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The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles Newsletter
Breeze Issue #138 | April 2019

Director Greeting
Greetings!
At the onset of my fifth year in LA, I would like to thank all
the organizations and individuals who have been
generous enough to collaborate with us in various forms
during the past four years. Two weeks ago, I was at the El
Rey Theater here in LA hosting an extraordinarily
successful performance of Awa-Odori and urban street
dance, and I was strongly reminded of the importance ofbeing free of any preconceived notions about culture.
Both dance groups we invited, while being faithful to theirrespective traditions, were willing to take risks and try out
new things in this unprecedented collaboration. What
resulted on stage was an unstoppable flow of energy andcreativity and the joyful sense of freedom. While somepeople may want to seek ‘authenticity’ in culturalpresentation, I would argue that there is no such thing as‘100% pure Japanese’ or ‘genuinely traditional’ culture,
because culture keeps evolving and that is the only way it
grows.
Our job is not to let culture die in confinement, but to let itgrow through creativity and risk-taking. The biggest by
product of that will be a great sense of freedom thatinspires every member of the audience and possibly
spawns new forms of self-expression from them. I canassure you that we will continue to organize many more
events that inspire you during the upcoming year.
Sincerely,Hideki Hara
DirectorSpecial Announcement
2019-20 GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE!
Salary Assistance Grant : April 10th Deadline!!
The following grants are also available:
1. Japanese Language Learners Event Grant
Deadlines: 3/1/2019, 9/1/20192. Japanese Teaching Material Purchase Grant
Deadlines: 3/15/2019, 9/15/2019
3. Japanese Language Education Project Grant
Deadline: Two months prior to the project start date
Read MoreEvents
MEDITATION WITH JAPANESE SINGING BOWL
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3
12:30PM, 1:00PM (20MIN SESSIONS)FREE ADMISSION
Mid-week fatigue is a familiar foe to many of us. Why not
maximize your relaxation and join us for a Sound Bath atLunchtime!
The singing bowl used for this program harmoniously
combines the healing qualities of the Tibetan singing bowl andits Japanese traditional singing bowl. Relax and feel yourstress dissipate into thin air as the sounds of the singing bowl
lead you into a meditative state.
There is no charge and no reservation required. All arewelcome to come, sit, listen, and refresh!
Read More

DEMONSTRATION & WORKSHOPA REVOLUTION IN MOVEMENT:THE TRADITIONAL AND INNOVATIVE WORLD OF DANCELECTURER/PERFORMER: UMEKAWA ICHINOSUKEMONDAY, APRIL 8, 7PM
FREE ADMISSION, REGISTRATION REQUIREDA demonstration of both classical Japanese dance andinnovative unique “Buyo” will be given by Dance MasterUmekawa Ichinosuke. In his performance, he will showcase
the distinctive features and nuances of each dance move. Not
only will participants witness two forms of art merge together,
forming a cultural bridge between East and West, they will
also be able to see the magical and musical flow of energy. At
the workshop, Master Umekawa will show movements andtechniques to master basic performance.

Read More

FREE JAPANESE CINEMA SCREENING
Penguin Highway (118mins, 2018)
Directed by Hiroyasu Ishida
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10 @7PM
FREE ADMISSION, NO
REGISTRATION REQUIRED*Seating is on a first come first serve basis and subject tocapacity. Please arrive early for best seating.
An animated sci-fi fantasy adapting Tomihiko Morimi's
identically titled novel. Budding genius Aoyama is only in the
4th grade, but already lives his life like a scientist. He has agreat rapport with The Lady at his dentist's office.
Watch Trailer

JAPANESE CONVERSATION CAFE: TEA TIME
SATURDAY, APRIL 13 @12-2PM
FREE ADMISSION, REGISTER NOW
Our popular Tea Time event is coming back again, this time
on a Saturday afternoon! 100 people get together and you willenjoy Japanese snacks and tea while you chat with native
Japanese speakers. All levels welcome! Japanese language
experience is not necessary-this event is open to everyone,ages 18 and up.
Read More

