1
NOTES ON VISIT TO JAPAN
30 NOVEMBER
1 DECEMBER 1989
The new building is a great success. It has been built by a developer more or less to our specifications and for the most part meets our requirements. The building is well located and looks impressive. The library on the ground floor is busy and attractive, though the reading space is under strain at busiest periods. Classrooms and teachers' facilities on the first floor are excellent, as is the accommodation on the very busy administrative top floor.
The organisation
appears to be working very effectively. Language teaching is
in surplus. Co-operation with the Ministry of Education in training teachers is excellent. We have apparently good relations with the universities, particularly in Science and Technology. Exchanges in both
directions and academic links are very high quality.
British publishers export £22 million of reading material each year to Japan. The Council supports this through excellent relationships with local booksellers and distributors. The assistance given to publishers, their marketing staffs and to visiting authors is greatly appreciated.
In the cultural field the Tokyo office faces a busy two years. There will be a Festival of British Art in Japan in 1990 and a larger Japan Festival in Britain in 1991. The Council is closely involved particularly in organising and co-ordinating the British events in Japan.
We have good staff in Japan, both expatriate and local, led by an experienced Representative, Jo Barnett, who is well respected by the Japanese. Co-operation with the Embassy is close.
This is a representation of great importance which should always be staffed by high quality people particularly the London- appointed and most particularly a first class science officer.
DAVID ORR
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.