JQ Magazine: In Kyoto, a New Year’s Day Disaster
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Rashaad at Fushimi Inari-taisha, Kyoto.
By Rashaad Jorden (Yamagata-ken, 2008-2010) for JQ magazine. Rashaad worked at four elementary schools and three junior high schools on JET, and taught a weekly conversion class in Haguro (his village) to adults. He completed the Tokyo Marathon in 2010, and was also a member of a taiko group in Haguro.
New Year’s Day. A day some welcome in a crazed stupor while others might celebrate it in serenity. Or maybe confusion.
I would be spending my New Year’s Day on vacation in the Kansai region. Upon getting off the bus in Osaka, I had no idea what locales I’d explore. But my plans were nothing to be stressed about as I’d simply follow the recommendations of my Lonely Planet.
And others. Shortly after checking into my hostel in Osaka, I met an American college student on a homestay in Tokyo. She had come to town for the same reason I had. So quite naturally, we started to talk about places worth visiting in the Kansai region. Fortunately for me, she was familiar with several tourist spots in the area.
I definitely knew about Kyoto’s infinite number of shrines, but I wasn’t sure which ones to visit. However, my compatriot recommended Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, and Fushimi Inari-taisha.
So I was off to Kyoto the next day. I crossed the first two locales off my list, but I didn’t have time to fit in Fushimi Inari-taisha. No worries—I had two more days in the region. My biggest concern was finding something to do other than going to bed at 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Fortunately, four other Yamagata Prefecture ALTs who were taking a road trip to Hiroshima stopped in Osaka that night, so I had some friendly faces to ring in the new year with.
Job: Postings from idealist.org
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Via idealist.org. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London but is interested in hearing about any Japan-related opportunities across the globe.
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***Note: If you apply for any of these positions, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Institute of International Education, Senior Program Officer (NY)
Posted by: Institute of International Education
Location: New York, New York, United States
http://www.idealist.org/view/job/33ppCxnPXf2fP/
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Job: Sales associate for Japanese manufacturer (Ft Lee, NJ)
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Via Quick USA. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London but is interested in hearing about any Japan-related opportunities across the globe.
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***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: Sales associate for Japanese manufacturer (Ft Lee, NJ)
Job Details:
Major Japanese manufacture, located in Fort Lee, NJ, is looking for an entry level sales associate. This position is responsible for maintenance of existing distributors as well as new business development. Japanese language is not required but a big plus. Salary range is $35-$40K with benefits.
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Job: Flight Attendants – Japanese Speakers at Delta (Los Angeles, CA)
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Via JET alum Lejarie Battiste (Aichi-ken, Kariya-shi). Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London but is interested in hearing about any Japan-related opportunities across the globe.
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***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: Flight Attendants – Japanese Speakers at Delta (Los Angeles, CA)
Job Details:
JOIN OUR CREW OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS – Individuals fluent in English and Japanese required.
Please sit down, fasten your seat belt, prepare your career for take-off and get ready to embark on an amazing journey that, if you are willing to be dedicated and work hard, could allow you to meet thousands of people and see the world at the same time!
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Job: President and Chief Executive Officer at Japanese American National Museum (LA)
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Via JET alum Lejarie Battiste (Aichi-ken, Kariya-shi). Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London but is interested in hearing about any Japan-related opportunities across the globe.
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***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: President and Chief Executive Officer at Japanese American National Museum (LA)
Job Details:
Reporting to the Museum’s Board of Trustees, the President & CEO will bring critical leadership to the Museum with responsibility for the overall performance of the institution. The successful candidate will be a visionary and inspirational leader, with responsibility for enhancing both the external face of the institution and the internal operations that will allow the Museum to meet its educational and programmatic objectives in an increasingly challenging economic environment and to continue to grow and fulfill its mission. The President & CEO participates as an ex-officio member of a national board, working with the Board in charting the course of the Museum’s response to changing audiences, donors, members, and other stakeholders throughout the United States (including Hawaii) and Japan. The Candidate will also interface with the Museum’s Board of Governors, chaired by Secretary Norman Y. Mineta (a current trustee) and formerly chaired by Senator Daniel K. Inouye; Governors serve as regional ambassadors for the Museum.
