Job: Manager, International Strategy & Planning at 7-Eleven, Inc.


via 7-Eleven, Inc. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the 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: Manager, International Strategy & Planning
Job Details:
Consult and lead International Licensees in developing and executing a strategic plan and long-term approach to implementing the 7-Eleven, Inc. business system. Provide planning and analysis support for the International Division.
Position Requirements MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelors degree required. MBA preferred
• 5–10 years of experience with a multi-unit/division based retail company
• Previous experience with international business processes, strategic planning and financial analysis
• Working knowledge of commercial international real estate development principles
• Training skills necessary to teach planning principles, for example, strategic planning, project management, acquisition processes) to International Licensees and their employees
• Presentation skills necessary to effectively communicate, update, persuade, and/or facilitate discussions with international senior management teams
• Interpersonal skills necessary to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, employees, management, and suppliers.
• Ability to consult and interact comfortably with C-level and senior executives around the world
• Computer proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, database, email, and web-based applications
• Working knowledge of world cultures and religious beliefs
• Must have a valid passport or the ability to obtain one
ADDITIONAL DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Fluent Japanese or Chinese communication skills a plus
• Strategy consulting background
• Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in finance or strategy.
• Thorough knowledge of 7-Eleven, Inc.’s Business Concept including Retailer Initiative
For more details see post on the JetWit LinkedIn page:
http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&discussionID=45228734&gid=1434827&trk=eml-anet_dig-b_jb-ttl-cn
JET alum sake expert spotlighted in Japan Times


Today’s Japan Times makes mention of JET alum and leading sake expert John Gauntner (a.k.a. The Sake Guy), author of the Sake World E-Newsletter. In the article, which highlights sake’s growing popularity around the world, Gauntner recalls his long journey with the rice-based beverage — from love at first sip to his current status as the first and only non-Japanese certified “sake expert assessor”.
Check out the article, “Foreign sake experts win over hearts, palates”.
Gauntner is a noted lecturer on sake who travels the world speaking on the topic. He has published a score of books on sake and spoke at Japan Society last May. To learn more about him and sake, visit his website www.sake-world.com.
Cherry Blossom Guide for Japan 2011


