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JaLaChamp 2024 | Japanese Language Championship for Young Learners UK – Finals Day! |
Japanese Language Local Project Support Programme 2024-2025 (Spring) Applications Now Open |
Local Project Support Programme Spring 2024 Applications - Online Seminar and Q&A Session |
In the Shadows of Gratitude: AGEING & CARE in Japanese Society - *Talk and Documentary Screening* |
KABUKI KIMONO: Costumes of Bandō Tamasaburō V |
JaLaChamp 2024 – Japanese Language Championship for Young Learners UK |
Talk event: Mingei Then and Now with YOSHIZAWA Tomo |
Art Without Heroes: Mingei |
Panel discussion: Mingei / Art Without Heroes |
Guided tour of Art Without Heroes: Mingei |
Family event: a close look at tsumugi weaving |
Special screening: 'Beautiful Mystery' (1983) as part of Queer 80s at the Barbican Centre |
Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) July 2024 |
JaLaChamp 2024 | Japanese Language Championship for Young Learners UK – Finals Day! |
(This event is now fully booked.)
We are delighted to announce that the Finals Day for the Japanese Language Championship for Young Learners UK (JaLaChamp) 2024 will take place on Saturday 11th May 2024 at Japan House London.
JaLaChamp is a contest for primary and secondary school students studying Japanese, and consists of two categories: a speech category, and a video category where students are asked to create an original video. This is the second time that JaLaChamp will take place and once again we received many applications from all across the country.
On Finals Day, each speech category finalist will give a speech on a topic of their choice in front of an audience consists of the panel of judges, teachers, fellow students and their families. We will also be playing the videos of the video category finalists projected on a large screen in the Japan House London Hall! There will be special prizes for all finalists taking part.
Speeches and videos will be followed by a special talk by Dr Catherine Butler. Dr Butler is Reader in English Literature at Cardiff University, and her latest book, “British Children’s Literature in Japanese Culture: Wonderlands and Looking-Glasses”, published in 2023, looks into the relationship of the Japanese with British children’s literature. She has also published six novels for children and teenagers. She will talk about the fun of translating stories from a different cultural context and conveying messages.
Registration for this year’s JaLaChamp finals day has closed as the application have reached the maximum capacity. We are planning to upload recordings of the speeches and the applicants’ videos to our YouTube channel after Finals Day. Please follow this page and the News section of our website for further updates.
This event is generously supported by (in alphabetical order):
Date: | 11 May 2024 |
Download JaLaChamp2024 Finals Day Programme |
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Japanese Language Local Project Support Programme 2024-2025 (Spring) Applications Now Open |
Spring 2024 Applications Now OPEN!
Institutions can apply for up to £3000 for non-profit-making projects or activities which promote Japanese language education in the UK. Please see the attached documents at the bottom of this page for more detailed information.
We prioritise projects that fit into one of the four following categories:
- Category 1 - Newly Introducing Japanese into the curriculum
Up to £3,000 for projects that promote the introduction of Japanese into the curriculum (or onto the main school timetable) at primary and secondary schools. This grant covers staff costs and the cost of Japanese language books. Projects may take place online or offline.
- Category 2 - Supporting GCSE or A-level courses
Up to £3,000 for projects that support GCSE or A-level courses. Particularly, if schools/organisations require support to ensure a large number of candidates are able to take formal qualifications in Japanese, they will be able to maintain their project by re-applying the following year. This means organisations will be able to apply for up to a total of £6,000 over two years. (Please note that we do not supplement the salary of teacher(s) already hired by the applying organisation.) Covers staff costs and costs of Japanese language books. Projects may take place online or offline.
- Category 3 – New Japanese clubs
Up to £2,000 for organisations that newly introduce Japanese as an extracurricular activity or enrichment subject. In the case of schools, this is even if this is not within the school timetable. Covers staff cost, Japanese language book cost, some costs for items contributing to Japanese language learning, such as origami and calligraphy materials. Clubs may take place online or offline.
- Category 4 - Projects that enable links between primary/secondary institutions and institutions of higher education
Up to £3,000 for projects that strengthen connections between secondary institutions and institutions of higher education and create and/or strengthen networks among pupils, students, and teachers for the purpose of helping to promote Japanese language education in the UK. These projects can be aimed at both potential learners of Japanese and people who already are learning Japanese. This is a recently added category, so please contact us if you have any questions or would like to apply but are unsure as to whether your project is suitable. These projects may take place online or offline.
