New Year's Message Masamichi Hanabusa, Chairman

Happy New Year Everyone.

Many people are expecting 2008 to be a year of major change in both Japan and the world, a year of new beginnings. The Year of the Mouse is the start of the zodiacal year in Japan. Strangely, in Western divination also this year is said to be the beginning year.

ESUJ this year is approaching the 10th anniversary of its founding. Last year our debating competition for university students was held for the tenth time with great success. Certificates were given in recognition of special contribution to the event. A panel discussion among former finalists and winners was also held. At the same time, ESUJ hosted the International Council Meeting of ESUs from around the world for the first time in Asia, with 50 participants from 19 countries. Participants expressed praise and amazement that in less than ten years ESUJ had become such a vigorous and successful ESU. Vice-chairman Akashi chaired a special symposium, English Education in Non-English Speaking Countries, whose fulsome content was reported in the pages of the Nikkei Newspaper and seen by many people, I believe.

That this new organization has existed for ten years and continues to develop is a matter for mutual congratulations, but I am also gratified so many people recognize that ESUJ is an organization which has sufficiently proved its worth and that they consider it meaningful that both the solid construction of the organization, supporting so many activities, and also the strong passion of the volunteers are real and exist.

ESUJ is still a young organization, but it has tremendous potential for development of its activities in Japan as well as joint activities internationally. We must also gradually begin to consider obtaining corporate status for our organization. Shouldn't we concentrate everyone's strength for the even greater development of ESUJ?

Finally, I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart all our supporting corporations for their backing and our volunteers for their support of ESUJ over the past year. Please continue to support ESUJ in the coming year as well.

10th Anniversary Congratulatory Message
from Mr. Chris McDonald,
ESUJ Councilor (Former President, Rolex (Japan) Limited)

In the 10 years since its inception, ESU Japan has made a significant contribution towards the promotion and recognition of English here as the universal language.

Through its annual university debating competition, as well as a diverse programme of events, including monthly gatherings featuring interesting speakers from all walks of life on a variety of subjects, an increasing number of people have been able to expand their knowledge and understanding of the language.

English is of course a 'living' language which is constantly evolving, and it is therefore incumbent upon those who want to keep abreast of the changes to find ways and means of achieving this by regular interaction with as wide a circle as possible of native English-speakers and like-minded individuals.

I believe the English-Speaking Union of Japan is doing a great deal to fulfil this important necessity, and I would like to extend to them my very best wishes on this 10th anniversary, as well as for many more years of successful endeavour.

Christmas Party : A Big Success

The annual ESUJ Christmas party was held on December 19(Wed) at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Yurakucho with 100 members and guests again this year. Following a program of Christmas songs and Spanish melodies by Guitarist Noriaki Okitsu, Jordanian Ambassador Nouri, a supporter and frequent guest of ESUJ proposed a toast. Amidst a very adult atmosphere the eagerly anticipated buffet accompanied by warm conversation commenced, for a very delightful occasion with which to conclude the year 2007.

ESUJ's first publication "Japan In their Own Words" Warmly Received

Fifty submissions to "Japan in their Own Words", which is published on the ESUJ web site were chosen from the 200 submissions to date and collected into a volume for publication, which has been well received. The essays were printed in both Japanese and English. Copies are available at the ESUJ office for ¥2400 each.

English Club:

Feb. 19 (Tue) 18:30-20:00 at Nikkei Notio (Marunouchi Oazo)
Sign-Up Deadline: Feb. 11 (Mon)
Speaker: Dr. Bernd Fischer, Minister at the German Embassy
"Germany, Europe, Japan―a comparison of the economies, government, culture and in general"
PLEASE NOTE: Members must notify their attendance by Sign-Up Date via Nikkei Notio's Web Site (at ESUJ web site) or E-mail the ESUJ Office. (For members, please add "ESUJ" before your name in case of application.)

ESUJ New Year's Lecture: Back to the Table -Old is New-
Speaker: Mr. Thomas R. Wedgwood
January 29 (Tue) 19:00-20:30 at Japan National Press Club