The Business of Ageing – Older Workers, Older Consumers, big implications for companies, Dr. John Llewellyn, Partner, Llewellyn Consulting

Date: Thursday, 20th May 2010, 12.00pm for 12.30pm
Venue: JETRO, MidCity Place, 71 High Holborn, London WC1V 6AL
Fee: £12 for members of JS/JCCI and those introduced by JETRO, £18 for non members (please send payment with booking)

Dr. John Llewellyn, well known to many members and very distinguished economic and political commentator, will talk about this topic which has relevance for all companies of both nationalities. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry is in association with the Japan Society for this event and its members are very welcome.

Rising longevity, declining birth rates, and the size of the baby boomer generation are some of the most potent coming influences on society and the economy. Increased longevity does not necessarily mean more years of ill health: healthy life expectancy is apparently increasing broadly as fast as life expectancy itself. The likelihood of ageing populations causing a slowdown in economic growth is slim. Companies that successfully embrace the tastes, needs and motivations of the largest generation in history to pass 65, yet not be poor, will prosper. But those that do not will fail.

After a broad career spanning almost ten years in academia (Cambridge); seventeen years in international public service(OECD); and fourteen years in the corporate sector (Lehman Brothers), Dr. Llewellyn formed Llewellyn Consulting. He works with a range of private and public-sector clients, including HM Treasury, and the President of the European Commision’s Group of Economic Analysis. Dr. Llewellyn has published on a wide range of topics, including international economic policymaking and co-ordination, economic forecasting, climate change, and population ageing.

We are grateful to JETRO for kindly hosting this event.

To book your place please contact the Japan Society office on tel: 020 7828 6330 or email: events@japansociety.org.uk

Discover Korean Food #27: Dr. Sook-Ja Yoon's "Gujeolpan", Platter of Nine Delicacies

Gujeolpan is the name of nine sectioned platter in which eight different vegetables and meats are placed in each compartment and wheat flour pancakes in the center. Gujeolpan was originally the name of the platter but it later became the name of the food. Gujeolpan is a good dish for the travel or picnic because it can serve several foods at the same time.

Ingredients & Quantity

50 g beef (top round), 10 g (2 sheets) brown oak mushrooms
Seasoning sauce : 9 g (½ tbsp) soy sauce, 2 g (½ tsp) sugar, 2.3 g (½ tsp) minced green onion, 1.4 g (¼ tsp) minced garlic, 1 g (½ tsp) sesame salt, 0.1 g ground black pepper, 2 g (½ tsp) sesame oil 10 g stone mushrooms
100 g (½ ea) cucumber, 0.5 g (⅛ tsp) salt
30 g (⅛ ea) carrot, 0.5 g (⅛ tsp) salt
100 g mung bean sprouts, 400 g (2 cups) water, 1 g (¼ tsp) salt
Mung bean sprouts seasoning : 1 g (¼ tsp) salt, 2 g (½ tsp) sesame oil
60 g (1 ea) egg, 0.5 g (⅛ tsp) salt
Wheat flour pancake : 56 g (8 tbsp) wheat flour, 135 g (9 tbsp) water, 1 g (¼ tsp) salt
39 g (3 tbsp) edible oil
Mustard juice : 6 g (½ tbsp) fermented mustard, 15 g (1 tbsp) vinegar, 4 g (1 tsp) sugar, 2 g (½ tsp) salt 9.5 g (½ tbsp) honey, 15 g broth (or 1 tbsp water)

Preparation
1. Clean blood of the beef with cotton cloths (45 g). Shred it into 5~6 cm-long, 0.2 cm-wide and thick. Season it with half of the seasoning sauce 1.
2. Soak the mushrooms in water for about 1 hour, remove stems of brown oak mushrooms, wipe water, shred it at intervals of 0.1 cm-wide/thick and season it with the remained seasoning sauce 1 (30 g). Wash the stone mushrooms by rubbing, remove belly buttons, roll it up and shred it at intervals of 0.1 cm-wide (7 g).
3. Wash the cucumber by rubbing, cut into 5 cm-long and 0.1 cm-thick roundly, and shred them into 0.1 cm-wide (25 g). Wash the carrot, skin, cut into 5 cm-long and shred into 0.1 cm-wide/thick (25 g), marinate them with salt for 5 min. respectively, wipe water with cotton cloths. Remove the heads and tails of mung bean sprouts (76 g).
4. Panfry the egg for yellow/white garnish and cut it into same size of the cucumber.
5. Mix wheat flour, salt and water evenly, sieve and knead it to make pancake dough.
6. Prepare mustard juice.

