Job: Preschool, Kindergarden, Elementary School Teachers (Sierra Leone)
Jobs 
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via Pacific Northwest JETAA. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields. She is also the former vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
*Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.
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Job Position: Preschool, Kindergarden, Elementary School Teachers (Sierra Leone)
Job Details:
The American school in Freetown is seeking qualified pre-school, kindergarten and 1/2 Grade teachers immediately. Beautiful and safe country, world-class beaches, wonderful school community. Certification is a plus, experience can substitute.
via JETAA UK. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields. She is also the former vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
*Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.
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Job Position: Volunteers needed for Japan Matsuri (London, UK)
Job Details:
A number of Volunteers and Interns are required for Japan Matsuri 2011, which will take place on 18th September in London.
Period: From NOW up to 18/08/2011(Sun)
Venue: London
Language Skill required: English or Japanese (* depending on the roles)
If you join us as a volunteer we can give you:
Justin’s Japan: Loudness, Akiko Yano Perform Rare Concerts in New York
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Legendary Japanese metal band Loudness return to Times Square's B.B. King Blues Club & Grill June 1.
By JQ magazine’s Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his page here to subscribe for free alerts on newly published stories.
After their successful tour of Europe last year capped with a headlining gig at Germany’s prestigious Bang Your Head!!! festival, Japan’s Loudness are invading North America for the first time since their sold out 2006 tour, and only the second time since 1991!
Formed in 1981 in Osaka, vocalist Minoru Niihara, guitarist Akira Takasaki (A.K.A. the Eddie Van Halen of Japan), bassist Masayoshi Yamashita and drummer Munetaka Higuchi joined forces to become not only Japan’s premier metal band, but a world class act in their own right, releasing five English-language albums in America in their heyday.
On June 1, the group storms Times Square’s B.B. King Blues Club and Grill, where they last played five years ago in a historic gig filmed for their Loudness in America 06 DVD. (The disc doubles as an epitaph for Higuchi, who succumbed to liver cancer two years later. He was replaced in 2009 by Masayuki Suzuki.)
Metal not your cup of cha? On June 3, Japan Society presents Akiko Yano Solo: Revealing Her Magic. This one-night-only appearance is billed as a concert and talk, exploring renowned singer-songwriter Akiko Yano‘s original music, as influenced and inspired by the unique rhythm and intonation of the Japanese language. In this performance, Yano demonstrates how she bends prose, phrases and salutations into her own musical expressions.
UPDATE 9/27/11: It turns out an MEF Group on LinkedIn was previously created by Thomas Schalow. To join, go to this link: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?about=&gid=3757582
I’m going to delete the group that I created and would like to encourage MEFs, BETs and other pre-JETs to join the version of the group set up by Thomas.
Yoroshiku!
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Every now and then I hear from a Monbusho English Fellow (MEF) or other person who was part of a pre-JET program in Japan. I know there are plenty more MEFs out there, and you are very much JET alums from the perspective of the JET alumni community. So I thought it would make sense to create a LinkedIn group for MEFs and others who participated in programs. (I think there was also a British English Teachers program?)
Monbusho English Fellows (MEFs) LinkedIn Group
JQ Magazine: JNTO “Meet Japan 2011” Familiarization Trip
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By Gil Cardon (Hiroshima-ken, 2001-04), for JQ magazine. Gil is the convention manager at the Japan National Tourism Organization in New York. He is the primary contact for promoting Japan MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) within North America.
Every year at about the same time, the Japan National Tourism Organization hosts the “Meet Japan” familiarization trip. This year, ten guests from six different countries (U.K., France, Italy, Greece, Israel, and the U.S.) participated in the trip.
The guests are representatives of international organizations and professional associations that are planning to hold a conference in Japan in the near future. Through the course of the Meet Japan trip, the representatives visit convention centers and hotels in various cities throughout Japan, as part of a study tour to learn about the many amenities that the venues have to offer. Participants also have the chance to visit “unique venues” for holding their conferences, such as traditional Japanese ryokans, historic castles, museums, and Noh theaters.
