AJET Newsletter

Toyama AJET NewsletterToyama AJET Newsletter

WE’VE ALL BEEN THERE:February 13th. Probably late inthe evening. You have somenagging thought at the back ofyour mind, that there’ssomething importanthappening, something you haveto prepare for, something youneed to do…VALENTINE`SDAY!! It’s tomorrow, and youknow that unless you get a cardand at least a half decentpresent in time for the next dayyour testicles will be made intopâté by the one you love.Scouring your mind, you

very unlikely to stock thatperfect bunch of flowers.Resignedly, you accept that

Vol.1, No.8, February 2009

magical land of Japan,Valentines Day is not a daywhen men must give

Delicious Valentine’s sweets!

Valentine’s Day p. 1-2

Takarazuka p. 3-4

Crafts in Toyama p. 4

Entertainment, Comic p.5

Hiroshi Sugimoto p.6

Judo p.7

Best of the Block p.8

In this issue…In this issue…In this issue…In this issue…

Scouring your mind, youremember the 24 hour shopdown the road and go there indesperation looking for an itemeven remotely congruent toyour purpose. But lookinground you realize the futility ofthe operation. It’s a conveniencestore. A corner shop. It caters todrunkards, carousers and latenight laggards, and as such is

Resignedly, you accept thatyou can’t give your speciallady a packet of MarlboroLights or two packets ofbiscuits, even if they were onspecial offer. The only thing todo is go home and contemplatethe thought of the afore-mentioned testicles beingserved on a cracker.But worry no longer! For in the

It’s in His Kiss Blood p.9

Murder Mystery p. 10-11

Anime p. 11

Poster Competition p. 12

Politics p.13

What’s Happening p.14

JETFest p.15

when men must givesomething to women! Quitethe reverse! Women, bytradition (that`s `tradition`in the sense of `cunningmarketing ploy byconfectioners), givechocolates to men onFebruary 14th.

Notice the plural, men.There are two types of

http://ajet.net/modules/articles/article.php?id=243 AJET on Facebook http://kanko.toyamaken.jp/english/access.html http://kanko.toyamaken.jp/english/travel_guide.html

Toyama AJET NewsletterVol.1, No.8, February 2009

Valentine’s Day chocolate in Japan. One is girichoko, or `obligation chocolates`, given tomen who you know but don’t have anyfeelings for like colleagues and friends.Honmei choko or, `real feelings chocolate` aregiven to the one you really do have a thing for.A stroke of corporate genius.

But when do women receive chocolate?This is where White Day comes in. The secondcorporate masterstroke was to repeat thewhole process with men giving chocolates toladies. Equality could be realized, and moreimportantly profits would again spike. So,March 14th was designated `White Day`, onwhich men give chocolates (white ones) to thewomen of their life.

The Valentines Day and White Dayseason is now a 70 billion yen industry. I, forone, am glad. By focusing on chocolate, thewhole dilemma of what to buy has beensolved, leaving this imagination-starved manmore time to worry about the upcomingbirthday present that he’s probably forgotten

Nothing says “Happy White Day” like…poop?!

birthday present that he’s probably forgottento buy! �

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Toyama AJET Newsletter

Takarazuka: A Unique Theatre Experience

This February 24th, the play "TheLove and Youth of Takarazuka" willplay at Aubade Hall in Toyamacity. While not strictly a Takarazukaproduction, it celebrates this veryspecial brand of musical theaterand stars several former members.Before you go see the show, itmight be helpful for you to know afew things about the TakarazukaRevue.

