2022 Activities and Events Report - 2022年AJAの活動報告

Below are some of our events listed in rough chronological order

2021 Activities and Events

● AGM at Ginza Miyako, Wed, 27 of October

＠Ginza Miyako Japanese Restaurant

AJA had our 54th AGM and Dinner on Wed, 27 of October at Ginza Miyako Japanese Restaurant in North Terrace. Noriko Tadano, the Shamisen Player was our special guest. Everyone had a great time eating a meal while we were listening to Noriko's music.

AJAでは、今年の年次総会＋夕食会を、１０月２７日（水）に、市内にある銀座都レストランで開催しました。スペシャルゲストに、津軽三味線奏者の只野のりこさんをお迎えして、素晴らしい演奏を聴きながら、お食事を楽しみました。のりこさん、ありがとうございました。

● Online Video Contest

Organised by Japan Foundation in Sydney　シドニーの日本基金が主催

The “Japan in a minute Online Video Contest”

Opened on - July 2 to October 6 , Winners announced on - November 9, 2021 (Tuesday)


Three of our AJA members received prizes for their entries into the “Japan in a Minute” Online Video Contest. They were:

For second place デイビッド＆よしえさんが第2位に

To David Kennett and Yoshie Furasawa for “Travel Sketchbook of Japan”

Showcasing meticulously crafted illustrations, this entry brings us the perspective of the Japanese streetscape and the artist’s journey of creation.

With Honourable Mentions　アムリット君が特別省受賞

To Amirit Krish for “Things I love and miss about Japan” which beautifully describes what comes to mind when thinking “man….I really miss Japan”.

● Kaiwa Dining Club - Monday, 15 November 2021.

＠<SATO> Japanese Restaurant

AJA Kaiwa Dining Club was held and everyone had a great time. The food was delicious and it felt like we were in Japan. We all enjoyed talking in English and Japanese. Thanks to the owner of the restaurant Fumi's generous hospitality and all the staff for their great services. We greatly appreciated it. 日本の家庭料理のレストラン＜＞、AJAの会話ダイニングクラブが開かれました。２０２１年１１月１５日（月）２５名の参加があり、お料理もとっても美味しくて、楽しい会話もはずみ、参加者全員ハッピー　オーナーのフミさん、おつまみやらお寿司やら、寛大なサービス感謝です。そして、個人個人バラエティーに富みすぎるくらいの注文にもてきぱきと対応してくださったスタッフの皆さんにもとっても感謝しています。


2022 Activities and events

１月２６日のオーストラリアデーにちなんで様々なイベント

● Australia Day Event - Jan 21st – Organised by Australia Day Council

Due to the Covid 19 situation, January 2022 early this year, lots of events still were limited to a restricted number of people attending. So the Australia Day Council made another fantastic event instead. AJA helped by being part of the Australia Day Event in Rundle Mall.

Aus Lights on the River エルダー公園＆トーレンスリバー沿いのイルミネーション

This stunning display of light, sound and vision was held in Elder Park / Tarntanya Wama from Saturday 22nd to Wednesday 26th January. It was beautiful.

Multicultural Cooking Demonstration!　ランドルモールでの多文化クッキングショー

One of the AJA's members, Michelle Toratani, did her cooking demonstration on the stage and Kyoko, the president of AJA was Michelle's assistant for emotional support (^^♪. Michelle showed how to cook Sukiyaki hot pot. It was well attended

Adelaide Sakura Troupe with Mr. Umehara & James　ランドルモールで多文化音楽舞踊

Mimi and Mia danced with music by Mr. Umehara and James on Tue, 25th of January in Rundle Mall (They are all AJA members). The dancing was a hit and enjoyed by many.

● Multicultural Award - March 10, 2022

AJAの長老グレン・ウッドワードさんが、マルチカルチャルコミュニティーのシニアボランティア部門で優秀賞を受賞しました。

Mr. Glen Woodward received a Multicultural Award

On the 10th of March 2022, the Multicultural Awards ceremony was held at the SA Government House. I have nominated our life member, Glen Woodward and he received the Highly Commended Finalist for the Senior Volunteers Award. I was privileged to be invited to the ceremony and took some photos with Glen. 毎年開かれている州総督及びマルチカルチャル省のコミュニティー賞受賞式が３月１０日（木）に州総督邸において開催されました。AJASA（南オーストラリア州豪日協会）の最長老のグレンさんが、シニアボランティア賞の最終審査に残り、表彰台に立ち州総督より賞状を受しました。会長の京子はグレンさんを推薦した側としてご招待を受けました。CovidSafeの規制のために人数を最小限にした会でしたが、とても喜ばしい時間を過ごさせていただきました。グレンさん、本当におめでとうございます(^^♪

