An Online Newsletter Showcasing Our Programs For The Month Of August, 2021!
Dear Friends,

It is my great pleasure and honor to be appointed as Director of the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles (JFLA) since the fall of 2020. Before coming to the United States, I served as the Director of the Educational Training Section at the Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Kansai, and Master of the Ceremony at the Imperial Household Agency. My overseas experiences include Director of JF Bangkok, Thailand, as well as JF Sydney, Australia.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, we had to adjust ourselves to the unprecedented circumstances by delivering all of our programs online while our staff worked from home. What encouraged me most was the fact that our supporters selected our programs out of the numerous Japan-themed online programs from all over the world, raised many interesting questions, and gave us encouragement as well as much positive feedback. For some time, I was even amazed at how deep and diverse our supporters’ interests and knowledge were about Japan. 

For arts and cultural programs, I think that it is very important to keep creating diverse content related to Japan, even for those who are already familiar with Japan, as well as the younger generation who may encounter Japan for the very first time through our programs. In addition, we will continue to devote ourselves to provide programs that are not only fun and intriguing, but also inspiring and thought-provoking so that you will deepen your their knowledge and understanding of Japan.

With regards to Japanese language education in the US, I was deeply impressed by the tremendous efforts made by Japanese teachers in the U.S. to not only teach the language, but also to introduce the rich and diverse culture of Japan to their students. By doing so, they create global minded students, who are better able to take on the real world challenges of the 21st century.

I definitely respect this characteristics of Japanese language education in the US and would like to provide support in any way possible. 

Although there were many limitation for going out and meeting people during the first half of 2021, nevertheless, I experienced many unique aspects of America and was sometimes even astonished by them. These are things that I would never have experienced if I never came to the US. 

As the Japanese proverb goes “Seeing is better than hearing,” and I look forward to going out and encountering as many Americans as possible during the latter half of 2021.

 I hope that cross-cultural exchange and understanding will deepen and shine even more gracefully through actual in person meetings and programs in the near future.

Please remain safe and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,

Yasuko Uchida
Director
The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles
EXHIBITION
Nobuo Anzai: Still Life & Folktales
Venue: JFLA Gallery
August 2nd - 31st
Monday - Saturday: 12 - 6pm
Sundays: Closed
Exhibition Still Lifes and Folktales is a continuing survey of artist Nobuo Anzai with selected works from his most recent works from “Childhood Memories, “ and his coffee paintings. In this edition, we will explore his reenacting of traditions, rituals and festivals of Fukushima’s past, and the contemplative still life paintings made in his way of life in Los Angeles. This show will be presented in person at our gallery space in conjunction with the online exhibition Homage to a Nomadic Storyteller.

JAPANEMA ONLINE
SEVEN GIRLS
(144 mins, 2018)
Wed, 8/4, 7PM - Thur, 8/5, 7PM (PDT)
Click Here to Watch (accessible during screening period only)
The Pacific War has ended and eight prostitutes entertain American soldiers in American occupied Tokyo. They have managed to get by while helping one another, but the women are being trifled with by the men around them.

REGISTRATION STARTS ON AUGUST 5TH
ONLINE JAPANESE COURSE
FALL 2021
Our popular Online Japanese Class will be back in Fall. Online registration is scheduled to start on August 5. Mark your calendar because once the online registration starts, seats will be gone quickly.

VIRTUAL WORKSHOP:
ACTION IN JAPANESE
On-Demand Program Starts
Thursday, August 12th 7pm (PDT)
Admission Free, Registration Required
Let’s play different roles by using various gestures and facial expressions! Our popular workshop "Action in Japanese" is a great way to learn conversational Japanese! In this workshop, Japanese actor, Naoyuki Ikeda, will teach you how to react like Japanese people in natural settings, and learning to speak spontaneously using basic Japanese phrases as well as quoting actual phrases from popular Japanese movies.

VIRTUAL KARATE EXERCISE AT LUNCHTIME
Wednesday, August 11th
12:30PM PT (15 Minute Session)
Whether at work or at home, let's refresh yourself for 15 minutes on your lunchtime together with us! Karate Exercise will be offered via JFLA Facebook LIVE!