Recipe
1. Preheat the frying pan and oil. Stir-fry the beef and brown oak mushrooms for 2 min. respectively on medium heat.
2. Preheat the frying pan and oil. Stir-fry the stone mushrooms for 10 sec. on low heat. Preheat the frying pan and oil. Stir-fry the cucumber and carrot for 30 sec. respectively on high heat, spread them out and cool down.
3. Pour water in the pot and heat it up for 2 min. on high heat. When it boils, scald mung bean sprouts with salt for 2 min. (68 g) and mix it with seasonings together.
4. Preheat the frying pan and oil. Panfry wheat flour pancakes with 6 g of the dough into 0.2 cm-thick, 6 cm- diameter (20 sheets).
5. Place the pancake in the middle of the platter and decorate with prepared stuffs around the platter, matching colors. Serve with mustard juice.

Tips
* 6~8 g may be proper for the weight of one sheet of wheat flour pancake.
* Bamboo shoots, shrimps, sea slugs and abalones may be used for this dish.

A Suprise Film Club with Director Chung Ji-young (White Badge)

Time & Date: 2:00 pm, Wednesday, 28th April, 2010 (Q&A 4:05 pm)
Venue: Multi-purpose Hall, Korean Cultural Centre, Ground Floor, Grand Buildings, 1-3 Strand, London, Greater London WC2N 5BW
Email: info@kccuk.org.uk

Tel: 020 7004 2600

A surprise screening of 'White Badge' is taking place in the multi-purpose hall of the Korean Cultural Centre UK. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the Director Chung Ji-young. Chung Ji-young has earnt a reputation for films examining major social and political issues. This is your chance to see one of Korea's finest war films and talk with the director. Seats are limited to 20 guests so please reserve your seat if you would like to attend this special screening of 'White Badge'. Some additional places are available for just the Q&A session, please indicate your preference when you reply.

Future Events
The theme for Korean Film Nights in May is Family. We are showing 'Barefoot Ki-bong' and 'A Good Lawyer's Wife', which portray very contrasting families. Bear in mind they are not family films, they are films about family.
'Baretoof Ki-bong' is a warm drama about a son who runs for his mother. By contrast, 'A Good Lawyer's Wife' deals with a broken family. Director of 'A Good Lawyer's Wife', Im Sang-soo is comepeting at the Cannes Film Festival with his new film 'Housemaid' in May.

DIOTEK released memo application, DioMemo for Android Market

DIOTEK, a mobile software provider(www.diotek.com), has released a memo & note-taking application, DioMomo™ for Google's Android Market.

DioMemo is a very useful handwriting memo application with handwriting recognition feature. DioMemo can convert handwritings to text and also recognizes and corrects the shapes and colors of figures drawn by hand, which makes it fun to use.

Users can memo with a wide range of lines and colors by using fingertips.

Moreover, DioMemo can export memos in jpeg, rtf or txt file format, and offers an intelligent function which recognizes website addresses, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers, and connects to the corresponding website address.

Various other special functions connected with Google's services are also supported: importing map images connected with Google maps, capturing images, inserting a memo on a map image.

DIOTEK is a mobile software company dedicated to developing specialized software for enhancing the use of mobile devices, including handwriting recognition software and multi-language electronic dictionary and OCR technology-based business card & document reader application.

Literature Essay Contest 2010

Korea Literature Translation Institute (LTI Korea) and Korean Cultural Centre announce the Literature Essay Contest 2010 in the UK

This annual contest is to introduce Korean literature translated into English to overseas readers and we look forward to all participants building a broader view of Korea literature through this programme.

The translated subject text of 2010 is 'Who Ate Up All the Shinga?' (Columbia University Press 2009) by Park Wan-suh (박완서 작 '그 많던 싱아는 누가 다 먹었을까?') translated by Young-nan Yu, Stephen J. Epstein.

The competition is open to entrants from across the UK and the judge will select the best essay with the top three being awarded prizes. The first prize winner from each country will be entered for the Grand Prize, with the three nominations for the Grand Prize being invited to an awards ceremony in Seoul in 2011.

Guideline

How to Enter
- Application forms are available from the KCC website (http://www.kccuk.org.uk)
- The first 60 applications will receive a free copy of the subject text.
- The contest is open to all but the essay must be written in English
- Word limit 2,000 words
- Once completed please submit your essay electronically to eunjeong.shin@kccuk.org.uk no later than 6pm 16th August 2010.
- Essay must be the applicant's own work

Contest Schedule
- March to July 2010: The first 60 applications will receive a free copy of the subject text
- 16th August 2010, 6pm: Deadline for Essay Submissions
- 15th September 2010: Winners will be announced on the KCC website
- Prize Giving Ceremony: TBC

Format
- The essay must not exceed 2,000 words or less and typed.
- The submission must be completed with essays and application forms.

Selection Process
- The award winners will be notified by 15th September 2010 and they will be invited to an award ceremony at the KCC (London) in September 2010.

Awards
- First Place (1 person): Samsung Laptop
- Second Place (2 people): Samsung Digital Camera

The best-ever soundtrack for your workout. Wearable, water resistant WALKMAN® W250 Series is the perfect sporting partner

The latest ‘wearable WALKMAN®’ from Sony lets you work out to your favourite tunes in more comfort and style, whatever the weather.