● Kaiwa @Sato Japanese Restaurant - April 14 2022

It was our first Kaiwa Dining Club for this year and people missed this club so much. Since everyone enjoyed the last meal at Sato so much we decided to return. We had 25 people come and everyone had a great time eating delicious meals and chatting in English and Japanese. Since Coivd Safe regulation had eased a lot so we are planning to have this club more often.. コロナ規制のためになかなかできずにいたAJAの会話ダイニングクラブ、なんと今年初めてのダイニングクラブを４月１４日（木）に＜さとレストラン＞で開催できました。２５人も集まってくれて、美味しいお料理と楽しい会話で楽しみました。コロナの規制もほどんど解除に近い状態になったので、これからは、もう少し回数を増やせればいいなと思っています。Stay safe.

● Kaiwa @Bocelli Caffe Ristorante - June 7, Tuesday イタリアンカフェで会話クラブ

This Kaiwa Dining Club held at Bocelli Caffe Ristorante on Tuesday, 7 June. It was a good night enjoyed by about 20 members, who tasted some wonderful food and great conversation.


● Japanese Cultural Day Burnside - August 7 Sunday

８月７日（日）に開催された2022 AJA和風文化祭は、予想をはるかに上回る人出で大盛況でした。

Our Japanese Cultural Day in Burnside held on Sunday, 7th of August 2022 was a huge success. The JCDB theme was Tanabata and Obon in winter. Although no one expected that so many people would come, we still did manage to cope. Burnside Library counted over 2000 people attending. There were some issues and challenges which we can accommodate for the next event, mainly focused on the size of the venue and the need for even more volunteers.


The event included such things as ;

  • Performers on the stage

    • Adelaide Sakura Troupe performed Japanese Traditional Dance, Mr. Umehara’s Japanese Shinobue flute and James’s Japanese Taiko drum. Carolyn played her Koto, the Kimono Choir sang Japanese Children’s songs with Yuki Kuboi’s piano, and we also had a Kimono fashion show.

  • Stalls and displays

    • Various food and craft stalls - Craft stalls were all Japanese people who have their own small businesses. In no particular order these included food people like; Mochiko kitchen, Sushi Train Plympton, Cake Bridge, Genki Roll, Koala Ginger cookies stall, Dorayaki by Japanese Society. And Craft people; Takefuji Fine pottery, Studio Yoshimi, Happy Earth Rainbow, Mitsuki Handmade jewellery, Riko Koshita ribbon and linen craft, David Kennett painting, Bushido Travel, Wedding Kimono display, Samurai sword display, Model Japanese train display,, 100 crane display from Holdfast bay Rotary, Second hand books by Burnside library.

  • Guests and other organisations

    • Hon.Jing Lee (Deputy Leader of the Opposition), Ms. Anne Monceaux (Mayor of Burnside), Hon. Adam Wynne (Japanese Consul General in Adelaide), Jet Program, Japanese society of Adelaide,

  • Activities and workshops

    • Japanese tea ceremony, Juno calligraphy booth, Origami making, Yukata try on, , AJA stamp rally, Tanabata wish bamboo tree. Like many of the flowers at our meetings the bamboo came from Glen Woodward’s garden.


A huge thanks to all the volunteers and participants , we could not have done it without you.


Other events we helped and were part of. AJAが参加したイベント

● National Volunteers Week

May 16th to 22nd was the National Volunteers Week and there was a Big BBQ and a free concert for all the volunteers in South Australia. Some of AJA's members have participated in the Australia Day Event 2022 this January and we were invited to this event too. The weather was very changeable on the day but while we were eating BBQ lunch and the concert was on, the weather was very kind to us.

