Change of Form of Newsletter, from April
Announcement regarding reports of meetings, notice of activities, etc.

ESUJ Newsletter will be completely revised from this coming April. Rather than reporting on meetings that have taken place, henceforth details of coming events will be announced. For the report of events, please read ESUJ’s new blog (see below). Along with revising newsletter, we will in principle be ceasing to send separate announcements of events by post. If you wish to have detailed information about an event, please see the ESUJ web site or handouts of future events to be made available at meeting venues. In doing this, an attempt is being made to lessen the clerical work load and reduce costs. We request your understanding in this matter.

An ESUJ blog is being created. There will be a link to the blog at the ESUJ web site. Activities will be reported in a simple, concise style on a day-to-day basis. Please take a look at it!

Haiku in English Workshop took place on February 24 (Wed.) at the Japan National Press Club, with thirteen ‘poets’ attending. Our lecturer was the always well-received Ms. Emiko Miyashita. This was the seventh meeting of the popular program. Miyashita Sensei solicited enthusiastic participation by assigning two topics “spring chill” and “cats in love,” in addition to free choice, and requesting participants to submit their poems prior to the session. Each poet explained his haiku, with the audience giving their thoughts on the poem while considering the writer’s viewpoint and Miyashita sensei providing her personal precious advice. Finally, attendants wrote their own poem on the topic of “misty moon”, for a fitting conclusion to a very ‘cerebral’ evening.

February: On February 16 (Tues.), we welcomed Ms. Liija Zhang from Beijing, speaking on the theme of “Socialism is Great!: From Rocket Factory Girl to International Media.” Referencing her autobiographical book of the same title, she spoke about the changes that have taken place in China since before and after the 1989 Tiananmen Incident, including her own personal experience of learning English almost entirely unassisted to propel herself into the world beyond her factory. She expressed her own thoughts about China and described life in China today in a frank and open way, her strong character winning over the audience in no time.

March: English Club met on March 16 (Tues.). Ms. Kiyoko Ikegami, Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Tokyo Office, spoke on the topic of “Maternal Health and Development through UN Population Fund Activities.” She described difficult birthing experiences ranging from the delivery of her own baby in NY to those of women in developing countries today, whose lives are often lost in childbirth when they might have been saved. Her talk enlightened the audience as to the present state of women and children, who, particularly in developing countries, are overwhelmingly weak members of society. Ms. Ikegami explained what the problems are and provided a valuable opportunity for the audience to consider what can be done about them. While her words were soft, her message was powerful, conveying her passion to the audience.

A new program series which started in February for members only and features reading classical Japanese literary works aloud in English, Roudoku Club met on March 10 for the second time to read aloud Miyazawa Kenji’s short story “The Restaurant of Many Orders.” Once again NHK’s Yuko Aotani participated. Rather than playing a pre-recorded text, she elected to read aloud the story herself. This time too, all 20 members present participated enthusiastically.

Dutch Ambassador’s Lecture     Ambassador Philip De Heer
“Why the Dutch Are the Way They Are”
Wednesday, March 31, 18:30-20:00 at Japan National Press Club

Roudoku Club (Members only program)
Wednesday, April 14 12:15-13:15 at Kaplan Ginza Center
Reading: Cherry Leaves and the Whistler by Osamu Dazai

ESUJ Special Tour: Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK)
(Members only program; first 30 people)
Friday, April 23 14:00-16:00 Meeting Time: 13:40 sharp

ESUJ May Evening Gala 2010
Thursday, May 20 18:30-20:30 at Meiji Kinenkan