"Learning Australia" lecture series at The Center for Australian Studies, Otemon Gakuin University.

Info: www.otemon.ac.jp/cas/

Pianist David Helfgott, whose life story was told in the Academy Award-winning film, Shine, will be touring Japan for a series of concerts in July

Economic Planning Agency former director Taichi Sakaiya discusses the economic impact of an ageing Japanese society at the Australian National University.

Australian National University
Info: www.anu.edu.au

Aoi Festival, also known as the Hollyhock Leaf Crest Festival, is a beautiful Kyoto parade reconstructing the ancient Heian Court.

Info: http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/

Aoi Festival

Japanese rock band Yura Yura Teikoku plays at Hopetoun Hotel Sydney

Info: Hopetoun Hotel 02 9361 5257

Japanese rock band Yura Yura Teikoku

"In Repose" video art exhibition and performance by Satsuki Odamura and Wakako Asano; a tribute to Japanese souls resting at Townsville Cemetery.

Info: www.mayu.com.info

Japan Australia Education and Exchange Forum with Japan's first astronaut, Dr Mamoru Mohri, and other distinguished guests at the Tokyo International Forum Lobby.

Info: www.nida.edu.au

J-League champion team Urawa Reds MF, Yuki Abe (Image courtesy of Urawa Reds)

Asian Football Confederation, Champion's League. Urawa Reds vs Sydney FC at Saitama Stadium.

Info: www.the-afc.com/english/index.asp

Furoshiki - Reviving a Dyeing Art. Japanese artist Shumei Kobayashi demonstrates and features in a rare exhibition of the 400-year-old textile dyeing practise of Tsutsugaki Yuzen.

Japan Foundation Gallery, Sydney
Info: www.jpf.org.au

Fascinating works at the Furoshiki Exhibition

Tales from Earthsea, the latest film from the award-winning Studio Ghibli (Howl's Moving Castle, Spirited Away), is screening for a strictly limited season at the Dendy Newtown and Kino Dendy. Australia is the first English-speaking country to screen this truly wondrous film.

www.dendy.com.au
www.talesfromearthsea.com.au.

Australian Chamber Orchestra presents Enchanted. Fiddler extraordinaire Mike Kerin joins Richard Tognetti and ACO for a concert series of enchanting surprises. Aiko Goto, the Japanese violinist, is a member of the ACO.

Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth
Info: www.aco.com.au

Australian Chamber Orchestra presents Hope. Acclaimed violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja makes her Australian debut directing a program of Vivaldi, Kodaly and Rossini.

Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth
Info: www.aco.com.au

David Helfgott "Shine Your Life 2007" tour of Japan.

Info: www.arts.australia.or.jp/0707/helfgott/

Australian Ballet performance of Swan Lake at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan.

Info: www.arts.australia.or.jp/ english/index.html

The Australian Ballet Company's production of Sleeping Beauty hits the stage in Japan

Australian Ballet performance of Sleeping Beauty at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan.

Info: www.arts.australia.or.jp/english/index.html

Osaka: Perfect Liberty Foundation Fireworks Festival. One of Japan's biggest and most prestigious fireworks events.

Miyajima Floating Fireworks Festival ©JNTO

Aomori Nebuta Festival features parades of many impressive and original floats.

Info: www.nebuta.or.jp/
english/index_e.htm

Nebuta Fectival ©JNTO

The Sun-Herald City2Surf.

Info:city2surf.sunherald.com.au

Awa-odori is a dance and music festival in which hundreds of men and women perform the traditional Awa dance through the streets of Tokushima.
Info: www.city.tokushima.tokushima.jp
/english/awaodori.html

A traditional Japanese dance called Awa-odori (Image courtesy of Awa-odori kaikan)

AUTUMN 2007

SUMMER 2006/2007