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Immortality in Yamanoue Okura’s poetry
Published on 2011-11-18 04:30:57
What makes good poetry? The genre has developed and changed so much throughout times, and we now recognise new sub-genres such as rap, slam, dub poetry as well as variations of the more traditional written poems. The more novice and the old traditional forms of poetry are immeasurably different in shape. However, I believe the [...] > read more
JAF Sake Volunteering Project Review
Published on 2011-11-18 04:06:19
From the 11th to the 25th of September 2011 the Japan Affairs Forum sent eighteen volunteers to the Tohoku region of Japan. The focus of the trip was sake, traditional Japanese rice wine, and for two weeks our volunteers were able to work in actual breweries and came into contact with those inside the industry who had been affected by the March 11 Tohoku Earthquake. > read more
To kill myself : The ritual of suicide in Japan’s culture
Published on 2011-10-09 07:04:19
Ieva Lakute explores the theme of suicide in traditional Japanese literature and draws lessons to be applied to modern day Japan > read more
The Japan Affairs Forum Sake Volunteering Trip
Published on 2011-09-19 18:50:14
Eighteen keen Japan and sake enthusiast have taken part in the Japan Affairs Forum sake volunteering trip visiting various breweries in Miyagi and Iwate prefectures in Japan. The aim of the trip was to not only educate volunteers on where and how quality Japanese sake is made but also to gain a [...] > read more
Are Japanese values changing?
Published on 2011-08-13 01:09:17
When Japan’s economy was booming（好景気） in the global market in the 1980’s, many of the Japanese (国民)were buying luxurious items to enhance their lives. Japanese employees lived stable lives due to lifetime-employment management systems（終身雇用） and seniority reward systems (年功序列制度).Nevertheless, this type of management style, which had helped Japan’s blossoming economy, is no longer effective due [...] > read more
2011 Sake Volunteering Project
Published on 2011-05-24 13:04:46
Attention all Japan enthusiasts! September 2011 Sake Volunteering Project This September members of the Japan Affairs Forum, Action For Japan UK will be travelling to Miyagi prefecture in Japan to work at the famous Nizawa Zojyo sake brewery! > read more
Getting Involved
Published on 2011-03-18 13:33:24
Although people around the world are expressing their sympathy for Japan in the wake of the massive earthquake which struck the North East of Japan on the 11th March, many are left wondering what they can actually do to help those worst affected by t > read more
Mitoji Yabunaka Gives Talk at LSE: Security in East Asia
Published on 2011-03-18 13:32:41
Former Japanese Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Mitoji Yabunaka appeared at the London School of Economics in an event hosted by LSE’s Asia Research Centre to give a talk on security in East Asia last Tuesday, March 15th. > read more
Massive Earthquake hits the North East of Japan
Published on 2011-03-11 19:35:35
Our deepest sympathies go out to all those affected by the Sendai earthquake which struck 40 kilometres off the coast of Miyagi prefecture at 2:46pm local time. The quake, which measured around 9 on the Richter scale and was the largest Japan has > read more
Seiji Maehara: Dead Duck or Rising Phoenix?
Published on 2011-03-10 09:25:35
The resignation of Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara was abrupt to say the least. Indeed, many were surprised that it took only ¥250,000 worth of donations from an 72 year old South Korean woman, whom had supported him since his teen years, to topple > read more
Ishiba defends the flag
Published on 2011-03-09 07:10:37
On 2 March, Shigeru Ishiba, the Policy Chief of the Liberal Democratic Party, revealed his plan to propose an amendment to the criminal law in Parliament. The potential change includes a 2-year sentence or 200,000 yen fine for those who maliciousl > read more