Bilingual Yoga At Lunchtime
Wednesday, April 17
12:30PM & 1:00PM (20 Min Sessions)Free Admission
Wellness Wednesdays: We offer Wellness programs on
Wednesday at lunchtime!
April 17 is Yoga day! In this program, no need to change
clothes or use a yoga mat; you will be seated in a chairreceiving relaxing instruction from a bilingual (English andJapanese) instructor. Learn simple Japanese phrases during
the instruction and stretch your mind as well as your body.
There will be two free sessions beginning at 12:30pm and1:00pm. No reservation necessary, all are welcome.
Read More

JFLA LECTURE SERIES 60
CHERRY BLOSSOMS ODYSSEYLECTURER: NAOKO ABETHURSDAY, APRIL 18, 7PM
FREE ADMISSION, REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Cherry blossoms are symbols of beauty. They originated inJapan more than 2,000 years ago and can now be seen allover the world. But the role of sakura in Japanese history has
been checkered and not always positive.
Read MoreApplications
JF NIHONGO SPRING 2019
APRIL 20 - JUNE 29
REGISTER NOW!
Study Japanese this spring! The registration for JF Nihongo
Spring term has started!
People interested in learning Japanese at JFLA will havethree beginner-level Japanese-language courses. In eachclass, students will learn concepts and communication skills
which are essential to having a well-rounded understanding ofeveryday Japanese!
Read More

News
Japanese Language Education Update 65:
Report from AATJ/AAS 2019
Hello from Denver! A number of our staff are now here toattend the AATJ and AAS Spring 2019 conferences fromMarch 21 to March 23!
As always, AATJ has scheduled a great day packed withhighly informative sessions. One thing that we always enjoy isseeing how teachers constantly upgrade their classes to stay
up-to-date with changes in society. Topics were varied, andwe listened to presentations on topics such as on thediversifying Japanese classroom. We find, for example, moreinternational
students
learning
Japanese.
Throughexperiential learning, international students are offered not
only a fun experience, but also something valuable to learn
beyond the superficial, to compel them to seek a deeper levelof understanding Japanese culture and society.
In the same vein, bringing social justice into the classroom isstill something that simply makes sense for connecting
students to critical 21st century skills. As all of us around theworld find ourselves interacting - and sadly at times in conflictwith - other cultures more and more, greater global
awareness is needed in a diversifying and multicultural world.
This involves a more nuanced view of society, where we seeka more egalitarian and just future. The Japanese class that
implements issues of social justice will be able to provide
students with critical thinking skills to use beyond theclassroom.

Our JFLA director Hideki Hara gave a presentation titled “21stCentury Skills and New GEN-J Program to Promote
Networking Among Industry, Government, and Education.”
Japanese teachers, unconsciously or not, provide many
intangible skills to students. They give students the skills to be
attuned to a company’s work culture, to be flexible andadaptable in navigating cultures and “reading the room,” andimportantly, to have a psychological safe space for students.
Therefore, qualities that are embedded in today’s 21st century
skills are already being taught in the Japanese classroom,and the Japanese teacher would certainly benefit from being
cognizant and indeed, proud of their contribution!
The AAS sessions also began right after AATJ, and boy did it
start strong! As always, Japan-studies scholars are finding alot of sessions of high interest here, too, from tourism in rural
Japan, to immigration in Japan and the shifting definitions of“foreigner,” “Japanese,” and “international student.”
What ties all these presentations together is the fact thatJapanese teachers and researchers in the field of Japanesestudies are preparing us for a rapidly changing anddiversifying society, as any good educator would. Throughthis, the student will gain the skills and qualities to not only
learn Japanese, or to gain important job skills, but to also
grow as a person in today’s society.

2018-2020 J-LEAP: Participant Voices
Although the application period for 2019-2021 J-LEAP ended,
we have a few more articles from participants that we will behighlighting in the next few issues of Breeze.
This month, we would like to welcome Shino Ueo who iscurrently team teaching with Nathan Bynum sensei at The
Obama Academy of International Studies in Pittsburgh, PA.
Follow the link below to read about her experiences!
Read More