Oct 25

JQ Magazine Is Looking for Writers for Fall 2011!

Article/Journalism, JQ Magazine Comments Off on JQ Magazine Is Looking for Writers for Fall 2011!

As the year winds down, JETAA New York’s JQ magazine continues to provide weekly content with an ever-expanding array of articles, interviews and features (for our recent stories, click here). Following our quarterly meeting in Manhattan this week, we’re now looking for new writers from all JETAA chapters worldwide to write and share more material that we can post online to the widest JET readership on the web through our hosts at the global JET alumni resource site JETwit.com.

Below are story ideas grouped by JET participants and alumni (JET World) and those more on Japanese culture (Japan World). If you’re a JET or JETWit contributor from anywhere in the world, we welcome your interest or extra story ideas! Contact JQ’s editor Justin Tedaldi (magazine [at] jetaany [dot] org) to sign up.

***JET WORLD***

JETAANY CAREER FORUM/WELCOME BACK RECEPTION (11/12)

We would like coverage of upcoming events in New York for any writers planning to attend.

JETs ‘RETURN TO TOHOKU’ SERIES

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan Tourism Agency jointly organized an Invitation Program for JET Alums who worked as a JET in Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima or Sendai-shi for 2 or more years to return to Japan as an ambassador. The goal of the program is to help promote the affected areas and do PR work on their behalf. From around the world, 14 JET alums were selected to return to Japan. Of those, eight were US JET alums. Visit the provided link to see their stories if you would be interested in doing a Q&A with one of them. Also, if you or other JETs are planning to return to help out in the wake of the devastation, we’d love to run an article so you can share your thoughts with other JETs around the world. www.jetaausa.com/tohoku-recovery/jet-alums-return-to-tohoku

‘ALONE IN THE KITCHEN WITH A RICE COOKER’ SERIES

We are running a new series on JETwit about solo cooking experiences while on JET (check out “Nattode,” the first piece in the series). Did you discover a new favorite comfort food in Japan, learn to cook a mouthwatering meal that you still serve today or accidentally buy something really weird only to discover (and reluctantly) eat it in your mansion? We want to hear about it!

HOLIDAYS IN JAPAN ANECDOTES WANTED!

This year, we’re bringing back seasonal holiday (from November through New Year’s) anecdotes from JET alumni around the world! If you have a strange, delightful (or both—we all do) short story to share about your holiday seasons past in Japan, we’d love to publish it.

Read More

Oct 25

Job: Bilingual Japanese Client Relations Associate (Bergen County, New Jersey)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Bilingual Japanese Client Relations Associate (Bergen County, New Jersey)

Via Salem Executive Search.  Please make sure to mention JETwit if you apply for this position:

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Custody Administration Supervisor (translation involved) salary depending on experience. Candidate should have Custody experience and experience with translating the Business digest.

Business Planning & Promotion officer (bilingual Japanese) Salary depending on experience. Candidate should have business and banking knowledge to support the VP of BPP, ability to work on projects and have planning, promotional, analytical, operational and relational aspects of custody (including and not limited to its related FX services) experience and securities lending business experience.

There is also an FX administrator position open, also bilingual Japanese. Candidates must have Foreign Exchange back office experience. (Salary depends on experience.)

TO APPLY, CONTACT:

Lisa Miceli at lmiceli@salemsearch.com

Oct 24

Articles by JET journalist Patrick St Michel featured in The Atlantic

Article/Journalism, Cultural Outreach, Japan Trends, Music, Notable JET Alums, Writers Comments Off on Articles by JET journalist Patrick St Michel featured in The Atlantic

Current Mie JET Patrick St. Michel has two articles currently featured in The Atlantic online.

• “The 48 Japanese Schoolgirls Aiming to Take Over the World” – The global ambitions of J-Pop group AKB48
• “How Korean Pop Conquered Japan”
  

Click here to read other writings by Patrick featured on JETwit.

Oct 24

Return to Tohoku: Update 10.24.11

Article/Journalism, Blogs, Earthquake Tsunami, Japan Local, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Travel/Tourism, Writers Comments Off on Return to Tohoku: Update 10.24.11

***************

Here are updates from a few more of the 20 Tohoku region JET alumni selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to return to their town to both engage in volunteer efforts and also help document and share what’s going on there.

