The JETAA London website http://jetaa.org.uk/ is currently being updated. Here is the info included in the latest JETAA mailshot.

Thanks to all for the fantastic response - 2010's JETAA Winter Ball is shaping up to be the best ever. For a more informal night out, come along to the JETAA Pub Night or our Karaoke Shinnenkai to mix and mingle with ex-JETs!

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JETAA Pub Night at FLUID next Wednesday!
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Come along to Fluid to chat with fellow former JETs. There's Asahi, Japanese-inspired cocktails and we'll even treat you to some izakaya style table food.

Date: Wednesday, 13th January
Time: from 6:30pm
Venue: FLUID Bar, Farringdon (38 Charterhouse Street, London, EC1M 6JN)
Map: Click here

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Shinnenkai - Karaoke!!
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Celebrate the start of the decade by singing your heart out at the On Board Karaoke Box & Bar!
There's still room for you - sign up now for the JETAA London New Year Karaoke Extravaganza!

To register email Josy at events@jetaa.org.uk
Date: Saturday 30th January
Time: 8:00 - 11:00 pm
Price: £15 (plus extra for drinks)
Venue: Onboard Karaoke Box
Basement 8 Kenway road
Earls Court
SW5 0RR
0207-244-6850

This cosy karaoke bar is a real find - located in the basement of restaurant called Orjowan just a couple of minutes walk from Earl's Court station. They have the largest range of Japanese Karaoke in London as well as plenty of English-language songs.

We plan to hire the entire bar, including 3 karaoke rooms. This will give you a chance to move around and meet new people in between songs! The bar is quite small so please let us know if you would like to attend so we can ensure there is enough room!

If the evening is successful, the owners of the bar are thinking of setting up special karaoke nights for JETAA members and Japanese expats in London.

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JETAA London AGM Results
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JETAA London enjoyed a good turnout and a successful evening at the Annual General Meeting last Wednesday. Thanks to all for coming! A few changes were made to the committee, which is now as follows:

Co-Chairperson: Josy Audigier
Co-Chairperson: Sharon Bignell
Vice Chair: Edward Horner
Treasurer: Hugh Thomas
Communications Officer: Vanessa Villalobos
Events Co-Ordinator: Andrew Urquhart
Events Co-Ordinator: Serena Yeung

A very warm welcome goes out to Andrew and Serena, new committee members for 2010.

If you wish to contact JETAA London, please email:
General enquiries - london@jetaa.org.uk
Events info - londonevents@jetaa.org.uk

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Tokyo Day 2010
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Tokyo Day(s!) are taking place on the last weekend in January. Courtesy of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, visitors to the event can learn about and enjoy many aspects of traditional and modern Japanese culture, including screening of popular anime films.

Date: Saturday 30th January and Sunday 31st January 2010
Time: 10-6pm Sat, 10-4pm Sun
Venue: London
Website Link: http://www.tcp2010.com/

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Warm Sake Tasting at So Restaurant ***********************************************************
The British Sake Association is holding a warm sake tasting at So Restaurant (3-4 Warwick Street, London W1B 5LS) on Tuesday 16 February from 6-8pm.

This will be an informal sake tasting where you will have the opportunity to sample 6 different sake and enjoy canapés provided by So Restaurant. There will also be the opportunity to buy the sake tasted on the evening.

All JETAA members enjoy a 10% discount on the £30 ticket price, making it £27 per person.
To reserve your place contact Sarah Wedgbury at slwedgbury@gmail.com.

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Japanese Cooking Class at Atsuko's Kitchen ***********************************************************

Benefits of the class
- Learn to cook delicious Japanese cuisine
- Eat the meal you've cooked at the class!
- All the ingredients will be included in the course price
- 5 week course, but flexibility if you miss a class

A beginners course will be starting on Tuesday 26th January.
The classes start at 6:30p.m. for 2 hours session.
Dates: January 26th, February 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd

The same beginners course will be starting on Wednesday 24th February.
Time: 6:30pm until 8:30pm
Dates: February 24th, March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th

Place : The Grocery
54 -56 Kingsland Road
London, E2 8DP
- the class will be held at the cafe area.
Price: £165 for 5 week course includes all the ingredients.
Price for the individual class will be £38 per class.

For the booking information:
http://www.atsukoskitchen.com/node/3

These dark, bitterly cold winter evenings are seriously perfect for catching up with your movie viewing. Why not see one of the many excellent Japanese films playing in London throughout January and February?