In 1913, the Osaka suburb ofTakarazuka was a small onsenresort and the terminus of aHankyu railway line. The Hankyupresident, Ichizou Kobayashi,wished to create an attractionthat would boost ticket sales. Hesettled on making an all-women's

By: Melanie Camurati

The Tale of Genji

Performers in the Revue areinvariably female. During theirstudies in the music school,they are tracked to either playa male or a female role. Thoseselected to play the male role(or otokoyaku) cut their hairshort, wear pants and speak ina masculine manner even offthe stage. In contrast, themusumeyaku (literally"daughter role") wear skirts andact incredibly feminine.Sometimes an otokoyaku willplay a musumeyaku role, butthis is the exception rather thanthe rule. Each performerbelongs to one of five troupes-Snow, Star, Flower,settled on making an all-women's

theater troupe as a sort of "reverseKabuki" that would performwestern-style musical revues. Now,the Takarazuka revue boasts twolarge theaters- one in Takarazukacity itself and one in Tokyo- as wellas a two-year music school that isone of the most competitive in thecountry.

Sena Jun, otokoyaku

The Phantom of the Opera

Silver Rose Chronicle

Adieu Marseille

Snow, Star, Flower,Moon, and Cosmos. Thesetroupes perform on rotation. Aspecial sixth group, Senka, iscomposed of older memberswho appear in the othertroupes' productions.

A typical ticket to aTakarazuka performanceentitles you to two shows in one.The first performance is usuallya play, often based on a novel,manga, or an adaptation of aWestern musical play. After along intermission during whichmany fans eat bentos in theirseats, the revue will start. Theseshows are incredibly flashy andextravagant, reminiscent of theZigfield Follies and otherBroadway musical revues ofthe 30s and 40s. The wholething usually ends with a glitterytuxedo-clad parade down asparkling staircase, with the top

(continued on next page)




Matobu Sei Ayano Kanami

otokoyaku star wearing a giganticfeathered peacock tail and the audienceclapping along with the music.

Some Takarazuka plays are two acts longwith a small revue at the end. These showsare often the most popular ones in all ofTakarazuka and can be very hard to obtaintickets for. These include Gone With theWind, Elisabeth (a musical, fantasticalbiography of the Austrian queen), and TheRose of Versailles (based on the iconicmanga and anime of the same name.)Sometimes, a Japanese-style production isstaged, such as Moon Troupe's "FloatingBridge of Dreams" which is currently playingin Tokyo. These productions featureclassical Japanese stories and beautifulmakeup and costuming. Or, perhapsmodern Japanese culture is more yourthing. In that case, Takarazuka is staging amusical production this February based onthe video game "Gyakuten Saiban", knownas "Phoenix Wright" in the English-speaking

�� The Love and Youth of TakarazukaFebruary 24th, Doors open at 6:00 pm as "Phoenix Wright" in the English-speaking

world. No matter your taste, the TakarazukaRevue is sure to have a musical thatappeals to you! For more information onTakarazuka in English, visit the TakarazukaWiki at www.takarazuka-revue.info �

February 24 , Doors open at 6:00 pm

Aubade Hall, Toyama City (Eki-mae, North Exit)

Tickets: 3800~8800 yen, purchase in advance (show is likely to sell out!)

Getting Crafty in Toyama!By: Danielle Lewerenz

This month (Feb 1 - Feb 24) make a memory to take home with you. The Toyama Glass Factory is offering the opportunity to make your own glass emperor and empress dolls (commonly displayed during the Girl’s Festival in March).

The cost is 4,500 yen for a one hour session witha professional glass-blower. You’ll get to design and make the dolls yourself.Price includes a gold screen, black mat and box. Reservations are required.

For more information, check out their website:http://www.toyama-garasukobo.jp/event/index.html


EntertainmentEntertainmentEntertainmentEntertainmentEntertainmentEntertainmentEntertainmentEntertainmentHa p p yH a p p yH a p p yH a p p y V a l e n t i n e ’ sV a l e n t i n e ’ sV a l e n t i n e ’ sV a l e n t i n e ’ s D a yDa yDa yDa yEditor�s Note:

There is so much happening this year that it is difficult to find time to sleep let alone to sitdown and read the newsletter. That being said, this month�s edition is really worth taking a teabreak to sit down and enjoy. Thanks to everyone who took the time to contribute (especiallythose of you who managed it at short notice). This month sees the inclusion of an article byHyogonite, Brenda McKinnay. Likewise, our wonder boy – Michael Grudzinski – will have hisarticle on Kanazawan restaurant �The Cottage� (see January newsletter) featured in the HyogoTimes Newsletter.