As a representative of the Japan Convention Bureau from the New York office, I had the fortunate opportunity to join the Chiba-Nagoya tour of the 2011 Meet Japan trip, from February 25–March 1, 2011. I had never been to Nagoya before, so I was looking forward to checking it out. I had been to Chiba once before, but I was sure that I would learn something new on this trip.
MEF Bruce Rutledge’s Chin Music Press launches innovative “BooksRX”
Books, Cultural Outreach, Notable JET Alums, Writers Comments Off on MEF Bruce Rutledge’s Chin Music Press launches innovative “BooksRX”
MEF Bruce Rutledge, founder of Seattle-based independent book publisher Chin Music Press and editor of Ibuki magazine, has launched an innovative new approach to independent book publishing:
Mail-Order Medicine For Your Mind!
Announcing BooksRX In 2010, small independent publisher Bellevue Literary Press won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction with Paul Harding’s Tinkers – the first time a small press had won the award since 1981! In 2011, the media bombards us with tales of Amazon’s digital books gobbling up demand for the printed page, and yet small presses continue to pop up all over the US and Canada.
With the book business in a state of flux, we here at Chin Music Press believe that independent publishers are poised to carry the banner of the publishing world far into the 21st century. We are fortunate to find ourselves in a literal consortium of visionary presses who refuse to believe the media’s Doomsday prophecies foretelling the slow demise of the printed book. In fact, we’re convinced that our fellow indie publishers offer the perfect elixirs for eager readers and despairing booksellers alike.
Beginning June 1, Chin Music Press will offer BooksRX, a quarterly curated collection of the best that North American independent publishers have to offer. We’re excited to prescribe publishers, writers and artists whom we think should be a part of any literary medicine cabinet. BooksRX ensures that you’re getting your recommended dose of vitamin READ.
“BooksRX is undoubtedly the gateway drug for unsuspecting readers into the world of independent book publishing!”
Dr. R. Max Sneezeworthy, Literary Division, US Department of Health and Human Services
Available as a single dosage (one issue) or as a full regimen (annual subscription), each installment of BooksRX is a limited edition of 100 and arranged around a loose theme. Our first issue is inspired by our passion for finding new ways to tell stories from and about Japan.
- Monkey Business: New Voices From Japan A bold new collection including short stories, poems, an interview with author Haruki Murakami and more curated by Motoyuki Shibata and Ted Goossen, and presented by A Public Space
- An exclusive hand-numbered, signed and limited edition giclee print from L.J.C. Shimoda, fine artist and illustrator of OH! a mystery of mono no aware
- Kuhaku and Other Accounts From Japan Our first book (and manifesto to holistic book design) featuring essays and art by Roland Kelts, Craig Mod, kozyndan, Sumie Kawakami and an irreverent but highly informative glossary of Japanese terms.
BooksRX is available exclusively through the Chin Music Press online store:
- Single dose (one issue): $40 including shipping to US and Canada ($10 extra for shipping to international destinations)
- Full prescription (four quarterly issues, save $20): $140 including shipping to US and Canada, ($35 extra for shipping to international destinations)
A carefully edited selection including two dynamic books featuring new voices from Japan paired with an exclusive hand-numbered and signed art print!
More: Chin Music Press · Online Store
600 North 36th Street, #212, Seattle, WA 98103
WIT Life #169: Happy Doll Fundraiser
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JET Prefecture Round-Up 05.30.11
Cultural Outreach, Earthquake Tsunami, Events, Fundraising, Japan Local, JET Prefecture Round-up, Uncategorized Comments Off on JET Prefecture Round-Up 05.30.11
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Emily Lemmon, (Hyogo-ken, Shiso-shi, 2009-present), PSG volunteer, organizer of Hyogo-ken’s PEPY Ride, student of Shorinji Kempo, and editor of the Hyogo Times, gives a little taste of what JETs are doing around Japan. To submit items for future JET Prefecture Round-up posts, e-mail Emily at jetinfogather [at] gmail.com.
Events by Region
Hokkaido
- The Hokkaido Players present The Jungle Book, May 22nd (Sunagawa), 28th (Takinoue), and June 4th (Kutchan).
