JET Alum Anthony Bianchi to run for Lower House seat in upcoming Japan elections


Here’s the link to the article (which is in Japanese): http://www.asahi.com/politics/update/0111/NGY201101110010.html
Below is text from the article:
衆院愛知6区補選 民主、犬山市議のアンソニー氏擁立へ
民主党の石田芳弘衆院議員(65)の名古屋市長選立候補に伴い、4月に予定される衆院愛知6区補選に、同党が愛知県犬山市議のビアンキ・アンソニー 氏(52)を擁立する方向となった。同党愛知6区総支部が11日午前に開いた選挙対策会議で、候補として県連に提案することを決めた。
ビアンキ氏は米国ニューヨーク市出身。1989年に愛知県教育委員会の英語指導助手として来日。2002年に日本国籍を取得して03年に犬山市議選に立候補、最多得票で初当選した。06年には同市長選に立候補したが、8候補中3位で落選。07年に市議に再選された。
総支部の意向を踏まえ、県連が最終調整を進める。衆院補選への立候補について、ビアンキ氏は朝日新聞の取材に「名誉なこと。まだいろいろなステップがあるが、頑張っていきたい」と述べた。
6区補選では、09年衆院選で落選した自民党元職の丹羽秀樹氏(38)が立候補を準備。みんなの党も独自候補を擁立する方針だ。
Job: Buyer for Import/Export Company (NY)


via Actus. 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: Buyer for Import/Export Company (NY)
Job Details:
Established Japanese company seeks a buyer who is interested in trading and import/export operation between US and Japan. Main duties include; purchasing industrial parts(for aircraft), price negotiations with vendors, quality control, import/export operation etc.
Qualifications:
Location: New York, NY
Salary: $35K~40K
How to apply:
Please forward your most recent resume and cover letter as an MS Word attachment to moya@actus-usa.com.
Make sure to mention which position you are applying to and your desired salary in your cover letter. We will contact qualified candidates to have a preliminary interview. We are a Japanese staffing agency and currently searching for candidates for the above position at one of our client companies. We look forward to your application. Thank you!
Job: 2 Job Openings at Video Game Company (Los Angeles, CA)


via Jet alum from 2003-05. 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: Full-time, entry level position for bilingual (Video game industry, Los Angeles, CA)
Details:
http://www.square-enix.com/na/careers/#os01
How to apply:
http://www.square-enix.com/na/careers/#os01
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Job Position: Contract Translator (Video game industry, Los Angeles, CA)
Details:
How to apply:
na.jobs@square-enix.com
Study in America via the Foreign Fulbright Student Program


Stephanie Boegeman (ALT, Akita-ken, 2006-09) gets her kicks from finding fun crazy ways to see the world and getting paid to do it. She is constantly in search of job, internship, and travel ideas to add to her site Playing With Hire, in the hopes that more JET alumni and like-minded souls join her in her quest to find creative, inspiring, and unique ways to make ends meet.
JET alums who are interested in pursuing post-graduate work abroad may want to consider studying in America via the Foreign Fulbright Student Program (FFSP). Many of the participating countries also sponsor JETs, including but not limited to India, South Africa, Jamaica, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ireland, the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Most programs start accepting applications in February. More info on the FFSP can be found here.
Job: Volunteers for Japanese Immersion Camp


via JETAA Pacific Northwest. 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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Position: Volunteers for Japanese Immersion Camp
Details:
Volunteers required for immersion camp that takes two and a half days and is held at Camp Don Bosco for American high school students in the area who are studying Japanese. The camp is divided between Japanese lessons and cultural activities, (cross between a mini study abroad and a summer camp).
Recommended for those who wish to keep up with their Japanese language skills (a fluency of around 2-kyu is recommended).
See link for more information: http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/1444982/467730878/name/Volunteer%20Wanted.pdf
How to apply:
If you are interested in finding out more/applying to volunteer please e-mail campvolunteertantoo@gmail.com
Job: Doshisha International Position


via Osaka-based JET alum Joshua Flannery. 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: Doshisha International Position
Job Details:
Tenured position from April 1st, 2011 at Doshisha International Jr./Sr. High School for fluent Japanese-English bilingual teacher. Teach classes for Returnee students, homeroom and club duties.
Check school homepage for details. http://www.intnl.doshisha.ac.jp
Job: Travel Consultant wanted for JTB subsidiary (Raleigh, NC)