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'Still Walking' Hirokazu Kore-eda: Opens 15th January at BFI
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This beautiful film follows the random details of a Japanese family - a 'home drama' - through a 24-hour reunion at the parental home. Still Walking (Aruitemo Aruitemo) captures the tensions and dynamics of family life with a wonderfully perceptive eye.

http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_southbank

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Yasujiro Ozu Season at the BFI : 1st January - 28th February
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A prolific film-maker, best known for his 1953 film Tokyo Story (Tokyo Monogatari), Yasujiro Ozu first entered the film business in 1923. BFI celebrates his career with screenings of many films, including Tokyo Story and Late Autumn on extended run.

Also at BFI now, you can catch one of the dozen films influenced by Ozu's artistry (including Still Walking and many other international films).

http://www.bfi.org.uk/ozu

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'Ponyo' New Miyazaki Film: Opens 12th February at Curzon Cinemas
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Miyazaki fans will be thrilled to hear Ponyo (Gake no ue no Ponyo) will be showing from 12th February at Curzon cinemas at locations around London. A film about a goldfish inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid, Ponyo is Studio Ghibli's latest masterpiece!

Can't wait? If you've got little ones, try BFI's 'Film Funday' on 31st of January. There's a Ponyo workshop from 12pm in the Foyer, followed by a preview of the film at 2pm.

http://www.curzoncinemas.com/

http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_southbank

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'Takeshis'': From 12th February at Curzon Cinemas
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Beat Takeshi's examines identity and celebrity in his fascinating 2005 film entitled Takeshis'.

See the Curzon website for more information about the film.

http://www.curzoncinemas.com/

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2010 Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme Girls on Film
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(above, scene from Non-Ko)

9 February 2010 - 17 February 2010
This year's Japan Foundation annual touring film programme looks at contemporary Japanese cinema made for, about, and by women. This film season is produced and organised by the Japan Foundation with advice from Jasper Sharp (editor of Midnight Eye - a Japanese Cinema website).

See the Japan Foundation's website for information on how to enter their competition for a pair of free tickets to each film. They are also seeking evaluators, who will receive a complimentary ticket in exchange for their feedback on a questionnaire.

http://www.jpf.org.uk/

If Sapporo Snow Festival is just too far to go, you can get the same frosty feeling by visiting the London Ice Sculpting Festival, January 15th and 16th. This 2nd Annual event features International Ice Sculptors competing to carve their interpretation of the Festival's specially chosen theme, 'Cool Trading', from 2m blocks of ice! Free to attend, the festival is held in the centre of Canary Wharf, next to the ice rink in Canada Square Park.

The team from the Netherlands won the 2009 London Ice Sculpting Festival...
The winning team was made up of Marjon Katerberg (left) and Lars Borst (right) seen below with their finished sculpture

The JETAA London website http://jetaa.org.uk/ is currently being updated. Here is the info included in the latest JETAA mailshot.

Happy New Year from JETAA! Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu! We are looking forward to another great year packed with activities. JETAA Pub Night, JETAA 2010 Winter Ball, JETAA London Annual General Meeting and a JETAA Karaoke Shinnenkai are all on the horizon...

Sign up now for the Winter Ball - as anyone who attended the glitzy 2009 event at the Grange Holborn will tell you - it's not to be missed!

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JETAA Pub Night at FLUID next Wednesday!
***********************************************************

Come along to Fluid to chat with fellow former JETs. There's Asahi, Japanese-inspired cocktails and we'll even treat you to some izakaya style table food.

Date: Wednesday, 13th January
Time: from 6:30pm
Venue: FLUID Bar, Farringdon (38 Charterhouse Street, London, EC1M 6JN)
Map: Click here

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JETAA 2010 Winter Ball
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Following the massive success of last year's JETAA Winter Ball we have just confirmed this year's date with the swanky Grange Holborn Hotel.

There is a champagne reception on arrival, a tasty three-course buffet dinner and wine included in the cost, with a cash bar for additional drinks.

Not only that, but after the meal there'll a disco - with a live DJ and dance floor for you to show off your moves. And to keep the party going, there will of course be a 2-ji-kai!

Date: Saturday 27th February 2010
Time: 7pm - late
Cost: Highly subsidised by JETAA, the ball is just £25 per person, or 4 for £80!
Place: Grange Holborn Hotel
50-60 Southampton Row, London, WC1B
Link to the hotel website: Click here
Directions from Holborn tube station:
If you come out of the main entrance, turn right and walk up Southampton row, the hotel is about 5 mins walk on the right hand side of the road.
Dress Code: Dress to impress!

To register your interest, please e-mail us jetaaball@gmail.com . Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or queries.

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JETAA London Annual General Meeting
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What do you want JETAA London to do for you? Now's your chance to tell
us! Or, if you're up to the challenge, get involved yourself! All
committee positions will be open for election, and we're always
looking for more volunteers! Afterwards, we'll all go out for dinner
and drinks.