Designed for today’s active lifestyles, the WALKMAN® NWZ-W250 series is the first wire-free MP3 player from Sony that resists rain splashes or the sweat of a gruelling gym session. After exercising, just rinse under the tap2 – or even keep listening to your WALKMAN® during a post-workout shower.1

Available in four sporty colours, the light, all-in-one design eliminates the tangle of headphone wires that can slow things down when you’re working out, running or dancing. 13.5mm EX Series headphones offer clear, powerful WALKMAN® sound plus total comfort and a secure fit during physical activity.

It’s easy to create the perfect soundtrack as you exercise, allowing you to focus on your workout rather than fiddling with menus. Playlist support lets you pick your favourite songs in advance, ordering them to match your activity profile from warm-up to wind-down. Press the jog lever and skip to the next folder, selecting a different artist or album to change the mood instantly.

Looking for inspiration? ZAPPIN™ technology scans through stored tracks, playing a short sample from each song to help you find the right music for that moment.

If you’re in a hurry to get active, a quick 3-minute charge gives enough power for 90 minutes listening time. A fully charged battery offers up to 11 hours3 uninterrupted listening time – more than enough for that all-day walking expedition.

The supplied charging stand doubles as a USB dock for your PC, allowing you to load up WALKMAN® with your favourite tunes before hitting the streets.

Using the supplied Content Transfer software that comes with your WALKMAN®, it’s easy to move music files straight from your PC or iTunes™ library (not including DRM files) - even playlists. Just click on a file, then drag and drop into Content Transfer. Popular format support makes the Walkman W250 the ideal second digital media player, dedicated to sport.

Available as an optional accessory, the CKS-NWW250 soft carry case protects WALKMAN® while slipping easily into a gym bag or holdall.

The WALKMAN® NWZ-W250 series is part of the full line-up of MP3 and MP4 players by Sony. The WALKMAN® range includes the high-performance X series with touchscreen and Digital Noise Cancelling technology; the ultra-slim A series with wide 7.1cm (2.8”) OLED screen; the S series with built-in speakers; the compact, great-sounding E series; and the convenient, easy-to-use B series.

Coming soon and designed specially for great performance with all compatible WALKMAN® models4, the JBL On Stage III dock is a great way to release your music. Offering a generous 10W+10W output power, this stylish dock that features a striking curved design can be powered by batteries for go-anywhere entertainment. Supplied with a handy remote control, it also charges WALKMAN® while you’re listening (when powered from the mains). Available from late Spring 2010.

The new WALKMAN® NWZ-W250 series of MP3 players from Sony is available from late May 2010.

Big scale diplomatic events ahead for 2010-2012

It’s truly the time to celebrate Korea’s relations with other countries. Several diplomatic events are expected to take place in Seoul to help boost ties with nations far and wide.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, there will be one big festival to celebrate the anniversary of Korea’s diplomatic ties with one nation after the other for the next three years until 2012.

This year will commemorate Korea’s ties with Russia (20th anniversary), Spain (60th), Malaysia (50th), Nigeria (30th), Mongolia, Bulgaria, Romania (each 20th anniversaries) and more.

Of them, the festival to celebrate Korea’s diplomatic relations with Russia stands out the most. The culture ministry, together with its Russian counterpart, held an opening ceremony at the Bolshoi Ballet Theater in Moscow on Apr. 2, signaling the beginning of a seventh-month long cultural exchange ahead.

The Korea-Russia Festival will feature colorful performances of drama, music and ballet, as well as exhibitions and a film festival through to the closing ceremony at the National Theater of Korea on Nov. 11. Some of the most eagerly awaited programs include
include a joint performance by the Korea National Ballet and Russia's Boshoi Ballet on a single stage for the first time. The performance will be given in both nations.

In 2011 it the 50th anniversary of Korea’s ties with the Netherlands, Greece, Portugal, Luxembourg, Australia and Cameroon, promising another set of cultural performances that will be held across the continents of Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa.

In the Middle East Lebanon will commemorate it’s the 30th anniversary of its ties with Korea.

In 2012 Switzerland, Iceland, Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Saudi Arabia will celebrate the 50th year of their relationships with Korea; China, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and South Africa, their 20th anniversary. Locals will get to enjoy cultural performances from each respective country during this period.

“We plan to pursue cultural exchanges focused on reciprocity, choice and focus,” said a culture ministry official. “We plan to move away from sticking too much to traditional performances to add more variety and further use the opportunity to introduce young artists from all countries.”

