English seminar covers quake preparedness

Tokyo Emergency Language Supporters, or TELS, a volunteer group based in Setagaya Ward, will hold a free seminar Oct. 6 in English on earthquake disaster information and preparedness.

Guest speakers Stephen J. Eder of EQE International Inc. and specialists from the Taisei Corp. construction company will discuss earthquake hazards in Tokyo.

The seminar will be from 2 to 5 p.m. in Workshop A on the fourth floor of Carrot Tower, near Sangenjaya Station on either the Tokyu Setagaya Line or the Tokyu Denentoshi Line. The address is 4-1-1, Taishido, Setagaya Ward.

For more information, contact Mr. Izato of TELS-Setagaya by e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at 070-5545-2099.

Hibiya Park festival highlights NGO efforts

The International Cooperation Festival 2001 will run Oct. 6 and 7 in Tokyo's Hibiya Park, featuring activities of Japan-based nongovernmental organizations and other groups supporting developing countries.

There will also be musical and dance performances from African and Southeast Asian countries.

About 200 NGOs and government-related groups will operate booths to explain their activities and introduce food, coffee and tea from their areas of interest.

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

For more information, go to the Web site www1.jca.apc.org/icf or call the Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation at (03) 3294-5370.

Sakura-kai Japanese courses start Oct. 5

Sakura-kai, a citizens' group that has been teaching Japanese to foreigners since 1983, invites non-Japanese to their annual classes starting Oct. 5 and running until September 2002.

Classes are divided by proficiency and will be held at various locations in Minato Ward near JR Tamachi Station.

* Beginners class level 1: Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Minato City Women's Center.

* Beginners class level 2: Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Konan Kumin Center and Mita Fukushi Kaikan.

* Intermediate class: Fridays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Mita Fukushi Kaikan.

* Advanced class: Fridays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on the third floor of Mita Library.

* Lunch time class (the highest level): Fridays from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on the third floor of Mita Library.

Tuition for both beginner classes is 2,000 yen per month, and 1,000 yen for all other classes. For more information, contact Maeda at (03) 3455-1305, or Shibata at (03) 3446-1846.

Showa-era newsreels screened for free

The Showakan, a museum in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, that features displays of culture and daily life in the Showa period is screening prewar and postwar newsreels with free admission.

The films depict events both at home and aboard. The narration is in Japanese. Screenings start at 10 a.m. and end at 5:30 p.m.

The museum, open Tuesday through Sunday, is a one-minute walk from the Kudanshita subway station. For more information, call (03) 3222-2577.