WIT Life #213: BayStars Baseball Revival
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WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
Continuing with the sports theme, today’s NYT has an article about some of the unusual measures the Yokohama BayStars have incorporated to increase attendance at their games. They include discounts for children and seniors on certain days if they wear the team’s jersey, for cross dressers on Thursdays and for late arrivals. In addition, another promotion is Read More
Fukui JET alumni meet Fukui Group in New York
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Four Fukui JET alumni participated in a recent exchange meeting with a delegation from Fukui Prefecture (led by the incumbent Governor Nishikawa) and the Fukui Association (Fukui Kenjinkai) in New York.
The alumni happily spoke with the governor and others about their memories of JET life in Fukui, artworks on traditional Echizen paper (Echizen-Washi), plays featuring the sometimes amusing daily life in Fukui, and many other topics.
Job: Speechwriter & Public Relations Advisor for The Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles
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Thanks to Jet Alum Tiffany Dwyer for sharing this job opening. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
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Position: Speechwriter & Public Relations Advisor
Posted by: The Consulate General of Japan
Type: Full-time
Location: Los Angeles
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
http://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/e_web/jicc_opportunity.htm
Overview:
The Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles is seeking a motivated and diligent individual to be a Speech Writer and Public Relations advisor. The successful candidate would have excellent writing and research skills, intercultural communication skills, and an ability to self-motivate and take initiative to better communicate Japan’s policy to the American public.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Acting as the lead writer, draft speeches, op-ed and letters for the Consul General and other officers for various occasions; edit and support colleagues’ written material in each of their priority areas.
- Develop and draft presentation materials that clearly, consistently and effectively communicate Japan’s basic policies and positions on various issues as needed.
- Develop and maintain solid data (facts, figures, etc) on the Japan-US relationship to be used as a resource for the consulate.
- Monitor print, broadcast and internet media and work closely with colleagues to implement communications strategies on current issues in Japan-US relations and the consular jurisdiction.
- Work with consulate staff and outside organizations to assist in the planning and execution of Japan-related events, talks, lectures and official consulate functions.
- Perform various other duties, including creating and editing content for the consulate’s website, conducting a variety of general research and organizing public affairs functions.
- Translating documents from Japanese to English, as appropriate.
- Handling various administrative and clerical tasks. Read More
Job: Program Coordinator at I-House (NYC)
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Thanks to JETAANY Board Member Amber Liang for sharing this job opening. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
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Position: Programs coordinator
Posted by: International House
Type: Full-time
Location: New York
Salary: N/A
Start Date: Immediately
Overview:
Founded in 1924, International House seeks to develop future global leaders by enabling them to live and learn together in a challenging and supportive residential community. The roster of innovative, high-quality programs and activities are at the core of this dynamic experience in multicultural living. These programs are designed to facilitate the development of the skills and values essential to sound global leadership through the exploration of diverse cultures, ideas and beliefs. The 700 resident members admitted each year are from over 100 countries and study at over 75 academic and training institutions in New York City in fields as diverse as finance, studio art, law, neuroscience and dance.
The Office of Programs & Resident Life is responsible for planning and implementing the cultural, educational and social programs that reflect the diversity of the resident community and actualize the mission of the House. The Programs Office staff works with a team of approximately 25 residents who serve the community as Program Fellows. Monthly programs during the academic year include cultural hours; resident roundtable discussions; performing, cinema and fine arts events; social events and trips in and around NYC. In addition, there are one or two guest speaker events each month, an outreach tutorial program, sports & fitness activities, a language exchange program, and leadership programs designed to enhance graduate study. Other large events include the annual Fall Fiesta, the All Nations Celebration in April, semi-formal dances and 4 Sunday Suppers each year. Summer activities include social, cultural and recreational activities in and around NYC. The Programs Office also includes the Resident Support Services team composed of 21 Resident Fellows, Peer Counselors and the Resident Social Worker. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 9:00am to 7:00pm and most programs take place in the evening and on some weekends. Read More
WIT Life #212: US Open 2012
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WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
Yesterday I went to the first day of this year’s U.S. Open tennis tournament in Flushing Meadows, and managed to catch some matches despite a long rain delay. I was happy to see that two of the outer courts were featuring Japanese players, Kei Nishikori (nicknamed “Air K” because of the jump he takes to give his forehand a little extra power) and Hiroki Moriya. I had never heard of the latter but am a big fan of the former, having first seen him in an exciting five-setter at the Open several years ago.
