Omotesando, Tokyo is home of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade for Japan biggest city. This year’s parade is on March 14 and starts from Omotesando Hills; it runs from 2 p.m. till 4 p.m.

Tokyoites aren’t the only ones that think they have a little Irish in them. Other areas in Japan also hold parades and more.

In Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, parades will take place on land and the Horikawa River on March 14. The land parade starts at midday from Karakoro Plaza. Twenty green boats, will also depart Otemae Horikawa Boat Boarding Point at 11 a.m. and head to Karakoro Plaza. ( www.sanin-japan-ireland.org/festival).

In Yokohama, the parade runs from 1 p.m. till 4 p.m. on Motomachi Shopping Street on March 20, (www.inj-yokohama.com).

In Tsukuba, the parade starts at 3 p.m. in Tsukuba Center Plaza on March 27 (stptsfes.tsukuba.ch).

In Ise, people will parade along a 2-km course, starting at Ise Shrine Geku from midday and finishing at 4 p.m. on March 13 (isepaddysdayparade.googlepages.com).

In Kyoto, a mere 300 participants will march on Oike Dori from 2:30 p.m. till 4 p.m. on March 14 (www.inj-kansai.com).

Visit the Irish Network Japan at www.inj.or.jp for more information.

Photo by infomatique.

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Preparatory education for university entrance examinations is an important rite of passage for many Japanese teenagers. This period of preparation can be a time of profound personal growth, confidence-building, and personal triumph for many of these ambitious youths. Toward that end, Tokyo-based, Mustard Seed Academy (MSA) recently celebrated the debut of its new campus in Shizuoka City last month, introducing to the community a unique approach to preparatory education in Japan. According to author, school dean, and senior English instructor Hajime Nakazawa, “If students deeply experience their worth and value, then they will be empowered to do above and beyond what they think they can do. We strive to provide that kind of uncompromising quality in student care, education and guidance, down to the smallest detail — including the restroom sinks.”

The “sinks”—is he serious, one might ask? The commitment to demonstrate “love, faith and hope” to the students, as stated in the school’s mission statement, is clearly evident in the school’s polished interior design by Ms. Yokoyama of Kukan Kosei Co. Ltd. in Minato-ku, Tokyo. Walking into the school, you cannot help but notice the chandeliers before you, flickering soothing light against the baby-blue colored walls. As you enter across the marbled-floor lobby, you’re greeted by a sienna-colored uketsuke, or front desk which might, at first, lead you to believe you had just walked into a hotel. However, allowing your eyes to follow the white crown molding along the chocolate-colored walls into the two adjacent classrooms for a momentary glance reveals that you’ve indeed entered a very “classy” sort of school.

“We want our students to have a vision of the best things in life. Of what’s possible. That they deserve the very best,” says Mr. Nakazawa, “The atmosphere we create here for learning is not only one of high academic standards but also of high personal and moral standards. Our students deserve all that we can give them. Wouldn’t you want the best for your child?” As this is the fruition of a dream over 10 years in the making, he emphasized that he envisioned a prep school with quality student care likened to a five-star hotel and restaurant, catering to the specific needs of every student like valued guests. “What can I say, we all like to be treated well.”

And yes, down to the sinks. The women’s powder room (and rightly called, as “restroom” would seem quite inadequate) is a sight to behold in a prep school. A chandelier lamp reminiscent of the lobby’s design rests comfortably upon a white half-moon table, decorated sparsely yet elegantly. And yes, the pink flowery-glossed porcelain sink rests below the stylish faucets beyond comparison to those of any school any of us are familiar with. A trip down the hall to the men’s restroom reveals the equally elegant yet tastefully spartan facility appropriate for maturing teens.

Ian Shen, Mustard Seed Academy’s full-time native English-speaking Instructor and Chaplain, explains, “Though it may seem a bit excessive as a cram school to some, I’m very proud that our school reflects of our strong commitment to our students in every way. There’s nothing that compares as far as I know.”

The desire to enter a top university in Japan is the first of many dreams a young man or woman may have. Mustard Seed Academy Shizuoka campus nurtures and educates these students in this five-star, hospitality-based atmosphere, offering its educational philosophy of cultivating hope, faith and love in the next generation of Japanese teenagers, as it has been doing faithfully since 2005 in Tokyo.

Class registration period is currently open for the 2010 school year. Introduction Open School Sessions in Shizuoka are held March 13, 20, 27, or April 1 and 10 from 3PM to 5PM, and in Tokyo on March 10, 14, 17 and 21 from 1:30PM to 3:30PM. For more information, visit http://mustardseedacademy.com or call 03-5261-5217.

Original Press Release at http://mustardseedacademy.com/download/5
Additional photos at http://mustardseedacademy.com/download/4

MSA Shizuoka web.zip (398 KB)

This post was submitted by im3ngs.