• “Back to Iwate“ by Alan Mockridge (Iwate-ken, Ohtsuchi, 1992)  – http://alanmockridge.com/  (Lots of excellent photos.)
• Here’s a schedule of Alan’s trip:

Visit schedule

19 Sep (Mon) Depart San Francisco

20 Sep (Tue) Arrive Tokyo

21 Sep (Wed) Briefing at Min. Foreign Affairs. Bullet train to Iwate

22 Sep (Thur) Hiraizumi (UNESCO World Heritage Site) & Morioka

23 Sep (Fri) To Kamaishi via Miyako, Yamada & coast road

24 Sep (Sat) Kamaishi

25 Sep (Sun) Ohtsuchi

26 Sep (Mon) Ohtsuchi High School (cultural exchange)

27 Sep (Tue) Kamaishi to Narita. Depart Japan

Oct 24

JQ Magazine: Concert Review — Japan Society Hosts J-Pop Showcase with Yu Sakai and Cibo Matto

Article/Journalism, JQ Magazine, Music Comments Off on JQ Magazine: Concert Review — Japan Society Hosts J-Pop Showcase with Yu Sakai and Cibo Matto

Musician Yu Sakai brought his ecclectic talent to Japan Society Oct. 20. (Vlad Baranenko)

By Vlad Baranenko (Saitama-ken, 2000-02) for JQ magazine. Vlad is an avid photographer.

On Oct. 20, New York’s Japan Society held a sold out co-headlining performance by hometown heroes Cibo Matto and the Japanese singing sensation Yu Sakai in his international debut. Whether an aficionado of jazz, hip-hop, R&B or pop, the catchy synth beats of the girl duo and Yu Sakai’s melodic voice left an indelible impression on everyone in attendance.

Billed as J-Music Ride, the show opened with a set of fantastic vocal performances by Sakai.  The breakout singer, whose professional music career kicked off in 2009 when his single titled “Story” became a radio hit, has quickly become one of Japan’s most admired artists, earning him the iTunes “J-Pop Best Album of 2010.” In June of this year, Sakai released his long-awaited album Yes!!, and those lucky enough to have attended the show (Yu Sakai’s only performance in the U.S.) were given an opportunity to sample many of the new tracks like “Train.”

Departing from the standard band format, the majority of instrumental sounds in Sakai’s pieces were recorded by the artist himself. At Japan Society, the artist would beatbox into the microphone to create a looping background rhythm, simulating a multi-layered chorus-like effect by sampling his own voice. He would then insert a fast paced piano tune, and the resulting melody astounded the audience, prompting whistles and applause during the song. To appease the American audience, Sakai-san surprised the concert attendees with his beautiful rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Rock with You.” In between pieces, Sakai would talk to the sold out crowd in a very nonchalant manner (he previously lived in Los Angeles), often making fun of himself and telling people to not be afraid to visit Japan. The obvious raw talent of Yu Sakai made this rare appearance a true gem, and the standing ovation from the audience at the end of his performance proved that this young artist can look forward to a bright future ahead.

Read More

Oct 21

Video: NHK covers JETAA International Conference in Tokyo and JETAA fundraising efforts

Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, JETAA Chapters, JETs in the News, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Video, Volunteer Comments Off on Video: NHK covers JETAA International Conference in Tokyo and JETAA fundraising efforts

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Here’s a link to a 1.5 minute NHK news story (video) about the JETAA International Conference just held in Tokyo.  The story also references the approximately $500,000 raised for earthquake relief by JET Alumni Association chapters around the world.

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20111021/t10013420671000.html

The video includes a brief interview with Akita JET Paul Yoo, founder of volunteerAKITA and The Fruitree Project, who attended the conference.  Also visible in some of the shots are JETAA International Chair Shree Kurlekar (Shiga-ken) and JETAA USA Country Reps Megan Miller (Hyogo-ken) and Jessyca Wilcox (Hokkaido).  (Those are the people I recognized.  If you recognize others, please post in the comments section.)