As always, if you have anything that you would like to contribute to the newsletter: poems,photos, cartoons, articles, paintings, reviews, please email us at [email protected]

Paula Kerrigan



David Piper


What:What:What:What: “History of History”Exhibition by Hiroshi Sugimoto

Where:Where:Where:Where: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

When: When: When: When: On until March 22 (Sun). 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.(Until 8 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays)

Closed Mondays

Admission:Admission:Admission:Admission: 1,000 yen

Hiroshi Sugimoto is amodern Japanese artist whois most famous for his large,abstracted black and whitephotographs. His superficially

History of HistoryHiroshi Sugimoto

By Katherine Kapsidelis

as an intact whole, but as acollection of pieces.“History of History” will be ondisplay until March 22. Theexhibit does include some of

each belongs, in its own way,to the history of humankind.Sugimoto argues that historyand art are inextricablyintertwined and that learning



photographs. His superficiallysimple subjects – horizonlines and old-fashioned movietheaters, wax figures andblurry modern architecture –provoke interestingreflections on time andspace; reality and art.

The focus of “History ofHistory” Sugimoto’s exhibit atthe 21st Century Museum ofContemporary Art, is not,however, his photographs,but rather a collection ofseemingly disparate historicalartifacts. On display areancient fossils and moonrocks; signed pictures ofTrotsky and Darwin; WorldWar II-era Time magazinecovers; and ancient Japanesereligious art; among otherthings. The link betweenthese objects - betweenApollo 11 space food andautopsy pictures from oldmedical textbooks – is that

exhibit does include some ofSugimoto’s photographs! Ifyou don’t make it to thisexhibit, keep the museum inmind for the future: thespecial exhibits are nearlyalways worth visiting, andthere is often interesting stuffgoing on there as well!(www.kanazawa21.jp)

intertwined and that learningabout the first helps toexplicate the processes of thelatter. “Art is technique,” hewrites, “a means by which tomaterialize the invisible realmof the mind. As such, my artis… samplings from myconsciousness... The originsof art thus share a commontimeframe with the originsof humankind, it’sbeginnings coinciding withthe advent of humanconsciousness.”

Though no one pieceholds an entire answer orexplanation, each relic – nomatter how seeminglyinconsequential – hints atsomething crucial. In addition,the juxtaposition of historicalobjects challenges us tobroaden our definition of art,while at the same time askingus to step back and viewhistory as we might art – not


Literally meaning ‘thegentle way’, Judo is aJapanese martial art whichfocuses on grapplingtechniques and joint locks tofell or force an opponent into



to have one area which isstronger than the other. Evenif, like me, your only exposureto Judo comes in thatquadrennial orgasmia of sportthat is the Olympic Games,you may have realized thisalready. The competitors grabeach others jackets, grapple,some throwing is involved toget the opponent on theground (tachiwaza) and thenthe newaza begin, in whichthe opponents will fight onthe ground in an attempt togain a lock or hold whichcannot be broken. So far, sosimple. However, as with allthings, the devil is in the

topped the Judo medal tablewith 4 golds. However, eversince Judo was introduced tothe Olympics, foreign judokahave been prominent.

This fact was hammeredhome in the final of those firstgames, in Tokyo in 1964. Infront of a home crowd of15,000, Kaminaga Akio tookon Dutchman Anton Geesinkin the final of the open weightcategory. It had been billed asa contest between strengthand finesse, raw power anddelicate skill, the west and theeast. Geesink was a six footseven inch giant of a man,weighing in at 140 kilograms,