Japanese Garden Party

Date: 12 noon-4pm Sunday 23 may 2010
Venue: Hammersmith park Japanses Garden, South Africa Road, White City, London W12
Stage: Wadaiko / Bon-Odori / Okinawa Eisa / Enka singing / Marshall Art Demo.
Other events: Tea Ceremony / Kamishibai / Garden Tour / Origami and Shodo Workshop / Baskers

Stalls: Japanese food / Japanese gifts / Information
Organiser: Hammersmith & Fulham council, the Japan-British Exhibition 100 Committee, the Japan Society, the Japanese Resident Association

The Japan’s first major exhibition to the West took place in White City, London in 1910. The Japanese garden was created as a part of the exhibtion and today the garden still stands exactly in the same place as 100 years ago. This festival celebrates the centenary of the creation of the garden and the Japan-British Exhibition 1910.

This event is meant for the family outing to celebrate the long history of Anglo-Japanese relations.

Pianitst Sunwook Kim Concert

Date: Saturday, 8 May
Time: 19:30pm
Venue: Royal Festival Hall London
Ticket Prices: £38 £29 £23 £18 £14 £11 £8, Premium seats £45
Booking Info: http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/

Robert Schumann's Piano Concerto was coolly received at its premiere, perhaps due in part to its understated virtuosity rather than the dazzling showmanship so often heard in works for piano and orchestra. Yet its second movement is emotionally profound with the piano and cellos finishing each other's musical sentences. Equally intense is the slow movement of Beethoven's Fourth Symphony, of which Berlioz wrote, 'One is seized from the first bars, with an emotion that by the end becomes shattering in its intensity!' But both these pieces have finales which dissipate the emotional tension and humorously dance along to the end.

This evening's concert is supported by The Dowager Viscountess Rothermere.

About Sunwook Kim
21-year-old Sunwook Kim came to international recognition when he won the prestigious Leeds International Piano Competition in 2006. The competition’s youngest winner for 40 years, as well as its first Asian winner, his performance for the finals of Brahms’s Concerto No.1 with Mark Elder attracted unanimous praise from the press, and led to concerto engagements with some of the UK’s finest orchestras as well as recitals throughout Europe.
Born in Seoul in 1988, Sunwook Kim began the piano at the age of 3. He gave his debut recital aged just 10 at the Kumho Prodigy Series in Seoul, and this was followed by his concerto debut two years later. Since then he has been a regular guest of Korea’s finest orchestras, including the Seoul Philharmonic and the KBS Symphony, both at home and on tour internationally.
Over the past season he has appeared as concerto soloist in the subscription series of the London Philharmonic (Vassily Sinaisky), Hallé Orchestra (Mark Elder), BBC National Orchestra of Wales (Tadaaki Otaka), Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, Aspen Festival Orchestra, as well as on tour in Korea with the Rundfunk Sinfonieorchester Berlin (Janowski), Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France (Myung-Whun Chung), Budapest Festival Orchestra (Ivan Fischer) and the BBC Philharmonic (Gianandrea Noseda).
Recent recital appearances include a highly successful Brussels debut at the Klara Festival, the Beethovenfest Bonn, Klavier-Festival Ruhr and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festspiele in Germany, the Aspen Music Festival in the USA, New York’s International Keyboard Institute, the Duszniki Zdrój International Chopin Festival in Poland as well as the Tongyeong International Music Festival and Kumho Rising Stars Series in Korea.
Future concerto engagements include the Philharmonia Orchestra (Ashkenazy), Hallé Orchestra (Elder), Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France (M-W Chung), BBC Philharmonic (Noseda), Bournemouth Symphony (Karabits), Tokyo Philharmonic (W-H Chung), Seoul Philharmonic (Mikko Franck) and the KBS Symphony (Hubert Soudant). Highlights among recital appearances include debuts at the Wigmore Hall, London, and the Vancouver Chopin Society.

Maximize Your Mobile Web Experience With New Mini Phone From LG

LG Electronics (LG), a global leader and technology innovator in mobile communications, officially launched its new LG Mini (LG GD880), a pocket-size communication hub that maximizes the mobile web experience.
LG Mini is the first phone to use LG’s HTML 5-compatible Phantom Browser, which offers a much faster and more stable internet experience. Mini also includes special internet applications and social network connection features that make keeping in touch with online friends easier than ever.
LG Mini is a 3.2-inch full touchscreen phone that feels solid in the hand and is small enough to fit into any pocket. A button-free face contributes to Mini’s simple and sleek personality while textured metal accents on the sides add to the phone’s visual appeal without detracting from its clean look. This design won LG Mini a red dot award and iF product design award in March.
“Our research shows that most people think current full touchscreen phones -- especially smartphones -- are too bulky, too clunky and too difficult to use,” said Dr. Skott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. We developed LG Mini to deliver the smartphone-like features that people want in a beautiful and compact package that is also user-friendly.”
LG Mini is the first phone to offer LG’s new Phantom Browser. Built for speed using the latest Webkit standards, the Phantom Browser delivers an on-the-go web experience without any limits. Not only is Phantom faster, it is also fully compatible with today’s most popular websites. Mini’s expanded memory allows for advanced multitasking, supporting up to 10 browser windows open simultaneously.
As the first HTML 5-compatible feature phone, Mini fully supports Google’s Latitude, Gmail, Calendar, Google Maps and Google Buzz services, with the same functionality and speed as on a desktop PC. Improved JavaScript and Flash performance means flawless video playback from sites such as YouTube. With navigation tools Intelligent Zoom and Touch-to-Zoom, web pages load at a size optimized for reading on Mini’s screen.