Date: Wednesday 20 January
Time: 7pm - 8pm
Place: Berne Union (27-29 Cursitor Street, London EC4A 1LT). Nearest
tube is Chancery Lane. Click here for a map:
http://www.berneunion.org.uk/contact-us.html

The JETAA London chapter is one of the largest JETAA chapters in the
world with 2000+ members. The committee consists of a Chair,
Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Communications Officer, Events Officer and
Careers Information Day Coordinator (for returning JETs in September),
however extra volunteers are always needed to help organise various
events and activities throughout the year.

All positions at the AGM will be elected by ballot and anyone who
wishes to stand for a post or wants to find out more about what being
on the committee involves should email Sharon, the current chair, on
london@jetaa.org.uk.

We hope to see you there!

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Shinnenkai - Karaoke!!
***********************************************************

Celebrate the start of the decade by singing your heart out at the On Board Karaoke Box & Bar!

Date: Saturday 30th January
Time: 8:00 - 11:00 pm
Price: £15 (plus extra for drinks)
Venue: Onboard Karaoke Box
Basement 8 Kenway road
Earls Court
SW5 0RR
0207-244-6850

This cosy karaoke bar is a real find - located in the basement of restaurant called Orjowan just a couple of minutes walk from Earl's Court station. They have the largest range of Japanese Karaoke in London as well as plenty of English-language songs.

We plan to hire the entire bar, including 3 karaoke rooms. This will give you a chance to move around and meet new people in between songs! The bar is quite small so please let us know if you would like to attend so we can ensure there is enough room!

If the evening is successful, the owners of the bar are thinking of setting up special karaoke nights for JETAA members and Japanese expats in London.

To register email Josy at events@jetaa.org.uk

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Registration is open! Secure your place in the Sumo Run 2010
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8:30am, 19 June 2010 at Battersea Park, London
www.sumorun.com

After television coverage in over 15 countries of last year's
first-ever Sumo Run, JETAA London will be once again entering a team
in the Sumo Run. It is a lot of fun, and raises money for a very
worthwhile education charity.

If you'd like to be a part of our team, please contact Josy on
londonevents@jetaa.org.uk.

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JET Connect
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Business networking evening coming in March - more details forthcoming!

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Tokyo Day 2010
***********************************************************
Tokyo Day(s!) are taking place on the last weekend in January. Courtesy of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, visitors to the event can learn about and enjoy many aspects of traditional and modern Japanese culture, including screening of popular anime films.

Date: Saturday 30th January and Sunday 31st January 2010
Time: 10-6pm Sat, 10-4pm Sun
Venue: London
Website Link: http://www.tcp2010.com/

BINCHO Yakitori
16 Old Compton Street
London W1D 4TL
Tel: 020 7287 9111
www.bincho.co.uk

Why? This toasty hideaway is perfect for cold winter nights in Soho! As you enter the restaurant, you pass chefs labouring away to prepare dishes on traditional open charcoal grills. Bincho's website explains the chef's methods: 'In Japan, the Ganko Ojisan are the keepers of the flame...' and hey, in this weather, I want to be wherever the flame is!

When? A Tuesday evening at 8ish - the restaurant was very busy but seats were still available without reservation.

Impression: The buzzing, izakaya-like atmosphere was ideal for meeting up for a girly gossip with my friend from Japan, Sian, another ex-JET teacher.

Prices: Skewers of chicken grilled over charcoal (yakitori) start from £1.40 for two - so this is an easy place to eat as little or as much as you like. There are more substantial dishes with rice, salad etc. for £4.00-£6.00.
Like with tapas or dim sum, it is actually rather easy to get carried away and eat loads - be warned!
300ml of hot sake is £8.30, and a pint of draft Asahi is £4.00. Desserts are around £5.00, and are surprisingly good.

Service: The friendly waitresses were extremely busy, but if you look hungry enough they'll get round to you...

Description of food and drink: Starting with a little hot sake seemed to be in order.
We then had a selection of old faves - tasty skewers including Asparabacon, Buta (pork belly) and Negima (chicken and spring onion) along with the very interesting Aigamo (duck, spring onion and wasabi).

All were piping hot and suitably tasty. The unagi (eel), of which I am not particularly fond, was melt-in-your-mouth sweet and tender.

Had to include a photo of the 'Baked Chocolate' dessert - gooey goodness.

Toilets: Fine, located down the stairs.

Come again? Absolutely - I'm going call to find out about special offers. The restaurant attracts a young crowd and plenty of students, so they often have deals on Mondays such as skewers for £1.00.

For more info on Japanese Contemporary Dance Today: A Talk by Akiko Tachiki and other events visit The Japan Foundation.

Date: 16 December 2009 from 6.00pm
Venue: Founders' Studio, The Place
17 Duke's Road, London WC1H 9PY

This event is free to attend but booking is essential.