The President & CEO will supervise a staff of approximately 40 full-time equivalent employees. He/She is responsible for an approximately $7 million annual budget. A significant portion of the President & CEO’s responsibility will be leading and working closely with the Museum’s staff to maintain current and prospective relationships with donors, volunteers and stakeholders and establish new relationships with those constituencies.
For more details: http://morrisberger.com/currentsearches/janm/
Job: Asia Programs Coordinator for Beijing & Japan Programs (DC)
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Via Kate Maruyama (Osaka-fu, 2005-08) who is a Japan and Viet Nam Program Manager for CET Academic Programs. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London but is interested in hearing about any Japan-related opportunities across the globe.
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***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: Asia Programs Coordinator for Beijing & Japan Programs (DC)
Job Details:
CET Academic Programs seeks an Asia Programs Coordinator for Beijing and Japan Programs to work in Washington, DC.
The CET Asia Programs Coordinator/Beijing and Japan Programs (APC/BJP) provides information to students, US partners and faculty; manages program application files and student-related communication for programs in Beijing and Osaka; prepares student mailings and program archives; and improves office procedures. The APC/BJP assists in relationships with key US partners and marketing projects, as assigned.
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Job: Director of Nursing Services, Seattle Nikkei Concerns (Seattle)
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Via PNWJETAA. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London but is interested in hearing about any Japan-related opportunities across the globe.
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***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: Director of Nursing Services, Seattle Nikkei Concerns (Seattle)
Job Details:
Nikkei Concerns, a non-profit elder care organization primarily serving the Greater Seattle area Japanese-American and Asian-American Communities, is seeking qualified applicants for their Director of Nursing Services vacancy.
The ideal candidate will have a Masters degree, current Washington state RN license, knowledge of Washington state nurse practice laws and Federal guidelines governing long term care; experience or training in geriatric nursing practice, demonstrated leadership, management, teaching, public relations skills and three (3) years of experience in a healthcare setting, long-term care experience preferred.
Experience with Japanese and Asian culture is desirable.
How to Apply:
Interested qualified individuals should email their resume and a cover letter to jlardizabal@nikkeiconcerns.org (Jeannette Lardizabal, Human Resources Specialist, 206-726-6525).
Complete job descriptions are available upon request.
Please visit the Nikkei Concerns website at www.nikkeiconcerns.org for more information about our organization. Position advertisement is open until filled. First considerations will be given to resumes and cover letters received by 5:00 p.m. Friday, December 30, 2011.
Job: Administrative Assistant, Junior Analyst at Morgan Stanley (Temp)
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Via JETAANY’sAmber Liang. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London but is interested in hearing about any Japan-related opportunities across the globe.
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***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: Administrative Assistant, Junior Analyst at Morgan Stanley (Temp)
Job Details:
POSITION SUMMARY
Support three officers with general office duties such as maintaining calendars and scheduling meetings and appointments. The role may also include: attending meetings and taking and distributing minutes; screening calls and visitors; filing expense reports and making travel arrangements.
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Job: Mgr, Product Communications at Mitsubishi (Cypress, Ca)
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Via Indeed.com. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London but is interested in hearing about any Japan-related opportunities across the globe.
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***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: Mgr, Product Communications at Mitsubishi (Cypress, Ca)
Job Details:
Purpose:
Manage product communications and public relations activities to enhance image of MMNA’s products and support company’s key business objectives and strategies.
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JET News Roundup 12.26.2011
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By Filmore Ha (Ibaraki-ken, 2006-08). Filmore continues to live and work in the Greater Tokyo Area and is webmaster for JETAA Tokyo, however he is looking for new opportunities in the U.S. or Canada.
Hope everyone had a great X-mas holiday!