When my friend and I arrived, Nishikori was up two sets and leading in the third against Argentinian Guido Andreozzi when the downpour began. We camped out at the side court to insure good seats when the match resumed, which it did a few hours later. Andreozzi showed some strength but Read More
Job: Communications Interns at The White House Project (NYC)
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Thanks to JET alum and communications expert Kirsten Henning for sharing this interesting opportunity. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
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Position: Communications Intern
Posted by: The White House Project
Type: N/A
Location: New York
Salary: N/A
Start date: N/A
Overview:
The White House Project ignites the leadership of women in business and politics. We connect, coach and educate an ever-expanding alumnae network of 14,000 nationwide. With a focus on women age 21-35, we activate the ambition, creativity, and skills necessary for innovative and effective leadership.
The White House Project seeks enthusiastic, committed individuals for exciting and challenging internships in NYC. Internships are available in Development, Communications, Programs, and Executive. We are currently accepting applications for Fall interns. Internships are unpaid, but we frequently work with colleges, universities and organizations that sponsor students or offer credit. Ideal candidates will have a background in political science, women’s studies, communications or business. Strong written and oral communication skills are a must. We are looking for individuals with an interest in igniting women’s leadership and learning more about the non-profit sector. Read More
Job: Marketing Support & Logistics Coordinator (NYC)
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Thanks to JET alum, Eric Liebman for sharing this JET-relevant job listing at his company.
Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
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Position: Marketing Support & Logistics Coordinator
Posted by: Mitsubishi International Corporation
Type: N/A
Location: New York
Salary: N/A
Start date: N/A
Overview:
One of the Chemicals trading departments at is expanding operations in South America. The new role serves to satisfy customer needs and meet internal compliance requirements. The Coordinator would assure punctual and smooth coordination of shipments with customers/vendors according to their contracting logistics; proper inventory management; compliance with billing, documentation, accounting inputs, collection and credit monitoring; etc. A proactive approach to business is key. Within the team, transparent, punctual and close communications are required.
The following are preferred: experience with GBS, GTS, SAP systems; good MS Office skills; an open-minded attitude with new and unfamiliar situations; accuracy, efficiency, and consistency; strong organizational skills; ability to be proactive/flexible; good English Communication skill to give good customer service.
If you’re interested, please contact Former JET Eric Liebman (Shimane-ken, 2008-10): LIEBMAN@GMAIL.COM
Sayaka Takeda, a veteran recruiter with Actus Consulting Group, wants to help you find a job.
By Preston Hatfield (Yamanashi-ken, 2009-10) for JQ magazine. Preston moved from San Francisco to New York City in January 2012 and is now accepting submissions from people who want to be his friend. Abduct him from his house in the middle of the night, or find him on Facebook and ask about his JET blog in which he details his exploits and misadventures in that crazy Land of the Rising Sun we all love.
If you have been back from JET for a year or two, you probably already know the story. If you are just now returning and you have not been keeping up with the news, let me fill you in: The economy, well, it sucks. And while that fact may not exactly be news considering that the markets crashed back in 2008, it is very possible, especially for those who have lived abroad since then, that the recession has not affected you yet. But according to the Wall Street Journal, with 8.2 percent unemployment, an additional 88 million unemployed Americans not a part of that calculation due to having stopped actively searching for jobs, and three consecutive lackluster jobs reports coming out of Washington in the past months (which according to the Journal makes this the “weakest quarter for job growth since the labor market began to recover in 2010”), returning expats are in for a rude homecoming.
Speaking from experience, the generous salary and benefits JETs enjoy seems like a well that will never run dry, and when I came home in the summer of 2010 and bounced between part-time jobs, internships, and temporary positions for the better part of two years, I was kicking myself for walking away from a guaranteed contract in Japan before my limit was up. If I could do it again, they would have to drag me onto that America bound plane kicking and screaming.
