Submissions sought for JET-organized Toyama Film Festival
Film, Japan Local, Video 
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Jonathan Dao, the current ALT PA for Toyama Prefecture, is organizing a fundraiser for Make a Wish Japan, Hokuriku and shared the below information and rather entertaining video:
Love movies? Well, we are pleased to announce the first-ever Toyama Film Festival— and in consequence, the CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS. You’ll have three categories to choose from (or maybe you’ll even submit an entry for each):
Movie Trailers/Commercials (1 minute)
Keep it short and sweet. Spoof an existing product or showcase your own!
Karaoke/Music Videos (5 minutes)
We’re all aware of those unforgettable videos that play along when you’re belting out your favorite tune. Think you can do better? Think you can do worse?
Any musicians looking to self-promote are free to submit a little something-something of their own as well.
Short Films (5 minutes)
Give yourself the ultimate challenge of churning out a five minute flick. You’ll just have to watch your pacing. Then again, you could always submit a scene from a longer piece of work. Let the audience watch your ending first? You could be the next Tarantino!
RULES:
There is no submission fee
Anyone and everyone is free to participate
Entries must be in either English or Japanese (subtitles are appreciated, but not necessary)
Participants may submit as many entries as they like*
Entries are DUE APRIL 14TH for review
We’re in the process of securing the venue, but the tentative date for viewing said entries will be Saturday, May 19th. Ticket prices will be only 500 yen, with all proceeds going to Make a Wish Japan, Hokuriku.
For any questions, comments, or troubleshooting concerns, feel free to contact Jonathan Dao at johnnys.second.opinion@gmail.com
Stay tuned right here at facebook.com/ToyamaFilmFest for more!
WIT Life #192: New York Boom in Japan
Food & Drink, Translating/Interpreting, WIT Life, Writers Comments Off on WIT Life #192: New York Boom in Japan
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.
I am heading home after spending two glorious weeks in Japan enjoying delicious food, soakin
g in multiple onsens, meeting up with natsukashii friends and running two marathons! Needless to say I feel a bit sabishii about leaving, but I am already looking forward to my annual visit next year.
One thing I noticed more than before was an increase in advertising that utilizes the concept of “New York” to appeal to customers. In many cases this seemed to be a very loose correlation, but nonetheless effective. I first spotted the “Big America” burger being advertised at McDonalds. Pictured here, you can see that in katakana it says “Broadway Burger.” I’m not sure what qualifi
es it as such, but the size is definitely larger than your standard Japanese burger.
My next sighting was at Burger King, which is offering the NY Sundae (BK New York Style Sweets). This sundae, which comes in regular and raspberry, features crunchy French toast with ice cream on top. I don’t know what about this sundae makes it “New York Style” and didn’t have a chance to sample it, but I could see that being a delicious combination. I love how they put a mini Statue of Liberty in the middle of the product name to enhance its authenticity. 
However, I will take Japanese style sweets over New York ones any day, and certainly enjoyed my share of wagashi on a daily basis during this trip. I am always sure to leave Japan with some of its various KitKat flavors, and this time I found both green tea and cherry blossom green tea (limited edition for sakura season) at the airport. I also searched for azuki which is one of my favorites, but didn’t have any luck. I saw wasabi but opted to pass on that one…
AJET Survey for JETs and JET alumni
AJET Comments Off on AJET Survey for JETs and JET alumni
Via JETAA USA (via AJET):
JETwit says: JETs and JET alumni, please take the Survey!
Re-posted: 25 Feb 2012 12 PM EST
AJET allows you to voice the changes you want. We compile reports based on these surveys and present them to the Japanese ministries who run the JET Programme.
The focus of the spring 2012 survey is “The Acquisition of Japanese Culture and Language by JET Programme Participants”. AJET is requesting input from both JETs and JET alums. for the JET alum survey, see below:
Through this survey and subsequent report, AJET will examine the development of Japanese cultural and linguistic understanding by JET participants during their time on the Programme and how this knowledge impacted their experiences following their time on JET. For just a few minutes of your time, you can help give meaningful feedback about your experiences on the JET Programme that will be relayed to CLAIR and the three ministries that oversee JET at the Opinion Exchange in May. As an exchange programme, JET is reciprocal. Tell us if/how your Japanese has improved or how you have become involved in your community. What have you learned on JET?
Launch of Tomo anthology to benefit teens in Tohoku
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Suzanne Kamata (Tokushima 1988-90), Publicity Assistant for SCBWI-Tokyo shares this:
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Tomo Anthology Launch:
An Evening of Readings, Discussion and Reflection
Time: Saturday, March 10, 2012, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Place: Tokyo Women’s Plaza, Conference Room 1
5-53-67 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
(by the Children’s Castle and United Nations University).
