British Council hosts picnic for children: The British Council's Kyoto office is inviting children to its English-language picnic between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday at Demizu no Ogawa square in Kyoto-gyoen National Garden in Kamigyo Ward.

English teachers will lead children in a range of activities, including singing, games and craft-making. All activities will involve the natural environment or birds.

The event is reserved for children from the age of 4 to sixth grade. At least one adult must accompany each child or group.

Participation is free. Anyone wishing to take part should meet at the venue at 12:40 p.m.

For more information, call the Kyoto office at (075) 229-7151 or visit the home page set up for the event: www.uknow.or.jp/bc/picnic.htm

Lecture to reveal how Japan outsmarts U.S.: The American Chamber of Commerce Japan will host a lecture from 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the P&G Auditorium on Rokko Island in Kobe's Higashinada Ward.

Guest speaker Ivan Hall, a Japan historian and author of such books as "Bamboozled!: How America Loses the Intellectual Game with Japan and Its Implications for Our Future in Asia," will talk about how Japan continues to outsmart the United States on trade and other important economic and intellectual matters. Hall will also sign his books after the lecture.

Participation is 4,000 yen for non-ACCJ members and reservations are required in advance.

For reservations and more information, call the ACCJ at (06) 6944-5991 or fax (06) 6944-5992.

Osaka plans German Christmas market: A Christmas market featuring German-style attractions and products will be held between Nov. 21 and Dec. 25 at Wonder Square, near the Umeda Sky Building in Kita Ward, Osaka.

The attractions will include a 27-meter tall Christmas tree illuminated with 100,000 lights, a merry-go-round from Germany and many other displays showing how Germans enjoy the holiday season. Items on sale will include a wide range of Christmas ornaments and traditional German handicrafts, as well as sausages, beer, wine and "gluehwein," a popular winter drink in Germany.

The market will be open between noon and 8 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, and from noon to 9 p.m. Friday to Sunday.

For more information, call the Executive Committee for German Christmas Markets Osaka 2003 at (06) 6440-3901.