Upcoming Events - Japan Society of the UK

With our extensive programme of events, the Japan Society provides many opportunities for Japanese and non-Japanese to meet and share ideas and new experiences. Naturally, there is plenty on offer for those wanting to extend their understanding of contemporary and traditional Japan, its culture, language and people. However, with a membership that is approximately 50% Japanese, we also have events which focus on aspects of British life and provide opportunities to get to know the UK better. The format of events is as varied as the content: lectures and seminars sit alongside gallery visits, film screenings, pub nights and formal dinners.

Please select a category on the left to find upcoming events matching your interests.

(This page lists events organized solely or jointly by the Japan Society as well as events in receipt of a Japan Society Small Grant. For other events, please see the ‘external events’ pages or the Japan UK Events Calendar.)

24 January:

January 24, 2012

Tohoku: Images of a Disaster

The exhibition comprises images by Japanese and international photographers revealing the terrifying drama and damage wreaked by the earthquake and tsunami along Japan’s north-eastern coastline on 11th March 2011.

6 February:

February 6, 2012

Lecture by Sir David Warren, British Ambassador Tokyo

Members will be extremely pleased to know that the British Ambassador in Tokyo, Sir David Warren has kindly agreed to update the Society on his view of the situation in Japan during a forthcoming visit to London.

7 February:

February 7, 2012

Japanese Conversation Group

The Japanese Conversation Group provides a friendly and informal atmosphere for Japanese speakers of all nationalities to come together and speak Japanese. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month at The Old Explorer, a central London pub. They begin at 6.30pm with a pay-as-you-go bar, and finish around 10.30pm.

February 7, 2012

Queer as Queen

Well known in Japan for their storming QUEEN covers, tribute band QUEER will make their European debut in London!

8 February:

February 8, 2012

The Japan Society’s Japanese Course (10 Week Course)

The Spring 2012 course in pre-intermediate Japanese will begin in February. The Spring course will build on the content of the previous course and will continue to be taught by teachers from the SOAS Japanese language teacher training programme.

9 February:

February 9, 2012

COP 17 and Japan’s Perspective: Jun Arima, JETRO

In this business group lecture, Jun Arima will report on the 17th Conference of the Parties on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 17). He attended the meeting recently held in South Africa and will discuss the pivotal role that Japan can play in the field of the environment.

February 9, 2012

The Bee

Celebrated director Hideki Noda returns to London with The Bee. First performed at the Soho Theatre in 2006, and then making a clean sweep of all major theatre awards in Tokyo, The Bee now comes back to Soho following a New York run with original Olivier Award winning star Kathryn Hunter.

11 February:

February 11, 2012

Lunch and Film Screening with Director Masayuki Suo

The Japan Society is pleased to offer a select group of members the opportunity to dine with acclaimed film director Masayuki Suo preceding a Japan Foundation screening and Q&A of his film I Just Didn't Do It.

13 February:

February 13, 2012

Japan Society Book Club: The Temple of the Golden Pavilion by Yukio Mishima

The Temple of the Golden Pavilion is loosely based on the events surrounding an arson attack on the Golden Pavilion carried out by a young Buddhist acolyte, Hayashi Yoken in 1950.

15 February:

February 15, 2012

Prospects for the Coalition: Philip Stephens, Financial Times

Rarely does a day go by without further speculation on the future of the coalition. There is a focus on disunity and difference rather than an emphasis on commonality. The impact on domestic policy is significant, but the question of the UK’s role within Europe is the main concern for the moment.

20 February:

February 20, 2012

The Crucible of Self: A Critical Analysis of War Diaries by Japanese Soldiers, 1937-1945

Touching on research conducted for his forthcoming book, The Peril of Self-Discipline (Harvard University Press, Fall 2012), Aaron William Moore will analyze how Japanese soldiers came to write ‘war diaries’ (jinchu nikki / jugun techo) during the period of total war in East Asia.

22 February:

February 22, 2012

Koshu Wine Masterclass

The Japan Society is delighted that Koshu of Japan is once again arranging an exclusive wine tasting for Japan Society members at the award-winning Imagination Gallery. The highlight of the evening will be a brief presentation by Lynne Sherriff, Master of Wine, who will lead a tutored tasting or masterclass. This event is now FULLY BOOKED.

24 February:

February 24, 2012

Japan Society at Hyper Japan

The Japan Society is planning to hold interactive activities at the Hyper Japan festival. The activities will centre around Origami, Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy) and Badge making.

6 March:

March 6, 2012

Japanese Conversation Group

12 March:

March 12, 2012

Japan Society Book Club: People Who Eat Darkness by Richard Lloyd Parry

Many may recall the chilling news story of Lucie Blackman's disappearance and murder. In this book Richard Lloyd Parry perfectly captures the murder mystery and case which lasted nearly ten years and is still ongoing as Obara is appealing his conviction.

24 March:

March 24, 2012

Ingrid Fuzjko Hemming

Japan’s number one iconic concert pianist, Ingrid Fuzjko Hemming is returning to the London stage for one night only to support animals affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.

26 March:

March 26, 2012

BADA Antiques and Fine Art Fair

A reception and special talk at the British Antique Dealers’ Association Fair has been organised for Japan Society members and guests.

3 April:

April 3, 2012

Japanese Conversation Group

9 April:

April 9, 2012

Japan Society Book Club: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

The Remains of the Day (1989) is Kazuo Ishiguro's third published novel and was awarded the 'Man Booker Prize for Fiction' in 1989. Written from the first person perspective of Stevens, the aging butler of Darlington Hall, Ishiguro tells a story of dignity, loyalty, memory and politics.