no.w.here and Takahiko Iimura present: 'How To Make Time Visible In Film (without photography)

Date: Wednesday 21st April, 7 - 10pm
Venue: no.w.here, First Floor, 316 – 318 Bethnal Green Road, London E2 0AG
Tel: 20 7729 4494
Email: ames.holcombe@no-w-here.org.uk
Web: www.no-w-here.org.uk/index.php?cat=3&subcat=main
Organiser: no.w.here

Takahiko Iimura has been a pioneer Japanese artist of experimental film and video since 1960. Residing in both Tokyo and New York, Iimura has had numerous exhibitions in Japan, the US, and Europe. One of his early films, ONAN, was awarded Special Prize at the legendary Brussels International Experimental Festival. Recently, he has been working with computers, publishing multimedia CD-ROMs and DVDs of his films, videos, graphics, texts, as well as photographic works. Perhaps the most enigmatic figure in avant-garde cinema/video, Takahiko Iimura mediates Zen spirituality and technology with playful irony.

This workshop coincides with two other Iimura events taking place in London, Observer/Observed - The Films of Takahiko Iimura + Circle and Square a screening, performance and Q/A with Iimura at Close Up on Tuesday 20th April - for more details please see:

http://www.close-upvideos.com/film-program/20-april-2010-observerobserved-the-films-of-takahiko-iimura-circle-and-square.html
and a film screening at Central St. Martin’s College of Art on Thursday 22nd April (http://www.csm.arts.ac.uk/csm_news_events.htm).

Discover Korean Food #26: Dr. Sook-Ja Yoon's "Mung Bean Sam Gye Tang"

Mung bean “Sam Gye Tang” is a steamed dish of young chicken which contains Mung beans, ginseng, Milk Vetch Root and garlic stuffing.
Milk Vetch Root is good for stamina.
It helps the immune system and heart contractions.
Furthermore, it increases energy thereby reducing edema.

Ingredients
* 4 Pullets, ½ a cup of glutinous rice, ½ a cup of Mung beans, 4 Ginseng roots
* 4 Milk Vetch Roots, 15 cups of water
* 4 cloves of garlic, 4 dates
* 1 tbsp of salt, 1/8 tsp of black pepper

Recipe

1. Wash the glutinous rice and Mung beans. Leave to soak for 2 hours and drain.
2. Wash the Milk Vetch Roots. Leave to soak for 3 hours. Boil for an hour in water containing Milk Vetch Roots extract and drain.
3. Wash the Pullets after removing the innards.
4. Stuff the pullet with the glutinous rice, Mung beans, dates, ginseng and garlic. Then turn the legs inwards and bind them.
5. Place the pullet into a pot of boiling water. Leave to simmer for 50 minutes.
6. Serve with salt and pepper.

Kia Motors debuts All-new Optima at New York International Auto Show

Kia Motors Corporation today held the world premiere of its all-new Optima midsize sedan at the New York International Auto Show.

Arriving in showrooms in North America and non-European markets in the final quarter of this year and Europe next Spring, the next generation Optima continues Kia’s design-led transformation, while revealing a completely new and stunning design language for Kia, highlighted by a dynamic and streamlined profile that conveys elegance and athletic confidence from every angle.

Optima’s groundbreaking spirit continues under the hood and inside the cabin with the introduction of five new powertrains, which deliver class-leading power (in North America) with highly competitive fuel economy – and the brand’s first-ever hybrid for North America (available in early 2011).

Designed at Kia’s studios in Frankfurt and Irvine, California, the all-new Optima is longer, wider and lower than the vehicle it replaces and is based on an all-new midsize platform that allowed for distinctive dimensions and proportions while also providing a unique canvas for Kia’s global design team to pen a vehicle that stands apart from everything else in its segment.

“The all-new Optima is a new strand in Kia’s growing design DNA with a blend of simple and fluid lines and elegant but uncomplicated shapes that draw the attention of the eye in much the same fashion as a perfectly-tailored fine Italian suit,” said Peter Schreyer, chief design officer, Kia Motors Corporation.

“From the distinctive sweeping chrome accent that stretches through the C pillars to the sleek greenhouse and flared wheel arches, every inch of the Optima projects a distinguished and refined style and extreme attention to detail.”

The all-new Optima also employs engine management systems like direct injection, multi-point injection and turbocharging to help bring performance to the brand without sacrificing fuel efficiency. Its smooth-flowing lines speak of grace and style and offer a strong hint of European luxury.

