Join us on Tuesday 7 December for a special online workshop, focusing on how to teach haiku with haiku poet Paul Conneally. Paul will introduce this short-form of poetry and give practical guidance for teaching haiku - both inside and outside the classroom.

We are excited to announce the launch of the JAL Foundation 17th World Children’s Haiku Contest on the theme of Towns. The contest is a chance for those aged 15 and under to flex their creative muscles and we invite all young people to send us their original haiku and artwork before Monday 28 February 2022.

Choosing the winners for our Yuru-Chara Design Contest was extremely difficult, however, after much careful deliberation, we are delighted to announce the results! We were thrilled to receive entries from children and adults from across the UK, spanning from Cornwall to Orkney, and were blown away by all the impressive and thoughtful designs!

We’re delighted to announce that the popular online Japanese language and culture resource Ready Steady NihonGO! is once again available for teachers to use in their classrooms. After undergoing essential updates, the ten lesson interactive resource is now ready for the 2021 Autumn Term.

Don’t miss our brand new Japanese Sports Quiz and other sports resources, which are perfect for those planning a sporty summer term in the run up to the Tokyo 2021 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Take a look at our online resources to find out more about the rainy season in Japan and sights, songs, and customs associated with this time of year. Also check out our new activity pack which can be used at home or in the classroom.

5 May is Kodomo no Hi or Children's Day in Japan, the day when people celebrate the health and happiness of children. On this day, you may find children running around wearing origami kabuto helmets and lots of koi carp flags flying all over the country.

We are delighted to announce the launch of a new teaching soroban loan scheme and accompanying tutorial videos for teachers. The soroban is the Japanese abacus and is used as part of the national maths curriculum for primary school children in Japan.

Now more than ever it’s important to look after our mental and physical health and we are delighted to announce the release of new teaching resources which can be used to promote positive wellbeing.

Join us on Thursday 4 March for a special talk introducing the Soroban (Japanese abacus) and explaining how it can be used as a classroom tool to help children visualise numbers and understand the decimal system, with soroban teacher Tomoko Hoult.