Fourth Japan-EU English Haiku Contest

The Embassy of Japan is pleased to inform you of the Fourth Japan-EU English Haiku Contest, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Delegation of the European Union to Japan, and sponsored by Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan and the Flemish Haiku Centre, Belgium.

523 haiku poets submitted entries on the theme "Dawn" for last year's third contest. For this year's contest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the EU Delegation to Japan are pleased to call on contestants to share their haiku related to the theme of “Rainbow”.

The organisers have set up a Fan Page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/haikucontest) and selected haiku will be uploaded. The aim of the contest is to deepen the relationship between Japan and the EU and encourage people to enjoy both writing and reading English haiku.

• The deadline for applications is Thursday, 1 August 2013 (2.00am, Brussels time).
• Applications should be submitted by e-mail to japaneuhaiku-contest@mofa.go.jp using the official entry form available to download from the Embassy’s website www.ie.emb-japan.go.jp or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website http://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press6e_000109.html. Only one original and previously unpublished haiku may be submitted per applicant (please see the attached guidelines for detailed information on the format of the haiku).
• The contest is open to the nationals of EU member states (including Croatia) and Japan who are currently residing in the EU (including Croatia) or Japan. It is open to all ages.
• One winner each from Japan and the EU will be announced in due course. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will offer the winner from the EU a round-trip to Matsuyama City, the birthplace of modern haiku in Japan. The EU Delegation to Japan will invite the winner from Japan to Belgium, the home country of European Council President H.E. Mr. Herman Van Rompuy who loves haiku and is an active haikuist himself. The contest winners will be notified by e-mail and given further details of the round-trip prize. Please note that related expenses covered by the organisers have certain limitations.
• Enquiries should be sent by e-mail only to the European Policy Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs: japaneuhaiku-contest@mofa.go.jp
• You will find the detailed Guidelines for Submission and official entry form on the Embassy’s website www.ie.emb-japan.go.jp and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website http://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press6e_000109.html