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Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images AsiaPac

The 33rd Japan Academy Awards were presented on Friday at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa. The film “Tsurugidake: Ten no Ki,” received 6 of the 15 awards presented. The film is the directorial debut of cinematographer Daisaku Kimura.

Actress Matsu Takako (32) won the Best Actress Award for her role in “Villon’s Wife”. She beat several strong rivals such as Ayase Haruka (24) or Hirosue Ryoko (29). Actor Ken Watanabe won best actor in a leading role for the film “Shizumanu Taiyou.”

Best Picture went to Setsuro Wakamatsu’s “Shizumanu Taiyo,” which won a total of three awards.

• Best Picture: Shizumanu Taiyo (Setsuro Wakamatsu)
• Best Animated Picture: Summer Wars (Mamoru Hosoda)
• Best Director: Daisaku Kimura (Tsurugidake: Ten no Ki)
• Best Screenplay: Miwa Nishikawa (Dear Doctor)
• Best Actor: Ken Watanabe (Shizumanu Taiyo)
• Best Actress: Takako Matsu (Viyon no Tsuma)
• Best Supporting Actor: Teruyuki Kagawa (Tsurugidake: Ten no Ki)
• Best Supporting Actress: Kimiko Yo (Dear Doctor)
• Best Music: Shinichiro Ikebe (Tsurugidake: Ten no Ki)
• Best Cinematography: Daisaku Kimura (Tsurugidake: Ten no Ki)
• Best Lighting Direction: Takayuki Kawabe (Tsurugidake: Ten no Ki)
• Best Art Direction: Yohei Taneda, Kyoko Yauchi (Viyon no Tsuma)
• Best Sound Recording: Kenichi Ishidera (Tsurugidake: Ten no Ki)
• Best Film Editing: Takao Arai (Shizumanu Taiyo)
• Best Foreign Language Film: Gran Torino (Clint Eastwood)

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Sakura-Con is going to be bigger and better than ever this year!

With Appearances by:

Tsuyoshi Nonaka is a Mechanical designer known for his work on D.I.C.E. (TV) and Shin Mazinger Shogeki! Z-Hen. This will be Nonaka-San’s first Sakura-Con.

Yasuhiro Imagawa has directed several unconventional updates of classic Japanese robot stories, such as Giant Robo, Mobile Fighter G Gundam, and most recently, Shin Mazinger Shogeki! Z-Hen. He also wrote scrips for Pet Shop of Horrors, Violinist of Hamelin, Beserk and Harelya II Boy. This is Imagawa-San’s first Sakura-Con.

Yutaka Minowa is a character designer and animation director who works almost exclusively with Madhouse, one of the premiere Japanese animation companies. His work is most notably recognized in the Yoshiaki Kawijiri movies he has designed characters for, among them Ninja Scroll and Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust. He’s also worked as character designer and/or animation director for many popular titles including Outlaw Star, Animatrix, and many, many more. This is Minowa-san’s second Sakura-Con.

The thirteenth annual Sakura-Con will be April 2nd-4th at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Downtown Seattle Washington.

Register for the event here: https://secure.sakuracon.org/registration/register.php

More about Sakura-Con:

Sakura-Con is the Northwest’s first and largest convention devoted to Japanese animation (anime), comics (manga), gaming and Asian culture (established 1998). It is the destination event for an expected attendance of over 18,000 fans, industry leaders, celebrities, and artists. Sakura-Con is one of the largest events of it’s kind in the United States-ranking in the top 5 for attendance.

Sakura-Con features artists, performers, educators, musicians, authors, directors, producers, and more from anime, manga, j-pop, the Asian cultural community and gaming. The event runs 24 hours a day, round the clock from start to finish and is packed with programming including: 4 theaters, concerts, the largest console and video gaming suite of any event in the Northwest, fan panels, industry panels, cultural panels, guest appearances, art show, cultural performers, educational panels, and an exhibitors hall with over 250 vendors.

To attend Sakura-Con you must become a member of the Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association. Once a member you will be able to attend ANCEA’s main event and will additionally receive members benefits including a local mailing list to keep you in touch with Japanese cultural events in the Greater Puget Sound area, a Member’s Newsletter, and discounts for special ANCEA/Sakura-Con events and offers as available.

To Register just visit www.sakuracon.org. Memberships are priced to encourage early registration to help ANCEA put on the best Sakura-Con possible-as well as to provide the most benefits to our members.

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Currently the museum is exhibiting “She Draws Comics: 100 Years of American Women Cartoonists” with Wednesday the 27th of January being a special open day for the museum with the opening of the Kyoto Seika University Graduation Exhibition. Student works will be on display. Also, from Wednesday the 27th to Sunday the 31st of January during the Kyoto Seika University Graduation Exhibition admission to the museum will be free.

