The Japan Foundation, London

23/10/2026

Are you planning your post-graduation career path? Are you interested in teaching Japanese in secondary schools in England? Would you like to get the teaching qualification to realise that ambition? If so, don’t miss this great opportunity!

The Japan Foundation, London and the National Modern Languages SCITT will be holding a career information event aimed at potential applicants for the National Modern Languages SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training). This is a national scheme approved by the government’s Department for Education. It is designed to train successful applicants to become Early Career Teachers by obtaining a QTS (Qualified Teacher Status). In addition, you will be able to find out useful information concerning how to find a job in the education sector.

- Date/Time:
13:00-13:45 on Tuesday 1st December
18:00-18:45 on Wednesday 2nd December
*The same session will take place twice.

- Participation fee: Free (registration in advance is required.)
- Registration deadline: 29th November 2026
- Languages used: English.
- Online (ZOOM software)

Find out more and apply: https://lo.jpf.go.jp/whats-on/school-centred-initial-teacher-training-information-event-for-applicants/

23/10/2026

The weather can't deter us! ☔

Nao-cola YAMAZAKI is on their way to and we can't wait to welcome you for tonight's sold out at Storysmith Books. Rain or shine, it's going to be a great evening! 📚✨

🗓️23 October
🕒18:30~
📍Storysmith, 236 North Street, Bristol, BS3 1JD

22/10/2026

Coming soon to !

Discover the culture in Ise City and make your own Zai (Ceremonial Baton) used for the Okihiki Ceremony in Ise Jingu’s famous Shikinen Sengu (Periodic Shrine Rebuilding).

🗓️ 10 November
⏰ 18:00~
📍 West Court, Jesus College, Cambridge, CB5 8BQ
🔗 https://panoramajournal.org/event/global-cultures-ise-workshop-10-nov-2026/

22/10/2026

Nao-cola YAMAZAKI is heading to tomorrow for a SOLD OUT talk! 🔥

Looking to catch the award-winning before the tour is over? The final event is at Off the Shelf Festival Of Words in on 24 Oct. Tickets still available below. ⬇️

📅24 October
🕒15:00~
📍Millennium Gallery, 48 Arundel Gate, Sheffield, S1 2PP
🔗 https://offtheshelf.org.uk/events/dont-laugh-at-other-peoples-s*x-lives-nao-cola-yamazaki/Nao-cola

21/10/2026

!

Join us at ICA, London [17 Nov] for a rare screening of IMAMURA Shohei's landmark "Karayuki-san: The Making of a Pr******te" (1973), shedding light on the lives of women trafficked across Asia as indentured s*x workers.

🗓️ 17 November
⏰ 18:30~
📍 Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, SW1Y 5AH
🔗 https://ica.art/films/imamura-karayuki-san

21/10/2026

Japanese Language Local Project Support Programme 2026-2027 Autumn

Applications are now open for our Japanese language funding programme.

Institutions can apply for up to £2500 for non-profit-making projects or activities which promote Japanese language education in the UK. Please see the attached documents at the bottom of this page for more detailed information.

There are 4 prioritised categories:
• Newly Introducing Japanese into the curriculum
• Supporting GCSE or A-level courses
• New Japanese Clubs
• Projects that enable links between primary/secondary institutions and institutions of higher education

Deadline: 19th November 2026 (Thur), 23:59

Find out more and download an application form: https://lo.jpf.go.jp/funding/programme/localprojectsupportprogrammelanguage/

21/10/2026

We are delighted to announce that applications for the 22nd Japanese Speech Contest for University Students are now open.

The contest is open to undergraduate students who are studying a Japanese course at a university in the UK or Ireland, including as an elective, optional or other university-based language course. There are three categories: the Speech Category, the Individual Presentation and Group Presentation Categories.

Five shortlisted candidates/groups from each category will be invited to give speeches and presentations at the Finals Day of the contest, which will be held on Saturday 6th March 2027 at King’s College London. There will be fantastic prizes to finalists.
https://lo.jpf.go.jp/whats-on/the-22nd-japanese-speech-contest-for-university-students/

20/10/2026

This year, the Japan Foundation's International Creations in Performing Arts 2025 programme supported a powerful collaboration between Japan and the UK.

Directors and actors from BIRD Theatre Company TOTTORI, which conducts theatrical activities in Tottori - Japan’s least populated prefecture - collaborated with a poet, a musical group, and actors based in Galloway, a region in Scotland, UK, that is struggling with depopulation, to jointly create a new musical theatre centred on the theme of community disappearance.

The performance was previewed in the UK in June 2026, and premiered in Japan in September 2026.

The story behind this collaborative project was featured on ITV news, available to watch here on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lIVNt5OvypA?t=66

Find out more about the Japan Foundation's International Creations in Performing Arts 2025 here: https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/project/culture/perform/creation/2025/index.html

Directors and actors from BIRD Theatre Company TOTTORI, which conducts theatrical activities in Tottori—Japan’s least populated prefecture—will collaborate with a poet, a musical group, and actors based in Galloway, a region in Scotland, UK, that is struggling with depopulation, to jointly cre...

20/10/2026

Next stop: ! 🚆

A huge thank you to for such a warm welcome for Nao-cola YAMAZAKI. Now it's on to the next leg of the UK , and we can't wait to see everyone in London tomorrow!

Get your tickets:
🔗https://dauntbooks.co.uk/shop/events/nao-cola-yamazaki-in-conversation-with-sharlene-teo/

19/10/2026

!

Bestselling Nao-cola YAMAZAKI takes the stage tonight 19 Oct at Manchester Literature Festival following a beautiful evening at Cheltenham Festivals. Don’t miss out. ⬇️

🗓️ 19 Oct
⏰ 18:30~
🔗 https://manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk/events/nao-cola-yamazaki