I just saw this in the AJET March 2011 eBulletin and thought it might be useful to JetWit readers as well (or at least induce natsukashii feelings):
The Sakura Guide
Here are the predicted dates for the sakura first blossom opening and full bloom across Japan (for major cherry blossom sites in each prefecture). If you are travelling around, make the most of each prefecture!
Kyushu Area:
Okinawa: Finished (Early February)
Kagoshima: Open: 1st April Full Bloom: 10th April
Miyazaki: Open: 22nd March Full Bloom: 30th March
Oita: Open: 22nd March Full Bloom: 30th March
Kumamoto: Open: 21st March Full Bloom: 30th March
Nagasaki: Open: 22nd March Full Bloom: 31st March
Saga: Open: 22nd March Full Bloom: 31st March
Fukuoka: Open: 21st March Full Bloom: 30th March
Chugoku/Shikoku Area:
Kochi: Open: 20th March Full Bloom: 28th March
Ehime: Open: 25th March Full Bloom: 2nd April
Kagawa: Open: 25th March Full Bloom: 2nd April
Tokushima: Open: 28th March Full Bloom: 4th April
Yamaguchi: Open: 26th March Full Bloom: 3rd April
Hiroshima: Open: 26th March Full Bloom: 3rd April
Shimane: Open: 29th March Full Bloom: 6th April
Okayama: Open: 26th March Full Bloom: 3rd April
Tottori: Open: 30th March Full Bloom: 7th April
Kinki Area:
Wakayama: Open: 27th March Full Bloom: 4th April
Nara: Open: 28th March Full Bloom: 4th April
Hyogo: Open: 28th March Full Bloom: 5th April
Osaka: Open: 26th March Full Bloom: 3rd April
Kyoto: Open: 31st March Full Bloom: 7th April
Shiga: Open: 2nd April Full Bloom: 9th April
Mie: Open: 30th March Full Bloom: 6th April
Chubu Area:
Aichi: Open: 25th March Full Bloom: 2nd April
Shizuoka: Open: 26th March Full Bloom: 3rd April
Gifu: Open: 31st March Full Bloom: 7th April
Nagano: Open: 7th April Full Bloom: 13th April
Yamanashi: Open: 28th March Full Bloom: 5th April
Fukui: Open: 3rd April Full Bloom: 10th April
Ishikawa: Open: 4th April Full Bloom: 11th April
Toyama: Open: 3rd April Full Bloom: 10th April
Niigata: Open: 9th April Full Bloom: 15th April
Kanto:
Kanagawa: Open: 23rd March Full Bloom: 31st March
Tokyo: Open: 24th March Full Bloom: 1st April
Chiba: Open: 29th March Full Bloom: 5th April
Saitama: Open: 26th March Full Bloom: 2nd April
Gunma: Open: 29th March Full Bloom: 5th April
Tochigi: Open: 31st March Full Bloom: 6th April
Ibaraki: Open: 5th April Full Bloom: 13th April
Hokkaido/Tohoku Area:
Fukushima: Open: 8th April Full Bloom: 14th April
Yamagata: Open: 15th April Full Bloom: 21st April
Akita: Open: 24th April Full Bloom: 29th April
Miyagi: Open: 10th April Full Bloom: 16th April
Iwate: Open: 19th April Full Bloom: 25th April
Aomori: Open: 22nd April Full Bloom: 27th April
Hokkaido: Open: 1st May Full Bloom: 5th May
National AJET’s “Life After JET”: Beth Nicholls


National AJET shares former JET participants’ experiences – and a little advice – with current JETs in their new monthly interview, Life After JET. Contact lifeafterjet [at] ajet.net to be featured in future posts.
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Beth Nicholls was a CIR in Yamagata from 1999-2000. Since then, she has been busy translating and traveling the world with UNICEF, as well as working at major sporting events.
Currently, Beth is undertaking a new endeavor, called Do What You Love, which includes an e-course starting on March 14 designed to help participants “[discover their] true passion, and [find] a way to make it a greater part of [their] everyday life.” Read the interview and check out Beth’s website to find out more about the course. If the course seems right for you, be sure to take advantage of the discount just for JETs — enter the discount code J1102 when you register at www.dowhatyouloveforlife.com/ecourse–spring2011/.
NAJET: Do you have a favorite story from your time on JET? (Anything that you still pull out at parties to this day?)
Beth: When I was on JET I had the good fortune to land my own TV show – ‘Besu Nikoruzu, minna tomodachi’ (possibly the cheesiest name for a show in cable television history). I loved every minute of it but never suspected anyone actually watched it. One day I went to visit the gorgeous temple Yamadera, and as I climbed the last of the 1000+ steps, windswept and puffed out, a monk came up to me and said ‘Besu-san? I love your show’?! I nearly fell off the side of the mountain!
NAJET: What kind of impact did your time as a CIR in Yamagata have on you? In terms of your future career, personal growth, or anything else.
Beth: My year in Yamagata was a formative one. I lived with a wonderful couple who were jazz musicians, with a studio in the house and parties most weekends. Everyone was so warm and welcoming, and I felt an incredible sense of possibility. The experience gave me real confidence in my Japanese ability, and an understanding of the responsibility you have as an interpreter. I had many wonderful experiences – interpreting for athletes at the World Ski Jumping Championships, hosting my own TV show (see above!), being Chief of Police for a day, interpreting for dignitaries like the Governor of Colorado and the Thai Ambassador to Japan. I was frequently terrified but always gave it a go anyway, and as a result expanded my comfort zone massively. I went on to get a Masters’ degree in Japanese Interpreting and Translation, and although I don’t use Japanese much in my current endeavours, it was a crucial element of my path to here.
NAJET: From the ‘About Me‘ on your blog, it looks like you’ve had some amazing adventures so far. Can I hear a little more about one? Either one that stands out above the rest or you can choose at random (I’m voting for meeting the Prince of Bhutan, but I’m not picky). I’d like to hear how it come about, any highlights, and lasting impressions.
Beth: Every single adventure has come about as a result of seemingly random connections, and being a combination of curious and brave. When I was writing my MA dissertation, which specialised in interpreting for elite athletes in a competitive sports environment, I requested an interview with one of Japan’s most famous ever football players, as he had played for several teams overseas and worked both with and without an interpreter. Somewhat bizarrely I ended up teaching him English and we became good friends, meeting up and travelling together in places like Ghana, South Africa, China and Bhutan. When we were visiting Bhutan we were invited to a special dinner as guests of the Bhutanese FA, and our host was one of the Princes of Bhutan, who had studied at Oxford University. We had a wonderful evening discussing football, fashion, food and relationships! We dined on yak curry (which actually gave me really bad food poisoning), and laughed into the early hours.
Click here for the rest of the interview.
JapanInfo Flash: Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki Assumes Post in New York