The Gentle WayBy Jon Perry

fell or force an opponent intosubmission. It was foundedby one Kano Jigoro in the late19th century. The young Kanowas, by all accounts, a sicklychild who never weighed over100 pounds (45 kg to themetricists out there), and wasbullied as a child. He studiedunder Fukuda Hachinosukewho was, at the time, aleading practitioner of TenjinShinyo-ryu Jujitsu. Amazingly,one student of Kano survivestoday; Keiko Fukuda, 95 yearsyoung, and the highestranked female judoka in theworld. She still teaches theart in California. Judotechniques can be dividedinto two main groups;tachiwaza (standingtechniques) and newaza(ground techniques).Separate practice and trainingare required for each and it iscommon among practitioners

things, the devil is in thedetail. Combinations ofnagewaza (throwingtechnique), sutemiwaza (theexcitingly-named sacrificetechnique), kansetsuwaza(joint technique), shimewaza(strangle techniques) andosaekomiwaza (pinning andholding technique) mean that

This is a sport ofendless variationand innovation, andnot simply angrychaps in whitepyjamas holdingeach other tightand moving roundin jagged circles asif a slow dance hasgone staggeringlywrong.At the recent Beijing Olympics,it was no surprise that Japan

weighing in at 140 kilograms,whereas Kaminaga was arelative miniature, at five footten inches in his bare feet andonly just troubling the 100kgmark on the scales. Could heuse superior skill to defeat hislarger opponent?

The match, which can beviewed online, shows theresu lt . As in 1854 whenCommodore Perry`s BlackShips steamed into view inYokohama bay, the strengthof the outsider was too great.Kaminaga was forced over bythe superior strength of theDu tchman , p inned , anddefeated. Kaminaga washeavily criticized for not beingable to fol low up on hiscompatriots’ victories in theother weight categories.Geesink went on to win threeworld championships, beforer e t i r i n g i n 1 9 6 7 .

Judo never looked back.


The Best of… KYOTO PREFECTURE:**Baika-Sai at Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine**

On February 25th, geisha and maiko (apprentice geisha) will host"Nodate" (an outdoor tea ceremony) beneath the plum blossoms. Visitorsat the shrine can watch as they commemorate Sugawara Michizane on theanniversary of his death. Sugawara Michizane was a well-known scholar,politician, and plum-blossom aficionado of the Heian-era who is celebratedas the ‘god of study’ in the shrine on the anniversary of his death.

Advance tickets to the festival are available and highly recommendedas Baika-sai usually attracts crowds of thousands.

Best of the Block Best of the Block Best of the Block Best of the Block –––– February 2009 February 2009 February 2009 February 2009 Brenda McKinneyBrenda McKinneyBrenda McKinneyBrenda McKinney

Every month from now on Toyama AJET newsletter is going to be doing an articleexchange with another prefecture. This will hopefully broaden our horizons as a community, andalso put Toyama on the map – not only with regards to events that we are organising, but alsowith ideas, opinions, and our individual style that we are developing.

With all that said we hope you enjoy this Brenda McKinney’s article. Based in HyogoPrefecture (east of Kyoto if you don’t feel like getting out your map), Brenda breaks down whatfestivals are happening in our backyard, featuring everything from crabs to naked men…



The Best of… HYOGO PREFECTURE**Toyooka Tsuiyamako (Tuiyama Port) Crab Festival**

For those of you that enjoy crab, you are in for a real treat. February 22nd marks the 18th ToyookaTsuiyamako (Tuiyama Port) Crab Festival. Between 8:30 and 14:00, a variety of events will beheld at the festival, including drum performances, auctions, rice-cake making (with “freedistribution to visitors”), crab games and – of course – the presentation of various crab dishes! Toget to Kojima Pier, take the Zentan bus for Hiyoriyama from Kinosaki-Onsen Sta. on JR San-in Lineand get off at Minato-Kanko-Annaishomae or Kojima. Please call 0796-22-8111 with questions.

Every year on the third Saturday of February, the town ofSaidaiji in Okayama Prefecture hosts one of the most popularand famous Hadaka Matsuri (naked festivals) in Japan.Thousands of men, dressed only in fundoshi, similar to the"diapers" worn in sumo, brave the winter cold to participate ina tradition hundreds of years old. The participants, of whichthere were 9000 in 2007, run around the temple grounds,periodically passing through purifying water. As midnight nearsand steam rises from the now quite warmed-up throngs of"naked men," more than ten thousand spectators wait for thelights to go out and shingi, lucky sticks, to be dropped into thecrowd. For several intense minutes, the men struggle for theshingi, attempting to be one of the lucky few to make it off thetemple grounds intact and holding the prize.

