Joe Palermo went to Japan as a Mombusho English Fellow (MEF) from 1982-83 (pre-JET), and then launched a business career and lived there for a total of eight years. He has published a new book called No Pianos, Pets or Foreigners! My Life in Japan in the 80′s about his Japan experience where he lived in Gunma, Saitama and Tokyo.
From the book:
A young Japanese woman was running through Tokyo Station screaming “Save me! Save me!” There was a Japanese man chasing her and closing in. He grabbed her wrist and caught her about 10 feet in front of me. The woman was still yelling “Save me! Save Me!” but the Japanese people in the crowded station ignored her, not wanting to get involved.
From the author:
This is the beginning of just one of the stories from my experience living in Japan in the 1980’s, where I had moved right after graduating university. It was still rare to see an American who could speak Japanese fluently. This book guides the reader though my many adventures navigating through Japanese culture while living in the outskirts of Tokyo, as well as Tokyo proper.
No Pianos, Pets or Foreigners! is currently available for free on Kindle Unlimited and $5.99 paperback on Amazon.
Written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03), WIT Life is a periodic series about aspects of Japanese culture such as film, food and language. Stacy starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.
Hello from day #? of coronavirus quarantine. Hope everyone is staying safe by hunkering down and practicing self-care. The news of legendary Japanese comedian Ken Shimura’s death from coronavirus was a shock to the entire nation. Some say this is what might be needed to awaken the populace to the potential danger that this pandemic brings.
So far infection rates in Japan have been super low, and various theories abound as to why. One cites cultural aspects, such as the propensity for problem denial, no handshaking, little showing of PDAs in public, the popularity of masks and of personal hygiene like hand washing, taking shoes off at home, and the ability to receive proper medical care because everyone is insured.
Up until now, the Japanese government’s limited strategy has been to focus on known cluster areas. Current guidelines recommend the avoidance of gathering in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation, meeting in large groups and having conversations with close contact. Some believe that the lack of testing was due to an attempt to salvage the Olympics, but that once testing takes place more frequently cases will surely increase.
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email
Position: Marketing and Sales
Posted by: AeroEdge
Location: Tochigi, Japan
Contract: Full-Time
Here’s a job passed along to us:
Background
AeroEdge is a fast growing company that machines very hard metal like titanium up to the grade of aircraft engine’s key structural components for the world well-known aerospace suppliers in the U.S. and Europe.
Besides aerospace, the company has been receiving inquiries from auto, industrial machinery and ship building industries in the U.S., Germany, France and the U.K., and now AeroEdge is interested in exploring business opportunities in those new fields to diversify its business operation by making most use of its high machining skills and quality assurance value added. With the above as a background, AeroEdge asked us (Nisshin Global Corporation) to post the following job opening of a sales engineer post.
Please carefully read the following task, qualifications and hiring conditions, and apply for it if you think you are a good fit.
Task: Marketing and sales in the field of auto, industrial machinery and ship building industries in the United States, Germany, France and the U.K.
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe–shi, 2001-02). Justin has written about Japanese arts and entertainment for JETAA since 2005. For more of his articles, click here.
Spring has sprung in the Big Apple, and that means one thing: a new season of sounds, colors, and spectacular performing arts to match the blossoming sakura trees throughout the city.
This month’s highlight includes:
Wednesday, April 3
Shunzo Ohno Runner Album Release
An award-winning songwriter and composer, Shunzo Ohno is regarded as one of the most innovative and influential trumpeters today. His work with jazz legends Gil Evans, Art Blakey and Wayne Shorter combines his fresh vibrance with a tapestry of soulful inspiring grooves, not to be missed. Runner, his 18th album as a leader, kicks off with a four–piece symphonic suite aptly titled “Epic,” which takes major cues from Evans as it unleashes Ohno’s captivating mastery as a trumpeter over his dynamic symphonic vision. Like all of Ohno’s recordings, Runner is an ode to perseverance, and bold strength with cinematic currents of fearless life force.
Want to stay in the loop on future events? Follow Justin on Facebook and Twitter.
Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email
Position: Internship Opportunities
Posted by: Ashinaga
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Contract: Full-Time
Here are internships passed along to us directly from Ashinaga:
Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email
Position: Japanese Technical Translator
Posted by: Sanoh America
Location: Findlay, OH, USA
Contract: Full-Time
Thanks to JET alum, Mike Holmes (Niigata-ken) for the following job listing:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide language translation in a variety of settings, such as group meetings, phone calls, e-mails, reports, or other correspondence, with major focus on Engineering / technical topics.
- Participate in a variety of business trips scenarios, such as visits to Sanoh America facilities, customers, or suppliers; Provide language translation during visits, along with related ongoing communications.