An announcement from the Consulate General of Japan in New York:
Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki Assumes Post
On February 25, Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki arrived from Tokyo and began his official duties as Consul General of Japan in New York. His first stop after departing the airport was the former World Trade Center site, where he paid his respects to all those lost on September 11, 2001.
As Japan’s ambassador to Afghanistan for the past year and a half, Ambassador Hiroki has been at the frontlines of the international community’s efforts, together with the United States, to promote peace and security in that war-ravaged region. To date, Japan has implemented approximately one billion of a total five billion dollar commitment in humanitarian and reconstruction aid for the people of Afghanistan.
As former head of the 9/11 crisis management team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo, Ambassador Hiroki is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of Japanese visitors and residents in New York. In fact, New York City holds a very special place for Ambassador Hiroki. He was stationed here for several years in the 1990s. As a consul in the Consulate’s political section, his duties included arranging a visit by their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan to the city. In his welcome message to the New York community, the Ambassador remarked, “This great city is a vibrant center of the political, economic and cultural ties that make up the Japan-US relationship. With your help and understanding, I look forward to doing my part to further the development of a strong Japan-US partnership in New York.”
Ambassador Hiroki’s extensive diplomatic career began in 1979, and he has held various responsibilities at the Ministry in Tokyo and around the globe, including planning Japan’s security policy, developing Japan-Korea relations, managing MOFA budgetary affairs and overseeing Japan’s foreign policy toward Europe. His other overseas assignments include The Hague in the Netherlands and London, UK.
Ambassador Hiroki’s close personal ties with the US were shaped by his formative experience as a young AFS exchange student at a Milwaukee, Wisconsin area high school. He later served as chair of the 29th Japan-America Student Conference (JASC) and was a graduate student at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Ambassador is married to Mamiko Hiroki, an English teacher at a Japanese high school and graduate of Columbia University. They have two daughters. Ambassador Hiroki enjoys tennis and practicing tea ceremony in his spare time. He is looking forward to building upon the success of his predecessor, Ambassador Nishimiya, and doing his part to foster mutual understanding and strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between the people of Japan and New York City.
JET World Festival Held in Toyama


Thanks to Hotaka Kawasaki and Matt Gillam of CLAIR-NY for sharing news about this nice example of “Return on JET-vestment” at the local government level:
The CIRs and ALTs in Toyama held the JET World Festival 2011 in Toyama City on February 27th to celebrate their respective home countries and deepen relations with the people of Toyama. According to the Japanese news release below, the festival included booths for each country as well as stage shows featuring Irish music, country & western music, capoeira, and puppet performances. The festival also included a “North Pole” themed kids’ corner and a refreshment stand.
How was the festival? Please feel free to tell us more in a comment to this post or via e-mail to jetwit [at] jetwit.com.
JETAA Chapter Beat 02.28.11


Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.
- General Meeting – Wednesday, March 2nd, 6:30 to 8:00 at the Hyogo Business & Cultural Center. Discuss upcoming events, issues and the future of PNWJETAA.
- Happy Hour – Friday, March 4th, 6:00 at Wann Izakaya. Kick back and relax after a long week with friends and alumni this Friday.
- Tampa Subchapter Tsudoi – Friday, March 4th, 7:00 at Panera Bread in the Brandon Mall. The Tampa Subchapter will be hosting their monthly Tsudoi, an informal time for anyone interested in Japanese and Japanese culture.
- Tampa Happami Write-up: Thanks to everyone who came out to Happami. The location was perfect and the weather was great. We had 13 people attending, and three dogs. The Japanese language puzzle race came off well and I think everyone enjoyed it…though it was perhaps more challenging than they had anticipated;) Congratulations to the winner’s of the bonus prize…a ceramic sake serving set shaped like a Tanuki! Karaoke brought more friends out for a greta evening. Thanks again to everyone who came and hope more of you will join us next year. –Tampa Kumi
- O-Shaberikai – Wednesday, March 2nd, 6:00 at Coo Izakaya in Civic. Join in and meet Japanese people living in Canberra and other locals interested in Japan.
- Pitch n Putt Day – Saturday, March 5th, 4:00 at the Canberra International Golf Centre. Spend the day outside and come hit some balls with friends and alumni.
- General Meeting – Wednesday, March 9th, 6:30 in Chicago. Come discuss the future of JETAA Chicago and more.
- Yakiniku & Karaoke – Saturday, March 12th at San Soo Gab San. Enjoy a weekend of Korean BBQ followed by Karaoke at Lincoln Karaoke.
- Happy Hour Networking Event – Wednesday March 2nd, 6:00 at Hard Times Cafe. Chat, relax and catch up with friends old and new at this month’s Networking and Happy Hour event. This will be the last networking event of the year, so don’t miss it.
- Santa Barbara Event – Saturday, March 5th, 11:00 to 1:00 at the Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market. Shop local this weekend at the farmer’s market, followed up by lunch at Sojourner Cafe.
- Nihongo Dake Hike – Sunday, March 13th, 8:30 A.M. at Chantry Flats, Sierra Madre. JETAASC is having its first ever Japanese only hike, so get out the trekking boots, dust off the Japanese skills and get out on the trail.
- Annual Meishi Exchange – Thursday, March 3rd, 6:30 at Amber Restaurant. Join JETAANY for its largest social networking event of the year, and get to know other alumni and organizations in the area.
What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.
JNTO: Win a free trip to Tokyo’s new Haneda Airport


FYI, JNTO is running a quiz contest where you can win a free trip to Japan (i.e., round-trip ticket plus accommodations). It’s part of their effort to promote Tokyo’s new Haneda Airport (i.e., the one that’s not actually 3 hours outside of Tokyo). I just entered myself!
Here’s the link: http://www.japantravelinfo.com/haneda_sweepstakes/
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FoxHound: Hokkaido Part 3