- Iwamizawa International Mini Festival will be June 18th at Higashiyama Park, (next to the sports centre)
Aomori
- On Saturday, June 5th, Aomori AJET will be holding a double-parter event, a gala dinner and a club event, in Morioka City. These events are being held to bring together JETs from all over Tohoku, and raise money for Earthquake Relief (Japan Red Cross).
- There will be an International Lunch at the Aomori City Chuo Shimin Center on Saturday, June 18th. On the menu is Thai curry! At the same time, Aomori Prefecture’s branch of UNESCO will be presenting sessions on Japanese culture, and providing free tea ceremony sessions for those who would like to try it.
- The 7th annual Akita International Sumo Basho will be held in Akita city on Sunday June 5th.
Iwate
- JETs are invited to attend a tour of Nataya-cho, led by volunteer guides, in Morioka on June 12th.
Kansai Region
- Block 6 and 7 Sayonara Formal will be held in Kobe on June 25th.
Nara
- The International Arts Festival, featuring performances in a wide range of disciplines, will be put on by the JETs of Nara prefecture on June 19th.
- Nara’s farewell to leaving JETs, the Bye Bye Bash,complete with awards, will be held at the Yagi Kintetsu Beer Garden on June 17th.
Hyogo
- 2011 Himeji Prom-stravaganza will be June 4th.
- Hyogo AJET’s Sayonara Party will be June 17th
- Taj Ultimate, the Ultimate Frisbee Tournament, will be held July 9th and 10th, 2011 (start practicing)!
Chugoku Region
Tottori
- Tottori’s Got Talent, in which participants compete to win money for charities of their choice, will be held in Tottori city on June 11th.
Shikoku Region
Ehime
- “There is Hope Through Music” for Tohoku – On July 9th, Ehime JET Dan will gather fellow JETs to the Asakura Kominkan in Imabari to record videos with the fireman brass band. The videos will be combined with videos from the Kurosawa Piano Music Foundation of California and broadcast both online and to the victims in refugee camps in Japan.
- Eight JETs will assist with the Imabari Higashi Secondary School English Camp June 11th and 12th.
- Ehime JET Melanie is planning a fundraising festival event, in conjunction with Imabari City International Exchange Association (ICIEA), to raise funds for Tohoku and Kanto region disaster relief. The event will take place on Sunday, July 24, at Saisai Kiteya in Imabari.
Kochi
- Ladies Day Spa – ladies of Kochi gather for pampering on June 4th.
- Kochi Surf Camp will be at Irino Beach July 16th – 18th.
- JETs Sam and Douglas are now teaching weekly self-defense classes in Kochi.
Kyushu Region
Oita
- A team of Oita JETs will be playing in the Mud Volleyball tournament in Nakatsu City on June 5th.
- JETs and non-JETs will mingle and show their talents at the Rotary Dinner and Talent Show in Oita City on June 18th.
- Oita JETs will assist with rice planting on to Moritas’ Organic Farm in Bungo Ono City on June 18th or 25th.
- Sayonara Party – Oita JETs say farewell on July 9th in Oita City.
- Bad weather forced the cancellation of the Oita camping trip on May 29th, so JETs went bowling instead.
Kumamoto
- Kumamoto’s Got Talent will be performed at Good Time Charlie’s on June 4th.
- KumAJET Sports Day was Saturday, May 21st, in Nimarukoen.
Nagasaki
- ALTernative Nagasaki, the photo art exhibit explores Nagasaki through the eyes of its transient population of ALTs. Opening night is June 11th
Kagoshima
- Bound in Japan is an art project promoting multicultural exchange and diversity awareness, presented by a former Kagoshima JET.