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Entering its 61st year, the Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan will take place in the Hokkaido region of Japan from February 6 through February 11. Not only attracting local Japanese visitors, the Sapporo Snow Festival draws international interest as well and more than 2 million visitors are expected to converge in the downtown Sapporo area to see the stunning snow and ice sculptures, entertainment and sample the Japanese cuisine.The Sapporo Snow Festival began in 1950 by a group of high school students who sculpted six statues along the Odori Park and over the last 61 years, has grown into an international phenomenon rivaled only by Harbin Ice and Snow Festival and the Quebec Winter Carnival!

The festival takes place in predominantly three main districts: the Odori Park area, the main streets of Susukino and at the Supporo Community Dome in Tsudome.

Key dates at the Sapporo Snow Festival not to be missed:

• February 5: 6:30 p.m. – Opening ceremony at the Minami 4 Nishi 4 location
• February 5: 7:30 p.m. – Photos with the Ice Queen
• February 6: 11:00 a.m. – Ice Sculpture Award Ceremony at the Susukino site (Minami 4 Nishi 4)
• February 11: 8:45 p.m. Closing Ceremony at the main ice sculptures at the Susukino site.

How to get there:
There are many tour companies offering special tours to the Sapporo Snow Festival. I recommend you call them as opposed to trying to navigate their websites to determine total package pricing from the Orlando area. I can tell you that you will need to change planes at least two times during travel, once in US and the other in Tokyo to eventually arrive in Sapporo.

• JTB Tours – 1-888-452-5725
• Pop Japan Travel – 866-680-1589 ext 111
• Royal Adventure Travel – See list of travel consultants
• Kobayashi.com Honolulu: 1-808-593-9387

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Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on Friday received New Year’s greetings from other imperial family members and government leaders at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Among the well-wishers were Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, Prince Akishino and his wife Princess Kiko, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, heads of the Diet’s two chambers and the chief justice of the Supreme Court.

Source: AP

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Japan said Wednesday it would offer 1.75 trillion yen (19.5 billion dollars) to developing nations under a climate deal, offering a major boost to the summit in Copenhagen.

The figure amounts to more than half of the money as part of a plan to assist developing nations, a key sticking point at the 194-nation conference in the Danish capital.

“Japan as a country takes very seriously its responsibility in the international community,” Environment Minister Sakihito Ozawa told reporters.

“Japan has decided today that we will provide financial assistance to developing nations of approximately 1.75 trillion yen including public and private finances,” he said.

Ozawa said that Japan was making the pledge “all on the premise that a fair and effective international framework should be built and that this framework should involve all major countries.”

He said that 1.3 trillion yen would come in public funds, with the rest consisting of private money in the world’s second largest economy.

Ozawa gave the dollar figure of 15 billion for the pledge, although it comes to 19.5 billion with the current strength of the Japanese currency against the greenback.

It marks the biggest contribution yet to the so-called fast-track fund aimed at helping developing nations cope with climate change through 2012.

It tops the pledge by European leaders to provide 7.2 billion euros (10.6 billion dollars). The United States has said it is ready to pay a “fair share” but President Barack Obama has not yet announced any figure.

Ozawa said the funding would include mitigation efforts and the development of low-carbon technology, along with adaption by small island states.

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama’s left-leaning government has ramped up pledges by Japan to battle global warming and to find a successor to the landmark Kyoto Protocol negotiated in the Asian power’s ancient capital.

Japan earlier said it would also take part in a six-nation, 3.5 billion-dollar fund to address deforestation, a major source of climate change.

Photo by Greenpeace Finland

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Abercrombie & Fitch is opening it’s new store in Ginza and like other grand openings has a line around the corner already. The TV news is covering the event as a spectacle of consumerism in hopes that a single store can end the looming economic times and somehow boost the economy into life again. Well, let’s hope that preppy clothes can do just that. It’s reported that the first few people in line will receive a free poster similar to the photo below.

Photos by: gniliep and pinkmoose

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Japan’s envoy to climate change talks expressed doubt Wednesday that a final agreement would be reached at the UN summit on tackling global warming that starts next week in Copenhagen.

“Due to time constraints … we would have to say it will be difficult to agree on a legally binding text” at the December 7-18 meeting, said Environment Minister Sakihito Ozawa.

However, he expressed hope that a non-binding political agreement on reducing greenhouse gas emissions can be signed by 192 nations there that would pave the way for a final text.

Such a political agreement should include the reduction targets of industrialized countries, mitigation actions by developing countries, pledges of financial aid, and a deadline for a legally binding text, he said.

“The negotiations will be complex, with a high degree of difficulty, but I believe it is possible to achieve a historical politically binding agreement,” he told reporters.

The center-left government of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has promised to slash emissions by 25 percent by 2020 compared to 1990 levels, as long as major emitters such as the United States and China also take meaningful action.

Japan, where the Kyoto Protocol was signed in 1997, has so far struggled to meet its own previous target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by six percent between 1990 and the 2008-2012 period.

Tokyo has also pledged 9.2 billion dollars in aid to developing countries by 2012 to help them combat global warming.

More Information:
COP15 United Nations Climate Change Conference Copenhagen 2009

Source: AFP

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