To reserve a place, please email event@jpf.org.uk, giving your name and those of any guests.

This event is co-organised with ResCen, Middlesex University and The Place.

'Interest in Japanese contemporary dance has boomed in the past few years but it is not always easy to grasp what is going on and who are the Japanese dance professionals on the verge of hitting the world stage. Akiko Tachiki, one of Japan's most active dance journalists and critics, will lead this special event and talk about the current trends in Japanese contemporary dance and what the future is likely to hold. This event offers a rare opportunity to find out about the most recent developments in Japanese contemporary dance and to take part in a discussion with one of Japan's most eminent dance experts.'

Discover the new manga by Hoshino Yukinobu - which is actually an ongoing new storyline set in the treasure trove of the British Museum. It's easy to pop in to the the exhibition in Room 3 (right inside the front entrance - on the left) for a peek at what the much-love character Professor Munakata thought of his first trip to the British Museum!

'Hoshino Yukinobu (b. 1954) is a world-famous manga artist. One of his most popular characters is Professor Munakata who investigates history and folklore in his manga adventures. In this display, you can see original artwork by Hoshino, including drawings showing the start of Professor Munakata's new adventure set at the British Museum.

Step into a life-sized manga with Hoshino's comic-book creations filling the walls and floor of Room 3. You can also browse a selection of Japanese manga books in the small manga kissa (literally 'manga coffee shop' - although coffee will not be available) in the corner of the room - a perfect way to discover more about the art of manga.'

Visit the British Museum's website for more information.

UK-Japan Music Society hosts a Closing Concert for Japan UK 150th Anniversary Year on 12 December 2009, at 5pm.

This is a Christmas Concert which is dedicated as Closing Concert to mark the significant year which lasted from September 2008 till the end of December 2009. It features young and talented musicians from Japan and UK performing as soloists and instrumentalists, along with UK-Japan Choir which is amalgamated with other Japan related choirs in and around London.

The music is Handel Messiah which is most popular and appropriate in the celebration of friendship of two nations and when they are about to start 151th year of friendship. The concert is directed by Jonathan Gregory, Director of Music of UK-Japan Music Society and UK-Japan Choir.

The concert will be held at St John's Wood Church, Lord's Roundabout, St John's Wood, London NW8 7NE.

For more information call:0116 259 3891 or email: y.gregory2411@gmail.com

The 'Insight into Beauty - Contemporary Craft Inspired by Japan' runs from until the 27th November at The Embassy of Japan, open weekdays 09:30 - 17:30, closed weekends. The Embassy of Japan is located at 101 - 104 Piccadilly, London W1J 7JT. Admission is free, but photo ID is necessary to gain entry to the Embassy.

'This exhibition at the Embassy of Japan presents various aspects of contemporary craft made in the United Kingdom yet inspired by Japanese materials, techniques and design. It looks at basketry, lacquer ware, ceramics and textile arts created by both Japanese and non-Japanese artists alike. The name of the exhibition is taken from the words of Soetsu Yanagi (1889-1961), who led the Japanese mingei (folk crafts) movement fostering an interest in the aesthetic value of craftsmanship in Japan.'

This exhibition is a part of Asian Art in London. Visit the Embassy's website for more information.

The Japan Local Government Centre, in partnership with the Local Government Association, is delighted to invite you to the 2009 Japan Day Seminar in London. The Japan Day Seminar is an annual event organised by the Japan Local Government Centre to raise awareness of Japan and Japanese local government and provide the opportunity to exchange information and ideas on local government policy and best practice concerning both the UK and Japan.

Date: Monday, 23rd November, 2009
Time: 1:30pm - 5pm
Place: Local Government House, Smith Square, London SW1P 3HZ

Marking the 20th anniversary of the Japan Local Government Centre in London, 2009's Japan Day Seminar will examine the different strategies that local authorities in Japan and the UK have adopted to deal with issues brought on by the recession. It will feature talks by Cllr Richard Kemp, Chairman of the LGA European and International Strategy Group, Leader of the LGA Liberal Democrats Group, and LGA Deputy Chair; Greg Clark, Advisor on City and Regional Development, UK Gov (CLG); Neil McInroy, Chief Executive of the Centre for Local Economic Strategies; and Michitaka Nakao, former Director of Business Development, Japan External Trade Organisation London Office. The talks will then be followed by an interactive panel discussion featuring the above speakers plus Akiyuki Hamagami, Director General of the European Representative Office of Hyogo Prefectural Government. It will then conclude with a drinks reception.

The Japan Day Seminar and reception are free to attend. Please register by Friday the 6th of November by emailing mailbox@jlgc.org.uk, indicating your name, address, organisation, affiliation, and whether you will attend the seminar, reception or both.