Note: This page is written only in English and Romanized Japanese. However, some links lead to pages expressed in Japanese characters, which may look gibberish depending on your browser's setup. E-mail: AdvancedJP@hotmail.com
Advanced Japanese Language School
of Los Angeles
-- Newspaper reading -- Short sentence composition -- Intellectual conversation -- Relaxed atmosphereLessons are most appropriate for those prospective students who finished colleges as Japanese majors/minors OR the highest level of Japanese classes at UCLA Extension or at community colleges, and still wish to continue learning the language. Also good for those who have lived in Japan and acquired good listening/reading skills in Japanese.
Recommended dictionaries:
Good complete example sentences in Japanese, which are longer than many other dictionaries contain. This is originally meant for high school and college students who learn ENGLISH as a second language in Japan. However, as there are no advanced-level Japanese-English dictionaries available which are originally prepared for non-Japanese native speakers, this dictionary is a good alternative.
Example Textbooks:
The above is a good textbook to prepare you for the "Nihongo Noryoku Shiken" proficiency exam, "1-Kyu" and "2-Kyu", namely the first and second classes from the top level.
'WORKBOOK for 500 Essential Japanese Expressions'
ISBN: 4872346955 Published by ALC Press
The accompanying WORKBOOK for the textbook
Beggining and Intermediate level version written by the same authors of the "500" book. Explanations are in Japanese, English and Chinese. This book has many things that only advanced students would really appreciate.
For more information about the school, send your e-mail to Yoshio
AdvancedJP@hotmail.com
Other Japanese language schools/classes:
UCLA Extension Programs University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Los Angeles: UCLA East Asian Languages & Cultures: EALC Civilizations of China, Korea, Japan and India. BA, MA, PhD. Center for Japanese Studies USC: University of Southern California East Asian Languages and Cultures Pomona College Asian Languages and Literatures 4-year private college located in Claremont, California, 35 miles east of Los Angeles. Pomona College is one of The Claremont Colleges, a consortium of five undergraduate and two graduate institutions: Claremont Graduate University, Scripps College, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, Pitzer College, the Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences, and Pomona College Santa Monica College: SMC Japanese classes El Camino College: ECC Japanese classes Torrance, CA Pasadena City College: PCC Japanese classes Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Most of the nine college within the district offer Elementary Japanese classes. West LA College (WLAC), Los Angeles City College (LACC), Valley College (LAVC), Pierce College, East LA College (ELAC), Harbor College (LAHC), Southwest College (LASC), Trade-Tech College (LATTC), Mission College Cal State Northridge (CSUN) California State University, Northridge Cal State Long Beach (CSULB) California State University, Long Beach Cal State Los Angeles (CSULA) California State University, Los Angeles Moorpark College (in Ventura County) Address: 7075 Campus Road Moorpark, CA 93021 Japanese-Online Free online Japanese lessons, online dictionary, discussion forum, etc. If you are just starting, you can get some idea about Japanese language from the lessons.
Japanese-English Conversation Exchange in Little Tokyo, downtown L.A. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. At Little Tokyo "Koban" Police Sub-Station 307 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 (at the corner of San Pedro St.: Click for the map.) (213) 613-0281 (Koban number) NO LONGER at the "Japanese American Culture and Community Center" Virtually free. On-site open registration. For more information: (310) 473-8616 (Coordinator's number) "Language Door" formerly "Foreign Language Society" Language school in West Los Angeles area and in Orange County. They have monthly Japanese language conversation meetings (free). 11870 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 202 Los Angeles, CA 90025 (Moved from Westwood Blvd. & Pico Blvd.) Phone: (310) 826-4140 Osaka Sangyo University L.A.: OSULA Studio City, CA 91604 Berlitz Language Centers Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies (IUC) Yokohama, Japan Stanford Administrative Office Sponsored jointly by 16 US universities (formerly 11 US and Canadian universities, "11-Daigaku"): University of California, Los Angeles; Columbia University; Cornell University; Harvard University; Indiana University; Ohio State University; Princeton University; Stanford University; University of California, Berkeley; University of Chicago; University of Hawaii; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; University of Michigan; University of Washington; University of Wisconsin, Madison; Yale University.
