JQ Magazine: Book Reviews – ‘Belka, Why Don’t You Bark?’ and ‘The Future Is Japanese’
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A pair of this year’s releases from Haikasoru.
Belka, Why Don’t You Bark?
“As a writer, Furukawa is possessed of a kinetic voice that seems to teeter on the edge of insanity. The hyperactive prose is sometimes poetic, sometimes sharp like a stinging slap in the face. Often, it’s both.” (Haikasoru)
By Sharona Moskowitz (Fukuoka-ken, 2000-01) for JQ magazine. Sharona is interested in fresh, new voices in fiction and creative nonfiction.
War: It’s a Dog’s Life. Battle Is a Bitch. War and Fleas.
These were just a few of the potential titles I had streaming through my mind as I sat down to write the review of Belka, Why Don’t you Bark?, the newly translated novel by Hideo Furukawa. But the truth is, love it or hate it (and you very well may hate it, but more on that later), Belka is far too original to be reduced to silly catchphrases or bromides.
At the very start of the novel, readers are met with a detailed canine family tree complete with the dogs’ names and nationalities. In looking back, this might as well have been a de facto warning: if anthropomorphism is not your thing, put this book down immediately.
The story begins in 1943 on the Aleutian Island of Kiska where four military dogs are left by the Japanese and then claimed by U.S. troops after the Japanese retreat. One dog dies and the other three go on to produce the offspring that populate the novel and occupy the branches of the family tree. Belka chronicles the lives of the military dogs who trace their roots back to Kiska, intertwined with the story of the young daughter of a yakuza boss who is kidnapped in the USSR and has a psychic connection to dogs. Belka is a book about history through canine eyes, namely the wars of the 20th century, as Furukawa tells us “history is moved, rolled this way and that, so simply. The twentieth century was a pawn, as were the dogs.”
WIT Life #222: Japan’s Global Leadership
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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.
Earlier this week I went to a lunchtime 座談会 (zadankai, or round-table talk) at Columbia Business School’s Center on Japanese Economy and Business (CJEB) entitled “Global Leadership Challenges for Japanese Companies.” The discussion was led by Sheena Iyengar, the S.T. Lee Professor of Business at the school and moderated by Hugh Patrick, the Center’s Director. Some of the themes explored during the course of the hour and a half session were how to stimulate entrepreneurship, the issue of global leadership being thought of as equivalent to English ability, and the cultural fear of making mistakes as hindering innovation. There was an interesting characterization of America as being on the promotion side of the spectrum (risk-taking), and Japan falling on Read More
State of Colorado recognizes contributions of JET alumni to Colorado-Japan relationship
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Written by JETAA USA Board of Advisors member Jessyca Livingston who also serves as the JET Coordinator at the Consulate in Denver:
The Consulate General of Japan and Consul-General Ono recently hosted the 2012 National Day Reception. Rocky Mountain JET Alumni Association Executive Officers and Board Members were among the invitees along with other Japanese Community members, business leaders and government officials (including Denver Mayor Hancock).
Every year, the State of Colorado issues a Proclamation to the Consulate General of Japan in Denver on the occasion of the National Day Reception. This year, marked as “The year of opportunity for enhanced relations, friendship and mutual understanding between Japan and the State of Colorado”, acknowledged the success of the JET Program and the many participants sent from Colorado as a key component which continues to strengthen ties between Colorado and Japan.
The number of JETs sent from the Rocky Mountain region remains strong as does the quality of JETs we send as participants. Additionally, many of our JET alums in this region remain involved in supporting and strengthening US-Japan relations in a variety of fields locally, nationally and internationally. This recognition from the State of Colorado is indeed significant to RMJETAA and to the JET Program as a whole.
Via JETAA Sydney. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Consultants
Posted by: JTB
Type: Full-time
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Overview:
JTB Melbourne is expanding in the new year and is looking for 2 new staff members to begin work in January as consultants. Are you or do you know of anyone looking for a travel job?
This is a full-time position in the Melbourne office, wholesale section. Knowledge of Japan and some travel consulting experience would be great. All applications will be considered.
https://www.facebook.com/JTB.Travel/posts/10151154794931921
Job: Fed Reserve Bank – Analyst with Japan Background (SF or LA)
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Thanks to JET alum Daniel Lee (Hokkaido, 2000-03) for sharing this posting. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Analyst
Posted by: The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
Type: Full-time
Location: San Francisco or LA
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Summary Of The Job:
The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Regional and Foreign Institutions Group is seeking a team-oriented individual to serve as a country/banking analyst for the Country Analysis Unit (CAU). CAU is primarily dedicated to advancing the effective supervision of Asian Foreign Banking Organizations (FBOs) by: (1) evaluating the financial capacity of FBOs to support their U.S. operations; (2) identifying country risks and focusing supervisory resources to mitigate the impact of such risks; (3) strengthening relationships with Asian supervisory authorities and regional organizations; (4) enhancing our understanding of how Asian economic, financial sector and regulatory issues affect financial institutions; and (5) assisting the Federal Reserve System in developing and implementing effective supervisory strategies and policies. As a country/banking analyst, the incumbent will report directly to the Director of CAU and function as a key analyst on economic, financial sector, and banking supervisory issues related to the economies in Asia to which he/she is assigned. Read More
Via JETAA UK. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Translator Japanese – UK English
Posted by: Nintendo of Europe
Type: Full-time
Location: Frankfurt am Main (Germany)
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Overview:
Nintendo of Europe is looking for a UK English native speaker with an excellent knowledge of the Japanese language to take up a full-time position within our software localization team.
