An article from the Japan Times an article about disasters, 

it offers an opportunity for targeted vocabulary learning within the topic of disaster prevention. 
You could even make some flashcards out of this!

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"When disaster strikes in Japan, keep calm and carry a diaper

You’ve probably noticed that September is the month of bōsai (防災, disaster prevention). Schools and companies hold drills, TV news programs tell you repeatedly to check that your kinkyū hinan baggu(緊急避難バッグ, emergency pack) is stocked and ready. In homes, married couples have conversations (or arguments) about where the flashlight is, why it’s not always in the same place, and whose fault that is. It’s a Japanese couples thing.

Long before the triple calamities of March 11, 2011, Japan as a nation had been disaster-prone — a historical, ancestral fact of life that has made the Japanese hyper-hazard-conscious. Consider the word saigai(災害, disaster), comprised of the kanji characters wazawai (災い, mishap or bad luck) and gai (害, hazard).

The Japanese disaster comes in many forms, and saigai include tensai(天災, literally, heaven-sent disasters — i.e., natural ones) like jishin(地震, earthquakes), kōzui (洪水, floods) and kaji (火事, fires). On a smaller scale, there’s the roster of small catastrophes called sainan (災難); these include everything from mushisasare (虫さされ, mosquito bites) and hage (ハゲ, losing your hair) to wakare (別れ, break-ups),rikon (離婚, divorce) and other relationship troubles.

It’s drummed into us from birth that the quicker we realize calamity can strike at any moment, the better we’ll be prepared to live out life on this archipelago. Nani ga okoru ka wakaranai (何が起こるかわからない, “There’s no telling what might happen”) and Sonae areba urei nashi (備えあれば憂いなし, “Be prepared and you will have no regrets”) are refrains we hear from the cradle.

Ave Maria no Inori, a study in translation

If there's the Our Father in Japanese, 

then there's also the Ave Maria prayer. 

• In 2011, a new version of Ave Maria was introduced in Japan. 

The commentaries about the translation is good to read, as reference to the choice words used in translation, even for such a short prayer, a lot of discussion conspired. 


From the source: http://www.ucanews.com/news/japan-bishops-finalize-ave-maria-text/22860


Here is the final text of the prayer in Japanese, with the official Latin and English texts provided in parallel for reference. Each numbered passage has accompanying notes summarizing the most important clarifications offered in their guide.


JAPANESE:

Megumi ni michita kata,
Shu wa anata to tomo ni oraremasu.
Anata wa onna no uchi de shukufuku sare,
go-tainai no on-ko Iesu mo shukufuku sarete imasu.

Kami no haha Sei Maria, 
watashi-tachi tsumi-bito no tame ni, 
ima mo shi o mukaeru toki mo, 
o-inori kudasai. Amen.

Japan Travel: Suzuki Car and Motorcycle History Museum in Hamamatsu

This museum is also known as Suzuki Rekishikan in Japanese.

In Hamamatsu, Suzuki has its own museum which is also similar to the Toyota commemorative museum, only more compact. However when in Hamamatsu, it's worthwhile to take a visit, too.

• visiting the museum is free but requires an online appointment
• exhibits showing the history of Suzuki (with English transcription and audio translation)
• the current production process, 
• along with its own 3D film show- that functions as a great virtual plant tour. 
• and a free souvenir Suzuki swift toy car at the exhibit portion
• Souvenir items can be purchased from the vendo machine

Similar to Toyota (see the Toyota plant tour here), Suzuki also started with looms production, transitioning to motorcycle production,
and finally to cars and other technologies.

The museum of Suzuki Manufacturing history is located in Suzuki Plaza, Hamamatsu.
You can make a reservation online (take note: Japanese-only website).

http://www.suzuki-rekishikan.jp/reserve/

Translated page (to English):
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.suzuki-rekishikan.jp%2Freserve%2F&edit-text=&act=url 

For individuals / private groups, select this button on the reservation website: 

Read more to see some photos:

Japan Travel: Toyota Factory Tour and Museum Tour in Nagoya

There are three Toyota-related attractions that are very popular in Nagoya. 