May 16 – 22 は、全国ボランティア週間ということで、南オーストラリア州のいろいろなところボランティアをしている人たちに感謝するフリーのBBQランチとコンサートがビクトリア広場で開かれました。AJAからも８人が、オーストラリアデーイベントにボランティアで参加したので、招待を受けて、行ってきました。今日は本当にお天気が変わりやすくて、雨が降ったり止んだりでしたが、私たちがBBQランチを食べている間はちょうどお日様が出てきて、ラッキーでした(^^♪


● Kodomo no Hi

Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival Adelaide, organised by JAFA is held on 1st of May. Some of AJA's members are volunteering as well. 　

● National Federation of Australia Conference

National Federation of Australia Japan Societies Biennial Conference will be held in Adelaide from 16th to 18th of September. オーストラリア全国にある豪日協会の全国隔年大会が、今年はアデレードで開催されました。メイン会場は、Uni SA ウェストキャンパス


Conference’s Theme was “ NEW FRONTIERS 新たなる開拓者達”

The committee made this theme as the Australian Space Agency is located in Adelaide. Consequently almost all the main speakers were Space specialists and talked about Space and space related businesses and education.

アデレードには、オーストラリア宇宙エージェンシーがあるので、今回の会議のテーマは「新たなる開拓者たち」と決め、日本や海外、国内からも講演者の皆さんは全員が、宇宙関連の専門家をお呼びしました。


Special speakers from Japan such as Dr. Nakasuka from Tokyo University, Dr. Tanigaki from JAXA and all the delegation people from each state's organisations came to Adelaide. Also Mr. Yamagami who is the Ambassador for Australia and Mr. Shimada of the Japanese Consul General of Japan in Melbourne participated in the Gala Dinner on Saturday night, which was held at Playford Hotel.


オーストラリア各州の代表やスペシャル講演のための素晴らしい方々が訪問されました。

また、土曜日のガラーディナーには、キャンベラから、山上日本国大使ご夫妻、メルボルンから日本国総領事の島田総領事ご夫妻も参加されました。

So many committee meetings since 2018 to 2022

Stuart and Kyoko are part of the organising committee and they have been preparing for this conference since 2018! Originally the conference was supposed to be held in 2020, however due to Covid19 pandemic, it was delayed two years, which lead to four long years of preparation.


Big thanks go to volunteers from AJA, Alan, Mio, Emiko, Shiho, Amrit.

AJAからも６人ボランティアで参加があり、会場の準備や受付などでお手伝いしていただきました。ありがとうございました。


● SA Liaison Group formed　SA州日本関連団体連絡協議会発足

Instigated by Mr. Shimada who is the Melbourne Consul General of Japan. It was created to help all adelaide Japanese groups to be more connected, with representatives from AJCS, AJAofSA, AJBC, JAFA, JLTA, JSA, JETTA, NFAJS, Our first meeting was 25th Nov 2021, and it is a biannual event

● Adelaide Chamber of Commerce group formed　アデレード日本商工会議所設立

Instigated by Mr. Shimada who is the Melbourne Consul General of Japan. It was created to facilitate large Japanese business connections in Adelaide. With representatives from Mitshibishi, Toyota, Asahi Kasei Homes, AON, Jaquillard Minns, MUFG bank, Nippon Express, Osmoflo, St Solutions, Ichi Au, Yokoso Au, Jetro Au, Southern Bluefin, Tatsumiya, RITs Conveyancing, Torrens Dental, TK Migration, YT Legal, Zollo It was officially opened in July 2022. Mr Takayuki Inoue is President of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Adelaide

● AJA SA Newsletter and Facebook

It has published Jan, Feb, March, April, May, June, July and August. With smaller announcements and information emails and Facebook page updates on other dates as events happened. However, because of other commitments, it has not been published for a while. My apology for this.

● Piano Concert by Japanese Society of Adelaide　アデレード日本人会ピアノコンサート

Put on by the Japanese Society of Adelaide, and held at the Hetzel Lecture Theatre, State Library on Saturday, 19 November. It featured the talented pianist Ms. Yuki Kuboi. JSA sent AJA invitation too and about 10 AJA members participated in this concert and everyone enjoyed Yuki’s Piano music.

