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, Kevin Greene, at jicchicago@....

Mutsuki, the old Japanese name for the month of January, means “month of harmonious good relations.” It marks a time when everyone can celebrate together regardless of age or rank.

The most important and widely celebrated holiday in Japan - and a national holiday - is New Year's Day. Schools close for about 2 weeks, and even many business close from December 29 through January 3. Common activities include visiting shrines and temples, eating special foods, sending and receiving nengajo (New Year cards), and, of course, spending time with family and friends.

The other national holiday during Mutsuki is Coming-of-Age Day, observed on the second Monday of January. Municipal governments host special coming-of-age ceremonies for 20-year-olds - the age of adulthood in Japan, which confers the right to vote, among others. To this ceremony, men will generally wear suits, while women wear a very formal style of kimono called furisode .

Dear Readers,

I would like to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Kevin Greene and I will be following in the footsteps of Chip Meyer, as the new editor of the Japan Information Center's monthly newsletter. I have recently returned from Nagano, Japan where I was living and working as a member of the JET Programme from 2003 to 2006. I have to say that even though I already miss Japan, I am looking forward to this opportunity to work for the Japan Information Center at the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago. I feel, and I hope for our readers as well, I will be able to stay in touch with Japan as we create this newsletter each month.

My sincere apologies that we have been unable to distribute an edition of the e-Japan Journal since our last issue in November. However, we plan to get production back on track starting with this issue.

I am very much looking forward to this challenge and we hope that we will be able to bring our readers the most up-to-date information on Japan in the consulate's 10-state jurisdiction. Please feel free to contact us with any questions, comments or concerns as we strive to make this publication as informative as possible.

Sincerely,
Kevin Greene, Editor

72 participants of different majors and backgrounds will learn leadership, cultural awareness and negotiating skills as they participate in round-table discussion on current topics.

As the delegates travel together, they will meet government, academic and business officials, have a home stay, contribute through volunteer work and enjoy field trips and cultural exchange activities.

JASC 59 continues the tradition begun in 1934 when JASC was created by Japanese students concerned about the deteriorating relationship. By continuing to promote positive communication between students from our two countries, JASC has contributed to three-quarters of a century of cultural exchange in a world that continues to demand international understanding.

For applications and more information, please call (202)289-4231 or visit http://www.jasc.org/

21st Annual Japanese Language Speech Contest in Chicago - March 31, 2007
Each year since 1987, the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago sponsors a Japanese language speech contest to promote the study of Japanese in the Midwest. The contest is held in the auditorium of the Japan Information Center on the last Saturday in March.

Date & Time:
March 31, 2007 (Saturday), 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Place:
Japan Information Center/ Consulate General of Japan
737 North Michigan Avenue, 10th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60611

For more information or to register for this years speech contest, please visit the following page on the JIC website -
http://www.chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JIC/spchcont.html#Chicago

JSPS - Research Opportunities in Japan 2007

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) is now accepting applications for its Research Fellowship Program for the 2007-2008 term.

JSPS is an independent administrative institution, established by way of a national law for the purpose of contributing to the advancement of science in all fields of the natural and social sciences and the humanities. JSPS plays a pivotal role in the administration of a wide spectrum of Japan's scientific and academic programs. While working within the broad framework of government policies established to promote scientific advancement, JSPS carries out its programs in a manner flexible to the needs of the participating scientists.

For more information or to apply for a fellowship please visit the JSPS website at http://www.jsps.go.jp/english/

Yokoso! Japan Weeks - January 20 through February 28, 2007

The period from January 20 through February 28, 2007 is designated as Yokoso! Japan Weeks. A variety of unique events will be held throughout the nation, including programs that welcome foreign visitors at large recreational facilities. There will also be special discounts to make your shopping even more enjoyable, and special prices offered by onsen hot springs across Japan. In addition, special linguistic support services will be provided to facilitate communication with locals.