These are the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, The Toyota Kaikan Museum, and the Toyota Plant Tour.

1) Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology 

(at Nagoya city center, a short walk from Nagoya station)

Shows the history of Toyota, Toyota looms, car displays from old to new, Toyota production way exhibits and videos. Allocate at least 3 hours for this museum. Closes at 4PM. 

Open Monday to Saturday, 9:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Closed Sundays and Toyota's company holidays. 

Entrance is 400 yen.

http://www.tcmit.org/english/

2015 JLPT Exam Results Release - August 25-27, 2015 afternoon

Are you excited to learn your JLPT results?

EDIT AUG 2016: JULY 2016 results schedule here:
http://jlptdekiru.blogspot.com/2016/08/july-2016-jlpt-results-release.html

EDIT: FOR THE DECEMBER 2015 RESULTS TO BE RELEASED STARTING JAN 27, CLICK HERE:
http://jlptdekiru.blogspot.com/2016/01/december-2015-jlpt-exam-results.html

GOOD NEWS: The result of 2015 July test will be available from the afternoon of August 27 (Japan Time) to 5pm on November 30(JST).

The Examinee's Registration Number and the PASSWORD are required to be able to access the test result online. Should an examinee fail to view the test result online, - The Japan Foundation Manila (JFM) is to disseminate the score report / certificate (printed /hard copy) by the middle of September 2015. - See more at: http://www.jfmo.org.ph/jlpt/view/617/newsid/1021/2015-july-5-sunday--japanese-language-proficiency-test-result-jlpt-online-score-display.html#sthash.TusEtImj.dpuf

From the JLPT website, these are the links to check your results (when they become available):

Japan (For examinees who applied via the Internet)

China

Hong Kong

Korea

Malaysia

Taiwan

United States

Other countries: 

Test results are available on the Internet. Please select the location where you took the test.
(Time of information availability and content vary by location.)

The result of 2015 July test will be available from the afternoon of August 27 to 5pm on November 30(JST).

Japan Travel: A Tour of Tokyo's Bookstores - Great Read from Abebooks

From: http://www.abebooks.com/books/features/tokyo-bookstores/index.shtml

A Tour of Tokyo's Bookstores by Collin Laird
from Abebooks blog.

Tokyo - the world's most populous metropolis with 35 million inhabitants - has endless attractions ranging from food to historic temples and unique architecture. To the delight of bibliophiles, Japan's capital also boasts numerous bookstores.

You can't talk about Tokyo without considering the neighborhoods. Typically centered around one of many large train stations, each district has its own special atmosphere and characteristics. Finding bookshops is exceptionally easy because an entire district is dedicated to used books and publishing. Jimbocho, also spelled Jinbōchō, is Japan's equivalent of a booktown and it is pure heaven for booklovers.

Earlier this year I travelled to Tokyo and did some "bookstore tourism" by visiting several bookshops in Jimbocho and beyond.

Surrounded by universities, Jimbocho is named after a 17th century samurai. The area was destroyed by fire in 1913 and one of the first businesses to rise from the ashes was a bookstore which eventually evolved into the Iwanami Shoten publishing house.

The author goes on to review 4 bookstores he visited. 

Read more of the original article: http://www.abebooks.com/books/features/tokyo-bookstores/index.shtml

Fujitsu Scholarship 2016: Application Deadline Sept 11, 2015

Fujitsu Scholarship

The Fujitsu Scholarship supports your development as a global leader by funding your participation in the Global Leaders for Innovation and Knowledge program.

Hone your leadership vision with this specialized program, delivered by Fujitsu-JAIMS Foundation, with multi-campus network of Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, and Singapore. The diverse student body and rigorous curriculum will stretch you to be your best, and prepare you to lead your organization to success in the 21st Century.

Fujitsu Scholars will participate in 2016 Spring course of the Global Leaders for Innovation and Knowledge from February 21 to June 3, 2016.

The application deadline for the 34th Fujitsu Scholarship Program is September 11, 2015, noon Japan Time (GMT+9).

