Grand Draw 2025 Following on from last year’s successful Grand Draw, we’re doing the same again this year to help raise funds for the student exchange programme. Raffle Tickets for the Medway Japan Friendship Association’s Grand Draw 2025! 1st Prize: Winery Tour for 2 at Silverhand Estate 2nd Prize: Annual Family Pass for Chatham Historic Dockyard 3rd Prize: 2 Tickets for the ‘Hits of Abba’ show at The Central Theatre, Chatham Lots more prizes to be won! To buy your tickets, head to our online shop: https://mjfa.sumupstore.com/product/raffle-tickets Our Sponsors Momiji Charity Links in Japan Ito Association for International Relations

Gillingham’s ‘Shogun’ Samurai Bronni Hughes, studying journalism at the University of Kent, has published an interesting article about Will Adams and our exchange programme with Ito and Yokosuka. Read the article here: https://centreforjournalism-kent.shorthandstories.com/gillinghams-shogun-samurai/index.html Our Sponsors Momiji Charity Links in Japan Ito Association for International Relations

Williams Adams Club Dinner 2025 Sue Haydock and Martin Potter of the MJFA attended the William Adams Club London dinner at the historic George and Vulture pub on Monday evening, 10th March. The club brings together people who have an Anglo-Japanese connection and a special interest in honouring and exploring Will Adams’ life. At the dinner guests, were served in front of a remarkable 17th century-style candelabra, commissioned by Akira Matsura, 41st head of the Matsura Clan of Hirado, where Will Adams was buried. Some of his ashes were mixed into the clay. Guests were also welcomed by a new portrait of their hero, presented to the club by the artist herself, Ms Nicky Farrell. It is inspired by a drawing copied from a contemporary sketch done by a lady who heard a description of him from the purser of the ship on which Adams sailed to Japan. Our Sponsors Momiji Charity Links in Japan Ito Association for International Relations

Kenji Shigeoka There is sad news from Ito of the death of local sculptor Kenji Shigeoka, who created the famous statues of Will Adams and his ship on the seafront there. Our Chair, Mrs Sue Haydock, will be visiting Japan shortly and had been hoping to see Mr Shigeoka, the distinguished sculptor who died recently, as she always enjoyed calling on him on her visits to Ito. She was very saddened by the news of his death. This photo of them was taken in January 2024, at their last meeting. Our Sponsors Momiji Charity Links in Japan Ito Association for International Relations

Coffee and cake for 2025 Exchange students Today the Association held a coffee and cake morning for this year’s exchange students and their parents to get to know each other better. It was hosted by committee members Doug and Ali. The four students exchanged language-learning tips and heard more about the exchange from Alex and Oliver, two of last year’s students. Our Sponsors Momiji Charity Links in Japan Ito Association for International Relations

Explore the Manga & Anime Hidden Gems of Japan Invitation to the Japan Local Attraction Seminar – Manga and Anime Tourism from the Japan Local Government Centre: We are excited to announce the third seminar in our new series, the Japan Local Attraction Seminar, hosted by Sarah Parsons, Managing Director of East West Interface, a leading expert in cross-cultural communication & strategy, as well as Research Associate at the Japan Research Centre (SOAS), and CIPR Associate. This seminar will explore the theme of ‘Anime & Manga Tourism’ and will feature current JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme) participants from Aichi Prefecture, Wakayama City in Wakayama Prefecture, and Kitakyushu City in Fukuoka Prefecture, who will showcase hidden gems of their local regions. During the Q&A session, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions directly to those living in these areas. Don’t miss this special chance to explore the lesser-known attractions of Japan! We look forward to your participation. Event Details: – Date and Time: February 20, 2025, 10:00 AM – Location: Online (link to be provided upon RSVP) Click to RSVP Our Sponsors Momiji Charity Links in Japan Ito Association for International Relations

MJFA Thanks at Medway Champions Last Thursday morning, 16th January 2025 our Chairman Susan Haydock and Vice Chairman Martin Potter attended a Medway Champions meeting at the newly built Cozenton Park Sports Centre in Rainham where they were able to thank some of those who advertised the 2024 student exchange, and also caught up with the journalists at Local Authority who wrote an article promoting the exchange. Our Sponsors Momiji Charity Links in Japan Ito Association for International Relations

Shogun on Disney+ An original adaptation of James Clavell’s novel, FX’s Shōgun is set in Japan in the year 1600 at the dawn of a century-defining civil war. This series is based on the life of William Adams! Lord Yoshii Toranaga is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him. When a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village, its English pilot, John Blackthorne, comes bearing secrets that could help Toranaga tip the scales of power and devastate the formidable influence of Blackthorne’s own enemies — the Jesuit priests and Portuguese merchants. Toranaga’s and Blackthorne’s fates become inextricably tied to their translator, Toda Mariko, a mysterious Christian noblewoman and the last of a disgraced line. While serving her lord amidst this fraught political landscape, Mariko must reconcile her newfound companionship with Blackthorne, her commitment to the faith that saved her and her duty to her late father. Our Sponsors Momiji Charity Links in Japan Ito Association for International Relations