I am writing mainly to the JETs who are coming home this year—more specifically, to young JETs who will be making their valiant attempts to join the American workforce for the first time since graduation— and please know that I am not trying to scare you. Hey, you survived teaching in Japanese classrooms, nothing can scare you anymore. But I am here to warn you that the road ahead may be rough, and you would be wise to manage your expectations when you decide to start your next job search. It can be stressful. On top of the reverse culture shock and post-JET depression that some of you will experience, the added pressure of needing a job and the frustration of sending out résumé after résumé without response can bring you down and tempt you to sign on with whatever Japan teaching pops up on a Google search. I trust that you and I are not the only ones who have felt this way, but before you do that, take a step back and consider your other options.
Hopefully, as you are readjusting to life in the States you will be formulating a rough game plan for the challenge ahead, but if you do not already have a field that you are determined to break into, if grad school is not yet on your radar, and if you really want to strengthen your understanding of Japan and maintain your connection to Japanese culture, then perhaps working at a Japanese company in America is an option. There are a handful of established Japanese staffing agencies with offices throughout America’s major cities that place people in a variety of full and part-time positions. But do these companies want to interview, much less hire, former English teachers such as ourselves? I caught up with a recruiter in Midtown Manhattan to find out.
Job: Postings from Idealist.org 8.24.12
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Via Idealist.org. Posted by Geneva Marie (Niigata-ken 2008-09) Geneva is a contributor to both JETwit and JETAANY. Geneva is on a continuous (epic) search for Japanese-related jobs in the United States. Hire me! :-)
Regional Educational Advising Coordinator
Posted by: Institute of International Education
Type: Full-time
Location: New York, NY
Salary: DOE
Effective Date: August 2012
IIE is seeking a global REAC for the India and Central Asia region. Bachelor’s degree required, Masters or equivalent academic degree preferred; or a combination of experience and education. English required and fluency in a local language preferred.
http://www.idealist.org/view/job/dX9G28K45BJd/
JET alum helps Japan ICU Foundation to hold Tohoku fundraiser event at Japanese Embassy in DC
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Junko Hibiya, President of ICU
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JET Alum Mark Flanigan (Nagasaki-ken, 2000-04) volunteered for earthquake relief efforts in Ishinomaki following 3/11, as a way to give back to the country he has lived in twice now. As a Rotary Peace Fellow at the International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo, Mark jumped at the opportunity to volunteer in Tohoku after the devastating earthquake struck Japan. He joined a group of international student volunteers, including graduate and undergraduate students of many nationalities, in helping to clean up a small fishing village in Oshika-hanto. Now a graduate of ICU, Mark continues his efforts for ongoing Tohoku relief as a Program Director with the Japan ICU Foundation in New York City.
On Friday, September 14, the Japan ICU Foundation (JICUF) will hold a special Fundraising Dinner and Silent Auction in Washington, DC. The event will begin at 6:00 pm at the Old Ambassador’s Residence, adjacent to the Embassy of Japan on Massachusetts Avenue. Special guests will include the new (and first-ever female) ICU President Junko Hibiya, Dean of International Affairs Shaun Malarney and Mr. Kakutaro Kitashiro, the Chair of ICU’s board of trustees.
Mark Flanigan (Nagasaki-ken, 2000-04)
This Fundraising Dinner and Silent Auction will continue JICUF’s ongoing support for a variety of recovery efforts in the wake of the tragic March 11th, 2011 earthquake and tsunami, with the proceeds from the evening to go towards supporting ICU’s continuing earthquake relief projects in Tohoku. It follows on JICUF’s March Sake Tasting Fundraiser at the Penn Club in New York City, which raised nearly $10,000 to support these efforts. Since the devastating March 11, 2011 earthquake, tsunami and subsequent nuclear accident, JICUF has worked with ICU in Tokyo on key aspects of the ongoing response.
If you would like to attend the fundraiser event on September 14, you can go here for more information: http://jicuf.org/newsevents/fundraising-dinner-in-washington-dc-on-friday-september-14/
Members of the JET Alumni community are welcome and encouraged to join! Special discounts are available for Students, Young Professionals and the Media.
To RSVP for this event, please contact the JICUF at information@jicuf.org.
JETAA Northern California: Pacific Bridge: Fiber Futures: Japan’s Textile Pioneers Opens
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This summer and fall, the Museum of Craft and Folk Art (MOCFA) in San Francisco is proud to present a traveling exhibition co-organized by the Japan Society (New York), Tama Art University (Tokyo), and International Textile Network Japan. Fiber Futures: Japan’s Textile Pioneers explores a new art that is emerging from a remarkable fusion of Japanese artisanal and industrial textile making. Coaxed from materials as old as hemp and as newly developed as microfilaments, a varied array of more than 25 works by artists from multiple generations will be on view in this extraordinary two-part exhibition.