The JETAA International Conference attendees are also scheduled to participate in a JET-led volunteer trip to Rikuzentakata this weekend.

Here’s the NHK article that accompanies the video:

外国語指導助手ら 被災地支援強化

10月21日 15時37分

Oct 21

Agent Day in Yokohama with Mary Kole, October 29

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Suzanne Kamata (Tokushima 1988-90),  Publicity Assistant for SCBWI-Tokyo shares this:

Agent Day with Mary Kole, October 29
Time:   　　         Saturday October 29, 2011

Place:                             Yokohama International School, Middle Building, Cafeteria

For access information and maps visit www.yis.ac.jp

Fee:         

5,000 yen SCBWI members

8,000 yen nonmembers

Reservations Required:
To register visit www.scbwi.jp

This event will be in English. 

Saturday, October 29, 2011

10:00-10:30
Registration, Announcements and Opening Remarks

10:30-12:00
Three Things That Separate Aspiring Writers
from Published Authors

This presentation will offer an overview of the children’s book market as it stands today and a discussion of three vital things
that writers must add to their craft portfolio before they can write their breakout book.

Lunch
Break
Lunch will not be served. Please bring lunch or join other writers and illustrators at nearby cafés.

1:30-2:30
Slush Pile Secrets: How to Catch an Agent’s
Eye With Your Query

Queries intimidate a lot of writers, but it’s easy to get to the top of a slush pile if you write a great one. This talk
will feature query examples from the audience, go over common mistakes, and show you how to write a successful letter. (See below for details.)

3:00-4:00
First Pages Open Critiques

Writers and author/illustrators are invited to submit the beginning of a manuscript to be read and commented on by Mary Kole. Novels: up
to 150 words. Picture books: up to 100 words/first three spreads for a dummy.
(See below for details.)

4:15-5:00
Final Q&A

Participants will have a chance to ask any remaining questions.

First
Pages and Queries First Pages and Queries will be discussed in
open sessions listed above. To send First Pages and Queries, reserve early. First
Pages and Queries must be received by October 1.

Accommodation
Hotels
convenient to Yokohama International School include Star Hotel, Hotel Monterey
Yokohama, Hotel New Grand, and Washington Hotel Sakuragicho.

Oct 20

JETAA USA Earthquake Relief Fund announces recipients

Article/Journalism, Cultural Outreach, Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, Japan Local, JETAA Chapters, Local Government, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Volunteer Comments Off on JETAA USA Earthquake Relief Fund announces recipients

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Below is the official press release (in English and Japanese) announcing the recipients for JETAA USA Earthquake Relief Fund to the media in Japan.

FYI, a lot of hard work has gone into this process, using our JET contacts, bilingual and bi-cultural abilities to identify appropriate and worthy uses for the approximately $75,000 raised by the JETAA chapters in the U.S.

JETs and JET alumni should be extremely proud of the ways we’ve been able to support Japan in the wake of the 3/11 crisis. Many larger organizations have faced significant challenges in finding appropriate grantees, due in a large part to a very different and smaller Japanese non-profit sector that continues to grow and evolve in new ways. Our quasi-Japanese expat community of 55,000+ JET alumni spread around Japan and the world has been uniquely positioned to help meet these challenges.

Also worth noting is that the JETAA International meeting is taking place this week in Tokyo. JETAA representatives from each country are attending and will be participating in a JET-led volunteer effort in Rikuzentakata with the help of JET Paul Yoo, founder of volunteerAKITA and The Fruitree Project. JETAA International Chair Shree Kurlekar (former JETAA New York Vice-President) and other representatives will also be speaking with the Japanese media.

Thank you to JETs, JET alumni and Friends of JET everywhere who have contributed to the fund, volunteered their time, volunteered their translation and other skills and supported Japan in many other ways as well.

Ganbarou Nippon!

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PRESS RELEASE – ENGLISH VERSION

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JETAA USA Earthquake Relief Fund

In its 25-year history, more than 55,000 people from 60 countries have participated in the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program, developing strong ties with communities around Japan. Thanks to the years they spend in Japan, it is fair to say that JET participants come to view Japan as their second home, and most continue to maintain active connections with Japan after leaving the program. The most common way for JET alumni to stay connected is through the 50+ chapters of JET Alumni Association (JETAA) worldwide, which bring alumni together to share their experiences and to promote ties with Japan in their home countries.