Okayama AJET is organizing a trip. To get furtherinformation or to book, please [email protected].

The Best of… OKAYAMA PREFECTURE**NAKED MAN FESTIVAL**


Did you ever think thatthere might be a connectionbetween your blood type andyour split personality? No?Well in Japan not only is it awidely held belief, but bigbusiness too.

The craze for bloodtypology began in the early1900s and research bloomedin Japan as a reaction to theracism in the haematologicalfield at the time. Westernhaematologists comparedAsians to animals when it wasdiscovered that thepredominant blood type ofboth is Type B (rare in

However, this quaintnotion has recently beenupgraded to include sexualpersonality. An article entitled‘The Straight Dope on How toCapture a Woman: BloodType and Sex” is a classic

Another member of the groupsays:

“I am Type A who is saidto be a lot more detail-oriented than Type B, mywife. For example, when Ihang laundry, say ahandkerchief, I pull outthe wrinkles and then foldit nicely before I hang it.This way I can just pick itup in the morning before Ihead off to work. My wifestill hangs it as one bigpiece even though sherealizes why I do what Ido."



bloodbloodbloodbloodIt’s in his kissIt’s in his kissIt’s in his kissIt’s in his kissBy Paula Kerrigan

Blood Group Compatability

A: compatible with A & AB

B: compatible with B & AB

O: compatible with O & AB

AB: compatible with all

bloodbloodbloodbloodbloodbloodbloodblood

both is Type B (rare inCaucasions). Blood typologysharply combats this idea bydefinitively connecting one’sblood type with one’spersonality.

Since then blood typeshave been used to decide jobsuitability, relationships, andwere even used to pick soccerteams!

The basic stereotype foreach group is as follow:

Type A: methodical and payattention to details.Celebrity: Robert KennedyType B: Independent andPractical. Self-focussedCelebrity: Johnny DeppType O: Socially orientatedand leaders.Celebrity: Al Capone.Type AB: Split personality orbalanced.Celebrity: Marilyn Monroe.

Type and Sex” is a classicexample. Some of thefunniest claims made in thisarticle are:

‘Type A…‘has aweakness for beingtaken frombehind…’

and

‘Type B…likes tightspaces (like cars)’

Matchmaking clubs havegrown up around this idea too.The chief organiser of onesuch society in Tokyo says:

"I met my wife through[the matchmakingclub]…We are both TypeO and we have beengetting along pretty well.“Well he seems prettyconfident!

do."

Well…that makes sense.

I discovered that there isa lot of myth out there too. Ifound a question on adiscussion board asking, ‘Dopeople with O negativeblood types not haveorgasms?’ to whichsomeone had replied: Thedoctor says B positive.

There is even a Koreanfilm called ‘My Boyfriend isType B’. Its about a girl(Type A) who is in love with aType B boy. What more plotdo you need?

And the icing on the cake:Blood Group Condom brands!


Toyama AJET NewsletterToyama AJET Newsletter

Introducing and Welcoming YOU to…….the first ever AJET Murder Mystery Party Potluck

Fundraiser!

The Plot

MURDER HIGH REUNION – A Blast from the Past

It’s the James D. Murder High School 25 Year Reunion (Class of '84)! You've come a long way in the last twenty five years, and so have your classmates. It's time to get together

and see who changed, and who hasn't – and of course eat some tasty finger food! For one of you, the night is destined to be something you'll die for. Will it be the math team

captain who is now a financial wizard with millions – even in this economy! Or what about the class president who is now a U.S. presidential hopeful?! Get ready for a night intertwined with rivalries, lies, and cheats. At Murder High, it's not only what you were


intertwined with rivalries, lies, and cheats. At Murder High, it's not only what you were but what you've become. And let's hope it's a survivor.