For more information please visit the Yokoso! Japan Weeks website at http://www.jnto.go.jp/yjw/eng/

Consul General's visit to Kansas

Consul General Kenji Shinoda visited the State of Kansas from January 18th to the 20th. While visiting Kansas, the Consul General paid a courtesy call to Governor Kathleen Sebelius. The Heart of America Japan-America Society invited the Consul General and Mrs. Shinoda to their annual Shinnekai. The Consul General was honored to give his congratulatory remarks at this event and present Dr. Andrew T. Tsubaki, on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, with The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette.

Chicago premiere!
ABDUCTION: THE MEGUMI YOKATA STORY
2006, Chris Sheridan and Patty Kim, Britain, 85 min.

“A heartbreaking, gut-wrenching story.”-Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
“One of the best movies I've seen in the past year, and certainly the best documentary.”-Jay Seaver, efilmcritic.com

Winner of a Slamdance audience award and numerous other prizes, this compelling documentary outdoes any spy story or mystery tale with a bizarre, twist-filled plot that is all too heartbreakingly real. In 1977 a 13-year-old Japanese girl disappeared on her way home from school. She was assumed to be a murder victim or a runaway, until reports began to surface that North Korea had been kidnapping young Japanese men and women for use in training spies. The girl's devoted, indefatigable parents, along with the relatives of other victims, embarked on a 20-year quest through an ever-shifting maze of official denials, diplomatic gamesmanship, tantalizing revelations, and contradictory evidence that pitted family tragedy against the highest levels of global politics. Executive produced by Jane Campion. Beta SP video.

Directors Mr. Chris Sheridan and Ms. Patty Kim will be present and have a formal Q&A session following the screening on; Friday 26th at 8pm, Saturday 27th at 8:15pm, and Sunday 28th at 5pm.

Set in 1958, thirteen years have passed since the Second World War took its toll on Japan. The residents of san-chome (Third Street) go about their daily lives, with the incomplete Tokyo Tower looming over their neighborhood. Leaving her home, teenage Mutsuko (Horikita Maki) arrives in Tokyo to take a job at what she thought was a major automotive company but finds that she is employed by a small auto repair shop owned by Suzuki Norifumi (Tsutsumi Shin'ichi). Across the street, abandoned by his single mother, Yoshiyuki Junnosuke (Suga Kenta) is handed off first to Hiromi (Koyuki), who just left her shady life as a dancer to open a sake bar. She soon sends him off to Chagawa Ryunosuke (Yoshioka Hidetaka), a struggling writer who runs a candy shop and continues to be rejected as a serious novelist. As the young boy is inspired by his caretakers' stories he befriends Suzuki Ippei (Koshimizu Kazuki) and together they dream of the hi-tech 21st century soon to come.

Date	Feb. 23rd
Time	6:30 pm
Place	Japan Information Center 737 North Michigan Avenue Suite 1000 Chicago, Illinois 60611
Cost	Free
Info	312-280-0431 http://www.ntv.co.jp/english/pc/ntv-featurefilms.pdf (Please find the article about this movie on page 3 of the aforementioned link)

Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries visited DC and NY

Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Toshikatsu Matsuoka visited Washington, DC and New York from January 10th to the 14th. In Washington, DC, he discussed the issues of WTO negotiations and U.S. beef imports with U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns. In New York, he visited a supermarket that sells Japanese agricultural and marine products. He also had a meeting with the owner of a Japanese restaurant.

Japan's Finance Minister, met with US Treasure Secretary, for the first time

Mr. Koji Omi, Japanese Minister of Finance held his first meeting with the US Secretary of the Treasury on January 8th in Washington DC. During the meeting, Mr. Omi assured that the Japanese government will continue its structural reforms, such as privatization of Japanese postal services, and has succeeded in fiscal reforms by cutting budgetary deficit.

Mr. Omi, in his speech at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, also mentioned that the Japanese economy will perform a vital recovery by this summer.

Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago (JCCC) held New Years Party at Schaumburg

JCCC held its New Years Party (SHIN NEN KAI) on January 14th at the Schaumburg Convention Center. More than 1,000 people, from the JCCC's member companies, including their family members, attended the party. Consul General Shinoda made his remarks at the party by stating that the Japanese Companies in the Chicago area have had a significant role in the US economy and he admired JCCC's achievements during the past 40 years of its history.

The Second East Asia Summit chaired by H.E. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, President of the Republic of the Philippines was held on January 15, 2007 in Cebu City, the Republic of the Philippines.

For the text of the Chairman's statement on the Second East Asia Summit:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/eas/state0701.html

For the text of the Chairman's statement on the Tenth ASEAN-Japan Summit:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/asean/conference/state0701.html

For the text of the Chairman's statement on the Tenth ASEAN+3 Summit:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/asean/conference/asean3/state0701.html

For the joint press statement on the Seventh Summit Meeting among the PRO, Japan and ROK:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/pmv0701/joint070114.pdf

Foreign Minister Taro Aso Issues Statement regarding the U.S. New Policy in Iraq

On January 11, 2007 the Foreign Minister issued a statement on the announcement by the U.S. Government on the change of its strategy in Iraq. For a text of the statement:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2007/1/0111.html

 Prime Minister Abe Visits Europe and Delivers Speech at the North Atlantic Council

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe left Tokyo on January 9 to visit the following European countries - the U.K., Germany, Belgium and France - in this order, to exchange opinions on Japan-Europe relations and other matters.

For the text of the speech “Japan and NATO: Toward Further Collaboration” :
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/pmv0701/nato.html

For the press conference held by the Prime Minister following the visit to Europe :
http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/abespeech/2007/01/13press_e.html

For the JAPAN-UK Joint Statement: A Framework for the Future:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/uk/joint0701.html

Foreign Minister Taro Aso Visits Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and the Slovak Republic

Mr. Aso visited Romania and Bulgaria, taking the opportunity of their accession to the EU on January 1 this year, as the first Japanese Foreign Minister to visit these countries in 24 years. It was the first visit by a Japanese Foreign Minister to Hungary in 12 years and the first to the Slovak Republic since it became independent in 1993.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/event/2007/1/0105-2.html

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Attends Commemorative Ceremony for the 50th Anniversary of Japan's Admission to the UN

For a text of the Congratulatory Address given by the Prime Minister:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/un/50th/address_pm.html

For a message from Secretary General Kofi Annan:
http://www.unic.or.jp/new/pr06-090-E.htm

Official Visit to Europe by Their Majesties, The Emperor and Empress of Japan

In December, it was announced, that Their Majesties will pay an Official Visit to the Kingdom of Sweden, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in May of this year. For a statement on the visit:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2006/12/1215.html

The other day I saw a poster promoting tourism in Japan. It was of two girls, one holding an eggplant and another holding a hawk. It said "Come See Our Cool Japan". Why where they holding those items? Is there any significance?

- Leanne Jannis

Here are three questions regarding news stories about Japan in January. 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. Today, the average Japanese consumer eats about 45 portions of ramen noodles each year. On average how many portions will a person in the U.S. consume per year?
2. According to the Japanese Health Ministry the birthrate in Japan for 2005 was 1.26. What figure did the Ministry report for 2006?
3. Which Japanese automaker recently overtook DaimlerChrysler AG for third place behind General Motors and Ford in U.S. automotive sales?
   
   To submit your answers by email, click here: jicchicago@...

Fotologue
http://fotologue.jp/

Professional and amateur photographers from Japan and around the world use Fotologue everyday to upload and share their photographs. The site, created by the Japanese stock photography company Amana, is free and easy to use. Similar to the extremely popular photo sharing site Flickr, Fotologue provides a convenient way to view and discuss photography, often with a Japanese theme.

Inclusion of this website should not be construed as a recommendation or endorsement of the website, its services, or its products. The government of Japan is not in any way responsible for the quality or behavior of the website or its staff.