Even JET alumni who did not have friends and family in the Tohoku region were deeply moved by the tragedy that unfolded there. In response, all 19 chapters of JETAA USA came together in March 2011 to launch the JETAA USA Earthquake Relief Fund to support educational needs of communities in the disaster zone. Since March 11, the fund has raised $76,000 (5.8 million yen) from the U.S. JET alumni community.

Rikuzentakata and Ishinomaki have special significance for JET alumni since two of their colleagues lost their lives while teaching and living in these communities. Therefore, JETAA USA has decided to donate funds to programs in these two areas, with a primary focus on educational initiatives in Rikuzentakata. The aim is to improve the prospects of students who have been affected by the disaster, carry on the spirit of the JET Program and give back to the country that found its way into the hearts of JET alumni. Grants are being made for the following initiatives:

Hope for Tomorrow support for university applicants from Rikuzentakata ($25,000)– The costs of university entrance exams are a heavy burden for Japanese families and can be especially formidable for families affected by the disaster. Hope for Tomorrow, a new nonprofit organization, will defray exam fees and/ or associated travel and lodging costs in order to support Takata High School (located in Rikuzentakata) students applying to university. JETAA USA will financially support this program in Rikuzentakata.

Rikuzentakata tutoring project ($20,000) – Students in Rikuzentakata have been through traumatic experiences and lost considerable class time. The nonprofit organization Youth Empowerment Iwate, in cooperation with other groups, is launching a new initiative through which university students will provide extracurricular tutoring for middle school students while also using these sessions to lend a sympathetic ear to students who may feel intimidated discussing their concerns with older adults.

Rikuzentakata City education project ($10,000) – A special grant is being made to support JET-related activities and English teaching in the town.

Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund ($5,000)– The Taylor Anderson Fund is supporting a range of innovative programs in Ishinomaki, where JET Taylor Anderson taught and lived, including the exchange programs for local students and “reading corners” at elementary schools.

JETAA USA supporting JET participants ($10,000)– JET-run organizations and programs such as volunteerAKITA (which has been mobilizing JET participants to provide disaster aid since mid-March 2011) have responded to the disaster and recovery efforts. Individual grants are being made to help them sustain their disaster-related activities.

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PRESS RELEASE – JAPANESE VERSION

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米国JET同窓会（JETAA・USA）日本震災復興支援基金

平成23年10月21日

JETプログラムは、今年で25周年を迎え、これまで50カ国以上から5万5000人以上の外国青年の参加を得てきた。彼らの多くは、日本全国の地域コミュニティに深くとけ込み、その貴重な経験から、帰国後も日本を第二の故郷と考え、日本との関係を保ち続けている。JET同窓会（JETAA）は全世界に50以上の支部を持ち、多くの元JET参加者がJETAAを通じて、日本の経験を共有し、日本と母国の絆を深める活動を展開している。

今般の東日本大震災は、元JET参加者に大きな衝撃と悲しみをもたらし、元JETの間では支援の輪が直ちに広がった。米国では、JETAAの全19支部が協力し、3月中に米国JET同窓会震災復興支援基金（以下「米国JETAA基金」）が立ち上げられた。同基金は、被災地の教育支援に充てられることとなっており、これまでに約76，000米ドル（約580万円）の支援金が集められた。

今回の震災で犠牲になった現役JET二名が在住していた陸前高田市と石巻市は、元JET参加者にとっても特別な意味を持つ。米国JETAAは、支援にあたって同2市に重点を置き、特に陸前高田市の教育関係への支援を優先的に実施することとした。（石巻では、テーラー・アンダーソン追悼基金が数々の支援を行っている。）米国JETAAではこの支援を通じて、被災地の子供たちの将来への可能性を広げ、JETプログラムの精神を引き継ぎ、元JET参加者が心から大切に思う日本という国に恩返しをしたいと考えている。下記の事業へ寄付が行われる予定である。

