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Conferences and Events

Japan Society events

June 3. Japanese conversation group, Masons Arms, 6.30pm. Note the group’s web site link: www.japansociety.org.uk/events/040506jcg.html

June 8. Lecture by Sebastian Dobson at the Oriental Club, Stratford House Stratford Place, W1, on “Jewels in the Japan Society Library: Lt. Gen Ian Hamilton and his Scrapbook.” (Lecture sponsored by All Nippon Airways, ANA)

June 9. Younger members, Sherlock Holmes Walk, followed by supper. Meet at Embankment station.

June 19. Younger members, Midsummer Ball, with JET AA at the Brewery, Chiswell St., EC1.

June 23. Seminar at and with the Daiwa Foundation –part of the joint series on UK-Japan Cities of the Future: Regeneration and Urban Life. “At ease in the city: urban lifestyles and the pursuit of leisure. Speakers: Mark Dytham, architect, Klein Dytham Architecture, Tokyo, and Kisa Kawakami, architect. Chairman, Dr Ken Tadashi Oshima, Sainsbury Institute Research Fellow, SISJAC. More information to follow.

June 27. Sunday. Younger members, tennis tournament at Trailfinders Sports Club, Vallis Way, West Ealing, W13.

June 27. All day, Japan Society Barbecue, with cricket and football matches. Includes cricket match for the Isherwood Cup: Ambassador’s X1 v Chairmen’s X1. Trailfinders Sports Club (address above) Entertainment will be provided for children. Supported by Mitsubishi Corporation.

June 30. The annual general meeting, at the Japanese Embassy, 6pm. More information to follow.

Japan Society correspondence should be sent to Swire House, 59 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AJ. Email info@japansociety.org.uk The long-term programme can be seen at www.japansociety.org.uk

Sir Peter Parker Awards

The winner of the business section of the 15^th Sir Peter Parker Awards for Spoken Business Japanese was Ms Beth Nicholls, Bath University graduate, at SOAS on February 10. She spoke on “A sporting chance – lessons from the 2002 FIFA World Cup.” The student winner was Andrew Daniels, of Pembroke College, Oxford, whose topic was “Wasshoi ! – the spirit of matsuri in provincial Japan.”

Both won prizes from members of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry in the UK: return air tickets to Japan, from Japan Airlines; £1,000 spending money from the city law firm, Baker & McKenzie; and Japan Rail passes from Japan Centre Group Ltd.

There were eight finalists in both the business and student categories, each of whom gave a 10-minute speech in Japanese on an EU or UK/Japanese theme. Business contestants also had to take part in a panel discussion in Japanese. The panel of judges was chaired by Sir John Whitehead. The awards were established in 1990 by the Japan External Trade Organisationm (Jetro), London, and SOAS, London. The student category was added in 1993. Inquiries should be addressed to Ms Yasko Kurahachi or Ms Mari Hardwick, email ldns@jetro.go.jp

News of conferences and events always welcome: please give full details and email contact. The editor is grateful for readers' co-operation. jim@konnichi-wa.com