The e-Japan Journal is the electronic webletter of the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago (CGOJ) and the Japan Information Center (JIC). We hope it proves useful, interesting, and exciting as a window into Japanese culture in the Midwest. As always, your feedback, comments, and suggestions are encouraged and can be sent to our editor, Chip Meyer, at jicoutreach@....

Hazuki is the old Japanese name for the month of August. It is a shortened form of Haochizuki, which means "leaf-falling month." As with many of the old month names, they make more sense when we consider that, when they were in wide use, Japan was on a lunar calendar.

Although there are no official holidays in Hazuki, arguably the second most important celebration of the year takes place this month: Obon. The Bon Festivals are held to pray for the repose of the souls of ancestors. Deceased family members are believed to revisit the homestead during Bon to be reunited with their family. To guide the souls back, a small bonfire is lit outside the house. This is called the mukae-bi, or welcoming flame. Then, the house is cleaned and fruits and vegetables are offered at family altars. When Bon ends, the spirits are sent off with another bonfire, called okuri-bi. Some regions release small lanterns down rivers or into the sea as part of the okuri-bi ritual.

Registration for the JIC's "Haiku Cut" Competition is Now Open
Anyone is welcome to register for a chance to compete for nearly $400 in prizes in the Japan Information Center's "Haiku Cut" Competition, to be held at the Chopin Theater on Monday, September 25. Details of the contest, including how to register, are available at www.chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp/haiku.html.

DePaul University to Host Japanese Language Proficiency Test on December 3, 2006
Anyone interested in testing their Japanese language ability can register for the 2006 Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) now through October 6. The test itself will be administered on Sunday, December 3. There are 8 testing sites in the United States. In the Chicago consulate's jurisdiction, the test will be held at De Paul University in Chicago. To register, or for more information, visit www.jflalc.org or call 213-621-2267.

The Midwest Buddhist Temple will hold its 51st Ginza Holiday from Aug. 11 to 13. The annual celebration offers Japanese food (e.g. maki sushi, Japanese udon noodles, edamame), crafts (e.g. dolls, wooden prayer blocks, hanko), arts (e.g. ikebana, sumi-e, silk flowers), and vendors (e.g. Japanese books, stationery, T-shirts). In addition, over the last five decades, the festival has grown to feature an impressive roster of performers ­– among them the temple's own Japanese folk dance and taiko drumming troupes, classical Japanese dance performers, Minnesota taiko drummers, and martial artists demonstrating judo, aikido, kendo and karate. There is truly something for everyone at this signature event.

Experience the sights and sounds of Japanese culture at the free Malott Japanese Garden Mini-Festival Saturday & Sunday, August 19 & 20. Visitors can view tea ceremony, enjoy traditional Japanese storytelling, and listen to the haunting sounds of the shakuhachi, the Japanese bamboo flute. Children of all ages can try their hand at chopsticks, rake miniature dry gardens, and make Japanese crafts, such as origami and gyotaku fish prints, to take home.

This festival also coincides with the Midwest Bonsai Society's annual bonsai show and sale, which takes place in the garden August 18 through 20. More than 200 specimens will be on display, as well as selections from the Garden's own outstanding bonsai collection. Workshops will be presented for all levels of enthusiasts and more than a dozen vendors will offer everything bonsai related.

The annual Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival will include Japanese food, games, and performances, culminating in a bon odori dance and a sunset lighting of lanterns to be set afloat in the garden.

Beef Trade Update
On July 27, Japan announced it would resume U.S. beef import procedures for approved American plants that comply with the EV program as determined by the inspections between June 24 and July 23. On August 7, Japan imported its first U.S. beef since January, and on August 9, Japanese supermarkets began to sell the beef. As background, on January 20, Japan suspended U.S. beef import procedures following the discovery of a veal shipment that included vertebral columns.

