THE country may be the other side of the world, but that did not stop youngsters at a Kidlington primary school learning about all things Japanese.

Teachers at Edward Feild Primary School organised a cultural week for the school's 250 pupils after classes started studying the language last September.

Head of modern languages Tonya Berry said it had been very educational and thanked Japanese cultural charity Japan 21 for helping to fund the experience.

Karate expert Paul Coleman, from the Oxford Karate Academy, led a school assembly and workshops with Key Stage One children, teaching basic karate moves and advising pupils how to deal with strangers.

Key Stage Two children designed Japanese cartoon - Manga - characters and learnt to write basic vocabulary using calligraphy.

Pupils also discovered what a kimono was (a Japanese robe) and dressed themselves up in authentic Japanese costumes.

On Thursday, teachers organised a Taiko drumming workshop, which was very popular - and loud.

Ms Berry said: "It's been fantastic. The drumming was a huge success and all the children enjoyed themselves.

"It was probably the highlight of the week because it was so inclusive - everybody had a go and it was very, very noisy."

She added: "The week was all about giving the children an experience of Japanese culture after they'd had an introduction to the language."

She said pupils had learnt lots of Japanese vocabulary over the last six months and many could already count to 100.

"Last year it was Spanish," she said, "this year Japanese. But the Japanese alphabet is so different - it's much harder to pick up.

"It's amazing how quickly children can learn though.

"I think it's much easier when you are young."

Japan 21 is a charity which aims to strengthen ties between Japan and the UK, and encourages educational and grassroots activity relating to Japan.

It provides funding for educational events in schools and colleges.

To find out more visit the website www.japan21.org.uk