Application deadline: 23rd May 2024, 23:59 (Thursday)
LPSP 2024-2025 Grant Flowchart
Grant Application Form (May 2024)
We would be grateful if you could read the General Information document and the Grant Flowchart document before submitting an application.
If you have any questions, please contact info.language@jpf.go.jp
Please also refer to the “General Information” document above for detailed answers to many frequently asked questions.
Related Event!
Date: | 23 April 2024 - 23 May 2024 |
Download LPSP General Information Spring 2024-2025 | |
Download LPSP Flowchart Spring 2024-2025 | |
Download LPSP Application Form Autumn 2024-2025 |
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Local Project Support Programme Spring 2024 Applications - Online Seminar and Q&A Session |
Are you considering applying for funding but aren’t sure about how to go about it? Do you have a project in mind but aren’t sure if it’s eligible? We would strongly recommend that you sign up to take part in our Online Seminar and Q&A session.
During this half-hour session, a member of our staff will talk participants through the application process, and then open the floor to questions and answers. We want to make sure the application process is as easy-to-understand as possible.
This session will be held twice on 8th May 2024 (Thursday)
1. First Session: 13:00 to 13:30
2. Second Session: 18:00 to 18:30
We will be using Zoom software. Once you have applied we will send you information on how to join the session.
Attendance is free but booking is essential. If you would like to take part, please sign up 7th May 2024 (Tue).
This seminar will be held in English but the presenter is a bilingual Japanese-English speaker. Please use Japanese at in this application form and at the Q&A if you would prefer.
Fill out the application form here
Date: | 8 May 2024 |
Venue: |
Online event |
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In the Shadows of Gratitude: AGEING & CARE in Japanese Society - *Talk and Documentary Screening* |
Date: Wednesday 5 June, 6:30pm – 9pm (Doors at 6pm)
Venue: Japan House London
The world is ageing. According to the World Health Organization, increased life expectancy and declining birth rates mean that between 2000 and 2050, the proportion of the world’s population over 60 will have doubled. Nowhere is this trend easier to see than in Japan, where 1 in 10 people are over the age of 80 and almost 30% of the population is over the age of 65, according to a study published in 2023 by the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Who will provide care to the growing number of frail and cognitively impaired older people in this historically unprecedented reality?
Japan relies on a combination of informal, unpaid care (primarily family members, but also local community volunteer groups) and formal, paid care to address the increasing needs of its ageing population. Despite the introduction of a national Long-Term Care Insurance system in 2000, family involvement in daily care of older family members has not decreased. Family members play a vital role as primary carers for almost three-quarters of frail and dependent older people, but as dependency increases with age, it is not uncommon for family carers to leave their jobs or move in with the person they are caring for, leading to dangerous levels of stress and fatigue. Understanding and recognizing the value of unpaid care is essential for ensuring their support over the course of what is often a long, painful, but ultimately transformative journey.
Join us for a discussion on this issue, with Dr Jason Danely, Reader in Anthropology at Oxford Brookes University and Chair of the Healthy Ageing and Care Research Innovation and Knowledge Exchange Network.
This event will feature a documentary film screening on the topic, as part of the release of new titles to the JFF + Japan Foundation Film Festival. The title of the documentary will be revealed on Wednesday 8 May when the whole film festival programme is announced. Keep your eyes peeled for the title reveal!
The event will involve a 10 minute introductory talk from Dr Danely, followed by the documentary screening. After the film has been screened, Dr Danely will lead a 30 minute Q&A session to share his expertise and facilitate an audience discussion.
About the Speaker
Dr. Jason Danely is a Reader in Anthropology and Chair of the Healthy Ageing & Care Research Innovation and Knowledge Exchange Network at Oxford Brookes University. He is the author of over 20 publications, including his most recent book, Fragile Resonance: Caring for Older Family Members in Japan and England (2022). His research expertise relates to cultural understanding and experiences of ageing and care in |
Japan, where he has at various times taught, studied, performed theatre, travelled, meditated and raised children, over the last twenty years.
This is a free event, however booking is essential. |
Keep an eye on this page for the title of the documentary, screened as part of this event!