via JET alum Kyle Munn. 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: Travel Consultant wanted for JTB subsidiary (Raleigh, NC)
General Position Summary:
This position is responsible for setting up reservations and travel itineraries for corporate and leisure customers. Consultant corresponds with clients and answer enquiries, provide suggestions and/or make sales via emails and phone calls, makes arrangements such as air, hotel, rental car, and/or limousine transfers for corporate customers, and air, hotel, rental car, Look American Tours, Sunrise tour, JR Pass, Ghibli ticket, cruise, entertainment tickets, and other travel related service for leisure customers, monitors online booking account and assist with changes, makes arrangements for group travels with various destinations including Japan and Asia, and resolves daily occurrences such as weather delays, flight schedule changes, re-issue, hotel rate issues, etc.
Qualifications:
Experience with international travel required. Excellent customer service skills required. Must be familiar with how to use MS Office, fax machine, copier, scanner, etc. Experience with Sabre preferred but not required. Japanese language skills not required but highly preferred.
How to apply:
Please send resume and other relevant information to kyle@japantravel.com
Job: Bilingual Site Producer (Orlando, FL)


via jetwit contributor Machiko Yasuda. 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: Contract Bilingual SITE PRODUCER (Japanese/English)
Job Details:
We are seeking an experienced Website Producer eager to play an integral role on the Operations Support team.
Primary responsibilities include interacting with business partners, resourcing creative and technology partners to quickly turn around business requests for changes and additions to websites while interacting with technology teams over back-end data collection systems, and prioritizing and strategizing the implementation of multiple business requests at any given moment.
Must Have:
• Previous experience as a Web Producer, or similar project management position leading all aspects of multiple operational requests for the clients and/or business partners.
• Experience managing requests that include integration with multiple back-end systems
• Able to partner with multiple stakeholders to manage their expectations, gain their acceptance and trust and achieve high client satisfaction ratings
• Able to deliver under extreme deadlines and intense business environment
• Able to fully understand and clearly communicate technical information to non-technical people
• Able to lead a diverse team from creative, business and technical disciplines
• Thorough understanding of the software development process, particularly as it relates to web-based applications
• Experience working with content management systems and building websites, including daily updating of copy and images for sites.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Superior organizational skills required to keep a large queue of work in order
• High emphasis on guest/customer service with a drive to create and maintain a premium online guest experience.
Job Requirements:
Japanese and English bilingual skills
• Drive the execution of requests across the Creative, Technology, and Business Development teams
• Identify appropriate resources needed, and develop schedules to ensure timely completion of requests
• Clearly organize and forecast deliverables and dependencies
• Ensure proactive scheduling of all aspects of requests
• Manage the full life cycle of operational requests from requirements through launch
• Manage day-to-day tasks and have in-depth involvement to allow for early identification of potential challenges
• Ensure on time deliverables within estimated duration and resources
• Manage request scope and execute change control when additional requests for features or functionality are made
• Elevate situations that may require Production leadership intervention
• Provide weekly status reports and regular updates to the Production leadership
• Proactively identify any risk or conflicts based upon creative, technology or business factors
• Proactively look for technical solutions to implement requests in a more efficient manner
Nice to Have:
• Experience within the travel/tourism industry
• Experience with online marketing of Theme Park products, Vacation Resort, Timeshare or Cruise Industry
How to apply:
Job: Logistics Coordinator/Sales Assistant (Nashville)


via Kim Rollins, an Executive Recruiter with The CSI Companies. 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: Logistics Coordinator/Sales Assistant (Nashville)
Job Details:
One of the largest transporting companies in Japan is looking for a Logistics Coordinator/Sales Assistant to work out of their Nashville branch.
Responsibilities:
Logistics Coordinator: Managing the move of a Japanese employee, whether it be to Japan or from Japan to the US. This includes packing/unpacking the personal belongings.
Sales Assistant: On days that moves are not scheduled, you would be working out of the office coordinating and scheduling future moves. Must be proficient in MS Excel, MS Word, and Outlook as well as comfortable on the phone.
How to apply:
Please contact – Kim Rollins
Healthcare Recruiter
CSI Health
Krollins@csihealthinc.com
112 Westwood Place Suite 150
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 564-1225
Job: Business English Teachers Needed (NY)


via HOJ (Husband of JET) Jon Hills on behalf of a friend. 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: Business English Teachers Needed (Financial District)
Job Details:
I am looking for two professional business English teachers for a short term, one month teaching assignment, with more assignments possible in the future.
Applicants must have experience teaching business English to non-native speakers, and preferably to Japanese speakers.
The dates for the assignment are January 24th-February 18th and applicants must be available every weekday during that time period. The lessons will be conducted in the conference room of a large Japanese securities company in the Financial District and will run 5 days a week, from 10am-5pm. Ideally one teacher would take the morning sessions and one teacher would take the afternoon sessions, but applicants should be available all day during the one month time period.
The client is a financial analyst who is coming to New York from Japan for one month specifically for this English course.
All course textbooks will be provided , although teachers will need to familiarize themselves with the texts before the course begins. I will be on hand to provide support before and during the course, and I have over 11 years experience teaching English to Japanese speakers, however, I will rarely be on-site during the course, so I am looking for professional teachers with experience who know how to handle themselves, and Japanese speakers specifically.
Compensation: $25/hr
How to apply:
If you are interested, please email your resume and a cover letter telling me a little about yourself and describing your prior teaching experience. I will be conducting interviews over the next couple of weeks.
bowlesjane@gmail.com
Job: Inside Sales/Customer Service job (SF)


via Jet alum and JET Program Coordinator in SF, Peter Weber. 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: Inside Sales/Customer Service job (SF)
Job Details:
Essential duties and responsibilities include the following.
Qualification Requirements:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employee must have a thorough knowledge of the freight forwarding industry in both air and ocean. Employee must have a basic knowledge of sales. Employee must have a good knowledge of customer service techniques.
How to apply:
Go to http://www.iiicareer.com/applicant/jp/detail.php?recid=39638
Job: Associate, Nikkei Horizons Continuing Education Program (Seattle)


Via JETAA Pacific Northwest e-mail list:
Nikkei Concerns, a non-profit elder-care organization primarily serving the Japanese-American and Asian-American Communities in the Greater Seattle area, is seeking qualified applicants for their Nikkei Horizons Associate vacancy for Nikkei Horizons Continuing Education Program.
The position will assist in planning, coordinating, administering and marketing a continuing education program that encourages friendships and creates lasting memories through a wide range of exciting activities such as adventurous excursions locally and aboard, computer lessons, exercise and wellness classes, and learning about Japanese art, culture, traditions and more.
The ideal candidate will have experience in planning and coordinating activities, be a people-person who is detailed-oriented, possesses excellent customer service and communication skills and has a passion for enhancing the lives of our community members. Fluent in Japanese preferred.
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, January 21, 2011.
See attachment for application information
Continuing Education Program
1601 E. Yesler Way
Seattle, WA 98122
JETAA Chapter Beat 1.10.11


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 – Thursday, January 13th, 6:00 at Reline in Harvard Square. Welcome the new president and discuss the future of NEJETAA.
- Shinnenkai – Saturday, January 22nd. More details to follow.
- London Pub Night – Thursday, January 13th, 6:30 at Life. Practice your Japanese, see old friends and have some authentic Japanese cuisine at this month’s Pub Night in London.
- JETAA Creative Entrepreneurs Salon – Friday, January 14th, 8:00 at Brick Lane. Check out this networking event for freelancers, business owners and entrepreneurs. Share your experiences and make new friends in the new year.
- Pub Night – Friday, January 21st, 7:00 at Kingston Taphouse and Grille. Join JETAABC for the first pub night of 2011 with friends and alumni.
- Kabuki Club – Sunday, January 23rd, 2:00 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. This month’s selection will be the classic “Sukeroku: The Flower of Edo.” A casual Shinnenkai will follow the viewing at a nearby restaurant.
- Tampa Subchapter Shinnenkai – January 23rd, 5:30 to 7:30 on West Sitios Street in Tampa. Celebrate the new year with friends, family and alumni.
- General Meeting – Monday, January 10th, 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in Chicago. Lend your voice to the future of JETAA Chicago at the first Executive Board meeting of the new year.
- Shinnenkai – Saturday, January 15th at the JIC. Celebrate 2011 Japanese style, with food, friends, games and more. More details to follow.
- JBook Meeting – Monday, January 24th, 6:30 in the Adams Morgan/U Street Area. Jbook is back for the new year, with this month’s selection being “The Housekeeper and the Professor,” by Yoko Ogawa. The discussion will be followed by a screening of the film, so don’t miss it.
- JETAASC Retreat 2011 – Saturday, January 22nd, 9:00 to 3:00 in West Covina. Spend the day getting to know your fellow JET alumni, or catch up with old friends at this year’s retreat. Discuss the future of JETAASC and don’t forget to bring your favorite dish for everyone to share.
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 #149: 成人の日


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.
Yesterday Japan celebrated 成人の日 (seijin no hi) or Coming of Age Day, and 1.24 million youngsters took part in this celebration (成人式 or seijinshiki). This was the lowest number of participants ever, and the fourth straight year in which the number of 20-year olds has declined. This morning’s news interviewed the 1500 or so Chiba youths who were lucky enough to have their ceremony at Disneyland. They were asked how they felt about becoming adults, and the majority expressed uncertainty regarding their future and being able to find jobs. This year’s group was born in 1990 when the economic bubble burst, and they have Read More
Justin’s Japan: Interview with NEA Jazz Master Hubert Laws


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.
With a career in music that began in the 1960s, Grammy-nominated flautist Hubert Laws’ latest honor is the NEA Jazz Master Award, which since 1982 is the highest prize the U.S. bestows upon living jazz musicians.
Laws will appear at a free panel discussion with the other 2011 NEA Jazz Masters at New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center on Jan. 10. (Doors open at 12:45 p.m., and a live video stream can be seen here.) The following night, he will perform at the annual NEA Jazz Masters Awards Ceremony and Concert. For those who can’t attend the sold out show, there will be a live video stream on the NEA website along with a simulcast on the Newark-based WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM and their site, and Sirius/XM Satellite Radio’s Real Jazz Channel 70.
This year also marks the artist’s 40th anniversary of his first trip to Japan. I spoke with him about his time there along with some of his other personal highlights as a musician.
Congratulations on your NEA Jazz Master award. How does it feel to receive this honor?
After learning of its significance, it is a humbling experience to be named among other respected artists of special accomplishment.
How did you find out that you won his award? Did you or anyone else campaign for it?
I happened to be on a tennis court playing doubles when my cell phone rang during a changeover. The gentleman asked if I had a moment—I said, “About 90 seconds.” When he announced the award, I said, “I think my partners will wait a little while longer.” I was not aware of this award, so could not “campaign” for it.
Tell us about your history playing in Japan and working with Japanese artists as a musician.
My first tour in Japan began in Tokyo in 1971 with the “CTI All-Stars” [Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, George Benson, Grover Washington, Ron Carter, Bob James, Ester Philips, Hank Crawford and others].
We were greeted at Narita Airport by fans with banners and fanfare as though we were rock stars. That tour included several cities for about two weeks. Since then, 15 other trips there included my own group at the Blue Note Club, another with Ron Carter and his group, Chick Corea and his group, and Sonny Rollins with the Yomiuri Symphony Orchestra, where I premiered the Concertino for Flute and Orchestra by Harold Blanchard. This performance can be seen on the 30 Year Retrospective DVD; and excerpts can be seen on my website. The Laws family [Ronnie, Debra, Eloise and Hubert] appeared at the Cotton Club there in 2007. A JVC Jazz Festival was held there. where Eloise and I appeared there along with Nancy Wilson and others.
My most recent CD features Japanese child prodigy and pianist/keyboardist Yayoi Yoshida in flute adaptations of classical compositions: Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto #2 and Samuel Barbers’ Adagio for Strings. Excerpts also can be heard on my site.
Why do you think the Japanese enjoy jazz so much?
As a culture, it appears that the Japanese gravitate heavily toward education. This value seemingly leads to appreciation of substance. There is great “substance” in the art of improvised music commonly known as “Jazz.” As in any culture, the “foreign mystique” may also play a part. “A prophet is not unhonored except in his home territory and in his own house.” –Matthew 13:57, New World Translation of Holy Bible.
Click here for the rest of the interview.