New Voices is an academic journal published biennally in print and online by The Japan Foundation, Sydney.  The journal’s primary aim is to support young Japanese Studies scholars by providing a platform for the promotion of outstanding research and writing by students and early career researchers.

Volume 2, edited by Dr Matthew Stavros of the Department of Japanese Studies at the University of Sydney, will be published in December 2008.  We are currently soliciting original papers from recent Honours graduates who completed their Honours thesis at an Australian University between January 2005 and December 2007.  Submissions must be between 5,000 and 8,000 words long, and must be received by 31 July 2008.

Anyone interested in contributing to volume 2 of New Voices should obtain an information package from the New Voices website:  www.jpf.org.au/newvoices .

Enquiries should be directed to the Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange Department on (02) 8239 0055, or email newvoices@jpf.org.au .

Yasushi Inoue (1907–1991) was one of Japan’s most popular and prolific writers, combining literary art with entertainment.  A winner of the prestigious Akutagawa Prize in 1950, his work was described by one critic as ‘the gust of a refreshing breeze sent to the wasted and wearied world of sentiment after the war’.  For the next 40 years, Inoue wrote both lengthy novels and short stories, from exciting love stories to historical sagas.

The Inoue Yasushi Award was founded by the Inoue Yasushi Memorial Culture Foundation and established at the University of Sydney in 2006 to encourage Australian researchers, scholars and PhD students who are studying Japanese culture and literature.  It is awarded annually for the best refereed journal article or book chapter on Japanese literature published in English during the previous year by a researcher based in Australia.  The inaugural award in 2007 was won by Dr Tomoko Aoyama of the University of Queensland.

The winner of the second Inoue Yasushi Award will be announced at a ceremony to be held at the Japan Foundation, Sydney on 6 June 2008.  The ceremony will be followed by a screening of the Japanese film Furinkazan (“Samurai Banners”), based on Inoue’s 1955 novel of the same name.

The Japan Foundation, Sydney will offer Stages 1 and 2 of the Online Basic Course for Teachers of Japanese during Term 2, commencing on Monday 12 May. The online courses are intended for teachers who would like to build up basic language skills, but who do not have access to or cannot attend a continuous course. The online course will provide an opportunity to study continuously, and being online, will enable you to study at your own pace, whenever you can connect to the Internet.

Tokyo Sonata will have its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May, before having its second screening at the Sydney Film Festival.

The full festival programme will be announced on 8 May.

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Wollongong–Kawasaki Sister City relationship this year, the Uzawa Noh Troupe will perform a traditional Japanese Noh theatre performance at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre on 14 May.  More than 500 years old, Noh is a highly stylised form of traditional theatre that integrates song, dance, poetry and percussion, with visually stunning costumes and spectacular masks.  Featuring internationally acclaimed Noh performer and teacher Ms Hisa Uzawa, this authentic Noh performance will be the first of its kind to be held in Wollongong.

Free workshop on Thursday 15 May – for reservations, ring (02) 4227 7104.

The Library’s opening days for May - June are as follows:

Opening hours:
Mon-Fri (except Wed): 11.00 am - 5.30 pm
Wed: 11.00 am - 6.00 pm
Sat (every third week): 11.00 am - 4.00 pm
Sun: Closed

There is a book returns chute at the library entrance.  It is available during the Chifley Plaza building operation hours:
Mon-Fri: 6.30 am - 10.00 pm
Sat : 8.30 am - 10.00 pm
Sun/Public Holidays: Closed