New Website to Promote Creative Life in Japan Author: Keith Aiken Official Site: gaijinchannel.com Special Thanks to JR Lipartito and Jim Ballard

Logo for the new Gaijin Channel website. © 2011

SciFi Japan would like to alert our readers to a great new website. Debuting Thursday, September 1st, Gaijin Channel has been brought together by JR Lipartito (FOX BACKSTAGE PASS, BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE) and a team of talented contributors in Japan to become a premiere creative community for Japanophile entertainment. Gaijin Channel`s mission is to spread unique views on life in Japan as can only be told by those who come from or have been heavily influenced by other cultures. There is something unique about Japan that inspires the creative spirit, and Gaijin Channel is specifically designed to enable Japan-based creators to reach a global audience... not only by showing their work, but by sharing the creative process as well to connect with other creative minds in Japan. Contributors to the site will provide articles about their creative endeavors in Japan, covering topics such as the experience of making a film there; performing in Japan; or the Japanese places, people, films, art, and music that have inspired their art. Gaijin Channel will also offers reports about artistic events, performances, workshops etc that would be of interest to creative people. In addition, Gaijin Channel will encourage user participation via their forums and a video log where visitors can submit their own short films shot in or about Japan. Readers can also sign up now to follow Gaijin Channel on Facebook and Twitter. SciFi Japan is pleased to be working with Gaijin Channel on upcoming articles covering Japanese science fiction and special effects projects. Our first collaboration will look at Ultraman Begins 2011: The Start of a New Battle, a new book (and potential comic series) by longtime Ultraman director Takeshi Yagi which is helping to raise money for children affected by the March 11 quake and tsunami. Gaijin Channel will be an informative and entertaining resource for Japanophiles around the world. We hope our readers will visit the site on September 1st and help make the launch a big success.