President's message
Your Society's events are increasingly popular, building on the strong Australia-Japan business and people-to-people relationship. The Spring in Sydney: Inaugural Australia-Japan Business Networking Dinner on August 30 has seen unprecedented demand, and despite a move to a larger venue, all tickets have been sold. A waiting list is available, should you be hoping for a cancellation. It looks like being a fabulous evening.
Similarly, our Japanese speaking night Shaberanaito, held regularly with JETAA, and scheduled for this Friday 19 July, is also full.
We have planned a whale-watching bush walk in Manly for July 27, see details below. And a number of business-related events are in the pipeline for the next few months, so keep an eye on our website and social media.
Thank you to all members who have promptly renewed their 2024-25 memberships, due on July 1. Your membership fees are used to support AJS-NSW initiatives such as the Student Awards, and assist in maintaining an efficient backoffice operated by volunteers. If you have not yet renewed, you can renew and pay online from our website - just login at the top right of the screen, or click through the renewal email you received on July 1 - and you may also pay direct to our bank account.
Finally, we welcome many new members, some of whom are profiled below.
Looking forward to your continued support and to seeing you at one of our events soon.
Anita Byrnes, President
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Upcoming Events
Whale Watching Walk @ North Head (Manly)
Saturday 27 July 1-3pm
Free Event
 Bring your binoculars and let’s go whale watching at North Head! Now is a good time to enjoy the winter whale watching season as thousands of humpback whales move up the east coast to warmer waters.
North Head has two new lookouts and plenty of walking paths and trails. We will also visit one of the 3 historic cemeteries, established in 1881 for victims of influenza, smallpox, plague and other epidemics. This area has unspoiled views of Sydney Harbour.
More details and registration here.
Event Recap
Our Endless Yearning for Japan:
Panel Discussion amid Art
June 15 @ Art Atrium
 Members who attended this panel discussion amid art by AJS member Michelle Belgiorno were treated to a fascinating discussion about why we continue to engage with, and be fascinated by, Japan. Ably moderated by curator Kathryn Hunyor, panelists Michelle, Warwick Johnson, Lotte Lawrence and Relle Mott provided their varying unique perspectives informed by long and continuing associations with Japan, and concluded with a rather positive view of Japan's future.
See our photos here, and a video recap at the link here.
Supported Events & Community Info
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Photography Exhibition by Damien Drew
Woollahra Gallery@ Redleaf, July 17 - August 11 2024
Shikoku no Seijaku (Shikoku Silence) invites viewers on a visual journey through the serene yet haunting landscapes of Shikoku. A photographic exhibition by member Damien Drew. Click for more details.
Introducing new members...
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Film Review
Are you both a Japanophile and a Francophile? Then you will love Sidonie in Japan (Sidonie au Japon), a French-Japanese film that combines deep and meaningful conversations between the two protagonists and a third wheel, the ghost of Sidonie’s dead husband, in some of Japan’s most scenic places including Kyoto, Narushima and Atami.
Cross-cultural confusion - in the vein of Sophia Coppola's film Lost in Translation, but with a French twist – follows Sidonie in her first trip to Japan, on a book tour. Sidonie, played by Isabelle Huppert, is an author who has not written a word since the death of her husband in an accident. Her Japanese publisher, Kenzo Mizoguchi - portrayed by Tsuyoshi IHARA, speaking French - is seen as an enigmatic figure with his own issues, an explainer of Japanese culture. Inevitably their romantic attraction must result in the disappearance of the ghostly Antoine to the other side.
If you have not visited Japan in a while, this film will be a nostalgic tour through many beautiful places, with no pesky tourists to contend with, a French view into a romanticized Japan. In French, some Japanese, with English subtitles, in cinemas now.
Review by Anita Byrnes
Social media
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Like to join AJS-NSW?
Would you like to support our mission of friendship between Australia and Japan? You can now sign up for membership online.
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Some links for related communities:
National Federation of Australia-Japan Societies https://austjapanfed.org.au/
Consulate General of Japan, Sydney Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CGJSYD
AJBCC https://www.ajbcc.com.au
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July 2024 Newsletter