Newsletter No.39

June 2002

"Highlights of Japanese Art" Exhibition began

The above-captioned exhibition has begun from 28 May until 7 July at Hyokei-kan of The Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park. H.E. Ambassador Seth of India, Honorary President of ESUJ, kindly agreed to narrate the English text of Audio Guide. At the opening ceremony on 29 May, followed by greeting addresses by Mr. Nozaki, president of TNM, Ambassador Seth, Mr. Kawai, Minister of Agency for Cultural Affairs, ESUJ received a Letter of Thanks from Mr. Nozaki. Members are strongly recommended to visit this exhibition and enjoy Ambassador Seth's very easy-to-understand explanation in the Audio Guide.

Special Discount: Broadway Musical "A Class Act"

We received a kind offer from HoriPro, 20% discount for a musical "A Class Act", a story of Edward Kleban who wrote the lyrics of "A Chorus Line", with original Broadway casts coming to Japan for the first time. It must be a good chance for the members to enjoy a real Broadway Musical! Duration: Friday, 12 July - Sunday, 28 July Theatre: Akasaka ACT Theater (Chiyoda Line Akasaka A3 Exit) Admission: S seat \10,500 a \8,400 How to get ticket: Please phone 03-3490-4949 Hori Pro. Ticket Centre. Please refer you are a member of ESUJ. After a remittance to the Bank Account, ticket will be mailed to you.

A Lovely Night--ESUJ May Evening Gala

Following an enormous success in the last year, May Evening Gala was again held at Meiji Kinenkan on 16 May. This time, our entertainment was English Rakugo "Wonderful Japan" performed by Ms. Diane Orrett from Liverpool. We all burst into laughter. About 130 members and guests gathered including a lot of non-Japanese, all of whom enjoyed a pleasant chat in English. NHK broadcasted Eigo Rakugo in their overseas news (NHK World "News Watch"). ESUJ will keep offering cosmopolitan social functions such as this a few times a year.

ESUJ Directors/Councilors Meeting

Annual Directors/Councilors Meeting was held on 22 May with 23 participants. A deliberation was made on the agenda items to be put forward at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting slated June 20, all of which was agreed upon.

"Cultural Diversity in South Asia"

On May 29, ESUJ held a panel discussion as a co-host with the United Nations University by the captioned title at Elizabeth Rose Conference Hall in UNU. Distinguished panelists, two each from India and Pakistan attended with a moderator Prof. Thakur, Vice Rector UNU and Mr. Malik, ESUJ Councilor, as MC. Dr. Datta of India, Mr. Naik, Former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, Ambassador Parthasarathy of India, Dr. Yasmeen of Pakistan addressed on the diversity of culture in the Indian sub-continent from various aspects including their own history and experiences. Mr. Naik read out at the table a friendly message from ESU Pakistan Islamabad Chapter to ESUJ. Mutual recognition of cultural diversity was the key point in the panel. Despite the current delicate situation between the two countries, the meeting proceeded with full of friendship and goodwill.

39th English Club

The May English Club met on Tuesday, May 21, at the Doyu Club. As our usual speaker, Mr. Masumi Muramatsu ("MM") was unable to be present, Mr. Tony Millington, Director General of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association and husband of Susan Millington, ESUJ Executive Director, kindly agreed to step in at the last moment. Mr. Millington first apologized for not being MM and said he had thought of wearing a gaudy tie in the hope that the audience might not notice but decided even that would not disguise the fact that MM was away. He spoke about Policy-making in Japan from a European perspective. Mr. Millington also gave examples from his own industry, automobile manufacturing, of how different interests influence the decision-making process. Thank you, Tony-san, for your very interesting talk. The Next English Club will be on Tuesday, June 18 at International Forum Room 402, 6:30-8:30pm.　　

ESUJ Event

ESUJ Annual General Meeting and Lecture

Wednesday, June 20 6:00pm- at International House
Lecture by Mr. Yoshio Terasawa, under the title of "English Speakers of Japan: Rise and Shine!" in Japanese. (Start at 6:30pm)

ESUJ Debate 2002

ESUJ first debate competition for working persons and adults!
Sunday, June 23, 10:00am-7:00pm at The Kokusai Fashion Center 10th floor (Ryogoku)