Over the last few weeks we’ve been following the Nagisa Oshima retrospective at the Filmhouse here in Edinburgh. We bumped into Atsuko Betchaku who was there to organise a film discussion group, and after the film we had an interesting chat.

Atsuko is also in the process of putting together of the Japanese Institute of Scotland. The proposed Institute shares many of the goals of Bite Sized Japan. While the focus of the Institute is focused on Scotland (where BSJ is based) I’m hoping that in the future we’re going to be able to work together on local events (such as a filmgroup). To quote their web site:

Two Purposes of the Japanese Institute of Scotland:

スコットランド日本会館の二つの目的

• Assist to create the environment where Japanese population can live with ease in the local community as members of multicultural society of Scotland 日本人がスコットランドの多文化社会の一員として地元コミュニティの中で、安心して暮らせるような環境を 創る支援をすること。

• Spread information about Japan and culture related to Japan in Scotland

スコットランドにおいて、日本についての情報、日本に関する文化を広めること。