- New Years Volunteering OP w/ JETAA Portland
2011 is coming to an end and 2012 is right around the corner. Those lucky enough to have experienced a traditional New Years in Japan know what that means, it’s time for Osechi Ryori! JETAA Portland is looking for volunteers to help prepare this year’s jubako (three layered food box) on Dec. 30-31, check the link above for more details if you’re interested and are in the area! - JETAANC FALL 2011 Newsletter
JETAANC released its fall edition of it’s news letter Pacific Bridge, and chock full of interesting content! Check it out for ideas about how to celebrate “Japan in Your Neighborhood!” - JET Alum quoted in the Daily Yomiuri
JET alum Michael Auslin is quoted in this Dec. 22nd article about regime change in Pyongyang.Washington should also tell Beijing that any move on China’s part to take advantage of the transition so as to leave it in an enhanced position on the peninsula would harm U.S.-China relations and result in a further bulking up of the U.S. military in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Videos, JET Program featured on KTSF-26 Oct. 9th 2011
Via Peter Weber, JET Coordinator at the Consulate of Japan in San Francisco. The JET Program was featured on KTSF-26’s Japanese American Journal program. The videos, now available on YouTube, are embedded below.
Here are links to two videos on YouTube that Monty Dickson’s sister Shelley let us know about. The first video shows Monty briefly walking in front of the Rikuzentakata City Hall building shortly before the tsunami struck (1:15-1:32). The second video was taken two days after Shelley left Japan (which she visited after the tsunami) and shows footage of Monty’s building.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5iXBaLM7mI&feature=player_embedded
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gidOApxxo_Q&feature=player_embedded
Thank you to Shelley for sharing the videos as well as her words and thoughts about Monty and the video, used with her permission from two separate emails:
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November 21, 2011 (originally sent to family and friends on an earlier date)
I do not know who may want to watch this video, some of you I know have already seen this. I have viewed it many times and always find myself talking to the image on the screen, begging him to run or turn around and go to the roof. It is a video of Monty’s last moments. I only watch from 1:15 to 1:32. That is all I need or want to see. I think of the times we all scoured through videos hoping to catch a glimpse of him or find him in a picture. Now this is the only 15 seconds of video from that time that I can watch. It is as if stopping it at 1:32, I have some power to freeze time and stop what is to come.”
Here is the video. Monty walks out of his office building at 1:15 in the video. He is wearing his yellow coat, grey hat, glasses and as always carrying his green, bike messenger bag. This was normal attire for him so to me he is easily recognizable. He walks across the street to the city hall building and hesitates, then turns back and walks up the street (evacuation route) passing the cameraman again at 1:30. Monty looks directly at the cameraman at 1:32. The tsunami comes within seconds so I know he did not get far. I will forever wish he had not hesitated and instead gone into the city hall building. He would have gone to the roof with the others. The cameraman most likely did not survive either. The video then resumes with a different cameraman on top of the building (City Hall) that Monty almost entered. When the cameraman walks across the roof to view the other side, Monty’s office building is under water and no longer visible.
When we were in Japan we stood at this very spot viewing this video on his friend Kumagai’s iphone. It was haunting. I placed flowers at this building where his office was located.
The second video was taken only two days after we left Japan. It is exactly how we saw it, even the bundle of papers tied in a yellow cloth still sit near what used to be the door of Monty’s building. The cameraman just misses the spot I placed the flowers when he pans in the beginning of the video.
Oh the powers I wish I had.
Shelley
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November 28, 2011
We first viewed this video in April while we were in Japan. At the time it was poor quality given the bright sun and viewing via iphone, but we were certain we were seeing Monty. I just recently decided to find it again since I wasn’t sure myself if I wanted to see it again. The video provided some answers for us as to where he was (exactly) at the time the tsunami hit. I think it would do the same for any of his friends or colleagues and have forwarded it to as many as I can. Still it is hard to watch. It had always been my fear that he was scared and I was not able to help him in any way or remove that fear from him. He is so calmly walking, simply evacuating as the announcements plead.
I still wonder why walk or run from an approaching tsunami when a vertical evacuation would be more immediate? I think the video could offer some thought as to what not to do perhaps, in an emergency such as this and it should be shown to future JETs.
I notice, in the second video taken after the fact, the tile on the exterior of the building seems undamaged and in fact, still shiny. The concrete has visible damage, scrapes and gouges while the tile seems unscathed. A future building material to be used more predominately I hope. Designated evacuation buildings measuring at least four stories with the exterior designed in tile. Just a thought.
