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An Online Newsletter Showcasing Our Programs for the Month of January 2026! |
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Happy New Year from all of us at
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ART EXHIBITION The exhibition showcases “Package Craft,” a creative form of papercraft that transforms empty boxes into 3D figures such as heroes, animals and Buddhist statues. Each piece follows strict rules: only one box can be used per work, all materials must be used with minimal waste, and all printed text must remain readable, even if letters are separated. This innovative craft highlights the beauty and potential of everyday packaging. Visitors can enjoy not only the final pieces but also the original blueprints and animated videos featuring the crafted characters. The exhibition is rich in creativity and encourages a playful, eco-friendly approach to artmaking. Additionally, the exhibition presents Project-Katagamika, which reinterprets classical Japanese art forms, such as ukiyo-e and family crests, by deconstructing and reconstructing them into innovative visual expressions. Overall, the show celebrates sustainability, design, and creativity, inviting viewers to perceive discarded materials in a completely new light. At the opening of the exhibition, visitors can enjoy a talk and a demonstration by Kazuma Takahashi from Japan, along with Japanese treats and freshly brewed coffee. |
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SPECIAL PROGRAM One of the key priorities in U.S.–Japan relations is strengthening grassroots exchange to help the next generation develop a deeper understanding of Japan. In support of this goal, the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles, in collaboration with the Japanese-Language Institute, Urawa, will offer two specialized teacher training programs in the summer of 2026 for non-native K–12 Japanese-language teachers in the United States. These programs are designed to enhance participants’ Japanese language proficiency and professional skills. |
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IN-PERSON LECTURE SERIES The gradual shift towards wood as the primary material for Buddhist sculpture during the eighth century established a Japanese sculpture-making tradition from which new aesthetics and techniques would emerge during the Heian period. From the seemingly incomplete arabori sculptures to the masterwork of the sculptor Jōchō at Byōdōin, sculpture reached new heights and reinforced the potential of wood as a medium. This is the third session of six monthly classroom-style lectures that trace the historical development of sculpture in Japan. These lively conversations explore Japanese sculptures from various time periods and mediums through in-depth explanations about how and why they were made. Participants will also encounter obscure topics related to sculpture-making in Japan.
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WORKSHOP Join us for a New Year workshop that introduces Japanese temple traditions and the meaning of ema, wooden plaques used for wishes. Rev. Yuryu Mori of Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin in Little Tokyo will give a brief talk about New Year traditions such as hatsumode. He will explain the origins and purpose of ema, how wishes are written and dedicated, and the meaning of the zodiac—2026 being the Year of the Horse. He will also introduce other traditional good-luck items, including omikuji, omamori, and hamaya. After the talk, participants will write their wishes on ema plaques featuring designs of the zodiac animals or the Seven Gods of Fortune. Plaques are available for $10 or $5 (*limited quantities; please bring cash or a check), and you may take your ema home. Before leaving, guests are invited to draw a New Year’s omikuji as a small gift from the temple—a fun way to welcome 2026! |
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WORKSHOP As part of a traditional Japanese New Year custom, participants will experience Kakizome—the practice of writing calligraphy to mark the beginning of the year. In this workshop, you will learn to write the kanji character for “horse” (uma), the zodiac animal of 2026, using Japanese calligraphy (shodō). Our instructor, Kuniharu Yoshida, will guide you step by step, beginning with the fundamentals: proper posture, how to hold the brush correctly, and basic stroke order. From there, he will introduce different styles of calligraphy, ranging from traditional and structured forms to more modern and expressive approaches. By the end of the workshop, you will create your own original rendering of the kanji for “horse,” expressing your personal intention and creativity for the New Year! |
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MUSIC & ART
Why not music inspired by art while surrounded by art? In this series, In the Tune of Art, we select music that matches the theme and artwork of the current exhibition and invite you to enjoy the melody in that environment. Musicians will also give special perform improvised performances inspired by the art. Musicians will also give special perform improvised performances inspired by the art. For this fifth session, held in conjunction with the current exhibition Package Craft: From Candy Box to Sculpture, a Los Angeles–based Japanese musician, Ryoji Inatsugi, will lead a special percussion performance. The program features a variety of instruments, including Japanese taiko drums, African and Latin American drums, the Okinawan sanshin, a xylophone and so on. Participants will also be invited to join in and experience playing the instruments together. Join us in discovering the joy of creating art from “boxes” through sound and shared experience!
