Thursday 24^th January

The Itochu Story – Tracing Family Roots A talk by Keiko Itoh, a member of the family which founded the great Japanese Trading House Itochu. Freelance writer, interpreter and translator, Keiko has had a career in media and public relations, worked with the United Nations, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank, and has a doctorate from the LSE. A fascinating account of the rise of a great Trading House, set against the gradual modernisation of Japan, and how this influenced the business world in Japan,, so that a seller of kimono cloth finished up running a modern business empire. .

Friday 25^th January, Peter Symonds College, 8.00pm

Japanese Nurses at Netley hospital during the Great War. We joined Hampshire Field Club Local History Section for a lecture by Gordon Daniels, Reader Emeritus in History at the University of Sheffield, and a leading figure in the study of Anglo-Japanese relations. An almost forgotten story of how in 1915 Japanese nurses and doctors came to help nurse UK wounded, since Japan was our ally, . .

Thursday 28^th February

A.G.M. Followed by The GAP programme, young Brits who help out in Japan. Margaret Powell, director of the programme, described how this works.

Thursday 27th March

"The Last Concubine: Secrets of the Women’s Palace". Leslie Downer gave a most fascinating account of  how she researched her latest novel based on the secret and fascinating world of the Shoguns’ harem.

Thursday 24th April

Japan in the Fifties: Our Patron, Sir Sydney Giffard, former British Ambassador to Japan, gave a  personal account  of his happy memories of his time in Japan.

Thursday 22^nd May

Potting for Fun Jill Fanshawe Kato, a lecturer in pottery at Goldsmith’s College for 17 years, who has lived and studied in Japan, and exhibited her work worldwide, brought some of her pots to show us, and talked about her work.

Thursday 26^th June

Garden Party. Fund Raising Garden Party in the Physic Garden. Pimms and Plum wine, English and Japanese snacks. We enjoyed the garden in summer and the exciting raffle prizes, and raised a most helpful sum

Saturday 19^th July

A walk and pub lunch in the beautiful Hampshire countryside.

Thursday 28^th August

The Japanese Garden. A full house enjoyed immensely  Professor Fukuhara talk about the philosophy of Japanese gardens and his award winning Chelsea garden.  

Thursday 25^th September

Saturday September 27th

The | Japan Society. Talk by Christopher Purvis, Chairman of the long-established London Japan Society will talk about his long association with Japan and the Japan London Society.

Tuesday 21^st October at the Festival Hall

Joji Hirota presents Taiko Drumming and Japanese Folk Music. A joint event with the Southern Orchestral Concert Society, supported by the Sasakawa Foundation in the Festival Hall, Petersfield. Details to follow..

Thursday 27^th November

Details to follow.

December, venue to be advised

A celebratory meal. Details to follow.