The all-new Optima projects a high-performance yet elegant image with its unique silhouette and sleek stance that builds upon Kia Motors’ philosophy of creating high quality and dynamic vehicles that evoke passion. The striking face of Optima features Kia’s signature bold tabbed grille that is surrounded by projector headlamps. Longer, wider and lower than before, Optima’s coupe-like profile is enhanced by a sweeping chrome arc that flows from the A through C pillars, a distinctive design motif that visually lowers the car further and enhances its proportions. Optima’s roofline connects with its high and pronounced shoulder line that leads to its sculpted flanks and extended wheelbase. Boldly flared wheel arches and a raked cabin create a sedan with a graceful muscular stance.

The all-new Optima offers numerous standard features including dual exhaust with chrome tips, solar glass, outside mirror turn signal indicators and 16-inch steel wheels fitted with 205/65R16 tires. Also available, depending on the trim level, are fog lights, heated outside mirrors, exterior chrome/body-color door handles along with 17-inch alloy wheels with P215/55/R17 tires. Higher trim levels add HID headlights with auto leveling, LED rear combination lights, unique front grille design, rear lip spoiler, sculpted side sills, aero wiper blades, red brake calipers and 18-inch black machined finish alloy wheels furnished with P225/45R18 tires, achieving a true performance look.

Fighting for the shogun: the story of a ship, some samurai, nine French officers and the battle for Hokkaido

Date: 21 April 2010 6:30pm
Venue: Crane & Tortoise, 39 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8PR (room to rear of main bar)
Tel: 020 7828 6330
Email: events@japansociety.org.uk
Web: http://www.japansociety.org.uk
Organiser: The Japan Society

In 1862, the first ever young Japanese went to Europe to study. They commissioned a ship, the Kaiyo Maru, and sailed her back. But shortly after they arrived, the shogunate fell after bitter fighting and the leader of the young men, Takeaki Enomoto, now second in command of the Tokugawa navy, was ordered to hand over all eight ships to the new government.
He refused and the fleet sailed north. In Sendai they joined forces with the remnants of the Tokugawa army, the Shinsengumi (the shogun’s feared special forces, who had policed Kyoto) and nine French officers who had trained the shogunal troops and resigned from the French army to fight alongside them.
They sailed for Hokkaido, then called Ezo. The plan was to make a homeland for the Tokugawa supporters there, hold elections and create Japan’s first republic – the Republic of Ezo. Lesley will tell the thrilling story of the Tokugawa warriors’ last stand and what became of them and their magnificent ship, as revealed in newspaper accounts of the time, illustrated with lots of pictures.
Lesley Downer’s books on Japan include Geisha: The Secret History of a Vanishing World and a novel, The Last Concubine. Her new novel, The Courtesan and the Samurai, is woven around the events that happened after Emperor Meiji’s grand entry into Edo, newly renamed Tokyo.
A light buffet (makimono, karaage, teriyaki salmon etc) will be provided after the lecture. Please notify the office when booking of any special dietary requirements.

To reserve your place, please contact the Japan Society office on tel: 020 7828 6330 or email: events@japansociety.org.uk

KENJI YOSHIDA (1924-2009): A CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Date: 15 April - 5 June, 2010; Tuesday - Saturday 12.30 - 5.30pm
Venue: October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AL
Tel: 020 7242 7367
Web: www.octobergallery.co.uk
Organiser: October Gallery

To mark the first anniversary of the passing of Kenji Yoshida, the October Gallery is pleased to announce a special exhibition of Yoshida’s work that will celebrate the extraordinary life of this remarkable man and outstanding artist. The exhibition, A Celebration of Life, will display works from the different periods of Yoshida’s career, including the incandescent etchings he made at Stanley Heyter’s Atelier 17 in Paris in the early 60’s, inks, calligraphy and paintings on paper from the 70’s onwards, as well, as the distinctive oils on canvas that are his characteristic contribution to contemporary art, deftly-sketched portraits of the created universe itself.

First U.S. Demonstration of Honda U3-X Personal Mobility Prototype in New York

Honda held the first U.S. demonstration of the company's U3-X personal mobility prototype, first introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show in October of last year. The three-day debut event will run through April 8 at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square. A second demonstration will be held April 13-15, at the 2010 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress in Detroit, Michigan.
With U3-X Honda rethinks the concept of personal mobility, providing the rider with freedom of movement in any direction - forward, backward, sideways and diagonally - by simply leaning slightly in the desired direction. The lightweight and compact one-wheeled device also features a foldable seat and retractable footrests. A lithium-ion battery pack provides power for up to one-hour of use and can be recharged by plugging in to a conventional household or office 120-volt power outlet.
Weighing roughly 22 pounds, U3-X uses an advanced Honda proprietary balance-control system which derives from its research into human walking dynamics for the development of the ASIMO bi-pedal humanoid robot. To realize full freedom of movement in all directions, the U3-X also employs the world's first omni-directional driving wheel system (Honda Omni Traction Drive System) which utilizes a series of concentrically mounted wheels - a larger, forward and backward moving inner wheel and a series of smaller sideways moving outer wheels. Diagonal motion is achieved when both forward and sideways moving wheels operate in tandem.