Party DetailsWhat: This is a Murder Mystery Game party. This means that if you RSVP to our email ([email protected]) or to the facebook event page (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=66714570766 ) you will be sent by email an assigned character profile.

This profile will give you a quick overview of your character, as well as some costuming suggestions for your specific character. On the afternoon of the event, when you arrive, you will receive a folder outlining your secrets and objectives for the Reunion event and will have to find some way to scheme and achieve your goals.

When: February 28th, 2:30-6:30PM

Where: Ajito Studio in Toyama-shi (directions will come later)

(continued on next page)



What to Bring: Along with a character profile, when you RSVP, you will be assigned a potluck item to bring along! Yummy! You should also bring along your competitive spirit, and your best 80s impressions. No need to bring liquid courage, the Ajito crew has offered to open their bar. And those of you who have been there before know that their drinks are worth it!

Price: All this fun comes at the low fundraising price of 1,500 yen for AJET members and 1,700 yen for non-AJET members. Half of the proceeds are going to be donated to charity! Along with decorations, and some extra finger food, you will get nametags, folders, and perhaps an award! We will also be doing a 50-50 raffle, so you might leave with more than you came with!

RSVP Deadline & Caution: There are only 40 spots/characters in this game and we will be assigning the characters based on the first 40 people to rsvp. Please please

ExtraExtraExtraExtraYou do NOT need any experience to play this game. You do not need to be an actor or

theatre enthusiast. It always happens that some of the least suspecting guests turn out the most convincing characters! Murder Mysteries are a lot of fun, and once you are there

you'll have no problem getting into character and vibing. You'll be amazed by what your friends will say and do. Enjoy!


Since coming to Japan, I have discov-ered many shoujo (girls’)anime, and I have loved nearly every one that I have found. However, I could no longer ignore the presence of the more male-oriented anime, considering it's influence is hard to miss, so I did some research and found an anime called “My Wife is a High School Girl.”

The title immediately made me wonder if this could be enjoyable for both sexes, but I found myself pleasantly surprised. Apart from the obvious male action shots and outrageous Japanese 'Horn Dog' teachers, there is a very sweet story behind it. Even though there are always refer-ences to desire and countless innuendo, the lead characters Asami and her husband (who is also her homeroom

��My Wife is a High School GirlMy Wife is a High School GirlMy Wife is a High School GirlMy Wife is a High School Girl

An anime review by:An anime review by:An anime review by:An anime review by:Karen McQueenieKaren McQueenieKaren McQueenieKaren McQueenie

teacher) are very cute. They never get things right and at the start of each episode, and she always talks about how they have barely even kissed, let alone done anything else (perhaps because her parents forbade her from...consummating her marriage...until she graduates?) I have found this anime to be funny and endearing, despite the plethora of innuendo. Give it a shot! As my students say: ' I think you'll enjoy by all means'. �

we will be assigning the characters based on the first 40 people to rsvp. Please please PLEASE only rsvp if you are certain that you can attend. We will be doing the “casting” of characters on February 12th – so please rsvp before February 12th.

CONTEST: CHARITY SHOW POSTER AND PROGRAM DESIGN

Calling all artists! The charity show is in need of poster and program designers!

DetailsDetailsDetailsDetails::::ThemeThemeThemeTheme:::: Alice in Tokyoland

(for a list of characters, check out the audition notice!)

MediaMediaMediaMedia: No restrictionsSizeSizeSizeSize: A4 or largerOtherOtherOtherOther: Program entries should

include a cover designAND sample interior

page.

Large-size promo poster, 2008



(Reprint from January 2009)

Poster Winner:1 grand prize winner,1 runner up.The grand prize winner's poster will be usedas the large poster sent to schools andbusinesses. The runner up's poster will bemade into A4-sized flyers. Each winner willalso receive a wonderful, fantastic, yet-to-be-decided prize.

Program Winner:1 grand prize winner.The grand prize winner's design will grace thecover and interior of this year's Charity Showprogram. The grand prize winner will also receivea wonderful fantastic yet to be decided (butundoubtedly fantastic!) prize.

page.