Defense Language Institute (DLI) Foreign Language Center: DLIFLC Presidio of Monterey, California formerly: Military Intelligence Service Language School and Army Language School Originally it began as a secret language school named the Defense Language Institute in November 1941 at Crissy Field on the Presidio of San Francisco to teach Japanese. Have you heard of Edward Seidensticker and Donald Keene? Monterey Institute of International Studies: MIIS Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation: (GSTI) Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), English, French, German, Spanish, Russian Address: 460 Pierce Street Monterey, CA 93940 Phone (831) 647-3520 Japanese-Language Institute, Urawa The Japan Foundation Training Programs for Teachers (of Japanese Language) Address: 5-6-36 Kita Urawa, Urawa-ku Saitama-shi, Saitama-ken 330-0074, Japan "Urawa-ku" was formerly "Urawa-shi" before the city merged with Omiya-shi and Yono-shi and became part of "Saitama-shi" in 2001, the 13th year of Heisei period. The National Institute for Japanese Language: NIJLA Kokuritsu Kokugo Kenkyujo Formerly The National Language Research Institute: NLRI The English title of the Institute was changed in April 2001. Kyodo System: The Japanese Language School Unified System A group of Japanese language schools in Southern California, whose main mission has been to teach Japanese to descendants of Japanese Americans. So-called "heritage Japanese" category. There are some classes for adults too. Seven member schools: Rafu Chuo Gakuen (Preschool, Elementary, Jr. & Sr. High School) 202 N. Saratoga Street, Los Angeles 90033 Phone: (323) 268-4955 (Saturday) Rafu Daiichi Gakuen (Elementary) 1218 Menlo Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90006 Phone: (213) 383-4706 JR. and SR. High School (Jr. & Sr. High, Cultural Classes) 1218 Menlo Ave., Los Angeles CA 90006 Phone: (213) 383-4706 Valley Gakuen (Elementary, Jr. & Sr. High School) 8850 Lankershim Blvd., Sun Valley, CA 91352 Phone: (818) 767-9921 (Saturday) Pasadena Gakuen (Elementary/ Jr. High School) 595 Lincoln Avenue, Pasadena CA 91103 Phone: (626) 356-9061 (Saturday) Orange Coast Gakuen (Elementary, Jr. & Sr. High School) 9700 Levee Dr., Huntington Beach, CA 92646 Phone: (714) 964-7446 (Saturday) Riverside Gakuen (Elementary) 8172 Magnolia Ave., Riverside CA 92504 Phone: (213) 383-4706 Non-Kyodo "heritage Japanese" schools: Japanese Institute of Sawtelle 2110 Corinth Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90025 310-479-2477 Venice Japanese Language School 12448 Braddock Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90066 310-822-7781 Gardena Japanese Cultural Institute Japanese Language School 1964 W 162nd St. Gardena, CA 90247 310-324-6611 Gardena Buddhist Church: Japanese Language School 1517 West 166th Street Gardena, California 90247 310-327-9400 West Covina Japanese Language School 1203 W Puente Av, West Covina, CA 91790 626-337-6174 Orange County Japanese Language School 909 S Dale Av, Anaheim, CA 92804 714-827-9590 "Japanese Immersion Program" for children El Marino Language School, an elementary school Also a "Spanish Immersion Program" at this school. Address: 11450 Port Road Culver City, CA 90230 (3l0) 842-4241 Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD) Nishimachi International School Famed co-educational and non-sectarian school in central Tokyo, Japan. Taught in dual-language: English and Japanese. Kindergarten through Grade 9. Address: 2-14-7 Moto-Azabu Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0046, Japan Phone: 03-3451-5538 or 03-3451-5520 E-mail: admissions@nishimachi.ac.jp Venice High School Foreign Language Magnet For grades 9-12. Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Italian, Latin, Spanish. Address: 13000 Venice Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90066 (310) 306-7981 Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Asahi Gakuen Serves mainly children of expatriate Japanese business people, somewhat mistakenly called "shosha". The students are native speakers of Japanese. Main Office: 244 S. San Pedro St., #308, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 613-1325 Santa Monica site: DANIEL WEBSTER MIDDLE SCHOOL 11330 W. Graham Place, Los Angeles, CA 90064 (310) 478-5707 (Saturdays: school hours only 8:45 to 16:00) Torrance site: TORRANCE SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL 4801 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance, CA 90505 (310) 373-1177 San Gabriel site: SOUTH EL MONTE HIGH SCHOOL 1001 N. Durfee Ave., South El Monte, CA 91733 (818) 579-6966 Orange site: Santiago High School 12342 Trask Ave., Garden Grove, CA 92843 (714) 292-6190 ISS Translators, Inc. Interpreter Training Center Teaches consecutive and simultaneous interpreting techniques to mostly Japanese native speakers. English to/from Japanese. Classes are not meant for speakers of Japanese as a second language. Address: 3528 Torrance Blvd., #215 Torrance, CA 90503 (310) 316-3121
Useful Japan-related links:
Japanese Input Method Web-based Ajax IME You can input Kanji on non-Japanese PCs anywhere. All you need is a browser. All you need is a browser on a computer of your friend or a work place. Separately, for your own PC with Windows 2000 or Windows XP: Your installation CD includes Japanese fonts as well as fonts of many other languages. Control Panel > Regional and Language Options > Languages tab Under "Supplemental language support", choose "Install files for East Asian languages" and figure out the rest yourself. Japan Foundation Language Center (Kokusai Koryu Kikin) Address: 333 South Grand Avenue, Suite 2250 Los Angeles, , CA, 90071, U.S.A This center moved from the "Water Garden Office Park" business complex in Santa Monica to Downtown Los Angeles in May 2002. They have a good library anyone can use. To check out books, you would have to be a teacher of Japanese language. Japan Foundation, the headquarters in Japan Notes: Japan Foundation, Kokusai Koryu Kikin, should not be confused with DBA Nippon Zaidan (Nippon Foundation -- formerly, The Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation or The Sasakawa Foundation), which is funded by motorboat racing and was originally founded by the late Ryoichi Sasakawa, also pronounced as "Sasagawa". This organization is now headed by Yohei Sasakawa, Ryoichi's son. Ayako Sono, a well-known novelist, is a onetime Chairman. DBA Nippon Zaidan (Nippon Foundation) Official name: Nihon Senpaku Shinkokai (Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation) Japanese Language Proficiency Test: JLPT (Nihongo Noryoku Shiken) ADMINISTERED IN JAPAN Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: JEES (Nihon Kokusai Kyoiku Shien Kyokai) Notes: 1) For the test given in North America: Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Honolulu, Vancouver, Toronto, try "The Japan Foundation" site mentioned earlier. 2) Level One (1-Kyu) is rather the "First Class", the highest level. Do not be misled by their official English translation. Our way of translation below is owed to one of the school's former students. Thanks Nick. Level 1 (1-Kyu; First Class): the highest proficiency Level 2 (2-Kyu; Second Class) Level 3 (3-Kyu; Third Class) Level 4 (4-Kyu; Fourth Class): the lowest proficiency among the 4 levels EJU: Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students The same link above to Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) JETRO Business Japanese Proficiency Test Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) The test consists of two parts, a listening and reading comprehension test (JLRT) and an oral communication test (JOCT). The exam's listening and reading comprehension test (JLRT) will have only one level (formerly three) and numerical test scores will be issued as grades (formerly pass/fail). JETRO Los Angeles Office: 777 S. Figueroa St., Suite 4900 Los Angeles, CA 90017 (213) 624-8855 Ask about their free lessons. College Board AP Japanese Language and Culture Japan-America Society (Nichi-Bei Kyokai) Japan America Society of Southern California 345 South Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90071-1002 Phone: (213) 627-6217 Fax: (213) 627-1353 JET Program: Japan Exchange and Teaching Work in local government organizations or at high schools. JET Alumni link JET Alumni Association of Southern California (JETAA) c/o Consulate General of Japan, Los Angeles
Consulate General of Japan, Los Angeles: Ryoji-kan 350 S. Grand Ave., Suite 1700 Los Angeles, CA 90071 (213) 617-6700 Embassy of Japan: Taishi-kan 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington D.C. 20008 Tel: 202.238.6700 fax: 202.328.2187 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan: Gaimu-sho Tokyo, Japan
Bookstores / Distributors/ Publishers
Amazon.com has presence in Japan now: Amazon.co.jp. You can order books directly from Japan. Many other online bookstores in Japan refuses to send their merchandize to the areas outside of Japan. Your click links to a page titled "Information for English-Speaking Customers." Friendly Advice: As a delivery option, choose the "Express" delivery, by air, over the "Economy", by sea. The "Economy" might take more than a month and there is no tracking system available for this option. Imagine your possible frustration.
Amazon.com's US site: Foreign Languages > Japanese
Bonjinsha A major distributor of textbooks for Japanese language studies Address: 1-3-13 Hirakawa-cho Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0093, Japan TEL 03-3263-3959 Fujisan.com Online vendor based in Berkeley, California. 1942 University Ave #105 Berkeley, CA 94704 Sasuga bookstore Based in Massachusetts, U.S.A.: A good place to mail order Japanese textbooks. Kinokuniya Bookstores of America Co., Ltd. (213) 687-4480 123 Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka St. (Weller Court) Los Angeles, CA 90012 Downtown L.A., 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. * Good selection of textbooks for Japanese language learning. Not "Kiinokuniya" though you may think from its name written in Kanji. Sanseido Bookstore, Torrance (former site of Asahiya Bookstore) Do NOT pronounce the kanji characters of the store name as "Sanshodo." 21515 S Western Av. Torrance, CA 90501 (310) 782 2900 * Free parking all the time. Asahiya Bookstore, Downtown L.A -- (no longer in business) -- 333 S Alameda St #108 Los Angeles, CA 90013 (213) 626 5650 Nippon Book, Downtown Los Angeles Little Tokyo 114 Japanese Village Plaza Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213)617-1966 Asahiya Bookstore, Santa Monica Ceased its operation in 2002. Sawtelle Books & Music 2105 Sawtelle Bl. Los Angeles, CA 90025 310-477-8686 Sanseido Bookstore The largest Japanese bookstore in Orange County. Opened on June 6, 2003. Costa Mesa Store (at Mitsuwa Marketplace) 665 Paularino Ave. Costa Mesa CA 92626 (714) 556-2200 9:00AM - 8:00PM Shojikiya: Used books You may see some sewing machine-related products, their original line of business. 707 E 4th Pl. Los Angeles, CA 90013 Downtown L.A. near the large Mitsuwa Market, which was formerly a Yaohan. (213) 680 0173 Book Market: Used Comics and CDs Former site of Asahiya Bookstore, Santa Monica branch. 3760 Centinela Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90066 310-313-1213 Book Off: Used books 1610 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA 90247 The former site of Tokyo-do bookstore. 310-532-5010 Japan Book Center / Bonjinsha (a bookstore-distributor) They moved from Santa Monica to San Francisco, CA, in May 2002.