In addition, the compact size and one-wheel-drive design of U3-X was intended to provide user-friendly and pedestrian-friendly operation with low-mounted foot pedals that make it easy for the rider to reach the ground, and a seat height that places the rider at approximately the same eye-level as other people.
As a company that values mobility, Honda began research into robotics in 1986 and walking devices in 1999, culminating in the development of ASIMO, the world's most advanced bi-pedal humanoid robot. The cumulative study of human walking and balance control has also led to the development of numerous other experimental technologies including the U3-X personal mobility device as well as Honda's Stride Management Assist and Bodyweight Support Assist walking assist devices -- all geared toward further advancing human mobility through technological innovation.

East Asian Friendship Charity Event

Date: Tuesday 13th April 2010, 6.30pm for 7.00pm

Venue: The Islington Chinese Association, 21 Hatchard Road, London N19 4NG

Nearest underground station: Archway

Tickets: £15.00 each (advance booking) including buffet dinner

The Islington Chinese Association (in association with the Japan Society, the Anglo-Korean Society, the British Japanese Law Association, the British Korean Law Association and the Hong Kong Society) invite you to an evening of popular and traditional music and entertainment from China, Japan and Korea (including a Chinese meal).
This event is in aid of Pitch Perfect, The Lord Mayor of London’s 2010 Charities Appeal and the Ambassadors or representatives of the UK embassies of The People’s Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea will be in attendance.
The event begins with a Chinese meal prepared and served by members of the ICA. From 8.00pm onwards there will be musical and dance performances and a cabaret on stage provided by performers from China, Japan and Korea.

Programme
Kathy Lee Hall and Kevin Zhang (London Jing Kun Opera Association) will perform an excerpt from Chinese Kunqu Opera The Startling Dream and In Pursuit of a Dream (from The Peony Pavilion)
(Interval – 20 minutes)
Park Sunnee and Korean dancers and drum players will perform (in costume) the dances Salp’uri, and Pansori;
The Koichiro Nakada group will perform (in Japanese) excerpts from its Untitled Music Concert No.10;
Joji Hirota, a Japanese shakuhachi player and percussionists will perform Japanese flute music, drumming and folk songs;
Finale: “Auld Lang Syne”, sung in English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese conducted by Koichiro Nakada.

Comperes: Katy Blair, Mayumi Hawkes and Sylvia Park

If you have any questions, please contact the Japan Society office on tel: 020 7828 6330 or email: events@japansociety.org.uk.

Asiana Green Campaign

Asiana Airlines (President & COO: Young-Doo Yoon) unfolded a campaign to show passengers methods of decreasing CO2 emission during daily life and while traveling at Gimpo International Airport domestic terminals on the 30th of March.
The campaign called “Green Travel, Green Life” was attended by President Yoon Yong-Doo of Asiana Airlines and representing employees of Operation, Cabin, Maintenance, and Transportation sectors of Asiana Airlines. As means of participation of the event, Asiana’s staff handed out leaflets containing ways of preventing CO2 emission, environmental friendly memo pads, and flower seeds towards the domestic passengers.

The green living leaflets contains details of preventing CO2 emission by decreasing weight in baggage for traveling, using public transportation, reducing left over foods inside cabins and much more. It also introduces how much CO2 emission takes place during ordinary daily life and what measures should take place in order to decrease the emission. It emphasis on the importance of practicing Green living.
Asiana President & CEO Mr. Yoon Yong-Doo commented “Asiana has been building up the reputation as being the leading company of Green Management. To practice the Green way of life along with our customers, it is making our earth a little more healthier.”
Asiana as of May 9, 2008 has been operating the Carbon Offset Program to all employees. As being the first in the air transport service sector, Asiana Airlines received an official carbon labeling certificate. In order to improve fuel efficiency, Asiana Airlines have been continuously washing the aircraft engines in decreasing 3 million tons of CO2 in 2008. Asiana Airlines, being recognized for its effort in green management, was awarded the grand prize of 2009 Korea Green Climate Award’ in February of 2009. Asiana has been acknowledged as being a leading company in environmental friendliness.

Meanwhile, Asiana Airlines and Air Canada’s (President & CEO: Calin Rovinescu) signed a MOU(Memorandum of Understandings) in various sectors

President Young-Doo Yoon of Asiana Airlines and President Callin Rouvinescu of Air Canada, held a signing ceremony at the head quarters of Asiana Airlines on the 31st of March 10:00am (local time) to enhance cooperation in service, sales and other various sectors.

President Young-Doo Yoon, CEO of Asiana Airlines, commented, “The two airlines have formed a strategic partnership in the basis of code sharing flights. By continuing our partnership to various sectors of the airline, passengers traveling between Korea and Canada will be able to receive the best quality of services and air travel.”