Monty never wanted me to worry about him and he always made every effort to ease my mind when something happened there. He always called to tell me he was alright, that I will hear about it in the news tomorrow, and not to worry. I was certain I would get that call from him, “Hey Shell, it’s Monty” as always. Sometimes he called at 1:00 a.m. because he would forget the time difference. We would talk anyway. I miss my brother. I know a lot of people miss him, he touched so many. I am encouraged to see so much interest in his work and so many still inspired by him.
Shelley
New LinkedIn Group: JET Alumni Working in TESOL
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Thanks to Osaka-based JET alum Joshua Flannery for setting up the JET Alumni Working in TESOL, a subgroup of JETAA Education Professionals.
Click this link to join: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=4221521&trk=anet_ug_hm&goback=%2Egmp_2973279%2Eanb_4221521_*2
Click here to see all JET Alum Linkedin groups, both prefectural and professional.
JQ Magazine: JET Turned Laborer – Giving Back as a Volunteer in Post-Disaster Japan
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Rachel at work "gutting," or removing drywall panels and screws, in the stairwell of Wakadaisho, a sushi restaurant undergoing renovation in Ofunato, Iwate.
By Rachel Vigil-Garcia (Fukushima-ken, 2001-02) for JQ magazine. Rachel works at the American Center for Learning in Chula Vista, CA. Contact her at ray3vigil13 [at] yahoo [dot] com.
Eight months have passed since a huge earthquake and tsunami crippled Northeastern Japan with mind-numbing destruction. In March, news video beamed entire towns going under, with cars and homes lifted in the deluge. But today, why does it seem like so many have begun to forget about this disaster? I know the JET and JET alumni community are an exception to this. Still, I hope that by sharing my recent experience I can encourage sustained support to that wonderful island nation and its ever-gracious inhabitants. It’s much too early to be letting Japan’s victims and survivors, and the hard work ahead, fade into the background.
When news of the events of March 11 reached my living room in San Diego, it took hours for the magnitude and scope of the tragedy to sink in. I sat, scrolling through unbelievable Internet images with an eerie sense of irony as my mind brought me back 10 years. Suddenly, it wasn’t March 11, but September 11. I wasn’t in San Diego. I was on a tatami mat in my apartment in Koriyama, as a JET in Fukushima. The 9/11 terrorist attacks gripped the world in complete surprise. I was glued to NHK and local Fukushima TV, wondering how something so awful could be going on back home while I was thousands of miles away.
The realization of this strange twist of events compelled me to take action this summer. I was an ALT in Japan during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Ten years later I felt the same helplessness and fright for Japan, a nation not mine by birthright, but one that had become a second home. With growing conviction and a sense of obligation, I vowed to find an organization accepting U.S. civilian volunteers. I was determined to help Japan recover and rebuild.
WIT Life #187: Norwegian Wood
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WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
This week I attended the Japan Society’s member screening of Norwegian Wood, the film version of this Haruki Murakami novel. I haven’t read the book, but the movie was quite moving. It takes place in the late 1960’s with student riots as a backdrop. It is a love story centering on the university student Toru Watanabe, who is torn between his first love from his hometown, Naoko, and a new women he meets at school, Midori. His relationship with Naoko is complicated as their mutual best friend (and Naoko’s boyfriend) committed suicide when they were in high school. They share this bond, but it is also the source of Naoko’s mental instability. Midori is a bit of a brighter character, though her life has been overshadowed by family members’ untimely deaths. The film is quite tender in its exploration of these relationships and the direction Toru’s future will take.
The movie was made in 2010 by the French-Vietnamese director Anh Hung Tran, who was on hand at the screening along with Rinko Kikuchi who plays Naoko (pictured above with Kenichi Matsuyama who plays Toru). They offered some behind the scenes stories, such as how Read More
December edition of “AJET Connect” now online
AJET, Article/Journalism, Japan Local, Return on JET-vestment, Travel/Tourism, Writers Comments Off on December edition of “AJET Connect” now online
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A really terrific December edition of AJET Connect online magazine is now available for viewing at:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/AJET/AJET+Connect+DEC+2011.pdf