For a map see www.scbwi.jp/map.htm
Fee: Attendance only: 500 yen SCBWI members; 800 yen nonmembers
Attendance and Tomo book: 1,200 yen SCBWI members; 1,500 yen nonmembers
Reservations: RSVP contact (at) scbwi (dot) jp by Friday, March 9
This event will be in English.
March 10, 2012, is publication day for Tomo: Friendship Through Fiction—An Anthology of Japan Teen Stories (Stone Bridge Press). One year after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, this collection of short fiction brings teens worldwide closer to Japan and contributes to long-term relief efforts in Tohoku. Join us for this Tokyo Tomo launch event, which will feature readings by various Tomo authors, as well as panel discussion and reflection on this project.
Tomo (meaning “friend” in Japanese) is an anthology of young adult short fiction in prose, verse and graphic art set in or related to Japan. Edited and with a foreword by Holly Thompson, this collection for readers age 12 and up features thirty-six stories—including ten in translation—contributed by authors and artists from around the world, all of whom share a connection to Japan. Tomo includes a wide variety of unique stories, including tales of friendship, mystery, fantasy, science fiction and history. By sharing “friendship through fiction,” Tomo aims to bring Japan stories to readers worldwide, and in so doing, to help support young people affected or displaced by the March 11, 2011, Japan earthquake and tsunami disasters. Proceeds from the sales of this book will go toward long-term relief efforts for teens in Tohoku. To begin with, Tomo fund donations will go to the Japan-based NPO Hope for Tomorrow (hope-tomorrow.jp), which in addition to providing educational expenses (including university entrance exam fees, travel costs to exam centers, etc.) also provides mentoring, tutoring, and foreign language support to high school students in hard-hit areas of Tohoku. Visit the Tomo Blog at http://tomoanthology.blogspot.com for interviews with contributors and more information about Tomo.
www.scbwi.jp
Kameoka Diaries #6 by Lars Martinson
Cartoon/Illustration, Japan Local, Notable JET Alums, Writers Comments Off on Kameoka Diaries #6 by Lars Martinson
Lars Martinson (Fukuoka-ken 2003-2006), author of the graphic novels Tonoharu: Part Two andTonoharu: Part 1, has just just published the latest edition of his new cartoon series called“Kameoka Diaries“ about his return to teaching English, this time in Kameoka, Kyoto.
Click here to read the Kameoka Diaries #6.
http://larsmartinson.com/kameoka-diaries-6/
Japan Fix London: Hyper Japan is back!
Career, Cultural Outreach, Events, Food & Drink, Japan Fix Comments Off on Japan Fix London: Hyper Japan is back!
Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika lives in London but is interested in hearing about any Japan-related opportunities across the globe.
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Last year I spoke to former JET Mary Moreton about her experiences in Japan and her current role working for one of the largest Japan-related events in the UK, HYPER JAPAN! After a hugely successful run last summer, HYPER JAPAN is back this week for more culture, cuisine and cool!
Starting tomorrow (Friday 24th February) and running till Sunday 26th, HYPER JAPAN promises to chase away all those winter blues!
Highlights this year include:
Sushi Awards 2012: UK Sushi Roll Championship
Eat-Japan SAKE AWARDS: Top Brewery Taste-Off
Natsuko Aso Live
Olympic Judo Champion Maki Tsukada
Cosplay, Street fashion, UK Kawaii star of the year and much much more!
For more details please check out the official website at http://hyperjapan.co.uk/
Job: Temporary Olympic games coverage support, Yomiuri Shimbun (London, UK)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Temporary Olympic games coverage support, Yomiuri Shimbun (London, UK)
Via JETAAUK. 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: Temporary Olympic games coverage support, Yomiuri Shimbun (London, UK)
Job Details:
Japanese daily newspaper, looks for a person with English and Japanese language fluency with excellent communication skills who can work with us during the summer Olympic Games in London.
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Tohoku – The Meme
Earthquake Tsunami, Volunteer Comments Off on Tohoku – The Meme
The below was created by Jamie El-Banna (Design), Dean Newcombe (Photos), and Sabine Taras Thompson (Photos) (all ex-pats who have been volunteering in Tohoku) and shared with me by JET alum Colin Rennie (founder of Tohoku relief effort The MUD Project) who is in the midst of a six-month volunteer stay in Tohoku.
Job: English Language Instructors at Toyo University/University of Montana (Tokyo)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: English Language Instructors at Toyo University/University of Montana (Tokyo)
Via JET alum Yvonne Rock (Okayama-ken, 2005-2007). 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: English Language Instructors at Toyo University/University of Montana (Tokyo)
Job Details:
English Language Instructor working as University ofMontana employee assigned to teach for the 2012-13 academic year at Toyo University in Tokyo, Japan (September 1, 2012-August 31, 2013).