For enquiries, please email LO_info@jpf.go.jp
Date: | 5 June 2024 from 6.30pm to 9.00pm |
Venue: |
Japan House London |
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KABUKI KIMONO: Costumes of Bandō Tamasaburō V |
Step into the world of Kabuki with six stunning kimonos worn by the legendary actor BANDO Tamasaburo V, known for his renowned onnagata roles (male actor who performs female roles). Experience the intricate artistry of these garments, highlighting a diverse range of complex textile techniques, encompassing weaving, dyeing, embroidery, and hand-painting. We are delighted to collaborate with the Ashmolean Museum.
Date: 21 November 2023 - 8 December 2024
Venue: The Ashmolean Museum
Date: | 21 November 2023 - 8 December 2024 |
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JaLaChamp 2024 – Japanese Language Championship for Young Learners UK |
Applications are now open for JaLaChamp 2024!
Latest updates
- 07/12 - Speech Category deadline extended!
- 31/10 - Prospective applicants and their teachers/guardians can now check out our Frequently Asked Questions document.
- 26/10 - Check out our JaLaChamp 2024 outline video!
- 18/10 - You can now download Video Creation Hints!
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JaLaChamp, or Japanese Language Championship for Young Learners UK, is a contest for primary and secondary school students studying Japanese. There are two categories - the speech category, where students give a speech on a theme of their choice, and the video category where students are asked to create an original video either by individual or part of a group.
The world is changing very quickly. Technology is advancing, and nowadays if we have a computer or a smartphone we can send a message to anyone in the world. In a time like this, we should always consider the following questions: “What message do I want to convey and how?” Using the voice, the written word, visuals, design and more – there are many ways to express ourselves. It is important to be able to combine these different choices of expression to create a way of expressing ourselves that others can understand, empathise with or be persuaded by.
We want to encourage students to share with us their thoughts and viewpoints, as well as show us their creativity in full and have fun challenging themselves by entering this contest and using their Japanese!
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Application deadline for the Speech Category: 6th December 2023 (Wednesday), 15:00
The Speech Category Deadline has been EXTENDED.
New Speech Category Deadline: 24th January 2024 (Wednesday), 15:00
(Please note that the application guidelines, application form, application poster etc display the previous deadline)
Application deadline for the Video Category: 24th January 2024 (Wednesday), 15:00
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1. Download Guidelines and Event Poster
- English Guidelines
- Japanese Guidelines
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Download our JaLaChamp 2024 poster
- Watch our JaLaChamp 2024 Outline Video
2. Reference Materials for Students
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- Finals day: 11th May 2024 (Saturday)
- Venue: Japan House London, 101-111 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SA
* Please note: The Finals Day of JaLaChamp 2023 was held in July, however the JaLaChamp 2024 Finals Day will be held in May
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Talk event: Mingei Then and Now with YOSHIZAWA Tomo |
The Mingei Undo was a revolutionary cultural movement in Japan which started in 1926. Grandfathered by YANAGI Soetsu, it intended to identify and treasure the beauty of the hand-made works produced by anonymous craftsmen, each one created amidst the climate of each local region and to its specific daily needs. It was born against the backdrop of an existing notion that only ornately-decorated ornamental pieces had value as works of art. The re-discovery of beauty in Mingei covers media from ceramics to textiles, with the works of HAMADA Shoji regarded as some of the most representative of the movement, including within the UK.
In celebration of the exhibition Art Without Heroes: Mingei at William Morris Gallery in London, the Japan Foundation and Dovecot Studios will host a talk by YOSHIZAWA Tomo, a key partner of the exhibition, that will examine the historical significance of Mingei along with its socio-economic impact. As a granddaughter of MUNEHIRO Rikizo, a Preserver of Important Intangible Cultural Property, Tomo will also delve into Mingei’s influence on contemporary makers and craftsmen, along with the relationship between maker and user, by focusing on MUNEHIRO’s textile works.
To book, please click here for our booking form.
Please note that the confirmation email system is not automated and is subject to office opening hours.
Date: | 13 May 2024 from 1.00pm to 2.00pm |
Venue: |
Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1LT |
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Art Without Heroes: Mingei |
In collaboration with William Morris Gallery, we're proudly presenting the UK's most wide-ranging exhibition dedicated to Mingei, the influential folk-craft movement originating in Japan during the 1920s and 1930s. Showcasing a diverse array of works including ceramics, woodwork, textiles, and more, this exhibition explores Mingei's cultural significance and its enduring relevance in contemporary craft and consumerism.
