Newsletter No.58

January 2004

A Happy New Year to You All!
Masamichi Hanabusa, Chairman ESUJ

The English-Speaking Union of Japan has celebrated its 6th New Year. It is to our gratification that we have steadily grown during the past years thanks to our ardent volunteers and generous supporters. On behalf of the ESUJ, I would like to express our hearty appreciation for their effective support.

Last year the ESUJ started several new activities such as "Outings" to interesting and notable places in and around Tokyo and the "bikkuri eigo" expedition. We also began "Special Lunch Talks" designed specifically for our corporate supporters. Membership continues to increase. It is strongly desired that these good trends will continue this year. I would like to solicit continued support from our members for this organization.

What is topmost in my mind as Chairman at the outset of the new year is to make the activities of the ESUJ ever more enjoyable for its members, Of course, we must continue our flagship project of promoting the English debating ability of young people, which is an important social contribution the ESUJ makes for the future of Japanese society. But I think we can relax a bit now. The ESUJ exists for its members and its activities must be enjoyable for members ourselves. We must attach greater importance to these enjoyable activities, through which members can deepen friendship among us. We welcome your bright ideas on these lines.

My second aspiration, or rather an anticipation of what 2004 has in store for the ESUJ, lies in the international expansion of our activities both at home and abroad. Around the world new members have recently joined the English-Speaking Union movement. In East Asia, a sister Union will be born in South Korea in April, following Mongolia last year and Thailand the year before. These new ESUs have joined existing regional members such as China, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

I think it is a good idea for the ESUJ to participate in the Launch of an ESU in South Korea by sending a congratulatory group of our members. Sightseeing in South Korea would add further pleasure to the visit. In October the World Members' Conference will be held in New York; the WMC is held once every five years for all the members of the world's ESUs and their branches to gather together. Our members can surely join them.

At home we must strengthen our drive to welcome English-Speaking non-Japanese members to the ESUJ. It is essential and even indispensable to have more non-Japanese members in our organization, as our central mission is to promote understanding and friendship among peoples of the world through the use of the English language. We will make our utmost efforts to create a "cosmopolitan" atmosphere in the ESUJ, so please bring your non-Japanese friends to our Lectures, Outings and various social gatherings.

I wish to conclude my New Year's message by wishing all of you happiness and good health in 2004.

Joyful Evening, ESUJ Christmas Party

On Wednesday 17 December, ESUJ's grand year-end event, our Christmas Party, was held at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan. The Media Room was full with 115 attendances. Amongst them were Mr. Sam Jameson, the lecturer at our Annual General Meeting, Ms. Otsu and Ms. Saito of ICU, Mr. Sasaki and Mr. Mirhat of Yokohama National University, the winners and runners-up of this year's debating competition. This evening's highlight was bagpipe music. Mr. Gosha and Mr.& Mrs. Kasuya of the Tokyo Piping Society played exciting but somewhat nostalgic tunes such as Amazing Grace in beautiful Scottish costume. All the members and guests fully enjoyed the night in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Coming Events

ESUJ Luncheon Thursday 15, January 12:15-13:30
"Medical Care in 21st Century" lecture in Japanese by Dr. Y Matsuki, Honorary President of New Akasaka Clinic. The event is primarily for supporting members but seats are still available for ordinary members.

English Club (18:30-20:30)
Tuesday, 20 January at Tokyo International Forum G405
Tuesday, 17 February at Tokyo International Forum G407

ESUJ Lecture
"Auction Ins and Outs" by Mr. J. Tancock Senior VP, Sotheby's
Thursday 22 January, 18:30-20:00
Japan National Press Club (9th Floor)
Prior application to ESUJ office is necessary.

Messages from Japan, Portal Site "JIN"
The Japan Center for Intercultural Communications (JCIC) has started an operation of providing a comprehensive portal site covering various groups and bodies that transmit messages and opinions outside Japan in their "JIN (The Japan Information Network)" site. Our JITOW (Japan in Their Own Words) column is at the top of the "independent" category of the JIN Opinion site. Please click http://jin.jcic.or.jp/