By transcending and cutting across the limitations imposed by the inherited oppositions between art, craft, and design, this two-part exhibition brings together over 20 contemporary Japanese artists who are active at the cutting edge of the global fiber-art movement. These men and women transform fabrics into sculptures, pictures, emulations of nature, and even abstract meditations on memory and identity. The materials range from silk, cotton, recycled cocoons, antique paper scraps, jute, and hemp to stainless-steel wire and weaving and dyeing technology. Ultimately the goal is expressing an environmentally sustainable ethos.
The opening reception of Fiber Futures was on July 20, 6-8pm and offered an exciting opportunity to preview the exhibition and meet several artists and curators visiting from Japan. Special guests in attendance included Joe Earle, Vice President and Director of the Japan Society Gallery, and distinguished artists, Machiko Agano, Akio Hamatani, and Hiroko Watanabe (President of International Textile Network Japan). In addition to a delicious sake tasting hosted by the innovative and contemporary Japanese restaurant, Ozumo, who shared some of Japan’s finest premium and limited edition sakes, entertainment included TOMOSAITO, the guitarist/beat producer of FOTOS. The exhibit runs until the 3rd of November this year.
Nicole Crescenzi, Development and Curatorial Associate
Museum of Craft and Folk Art
51 Yerba Buena Lane
San Francisco, CA 94103
For a print version of the article, click here.
Job: Assistant for Intergovernmental Affairs – SF Consulate
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Thanks to JET alum Peter Weber for sharing this posting. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
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Position: Assistant for Intergovernmental Affairs
Posted by: Consulate General of Japan
Type: Full-time
Location: San Francisco, CA
Salary: N/A
Start Date: Early October
http://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/archives/PR_e/2012/pr_12_0817.htm
Overview:
The Consulate seeks a staff member to assist the Intergovernmental Affairs Section. This section is responsible for the following activities within the states of California and Nevada.
•Conducting political and governmental research to identify emerging developments in Japan-U.S. relations
•Assisting consular staff with learning about comparative governmental processes and developing connections with their domestic government
counterparts
•Implementing creative projects to advance Japan-U.S. relations, including sister city relations and intergovernmental exchanges
•Drafting speeches and informational materials Read More
Justin’s Japan: Interview with Minoru Niihara of Loudness on ‘Eve to Dawn’
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“Compared to the ‘80s, record labels, media and music industry are totally different now, but rock bands’ success has been always written on the stage. I believe that rock bands should live on the stage and that’s the most legitimate way to do our job.” (Courtesy of FrostByte Media)
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his Japanese culture page here for related stories.
In the beginning, there was Loudness. Formed in 1981 in Osaka, the Japanese quartet started out as a successful hard rock and metal outfit and expanded their fanbase to America four years later with an international album deal and hit single “Crazy Night.”
History is now repeating itself. Twenty-five years after the release of original frontman Minoru Niihara’s last album with the group during their ’80s heyday, Loudness has now inked a new global record deal with FrostByte Media to reintroduce them to a new audience outside of Japan. First up is the newly released studio album Eve to Dawn—their 26th overall—and a fall North American tour is in the works.
In this exclusiveinterview, I caught up Loudness’ charismatic vocalist to discuss opening for Mötley Crüe at Madison Square Garden, the similarities between Japanese and American groupies, and which heavy metal movie makes him cry.
Eve to Dawn was released last year in Japan. Are there any differences between the original version and the American release?
I don’t have a copy here yet, but I don’t think there’s any difference between the two.
Are there any plans for your new label to release your most recent album, 2012, which also just came out inJapan?
It’ll be released next year.
For those unfamiliar with the band, how would you describe Loudness’ sound and lyrical themes?
It’s a very unique hard, heavy and explosive, Asian metal rock band. The most recent album has lots of songs with positive and encouraging messages because of the quake in 2011.
What made you want to become a rock singer?
When I was about 15, there is a cool singer named Masaki Ueda in Osaka, and because I really liked him, I got interested in singing. After a while I found joy in singing when I learned that people loved to listen to me sing. I became a pro, one synchronicity after another.
