEAP REPORT PART 4/6
For the 2013-2014 school year, we invited 12 assistant teachers (AT) to various schools around the country
as part of the Japanese Language Education Assistant Program (J-LEAP). This is the third year of thisprogram where assistant teachers are invited for up to two years to aid in strengthening the Japanese
language program at their respective schools. This month, we will feature the reports from the following
ATs, who will describe their experiences at American high schools.
Yuko Miyata, Aina Haina Elementary School (Honolulu, HI)
Atsuya Yoshida, Taylor Allderdice High School (Pittsburgh, PA)

2013 JET MEMORIAL INVITATION PROGRAM: PARTICIPANT ESSAYS PART 5/8
In July of 2013, 32 US high school students participated in the JET Memorial Invitational Program (JETMIP). They travelled to Japan for a two week study tour of the Tohoku region, focusing on the cities ofRikuzentakata and Ishonomaki. These were the cities that Montgomery Dickson and Taylor Anderson wereassigned during their tenure as JET Assistant Language Teachers. Sadly, they lost their lives during theGreat East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in March, 2011 and JET-MIP was created to commemorate theirwork. Participants took part in exchanges with local elementary, middle and high school students as well
as local community groups with the purpose of fostering friendship and goodwill between both countries.
Each month, we will feature four essays written by the participants describing their experiences in Japan.
Click below to read about their unforgettable journey.
Alex Leal
Viola Mocz
Aaron Ramirez
Libby Ro

Past Issues (2020)

Privacy - Terms

Past Issues (2019)



Past Issues (2018)



Past Issues (2017)

Past Issues (2016)



Past Issues (2015)



Past Issues (2014)

Breeze #86

Breeze #85

Breeze #84

Breeze #83

Breeze #82

Breeze #81

Breeze #80

Breeze #79

Breeze #78

Breeze #77

Breeze #76Breeze #75

Breeze Past Issues

Breeze Issues #1-#36 (PDF)
Privacy - Terms

Headquarters

New York Office

Center for Global PartnershipJapan Related Links

Volunteer

ボランティア募集

Job Openings (Updated)

5700 Wilshire blvd, Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90036
P. 323.761.7510

Annual Report© 2019 The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles
Web Design.

Privacy - Terms