アデレード日本人会主催で開催された久保井ゆきさんのピアノコンサートは、州立図書館のヘッツェルシアターで行われ、JSAからAJAにも声をかけていただき、約１０人のAJAメンバーたちもゆきさんのピアノを楽しませていただきました。

● Talk to Ingle Farm Women’s Club - Thursday 17th of November

イングルファーム地区女性グループからの依頼で、日本の文化とオーストラリアの文化の違いについてのお話をさせていただきました。

Talk about Japanese culture by Gale & Munataka Umehara, Stuart and Kyoko

● Adelaide Giants Baseball Japan Day - Saturday 26th November

日本の大学準硬式野球部の学生たち７０人がアデレードジャイアンツと親善試合と交流

Adelaide Giants JAPAN DAY　彼らの歓迎と応援の気持ちを込めての歓迎セレモニー

Adelaide welcomed and celebrated with the Japanese University Junko Baseball Teams when they visited the Adelaide Giants on Saturday 24 to 26 November. With exhibition games of Adelaide Giants VS All Japan University and All Japan Uni VS Kanto Uni with the main game being the Adelaide Giants vs Melbourne Aces, with the Adelaide Giants winning.


A pre-game performance was given by AJA Adelaide Kimono Choir which include singing of folk songs and the Japanese national anthem. The performance also featured cheering and taiko drumming


Future events in the Pipeline 今後のＡＪＡの活動について

● Collaboration with JSA and other organisations 　

アデレード日本人会や他の団体との相互協力


Due to Covid regulations many of AJA’s activities have been cancelled but it has changed again.

So we would like to get back to our business however we need more people.

All of AJA’s activities and events could also be a collaboration with the Japanese Society of Adelaide. The Japanese ladies in the J-Society have full knowledge and valuable experiences as they came to Adelaide more than 60 years ago. So especially for those who are learning Japanese language and cultures, they would also be able to learn from the Japanese people.


AJAでは、会話クラブをやっていますが、時々日本人メンバーが参加していないときもあり、せっかく日本語を話したくて参加してくれるノンジャパニーズの学生さんや人達ががっかりする時もあります。

ということで、会員の全員が日本人であるアデレード日本人会の人達にも声をかけて、AJAの会話クラブにも参加してもらったり、逆に、日本人会主催で、何かイベント（ピアノコンサートなど）を開催して人員を集めたい場合は、AJAでも協力するというように、お互いに助け合っていけるようにしたいと思っています。


Especially for our Kaiwa Dining Club, sometimes not enough Japanese people come and those who would like to speak Japanese, sometimes they can be disappointed. So we need more Japanese people from JSA. So for all the activities and events in the future, we will ask and get involved with JSA people. These would include the below events and activities;


  • Japanese Cultural Day at Burnside Ballroom 和風文化祭＠バーンサイド

  • Japanese Market or Japanese Garage Sale (和風マーケット＆ガレージセール)

  • Kaiwa Dining Club

  • Setsubun Mamemaki Day or Night

  • Hanami picnic

  • Kimono Day + Tea Ceremony @ Himeji Garden

  • Piano Concert by Yuki Kuboi and other musical concert

  • Australia Day the Multicultural Parade 2023

Australia Day the Multicultural Parade 2023 will be back. The coordinator told us the number will be limited to 20 participants and all have to wear their National costume. So if anyone would like to join the parade, please let me know.


Request from members and community メンバーや地元の人からの要望

● Online Kaiwa Club 会話クラブをオンラインで開いて欲しい

Although it is not everyone’s cup of tea, the online Kaiwa Club has a benefit. Such as people from the countryside or even from Japan could also participate in the conversation.

So I think it is better to keep doing it for that reason, although we haven't done it lately. Some Japanese people who used to live in Adelaide would like to join this online Kaiwa Club if we have one.

● Garage sale or Japanese Market ガレージセールや和風マーケットをもっと開いて欲しい

AJA used to have Everyone’s Garage Sale and it was very popular. So why don’t we have it again?

Also I have received emails from people that have connected with us via our activities who also have Japanese items that they would like to sell at a garage sale.

● JCDB (Japanese Cultural Day in Burnside Ballroom) 2023

This year’s JCDB stall holders who participated in the Japanese Cultural Day had a very successful day. They said that compared to other Japanese festivals, our Japanese Cultural Event involves more Japanese people. So they hope AJA will have more events like this and more often.

AJAの和風文化祭は、日本人のストールホールダーを中心に参加募集してくれるところが嬉しいです。なので、もっと何度もこんなイベントを開いて欲しいです。

●If anyone would like to give us more ideas, we would love to hear it. Please let us know.

他にもいろいろなご意見、ご希望、アイディアがありましたら、ぜひコミッティーまでお知らせください。

AJA email address: ajaofsa@gmail.com