April Konshinkai

Date and Time: Thursday 15 April 5:30 pm- 9 pm

Venue: Robot Bar (upstairs), 12 Bligh Place, Melbourne

That’s right folks, we’re making the most of the warm weather and getting together for another Konshinkai!

AJSV Members & Non-Members Welcome

Attendance is free with drinks available for purchase from the bar

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AJSV Annual General Meeting

The 57th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Australia Japan Society of Victoria Inc

Monday 12th April 2021 – 5.30pm (to be held virtually)

The 57th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Australia Japan Society of Victoria Inc will be held virtually (phone & video options) at 5.30pm.

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The National Federation of Australia Japan Societies

The National Federation of Australia Japan Societies is the national body representing all the Australia Japan Societies around Australia.

These Australia Japan Societies are voluntary organisations that have devoted themselves to maintaining and developing the wonderful relationship we enjoy with Japan. These Societies around Australia have as their members, representatives from all parts of the community.

The inauguration of The National Federation of Australia-Japan Societies Incorporated marks a new milestone in the development of the Australia-Japan movement in this country. AJSV is proud to be part of NFAJS. You can also subscribe their newsletter from here.

AJSV February Konshinkai

Date and Time: Thursday 18 February 2021 5:30 pm- 8:00 pm

Venue: The Bank on Collins 394 Collins St, Melbourne

AJSV Members & Non-Members Welcome

Attendance is free, just turn up the venue if you are interested. Food & Drinks will be available for purchase from the venue at own cost

We look forward to sharing a great night!

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AJSV Bōnenkai 2020 report

Well after 2020 became a year of virtual/on-line events for AJSV, we were delighted to be able to get together for Bonenkai in person with AJSV members and their guests at Beer Deluxe in Federation Square on Thursday 17 December for a drink together. A special thanks to all of you who attended the evening. We believe it goes without saying that we all very much enjoyed the chance to catch up, swap stories on each others navigation thru COVID19 of 2020, meet with old friends and of-course meet and introduce ourselves to new friends who also share in the strong connection and friendship between Japan and Australia.

It was great to see so many smiling faces on the night, and we hope that in 2021 we will be able to expand on the number of in person events and activities hosted by AJSV for our members, while still continuing to host a number of virtual events as well. We will soon provide you with more information on the timing of our 1st Konshinkai networking event for 2021 – so please keep checking the AJSV website, as well as your emails for invitations.

Wishing all our members the very best for a happy, healthy and safe 2021. We wish everyone a promising new start in 2021, and thank you for your continued support to AJSV.

Konshinkai report: A Night in with Yudai Baba

Last night, AJSV members and guests got the opportunity to meet Melbourne United’s new recruit, Yudai Baba.

A rising star in the Japanese national team, Yudai joined Melbourne United for the 2020/21 season from the NBA’s Texas Legends. Interviewed by our committee member Mitsuru Takada, Yudai talked of his impressions of Melbourne and the NBL and his time playing in the NBA as well as with the Japanese national team. Pointing out some of the funnier differences between players in each country, he also spoke of the strengths he brings to the team and what has driven him to where he is now. In good news for Melbourne United he also spoke of his goal to help the team win this season’s championship. For all of you proud Melbournians out there, you’ll be pleased to note, he also confirmed Melbourne’s crown as the king of coffee.

Yudai noted how great it was to be able to connect with his Japanese fan base and is really looking forward to seeing everyone come out to support the team during the upcoming season.

A big thank you goes out to Melbourne United and Yudai for the opportunity and on behalf of everyone there on the night, we’re looking forward to seeing the team take home the championship.

If you’re keen to see Yudai and the rest of Melbourne United in action, the season kicks off on Sunday the 10th of January with Melbourne United versus South East Melbourne Phoenix.

For more details, or to find out more about the rest of Melbourne United’s season, see https://www.melbourneutd.com.au/

Greeting from AJSV president

I hope this message finds you well and able to venture out a little more these days…

Bounenkai (忘年会) has a rather more poignant significance this month as we look back on 2020…

For centuries, Bounenkai parties in Japan have brought people together in December to console one another and forget the trials and tribulations of the past year. The very essence of Bounenkai is to get together with people you know, and who mean something to you. Not much fun having a Bounenkai on your own!