Hope for Tomorrow進学支援プログラム（＄25,000）：高校生の大学受験費用は一般家庭でも大きな負担となっているが、被災した家庭にとっては背負いきれないほどの負担となる。Hope for Tomorrowは新しく立ち上げられたNPOで、高田高校の学生を対象に大学受験にかかる旅費や宿泊費などの諸費用を支援する活動を行う。

陸前高田学習支援プロジェクト（＄20,000）：壊滅的な被害を受けた陸前高田では、多くの学生が精神的なダメージを受けた上、学習の時間も大幅に失った。NPO「子どものエンパワメントいわて」は、他の恊働団体と共に大学生ボランティアによる中学生を対象とした学習支援活動を行う。本プロジェクトでは学力向上だけでなく、被害を受けた子どもたちのケアを重視し、勉強の合間に子ども達が自然と話したくなったことを傾聴し、対話しながら学習支援を行う。

陸前高田市内教育プロジェクト（＄10,000）： JET関連の活動と英語教育を支援するための特別寄付を行う。

テーラー・アンダーソン追悼基金（＄5,000）：同基金では、テーラー・アンダーソンさんが英語を教えていた石巻において、地元学生の交流プログラムや小学校での「読書コーナー」設置など、幅広い分野で革新的な事業を支援している。

JETのボランティア活動支援（約＄10,000）：現役のJETや元JET参加者が運営する複数の団体が被災地の支援活動を行っている。これらの団体が活動を継続できるよう支援を行う。

米国JETAA基金は様々な活動を通じて集められた。

（募金活動例）

JETAA北部カリフォルニア支部（本部サンフランシスコ市）：募金イベント“Japan Relief Fundraiser”を、ホテル・カブキのO（オー）居酒屋ラウンジにて実施。150人以上の参加があり、寄付と抽選が行われ、地元紙にも取り上げられた。

JETAAミネソタ支部：募金イベント“Japan Benefit Party”を、居酒屋・基（Moto-i）（海外初の店内で醸造した日本酒を提供する店）で実施。DJ、ライブ音楽で会場を盛り上げ、サイレント・オークションが行われた。

JETAAワシントンDC支部所属の元JET2名が7月に結婚した際、招待客からの贈り物を辞退し、その代わりに寄付をするよう呼びかけた。

JETAAニューヨーク支部：300人以上が参加する大規模募金イベントを実施、日米双方のテレビ及び主要紙に取り上げられ、ニューヨーク在住元JETからの応援メッセージがメディアを通じて日本に届けられた。

米国JETAA基金は、元JET参加者による支援活動のほんの一部に過ぎない。JETAAの全米各支部は、この他にも様々な募金活動をしており、同基金とその他の活動による募金を合わせると全米JETAAによる支援金総額は31万3000米ドル（約2440万円）に上る。支部によっては、既に日本赤十字、ジャパン・プラットフォーム、ピースウィンズ・ジャパン等の日本の団体に直接寄付を行っている。また、一部の支部は、日米協会等米国の現地団体の募金イベントに協力し、積極的な役割を果たしてきた。

米国JET同窓会（JETAA・USA）

Oct 19

Japan Local Government Newsletter (October 2011)

Japan Local, Local Government Comments Off on Japan Local Government Newsletter (October 2011)

Here’s the October 2011 issue of the Japan Local Government Center (aka CLAIR New York) Newsletter:

http://www.jlgc.org/TopicList.aspx?topicCategoryID=11&topicID=155&languageTypeID=1&controlType=Display 

Oct 19

Job: Sales for Japanese logistics company (Bergen County, New Jersey)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Sales for Japanese logistics company (Bergen County, New Jersey)

Via Interesse International Inc.  Please make sure to mention JETwit if you apply for this position:

—————————————————————————————————————————————–
Company: One of the biggest Japanese logistics companies (Household Goods)

Location: Bergen County, New Jersey

Position: Outside Sales

Description:
The main customers are Japanese Expats and their families.
They are about to target more American customers.
They are looking for a candidate who is able to do outside sales.
You will visit clients with supervisor (On the job Training).

Qualifications:
English (Native level), Japanese (Conversation level).
Drivers License.