Deadline: March 1st, 2009 (This gives us enough time to print posters, which will be distributed at the

April Regional Meetings)

Submissions should be sent to Rachel Chaffin either directly or to the following address:Rachel Chaffin

Toyama Minami High SchoolNunoichi 98

Toyama-shi 939-8191

Please send an email to [email protected] with any questions!



Last month, I explained howthe leading party’s future islooking uncertain in the leadup to this year’s generalelection. If the leading partydoes fail, who is ready totake its place? This month Iwill introduce the mainopposition party in Japan.Sadly, there is there is norelationship of left vs. right,Republicans vs. Democrats,Labour vs. Conservatives inJapan. Although the leadingparty, the LiberalDemocratic Party (LDP) is abroadly right-wing party, itsideologies and stances arehighly flexible and arechanged to fit with the

The president of the DPJ, Ozawa Ichiro, promises to “make a new life for the people”, in both “stern frown” and “warm smile” versions. Just how different would that new life be if the

Much of a Muchness? The Opposition Party in JapanBy Maddy Rodell

changed to fit with thepublic mood.

The main opposition party,the Democratic Party ofJapan’s (DPJ) appeal lies inthe fact that it is not the LDP.It is a relatively new party,born in 1996 from a merge offour smaller parties. Theseparties were united in thefact that they wanted topresent an alternative to theLDP. In fact, some of theseparties had been formed byex-LDP members who had

smile” versions. Just how different would that new life be if the DPJ gained power?

had disagreements with theparty. With few ideologicalstances, the DPJ often strugglesto decide how far to agree with,and how far to oppose, theleading party.The DPJ currently occupies 113seats in the Lower House,making it the largestopposition party, against theLDP’s 296 seats. However, as Imentioned last week, the DPJcontrol the Upper House. Therethey occupy 109 seats whilst the

Toyama AJET Quick Contacts:President: [email protected]: [email protected]: [email protected] Reps: [email protected] T.R.A.M: [email protected]: (Tonami/Takaoka) TBA

(Toyama) [email protected](Niikawa) [email protected]

Charity: [email protected]: [email protected]

AJET Newsletter Staff:Editors: Tiffany Dyer

Paula KerriganStaff Writers: Michael Grudzinski

Maurette KierwanAlly LomasJon Perry

Maddy RodellCartoonist: David Piper

Haiku Guru: Bryce RawersProduction: Danielle Lewerenz

LDP hold just 83.

If the LDP lose out to anotherparty in this year’s election, itwill be to the DPJ. This will bea historical moment, as theleading party has reigned forall but one of the last 53 years.But who would you vote for inthis position: the party whohave run the ship for as longas you can remember, or ‘theother one’? Personally, I’mglad I can’t vote here. �


2120Happy Birthday Lissie

19Happy Birthday Silvia

18171615Happy Birthday Dave

14Valentine’s

Day

131211Happy Birthday SusanNational

Foundation Day

10Happy Birthday Rachel

98

76Recontracting Deadline!!!

5Happy Birthday Erika Haruko

Stephanie

432Happy Birthday Valerie

1Happy Birthday

Jenson and Michelle R.

SaturdayFridayThursdayWednesdayTuesdayMondaySunday

What’s Happening – February 2009

Vol.1, No.3, September 2008


7654321

28Murder Mystery Dinner

272625242322JetFest

LissieSilviaJon

Advertise your event (or an event you know about) on the AJET calendar! Send info to [email protected].


Vol.1, No.7, January 2009


UPCOMING EVENTS

JETFest World Festival 2009Come celebrate the wide diversity of cultures that

come together right here, in Toyama! JETFest is an

International festival– thereare various stage

performances, mini-languagelessons, ethnic costume booth,

kids corner, country booths (where members of the

community introduce and show off their country),

international café, cooking lessons and much more!

AT A GLANCE:

When: Sunday, February 22

Time: 12:00 – 3:00 pm

Where: Colare International Center, Kurobe City

Questions? Contact Michelle at [email protected].


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