Video: Anti-nuclear protest march in Tokyo – by JET alum Tom Baker
Article/Journalism, Blogs, Earthquake Tsunami, Japan Trends, Video, Writers Comments Off on Video: Anti-nuclear protest march in Tokyo – by JET alum Tom Baker
The meltdown crisis at the tsunami-hit nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture has inspired a number of antinuclear protests in Japan. Journalist and JET alum Tom Baker (Chiba, 1989-1991), who blogs at Tokyo Tom Baker made this video of one that took place in Ginza, Tokyo, last night (May 27):
Japan Relief: “It Won’t Be Long Now” song and video by JET alum Shun Endo and The Liquid Now
Cultural Outreach, Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, Music, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Video, Volunteer Comments Off on Japan Relief: “It Won’t Be Long Now” song and video by JET alum Shun Endo and The Liquid Now
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JET alum Shun Endo (Ibaraki Prefecture, 1998-2001) (Treasurer and Webmaster for JETAA Pacific Northwest and creator instantnoodlescomics.com) and his band The Liquid Now have released a music video titled “It Won’t Be Long Now“ intended to draw attention to and help fundraise for Japan relief efforts.
From Shun Endo and The Liquid Now:
IT WON’T BE LONG is about overcoming the tsunami and earthquake in Northern Japan. It was a chance for us to really reflect on their struggle, and beyond. To us, the Japanese festivals encompass the beauty of the culture. We’ve experienced nothing like it. It is a time of strong community, tradition, abandon, and joy. We hope the areas affected will heal enough to enjoy themselves once again soon.
All band sales will be donated, so just donate directly to the Seattlejapanrelief.org who work with Red Cross and Peacewinds.
For a digital copy of the song, visit www.theliquidnow.com and/or email theliquidnow@gmail.com
Thank you for listening. 日本の皆さん、頑張りましょう。
The Liquid Now are a band from Seattle that is influenced by British music and Japanese culture. www.theliquidnow.com
(we hope people don’t mind us using their online photos as this is for a good cause, and we will donate anything that comes our way.)
Surviving in Japan: How to Find Anti-itch, Insect Bite Medicine
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Posted by Ashley Thompson (Shizuoka-ken, 2008-2010) of Surviving in Japan: without much Japanese and Lifelines columnist for The Japan Times.
This post is a follow-up to A Survival Guide to Mosquito Repellent in Japan, for those who try in vain but perhaps still end up with itchy, annoying bites (I know the feeling…). My first apartment in Japan was constantly bombarded with mosquitoes, as it was next to this swampy water pool. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t keep them all away. (Although I’m convinced I seem especially attractive to them – they go after me far more than my husband!)
I visited a drug store in the first month after my arrival in hopes of discovering some anti-itch cream, the kind you use for mosquito bites, but without any idea of what exactly to look for or what it was called. After browsing the walls and aisles of various items, still unsure of what to get, I asked one of the store employees for help. I looked up mosquito in the Japanese-English dictionary on my phone, showed her the result, pointed to some of the red welts on my hand and arm, and asked if they had anything for that. Fortunately for me at the time, she understood right away and led me to the anti-itch/insect bite medicine, pulling out a box of ムヒ (Muhi), which is a common brand here in Japan.
So, to help you in your search for anti-itch/insect bite medicine, and perhaps save you some trouble of finding what you need at the store, I’ve included some necessary words to know, and some of the common ingredients you’ll typically find in these types of medicine.
Words to Know
When searching for anti-itch, insect bite medicine, look for these words:
虫さされ むしさされ mushi sasare insect bite (may also see as 虫刺され)
かゆみ kayumi itching
Though the brand and item name are typically most prominent on any packaging, you’ll likely see 虫さされ and/or かゆみ somewhere on the box/bottle.
Depending on your personal preference, you can find anti-itch, insect bite medication in various forms, including the following:
gel ジェル
lotion ローション
patch パッチ
cream クリーム
liquid type 液体 (えきたい) (usually this rolls or dabs on)
If you want something “extra strength”, try looking for the following words, or something with “EX”: — CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post.
X Japan’s Yoshiki Takes Manhattan, Meets JET Alums
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On May 23, X Japan mainman Yoshiki–who is widely regarded as Japan’s premier rock musician–was in New York City to promote his weekly “Yoshiki Radio” show, which launches on SiriusXM’s Boneyard (channel 38) tonight at 8:00 p.m.