Click here: http://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/csr/activities/community/scholarship/ 

Now Open: JLPT Dec 2015 Application: Last Day September 4 for Philippines

Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)

December 2015

Registration for JLPT in the Philippines (Manila, Cebu, Davao) now open.

The registration period is from August 4 to September 4, 2015 (Monday to Friday; 10:00am – 12:00nn, 2:00pm – 5:00pm).

Take note that the Japan Foundation Manila is closed on Sundays and holidays.

Application Guideline 2015 JAPANESE LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TEST

How I Passed JLPT N4 and then N3

I studied for about 5 months (self-study) using the following methods.
I used these methods for JLPT N4 and N3. 
I think these would also work for N5, by all means.

I suggest doing this: Test yourself before you start your months of studies for the exam. Use a sample JLPT exam or a reviewer. You should be able to get around 45-50% correct answers overall at least before going on a 5-month self-study program.

For a classroom learning program with a teacher, I've heard some can get by on 2 months learning,
assuming this is all you do full-time. For me, 5 months was good.

So, what methods helped me pass the exams?

PASSIVE METHODS
1) Thru passive exposure to the language (listening and watching)

• listening to Japanese songs
• watching Japanese films with Kanji subtitles on (not English)
• listening to Japanese language audio files designed for learning such as the ones from NHK

2)  Use of SRS or Spaced Repetition Systems - vocabulary drilling on mobile phone

• iKnow.jp - offline capable
• renshuu.org
• offline apps such as Obenkyo

3) Use of Kanji, grammar, vocabulary mailing lists - reading them everyday.

"ACTIVE" METHODS

10,000 Japan-based IT sector Jobs for Asian students to open

From Asia news one:
http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/japan-target-asian-students-work-it-sector

The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry plans to launch a system next fiscal year that will help new Asian university graduates and others invited to Japan find employment in the nation to alleviate a shortage of human resources in information technology.

The ministry will first target Indians and Vietnamese and aim to secure about 10,000 IT workers, according to sources.
The ministry envisages creating a system in which Asian university graduates who majored in IT and other people will come to Japan to learn Japanese and then find employment at Japanese companies.
It plans to include related costs in its budgetary request for fiscal 2016 to launch the system in that fiscal year. Under the system, Asian students will be introduced to places to study and work in Japan. The students would be allowed to work part-time at IT firms to earn money for living and tuition while attending Japanese language schools.
A council comprising Japanese IT companies, Japanese language schools and other entities is expected to be established as early as this summer.
The ministry plans to set up a joint task force with the Indian government this autumn to discuss specific measures. It also plans to seek co-operation from Vietnam, which is keen to develop IT human resources.
According to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, 31,581 foreign workers were employed at IT companies in Japan as of October.
As part of its growth strategy, the government has set a goal of doubling the number of non-Japanese workers at domestic IT companies to 60,000 in 2020.
However, domestic firms, such as software and game developers, tend to be cautious about hiring foreign workers who do not speak Japanese.
Although there has been a trend of Japanese companies employing Chinese workers in IT fields, the number of Indian IT workers at domestic firms has stagnated. Many Indian students have found employment at IT companies in the United States, taking advantage of their English ability.
With the My Number system set to be implemented and demand for IT system updates rising, a shortage of IT human resources has become serious in Japan.
- See more at: http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/japan-target-asian-students-work-it-sector#sthash.VuKqRLJb.dpuf

Japan government plans to attract 10,000 IT workers in 2016 from Asia,
mainly from India and Vietnam. This is to address the shortage of IT workers.
The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry plans to launch a system
that would allow students in Japan to work part-time.

Although Honda, in a recent move, decided to adopt English as the company's official language,
Japanese language is still a very important requirement to work in Japanese IT companies.
A heavily used measure of Japanese language ability is the JLPT. 

Read more about the plan of Japan government...

JLPT Study App for Android - Preparing for JLPT Everyday

Preparing for December 2015 JLPT?
Test your skills now.

Try this Android app - a JLPT exam app:
from N5 to N1.

From the app author's own description:

"Everyday Japanese study but doesn't practice can not remember.
JLPTTest it's good to review that you have studied.
Test level N1 - N5, on each Level include KanJi,Vocabulary,Grammar"