Salary: Start as a temporary staff($17/hour), but if your performance is well, it might be a permanent position with benefit.

Regular working hour: 9:00-17:30

TO APPLY:  Contact Hisayoshi Shimizu at hisayoshi@iiicareer.com.

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Oct 19

New idea: Permanent JET email addresses?

Local Government, Return on JET-vestment Add Comment (2)

It’s not an entirely new idea.  I remember it being vaguely discussed at a JETAA International Conference about 5 or so years ago.

But what if everyone who goes on JET were to be given a name@JET.Prefecture.com email address that could be forwarded to whatever email you want?  Basically the same way that universities offer name@alumni.university.edu addresses to everyone.  And what if alumni could go online and sign up for an address as well?

In addition to giving everyone a lifelong way to stay connected with JET, it would also give the prefectures and local governments a lifelong way to stay connected with JETs who worked in their prefecture as well as an easy way to identify everyone by prefecture or locality.  This notion is important to the future of JET because prefectures and local governments currently do not have a good way to reach their JET alumni for the sake of “Return on JET-vestment” which is in turn needed to encourage prefectures to choose JETs over alternative ALT options.

(Actually, prefectures can reach their alumni through the 47 JET alum prefecture groups on LinkedIn.  Though as of yet these groups still only represent a fraction of the total alumni out there.)

From a JET perspective, it might also be nice to list one’s JET address on your resume and be able to use it for other Japan-related communications.

I’m sure there are logistical issues that would need to be addressed.  But I just wanted to put the idea out there as something to consider for the future.

Oct 18

JET Prefecture Round-up 10.19.11

JET Prefecture Round-up, Uncategorized Comments Off on JET Prefecture Round-up 10.19.11

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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

Tohoku Region

Akita

• The Akita Halloween Dance Party will be October 29th!

Fukushima

•  Halloween SHINE is October 22nd in Aizu Wakamatsu City.
• The 2011 International Festival Aizu is October 29th!
• Fukushima ALTs are doing a Home Visit Program in Aizu on November 5th.

Kantou Region

Chiba

• Chiba JETs are prepping for the Tokyo Yamathon 2011.

Chubu Region

Shizuoka

• Shizuoka JETs are attending TWI’s Halloween Party on October 28th.
• Shizuoka JETs are invited to the 2011 Halloween Party on October 30th.

Nagano

• October 22nd is the Pasta and Poker night in Komagane, Nagano!
• October 23rd is the International Picnic at Alps Park in Matsumoto.
• Nagano NagaYes presents The Ninja Games on November 12th in Togakushi!
• Nagano JETs are invited to enjoy a Taiko (Japanese drums) workshop for beginners, a visit to a rare bonsai garden and a tea ceremony on November 12th in Okaya City.
• November 26th is the Nagano AJET Thanksgiving Dinner and Charity Auction in Ina!
• The National JET Christian Fellowship held its Fall Retreat on October 7th-10th in Nagano-ken.

Kansai Region

Nara

• The Nara AJET Halloween Party will be at the Wormwood Café on October 29th.

Hyogo

• Himeji Haunted Halloween Party is October 28th!
• The Tajima Halloween Party will be October 29th in Yabu.
• Hyogonians get their “JETs on Jitenshas” on in the Fall PEPY Ride in Himeji November 19th.
• Hyogo will host the Awaji ALT Football Tournament on Awajishima Friday 18th – Sunday 20th November.
• A Very Shiso Thanksgiving will be held in Shiso on November 26th.

Osaka

•  Block 6 & 7 Amemura Spook-tacular Halloween Party is presented by Osaka AJET in Shinsaibashi on October 29th.
• RISE – an Art and Music Charity Event for the Tohoku Earthquake will be November 13th and 14th in Shinsaibashi.

Chugoku Region

Tottori

• Tottori JETs go on the Mt. Mitoku Walk in Matsuzaki on October 23rd.

Shikoku Region

• Shikoku Field Day will be held in Shikoku Saburo no Sato, in Mima City, Tokushima on November 26th and 27th.

Ehime

• October 23rd is the Matsuyama Orphanage Visit.
• Ehime JETs are climbing Mt. Ishizuchi on November 5th!
• November 12th is the Ehime AJET Dinner in Matsuyama.

