First Steps for World Citizens

When a Tokyo kindergarten decided it was important to ensure its pupils developed an international outlook, comfortable with other cultures and languages, it employed five teachers from Australia, Canada and the Philippines, to teach the children English through games and songs. Getting to know people from different lands and cultures at such an early age means these children will grow up to be citizens of the world.

Raining in Japan

As well as having a rainy season (about a month, starting in June) Japan is one of the world's rainiest nations. Rain makes the land fertile, and rain is deeply embedded in Japan's cultural life. For centuries, poets and artists have taken rain as their subject: there are many haiku on rain, and Japanese painters were the first to draw falling rain realistically. Today's Japanese still employ many techniques and customs to enjoy both the sights and sounds of rain.

Robot Partners

For centuries, the Japanese have been fascinated by the idea of mechanical helpers, and created many intricate moving puppets and dolls. Today, Japan is a world leader in humanoid robots, many of which can be seen at the ongoing EXPO 2005 in Aichi. Very soon now, such robots will be playing active roles in society, caring for children, helping people with disabilities and rescuing the victims of disasters.

Wagashi - The Taste of the Seasons

Wagashi is the name for the delicate confectionary that is served with green tea. Based on high quality sugar, there are two kinds of wagashi: hard sweets made from rice powder and water, and soft sweets shaped from strained and steamed grain and vegetable ingredients. Originally a creation of the tea ceremony, wagashi are small works of art, designed to make us reflect on the beauty of the current season.