Prime Minister Koizumi Attended G-8 Summit in St. Petersburg from July 15 – 17, 2006
After visiting Israel, Palestine and Jordan, Prime Minister Koizumi attended the G-8 Summit in Russia from July 15 – 17, 2006. For a text of the press conference given by the Prime Minister following the visits:
http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumispeech/2006/07/17press_e.html

Foreign Minister Taro Aso Issued a Statement Regarding UN Security Council Resolution 1695
For a text of the statement on the Adoption of the Resolution on the Launch of Missiles by North Korea issued on July 16, 2006:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2006/7/0716.html

Foreign Minister Taro Aso Visited Baghdad on August 3, 2006
On August 3, Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited Baghdad, Iraq, and held talks with Mr. Hoshyar Mahmud Zebari, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and then with Mr. Nuri al-Maliki, Prime Minister of Iraq.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/middle_e/iraq/issue2003/other/fmv0608.html

For the text of his statement on Building a New Partnership between Iraq and the International Community:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2006/7/0728-3.html

Mr. Shintaro Ito, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Visited the Middle East from July 29 – August 7, 2006
The Vice Minister visited the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Israel, the Palestinian territories and Tunisia to hold meetings in response to the current situation in the Middle East. For related information:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/middle_e/peaceprocess/statement/press0608.html

According to the Academy Awards website, five feature films of solely Japanese production have won Academy Awards.

1. Rashomon (1951), for Best Foreign Language Film (Honorary)
2. Gate of Hell (1954), for Best Foreign Language Film (Honorary) and Costume Design
3. Samurai, the Legend of Musashi (1955), for Best Foreign Language Film (Honorary)
4. Ran (1985), for Best Costume Design
5. Spirited Away (2002), for Best Animated Feature Film

Regarding the highest-grossing Japanese film, it's difficult to say what qualifies as a "Japanese" movie. Many films are made "in association with" movie studios from different countries and include producers of various nationalities. But even discounting these joint productions, should we count films such as "Pokemon" as Japanese films? They may be based on Japanese characters, but the writers and directors are not Japanese? It's a difficult question, so rather than answer it outright, I will simply report the top 5 films (not counting joint productions) and let you, the readers, decide if they are really "Japanese" or not...

1. Pokemon 2000: $43.7 million
2. Pokemon 3: The Movie: $17 million
3. Spirited Away: $10 million
4. Shall We Dance?: $9.6 million
5. Howl's Moving Castle: $4.7 million

Data comes from www.the-numbers.com.

Here are three questions regarding news stories about Japan from last month. The first person to send us the most correct answers wins a little Japanese prize. Don't forget to send us your mailing address with your answers.

1. Takeru Kobayashi captured the 2006 Nathan's Hot Dog-Eating Contest by eating 53.75 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. How many consecutive years has Kobayashi won the contest?
2. Miss Japan, Kurara Chibana, was runner up in the 2006 Miss Universe contest held on July 23. How many languages does Chibana-san speak?
3. A Japanese cargo ship warded off a pirate attack in the Strait of Malacca using what make-shift deterrent?

Deadline for submissions is August 20.
To submit your answers by email, click here: Last Month in Japan Quiz.

1. Prime Minister Koizumi and President Bush visited Elvis Presley's home, Graceland, during the former's recent visit to the United States.
2. Japanese experts in the latest “toilet technology” will travel to Singapore to train professional toilet cleaners in an effort to boost their wages.
3. Japanese watch company Citizen partnered with Microsoft to develop a wristwatch capable of displaying news and stock quotes sent via FM radio waves.

Outdoor Japan
www.outdoorjapan.com

Outdoor Japan is a travel website focused on the adventures awaiting the outdoor explorer in Japan: hiking, camping, cycling, rafting, climbing, onsen, diving, skiing and more. Visitors can search by area to see what's to do in a given prefecture, or by activity to find out where they need to go for a given pursuit. The website also features festivals and events throughout the year, a weather center, photo gallery, message board, and more.