Greetings!
I am writing this message in Seattle attending a workshop on leadership education, hosted by Consulate General of Japan in Seattle. A mixed group of educators including foreign language teachers and local business representatives have come together to discuss whether leadership is ‘teachable’ and if so, how, especially within the context of world language education. I was assigned as a moderator of a panel that consists of education specialists, an HR consultant, and a college language teacher of Japanese. One of the major takeaways from the panel was that, yes, leadership is definitely teachable and world language teachers may not have to do extra work because they are already teaching many important leadership qualities such as active listening, persistence, empathy, and cultural awareness. What may be needed, however, is that teachers be more aware of their capacity as leadership educators and tailor their class activities to the individual students’ needs to become better leaders themselves. That does not mean students have to be pushed harder to speak up with a louder voice. Every student has to find a leadership style that best suits their needs; a quiet student may well become a ‘quiet leader’ who will lead by listening to others attentively. Teachers’ job is to help each and every student become aware of their strength and, most importantly, realize that they can be leaders just like everybody else.
In today’s world, leadership is simultaneously overrated and underrated. ‘Showy’ leaders brag about their non-existent accomplishments while quiet leaders work endlessly to mediate diverse opinions and facilitate agreements, which are almost never publicized. we will continue to nurture those leaders who are rarely in the spotlight by showing the students the importance of subtle nuances and sensibilities to differences.
Sincerely,
Hideki Hara
Director
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“This is My Japan” Video Project
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What is your Japan?
We have received over 80 videos from a wide range of people since the start of this campaign and we look forward to receiving more videos from all corners of the United States! This month, we will be featuring videos from the individuals below.
Shared Videos (New)
Please help us out by sharing a video of Your Japan with us, following the guidelines below:
How to share Your Japan
• Take a one minute video with your phone/video camera.
• Show something that is a symbol of your Japan, or of your memory related to your story.
• Within one minute, tell your story in English.
• Conclude the video saying “This is My Japan”.
• Send your video to us!
• Take a video with your friends and say “This is My Japan!” all together at the end.
• See the example, below.
The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles will post your video on our Facebook and Instagram.
We look forward to seeing Your Japan!
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JFLA WORKSHOP
BE A HOLLYWOOD STAR IN JAPANESE!: VOICE ACTING WORKSHOP
Tuesday, February 4 @7:00 - 9:00PM
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Have you ever imagined being a Japanese voice actor, doing voice-over of Hollywood stars’ lines? We will give you a chance to challenge yourself in the world of voice acting! In this exciting workshop, professionals from Japan Visualmedia Translation Academy (JVTA) will instruct you to talk like actors using scenes from popular Hollywood movies. All levels are welcome!
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WELLNESS WEDNESDAY
BILINGUAL YOGA AT LUNCHTIME
Wednesday, February 5
12:30PM & 1:00PM (20 Minute Sessions)
Free Admission
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Wellness Wednesdays: We offer Wellness programs on Wednesday at lunchtime!
February 5 is Yoga day! In this program, no need to change clothes or use a yoga mat; you will be seated in a chair receiving relaxing instruction from a bilingual (English and Japanese) 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 and 1:00pm. No reservation necessary, all are welcome
.
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FREE JAPANESE CINEMA SCREENING
NEVER-ENDING MAN: HAYAO MIYAZAKI
Wednesday, February 12 @7:00PM
Free Admission
In Japanese With English Subtitles
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In 2013, film director and animator Hayao Miyazaki suddenly announced his retirement at the age of 72. But he couldn’t shake his burning desire to create. After an encounter with young CGI animators, Miyazaki embarked on a new endeavor, his first project ever to utilize CGI. But the artist, who had been adamant about hand-drawn animation, confronted many challenges. The film even faces the danger of being cancelled. Can an old master who thinks he’s past his prime shine once again? This program goes behind the scenes over two years as Miyazaki overcomes struggles to create his short film using CGI.
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JFLA EXHIBITION
MELODIES OF SHINING SILK: JAPANESE EMBROIDERY BY SHIZUKA KUSANO
February 15 - March 14
Monday - Friday: 10:00AM - 7:00PM
Saturday 12:00PM - 5:00PM
Closed on Sundays and
Presidents' Day (2/17)
FREE ADMISSION
PRE-OPENING EVENT:
MEET THE ARTIST
Friday, February 14 @7:00PM
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Shizuka Kusano, one of the most admired and recognized textile artists in Japan today, showcases contemporary art pieces based on 1500 year-old traditional embroideries inspired by Japanese poetry, literature and art
.
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CRAFT CONTEMPORARY
SHIZUKA KUSANO TRUNK SHOW
Saturday & Sunday
February 15 & 16 @11:00AM - 6:00PM
Free Admission
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Craft Contemporary Shop hosts a special trunk show by Shizuka Kusano. Join us for an opportunity to shop rare handmade items from one of Japan’s most well-known embroidery artists
.
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WELLNESS WEDNESDAY
MEDITATION WITH JAPANESE SINGING BOWL
Wednesday, February 19
12:30PM & 1:00PM (20 Min Sessions)
Free Admission
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Mid-week fatigue is a familiar foe to many of us. Why not maximize your relaxation and join us for a Sound Bath at Lunchtime!
