JETAA London Restaurant Night

Join us for an evening of tasty yakitori skewers and great conversation with former JETs at trendy BINCHO restaurant in Soho. We'll order a wide selection of BINCHO's famous yakitori skewers, from asparabacon to zucchini! Check out the menu here!

Date: Thursday, 3rd June 2010
Time: 7.30pm
Place: BINCHO Yakitori, 16 Old Compton Street, London W10 4TL -
Cost: £15, payable on the night, drinks not included

Please register to attend by emailing Vanessa at londoncomms@jetaa.org.uk. Do indicate dietary preferences. Numbers strictly limited.

Bento Workshop at Atsuko's Kitchen

Bento boxes are served everywhere in Japan - work places, schools, department stores, and even on the trains. These tasty Japanese lunch boxes have been enjoyed for over 800 years!

A hands-on practical workshop, making your own bento filled with onigiri ( rice ball ) and 5 quick dishes with easy miso soup. These are suitable for cooking in a busy morning as many Japanese people make their own bento evey day. Also you will learn the hints of making some dishes suitable for your bento. You will be provided a reusable bento box from Japan!

We start with introducing a typical style of bento, then a cooking session. Next we will fill your bento box before finally eating!

Date: Sunday 20th June
Time: 6:00-8:30pm
Place: The Grocery
54 -56 Kingsland Road
London, E2 8DP
Price: £45 *includes all the ingredients and Japanese re-useable lovely bento box!

To make a booking: http://www.atsukoskitchen.com/

Sake Tasting Dinner

Here's an opportunity to try 6 different sake ranging from futsu-shu to ginjo alongside a 3 course meal at Moshi Moshi which includes a selection of zensai tapas, a choice of salmon teriyaki, Fitzroy sushi set or a chilli omelette with pak choi and mocha rice cake and green tea.

Date: Tuesday 25 May
Time: 6.30-8.30pm
Venue: Moshi Moshi Liverpool Street Station, Unit 24, Liverpool Street Station, (above platform 1, behind M&S), London EC2M 7QH

The cost is £28 per person. Places are limited so please reserve your place on liverpoolstreet@moshimoshi.co.uk or by telephone, 020 7247 3227.

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JETAA Pub Night at Crane and Tortoise - Thursday 6th May!
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We've got a great new venue - plus a new day of the week (Thursday) that doesn't clash with Champions League midweek international matches!

If you haven't been to the Japanese pub/restaurant the Crane and Tortoise, this is the perfect chance for you to try their authentic, tasty Japanese food and drinks. Do come along to chat with fellow former JETs... and you can even practice your Japanese - all the staff there are actually Japanese!

Date: Thursday 6th May
Time: from 6:30pm
Venue: Crane and Tortoise, 39 Gray's Inn Road, WC1X 8PR. The closest tube is Chancery Lane and you can find a map here: http://www.jetaa.org.uk/events/pub-night/

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Japanese Embassy Events this Spring
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There are plenty of events at the Embassy to keep you busy this spring. In particular, the first Wednesday of the next three months will feature free film screening nights at the Embassy of Japan in London, the first being on Wednesday, May 5th.

See the Embassy of Japan in London webpage for details of how to register. http://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/ (Now the JETAA Pub Night has been moved to the first Thursday of the month, there's no reason not to go to both events...)

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Japanese Garden Party - Sunday 23rd May
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Don't miss this family-friendly day out at the annual Japanese Garden Party. The Mini Matsuri is held to celebrate the long history of Anglo-Japanese relations and is supported by the Hammersmith & Fulham council, the Japan-British Exhibition 100 Committee, the Japan Society, and the Japanese Resident Association.

There will be: Wadaiko/Bon-Odori/Okinawa Eisa/Enka singing/a Marshall Art Demo on stage; Tea Ceremony/Kamishibai/Garden Tour/Origami and Shodo Workshops; plus Japanese food/Japanese gifts/Information stalls!

The Japan's first major exhibition to the West took place in White City, London in 1910. The Japanese garden was created as a part of the exhibtion and today the garden still stands exactly in the same place as 100 years ago. This festival celebrates the centenary of the creation of the garden and the Japan-British Exhibition 1910.

Date: Sunday 23rd May
Time: 12 noon-4pm
Venue: Hammersmith Park Japanese Garden, South Africa Road, White City, London W12

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

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!
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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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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
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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/

If you're returning to the UK this summer or looking for a change in career, then don't miss out on JETAA UK's Careers Information Day held in London.

Date: 25th September 2009
Venue: HMS President, Tower Bridge, London
Time: 13:30 - 17:30 (approx)

You'll have the chance to meet around 25 organisations looking to recruit ex-JETs, get advice on your CV and speak to former JETs working in all types of careers.

