The Japanese Studies Centre

Mitsubishi Corporation Seminar Series 

Building global human capital: the Japanese experience

Melbourne, Friday 9 March 2012

This interdisciplinary seminar explores the recent moves to enhance Japan’s competitiveness through the development of a more globally literate workforce. Responding to the realities of global business engagement, Japanese firms, supported by the national government and industry bodies, are moving to develop their employees’ skills in areas such as foreign languages and inter-cultural leadership, as well as undertaking organisational renovations to allow such skills to be mobilised more effectively. The many initiatives currently being debated and tested include adopting English as an official workplace language, incorporating more international experience into business training programs, and adopting pro-active strategies for the use of non-Japanese personnel. These moves have important implications not only for business practice, but also for social organisation, cultural identity and economic engagement in and around Japan. This seminar brings academics from a variety of disciplines together with businesspeople and government representatives to discuss these developments, with a particular emphasis on the Japan-Asia-Australia business interface.

PICNIC POSTPONED UNTIL SUNDAY, 12TH FEBRUARY DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER

Apologies for the inconvenience caused.

We will have the picnic next Sunday 12th instead. Here are the new details.

What: JAFA Family Day Picnic

When: Sunday, 12th February 2012, 12 noon onwards

BYO food, drinks and chairs

On-site BBQ facilities available

Where: Kensington Gardens Reserve (in Kensington Gardens) Adventure Playground Picnic Area

Join us for a picnic in the park on a Sunday. There are BBQs on site or you can pack a BYO picnic lunch. We'll also have a game of "suikawari". If you want to know what that is, you'll have to come and find out!

How do I get there? Read on...

NEXT ROUND STARTS IN FEBRUARY

The next round of Origami and Calligraphy Classes start on the 11th of February. Each round of classes will run for four consecutive weeks and cover origami, chigiri-e (torn washi paper painting), furoshiki cloth wrapping and calligraphy.

What: Origami and Calligraphy Classes

When: February 11th to March 4th (four Saturdays) 1:30-3pm

Where: Cowandilla Primary School (1 Jenkins St. Cowandilla)

How much: $30 for JAFA members, $70 for non-members (Paid before the course begins)

Beginners are welcome as well as those with various levels of experience.

If you would like to register, please fill in your details HERE.

Read on for payment details.

In November we had our AGM and it was also the last J-KAI of the year. Here's to another great year of J-KAI, look forward to seeing you again in the new year!

What is J-Kai?

J-Kai is JAFA's monthly social event that has been running since 1998. It provides an opportunity for Japanese and Australians with an interest in Japan to meet in a relaxed atmosphere. You don't have to be a JAFA member or speak any Japanese, just come along! Anyone can join and it's free.