A Social Evening to Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of JSoS

Monday 17th October 2011

at The Koyama Restaurant, 20 Forrest Road, Edinburgh EH1 2QN

Meeting from 6.30 pm onwards with Dinner starting at 7 pm

Welcome in the 25th year of The Japan Society of Scotland by celebrating with other members in a convivial atmosphere in the new Koyama Japanese restaurant.

This event will prove very successful and we look forward to seeing many of you there. Should any member wish to bring a guest along they would be most welcome.

For the details, please click here or check the Events page.

Dundee Student awarded opportunity to study in Japan with the 2011 Thomas Blake Glover Aberdeen Asset Scholarship

A Dundee student has been awarded the 2011 Thomas Blake Glover Aberdeen Asset Scholarship. Twenty three year old Jen Rourke, currently in her final year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design at the University of Dundee, will be funded by the business scholarship to study at the International Christian University of Tokyo this summer. The Thomas Blake Glover Aberdeen Asset Scholarship is a charitable fund which enables Scottish students to study both the Japanese language and culture at intensive university summer schools in Japan. Jen becomes the first Dundonian to receive the scholarship.

An outstanding student, who was awarded the Armistead Bursary in 2009 for achieving the highest grade in her year and the Cross Trust Arts Vacation Award – a travel bursary - in 2010, Jen was educated at Monifieth High School in Dundee. She will graduate this summer with a BA Hons in illustration and aims to study for a Masters. Jen has participated in Japanese for beginners classes and has specialised in Japanese art and culture, writing her dissertation on woodblock printing. She plans a career promoting Japanese arts in the west.

Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, which supports the scholarship says, “The scholarship is open to young Scots who are at post secondary educational level and we give preference to candidates who have a business focus in their interest in Japan. Jen fits this profile perfectly. Even at the age of 23, you can see that she is a high achiever, and I have no doubt that Jen will maximise the chances which this opportunity will bring her. At Aberdeen Asset Management we are proud to support initiatives which give young, enthusiastic Scots such a start to their professional careers.”

Jen Rourke, who will travel to Japan in July, says, “This is such a wonderful opportunity for me. I have a deep interest in the cultural links between Japan and Scotland. The Thomas Blake Glover Aberdeen Asset Scholarship gives me the chance to learn the Japanese language which will allow me to develop relationships with museums and galleries. Being able to speak the language will be of huge benefit to me in my future career.”

Chairman of the Japan Society of Scotland, Professor Stuart Picken explains that the scholarship panel found Jen to be a natural selection for the 2011 scholarship. “Jen’s enthusiasm and passion for all things Japanese shone through. This scholarship is designed to give an outstanding young graduate or undergraduate the chance to develop language skills and to experience the Japanese way of life, so that they can pursue their careers with a level of knowledge and understanding which marks them out from their peers. The panel is confident that Jen will make the most of the new skills and insight she will gain in Japan this summer.”

See more details here.

 

The Japanese Earthquake - Responses from the Consulate General of Japan and the Society

Book of Condolence

A Book of Condolence has been opened at the Consulate General in Edinburgh and members and friends of the Society are invited to sign the Book, which is located in the Foyer of the Consulate.

The Japan Society of Scotland wishes to express its deepest sympathy to the people of Japan at this dreadful time. The Society Council has been approached by numerous groups and individuals, as has been the Consulate, on how help might be given. There is no appeal from the Consulate, only a simple recommendation that support for the Red Cross would be welcomed. The Japanese Red Cross has agreed to accept donations from the British Red Cross, whose website for this purpose is:www.redcross.org.uk/Donate-Now/Make-a-single-donation/Japan-Tsunami-Appeal This will support the provision of emergency medical aid on site where required and extend the range of services available. While many well-wishers would like to express their solidarity, following the guidance and advice of the Consulate is the best way in which to express it. The Society will follow the Consulate' lead. Japan, it should be remembered is the largest donor of Overseas Development Aid (ODA) in the G8, and also knows a great deal about disaster relief. The Japanese government, once all the facts are known, will doubtless begin to implement its own planned response as it did with the Kobe earthquake several years ago. Further developments and suggestions will be reported as they come to hand. In the meantime, we would like to thank everyone who has expressed concern, and ask them to be assured that it is deeply appreciated.

Rev. Professor Stuart DB Picken, Council Chair.

Lord Charles Bruce, Honorary Patron

Charles Edmond, Honorary Secretary