World class instructors from Kyokushin Karate of Los Angeles will give you a set of beginner’s level exercises from their basic movement with their English instruction.

There will be one 15-minute session starting at 12:30pm. Just go to JFLA's Facebook page. Achieve the unity of body and spirit!

VIRTUAL BILINGUAL YOGA AT LUNCHTIME
Wednesday, August 18th
12:30PM PT (15 Minute Session)
Bilingual Yoga will be offered this month via JFLA Facebook LIVE!

No need to change clothes or use a yoga mat; you will be seated in a chair at home and receive an instruction from our instructor in bilingual (English and Japanese). Easy and relaxed!

There will be one session starting at 12:30pm. Just go to JFLA's Facebook page. Refresh and recharge yourself with us at home!

VIRTUAL MEDITATION WITH JAPANESE SINGING BOWL
Wednesday, August 4th & 25th
12:30PM PT (15 Min Session)
Meditation with Japanese Singing Bowl will be offered this month via JFLA Facebook LIVE!

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 will be one session starting at 12:30pm. Just go to JFLA's Facebook page. Stretch and refresh yourself with us at home!

ON-DEMAND PROGRAM COLORFUL: A CONVERSATION WITH ETO MORI and JULIE LYTHCOTT-HAIMS
Click Here to Watch
In collaboration with Counterpoint Press, The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles invites you to listen to internationally-acclaimed author Eto Mori discussing her bestselling book, Colorful, which is now available in English! Joined by New York Times bestselling author Julie Lythcott-Haims, the authors discuss not just their crafts and writing practices, but also the tragedy of depression and suicide amongst youths.

2021-2022 Japanese Language Grants Now Available!
Learners Event Grant
Deadlines: 9/1/2021

Teaching Material Purchase Grant
Deadlines: 9/15/2021

Language Education Project Grant
Deadline: Two months prior to the project start date

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Advocacy Support Letter
If your Japanese language program is in danger of being cut due to COVID-19, we will send a support letter to stakeholders (Superintendent, Principal, Dean, etc.).

Please contact
Japanese Language Education Update 92
I hope everyone is having a lovely 夏休み (summer break)! Did you get to try some かき氷 (shaved ice) during the summer? It was actually Kakigōri Day on July 25th. Japan has many holidays and days related to food and/or events. I know that school is right around the corner but I am grateful that you are healthy and making through another school year. During your summer break, were you able to brush up your Japanese? Were you able to try Minato, our e-learning platform? It’s available for everyone all year round so please check it out when you can! We had few opportunities to present our resources and videos that would be useful to students. What Japan Foundation resources have helped you so far in terms of learning? What resources do you think would help you learn Japanese better? And also, what are ways you are connecting with Japan during the pandemic? Although it is difficult to go to Japan at the moment, I watch a lot of YouTube videos and read articles to keep me updated/imagine all the places I could possibly explore in the near future. If you have any questions or awesome ideas, please feel free to contact jflaeducation@jflalc.org. We have also been working on a project that could be helpful for Japanese language learners so stay tuned!
STAGE BEYOND BORDERS
The Japan Foundation (JF) has started the project “STAGE BEYOND BORDERS—Selection of Japanese Performances,” which presents outstanding Japanese stage performances online for people throughout the world who are seeking opportunities to enjoy Japanese stage performances amid the spread of COVID-19.

Performing arts is one of the earliest forms of entertainment that through strangers and various environments stirs the imagination about ongoing stories and provides hopes and hints about the real world. The Japan Foundation’s online project “STAGE BEYOND BORDERS—Selection of Japanese Performances” is expected to encourage hope for all people who enjoy performing arts by presenting outstanding Japanese stage performances beyond borders in multiple languages. The Japan Foundation hopes to cultivate new fan bases for performing arts and also approach theater professionals in order to hold performances at overseas theaters once interactions among people are allowed to resume.

Please visit the following website for upcoming performances: https://stagebb.jpf.go.jp

The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles