Japanese primary school teachers unhappy with new English teaching role?
Japan Trends, Language Study 
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Thanks to JET alum Conrad Chafee for sharing this article from the Daily Yomiuri (2/16/11):
“60% of Schoolteachers Irked by English Classes”
“More than 60 percent of primary school teachers feel teaching English is a burden, according to a survey that also suggests many educators are ill-prepared for the April start of English as a compulsory subject for fifth- and sixth-graders. Benesse Corp., a correspondence education and publishing company, surveyed head teachers in charge of school administration and fifth- and sixth-grade homeroom teachers from 8,000 public primary schools in July and August. About 4,700 teachers gave valid responses.
According to the survey, 62.1 percent of homeroom teachers, who teach all or most of the subjects at primary schools, said they felt teaching English was a burden. About 72.9 percent said they believe it would be better to have teachers who specialize in teaching English to instruct students.”
See the full article at: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110215005684.htm
Life After the B.O.E. is a comic series about the JET experience by David Namisato (Aomori-ken, 2002-2004), a professional illustrator currently living in Toronto.
Visit David’s website at www.namisato.org.
Job: Part Time Assistant to GM, Fujisankei (Los Angeles)
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via JETAAJOB. 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: Part Time Assistant to GM, Fujisankei (Los Angeles)
Job Details:
Fujisankei Communications International (FCI) seeks a part-time assistant to the general manager. Duties include office managing and translating (mostly from Japanese to English). Ideal candidate is fluent in both English and Japanese, and have no trouble writing a business letter/document in English. Experience in a Japanese work environment is a plus. This is a part-time position (4 hours/day, 5 days/week.) $13-14 hourly pay, depending on experience.
How to apply:
Please send resume and cover letter to Audrey@fci-la.com
In the cover letter, briefly describe any experience you’ve had in Japanese cultural environments.
No calls, please.
Job: Job Listings via JETAA Torronto
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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 any of these positions, please let them know you learned of it from JetWit. Thanks.
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Job Position: Opportunity With Sustainalytics
Thanks to JETAABC for passing along this job posting that could be great for a JETAA member! Sustainalytics is hiring a Junior Analyst with Japanese language skills forone of its offices in Amsterdam, Boston, Frankfurt or Toronto. About Sustainalytics Sustainalytics is a global leader in sustainability research and analysis, serving investors and financial institutions around the world. Our international perspective is strengthened by nearly 20 years of local experience and expertise in the Responsible Investment (RI) and Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) markets. Sustainalytics strives to provide consistently high-quality solutions and to remain responsive to the current and future needs of our clients. Headquartered in Amsterdam and with more than 80 employees globally, the firm operates as Jantzi-Sustainalytics in North America with local offices in Boston, Frankfurt, Madrid and Toronto.
Job Position: Japanese Researcher Seeking Participants
Hello, I’m a Japanese student studying linguistics at McGill University. I am looking for research participants, who are native English speakers but can speak Japanese very fluently, and have lived in Japan for more than 1 year. Ideally subjects would be Japanese-Language Proficiency Test 1st grade holders. The experiment takes up to 90 minutes with compensation of 20 dollars. I have been desperately looking for participants in Montreal since last September, but it is very hard to find them. I’m planning to do the experiment in January, 2011 and am happy to come to Toronto or the GTA. I can also go to Japan if participants are in Japan. I really appreciate any help you could give me. Please see this PDF file for more details on the research. Best wishes, Tokiko Okuma (PhD student at McGill University/Osaka University) Email: tokiko.okuma@mail.mcgill.ca
Job Position: Position Available For Sales/Marketing Rep.
SALES/ MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE – North Toronto $35K/yr + Benefits A Japanese company just north of Toronto requires a Sales Representative to provide customer support and market products to new and existing clients. It is a great opportunity to grow with this well established organization! Drivers license required. For this role or for more info on other Japan related opportunities, please contact: Eika Sato esato@pasona.com (Ph) 416-867-1162 www.pasona.com
Job: IT/ITS researcher at Japanese IT Research Company (NY)
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via Quick USA. 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: IT/ITS researcher
Job Details:
We are currently seeking contract IT/ITS researcher, expected starting date will be April 1, 2011, who can contribute his/her researching experience as well as IT/ITS knowledge and introduce new IT technology/ devices to the automotive industry.
*Must have 3-4 years of research experience,
*Business experience in product management, business planning and/or strategic marketing,
*High level of written and oral presentation ability as well as negotiation skills,
*Good planning, time management, decision-making and organization skills are required,
*IT industry experience—experience related to mobile communications, devices and networks, satellite, energy and/or automotive industries, engage in extensive research activities in technological and business model areas, ability to convey analysis to stakeholders, analysis stemming from efficient collection of relevant data, ability to capture fresh ideas within the IT industry and suggest theses new idea, ability and keen interest in developing our industry IT network.
Location: Manhattan, NY
Position: IT/ITS researcher
Starting date: April 1, 2011
Salary:$60K-65K DOE
How to apply:
Contact Mayuko Ozawa
Recruiting Consultant
Quick USA, Inc.
551 Fifth Ave. Suite 620 New York, NY 10176
Direct: 212.692.0063 Cell: 917.608.7029
Main: 212.692.0850 Fax: 212.692.0853
Email: ozawa@919usa.com
www.919usa.com
Job: Regulatory Affairs at Japanese Manufacturing Company (CT)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Regulatory Affairs at Japanese Manufacturing Company (CT)
via Quick USA. 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: Regulatory Affairs
Job Details:
An established Japanese company is currently seeking for a regulatory affairs who will prepare and submit documents for product registration with FDA, monitoring regulatory activities in America, managing product samples, and other assigned tasks. Japanese language skill is not required but a big plus. Must have related experiences and/or chemical related background. This is Temp to Hire position.
Location: Darien, CT
Starting date: ASAP
Salary:$50K-65K DOE
How to apply:
Contact Mayuko Ozawa
Recruiting Consultant
Quick USA, Inc.
551 Fifth Ave. Suite 620 New York, NY 10176
Direct: 212.692.0063 Cell: 917.608.7029
Main: 212.692.0850 Fax: 212.692.0853
Email: ozawa@919usa.com
www.919usa.com
Japan Local: Yadoriki Village in the Kanagawa mountains
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“Japan Local“ is a new feature intended to share the small town Japan experience with potential visitors and tourists. If you have videos or photos or writing about your town, please feel free to submit to jetwit [at] jetwit.com.
Thanks to JETAA Tokyo President Byron Nagy for sharing this video titled “Experience Yadoriki in Under a Minute,” made by a Friend of JET (or a “JET in spirit” to borrow Byron’s phrasing):
Justin’s Japan: Q&A with Yuki Chikudate of Asobi Seksu
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Asobi Seksu singer/keyboardist Yuki Chikudate. (Polyvinyl Record Co.)
By
JQ magazine’s Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his pages here to subscribe for free alerts on newly published stories.
Formed in New York City in 2001, the band Asobi Seksu and its core members Yuki Chikudate (vocals, keyboards) and James Hanna (guitar) cut their teeth in the indie shoegaze and dream pop scene as it graduated from a dense, textured guitar-based sound to a more abstract, atmospheric approach.
Fluorescence, the band’s fourth and latest studio album, hits stores today (Feb. 15). I caught up with Chikudate prior to the band’s sold out show at New York’s Mercury Lounge later this week for this exclusive interview.
What kind of goals did you and James have recording Fluorescence?
We knew that we were interested in making an album that better captured what we sound like live. We wanted it to be colorful.
How did you approach the recording compared to your other albums?
The approach was to let go and have fun. I think we felt a lot more relaxed this time—it was summer.
Do you have any other special plans for promoting the album in addition to touring?
Hoping to play some festivals this year—outdoor shows are the best!
I read that you grew up in Southern California and attended a school for children of Japanese expatriates who planned to return home after several years abroad. Was this your first brush with Japanese culture outside the home, and how do you think the experience influenced your view of Japan or the way this aspect of its society operates?
I was born in Japan, so no, it wasn’t my first experience with Japanese culture outside my home. My view of Japan was that all my family was there. Sometimes I wished that it wasn’t so far away. As a kid, the strict disciplinary nature of Japanese school sucked!
Click here for the rest of the interview.
FoxHound87: Hokkaido Part 2
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Joshua Small is a First Year JET currently living in Ikaruga-cho, Nara-ken and has been chronicling his experience on his blog Snorlax87.
I woke up, dawned my heat tech long underwear, and boarded the shuttle bus bound for Hanazono. I was going to ski for the first time.
I arrived at the resort and checked in with the rental counter. They pulled my reservation and started outfitting me for skis, pants, pole, and shoes. The staff at Hanazono is largely Australian. They must come to Japan seasonally on visas. They were very polite which made the whole process easy. When I walk in ski boots, I look hilarious. In ski boots, I walk heel to toe, but really exaggerated. Someone might have thought I had polio if it wasn’t for the fact that other skiers looked just as stupid.
My volunteer Hokkaido JET instructor was supposed to meet me on the mountain at 10. He didn’t arrive until about 11:30. While I was waiting, one of the other JETs was kind enough to give me some lessons in skiing. I went down the first hill (it leads to the ski lift) several times really easily. I was picking up skiing quickly. My “instructor” kept reminding me that I SHOULD have fallen by now. I hadn’t. When the Hokkaido instructor finally arrived, I was stunned. He was wearing the costume of Hokkaido’s mascot: Marimokkori, the marimo with a huge boner…
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the post.
http://snorlax87.blogspot.com/
National AJET’s “Life After JET”: Vanessa Villalobos
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Vanessa at the JETAA stall at the Japan Matsuri in London.
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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This month, Life After JET profiles former Tochigi ALT, Vanessa Villalobos. After completing JET and obtaining a CELTA qualification, Vanessa moved to Peru where she taught for 15 months. She then returned to the UK to train as a secondary school level English teacher at King’s College London, earning a Postgraduate Certificate of Education.
However, instead of starting a more conventional career in education, she started her own business. She “now works to connect the UK and Japan in London with her two companies – IsshoniLondon.co.uk, which provides tutoring services, and JapaneseLondon.com, which is a central hub for all Japan-related happenings in London.” In addition, she is involved in JETAA London, serving as the Communications Officer and organizer of the Creative Entrepreneurs’ Group.
Vanessa shared with us a little bit about her experience on JET and since, plus advice for budding bloggers, entrepreneurs, or any JET trying to figure out what comes next…
NAJET: First, can you tell me a little bit about your experience on the JET Programme? It looks like you were an ALT in Tochigi from 2000-2003 — Any highlights or projects that you’re really proud of?
Vanessa Villalobos: Being a ‘one-shot’ ALT meant that I had quite an exhilarating life; cycling around Tochigi-shi with my bike baskets over-brimming with games, flashcards, worksheets, etc. I was based in the BOE along with two other ALT colleagues. We took it in turn to visit all the junior high schools and elementary schools in the area. Like so many ALTs I found elementary school teaching an absolute delight – if absolutely exhausting!
In the BOE, we also designed the English curriculum and materials for 15 elementary schools. It was so satisfying to be responsible for the syllabus right from first ideas to classroom delivery.
NAJET: Before becoming an ALT, did you know that you’d still be working with Japanese/UK relations even years after leaving JET?
Vanessa: No! But I have always been fascinated by communication, language, and international relations so I am thrilled that JET gave me chance to develop my skills and interest.
NAJET: Why did you first decide to start your blog, Isshoni London?
Vanessa: I experimented with blogging in Japan, and then wrote a successful year-long travelogue in Peru, but after coming back to the UK in 2005 I felt at a bit of a loss and stopped writing. I still really missed Japan and started to look for Japan-related things, events and communities in London. Much to my excitement, I found a wide range of information and opportunities. Even so, I kept missing out on things because that information was so spread out. I searched on the internet, collected little snippets from newspapers and magazines, grabbed brochures, scribbled down info from tube posters, and realised the gap in the market for a ‘one-stop-shop’ website where you could go to find out everything about Japan-related stuff in London.
‘Isshoni London’ is the name of my English-Japanese language tutoring company, and the blog was attached to it to provide extra information.
Click here for the rest of the interview.
Job: Office Manager at Japan Society of Northern California
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via JETAA NC. 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: Office Manager at Japan Society of Northern California
Job Details:
The Japan Society of Northern California is a public affairs 501(c) 3 non-profit with a mission to strengthen cooperation and understanding between the peoples of the United States and Japan through programs that expand knowledge, increase personal interaction and facilitate discussion of important issues.
The Office Manager will assist the President and the Board of Directors to achieve this mission by providing administrative and logistical support to facilitate smooth office and financial management. The Office Manager reports directly to the President.
For more details, click “Read More”.
Job: 8 Job Listings (SF, Tokyo)
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via SF-based recruiting firm JEMI. 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 Positions: 8 job listings via SF-based recruiting firm JEMI.
Controller (San Francisco)
Technical Sales Manager (Silicon Valley)
Account Manager/Sales Representative (Silicon Valley and New York)
Software Developer (San Francisco)
Software Engineer – Contract for 1-3 months (E. Bay)
Field Service Engineer (NY)
Japan positions
Electrical Engineers, Entry level (Tokyo) with a major Japanese Electronics Company
IT Engineers (Tokyo) with US Company
How to apply:
Please contact
Yuko Sakashita 阪下裕子
JEMI, Inc.
925-254-7850 (Office)
415-203-7841 (Mobile)
www.jemi-inc.com
Justin’s Japan: Tak Matsumoto of B’z wins first Grammy
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'Take Your Pick' was named Best Pop Instrumental Album last night at the 2011 Grammys. (335 Records/Vermillion Records)
By JQ magazine’s Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his NY Japanese Culture page here to subscribe for free alerts on newly published stories.
While Justin Bieber came up empty, Takahiro Matsumoto of the J-rock band B’z won big at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles last night (Feb. 13).
The famed 49-year-old guitarist, commonly known Tak Matsumoto, netted his very first Grammy gold (Best Pop Instrumental Album) for Take Your Pick, a collaboration with the equally legendary American guitarist Larry Carlton.
Carlton, whose licks Matsumoto admitted to copying as a teenager, has been recording since the 1960s and has played on over 100 gold and platinum records, including discs by Steely Dan, Michael Jackson and Billy Joel. Take Your Pick, which contains original compositions by the duo supported by American session players, was released last June and goosed by a two-month Japanese tour by the axe slingers.
“I had never told anyone until now, but the Grammys was one of my dreams and a big goal,” Matsumoto said yesterday after winning the award. This was Carlton’s fourth win and 19th nomination overall.
Click here for the rest of the story.
JETAA Chapter Beat 2.14.11
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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.
- East Bay Nomikai Happy Hour – Thursday, February 17th, 6:00 at Thalassa in Berkeley. Catch up with friends and alumni at this month’s happy hour event.
- Japanese Home Cookery: What We Really Eat – Sunday, March 12th, 10:00 to 2:00 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. The OACC Is presenting their final Asian culinary workshop of 2010/11, looking at the Japanese winter dish Umani and as well as some other various side dishes.
- Shinnenkai – Wednesday, February 16th, 6:00 at Shogun. Ring in the new year a little late with the folks at JETAA Canberra. Nijikai to follow at a location yet to be determined.
JETAA Minnesota
- Sushi Making at Fuji-ya – Sunday, February 27th, 4:00 at Fuji Ya. Make your own sushi or just come to eat and hang out with friends and alumni.
- Nihongo Dake Dinner – Saturday, February 19th, 6:00 in Encino. Dust off the Japanese skills for a night of food and nihongo with JETAASC.
- Career Networking Mixer -Thursday, February 24th, 6:00 in Santa Monica. Make connections and friends at this month’s upcoming career mixer.
- JETAANY Quarterly Meeting – Wednesday, February 16th, 7:00 in midtown. Learn more about your local chapter, get involved and add your voice to the future of JETAA.
- Koto Workshop – Saturday, February 19th, 1:00 to 2:00. Learn about the Koto, a traditional Japanese 13-stringed instrument, at this fascinating workshop.
- Nihongo Dake Dinner – Saturday, February 19th, 12:00 at Hei La Moon in Chinatown. Dust off the old Japanese over some delicious dim sum this weekend.
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.
WIT Life #154: Congratulations to Japanese Grammy Winners!
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WITLife 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.
A bit of bright news in light of the Japanese government’s confirmation that its country’s economy has indeed dropped to #2 in the world. Omedetou to the following Grammy winners!
Pop Instrumental Album
“Take Your Pick,” Larry Carlton and Tak Matsumoto (guitarist in the popular Japanese rock duo B’z, pictured here on right)
Opera Recording
“Saariaho: L’Amour De Loin,” (Japanese American) Kent Nagano, conductor; Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin and Rundfunkchor Berlin
Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with Orchestra)
Mitsuko Uchida (“Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 23 & 24,” Cleveland Orchestra)
Other winners include Japanese classical pianist Mitsuko Uchida who received Best Instrumental Soloist Performance with Orchestra, while the Best Contemporary Jazz Album award went to the Stanley Clarke Band, which includes Japanese jazz pianist Hiromi Uehara.
