BRISTOL JAPAN CLUB meets twice every month

• Second Wednesday of every month at the Polish Club, 50 St Paul's Road, Clifton, Bristol

• Last Tuesday of every month at Obento Japanese restaurant, 69 Baldwin Street, Bristol

SIGN UP FOR JAPANESE FILM NEWS

The Watershed cinema on Bristol's harbourside frequently shows Japanese films and occasionally features a whole season of them. If you would like to receive free listings of screenings, events and exhibitions, send an e-mail to bulletin@watershed.co.uk with "Mailing List" in the subject box, stating your e-mail address and your special interests, e.g. "Japanese Film". Full cinema listings and other information at www.watershed.co.uk 

JETRO BUSINESS JAPANESE PROFICIENCY TEST

The JETRO Business Japanese Proficiency Test takes place in London and worldwide in October every year. The test is designed to evaluate the Japanese language skills of non-native speakers in business situations. Part 1 of the test is listening and reading comprehension and Part 2 is an oral communication test. Applications can be submitted in the summer and there is an entry fee. More details will be posted later.

For further details and applications, contact JETRO London on 020 7470 4700

TEST YOUR JAPANESE LANGUAGE SKILLS

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test is held on a Sunday in December every year at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London University. The test is in a multiple choice format, covering reading, listening, grammar and vocabulary at five different levels from Level N5 (needing about 800 words vocabulary and 100 kanji) to Level N1 (needing about 10,000 words vocabulary and 2000 kanji). Application forms can be obtained from the Japan Research Centre at SOAS, University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG (Telephone 020 7898 4489). Applications for the JLPT begin around July.

More information on the Proficiency Test can be found on various web sites listed on the Japanese Language page.

EATING OUT NEAR BRISTOL

The Stanton House Hotel is about an hour's drive from Bristol in an attractive countryside setting in the village of Stanton Fitzwarren near Swindon. Associated with the Honda car company, who have a factory nearby, the hotel's restaurant serves Japanese food and is open to non-residents. The Sunday lunchtime buffet offers a large selection of sushi followed by various other hot and cold Japanese dishes. It is tabehodai-style so you can eat as much as you like for a set price including desserts, tea, coffee and soft drinks. There is a small shop next to the restaurant, selling imported Japanese food and drinks. More details at www.stantonhouse.co.uk