Joshua Small is a First Year JET currently living in Ikaruga-cho, Nara-ken and has been chronicling his experience on his blog Snorlax87.
Instead of hitting the mountain for another day of skiing (an extra 100 bucks for everything), I decided to join other JETs in visiting Otaru. Otaru is a fishing town about 2 hours from Niseko famous for sushi, glass blowing, and music boxes. I know, pretty eclectic eh?
After we arrived at the main station in Otaru, a Hokkaido JET took us on a quick tour of the town. She walked us down the main street, pointing out the most visible landmarks so we could find our way back. After the grand tour, we chose a time to meet up and we all separated. First on our list was food.
It is unfortunate that in a town famous for sushi, I despise sushi. There were sushi restaurants everywhere. Luckily for my wallet, they were all really expensive which priced myself and one other from eating there. The average set cost about $30. Instead, I ate soup curry. It is just like normal curry, except it is thinner, like a soup. It was good.
I toured the city with another Nara JET. Let’s call her Banshee (xmen names). We stopped by a glass-blowing shop to observe the process. It was neat. They even let children come in and try some of the techniques. They let them blow into the tube. I wanted to try, but it seems that children get preference. Stupid children.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the post.
http://snorlax87.blogspot.com/
Job: JETRO Business Development (Toronto)


via JETAA Toronto. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the 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: JETRO Business Development (Toronto)
Job Details:
The Japan External Trade Organization is currently looking to fill the position of Business Development Officer at its Toronto office. The successful candidate will report directly to the Director of Research. The position is largely focused on research efforts, contributing to the various research activities of the JETRO Toronto office, while also requiring active participation in the office’s investment promotion and strategic alliance activities.
For details about job responsibilities/qualifications click on the following link:
Requirements:
How to apply:
To apply for this position, qualified applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to inquiry@jetro.go.jp
Job: Positions at Japanese Pharmaceutical Company (Tokyo/Osaka)


via JETAA DC. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
*Note: If you apply for any of these positions, please let them know you learned of it from JetWit. Thanks.
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Job Details:
A Japanese Pharmaceutical company is hiring for their Tokyo/Osaka office. Starting at 75K, they would like to find people who are willing to move to Japan and be part of the growing company. MUST Be fluent in both English and Japanese. Positions come with relocation assistance, housing assistance,visa support, 401K, retirement plan, health insurance, etc. Applicant must have 5-10 years of experience in their field. Pharmaceutical background preferred.
For more information, please contact Interesse International Inc. dc@iiicareer.com or call us at 571 -384-7117.
Job Positions:
Manager Pharmaceutical Sales Training – Prior sales training or coaching experience desirable. Also experience in curriculum content development is a big plus.
Manager Pharmacovigilence – BS, MS or PhD in Pharmacology, Chemistry, or Life Science. Must be able to assist in establishment and maintaining of assigned PV system that meets applicable regulatory requirements.
Manager Import/Export Clearance – Ensure import.export activities comply with applicable laws and regulations. Background in any import/export documentation needed, such as automotive industry.
Manager Regulatory Affairs – Take part in internal and external review, perform regulatory review of labeling, claims and advertising, change controls for specific products/projects.
Manager Public Relations – Develops speeches, artiles and related communications for management as requested. Assist in developing PR operating plan. Must have experience in health related (strictly regulated) PR.
Technical Consultant Medical Devices – Experience specifically in Stents, Drug Eluding Stents, and Cerebral Coils or other similar medical devices is a must.
Quality Control Engineer for Medical Devices – Experience in quality control of small medical devices preferred.
Manager Intellectual Property – Must have knowledge in acquisitions, licensing and other IP sensitive activities. Life Science, Engineering or Legal education background preferred.
Manager Corporate Social Responsibility – As part of PR department, develops external/internal corporate social responsibility material. One must have three or more years of experience in CSR.
Job: 3rd Shift HR Specialist (Illinois)


via JETAA Chicago. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the 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: 3rd Shift HR Specialist (Bilingual Eng / Japanese), Lincolnshire, Illinois
Job Details:
Requirements:
The HR Specialist role is intended to be an extension our client’s Human Resources department. The scope of Workforce Management services with this client includes workforce administration, workforce relations, compensation.
HR Specialists will spend the majority (approximately 60-70%) of their time directly servicing employees,
managers, Human Capital Managers/Generalists, and various third party contacts via phones & email communication. HR Specialists will spend time working through various HR and benefits issues such as leave administration, exit interviews, and compensation. Additional activities may include employee follow up, resolving escalated issues, or compiling reports for Human Capital Managers/Generalists.
The remaining amount of their time will be spent leveraging their skills as a team resource, functioning as an informal team leader, and partnering with client team management to assist and improve service delivery.
How to apply:
Please contact Lyndsi Weise, Resource Manager at LWeise@issintegrity.com
Job: Internship at Japan Flix


