Japan Centre Activities

We will be accepting Semester in Japan Applications for the April 2010 exchange to Kanazawa University until 12 Nov (Thurs) 5 pm.

If you are interested, please download this application and submit it to the administrators on the 2nd floor of BPB prior to the deadline.  No late applications will be accepted.  Early submissions would be greatly appreciated as it will allow us to gauge the level of student demand and negotiate with Kanazawa Univ. for more spots if necessary (translation: earlier submission will make it easier for us to ensure that all qualified candidates can participate)

If you missed the information session last week you can download the information sheet here.  For further information/questions, etc. please send an email to yearinjapan@anu.edu.au.

Click me for more info

There will be an information session for students interested in participating in the new Semester in Japan exchange program with Kanazawa University.

When: 15 October (Thurs), 4-5 pm

Where: Staff Common Room, BPB 4th floor (follow the smell of coffee)

Who: Anyone interested in going on the 1 semester exchange program to Japan

As the deadline for applications to the program will be 14 November, it is strongly recommended that all interested students attend.  The information session will address issues related to eligibility, the transfer of credits to your degree program, expenses, housing, coursework available in Kanazawa, application procedures and any questions you might have.  Application forms will also be distributed at the info session.  If you are unable to attend you should ask a friend to take notes for you and/or make arrangements with the SIJ coordinator to discuss your application.

For further information contact: yearinjapan@anu.edu.au

Andy Petredis, First place

Continuing last year’s winning streak, Japan Centre students took first and third place in the open division

of the Canberra division of the Japan Foundation’s 40th annual Japanese Language Speech Contest.  Andy Petredis and Maya Siyi Chen (both students in Mark Gibeau’s Written Japanese D class) took first and third places respectively.  Andy will go on to participate in the national competition to be held in Sydney on October 10 & we wish him the best of luck.

Maya Siyi Chen, Third place

Altogether nine students from the Japan Centre presented speeches on a range of topics from issues in Japanese education, the Japanese immigration system and discrimination to Japan’s shoe culture, the benefits of being stingy and a virtual tour of Uluru.  A big thanks to postgrad student & Japanese tutor Jun Imaki who volunteered her time to help the WJD students revise & practice their speeches.

Students in the high school and beginning divisions also performed remarkably well and we congratulate all of the participants on their strong performances.

VC Ian Chubb will be on hand to launch the ANU Japan Institute.
A party to celebrate the event will be held in the Japanese Garden by Baldessin Precinct at 4 pm, 28 August (Friday).  Light refreshments and drinks will be provided.  All students, staff, faculty and interested community members are encouraged to attend (RSVP). Please see attached pdf for more details.

Shun Ikeda celebrating his 18th (or is it 21st?) birthday

On July 15, Shun Ikeda, the head of the Japan Centre, was awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation in recognition of his tireless efforts in the promotion of academic exchange between Japan and Australia.  Our hearty congratulations to Shun for this achievement!

Well, you’ll need more than a few pennies but it’s still cheaper than driving to Sydney to buy books.

Kinokuniya bookstore is making one of its regular visits to the department next week so anyone interested in picking up dictionaries, magazines, textbooks or even a novel or two should stop by.  You can see the book/price list here. If you have a special book in mind that you are keen to get your hands on but don’t see on the price list, you can let me know and I will pass your request on to Kinokuniya.

Dates: Weds. 12 Aug. 12:00 - 16:00 & Thurs 13 Aug. 10:00 - 13:00
Location: 3rd Floor of BPB (building #110), across from the elevator.

The ACT Government is calling for Event Volunteers for the Canberra Nara Candle Festival, scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2009 in Canberra Nara Park.

A variety of positions are still available for the event, presenting excellent opportunities for the community to be involved in the celebration of our Sister City Relationship with Nara, Japan. No specific skills are necessary.  All enquiries for interested members of the public should be directed to www.events.act.gov.au or phone Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.

Interested parties can download a description of volunteer roles and the volunteer registration form in PDF format.