A Free E-Newsletter for Friends of Japan & Teachers of Japanese
Although July is the start of summer vacation for many people, it is one of the busiest times for us here at JFLA. We will be organizing the 2012 JET Memorial Invitation Program with the Pre-Departure Orientation here at our office. This program will provide thirty-two high school students with the opportunity to visit Japan for two weeks. We are also working hard to get all the books in the library nicely displayed so we can celebrate our grand re-opening by the end of summer. Finally, please checkout our new fun summer programs for kids; Making Sushi with Mom/Dad at Miracle Mile. Enjoy your busy summer!
Misako Ito, Director
JFLA is now on Facebook. If you use the social media site, please make sure to visit and like our page. Here you can find out about all the events that we support to promote Japanese language and culture and it will also make it easier to share these events with your family and friends.
We will offer three special courses for summer term
1) Summer Camp for Teens - Discover Little Tokyo (7/16-7/20): This course is designed for teens (14-18 year old), who are interested in learning Japanese and are also want to explore the Little Tokyo.
2) Japanese for Fun - Making Sushi with Mom/ Dad (8/4 or 8/11): This workshop will be offered for both parents and children, who are interested in making sushi and learning about the language and culture related to food.
3) JLPT The Basics - N4 & N5 (8/25): This three hour workshop is designed for those who are interested in taking the N4 or N5 level Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).
Registration will start in mid-June.
The Pre-Departure Orientation will be held at our office on Monday, July 10th, 2012. We will be inviting several guest speakers including the Anderson Family and the Dickson Family, Mr. Bryan Takeda from the US Japan Council, Mr. Yasuyuki Harada from Japan National Tourism Organization, Mr. Bob Nguyen and Mr. Canon Purdy who were friends of Taylor Anderson during the JET program, and Mr. Eurico Senna who was a participant in the 2011 JET-MIP. Following the orientation, there will be a send-off dinner at the Official Residence of the Consul General of Japan Los Angeles. A JFLA staff member will be accompanying the participants throughout this program and will be providing a full report in an upcoming issue of Breeze so make sure to check back for updates.
The 2012 JLPT will be administered on Sunday, December 2nd, 2012. Registration will start on Tuesday, September 4th and last through Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012. This year, we will have an online registration where you can register for the test. There will be 13 test sites in the United States this year with two new test sites in Houston, Texas and Ann Arbor, Michigan. Despite the announcement in the previous edition of Breeze, Boulder, Colorado, is no longer a test site for the JLPT. For more information, please visit the JLPT section of our website.
The new traveling exhibition of the Japan Foundation curated by Rei Masuda, curator at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, “Gazing at the Contemporary World: Japanese Photography from the 1970s to the Present” is an overview of the diverse photographic expression that has emerged in Japan since the 1970s. In its final form, the exhibition includes 76 photographs by 23 photographers.
VSA Colorado / Access Gallery, 909 Santa Fe Drive ~ 303-777-0797
Friday, July 6, 2012: First Friday Reception 5:00-9:00 p.m. (Open to the public)
Saturday, July 7, 2012 : Director, Producer & Artist Reception 5:00-8:00 p.m. (Ticketed Event)
Denver Film Center ~ 2510 Colfax, Denver, CO 80206
Film Center Box Office ~ 303-595-3456
Little Tokyo Music Festival (FREE Admission)
Appreciation for support towards the Great East Japan Earthquake and to request continued support.
Jazz, Rock, J-POP, Taiko Drum, etc. over 10 groups
The main part of the show feature world class performances with introduction and presentation by the ballet pianist and dancer Mami Hariyama, who will speak about the famous dances from the ballet, "Swan Lake" from her unique perspective as a ballet dancer and musician. Her presentation also includes fun topics, such as fitness, beauty and diet tips based on the ballet methods.
The L.A. Tanabata Festival (LATF) is a most unique and “colorful addition” to the Nisei Week Festivities in Little Tokyo. The fantastic displays are made by individuals, families, groups, organizations, businesses, churches, temples, government offices, and etc.