via Columbia University Japan Society. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the 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: Internship at Japan Flix
Job Details:
Are you interested in helping spread your interest in Japanese culture? Do you have some programming skills that you are looking to apply to some practical use? If so, Japan Flix is currently hiring a web programming internship position that’s right for you!
Japan Flix is:
Japan Flix is a new online distributor of cutting-edge, never-before-seen Japanese films in the United States. Offering a variety of genres including horror, drama, comedy, romance, and exploitation, Japan Flix represents a world of exciting and unique cinematic offerings previously unseen by audiences outside of Japan. Visit our website: www.japanflix.com
Job description:
Japan Flix currently distributes films through iTunes. However, we are currently in the process of developing our
own in-browser streaming service. You will help us finish setting up the online payment system and streaming service on our website.
* 1 or 2 days a week (may require more comitment in the beginning)
* Compensation to be discussed
Required skills:
* Knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript and relational databases such as MySQL.
* Candidates should have experience in open source object oriented languages such as PHP, Perl, Python, Ruby, or Java.
* Experience in setting up an online payment system required.
* Must be highly independent.
How to apply:
* Send your resume to Kei at kei@tk-digital.com
* Use “Japan Flix web programming internship” as your email title.
* We will contact you back to set up an interview
Job: Project Coordinator (London)


via JETAA UK. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the 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: Project Coordinator (London)
Job Details:
Our client, a well-known Japanese company founded in London, is currently looking for a Project coordinator to assist a Japanese manager. They provide interior coordinate service to individual and to corporate to manage their house/office. This position is to assist a Japanese manager who has professional experience within this industry both in Japan and UK to run their projects. Liaising with clients/suppliers, attending and assisting at actual work sites and dealing with general administrative duties.
Requirements:
For more information, please send your English CV to us immediately.
CLOSING DATE: Thursday 10 March 2011
CONTACT NAME: Mitsue Finch Uchida
CONTACT ADDRESS: 10 Ironmonger Lane, London
CONTACT EMAIL: info@access-appointments.com
Original link on JETAA website http://www.jetaa.org.uk/jobs/project-coordinator-interior/
New Osamu Tezuka manga


Tom Baker (Chiba-ken, 1989-91) is a staff writer for The Daily Yomiuri. He usually writes for DYWeekend, the paper’s arts and leisure section. You can follow Tom’s blog at tokyotombaker.wordpress.com.
Recently he reviewed the manga “Ayako,” a 1970s manga by Osamu Tezuka that only recently became available in English. At nearly 700 pages, “Ayako” tells the story of a large and extremely dysfunctional Japanese family from the late 1940s to the early 1970s. Here is an excerpt:
The title character…is the baby of the family, and becomes a scapegoat for the other family members’ sins. One way Tezuka illustrates this idea is to show a full page of non-rectangular panels, resembling irregular panes of a stained-glass window, where various family members are depicted in words and pictures. These relatively large panels surround one small panel in the center of the page, where little Ayako sits alone in the darkness, with no accompanying text.
At this point in the story, the family has condemned Ayako to imprisonment in a pit–literally–to keep her from revealing a crime she has witnessed.
Befitting the subject matter, Tezuka often uses film noir effects on his pages, filling them with shadows and strange viewing angles.
When a man tries to rescue Ayako from the pit, after she has been in it so long that she is afraid to leave, Tezuka gives us another full page of nonrectangular panels. Their jagged shapes are filled with exaggerated perspectives as the man reaches down to her, well conveying her feeling of panic.