- Serve as liaison in communications between Sanoh America and Sanoh Japan; Assist with weekly Operations / Engineering call with Sanoh Japan
- All other Presidential support duties as assigned
REQUIRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Engineering, Japanese language, or related field OR equivalent experience
REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Fluency in Japanese language skills, and translation to and from English (both verbal and written)
- Working knowledge of Japanese business culture
- Proficiency in written / verbal communications and interpersonal skills
- Basic knowledge of automotive industry (especially Japanese OEMs)
- Good organizational and time-management skills
- Intermediate skills, especially in MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- High level of integrity and confidentiality
Job: Executive Director – US-Japan Bridging Scholars Program (Washington, DC, USA)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email
Position: Executive Director
Posted by: US-Japan Bridging Scholars Program
Location: Washington, DC, USA
Contract: Full-Time
Here’s a job passed along to us:
Founded in 1998, USJBF strengthens the US-Japan relationship through its Bridging Scholars program, which awards several hundred scholarships to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in Japan each year.
The Executive Director’s key priority will be growing the Bridging Scholars program, so our ideal candidate will be a passionate promoter of our mission. This could be a great opportunity for a seasoned fundraising professional looking to step into an executive role, or someone from academia expanding their skill set to the nonprofit sector. While USJBF has historically been headquartered in DC, this is a global search and the board will consider remote work for the right candidate.
Application Process: Please help us cast a wide net by circulating this announcement to your colleagues and networks. A full job description is below, and can be found online at www.good-insight.org/careers.
Please note that we’ve retained the consulting firm Good Insight to lead the search. Your personal candidate referrals can be forwarded to their CEO, Carlyn Madden. She is available to have a confidential conversation with anyone interested in the position. She can be reached at carlyn@good-insight.org.
Job: Associate Corporate Counsel – YKK Corporation of America (Marietta, GA, USA)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email
Position: Associate Corporate Counsel
Posted by: YKK Corporation of America
Location: Marietta, GA, USA
Contract: Full-Time
Please see below the job which was passed along to us:
YKK Corporation of America is seeking a corporate attorney with 5-7 years of corporate legal experience in a law firm and/or in-house corporate legal department for its in-house legal department in Marietta, Georgia.
YKK Corporation of America is the U.S. subsidiary of YKK Corporation in Japan, a global manufacturer of zippers and other fastening products. YKK
Corporation of America is also the parent company for all of YKK’s operations in the U.S., Mexico, and Central America.
This position will provide legal support primarily for YKK’s Global Marketing operations in the U.S., and will involve working with and advising the Global Marketing business teams on a variety of commercial transactions and legal issues. This position will report to the Chief Legal Counsel.
For More Information and to Apply: YKK Associate Corporate Counsel Position
Job: JET Program Coordinator – Embassy of Japan (Washington, DC)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email
Position: JET Program Coordinator
Posted by: Embassy of Japan, JET Program Office
Location: Washington, DC
Contract: Full-Time
Here’s a job passed along to us:
An exciting opportunity to work at the JET Program Office at the Embassy of Japan has opened up!
Application Process: If you’re interested, please see here for job duties and application procedures: https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/english/html/JET-pc-job-announcement.pdf
Job: Various Teaching/Tutoring Positions – Japanese Children’s Society (New Jersey, USA)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email
Position: Various Teaching/Tutoring Positions
Posted by: Japanese Children’s Society
Location: Englewood Cliffs/Fort Lee, NJ, USA
Contract: Full-Time
Please see below the document for job openings sent directly to us from the Japanese Children’s Society.
The successful applicants will teach English to Japanese students. Must be a native English speaker with a B.A. degree. Applicants with TESOL or K-12 certificates and teaching experience are highly preferred. We offer multiple positions at different locations. If you are interested in teaching at one of these locations below, please send your resume including your information
about your preferred locations and available days and time.
For more information and to apply: Employment Opportunities for English Language Teachers (Japanese Children’s Society)
Job: Communications and Events Associate – International Student Conferences, Inc. (Washington, DC)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email
Position: Communications and Events Associate
Posted by: International Student Conferences, Inc.
Location: Washington, DC
Contract: Full-Time
Here’s a job passed along to us directly from the International Student Conferences, Inc:
Job: Various Teaching/Tutoring Positions – Japanese Children’s Society (Englewood Cliffs/Fort Lee, NJ, USA)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email
Position: Various Teaching/Tutoring Positions
Posted by: Japanese Children’s Society
Location: Englewood Cliffs/Fort Lee, NJ, USA
Contract: Full-Time
Here’s a job passed along to us:
——————————————————————————-
Urgently Seeking
Part-time ESL/English teacher (Japanese Children’s Society, NJ)
——————————————————————————-
Jobs at Japanese Children’s Society (February, 2020)
Employment Opportunities for English Language Teachers
*Urgently Seeking, Possible opening position in the near future
The successful applicants will teach English to Japanese students. Must be a native English speaker with a B.A. degree. Applicants with TESOL or K-12 certificates and teaching experience are highly preferred. We offer multiple positions at different locations. If you are interested in teaching at one of these locations below, please send your resume including your information about your preferred locations and available days and time.
