What's On

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is a test which evaluates and certifies the Japanese-Language proficiency of non-native speakers of Japanese. The test is conducted twice a year in Japan and various locations around the world. More than one million people in eighty-one countries and areas worldwide registered for the JLPT exam in 2017. Please visit the JLPT website for more information about the test. You can try sample questions here.

The next JLPT will take place on Sunday, 2 December 2018 at the three locations in the UK: SOAS, the University of London, the University of Edinburgh, and Cardiff University.

Please refer to the university websites for registration details.

• School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London - Applications to take the JLPT at SOAS have now closed.
• The University of Edinburgh
• Cardiff University

Thanks to its uniqueness, Japanese street fashion has made a name for itself in the couture world and has enjoyed global attention. Subcultures such as Cosplay, Lolita, and Gothic Lolita have been capturing imagination of people not only in Japan, but across America, Europe and the rest of Asia since the end of the 20th century and into the 21st century. Under what conditions, however, was such a unique fashion born and nurtured in Japan? How has fashion reflected the demands of the consumers, especially the young, trend setting generation?

In this special talk, Hiroshi Narumi, Professor of Kyoto University of Arts and Design, and the author of numerous books on contemporary fashion including Feel and Think: A New Era of Tokyo Fashion, will trace the fashion that emerged on the streets of Tokyo from 1945 up to the present day and examine how the desires of young people to express themselves have evolved over time. He will also discuss the role these trend setters have played in the creation of a unique and sometimes rather idiosyncratic mode, questioning what the heart of Japanese Post-War culture was. 

Come and see the Japan Foundation at Language Show London 2018!

The Language Show London is the UK's largest language event for those who offer products and services to language teachers, learners, translators, linguists, language professionals and businesses.

This year, the Japan Foundation is once again giving visitors chances to learn about Japanese language and culture. We will be running Japanese language tasters, talks and an information stand!

Our attractions include:

• The Japan Foundation Information Stand

When: 9-11 November (Fri-Sun) 2018

Where: Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, London W14 8UX.

Packed full of information about studying and teaching Japanese in the UK, our stand will be staffed with members of the Japan Foundation who would be delighted to give you advice on your Japanese studies. 

• Talk: "Snow Monkey - Science in the Language Class at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland" Sandie Robb

When: 10 November (Saturday), 15:30-16:15

Sandie Robb, senior education officer at RZSS, will give a talk about promoting the cross-curricular teaching of languages and science. With the help of a Japan Foundation grant, Sandie produced the "Snow Monkey Pack", a collection of fun learning materials centred on the Japanese macaque. Using the pack, pupils have been able to learn all about Japanese language as well as Japanese wildlife, georgraphy and culture. Cross-curricular teaching is an innovative way to help children encounter languages and simultaneously deepen their understanding of the wider world.

• Japanese Language Tasters

When: 9 November (Friday), 17:15-17:45 and 10 November (Saturday), 16:30-17:00

Experience Japanese language first hand with our taster sessions!

Aida Makoto is a Japanese contemporary artist known for his provocative work. From mountains of dead salarymen, a blender full of young women, and harakiri (ritual suicide), his highly skilled workmanship shared with Japanese traditional paintings appear grotesque at first, but they tend to carry a scathing message towards contemporary culture and society. 

Controversial though they may be, his works have been taken up by many prestigious exhibitions including his solo show at Mori Art Museum, Tokyo and have proved to be food for thought for its viewers. In addition to being an artist, he has also received respect for his novels and manga work as well as being involved in a number of art projects in Japan. 

For this special talk, Makoto Aida will talk about his long standing career as an artist, introducing his remarkable body of work. Together with Lena Fritsch, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Ashmolean Museum (University of Oxford), they will discuss what it is that Aida wishes to deliver through the various media he uses and what art means to him, reflecting on the state of Japan as well as global art. 

This is a rare opportunity to meet and hear from one of the leader artists from Japan who will stir your mind with his bold yet deeply profound art. 

We are delighted to announce that the 14th Japanese Speech Contest for University Students is open for applications!

This contest gives students the chance to make their voices heard in Japanese, and win some fantastic prizes! Finalists will all perform their speeches on Saturday 2nd March 2019 at King’s College London.

:: Contest Aims
The main purpose of the event is to improve the speaking and presentation skills of students studying Japanese as a foreign language. Through this event, we hope to promote Japanese language learning at higher education level in the UK and Ireland.

:: Who can apply?
The contest is aimed at undergraduate students who are currently studying Japanese as a foreign language at a university in the UK or Ireland.

There are three different categories:

1. Speech Category:  For those studying a Japanese course aiming for the equivalent of JF standard C1 or C2 at a university the UK or Ireland including as an elective, optional or other university-based language course. Six finalists will be selected.

Application Deadline: 22nd November 2018

2. Individual Presentation Category: For those studying a Japanese course aiming for the equivalent of JF standard B1 or B2. Participants will give a PowerPoint presentation using Japanese. The aim of the presentation is to introduce a particular theme to the audience, for example a region, event, custom, etc. from the UK or another country outside Japan. Five finalists will be selected.

Application Deadline: 10th December 2018

3. Group Presentation Category: For those studying a Japanese course aiming for the equivalent of JF standard A1 or A2. Participants will take part in groups of two to four students and give a PowerPoint presentation using Japanese. The aim of the presentation is to introduce a particular theme to the audience, for example a region, event, custom, etc. from the UK or another country outside Japan. Five groups which are selected to present during the finals day will be given a special award.

Application Deadline: 17th December 2018

*Details of JF Standard can be found here:

http://jfstandard.jp/pdf/jfs2015_pamphlet_eng.pd

Videos from the 13th Contest Finals Day can be viewed here

Please see the files below for contest poster, FAQ and application forms for each category.

- Frequently Asked Questions

- Contest Poster

- Speech Category Application Form

- Speech Category Rules and Guidance

- Individual Presentation Category Application Form

- Group Presentation Category Application Form

Experience Japan Exhibition will be back in London this November for the 8th year, bringing information on the growing range of exciting study and research opportunities in Japan. 

The event, hosted by Keio University and co-hosted by the British Council, allows participants to meet representatives of Japanese Universities and receive information on the various study programmes. There will also be a chance to find out about various scholarships and funding opportunities offered to international students and how to take advantage of them. There will also be guest speakers to give an insight into basic life in Japan, talk about their personal experiences of studying/researching in Japan and showcase Japanese innovation. The hugely popular JET Programme with also have a guest speaker talking about the scheme. 

Throughout the day the Japan Foundation will be introducing our support programmes and language resources for Japanese Studies and Japanese Language Learning at our information stand. The Japan Foundation's own Fujimitsu-Sensei will be giving a guest talk "Insights into Japanese Culture through Language". So, please come by and visit us for any language learning or Japanese studies advice. 

At Plymouth's Atlantic Project, Japan's most sought-after multimedia artist, Ryoji Ikeda, creates his first UK site-specific project outside of London. Ikeda's The Radar presents mapping the cosmos in a large scale installation across a former dancehall.