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CONVERSATION & ART
Let’s Chat in Japanese! Our popular Japanese conversation event, Tea Time, returns for the first time in 2026 at the Japan Foundation. Let’s get together and chat with native Japanese speakers while enjoying Japanese snacks and tea in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. This time, Tea Time will be held inside the current exhibition, “Package Craft: From Candy Box to Sculpture” As you explore creative artworks made from Japanese candy and snack boxes, enjoy Japanese sweets and tea together. As a special treat, members of the L.A. Men’s Glee Club will perform Japanese songs and invite everyone to join in a group singing experience. All levels and all ages are welcome. No prior Japanese language experience is required—this event is open to everyone. We look forward to meeting you! Ages: 18 and up; Under 18 with accompanying adult.
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TEACHER PROGRAM The initial Lead Teacher (LT)/Host Organization application period for the Japanese Language Education Assistant Program (J-LEAP) has ended, and now the Laurasian Institution and the Japan Foundation will select the best candidates from those who applied to move forward. This month, we would like to welcome Aina Kondo at Chalmette High School in Chalmette, LA and Haruka Nishida at Shaler Area High School in Glenshaw, PA. Click the links above to read their stories! |
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ON DEMAND Thank you for sharing your moments with us this past year through Japanese films and videos.Since January, 2025, the number of JFF Theater registered users has grown by more than 100,000 — now reaching 150,000! To everyone who has been enjoying JFF Theater and to all of you who newly joined us this year, thank you so much. From the stories that moved your heart, to the lines that touched your soul, and the scenes that inspired your imagination — what were your favorite moments? We are excited to present the country-by-country ranking for JFF Theater registered users in 2025, as well as the most popular titles from each streaming period! Top 5 Countries by Registered Users 1 Indonesia Top Titles From Each Streaming Period Feb. 1 – May 1, 2025: May 1 – Aug. 1, 2025: Aug. 1 – Oct. 31, 2025: Oct. 31, 2025 – Current: Statistics are based on data as of Dec. 15, 2025. We hope you will continue to enjoy JFF Theater in 2026! |
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My Keisho Nihongo, Your Keisho Nihongo Interview Series Being a Keisho Nihongo/Japanese-as-a-Heritage-Language (JHL) learner, as opposed to a Japanese-as-a-Foreign Language (JFL) learner, can carry with it a set of unique challenges when there is a lack of local access to specialized education and community. Bicultural identity, especially in countries rich in diversity like the U.S., can factor into these learners' language acquisition and can be difficult for them to navigate. In this interview series, we talk with Keisho Nihongo learners about the personal challenges they faced and what helped them overcome those challenges. We hope that the advice, perspectives, and unique stories offered in these interviews will help and motivate other Keisho Nihongo learners throughout the U.S. Yuuka Itoh: https://youtu.be/L-Qr5rjoXzw |
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General Invitation to Join JF USA Digital Library We recently renewed and added many new books in coordination with our New York and Toronto offices for our patrons in the US and Canada. There have also been an uptick in the number of applicants as well, which shows that this is a very popular service. We have also updated the application survey and the confirmation emails are still going out once a week on Wednesdays by 6:00PM pacific time. If you register and do not receive a welcome email from us within a Wednesday of registering, please contact us so we can help you out. |
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2025-2026 Japanese Language Grants Now Available! Grant for Nationwide/Statewide/Region-wide Projects for Teachers Advocacy Support Letter Click Here to contact us and select Anything Related to Japanese Education. |
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Japanese Language Education Update 144
As announced last month, we have been collaborating with our Japanese Language Institute in Urawa to develop an exciting new professional development opportunity for non-native K–12 Japanese language teachers in the United States. Next summer, we will welcome two groups of 24 teachers each to our institute in Japan for a three and a half week program focused on intensive language and cultural training. Opportunities of this kind are rare, so we encourage interested educators to submit their applications before the deadline. In addition, our Japanese language team here at JFLA has recently assumed administrative responsibility for the Google Group Sensei Online. Originally established as a Yahoo! Groups mailing list, Sensei Online transitioned to Google Groups following the discontinuation of Yahoo! Groups in 2020. The group includes hundreds of professionals engaged in Japanese language education and serves as a valuable platform for exchanging advice, sharing job opportunities, and disseminating teaching resources and information. Teachers who have not yet joined are encouraged to do so by clicking here. We are also pleased to share two new reports from current J-LEAP participants serving as teaching assistants in schools across the United States. Be sure to read about their experiences and insights from working in American classrooms. Finally, for educators in Keisho Nihongo Programs, we’re excited to launch our support initiatives this month! We’re offering three opportunities: Book Donations, Event Support, and Project Grants.
To learn more and apply, Click Here! |
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5700 Wilshire blvd, Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90036
jflainfo@jpf.go.jp
323.761.7510