It is open to all former JETs and free to attend. To register, email your name, address and contact number, former prefecture and when you were on JET to Vanessa at londoncomms@jetaa.org.uk

Also remember the JETAA website has a database of job vacancies, many of which involve ex-JET specific interest by employers. To access the database, go to www.jetaa.org.uk and click on the "Jobs" tab (you will need to login with your email address and password to view the page).

Every year, JETAA London runs the Careers Information Day to help JETs returning to the UK this summer and those looking for a change in career. This year, the event will be in the afternoon on Friday, 25th of September on the HMS President.

They are currently looking for volunteers to join the CID rganising committee. Roles range from selling sponsorship and exhibitions, to recruiting speakers, helping out on the day, producing the brochure, managing registrations and more!

If you can offer you help in any way they are keen to here from you. Also, if you have some career advice to pass on to other JETs then why not speak at the event? JETAA are looking for people who would be prepared to give a short workshop (including Q&A) on their career field.

If you’d like to get involved, email Ed at cidregistration@jetaa.org.uk. Visit the JETAA London website for more information, or to sign up for the day.

Josy, Sharon, Steve, Vanessa, Neil and Abs from JETAA London are going to dress up in inflatable sumo outfits and run for 5km around Battersea Park on 20th June!

This sumo silliness is all to raise money for Gemin-i.org (www.gemin-i.org), a charity that provides online educational resources to the developing world.

If you’d like to join them, email Josy at londonevents@jetaa.org.uk. The Sumo Fun Run is open to everyone – not just serious runners!

If you don’t want to be part of the team, you can still support them: “We are going to look ridiculous... and are going to do our best to run despite our silly suits, but we need your help to raise money! Please visit:

www.justgiving.com/jetaasumo

to sponsor us. We would love you to get involved too - so please come along to Battersea Park and cheer us on/laugh at us!!”

The JETAA London Chapter are in process of looking for a new venue for speed dating. Here we are, hard at work, checking out bars and pubs in central London.

This one is De Hems, a great Dutch bar just off Chinatown's main drag.

Check the JETAA's website for more information about upcoming events.

JETAA: London invite ex JETs and their friends to a Winter Ball at the Grange Holborn Hotel in Central London.

The evening will consist of a champagne reception, three-course buffet, complimentary wine and a DJ to dance away all that food goodness.

This is a great opportunity to (re)connect with other exJETs in fabulous surroundings, dress to impress!

Tickets are £25 each or £80 for four.

Special Offer: if you buy tickets on or before 16th Jan, you'll be entered into a draw for a free bottle of champagne at the ball!

Email jetball2009@googlemail.com to reserve your place!

The Annual General Meeting of the JETAA London chapter will include elections for the positions of Chairperson, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Communications and Events. The meeting will be held at the Japan Local Government Centre offices near Trafalgar Square on Wednesday 3rd of December from 7-8pm.

Get involved with the world’s largest JETAA chapter (2000+ members) – show support by volunteering to support UK–Japan relations! Attend the meeting to vote for your committee. After, everyone will head to Zipangu restaurant for something to eat.

JETAA organises events such as JET Connect, Careers Information Day, Questions & Answers Day (for new JETs), Speed Dating, the JET Ball, restaurant nights and the regular ‘Fluid’ pub night. This is all made possible by funding from the Japan Local Government Centre.

The JETAA (JET Alumni Association) holds a pub night at Fluid Bar in Farringdon on the first Wednesday of every month.

Fluid is a funky Japanese inspired bar well-known for its interesting cocktails (Wasabi Martini, Sake Sling, Mortal Combat to name but a few) and also for its tasty sushi menu, and later on in the evening JETAA will provide some for you free!

The pub night starts at 7pm, but if you arrive early you’ll be in time for happy hour (6-7pm) with cheap cocktails and 2-4-1 on beers.

Check out Fluid Bar’s website for more information and directions.

The year’s JETAA (JET Alumni Association) Careers Information Day (CID) is an invaluable event for returning JET teachers to meet representatives from companies and universities at the job fair, as well as attending talks on a wide range of topics, and of course, networking. Also, a CV surgery will be held in the afternoon, with expert advice for just £3.

I’ll be giving a talk in the afternoon on ‘Career and Life Planning’… at 4.20pm in Room B. The presentation is called ‘Taking Control of Your Life After JET’ and will point you in the direction of time-saving resources to help you decide what you really want to do with your life. Please do come along if you can, I’d love to meet you.

The CID 2008 will be held on the HMS President, by Tower Bridge, London (which is a naval headquarters not a boat, but has great views over the Thames!). Running from 12pm-5pm, it will be followed by an evening reception by the JLGC. Register to attend by emailing cidregistration@jetaa.org.uk.