Job: Associate Program Officer – Japan Foundation CGP (New York, USA)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email
Position: Associate Program Officer
Posted by: Japan Foundation CGP
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Full-Time
Here’s a job passed along to us:
JQ Magazine: Nippon in New York — Dai Fujikura, ‘Tokyo Godfathers,’ Japan Nite
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By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe–shi, 2001-02). Justin has written about Japanese arts and entertainment for JETAA since 2005. For more of his articles, click here.
Stay warm this winter with some hot local events, from live showcases that will transport you to another time and place, some new anime screenings, and a rock showcase you won’t want to miss.
This month’s highlights include:
Thursday, March 5, 8:00 p.m.
Dai Fujikura: Composer Portrait
Miller Theatre, 2960 Broadway
$7-$30
The works of Osaka-born Dai Fujikura are performed with regularity by conductors such as Gustavo Dudamel and by some of the most acclaimed orchestras and ensembles in the world. As one of the leading voices of his generation, his signature “high octane instrumental writing” (The Guardian) will be exhibited in this Portrait featuring International Contemporary Ensemble, longtime champions of Fujikura. A selection of recent chamber works provide a glimpse into his unique soundworld, including Minina—inspired by the birth of his daughter—and abandoned time, written for electric guitar and ensemble.
March 6-7, 7:30 p.m.
Japan Society, 333 Easy 47th Street
$32, $25 members
Isolation, contagion and instability: Fruits borne out of rust, conceived of and directed by internationally known Japanese visual artist Tabaimo, uses drawings, video installations and live music to probe these unsettling themes that lurk beneath daily existence. Her intricate animations transform the stage into a wood floor apartment, a large birdcage that traps the dancer with a dove, and a line of tatami mats that swallows the dancer whole. Tabaimo’s collaborator, award-winning choreographer Maki Morishita, mischievously blends the subtle movements of the dancer’s fingers and toes with the dynamic drive of her limbs and torso, enhancing Tabaimo’s peculiar and introspective world. The March 6 performance is followed by a MetLife Meet-the-Artists Reception. The March 7 performance is followed by an Artist Q&A.
March 9 & 11, 7:00 p.m.
Regal E-Walk 42nd Street 13, 247 West 43nd Street
AMC Empire 25, 234 West 42nd Street
AMC Kips Bay 15, 570 Second Avenue
$14-$20
Tokyo Godfathers, the acclaimed holiday classic from master director Satoshi Kon (Paprika, Perfect Blue), returns to theaters in a brand-new restoration. In modern-day Tokyo, three homeless people’s lives are changed forever when they discover a baby girl at a garbage dump on Christmas Eve. As the New Year fast approaches, these three forgotten members of society band together to solve the mystery of the abandoned child and the fate of her parents. Along the way, encounters with seemingly unrelated events and people force them to confront their own haunted pasts, as they learn to face their future, together. Co-written by Keiko Nobumoto (Cowboy Bebop) and featuring a whimsical score by Keiichi Suzuki, Tokyo Godfathers is a masterpiece by turns heartfelt, hilarious and highly original, a tale of hope and redemption in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. The March 9 screening is presented in Japanese with English subtitles, with the March 11 screening presented in English.
Read MoreJob: Program Officer – Japan Society (New York, USA)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email
Position: Program Officer – Innovators Network
Posted by: Japan Society
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Full-Time
Here’s a job passed along to us:
Join our team at this exciting time as our new President & CEO reintroduces Japan Society for the global era in our second century of promoting mutual understanding between the United States and Japan. The Program Officer in the Innovators Network is part of a small team that develops and implements multi-year projects to facilitate unique opportunities for leaders and innovators from Japan and the U.S. to come together, share knowledge and insight, and catalyze positive social change.
The Program Officer will also help administer the Japan Relief Fund, originally launched by Japan Society on March 12, 2011 to aid the survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and now includes relief efforts as a result of the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake and the 2019 Typhoon Hagibis.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Innovators Network
- Strategize with Director on overall Network development and goals;
- Research candidates for Innovators Network projects;
- Initiate and develop new project ideas;
- Draft proposals and develop project budgets;
- Build itineraries and oversee logistics for events and schedules, including in Japanese;
- Accompany and assist Japanese and American Network participants on Innovators Network trips in the Japan and the U.S.;
- Implement all public programs and events related to the Network ;
- Provide informal interpretation during the exchange programs;
- Provide translation for documents in Japanese;
- Work with Media & Marketing to update website with relevant material, news related to Network participants and the Japan Relief Fund (English and Japanese);
- Produce quarterly e-newsletters and event e-blasts;
- Update Innovators Network’s social media outlets;
- Update database;
- Manage Network correspondence and documentation (online and hard-copy);
- Process payments for project and event expenses in a timely manner;
- Prepare materials for Annual Report and prepare Japanese language section materials.