Dictionaries on the Web
Japanese<->English Dictionary Jeffrey E. F. Friedl Jeffrey's Kanji Lookup Learn more Kanji, Chinese characters. There is more to Japanese than just Hiragara and Katakana, the two sets of syllabic letters. PSP's Bi-Directional English Japanese Dictionary Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. For J to E look-ups, only real Japanese input is accepted. Romanized Japanese, Romaji, is NOT allowed. Maybe good for simple reference. Yahoo! (JP) Dictionaries Progressive Japanese-English, English-Japanese dictionaries by Shogakukan; Shin-jisen Japanese-Japanese dictionary by Shogakukan Kenkyusha, New College Japanese-English and English-Japanese dictionaries. Not just tango, words, but plenty of jukugo, expressions. Sanseido, EXCEED Japanese-English, English-Japanese dictionaries and Japanese-Japanese dictionary (Dai-jirin) Notes: Shogakukan's dictionaries became unavailable when the Lycos was merged with Infoseek in 2003, which is owned by Rakuten: Progressive Japanese-English, English-Japanese dictionaries; Shin-jisen Japanese-Japanese dictionary and Nipponica abridged encyclopedia For some of those, try Yahoo! (JP) Dictionaries instead. Sanseido, J-J dictionary (Dai-jirin) and EXCEED J-E, E-J dictionaries Goo.ne.jp search engine site (NTT-X). Wikipedia encyclopedia A multilingual project to create a free-content encyclopedia started in January 2001. For the content in Japanese, click "Nihongo (Japanese)" from the "In Other Languages" list.
Portable Electronic Dictionaries Since July 1, 2003, electronic dictionaries and PDAs became available at Amazon JP site. Unfortunately though, most of these electronic products are deliverable only to addresses in Japan. If you have friends in Japan, maybe you can ask them to forward the ordered items to you.
Rikai.com instant translation Very innovative dictionary. Move your mouse pointer over a Japanese word to see its reading and definition. If you want the same at a Japanese website of your own choice, do the following: Under the title "Read Text or Webpages with Popups!", enter the web-address of your choice, such as "asahi.com" in the box and click "GO!". In the newly opened page, do the same as in the original pages of Rikai.com. "Eijiro", user-supported J-E, E-J dictionary: Space ALC Look for "Eijiro (in Kanji) on the Web" and a search box at this "Space ALC" site. The large vocabulary is growing even further. Electronic Dictionary Project (EDP)
Technical dictionaries online ***(This free service is no longer available.)*** Look in the menu for "Jisho Sansho" service in Kanji. Cross Language Inc. Formerly Nova Asia. Address: 2-20-9 Nishi-Waseda Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0051, Japan Tel: 03-5287-7588 Email: info@crosslanguage.co.jp
German-Japanese dictionary Sanshusha Publishing Co., Ltd. More languages? In addition to dictionaries in English-Japanese, if you know good online Japanese dictionaries in French, Spanish, German, Russian, Korean or Chinese languages, please e-mail: AdvancedJP@hotmail.com
Newspapers / TV stations / Magazines
ANN News, TV-Asahi Streaming videos and the exact texts in Japanese of their narration. Verify your listening skills. This can be your own self-paced tutorial. Once there, click an icon: "Real Player" or Microsoft "Media Player". Japan News Network, JNN Tokyo Broadcasting System, TBS Broad/narrow band video. Nearly exact text of the narration. NHK TV, News NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation): Nihon Hoso Kyokai Streaming video and the text. Asahi Homecast Los Angeles local TV station Now on UHF Channel KXLA 44, no longer on KSCI 18.
United Television Broadcasting Systems: UTB Los Angeles local TV station Now on UHF Channel KSCI 18, no longer on KDOC 56. Address: 6779 Hawthorn Ave. Hollywood, CA 90028 Phone 323 469 2929
TV JAPAN: 24-hour satellite/cable broadcasting Japan Network Group, Inc., a joint venture of NHK public broadcasting and Itochu trading company groups. This is a subscription-based Japanese TV service available on DISH Network (EchoStar) satellite TV, not on DirecTV, and through limited number of cable TV systems. The original programs in Japan are arranged and broadcast 24 hours a day for North American viewers.
(US) TV Listings: Zap2it.com Tribune Media Services
(JP) Internet TV Guide Only in Japanese
'Asahi Shimbun' newspaper, a leading Japanese daily: link to English version (now "Herald Tribune/Asahi") Asahi Shimbun (also spelled Shinbun): link to Japanese version.
'Nihon Keizai Shimbun': Japan's leading financial paper better known as Nikkei (English version) Nikkei Japanese version.
'Mainichi Shimbun', Daily
'Yomiuri Shimbun', Daily
Kyodo News: Kyodo Tsushin An Associated Press of Japan on a much smaller scale. In English, Japanese and Chinese. Also, links to many regional newspapers in Japan. The company is in the process of moving its headquarters from Toranomon area to Shiodome area (Shiodome Sio-Site, Shimbashi), a new business/shopping town which has been known as the birthplace of Japanese railway system.
'Rafu Shimpo' Los Angeles local Japanese daily newspaper L.A. News Publishing Company Japanese-American daily newspaper established in 1903 in Los Angeles. Close ties with the Mainichi Shimbun of Tokyo. Notes: "Rafu" is an abbreviated and old-fashioned way of calling Los Angeles based on the Kanji characters that are used to transliterate the city's name, just like San Francisco is sometimes called "Soko" or America is rendered as "Beikoku" as you know. Address: 259 South Los Angeles St. Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 629-2231
JapanToday: News/Discussions Web-based English-language newspaper published in Tokyo, Japan. Comprehensive Japan-related topics. Published by Mark & Mary Devlin's Crisscross KK. Their main news source is Kyodo News (Kyodo Tsushin). Japan Times Japan's leading English-language newspaper. 'Nihongo Journal': Monthly magazine for Japanese language students. Published by ALC. 'Eijiro' E-J, J-E dictionary in CD-ROM.
'Mangajin' magazine The site of the legendary magazine is revived by Wasabi Brothers.
Hiragana Times
Good for beginning students.
'U.S. FrontLine News' New York-based bi-weekly magazine Their main audience is Japanese expatriate living in U.S.
Libraries
Los Angeles Public Library: Central Library 630 W. 5th St. Los Angeles, CA 90071 (213) 228-7000 The International Languages Department Japanese, Korean, Chinese; Arabic, Armenian, Czech & Slovak, Danish, Finnish, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Pilipino (Tagalog: Filipino language), Persian (Farsi: Iranian language), Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian & Croatian, Spanish, Swedish, Vietnamese, Yiddish. and Little Tokyo Branch Library, LAPL (new location) 203 S. Los Angeles Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 612-0525 Borrow Video tapes, DVDs and CDs in addition to books.
Torrance Library Katy Geissert Civic Center Library 3301 Torrance Blvd. Torrance, CA 90503 Phone: 310-618-5959
Gardena Public Library Gardena Mayme Dear Memorial Library 1731 W. Gardena Blvd. Gardena, CA 90247 Phone: (310) 323-6363
Nihongo Library The Japan Foundation Language Center Monday-Friday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Anyone is welcome. To check out books, you need to be a teacher of Japanese language. Parking validation no longer provided. 333 South Grand Avenue, Suite 2250 Los Angeles, CA 90071, U.S.A.
East Asian Library University of California, Los Angeles
National Diet Library: Kokuritsu Kokkai Toshokan Japanese counterpart of US Library of Congress Address: 1-10-1 Nagatacho Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8924 Japan Phone: 03-3581-2331
Classical Japanese literature on the Web The Japanese Text Initiative sponsored by The University of Virginia Library Electronic Text Center and University of Pittsburgh East Asian Library.
The Gordon W. Prange Collection University Libraries, University of Maryland Publications issued in Japan from 1945 to 1949: the immediate post-World War II years. Books, pamphlets, newspapers, periodicals, news agency photos, political posters, maps ...
(US) Library of Congress The Library of Congress 101 Independence Ave, SE Washington, DC 20540 General Information: (202) 707-5000
The British Library 96 Euston Road London, NW1 2DB United Kingdom
Government
The Three Branches of the Government -- Executive Branch Prime Minister: Sori-daijin (Shusho) and his/her Cabinet: Naikaku -- Legislative Branch Diet (Parliament): Kokkai House of Representatives: Shugiin and House of Councilors: Sangiin -- Judicial Branch Courts: Saibansho
Major Reorganization of the Central Government: January, 2001 Monbu-sho, Education Ministry, is now Monbu-Kagaku-sho. The "notorious MITI" is now METI. Major reorganization took place in January, 2001. Compare the English and Japanese names of the major agencies. Video coverage of the Diet, Japanese parliament: Kokkai Japan's answer to C-SPAN, US Congress cable channel House of Representatives: Shugiin Streaming videos: Live broadcasting and video library House of Councilors: Sangiin Streaming videos: Live broadcasting Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP): Jiyu-Minshu-to (Jiminto) Japan's perpetual ruling party President: Yasuo Fukuda, since 9/23/2007 former presidents: Shinzo Abe, Junichiro Koizumi, Yoshiro Mori, Keizo Obuchi, Ryutaro Hashimoto, etc. Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ): Minshu-to Japan's largest opposition party. President: Ichiro Ozawa Other promiment members are Naoto Kan, Yukio Hatoyama, Katsuya Okada, Seiji Maehara, Tatsuo Kawabata ... Law Database by Somu-sho, a Central Government agency The Japanese Government is finally making the law available free to its people. Since April 2001, you can search for the constitution, laws, cabinet ordinances, ministerial ordinances and other regulations at this still lesser known site. Only in Japanese. No official English translations available. Prefectural and Local Governments: Chiho Jichi-tai Names of the Prefectures ("-ken", "-to", "-fu" or "-do") (Note: The order here is very arbitrary.) Kanto Region (Kanto Chiho): Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Ibaraki, Tochigi Kinki Region (Not "kinky", also called "Kansai" Region): Kyoto (Bush administration does not seem to like this protocol.), Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, Mie, Shiga, Wakayama Chubu Region: Aichi, Nagano (Remember the Winter Olympic Games?), Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Yamanashi, Gifu, Shizuoka Tohoku Region: Miyagi, Aomori, Iwate, Akita, Yamagata, Fukushima Chugoku Region: Hiroshima, Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Yamaguchi Shikoku Region: Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, Kochi Kyushu Region: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto. Ooita, Miyazaki, Kagoshima, Okinawa Hokkaido Region: Hokkaido (Yes, just one entity.)
Jobs
"Metropolis" magazine Weekly English city guide in Japan Their "Classifieds" section is a good source of job information. Part of the "Japan Today" network.
JET Program: Japan Exchange and Teaching
Local government organizations or high schools in Japan.
Working Holiday Programs in Japan For Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Korea, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, USA is not included in these programs. As they are reciprocally agreed-upon programs between the governments, there might be little chance for US citizens, particularly after the 9/11 incident, unless Washington loosened up its policy. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan site: www.mofa.go.jp
Entertainment / Video Games
"Sudoku" number placement puzzle This game was published by a Japanese publisher Nikoli in Japan in 1986.
Animations and Comics: Japanese Anime & Manga (graphic novels) -- Amazon.com sites Amazon's DVD link Amazon's book link Amazon JP's anime video link Astro Boy, Baikin-kun, Bomberman, Bust-A-Move, Card Captor Sakura, Cowboy Bebop, Cutey Honey, Devilman, Dinozone, Digimon, Doraemon, Dragonball Z, Dragonball Z Budokai (not "Budokan"), Dr. Slump, Evangelion, Gamera, GaoGaiGar, Ghost in the Shell, Giant Robots, Godzilla, Gundam, Hello Kitty, Jenny and Licca Dolls, Kamen Rider, Kikaider, Kinnikuman / Muscleman, Lupin III, Macross, Microman, Monster Rancher, Namco, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Neo Henshin Cyborg, Ojamajodoremi, Pepsi Man, Microman, Piyo Piyo, Pokemon, Princess Mononoke, Queen Emeraldas, Ranma 1/2, Rockman/Megaman, Sakura Wars, Saint Seiya, Sentimental Graffiti, Sanrio, Sailor Moon, Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi, Space Sheriff, Speed Racer, Star Blazers, Street Fighter, Tare Panda, Tatsunoko, Tenchi, Tokimeki Memorial, Totoro, Ultraman, Vampire Savior, Wacky Races, Yu-Gi-Oh, Zoids ... Studio Ghibli Hayao Miyazaki: the director of anime movie "Spirited Away", the Best Animated Film of 2002, which has the Japanese original title "Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi." Partial Filmography: -- "Neko no ongaeshi" (2002), aka "The Cat Returns" -- "Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi" (2001), aka "Spirited Away", "Miyazaki's Spirited Away" -- "Princess Mononoke" (1997), aka "Mononoke hime" -- "Mimi wo sumaseba" (1995), aka "Whisper of the Heart" -- "Kurenai no Buta" (1992), aka Porco Rosso, "The Crimson Pig" -- "Majo no takkyubin" (1989), aka "Kiki's Delivery Service" -- "Tonari no Totoro" (1988) aka "My Neighbor Totoro" -- "Yanagawa Horiwari monogatari" (1987), aka "The Story of Yanagawa's Canals" -- "Tenku no shiro Rapyuta" (1986), aka "Laputa: Castle in the Sky" (1986) -- "Space Adventure Cobra" (1982) -- "Akage no An" (1979) TV series, aka "Anne of Green Gables" (1979) -- "Mirai shonen Conan" (1978) TV series, aka "Future Boy Conan" (1978) -- "Haha wo tazunete sanzenri" (1976) TV series, aka "3000 Leagues in Search of Mother" (1976) -- "Furandaasu no inu" (1975) TV series, aka "A Dog of Flanders" (1975) -- "Arupusu no shoujo Haiji" (1974) TV series, aka "Heidi" (1977) (West Germany), "Heidi: Girl of the Alps" (1974) -- "Panda kopanda amefuri saakasu no maki" (1973), -- "Panda kopanda" (1972), aka "Panda! Go Panda!" (1972) (USA), "Panda, Little -- Panda" (1972) -- "Sarutobi ecchan" (1971) TV series, aka "Ecchan the Ninja" (1971), "Ninja Girl Ecchan" (1971) -- "Ari-Baba to yonjuppiki no tozoku" (1971), aka "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" (1971) -- "Dobutsu takarajima" (1971), aka "Animal Treasure Island" (1971) (UK) -- "Himitsu no Akko-chan" (1969) TV series, aka "Akko's Secret" (1969) ...... ...... Ghibli Museum: Mitaka-no-mori Jiburi Bijutsukan Animation museum of Hayao Miyazaki Address: 1-83 Shimorenjaku 1-chome Mitaka-shi, Tokyo 181-0013, Japan Phone: 0570-055777 (10:00 to 18:00) Managed by Tokuma Memorial Culture Foundation for Animation. --- JTB USA: travel agency site (US) All Movie Guide You can find some Japanese movies too. AEC One Stop Group, Inc. Movie database PIA corporation, the dominant ticket agency in Japan. Only in Japanese. Get info on Akira Kurosawa, Yasujiro Ozu, Hayao Miyazaki, Takeshi Kitano (Beat Takeshi), Juzo Itami, Nagisa Oshima, Masayuki Suo ... "Zatoichi", "Shall We Dance?", "Tampopo", "Tokyo Story", "The Ceremony", "Rashomon", "Seven Samurai" ... (US) Internet Movie Database: IMDb "Backstage Pass" to film subtitles translation Transtators include Natsuko Toda, Yukiko Furuta, ... a HERALD ONLINE page Oricon Inc. Pop music info. In Japanese only. Ranking Charts: Singles, Albums; Karaoke, Enka ... (US) All Music Guide Part of "All Media Guide" Useful for Japanese artist lookup too. Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) RIAA's Japanese counterpart Taiko drumming: Kodo Cultural Foundation Sado Island, Japan National Theatre of Japan Japan Arts Council Kabuki, Bunraku, Noh, Kyogen, Engei (Rakugo, Manzai, etc.) Kabuki Theatre (Kabuki-za) Ginza, Tokyo, Japan Origami: the art of paper-folding Diagrams in Adobe Acrobat and Shockwave.
Bonsai: dwarf trees Bonsai Web: Articles, galleries, discussion groups, forums and links. "Go" board game, also called "Goh", "Igo" Very popular in Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea and incresingly worldwide. Both in English and Japanese Japan Go Association: Nihon Kiin Tokyo Head Office Address: 7-2 Goban-cho Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8668, Japan Telephone: 03-3288-8727 The International Go Federation (IGF) link American Go Association: AGA Mailing Address P.O. Box 397 Old Chelsea Station New York, NY 10113-0397 Phone: (917) 449-8125 Shogi: Chess-like game very popular in Japan Japan Shogi Association: Nihon Shogi Renmei Only in Japanese Headquarters: 2-39-9 Sendagaya Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-8516, Japan Telephone: (03) 3408-6161 Haiku / Senryu poems Funny version of "Haiku" (5-7-5-syllable poetry) is actually called "Senryu" in Japan. To enjoy this type of humor, you need facility in idiomatic expressions and good cultural literacy in Japanese society. A Mainichi Shimbun newspaper site: updated daily. Small archives available. Video Games & Computer Games Amazon.com page PC Games, Linux Games, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, Mac Games, NES, Nintendo 64, PlayStation, PlayStation2, Sega Dreamcast, Sega Game Gear, Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, Xbox (In Japanese) Video Games & Computer Games Amazon (JP) site PlayStation Sony's official sites Nintendo video games Online Game portal site: BB Games Large collection of online games from Korea and Japan. A Yahoo! BB site (Softbank group). Open on July 25, 2003. Tokyo Disney Resort Tokyo Disneyland, opened in April, 1983 and Tokyo DisneySea, opened in September, 2002 Oriental Land Co., Ltd. Roppongi Hills A new shopping complex opened in Roppongi area, Tokyo, in 2003. Former site of the Defense Agency headquarters.
Sports / Martial Arts
Sumo wrestling Nihon Sumo Kyokai. English/Japanese Not "Somu wrestling" MLB, Major League Baseball, Japanese players Ichiro Suzuki Seattle Mariners Hideki Matsui known as Godzilla New York Yankees (Book) "The Meaning of Ichiro: The New Wave From Japan and the Transformation of our National Pastime" (April, 2004) By Robert Whiting The same author of "The Chrysanthemum and the Bat (1977)" and "You Gotta Have Wa (1990)" Major League Baseball: MLB Official (US) MLB site Some team sites have English, Japanese and Spanish versions. Japanese Pro Baseball official site The Professional Baseball Organization of Japan: NPB Japan Karate Association : JKA Judo: Kodokan Judo Institute Kodokan School of Judo Dojo events From enrollment to Black Belt (Kuro-obi) "Dan" promotion US Judo Federation (USJF) Links to USJF Club Sites. All Japan Judo Federation: YAWARA -- judo's informal name Zen Nihon Judo Renmei (Zenjuren) International Judo Federation Aikido World Headquarters Aikido: a martial art created by Morihei Ueshiba
Kendo: Art of Japanese Swordsmanship All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF): Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei (Zenkenren) Concept of Kendo, Books & Videos Office Addresses: 2-3-14 Kudan-Minami Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0074, Japan TEL 03-3234-6271 2-3 Kitanomaru-Koen (at Budokan) Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0091, Japan TEL 03-3211-5804 All United States Kendo Federation (AUSKF) Links to US Regional Kendo FederationsSearch Engines
Goo.ne.jp Number-one search engine in Japan for a long time. There has been a lawsuit against the owner of the similarly-named Goo.co.jp, an adult site. Google.com This increasingly popular search engine worldwide is good at handling Japanese too. When you want searches in Japanese, make sure to set "Preferences" >> "Search Language" to "Japanese." Or alternatively, Google.co.JP: Google's Japanese site
Museums
The Pavilion for Japanese Art Also known as Shin'en Kan Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Buddhist and Shinto sculptures Ukiyo-e woodblock prints from the Edo period. Prints from the Meiji, Taisho and Showa periods. Kimono. Netsuke miniature sculptures. Inro lacquer boxes. LACMA address: 5905 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90036 323-857-6000 Japanese American National Museum History of Japanese Americans Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles 369 East First Street Los Angeles, California 90012 (213) 625-0414 National Museum of Ethnology , Osaka, Japan Commonly called "Minpaku", which is short for Minzokugaku Hakubutsukan. National Museum of Japanese History Sakura City, Chiba-ken, Japan Commonly called "Rekihaku", which is short for Rekishi Hakubutsukan. Note: The place name "Sakura" has nothing to do with the cherry blossom. Edo-Tokyo Museum Tokyo's history and culture Located in Tokyo, Japan, NOT in Little Tokyo, downtown L.A.
