The Japan Society

Upcoming Events

The Japan Society Annual Dinner 2024

Monday 11 November 2024 / 7:00pm
The Japan Society Annual Dinner 2024

Date
Monday 11 November 2024

Time
7.00 for 7.30pm

Venue
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
Crown Office Row, Temple

London EC4Y 7HL

Booking Details
Booking essential

Members and their guests: £120 per person
Members under 30: £90 (first 10 to apply) per person
Non-members: £150 per person

Please note this event is now fully booked. Please sign up to be added to the waiting list. 

Book online here

The Japan Society is a charity and its activities are made possible thanks to the support of its members. Event fees allow us to cover the cost of running events, and if any profits are made, they are put back into our education work and charitable activities.

   

Please make a date to join us at The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple for The Japan Society Annual Dinner 2024. We are pleased to be able to get together once more and look forward to catching up with members and their guests.

Nestling between Fleet Street and the Thames, The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple comprises a large number of properties dating back over several centuries, and a beautiful garden. The land and buildings are owned by the Inner Temple, an unincorporated membership association which has existed since the 14th Century. The Inner Temple is one of the four Inns of Court with the unique right to Call students to practise law at the Bar of England and Wales.

The dinner is traditionally a black tie event and many guests will wear formal dress, but for those who prefer lounge suits, this is perfectly acceptable. Most people will be sitting at round tables of 10. If you have any seating preferences, please specify with whom you wish to be seated. Please also inform us of any special dietary requirements.

The theme of this year's Annual Dinner is exploring the multifaceted experiences of Japanese individuals living in the UK. This theme is particularly relevant in light of this year’s State Visit by The Emperor of Japan, who lived and studied in Oxford.

We are honoured to have as our special guest to Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa, who will talk about her life and study in Oxford and the UK in conversation with The Japan Society chair Bill Emmott. We will also be joined by UK-based Japanese comedian Yuriko Kotani who will make all laugh combining British and Japanese humour.


Biographies

Princess Akiko of Mikasa

Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa is a member of the Imperial House of Japan, the elder daughter of the late Prince and Princess Tomohito of Mikasa. Princess Akiko is an art historian, whose research interests lie in the perception and influence of Japanese culture and tradition in the West. She studied at the University of Oxford for the 2001-02 academic year as part of her BA course in History from Gakushuin University, Tokyo, returning to Oxford a few years later to become the first female member of the Japanese Imperial Family to obtain a PhD in 2010. Her book Aka to Ao no Gaun (Red and Blue Gown – Experience in Oxford, 2015) about her life and study in Oxford was re-printed in a paperback format this year and became a best seller in Japan, selling more than 300,000 copies.

Princess Akiko is a Professor of the Institute of Japanese Culture at Kyoto Sangyo University, Patron of ‘Shinyusha’, which aims to inherit Japanese traditional culture to children through workshops and events, Special Guest Professor of Kokugakuin University, Guest Professor of Kyoto City University of Arts and holds various other official positions such as the Honorary Patron of the Japan-British Society, President of the Japan-Turkey Society and the Honorary Patron of the Japan Rugby Football Union. 

Yuriko Kotani is a UK-based Japanese comedian. She was named as ‘one to watch’ by Time Out and won the BBC New Comedy Award in 2015. She appeared on ‘Mandy’ (BBC2), ‘Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central’, ‘Pointless Celebrities’ (BBC1), ‘Pls Like’ (BBC3), ‘Paul Hollywood Eats Japan’ (C4), ‘Sorry, I Didn’t Know’ (ITV) and 'Comedy Central Live'.

On radio she has guested on 'The Comedy Club' (BBC Radio 4 Extra), 'BBC World Service’s The Arts Hour International New Year Comedy Celebration', 'The Verb' (BBC Radio 3), 'Loose Ends' (BBC Radio 4), 'Tudur Owen: United Nations of Anglesey' (BBC Radio 4), 'Damned Andrew' (BBC Radio 4) and 'No-Platformed' (BBC Radio 4). Penguin invited her to be a part of the ‘Audio Comedy Festival Edinburgh Unlocked’.

Yuriko worked with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to make videos for Rugby World Cup 2019, detailing her top tips for rugby fans travelling to Japan. 


We are very grateful to JTI for their support for our Annual Dinner. This enables us to offer subsidised tickets to members, ensuring that the event can be enjoyed by all.

If you have any questions, please call the Japan Society office on 020 3075 1996 or email us at events@japansociety.org.uk.

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Booking Info

  • You should receive an automated email from The Japan Society to let you know that your booking request has been registered. Please note that your booking is not confirmed until we have checked your details - you will receive a further email once your booking is confirmed. If you don't receive any confirmation emails, please check your spam folder or email events@japansociety.org.uk.

  • We will send you the details to attend the event closer to the date.

  • Members under 30
    Please note, the special discounted price for members under 30 is limited to the first 10 to apply. When booking, you may be asked to provide proof of age before your booking can be confirmed. 

  • Dietary Requirements
    Should you have any special dietary requirements please let us know on the booking form or via email to events@japansociety.org.uk.

  • Cancellation Policy
    A full refund will only be given where notice of cancellation is received no later than Friday 1 November 2024. After this date, you will be charged the full amount.
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Event Tags: Annual Dinner