Kochi

• Kochi JETs are getting artsy at Mouth to Mouth: a meeting of makings on October 23rd in Kochi City.
• Kochi-JETs are helping with Halloween Party in an abandoned school building on October 28th.
• There is a Chorus and Gospel Concert October 28th and 29th in Kochi City, and JETs are invited both to enjoy it, or take part in workshops.
• There will be a Halloween party for kids at Kochi Misono Tenshien at midday on October 29th, and JETs will be helping out!
• The Hirome Halloween Party is October 29th in Hirome.
• The Third Board Game Night will be November 12th-13th in Yusuhara.
• Kochi JETs are invited to Tea Ceremony on November 23rd in Takajo-machi.

Kyushu Region

•  The 1st Annual “Together Alone” Fall Bike Trip will pass through Oita, Miyazaki, and Kumamoto prefectures October 22nd and 23rd. The group is going to bike from Taketa down to Mt. Aso, then stay at a beautiful campground/log cabin place in Kumamoto prefecture. On the second day they’ll bike to Takachiho and then back to Taketa.

Oita

• October 22nd, Oita International Plaza hosts its monthly Japanese Conversation Circle!
• The Annual Oita AJET Sumo Trip is coming up on Saturday, November 26th!

Kumamoto

•  The Tamana Halloween Party will be October 29th in Nankan, Tamana-gun!

Miyazaki

• There will be a Halloween party in Miyakonojo on October 29th at Dreci!

Kagoshima

• The Ibusuki Onsen Festival is October 22nd to 23rd!
• Dragonboat Halloween is October 29th in Nejime.
• Kagoshima JETs are dancing in the Ohara Matsuri on November 3rd.

Oct 17

Media coverage of various JETAA chapter fundraising efforts – all in one place!

Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, JETAA Chapters, JETs in the News Add Comment (1)

Thanks to JETAA USA Country Representative Jessyca Wilcox for gathering this information in connection with an upcoming announcement regarding the JETAA USA Fund:

Oct 17

Justin’s Japan: Interview with the English Dub Cast of ‘Dragon Ball Z’ at New York Comic Con

Events, Interview/Profile, Justin's Japan Comments Off on Justin’s Japan: Interview with the English Dub Cast of ‘Dragon Ball Z’ at New York Comic Con

One down, six to go: Voice actors Christopher Sabat, Justin Cook, and Sean Schemmel of 'Dragon Ball Z.' (Justin Tedaldi)

By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his page here for related stories.

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of its English-language debut, Dragon Ball Z is coming to Blu-ray for the first time in America. The November release of Dragon Ball Z Level 1.1 contains the first 17 episodes of the anime series that dominated Japan’s pop culture scene in the 1990s and later, the rest of the world. This newly remastered collection restores the original, director-approved color scheme and 4:3 aspect ratio in stunning 1080p HD, and each volume will include rare never-before-seen special features.

In this exclusive interview conducted at New York Comic Con/Anime Festival (where I also talked with Stan Lee), I spoke with three of the English dub cast members: Christopher Sabat (Vegeta/Piccolo/Yamcha/voice director), Justin Cook (Raditz/Super Buu/ADR engineer), and Sean Schemmel (Goku/King Kai/Nail) about the release, their favorite Dragon Ball memories, and the proper context for discussing one’s favorite cartoon crush.

Regarding your approach to the characters’ voices, how much of the original Japanese voice work did you watch? For the voices you replaced, how much of that did you take into consideration?

Chris: At the start, a lot of consideration was taken to the original voices, and when I say original voices, I mean the Canadian cast [whose English dub work aired from 1996-98], because at the time [Dragon Ball’s North American producers] FUNimation had decided for a multitude of reasons that it was just physically impossible for them to record in Canada any longer. It was difficult to keep the actors consistent on the roles, because a lot of the Canadian actors were cast in other things, and sometimes it would make their job difficult. In fact, they had to recast Goku several times in Canada; they didn’t want to do that anymore. And it also made more sense to be closer to the parent company, so they moved it all down to Fort Worth.