In a recent interview with New York’s own Chopsticks magazine, the band mentioned that its main goal now is to become a success in the U.S. What plans do you have to achieve this?
There is nothing but touring and doing lots of live performances, I guess. I believe that rock bands should live on the stage and that’s the most legitimate way to do our job. That’s our policy!
For the complete story, click here.
I’ll Make It Myself!: Café Mojo (Veg* Out in Kanazawa Series)
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L.M. Zoller (CIR Ishikawa-ken, Anamizu, 2009-11) is the editor of The Ishikawa JET Kitchen: Cooking in Japan Without a Fight. A writer and web administrator for The Art of Travel (formerly The Art of Japan: Kanazawa & Discover Kanazawa), ze also writes I’ll Make It Myself!, a blog about food culture in Japan, and curates The Rice Cooker Chronicles, a series of essays by JETs and JET alumni on the theme of cooking/eating and being alone in Japan.
New Rice Cooker Chronicles submissions always welcome. Just e-mail it to jetwit [at] jetwit.com.
One thing I dislike about eating out in Japan is “secret meat.” For whatever reason, the Japanese concept of meat and the English one are quite different: if you chop up meat small enough, it’s no longer considered meat; fish/seafood aren’t meat; there’s fish-based dashi stock in miso soup; some shokupan (white bread) contains lard; and, even if you’re really good at Japanese, clearly labeled menus are a luxury. For example, if I order a pizza margherita, I expect it to be vegetarian, and yet some places will throw bacon on it. If I order a “vegetable soup,” there might be chicken in it that wasn’t listed on the menu.
Luckily for me, I’ve found a lot of great restaurants in Kanazawa that specialize in or offer vegetarian/vegan fare. In Kyoto and Tokyo, there are vegan and vegetarian guidebooks being published, but Kanazawa and Ishikawa don’t have their own yet. I can’t be the only one out there who hates secret meat, so I want to highlight my favorite veg* restaurants in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, and Japan here in addition to my other restaurant reviews. I’m including a quick overview to the restaurant (location, type, veg* type) before the longer review so you’ll know at a glance if this place is for you. If you have suggestions about the reviews or for more restaurants, please leave a comment!
I’d like to kick off this series with one of my favorite cafes in Kanazawa, Café Mojo.
Café Mojo (カフェモジョ)
Location: Kanazawa City, Ishikawa pref.
Type: Café, Lunch
Veg Status: Primarily vegetarian and vegan fare; meat options (bacon)
Languages: Japanese, English
JQ Magazine: Book Review – ‘Orchards’ Is Elegant, Powerful, Profound
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“‘Orchards’ is at once a celebration of life and a somber reflection on the choices we make and their often irrevocable consequences.” (Random House)
By Sharona Moskowitz (Fukuoka-ken, 2000-01) for JQ magazine. Sharona is interested in fresh, new voices in fiction and creative nonfiction.
Meet Kanako Goldberg. Half Japanese, half Jewish, the teenage narrator of Holly Thompson’s breathtaking 2011 novel Orchards is more bagels and lox than natto and rice. After the suicide of her classmate in New York, Kanako is sent by her Japanese mother to spend the summer with her relatives on their mikan farm in a rural village tucked beneath the shadows of Mount Fuji. The trip to Japan is not only a chance to bond with her Japanese kin, it’s something of a temporary exile, a time to reflect on her life and her classmate’s untimely death at a safe geographical remove.
The victim’s name was Ruth and she is evoked repeatedly throughout the novel in the second person, as if to haunt the reader as much as she seems to be haunting Kanako’s conscience. Who was Ruth? What exactly was the extent of her suffering and how long did she have to endure before making the desperate decision to take her own life? Slowly we learn about Ruth’s battle with bipolar disorder and the unfortunate events that prompted her to do the unthinkable.
Despite her remorse, Kanako was not exactly the bully. She was more of a neutral bystander neither provoking nor defending the tortured teen, though in retrospect she feels just as culpable as Lisa, Ruth’s lead tormentor. (Lisa’s own fate, which I won’t give away here, adds an unexpected twist to the story.)
The tragic event took place in an apple orchard, a place where the cycle of death and rebirth is in plain, colorful view. While this metaphor might seem forced or terribly obvious, so elegant is Thompson’s language and so powerful and gentle her analogies that the overall effect is profound and genuinely moving.
