Japan Society 日本協会 Japan-Gesellschaft

日本文化科学技術協会

The Japan Society for Culture, Science and Technology

Japan-Gesellschaft für Kultur, Wissenschaft und Technik
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Die Japan-Gesellschaft widmet sich der Weiterentwicklung deutsch-japanischer Beziehungen und setzt sich für eine Vertiefung des gegenseitigen Verst?ndnisses zwischen Deutschland und Japan in einem globalen Kontext ein. Die Hauptziele der Gesellschaft sind (1) die Verbreitung des Wissens und die Verbesserung der Bildung mit Bezug auf Japan, (2) die F?rderung des Interesses der Menschen in Japan an Deutschland und seiner Kultur sowie (3) die Weiterentwicklung des kulturellen und wissenschaftlichen Austausches zwischen Deutschland und Japan.

当 日本協会は、独日関係の更なる発展の為、またグローバルな規模で独日の相互理解を深める為に設立されました。この協会の主要な目標は、（１）日本に関する 知識を広め教育を向上する事、（２）日本人のドイツ及びその文化に対する興味を推進する事、（３）独日間の文化および科学交流を進展させる事です。

The Japan Society is dedicated to the enhancement of German-Japanese relationships and committed to deepening mutual understanding between Germany and Japan in a global context. The Society’s main objectives are (1) to promote learning and advance education with regard to Japan, (2) to promote the study of Germany and its culture by Japanese people and (3) to further cultural and scientific exchanges between Germany and Japan.
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JAPANESE FOOD CULTURE AND HUMAN HEALTH

Tea in Cardiovascular Health and Disease

Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in Japan. Various findings suggest a protective role of tea and its bioactive constituents in cardiovascular health. While promising results have been found in animal studies regarding the effects of tea on blood pressure and other biomarkers related to the risk of cardiovascular disease, the effects demonstrated in humans have been modest. However, since tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, even small beneficial effects in humans may alter the population distribution of the risk of cardiovascular diseases, with important public health implications.

Green Tea for the Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease

Numerous mechanisms that may underlie the neuroprotective effects of bioactive compounds found in tea and their preventive efficacy against Alzheimer's disease have been elucidated in animal studies. Clinical results demonstrating similar efficacy in humans are scarce. However, findings from epidemiological studies conducted in Japan suggest that green tea consumption is associated with a reduced risk of age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.

Amazake and Its Health Benefits

Amazake ("sweet sake") is a non-alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice and has been consumed in Japan for over a thousand years. It may be a functional food with various health benefits and cosmetic effects. For example, amazake has been found to relieve constipation, and its beneficial effects on skin functions have also been established. Amazake may have further value in relation to various aspects of metabolic health.

Miso as an Antihypertensive Functional Food

Miso is a fermented soybean paste and one of the most traditional and distinctive fermented foods in Japan. It is commonly used in Japan as a condiment in miso soup. Despite its high salt content, no association was found between the frequency of miso soup consumption and blood pressure or the incidence of high blood pressure. Miso is a nutritious fermented food which appears to have health-promoting effects in the management of hypertension.

Self-Care Food Council of Japan

The Self-Care Food Council was established in 2022 with the goal of realizing a healthy and long-lived society through food. Based on the scientific analysis of food ingredients, the Council emphasizes public welfare and seeks to create a social system in which every individual can achieve good health.

Self-Care Initiatives Using Functional Agricultural Products

Current research at the National Agricultural and Food Research Organization in Japan is investigating the role of functional lunch boxes using local agricultural products in the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases.

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JAPANESE FOOD CULTURE AND GASTRONOMY

Takoyaki: Street Food from Osaka

Takoyaki is a 3-4 cm ball-shaped Japanese snack made from a wheat flour-based dough filled with diced or minced octopus, spring onions, pickled ginger and tempura scraps. It is cooked in a special cast-iron pan, resulting in a golden brown exterior and soft interior. The takoyaki balls are typically drenched in condiments such as Japanese barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, bonito flakes and seaweed powder. Takoyaki is thought to have originated in Osaka in the 1930s. It is particularly popular as a street food and is now ubiquitous throughout Japan.

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Heijokyo, Ancient Capital of Japan in Nara (UNESCO World Heritage)

Heijokyo was the capital of Japan during the Nara period in the 8th century. The????? city was modeled after Chang'an, the capital of Tang Dynasty China. In Heijokyo, merchants and traders from China, Korea and India introduced various foreign cultures through the Silk Road. As a result, Heijokyo flourished as Japan's first international and political capital.

Kasuga-Taisha Shrine in Nara (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

The Forest Where the Gods Dwell - 神宿る森 - Der Wald, in dem die G?tter wohnen.
Kasuga-taisha is an importantant Shinto shrine. The path leading up to the shrine, which has many stone lanterns, passes through a deer park. The deer are believed to be sacred messengers of the Shinto gods who inhabit the shrine and the surrounding forest and mountainous terrain.

Shikina-en Royal Garden in Naha, Okinawa (UNESCO World Heritage)

Shikina-en Stroll Garden is located south of Shuri Castle in Naha. It was built in the late 18th century as the second residence of the Ryukyu royal family during the Ryukyu Kingdom era. At the heart of the garden is the Royal Palace. Shikina-en is a blend of Chinese and Japanese design and features and has been recognized as "uniquely Ryukyuan" by UNESCO.

Horyuji Temple in Ikaruga, Nara (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

The Horyuji Temple complex is the oldest continuously active Buddhist sanctuary in Asia. It includes some of the oldest and largest wooden buildings in the world. Horyuji was founded in the early 600s by Prince Regent Shotoku Taishi. The construction of the temple marked the introduction of Buddhism and Buddhist art and architecture to Japan from China.

Sakura on Mount Yoshino (Yoshinoyama) (UNESCO World Heritage)

Mount Yoshino in Nara Prefecture has been revered as sacred place for mountain worship since the 7th century. It has been Japan's most famous cherry blossom site for many centuries. The mountain is covered with thousands of cherry trees of many different varieties. The cherry blossoms keep the region in bloom for over a month from late March to mid-April.


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*** 10 Jahre Japan-Gesellschaft für Kultur, Wissenschaft und Technik
sowie 8 Jahre Partnerschaft zwischen der Universit?t Regensburg und
dem Nara Institut für Wissenschaft und Technik (NAIST) in Ikoma ***