Consulate Updates July 2020 Consulate-General of Japan, Brisbane

Contact Us

Consulate-General of Japan, Brisbane

17th Floor, 12 Creek Street

Brisbane QLD. 4000

Phone: (07) 3221 5188

Fax: (07) 3229 0878

jpncg@bb.mofa.go.jp

http://www.brisbane.au.emb-japan.go.jp

In this month’s issue…

[For Your Information…]

Notice of Easing of Counter Limitation in Light of COVID-19

TANABATA

HEALTH AND SPORTS DAY

Japanese Virtual Backgrounds

[Online Exhibitions & Activities]

Journeys in Japan

Issho Editions

Japan 360 VR Tour

Explore JAPANESE MODERNISM in 3D

Destination Flavour Japan

Learn Japanese and a New World Opens Project

Office Opening Hours

Monday to Friday 9:00am – 12:30pm

1:30pm – 5:00pm

Consular Section

(Reception – visa / passports)

9:00am – 12:00pm

1:30pm – 4:00pm

Notice of Easing of Counter Limitation in Light of COVID-19

新型コロナウイルスの影響に伴う窓口体制の一部復帰のお知らせ

Dear Readers,

Please be advised that due to the easing of State Government restrictions, all Consulate staff have returned to working at the office as of Monday, 13 July 2020, and the maximum number of visitors allowed in the waiting room at any one time has been increased to six people (excluding families).

However, safety measures introduced on Tuesday, 31 March 2020 remain in place for visitors to prevent against COVID-19 infection. It is therefore expected that longer wait times will continue and we would again greatly appreciate your understanding and co-cooperation during these times.

Please visit Notice of Easing of Counter Limitation in Light of COVID-19 to read in more detail.

Thank you!

Recommended Websites

Embassy of Japan, Canberra http://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp

The Japan Foundation, Sydney http://www.jpf.org.au/

Japan National Tourism Organization http://www.jnto.org.au/

Japan External Trade Organization http://www.jetro.go.jp/

Japan Exchange Teaching (JET) Programme http://www.jetprogramme.org/

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) http://www.mofa.go.jp/

TANABATA

Tanabata, or the Star Festival, is held on the

evening of July 7 (or August 7 under the lunar

calendar). The festival traces its origins to a

Chinese legend that the Cowherd Star (Altair)

and Weaver Star (Vega), lovers separated by

the Milky Way, are allowed to meet just once a

year - on the seventh day of the seventh

month.

Children and adults write their wishes on

narrow strips of coloured paper and hang them,

along with other paper ornaments, on bamboo

branches placed in the backyards or entrances

of their homes.

Today, several cities and towns host major

festivities with large, tall bamboo-like

ornamental displays in their major shopping

streets, and attracts not only locals but tourists,

both Japanese and international.

Making a Tanabata tree or shrub may work for those who’d like a second chance at new

year’s resolutions – by going for some mid-year resolutions

Office Closure Dates

JULY

Friday 24 (Health and Sports Day)

AUGUST

Friday 14 (Royal Queensland Show –

City of Brisbane)

SEPTEMBER

Monday 21 (Respect for the Aged Day)

Tuesday 22 (Autumnal Equinox)

OCTOBER

Monday 5 (Queen’s Birthday)

For the full list,

please click here.

The Consulate-General of Japan in Brisbane will be closed on Friday, 24 July 2020 for the Health and Sports Day (Japanese public holiday)

The second Monday of October is Taiiku no Hi (体育の日), or Sports Day, a national holiday to foster healthy minds and bodies through physical activity. It was established to commemorate the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, which were held from October 10 to 24. It was designated a national holiday two years later in 1966. Until 1999 the holiday was on October 10, but beginning in 2000 it has been changed to the second Monday of the month.

From 2020, the Health and Sports Day was renamed as Sports Day (スポーツの日) and moved to 24 July, to coincide with the opening of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Although the Olympics and Paralympics have been postponed until next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sports Day will still be observed on Friday, 23 July in 2021.

(*Please also note that in August, the original Brisbane Ekka Holiday on Wednesday, 12 August 2020 has been changed to Friday, 14 August and the Consulate will be closed on the Friday of that week instead of Wednesday.)

JAPANESE VIRTUAL BACKGROUNDS Bring Japan to your conference calls with these virtual backgrounds

Looking for something to brighten up your online calls with colleagues and friends?

Dreaming of your next trip to Japan? Try using JNTO’s stunning virtual backgrounds to take your dreaming a step further and visualise yourself in various locations across Japan.

These images are optimised for use in online conferencing such as Zoom, Skype and Microsoft Teams.

Journeys in Japan

The pandemic has forced many people to cancel their trips to Japan this year, but with this NHK series that highlights the beauty of lesser known regions in Japan, you can explore Japan at home. Explore a different side of Japan. Meet the locals and discover traditions and cultures not usually found in guidebooks!