The MOU between the two carriers comes from the two countries reached and agreement during the Korea/Canada “Open Skies” treaty in June of last year. With the new open skies treaty agreed between the two nations, the two carriers will cooperate to strengthen competition, reduce costs, enhance passenger servicing, and cutting airline fare to provide the maximum convenience towards passengers.

Currently the two airlines code share flights on 7 of Air Canada’s route (Incheon~Vancouver, Incheon~Toronto etc) and 8 routes of Asiana (Incheon~Phuket, Incheon~Hanoi, Incheon~Miyazaki etc.)
The two companies with the signing of the MOU will extend the partnership to all areas such as operating schedule, airline costs, marketing, service and also apply for the ATI (Anti-Trust Immunity) in both countries.
Air Canada is the first and largest carrier in Canada and is also one of the founding carriers of the world’s largest airline alliance “Star Alliance.” Air Canada currently operates 195 carriers to 170 international cities transporting around 3,200,000 passengers a year.

Restaurant Tour #12: JEE CEE NEH

Another month has gone by and another restaurant to be visited. As New Malden is the home of the largest Korean population in Europe it seemed a good idea to sample the cuisine at another local venue.
Two of us wanted to compare the variance of tastes and flavours which are available in Traditional Korean food in this area, in the heart of this community, which has a wide selection of restaurants.
There are authentic dishes with the same basic ingredients. However, how long are they are marinated for (if appropriate)? What herbs and spices are added and their quantities? The consistency of the meals-are they too glutinous or dense? Are they too bland? Is the overall taste too strong thus not bringing out the natural flavour of the main ingredients?
Such are the pitfalls of preparing any particular meal. Every chef wants to present authentic dishes. So it becomes a challenge and is no mean feat if successful.
In New Malden and the surrounding localities the Korean patrons are particularly discerning when it comes to eating out. They expect the food to taste as they remember it in Korea, more especially, as they know how to cook and achieve the same taste when they prepare meals themselves. This is especially true as the majority of restaurants cater for local and other Korean diners from outside the area.
Competition is therefore, not unnaturally, quite fierce and reputations count for a lot.
Having said that, more non Korean clientele are discovering the benefits of eating well-being food produced by the restaurants.
So with this in mind we had lunch at the JEE CEE NEH restaurant which serves Traditional Korean food.

JEE CEE NEH Korean Restaurant
74 Burlington Road
New Malden
Surrey
KT3 4NU

Telephone number: 020 8942 0682
Opening Hours: Monday (1800 hours to 2300 hours), Tuesday to Friday (1200 hours to 1500 hours, 1800 hours to 2300 hours), Saturday and Sunday (1130 hours to 2230 hours)

New Malden train station is about a 15 minute walk away. Left out of the station along New Malden High Street and then left again into Burlington road.
The stop for buses including the 152 and 131 is virtually outside.
Parking is available close by and in nearby streets.
The owner is CHI Sun Sook.
The restaurant with wooden tables (incorporating B-B-Q facilities) can seat up to sixty diners-some of whom can be in a more private area. Menus describe meals in English and Korean with corresponding photographs.
The Staff are friendly and helpful.
Six main dishes were presented for our meal.

Rice accompanied by seafood mixed with red and green peppers, mushrooms, carrots and onion----bland enough to balance the stronger tasting dishes
Spicy Bulgogi (marinated beef) again with an assortment of vegetables accompanied by rice----a firm favourite of mine and a must for people experiencing Korean food for the first and subsequent times
A salad with lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables on a bed of ice----an innovative presentation complementing the other dishes
Large prawns in batter with apple in a sweet and sour sauce----delicious
Shredded spring onion salad----spicy, most enjoyable and another of my favourites
Noodles made from sweet potato with vegetables and seafood (including octopus)----a popular dish and again spicy
Two side dishes of cucumber Kimchi and Chinese Leaf Lettuce Kimchi (both Korean pickles) ----a must for me

Having enjoyed meals in restaurants in Korea over a period of many years the culinary experience at this venue in New Malden was comparable. I wasn’t surprised to see a number of Korean people I know in New Malden lunching at the same time.

Sake Tasting

Date: Wednesday 14 April 2010
Venue: St James’s Church (entrance off Church Place), 197 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LL
Tel: 0770 906 7708

Email: sarah@sarahwedgbury.co.uk
Web: http://www.sarahwedgbury.co.uk
Entrance cost: £22

Organiser: SAM Sake

As more and more sake comes on to the market, it is difficult to know which sake you might like. This tasting provides an opportunity to try a selection of six sake ranging from a regular futsushu to a ginjo grade. After you have enjoyed your welcome sake, Minato Tsuchizaki, the tasting will start with a sweet, refreshing sake and finish with a smooth, dry sake. Each sake will be introduced and explained so that you gain an understanding of the sake terminology used.

Advance booking is required.

Please contact sarah@sarahwedgbury.co.uk to make a booking.