With the easing of the COVID 19 restrictions, those of us engaged in the relationship with Japan have the opportunity to meet up with friends and colleagues again this December and reflect back on what has been an exceptionally challenging year.

The AJSV will be holding its Bounenkai gathering on December 17, and you are all welcome to attend. Please check this Newsletter and the AJSV website for registration details.

We have had to make quite a few changes at AJSV over the past year to keep up our quality of service to members. I am pleased to report that AJSV has risen to the challenge, and there has in fact been some enduring silver lining with the COVID 19 cloud.

We have been quick to adopt online options for our programs and events, some of which are likely to continue online after we are again able to bring people together for our more traditional events. The AJSV’s business seminars, Konshinkai networking events, and the executive mentoring program have thrived through online platforms this year, attracting participants from Japan, Australia and other countries. Business seminar themes have ranged from women in leadership in the Australia-Japan relationship, collaboration in large scale energy projects, post-merger integration, the challenges of ‘virtual communication’, and Australia-Japan collaboration in Space programs. We will of course re-start other traditional AJSV social events and the student exchange scholarship programs as soon as circumstances allow.

I would like to take this opportunity to especially thank the AJSV family of volunteers who have given so much of their time and expertise to the AJSV cause during this difficult year. Each of you have had other demands to deal with at work and at home through the COVID 19 restrictions. Yet you have continued to make such a valuable contribution to AJSV, enabling us to deliver some really impressive outcomes.

All AJSV members share a genuine belief in maintaining a strong relationship between Australia and Japan, and the rewards and benefits this has to offer. Our collective mission is to foster understanding of the importance and value of this relationship. Your membership and participation in our programs is vital in helping further this cause. Thank you sincerely for your continued support.

The COVID 19 situation has impacted all of us, and I wish you every success in your efforts to meet the challenges that continue as we emerge from 2020.

Finally, best wishes to everyone for the Festive Season, and I am looking forward to meeting up again in person next year.

Please keep safe…and stay in touch.

Ross Ciaravolo

President

Spring Konshinkai report

We had a great turn out for the Spring Konshinkai, with a lot of new guests and familiar faces. Taking a different tack we held a quiz with a mix of trivia classics, all things Japan - Australia and some slightly more obscure questions.

While the room showed an impressive pool of trivia whizzes, the leaderboard changed on nearly every question with the winner undecided until the very final round. If you’re keen to test your trivia muscles, here’s the question that decided the winner:

Founded in 578 AD, Kongō Gumi is Japan’s oldest company. What do they do?

1.Sweet making
2.Incense making
3.Publishing
4.Construction

Curious about the answer? See below

Special thanks goes to Natalia, Okamoto san and Simone for their help running the evening. Also a big thank you to Narim for providing the quiz prize (https://narim.net/).

We’re busy planning the next Konshinkai, so keep a look out and come along!

Spring Konshinkai 

Date and Time: Thursday 15^th October, 8 pm  Online 

Spring is finally here and what better way to celebrate than to join us at the AJSV for some casual cross border networking.

We welcome members and non-members, please also join from overseas and interstates.

We usually allocate people into a small group and rotate hence it's a great networking opportunity even though it's an online format.

While we’re aiming to keep this one casual, we’ll also be running a quiz for anyone who wants to exercise their trivia muscles.

Register here 

Sake Social Online Konshinkai report

Earlier last month, AJSV members and guests had the pleasure of attending a sake social online event run by Simone Maynard and Melissa Mills. With an undeniable chemistry, Simone and Melissa took us through the history, production and types of sake before guiding us through the tasting of two great examples from Fukushima

Brewery Niida Honke:

·         Kinpou Odayaka"Fat Frog" Junmai Ginjo

·         Shizenshu Kan Atsurae Junmai

Following the session, Simone and Melissa treated us to a behind the scenes conversation on the newest developments in the field and some of the more exciting sake to look out for.

Special thanks to Simone and Melissa for a really fun event and to everyone who joined us from across Victoria and Japan.

Sake Social Online Konshinkai

Date and Time: Thursday 10 September 8:00 pm- 

AJSV Virtual Business Briefing report

In August we hosted the first edition of our AJSV Virtual Business Briefing Series with a session on remote working across Australian and Japanese cultures.