Fujisankei (FCI) News was there, and they interviewed JET alumni Sam Frank of UnRatedNYC and JQ magazine editor/Japanese Culture Examiner Justin Tedaldi for their “Today’s Eye” segment broadcasted on Japanese TV! Check out the video below for Justin’s comments. (Direct link at http://www.fujisankei.com/video_library/art/yoshiki-radio.html)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXBU4JE8C4o
via JETAA DC. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields. She is also the former vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
*Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.
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Job Position: JET Programme Consultant (DC)
Job Details:
The JET Program Consultant is responsible for the general management of the JET Program under the supervision of the Education Counselor and the JET Program Coordinator.
Read More
JetWit Fashion Beat: T-shitsu – The Black Collection
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JetWit Fashion Beat is brought to you by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields. She is also the former vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
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I first posted about T-shitsu and their fantastic designs aimed especially for gai-jin in December last year. Since then the response from members of the JET and JET alum community has been very positive, and the base of returning customers is constantly growing.
This is completely down to the unique omoshiroi designs, high-quality shirts and general high standard of service provided by the T-shitsu team. I can’t rave about these shirts enough!
Currently, our friends at T-shitsu.com are half way through revealing their eagerly anticipated Black Collection.
The Black Collection consists of 8 new designs, one of which is revealed every Sunday, May through June, and we have been given an exclusive sneak preview of this week’s new design especially for JETWit readers….
Ta da!!!
To update you on other recent activities, T-shitsu were very active in wake of the Tohoku eathquake/tsunami disaster in terms of fundraising and encouraging donations. They even designed their own t-shirt to raise money and awareness, called Tohoku Tears, a wonderful design that was distributed through their partner website at Sweatshop Union.
The Tokoku Tears shirt was extremely popular and all shirts sold out in A WEEK! In total the shirt raised an outstanding 300,000 yen. Since then all other designs in the ‘rebuild’ collection have also sold out, but if there are plans to re-release them we will be sure to let you know.
There will be further new releases on T-shitsu.com once The Black Collection finishes, and present designs will be made available in a wider selection of colours. There will also be further promotions and competitions, all of which will be advertised through the T-shitsu Facebook site. Make sure you sign up for all the latest info, and it’s also a great way to contact the designers with your feedback and suggestions for shirts.
Please do post any comments/suggestions about the shirts, in particular any JET-related shirt ideas, and please do inform the T-shitsu team that you heard about them through JETWit if you place any orders. Check back for more updates soon!
Have a suggestion for a future JetWit Fashion Beat post? E-mail dipika [at] jetwit.com.
Hibari-sensei: Interview with Neko Neko Maid and Host Club
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Jen Wang (Miyagi, 2008-09) is a lab tech in Dallas and a staff writer for the Japanese music website Purple SKY. Her love of cosplay and her junior high school students inspired the name for her own Japanese pop culture blog, Hibari-sensei’s Classroom.
Maid leader Kitti and maid assistant Minami at A-kon 21 anime convention
Neko Neko Maid and Host Club (originally the Neko Neko Maid and Hostess Club) is a traveling maid troupe that makes appearances at anime conventions across the country. Unlike most anime con maid cafes, which consist of cosplayers serving food, Neko Neko brings the interactive experience integral to Akihabara maid culture to its guests. The girls (and guys) make small talk and play games with guests and sing and dance to J-pop songs.
The club is ready to kick off its 2011 tour with an appearance at Comicpalooza in Houston, Texas this weekend. Then they will be at Dallas’ anime convention, A-kon, from June 10-12. I was introduced to Neko Neko at last year’s A-kon, and I had a chance to sit down with one of its founders and maid leader Kitti Maherin and maid assistant Minami to learn more about the club.
How did Neko Neko get started?
Kitti: We formed on July 4, 2009. It started as four girls who enjoy maid cafes. When I went to Japan, I fell in love with the maid café I visited in Akihabara.
What made you decide to focus on the performance aspect rather than serving food in cosplay like other maid cafes at conventions?
Kitti: I enjoy performing, and it was a low cost option.
Who decides on the music you dance and sing to?
Kitti: The maid leaders and assistants choose the music. Miki, our choreographer and another founder, has a lot of input.
How long do you practice your dances?
Minami: It depends on the dance.
Kitti: I practice every day.
To read the rest of the interview, click here.