Japanese Gardens
James Irvine Garden Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC) 244 South San Pedro Street (between 2nd and 3rd Streets) Los Angeles (Little Tokyo), CA 90012 (213) 628-2725 "Japanese Garden in the Sky" New Otani Hotel & Garden 120 South Los Angeles St. Los Angeles, CA 90012 213-253-9227 Rock Garden: Sekitei Ryoanji Temple, Kyoto, Japan A large picture of the garden. A page of Kansai Institute of Information Systems. Rock Garden: the temple's own site Ryoanji Temple, Kyoto, Japan Temple's name is normally NOT pronounced as "Ryuanji". The site is in Japanese only.
T-shirts with Japanese themes
T-shirts: Got Sake? / Ochazuke? / Mugicha? / Natto? License Plate Frames with Japanese themes too. rotem gear / rotem design Los Angeles-based free-lance designer's site Engrish.com "Japanese English" collections. Go ahead and make fun of our Engrish, you Americans.
Food, JapaneseRestaurants / Culinary Arts
Sushi Chef Institute: Tokyo Sushi Academy Basic and professional classes. Los Angeles, CA, Miami, FL, Atlanta, GA, USA; Tokyo, Osaka, Japan; Paris, France. Head Office Address: 927 Deep Valley Drive, Suite 299 Rolling Hills Estate, CA 90274 310-544-0863 Sushi, Tempura, Soba, Udon, Yakitori, Sukiyaki ... Epinions' guide/reviews: Los Angeles Japanese Restaurants "SUSHI & TOFU" magazine All Japan News Japanese food, restaurants, things Japanese. 324 E. First St., Suite 324 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Tel: (213) 680-0011 Iron Chef(foodnetwork.com) a TV show produced in Japan that pits the "Iron Chefs"Groceries
Mitsuwa Marketplace, formerly Yaohan Mitsuwa Corporation Little Tokyo Store 333 S. Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90013 (213) 687-6699 Mitsuwa Marketplace Torrance Store 21515 Western Ave. Torrance, CA 90501 (310) 782-0335 Mitsuwa Marketplace Santa Monica Store 3760 Centinela Ave. (at Venice Boulevard) Los Angeles, CA 90066 (310) 398-2113 Mitsuwa Marketplace San Gabriel Store 515 W Las Tunas Drive San Gabriel, CA 92111 (626) 457-2899 9:00AM - 8:00PM Mitsuwa Marketplace Costa Mesa Store 665 Paularino Ave. Costa Mesa CA 92626 (714) 557-6699 9:00AM - 8:00PM Nijiya Market Torrance store 2121 W.182nd St. Torrance, CA 90504 (310) 366-7200 Nijiya Market West LA store 2130 Sawtelle Blvd., Suite 105 Los Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 398-2113 Pacific Supermarket, formerly "Meiji Market" 1620 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, CA 90247 (310) 323-7696 Marukai Wholesale Mart: membership chain Marukai Corporation Marukai Main Store 1740 WEST ARTESIA BLVD. GARDENA, CA 90248 Phone: 310-660-6300 Marukai Little Tokyo Store 123 S. ONIZUKA ST. #101 LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 (Former site of Matsuzakaya department store on the Weller Court shopping mall) Phone: 213-893-7200 Marukai West Covina Store 1420 SOUTH AZUSA AVE. WEST COVINA, CA 91791 Phone: 626-430-0900 Marukai 98 Cent Store 1360 W. Artesia Blvd. GARDENA, CA 90248 Phone: 310-516-8160
Sister Cities (Shimai-toshi): US-Japan
Los Angeles: Nagoya, Aichi-ken Santa Monica: Fujinomiya, Shizuoka-ken Culver City: Kaizuka, Hyogo-ken Gardena: Ichikawa, Chiba-ken Torrance: Kashiwa, Chiba-ken Pasadena: Mishima, Shizuoka-ken Montebello: Ashiya, Hyogo-ken Monterey Park: Nachi-Katsuura, Wakayama-ken Glendora: Mooka, Tochigi-ken Burbank: Ota, Gunma-ken Carson: Soka, Chiba-ken Long Beach: Yokkaichi, Mie-ken ABC Unified School District (Artesia, Bloomfield and Carmenita): Kakamigahara, Gifu-ken Anaheim, Orange County: Mito, Ibaraki-ken Newport Beach, Orange County: Okazaki, Aichi-ken Brea, Orange County: Hanno, Saitama-ken La Mirada, Orange County: Isehara, Kanagawa-ken San Bernardino: Tachikawa, Tokyo-toStill More Links
Jim Breen's Japanese Page Monash University, Australia There a lot of broken links, still this is a useful site. Keiko Schneider's Bookmarks For those who study and teach Japanese and Japan. Japanese teachers and students.
Advanced Japanese Language School of Los Angeles E-mail: AdvancedJP@hotmail.com