We tried to take a lot of care at the beginning to match the Canadian cast, only because we didn’t want it to be too much of a shock, and when I say “we” I guess I mean the people who hired me—they didn’t want it to be too much of a shock to the American culture when they changed out these voices. And to be honest, when we first started recording this, we didn’t really have access to the Japanese versions of the show; we were dubbing off the Spanish version of Dragon Ball Z. So if we ever listened to the original language on the tape, it was like (speaks in a rapid mock Spanish): “Goku! Dragon Ball Zeta!” [Goku’s wife] Chi-Chi’s name was Milk.

We were just trying to keep it consistent to the first 68 episodes, and it wasn’t until later that we were redubbing the show that we actually started getting in the real Japanese versions of the show and had the technology to be able to quickly preview the Japanese files. We didn’t even have digital files yet, and sometimes we didn’t even get all the original materials that had the Japanese track on it; sometimes we were lucky if it had any sound on the tape at all…the [original] Japanese wasn’t an option.

Have you been to Japan before? If not, what would you want to do there?

Sean: I have plenty ideas about what I want to do in Japan. I have not been to Japan; I really want to go. My goal is to become a background character in an anime, so I can say this (with mock surprise): “Nani?!” (what) and that’s it. I want it to be one line, to be a Japanese seiyū [voice actor]. Give me something longer than that (in a gruff voice): “Ware ware…” (we) something, but just one line; that’s my goal. And, to meet  Masako Nozawa [the original voice of Goku] and maybe, if I were lucky, [Dragon Ball creator] Akira Toriyama, but that’s probably never going to happen.

If you met Toriyama-sensei, what would you ask him?

Sean: I would just thank him, because when you think about it, here’s this guy that draws this comic book, there’s this massive explosion—that I’m on the periphery of, if you think about it—[that] radically changed my life forever. So I’d be extraordinarily grateful to that guy.

Read the complete story here.

Oct 17

JQ Magazine: JQ&A with Peelander-Yellow of Alien Punk Band Peelander-Z

Anecdote Article, JQ Magazine, Music Comments Off on JQ Magazine: JQ&A with Peelander-Yellow of Alien Punk Band Peelander-Z

Peelander-Yellow, center: "I don't care about Band!!!!! We never 'play' music!!!!! We just want to 'play' with youuuuuu!!!!! Come to see our show then check it yourself!!!!!!!!" (Whitney Lee)

By Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) and Vlad Baranenko (Saitama-ken, 2000-02) for JQ magazine.

Psychedelic, seizure inducing, and fantastically successful in their ability to cause absolute sensory overload during their intergalactic performances, Peelander-Z is back. The colorful Japanese punk group hailing from the Z area of Planet Peelander returns to New York City (where it formed in 1998) for their latest tour behind their new album Super DX Hitz.

Those yearning for their Peelander-Z fix will have the opportunity to experience all the colorful mayhem at the Bowery Poetry Club on Oct. 22. In this exclusive interview, we interrogate Peelander-Yellow to reveal the deepest secrets of their cosmic travel, their mastery of the chaos theory, and what the future holds for the ongoing kaiju saga.

Tell us about Peelander-Z’s Super DX Hitz album.

You can hear our all Hitz songs and understand Peelander-Z world!!!!!!!

28 happy songs and 5 Karaoke DVD!!!!

Get it for your Mom, because your Mom wants dance with youuuuuuuuuu and Peelander-Z!!!

How do you come up with the themes for your songs?

All ideas come from my sweet yellow brain when I eat medium rare S.T.E.A.K., Tacos, Ice Cream~~~~~!!!!!

What inspired you to form the band?

I don’t care about Band!!!!!

We never “play” music!!!!!

We just want to “play” with youuuuuu!!!!!

Come to see our show then check it yourself!!!!!!!!

Who is Peelander-Yellow and what’s his story?

I’m not Peelander-Red!

I’m not Peelander-Green!

I’m not Peelander-Pink!

I’m not Peelander-Black!

Yes, I’m Peelander-Yellow for youuuuuuuu!!!!!!

I was born from Banana on Planet Peelander!!!!!

That’s why I love it!!!!!

Please bring it for meeeeeee!!!!!

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