The singing bowl used for this program harmoniously combines the healing qualities of the Tibetan singing bowl and its Japanese traditional singing bowl. Relax and feel your stress 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 are welcome to come, sit, listen, and refresh!
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TABAIMO & MAKI MORISHITA: FRUITS BORNE OUT OF RUST
Thursday - Sunday, February 20 - 23
TICKETS: $11/$18/$22
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Isolation, contagion and instability: Fruits borne out of rust, conceived of and directed by internationally known Japanese visual artist Tabaimo, uses drawings, video installations and live music to probe these unsettling themes that lurk beneath daily existence. Her intricate animations transform the stage, while Maki Morishita’s subtle yet dynamic choreography enhances Tabaimo's peculiar and introspective world.
This tour
is supported by The Japan Foundation through the Performing Arts JAPAN program.
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FREE JAPANESE CINEMA SCREENING
KILLING
Wednesday, February 26 @7:00PM
Free Admission
In Japanese With English Subtitles
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The first samurai period film from Shinya Tsukamoto who has captured international attention with
Tetsuo The Iron Man and
Fires on the Plain among others. Questions about life and death are brought into the open through ronin earnestly living in a farming village during the turbulent times of the late Edo period.
250 years free of warfare have impoverished samurai in the late Edo period. Tsuzuki Mokunoshin (Sosuke Ikematsu) has also left his fiefdom and lives with a farming family. He practices his swordsmanship by sparring with neighbor Ichisuke (Ryusei Maeda). He has also become close with Ichisuke's elder sister, Yu (Yu Aoi). One day the three witness a duel taking place within the grounds of a shrine.
*This film contains some adult material. Viewer discretion is advised.
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LET'S CHAT IN JAPANESE
JAPANESE CONVERSATION CAFE: TEA TIME
Tuesday, February 25 @7:00PM
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Our popular "Tea Time", conversation cafe is coming back! Come enjoy 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!
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NEW! 2020-21 JAPANESE-LANGUAGE GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE!
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We are pleased to announce the start of our Fiscal Year 2020-21 grant programs that we organize annually to support Japanese-Language Education in the United States.
These include the following:
Grants for Nationwide/Statewide/Regional-level Events and Projects
Deadlines: March 1 & September 1, 2020
Deadline: Two months prior to the project start date
Grants for Individual Japanese Language Programs
Deadline: April 10, 2020
Deadlines: March 15 & September 15, 2020
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JF NIHONGO
WINTER TERM IS NOW FULL!
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We did it again! Everyday Japanese 1 both Saturday & Thursday course have been completely filled. If you missed it this time, your next chance will be during Spring term, which is scheduled to start in mid-April. Online registration should start in the beginning of March. Stay tuned as we will update our website as soon as the schedule is confirmed.
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JF GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT
GRANT AWARDED TO UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON
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Congratulations to the Japanese language & culture program at the
University of Mary Washington
on its official start! Thank you all for the time and effort you put into making it happen. We also thank Mr. Takehiro Shimada, Minister for Public Affairs of the Japanese Embassy, for presenting our grant check for the newly started program.
Please also read the following news articles covered by the local media.
Fredericksburg
Culpeper Star Exponent
News Break
Eagle Eye
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2019/2020 Japanese-Language Education Assistant Program (J-LEAP)
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Our Japan Foundation Headquarters’ website has just launched a new
J-LEAP Movie Page!
Click around and see previous and current participants talk openly about their day-to-day experiences in this exciting program.
Is this program right for your school?
The initial Lead Teacher (LT)/Host Organization application period for the Japanese Language Education Assistant Program (J-LEAP) has ended, and now the Laurasian Institution and the Japan Foundation will now select the best candidates from those who applied to move forward.
This month, we would like to welcome
Riisa Wada
who is currently at Maloney Interdistrict Magnet School in Waterbury, CT. She is the last to report from the 1999-2020 J-LEAP Assistant Teachers
!
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Japanese Language Education Update 75
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With the start of 2020, we would like to focus on the new AATJ (American Association of Teachers of Japanese) board members! We would like to thank Immediate Past President Ms. Suwako Watanabe for all her time and efforts for the previous year. We would also like to extend a warm welcome to President Ms. Junko Mori (University of Wisconsin, Madison), President-Elect Ms. Ann Jordan (Laurasian Institution), and Vice President Mr. Shingo Satsutani (College of DuPage)! Yoroshiku onegai shimasu（よろしくおねがいします）! JFLA looks forward to working with the officers in ensuring that Japanese Language Education all over the United States continues to gain a strong foothold with Japanese language educators. We believe that it’s important to continue supporting professional development of each and every single Japanese language instructor. Although when checking out 2018 survey results, it may seem there is an increase in educators, the primarily growth is in part-time instructors rather than full-time instructors. These results show how important it is for our organization to take upon the Japanese Language Survey every three years to see the changes and what we could do to help support Japanese language educators. Knowing where the increases and decreases in student, teacher, and program number occur will help us provide the proper care and financial support. The finalized survey will be available in March and we will update our website accordingly. Please look forward to the results and if there are any questions, please contact us anytime by visiting
https://www.jflalc.org/contact and selecting Japanese Language Education from the drop down list.
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