TsukuBlog

I apologize for such short notice. Today’s the “Ice Cream Day” and Baskin Robbins Free Scoop night at Tsukuba Creo (Jusco) has started at 5pm tonight. Free Scoop Night at Tsukuba Creo is from 5pm to 7pm, and you get one single cone when you make a donation to UNICEF. Please visit their website for details.

There will be a lecture by Dr. Robert B. Laughlin of Standford University this Thursday at Epochal Tsukuba (Tsukuba International Congress Center).

Lecture by a Nobel Prize winner Dr. Robert B. Laughlin
When: February 28, Thursday from 6:30PM
Venue: Epochal Tsukuba

Contact the Ibaraki Prefecture’s Science and Technology Promotion Office to register or inquire about this lecture.
・ Phone: 029-301-2532,
・ Fax: 029-301-2539
・ E-mail: kikaku7[at]pref.ibaraki.lg.jp

Ref:
Tsukuba Science Academy
http://academy.fureai.or.jp/news.cgi?mode=detail&num=20080212171108
Ibaraki Virtual Science Museum
http://www.kagakukan.pref.ibaraki.jp/cgi-local/news/newsview.cgi?dnum=0&category=news

In Japan, “food fight” doesn’t mean throwing food at your classmates It means eating something in a competitive setting, and occasionally, the competitive eaters are referred to as “food fighters.”

One very famous Japanese “food fighter” would be Takeru Kobayashi, who competes in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating competition. However, as many of you know, his record was beaten by Joey Chestnut of USA this year.
- Nathan’s Famous official website
- Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest (wikipedia)
- Watch Takeru Kobayashi and Sonya Thomas, a Korean American “food fighter” compete in this credit card ad

Another competitive eater you see often on Japanese TV is “Giant Shirota” of Tochigi. He’s a tall, soft-spoken guy, and his good nature made him very popular.
Giant Shirota Blog

Well, guess what.
You have a chance to meet him…, better yet, compete with him!!

There’ll be eating contests from 2pm at Creo Square Q’t as a part of their summer festival on August 11, Saturday, and Giant Shirota will be there to compete! The event organizer is accepting applications until August 4, Saturday, so if you think you are a big eater, download the application(pdf) form and send it in!
Tsukuba Creo Square Summer Festival page

Participation Fees:
Free
Number of Participants:
10 each for
1. Curry and Rice eating competition
2. Snow Cone eating competition
Qualifications:
1. Must be over 15 y.o. who is in good health, and must have confidence in consuming a lot of food
2. Must not be a competitive eater, professional or non-professional
3. Must not be pregnant, ailing, or allergic to some food
4. Must have the guardian’s consent

The event organizer will screen all the applications and contact only the ones who passed the screening after August 5.

As you can see on the Tsukuba Creo Square’s summer festival page, there will be a yukata contest on August 18, Saturday from 5pm. The deadline of this competition’s application is August 11.

The winners of these two competitions will receive 10,000 yen gift certificate and all the participants will receive goodies.

Please contact the organizer ASAP if you are interested in participating in this forum. 200 seats are available. First come, first served.

World Partnership Forum in Ibaraki*
Date: October 20, Saturday
Venue: Epochal Tsukuba
* The forum will be simultaneously interpreted into English.

Keynote Lecture: “Pushing Our Faculties to the Limit: The Challenge” by a Noble Prize winner 江崎玲於奈(Dr. Leo Esaki), who was also a chancellor of Tsukuba University from 1992 to 1998.

Time: 13:15pm to 17:00pm
- Doors open at 12:45
- Forum begins at 13:15
- Lecture: 13:30 to 14:15
- Panel discussion between Dr. Esaki, about 10 ambassadors to Japan, and representatives of the economic circle: 14:15 to 15:45
- Dialogue between the ambassadors and local students: 16:00 to 17:00

Please visit this page or download the flyer/application form here.
Or e-mail Ibaraki Prefectural Government’s International Affairs Division : kokuko[AT]pref.ibaraki.lg.jp if you have any questions.