The JYC Blog - February & March 2024
February’s Theme was Leadership; it’s time for the Japan Youth Collective to start thinking about their own final outcome and take ownership of the project. In March they put everything they had learnt over the programme into practice, with all members working hard on preparations for Discover Japan Day, their final event.
In the February Catch-Up, the Collective members made tentative choices about how they wanted to mark the end of their project. All members agreed it was important to them to promote Japan and give others hands-on opportunities to experience aspect of Japan and its culture. Everyone agreed on hosting an event for other young people, family, and friends and put forward suggestions for performers, activities, and other content before a democratic vote. The group then split into smaller teams to deal with various aspects of organising: planning, communications, and design.
In the longer Japan Lab, the Collective looked at examples of student leadership in Japan for inspiration; they listened to a presentation on cultural festivals (bunkasai 文化祭) and other important events in the student calendar such as sports day.
The group then considered the details of their final event and could see it taking shape. To help keep spirits high, the collective learnt motivational group phrases in Japanese, often heard at sports day and similar events in Japan and everyone had a turn leading a chant. The session ended with leadership games to develop key skills needed for their final event and to have some fun after all their hard work!
The Collective also had two special opportunities in February. A small group attended an unforgettable Kodo Performance at the Barbican which featured traditional and not-so traditional Japanese instruments as well as the taiko drumming which the group is so famous for. The group also welcomed students from Toyo University in Japan for a cultural exchange session – read some of our member’s thoughts below.
Throughout March the group continued to work in their smaller teams. During the Catch up, the teams were paired with an expert; Isaku Gotoh, Graphic Designer at Japan House London; Kyoko Tachibana, Head of Events at The Japan Society; and Emma Hickinbotham, The Japan Society Trustee and Senior Communications Director for Big Society Capital gave each team tailored advice and helped refine their ideas.
Following one final planning session the Collective were finally ready for the big day!
JYC Members' Voices
JYC Finale: The beginning! by Josh
From February the collective began brainstorming our final event. Splitting up into different groups, we focused on our initial ideas of what we wanted the event to be like, such as the logistics of the event, the structure, etc. We’ve split up into 3 main teams: Communications, Design and Planning. I personally am a part of the comms team, where we created the name for the event, the wording for the invitation email, our slogan and more! It’s great to feel like I’m working towards something greater than myself, and I look forward to developing our plans!
Additionally, I and a few others went to go see the Kodo drumming performance at the Barbican. Oh, how mesmerising it was. I found myself hypnotised by the rhythms, the coordination, the skill, the flute melodies. It was truly incredible, and I'm so grateful that the Japan Society could provide me with the opportunity.
Toyo Uni Meet Up by Kaya
On Saturday, we had an exciting exchange with members from a university. They were very keen to share what life is like as a student in Tokyo, and all of us learnt how students live daily in Japan. I really enjoyed the different culture from a first-hand, native, authentic point of view. They were eager to share Japanese products which would appeal to a European society, and each member of the JYC had to choose from a favourite.
Toyo Uni Meet Up by Jamts
It was a lovely experience being able to foster friendships and interact with the Japanese Uni students. We initially started off by introducing ourselves and a few aspects of our interests and personalities to each other. We then heard some presentations and their pitches for Japanese products they think could be successful in the UK. It was very interesting seeing the Japanese products the students pitched, such as a warm eye patch. We ended the day by sharing foods and getting to know each other. They seemed keen to learn about our British “Cultural” foods and drinks, one that especially stuck out was the Japanese students profound interest in our Jaffa Cakes! They also brought some delicious Japanese snacks!