Japan Society Annual Dinner

Date: Tuesday, 20th January 2009, 7.00pm for 7.30pm

Venue: Grange City Hotel, 8-14 Cooper’s Row, London, EC3N 2BQ (nearest underground: Tower Bridge)

Fee: £50 members & their guests, £80 non members, £30 for members under 25 (first 30 to apply)

Guests of Honour at the annual dinner will be Mr Taro Hakase and Ms Mayuko Takata. During the evening, the Japan Society Award for 2008 will be presented to Professor Lesley Millar and Mrs Momoko Williams.

This, the Japan Society’s major social gathering, is your chance to shake off any post-holiday blues and begin 2009 in style. Guests will start the evening with a glass of champagne, before proceeding to the dining room where Taro Hakase will treat us to a short recital before dinner. Following the meal, he will be joined ‘in conversation’ with his wife, Mayuko Takata, when they will answer questions collected in advance from guests.

The dinner is traditionally a black tie event and many guests will wear formal dress, but for those who prefer lounge suits, this is perfectly acceptable. The cost includes a glass of champagne on arrival, 3 course dinner, wine and coffee. Please use the reply form in this programme to book your tickets. Most people will be sitting at round tables of 10. If you have any seating preferences, please specify with whom you wish to be seated. Please also note any special dietary requirements on the booking form. Tickets will be sent to all those attending.

*The guest of honour is the acclaimed violinist and composer, Mr Taro Hakase who will be accompanied by his wife, actress Mayuko Takata. Hakase was born in Osaka in 1968 and made his performance debut in 1990. He entered the world stage performing with Celine Dion, before pursuing a solo career from 1996. His music crosses boundaries of nation and genre. He has become one of the most popular classical artists in Japan and in December 2008 finishes a three month Japanese concert tour.

His next UK concert is on 14th February at the Cadogan Hall, London. The two recipients of the Japan Society Award 2008 have been active in promoting the Japan British relationship in very different ways.

Lesley Millar has spent some 20 years building up professional and personal links between textile makers in both countries. She has curated highly successful exhibitions, which have toured both countries, and through which she has encouraged shared learning and cultural exchange.

Momoko Williams has been a committed member of the Japanese residents’ association in the UK, working not only to promote Japan-UK links, but to enhance the welfare of Japanese residents in London. She has been involved in many community projects including the restoration of the Japanese cemetery in Hendon.