14 October 2026
Join us for a gallery tour of Meiro Koizumi’s solo exhibition in the UK, Spirit of Automatism, led by the artist himself. One of Japan’s most prominent contemporary artists, Koizumi is internationally acclaimed for video installations that explore socio-political issues through re-enactment. Touching on themes of collective memory, war and psychological impact, he is concerned
14 October 2026
The Japanese are widely renowned for their appreciation of classical music, as demonstrated by the international activities of Japanese musicians as well as the excellent quality of Japan’s concert halls and its supportive concertgoers. But what about Baroque music? Are there historic venues or institutions in Japan comparable to those in Europe? More fundamentally, what is the difference between classical and Baroque music? In this talk, Masato Suzuki will speak about his career and activities, and how Baroque music is also appreciated in Japan by performers and audiences alike. This year, Bach Collegium Japan will be celebrating its 25th consecutive performance of Handel’s Messiah at Suntory Hall, a piece whose features Suzuki will also highlight.
22 October 2026
In this talk, artist Katie Yamasaki will reflect on the vision and values of her grandfather, Japanese-American architect Minoru Yamasaki, and explore the complex legacy of the Twin Towers, which he designed, from her personal perspective as his granddaughter in the years following 9/11. Drawing on her book, ‘Shapes, Lines, and Light: My Grandfather’s American Journey’, she will also discuss what she hopes to convey about her grandfather’s life and work, and what she wishes to pass on to younger generations.
23 October 2026
In this webinar, moderated by Professor Alastair Phillips, acclaimed filmmaker Shinya Tsukamoto will discuss his latest film, Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People?, which recently received the Leoncino d’Oro Award at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. He will share insights into his work, the concepts and background behind the film’s creation, as well as the inspiration behind the work.
3 November 2026
Masatoshi Asari, a 95-year-old Japanese cherry-tree creator who has spent more than 50 years sending sakura overseas, will make his final ‘gift of peace’ next spring when his ornamental cherries go to Ukraine in 2027, five years after the war started. Throughout his life, Asari has regarded cherry blossoms as symbols of peace, friendship and reconciliation.
How can Japanese cherry trees support humanitarian activities in Ukraine, a country devastated by war? Can cherry trees be a testament of hope there? Tracing the human stories behind the trees, this talk will explore these questions.
11 November 2026
Japan, long known as a ‘spy paradise’, is reconstructing its intelligence capabilities. In a narrow sense, this can be understood as the continuation of a gradual trend of Japan ridding itself of restrictions that limited the state’s role in national security over the post-war era. In a deeper sense, its implications have to do with the measure of the nation’s political health and the expression of its collective subconscious. In this seminar, Dr Philip Shetler-Jones will explain proposed legal and institutional changes, and what this says about the direction of Japanese society, its threat perceptions and the demands the current international environment makes on Japan.
14 September 2026
Onsen, an oil painting by Daiwa Scholarships alumnus and artist Carl Randall, has been used on the cover of the book Skinship published by Salt Publishing. Skinship is a collection of poems by author Alexandra Corrin-Tachibana, who like Carl, spent 10 years living in Japan. The title Skinship comes from a Japanese loan word fusing
Read on28 August 2026
Daiwa Scholarships 2027: Language Study, Homestay & Work Placement in Japan – apply by 3 December 2026 The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation is a UK charity supporting UK-Japan links through awarding Daiwa Scholarships and Daiwa Scholarships in Japanese Studies; offering grants to support UK-Japan collaboration and organising events including seminars, and exhibitions at its London headquarters.
Read on12 August 2026
Nonomiya/Song of Rona Island – taking place at Edinburgh International Book Festival this August! Monday 24 August 2026 | 19:00 – 21:00 at Greyfriars Kirk and repeated on Tuesday 25 Aug at 19:00 Noh Reimagined theatre company will introduce Noh Theatre in Part One with Nonomiya – a piece based on the oldest novel of
Read on7 July 2026
Daiwa Scholarships alumnus and artist Carl Randall has a new Japan-themed painting on show at the Hampstead Art Society Summer Exhibition until 11 July at Gallery 8 in Mayfair, central London. His oil painting The Kokeshi Maker is one of 90 artworks chosen from 3,252 worldwide submissions. The show also includes paintings by Winifred Nicholson
Read on26 June 2026
The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation (www.dajf.org.uk) has published details of its Small Grants and Awards awarded to support a total of 31 UK-Japan projects in its latest funding round: March 2026. A Daiwa Foundation Small Grant will support the travel of 11 explorer scouts and 2 leaders from the 83rd Fife Scout Group to attend the
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