Issho Editions June 30, 2020 – August 1, 2020

Issho Editions is a new online program from The Japan Foundation, Sydney developed during the COVID-19 pandemic with the intention to bring people together through experiencing Japanese arts and culture across the digital landscape. Launching in June, the program consists of pre-recorded videos and livestreams based on sharing creativity, knowledge and connectivity.

This program consists of a four-part series that showcases Japanese cultural practices including pop culture, craft, music and dance from local and international artists. With these four areas of focus, Issho Editions aspires to initiate a shared experience between family, friends and the greater online community, forming closer ties with one another whilst engaging with new work from a pool of creators. As we all navigate a new mode of living, we hope that this online program offers people a sense of togetherness and a deeper level of connection to The Japan Foundation, Sydney.

EVENT SCHEDULE

Available starting from:

June 30, July 2 & 4, 2020 - Pop Japan! Australian Experts on Cosplay July 14, 9 & 11, 2020 - Make Like Japan: Inspired Crafts at Home

July 21, 23 & 25, 2020 - Living Room Tunes: Tradition and Rhythm in Japanese Music July 28, 30 & August 1, 2020 - Fluid Forms: Blending Traditional and Contemporary Japanese Dance

(Source: The Japan Foundation, Sydney)

Japan 360 VR Tour Try the 360 Virtual Reality Tour and experience a Japan close to the real thing!

Unfortunately due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, some students have had to miss out

on school trips to see Japan for themselves. However, “Japan – Where Tradition Meets

the Future (VR)”, brought to you by JNTO, allows users to totally ‘immerse’ themselves

in the experience of Japan!

A number of locations from famous attractions to local everyday experiences are

available - follow the instructions and visit Japan in a hyper realistic way!

Explore JAPANESE MODERNISM in 3D

The National Gallery of Victoria has released their Japanese Modernism exhibition online. View a wide range of works by young female artists from 1920’s and 1930’s Japan, including paintings, modernist prints, fashion, lacquerware, magazines and graphic design.

Click here to explore!

(Image: National Gallery of Victoria)

DESTINATION FLAVOUR JAPAN

We asked readers in our May issue to check out ‘wa-herbs’, the seasonings obtained from Japanese plants. Now visit Destination Flavours Japan and join Adam Liaw to try out these local recipes from the different regions of Japan – also try jazzing them up with some new wa-herb flavours!

Now, which dish to make (eat) first...?

CASTELLA SUMO STEW OKONOMIYAKI NIKUJAGA CHARCOAL-GRILLED ONIGIRI

(Source: SBS Destination Flavour Japan)

Learn Japanese and a New World Opens Project

日本語を知る。世界が広がる。

Discover new ways to utilise your Japanese through Monash University’s Learn Japanese and a New World Opens project. Watch interviews with Japanese speakers in a wide range of Japan-related roles and learn how a new world can open through Japanese.

(Source: Monash University)

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The Consulate-General of Japan newsletter features people-to-people exchanges and friendships between Japan and Australia. If you are involved in sister school friendships, exchanges or Japan-Australia related programs such as the JET Programme and would like to submit an article to be published in our newsletter, please email us at: jpncg@bb.mofa.go.jp

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Consulate Updates – Past Issues Past issues of “Consulate Updates” (PDF) can also be accessed via the Consulate-General of Japan, Brisbane Website at: http://www.brisbane.au.emb-japan.go.jp/en/jicc/newsletters.html

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Consulate-General of Japan – Cultural Loans Program The Consulate-General of Japan, Brisbane offers a Cultural Loans Program!

We have a wide range of Japanese cultural items available for teachers or persons/organisations in Queensland promoting or teaching Japanese culture. Items include DVDs on a wide range of Japanese subjects, toys, CDs, games, calligraphy sets, plastic food, traditional clothing, musical instruments and more! The items are free to borrow; the visual and tactile experience of a cultural prop contributes to a richer classroom experience.

For further information, please visit the link below to access catalogues and forms or call our office on (07) 3221 5188: http://www.brisbane.au.emb-japan.go.jp/en/jicc/resources.html

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Like Our Facebook Page!

For the latest news and updates on Japanese culture related events, visit: https://www.facebook.com/JapanCons.Brisbane

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We respect your privacy. We will not disclose your personal details to any third party.

The Consulate-General of Japan, Brisbane is not affiliated with the above events unless stated, and is not responsible for these events or the content of linked websites. For further details on any of the above events, please contact the event organisers directly.

If you know of any upcoming Japan-related events and would like to publicise them in our e-newsletter, please e-mail the details through to us at: jpncg@bb.mofa.go.jp

The final choice of articles will be at the discretion of the Consulate-General of Japan, Brisbane.