Date: now on, until 22 September 2024
Venue: William Morris Gallery
Click here for details
Date: | 23 March 2024 - 22 September 2024 |
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Panel discussion: Mingei / Art Without Heroes |
Join curator Roisin Inglesby, along with contributors KIKUCHI Yuko, Aaron Angell, and Dasom Sung, for an exciting evening exploring and expanding on the themes of the book Mingei / Art Without Heroes, chaired by YOSHIZAWA Tomo.
Originating in Japan in the 1920s, the Mingei movement was based on the principle that beauty is inherent in handmade, everyday objects created by anonymous craftspeople. Spearheaded by the philosopher YANAGI Soetsu, and potters HAMADA Shoji and Bernard Leach, the movement sought to elevate the status of folk craft in a rapidly modernising society.
Mingei / Art Without Heroes covers a wide range of objects associated with Mingei, from ceramics and furniture to textiles and toys, alongside a series of profiles of leading designers and makers working in Japan today. Contributors from a variety of backgrounds explore Mingei’s origins, interpretations and contemporary implications, shedding new light on the ways in which the principles of the movement remain relevant to today’s personal, social and environmental concerns.
Date: | 15 May 2024 from 6.00pm to 9.00pm |
Venue: |
William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park, Forest Road, Walthamstow, London, E17 4PP |
For more information, please click here. |
£7.50 per ticket, £5 concessions
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Guided tour of Art Without Heroes: Mingei |
Join curator Roisin Inglesby and key exhibition partner YOSHIZAWA Tomo for a guided tour of the exhibition Art Without Heroes: Mingei at William Morris Gallery.
Drawing on their respective areas of expertise, Roisin and Tomo will give further insight into the context surrounding the objects featured in the exhibition.
Date: | 16 May 2024 from 2.00pm to 2.45pm |
Venue: |
William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park, Forest Road, Walthamstow, London, E17 4PP |
For more information, please click here. |
Free to attend - just turn up (places offered on a first-come, first-served basis)
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Family event: a close look at tsumugi weaving |
Tsumugi weaving is a traditional Japanese craft inspired by the Mingei movement and developed by Living National Treasure MUNEHIRO Rikizo.
As part of William Morris Gallery's May Family Day, join Rikizo's granddaughter YOSHIZAWA Tomo for a hands-on deep dive into the design process of these unique textiles, as she showcases sketchbooks, weaving designs and sample threads alongside fabric from the MUNEHIRO workshop.
Date: | 18 May 2024 from 10.00am to 12.00pm |
Venue: |
William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park, Forest Road, Walthamstow, London, E17 4PP |
For more information, please click here. |
Free (drop-in event)
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Special screening: 'Beautiful Mystery' (1983) as part of Queer 80s at the Barbican Centre |
We are proud to partner with the Barbican Centre for a special screening of NAKAMURA Genji's Beautiful Mystery (1983), screening as part of Queer 80s.
Political correctness flies out the window in this outrageous gay erotic comedy that satirises author and nationalist MISHIMA Yukio and his private army.
Aspiring, patriotic bodybuilder SHINOHARA is spotted by the dominant MITANI (a caricature of queer writer and ardent nationalist MISHIMA Yukio) and recruited for militia, with plans to launch a coup d'état. The soldiers have more than revolution on the mind, though, and SHINOHARA finds himself in a world of gay sex and worship of the body.
With an introduction by critic, curator, and occasional filmmaker Tony Rayns, this one-of-a-kind film is not to be missed.
*Please note this film contains a scene of rape that some viewers may find distressing.
Date: | 6 June 2024 from 6.30pm |
Venue: |
Barbican Cinema 1, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS |
For more information, please click here. |
£13 per ticket, £11 concessions
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Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) July 2024 |
The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is a test for non-native speakers of Japanese which evaluates and certifies their Japanese-Language proficiency. The test takes place twice a year (July and December) in Japan and various locations around the world. Currently, it is the largest Japanese language test in the world, with more than 1.36 million people in 87 countries worldwide having registered for the JLPT in 2019.
The next JLPT will take place on Sunday, 7th July 2024. Registration will start at each test centre in March.
Please check this page for any updates on UK test centres for the July 2024 JLPT. For application opening dates and registration details, please refer to each university’s website using the links below:
Japan Research Centre, SOAS University of London
Please note that the JLPT is very popular and registration at each test centre will close when the test centre has reached its maximum capacity.
For more information about the test, please visit JLPT website.
Ø Let’s Try Sample Questions!
Ø Download a Guide to the 2024 Japanese-Language Proficiency Test.
Date: | 7 July 2024 |
Download guide_2024 |
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