If you're aged between 18 and 32 years and fancy participating in a two-week study tour of Japan, whey not try your hand at essay writing? Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is offering a two-week study tour to Japan in August or September, to include air tickets, hotel accommodation, meals and domestic travel within Japan. All you have to do is win its 21st essay competition.

In addition to the age rules, you must be of Irish nationality and currently living in Ireland. To win the prize, you're invited to write a 2,000- to 3,000-word essay on the steps that could be taken to promote the relationship between Ireland and Japan. The title of the essay is: Can the shamrock take root in cherry blossom Japan? Essays should be typed on A4 size paper (six to eight sheets) which is stapled, not bound. The winner may chose to visit Japan for the last two weeks in August or the first or second two weeks in September. The programme will include seminars on Japanese politics, economy and culture and Japan-Europe relations. Visits to industrial, commercial and historical places of interest as well as theatres are also promised. The competition will be judged in Dublin and the winner will be notified in June.

For further details contact: Essay Contest Desk, Embassy of Japan, Nutley Building, Merrion Centre, Nutley Lane, Dublin 4 (tel: (01) 269 4244, ext 142).