International Diplomacy Challenges for Britain and Japan: An Overview

Date: Wednesday 21st January 2009, 6.00pm

Venue: Daiwa Foundation Japan House, 13/14 Cornwall Terrace, London, NW1 4QP

Fee: FREE

This is the first seminar in a year-long series which will set the challenges facing the UK and Japan within the broader framework of international diplomacy. The series will analyse the structures and systems that allow for consultation and cooperation in national, regional and global contexts; it will consider bilateral and multilateral relationships against the backdrop of history and present-day and future agendas. The global financial crisis, international security, climate change and problems in the developing world are among the themes to be addressed through the year. In this opening session, the speakers will highlight some of the issues and concerns that are dominating the international stage, as seen through the lenses of Britain and Japan. On the evening following the US presidential inauguration, we anticipate discussion and debate on the impact of political change on the dynamics of international relations as well as the roles to be played by the UK and Japan in cooperating with the new US government.

Speakers:

Minister Sumio Kusaka is Consul-General (Head of Chancery), Embassy of Japan, London. After graduating from Chuo University in 1978, he joined the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, serving as Senior Coordinator of the G-7 Economic Summit (1995), Director in charge of APEC Affairs and the Developing Economic Division (1995). He was seconded to the Prime Minister's Office as Executive Secretary to the Chief Cabinet Secretary (1997) and served as Minister and Head of Chancery, Embassy of Japan, Washington DC (2000), Deputy Director-General, International Bureau, Ministry of Finance (2005) and Deputy Director-General, Economic Affairs Bureau, MOFA (2006). Minister Kusaka was a Fellow at Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University from 1999-2000.

William Horsley is a journalist and writer on international affairs and Chairman of the Association of European Journalists in the UK. He took a degree in Japanese Studies at Oxford University in 1971 and was BBC Bureau Chief in Tokyo from 1983 to 1990, covering Japan, China and other parts of Asia for BBC TV and Radio. Since then, based in Germany and the UK, he has reported extensively on the re-shaping of Europe's political landscape after the end of the Cold War and major developments in world diplomacy. He left BBC News in 2007 to continue writing and broadcasting independently, and is now also international director of the Centre for Freedom of the Media attached to the University of Sheffield. He is the co-author with Roger Buckley of Nippon: New Superpower (BBC Books, 1990).

Sir Graham Fry (chair) served as British Ambassador to Japan (2004-2008). He joined the Diplomatic Service in 1972 after graduating from Oxford University. He had postings at the British Embassy in Tokyo (1975-1978, 1989-1993) and Paris (1983-1987) and was British High Commissioner in Malaysia from 1998-2001.

To book, please go to www.dajf.org.uk/tickets. Alternatively, please send your name, affiliation and address by email to email: events@dajf.org.uk.

Visit Japan #6: Skiing in Japan (THE EAST Campaign in Association with Japan National Tourist Organization London Office)

Winter Sports in Japan
Japan has long been popular for its futuristic high-tech cities and ancient cities with exquisite gardens and temples, but its fantastic winter resorts have been a well kept secret. For at least four months every year Japan has some of the best and most reliable snowfalls in the world. There are huge amounts of fresh powder snow every day and there’s no need for a helicopter to get to it – all you need is a lift ticket.
Over 70% of Japan's land area is composed of mountains and the winters are governed by the Siberian air mass, the coldest air mass in the world. As a result at least four months every year the mountains in the central highlands and northern regions of Japan are blanketed with snow, making Japan's ski grounds among the best and most reliable in the world.

Japan was the first Asian country to host Winter Olympics in 1972 and then again in 1998. Yet despite the country's brilliant winter sports conditions and facilities few international skiers and snowboarders have ventured to Japan to experience its amazing powder snow, exciting cities such as Tokyo and Osaka and Japan’s beautiful ancient capitals Nara and Kyoto.

However, this is now all set to change. Most tour operators now offer great value packages for skiing and snowboarding in Japan so why don’t you try Japan for your next winter holiday?

Is Skiing in Japan Affordable?
Japan is a great value destination. Skiing and snowboarding are particularly popular with young people in Japan so resorts have been careful to keep their costs low. A full-day lift ticket at a major resort in Japan will cost around 4,500 yen (approx. £21/€27). All large resorts offer various accommodation options. Rates per person per night range from 6,500 yen (approx. £30/€39) including two meals at a minshuku (reasonable Japanese inns) or skiers lodges to 20,000 yen (approx. £93/€119) and up at first class hotels without meals.

In addition to fantastic skiing, ski holidays to Japan also offer visitors a completely different cultural experience that they do not get from skiing in the US or Europe. For example, Japanese cuisine and onsen (natural hot springs that skiers in Japan relax in after skiing) and also temples to visit when skiers want a break from the slopes. An annual winter highlight in Hokkaido is the Sapporo Snow Festival in early February.

The festival's huge and elaborate snow sculptures attract millions of viewers every year. Japan’s snow monkey’s are also not to be missed! You can also easily include a city break in Tokyo or Japan’s ancient capital Kyoto, which will this year be running a special winter campaign with exciting events and accommodation offers.
For detailed information about Japan’s many ski resorts visit http://www.snowjapan.com/