Guest speakers Melanie Brock (Managing Director of Melanie Brock Advisory and Board Member of the AJBCC) and Craig Keary (Managing Director - Asia Pacific Region of AMP Capital and Board Member of the AJBCC) shared their expert insights on how to navigate the intricacies of doing business across Australia and Japan even whilst working remotely.

The session focused on building business relationships across cultures without the pleasure of meeting face-to-face, maintaining professionalism when working from home and how to manage personal wellbeing whilst also looking out for your peers during this period of uncertainty. Attendees were also able to participate through interactive viewer polls and the Q&A session.

AJSV would like to thank our guest speakers and all who attended the event. 

Please check the AJSV website for updates on our upcoming business briefings covering the economic recovery of Australia and Japan in the wake of COVID-19 and the Australia-Japan collaboration in space exploration.

1. Japanese Noh Theatre at Odawara Castle: Aoi no Ue

The Noh program is titled as "Aoi no Ue", which is based on the book "Aoi no Maki" in the "Tale of Genji". The performance will feature Kanze-style Shite-kata (the main role) played by Kanze Yoshimasa, a famous Noh actor who appears in many Noh performances worldwide. His stunning video performance filmed at Odawara Castle will be streamed simultaneously worldwide. Before and after the Noh program, Odawara's local Japanese drum performance "Hojo Daiko" and the ninja show "FUMA NINJA Legend of ODAWARA", which was well-received at the performances in overseas last year, will showcase to make the event even more exciting. An English guide will also be given to participants. 

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2. Short Shorts Film Fetvial and Asia will premiere online

Hosted in Tokyo since 1999, this is the first time the festival will offer online viewing, as well as live-streamed events. The festival will show over 200 short films from 112 countries and regions by both up-and-coming and established directors. Even better, the majority of the films are free to watch and have English subtitles.  After coronavirus delays, the largest international short film festival in Japan will begin September 16

3. Tokyo National Museum's online exhibition 

Established in 1872, the Tokyo National Museum is Japan's oldest national museum and boasts an extensive collection of historical artifacts from the country as well as other parts of Asia. In this online exhibition, you'll be able to examine over 100 precious items including sculptures, ceramics and textiles with detailed descriptions of the stories they depict. One particularly intriguing part of the online catalogue is the 16th-century painting 'Maple Viewers' by Kano Hideyori, where you can see a lively scene of priests, warriors and young children enjoying the autumn leaves of Kiyotaki river by Mount Takao in Kyoto.

4. Free Japanese learning materials

NNK World on demand has great free learning videos for fun and easy Japanese.

Easy Japanese : You can fast track your language learning with these simple expressions. Plus handy travel tips and easy kanji.

Easy Japanese for Work : You can accelerate your Japanese language skills by learning practical, effective workplace expressions, understanding business culture and improve your kanji.

5. See Japan's 47 prefectures in 130 seconds 

Travel to Japan is still impossible, but at least there’s plenty of Japanese Netflix, travel research and online events to help bring Japan to you anywhere in the world.

Lift up your spirit: Buddha's saying #6

“Think not lightly of good, saying, ‘It will not come to me.’ Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the wise man, gathering it little by little, fills himself with good.”

You can achieve greatness by taking little baby steps. Just like filling a jug, putting one drop of water into the jug may seem insignificant, but if you consistently fill the jug with even just one drop of water, the jug will become full eventually. Nothing great will come at once. Taking every little step counts.

Easy Peasy Japanesey! 

#13 Yaki daikon

Ingredients (for 2 people)

250g    daikon (white radish)

½ tbs   cooking sake

½ tbs   mirin     

½ tbs   soy sauce

Chopped spring onions to garnish

Instructions

1.    Peel a skin of daikon and cut into 1cm-1.5cm. Make a shallow cut in a cross pattern on one end.
2.    Place them a microwavable dish and use a glad wrap to cover (not too tight), microwave about 3 minutes
3.    Heat a little oil in a frying pan and fry in low to medium heat for about 2 minutes each side until golden brown
4.    Pour sake, mirin and soy sauce and garnish with spring onions