Instructor will teach eight classes a week on the Japanese system (90-minute classes) in an experimental Special English Project designed to prepare a small percentage of Toyo students for study in English-speaking universities in the subsequent year. Short-course (2-3 week) TESOL-Prep Course and English Camp in February and/orMarch. The Special English Program is now in its sixth year.
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Job: Director of Global Programs – Japan Society (New York)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Director of Global Programs – Japan Society (New York)
Via the Foundation Center. 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 Global Programs – Japan Society (New York)
Job Details:
Reporting to the President, the Director of Global Programs is responsible for programming and fundraising for the Corporate Program, comprising business-related programs and networking events for corporate members. He/she will also oversee the integration and manage the results of a consolidated unit comprising Corporate Program, Policy Projects, which focuses on problem-solving exchanges and the administration of the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, and Lectures, which hosts talks on a range of topics, including cultural issues of interest to individual and corporate members as well as the general public.
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Job: Account Manager/Assistant Sales Manager (Fort Lee, NJ)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Account Manager/Assistant Sales Manager (Fort Lee, NJ)
Via Actus. 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: Account Manager/Assistant Sales Manager (Fort Lee, NJ)
Job Details:
RAccount Manager/Assistant Sales Manager-Fort Lee, NJ
Company Information:
– Company Address: Fort Lee, NJ
– Established in 1930’s in Japan, Main product is industrial gas. Others include industrial machinery, communications and electronics, chemicals, ceramics, metals, and construction materials.
– Company size: Around 80 in Japan, 10 in the US.
Your Role with the Company:
Your main role is to maintain existing accounts in East Coast area.
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Job: News Intern for Nippon TV (NYC)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: News Intern for Nippon TV (NYC)
Via Nippon TV. 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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Job Position: News Intern for Nippon TV (NYC)
Job Details:
Nippon TV (NTV), Japan’s oldest TV network has openings for enthusiastic news interns at New York News Bureau. The responsibility for the position is to assist our reporters in creating daily news stories, breaking news and longer feature stories to our Japanese audience. The ideal candidate would be fluent English speaker (Native/Business level) and conversational in Japanese, have great interests in news and be able to work long-term, more than 3 months. We don’t assist in any visa support.
How to apply:
Interested candidates should send their English and Japanese resume to ntvny@ntvic.com.
Job: Teach English via Skype
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Teach English via Skype
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: Teach English via Skype
Job Details:
Teachers teach with their own computer, Internet connection, and at their own home via Skype. Lessons are custom, so teachers are responsible for meeting with the student and deciding the best path forward. Lessons range anywhere from English conversation practice to test preparation.
Very flexible job. Teachers get their own online calendar to manage. They choose when they work each week. Dependability is a must though. Base pay is $13 / 50 minute lesson, however with bonuses from student sign-ups and renewals it works out to be around $16 – $20 / lesson.
Here is the school website: www.gotravelenglish.com
For more details contact: brian@gotravelenglish.com
Taylor Anderson/Japan Foundation Lecture to be hosted by Randolph-Macon College on 3/11
Earthquake Tsunami, Events Comments Off on Taylor Anderson/Japan Foundation Lecture to be hosted by Randolph-Macon College on 3/11
Thanks to Andy Anderson for sharing the following:
“Randolph-Macon College will host the Taylor Anderson/Japan Foundation Lecture, “Postscripts from Japan: Stories that Endure After the Earthquake and Tsunami,” on Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. in Blackwell Auditorium, R-MC Center for the Performing Arts. This lecture will commemorate the one year anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake which took the life of R-MC alumna Taylor Anderson ’08.”
Taylor’s father Andy Anderson will be speaking, as will NPR’s Yuki Noguchi and Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki. Andy said it would be great to see lots of JET alumni at the event.
More details here: http://www.rmc.edu/News/12-02-10%20-%20Japan%20Commemoration%203,-d-,11.aspx
volunteerAKITA Scholarship Fund Update 02.21.12
Fundraising, Return on JET-vestment, Volunteer Comments Off on volunteerAKITA Scholarship Fund Update 02.21.12
JET Paul Yoo, founder of volunteerAKITA, recently shared this update about fundraising for the volunteerAKITA Scholarship Fund which aims to send a boy from one of the orphanages they work with to university (the first boy from the orphanage to ever express interest in going to college):
“Hey everyone! A BIG THANKS for all the support! With all the donations that came in this week we have ￥695,461 left to raise for our scholarship fund. Please help us continue to spread the word and for more information regarding the scholarship fund please check out our website at www.volunteerakita.org or feel free to contact me anytime! (volunteerakita [at] gmail.com).”
Click here to read the previous JETwit post about Paul Yoo and the volunteerAKITA Scholarship Fund.