A multi-faceted role within a team of talented colleagues awaits the successful applicant. Click link to apply:
https://jobs.nintendo.de/main?fn=bm.ext.jobsdetail_engl&refnr=1292747&land=GB
Job: University of West Florida Japan Center Director
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Thanks to Jessica Cork for sharing this opening. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Director, Japan Center and Florida-Japan Linkage Institute
Posted by: University of West Florida (UWF)
Type: Full-time
Location: Pensacola, FL
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience
Start Date: N/A
Overview:
The University of West Florida (UWF) seeks a Director, Japan Center and Florida-Japan Linkage Institute. The Director reports to the Associate Vice President for Diversity and International Education and Programs (ODIEP). The Director provides leadership and management for the Japanese language and culture program, the Jikei-American Center, and the Florida-Japan Linkage Institute. The Director will be the primary coordinator for all Japanese activities at the University as well as serve as the primary liaison for Japanese activities with the City of Pensacola and its sister city-Gero/Hagiwara and Florida’s sister state, Wakayama. The Director also will work with the Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida, the Jikei Group of Colleges, and State of Florida-related Japanese activities. Read More
JLGC Newsletter – December 2012
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Via CLAIR-NY (aka Japan Local Government Center):
The newest JLGC Newsletter is has been published and can be viewed here: http://www.jlgc.org/pdfs/en/news74.pdf
The issue includes a feature on the recent JETAA USA Conference in San Francisco as well as well-written and extremely informative report by CLAIR-NY Senior Researcher Matt Gillam following his recent visit to Ishinomaki City, Miyagi titled, “Appearance and Reality: Recovery and Tohoku.”
“Even people who live there can sometimes be amazed at the pace of recovery. Until you talk for a while and realize there are two recoveries going on, the physical and the psychological, and there is a vast difference between what can be seen and what cannot. This point was driven home for me when I spoke with the principal of an elementary school in Ishinomaki who talked about how many problems the kids are having lately and the increase in theft, bullying, fights, and other manifestations of the stress and trauma that they bring to school from their homes.”
JLGC publishes semi-annual newsletters featuring articles on JETAA activity, sister city and sister state relationships, exchange programs, and local government issues in the United States, Canada, and Japan. The newsletter enables local government officials, JLGC’s fellowship program participants, and other interested persons to stay abreast of JLGC activities and research efforts. At the same time, the newsletter provides those outside of the organization with the opportunity to share their ideas and opinions.
Click the following link to subscribe to the JLGC Newsletter: http://www.jlgc.org/NewsLetterEmailEntry.aspx
I’ll Make It Myself!: Avocado Almond Cookies
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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, 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.
Downtown Kanazawa is experiencing its seemingly annual winter butter shortage. The grocery stores I frequent have signs that read “one package per customer” and explain that the shortage is due to conditions in Tohoku, where much of the nation’s dairy is produced. My friends in other cities report that they’re having no issues finding or buying butter–maybe the shortage is from all the bakeries in town making Christmas cakes?
As a result of butter’s becoming increasingly expensive and hard to find here, I’m trying to cut back. I have a collection of recipes for muffins, quick breads, and pastry crusts that take yogurt, oil, or applesauce instead, but all my standard holiday cookie recipes take butter. This year, I’ve decided to work on some Japan-friendly non-butter cookie recipes in hopes of saving my wallet and my holiday spirit.*
Jobs: Asian Art Museum (SF)
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Via Philanthropy News Digest. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Museum Store Assistants
Posted by: Asian Art Museum
Type: N/A
Location: San Francisco, California
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Overview:
The Asian Art Museum is seeking flexible, reliable, and “people-oriented” individuals with retail and customer service experience to assist with the operations of a dynamic museum store located in the busy Westfield Shopping Centre. The mobile retail unit offering a unique array of Asian and Asian-inspired merchandise will be an important public outpost for the museum.
The Museum Store Assistant will be assigned to perform a variety of duties including greeting and assisting customers, opening and closing of the retail unit, opening and reconciling the register, handling sales transactions, maintaining the store appearance, and assisting with stocking, inventory, and preparing merchandise.
The Assistant is expected to provide consistent exceptional customer service and to build sales through proactive, positive interaction with the customers. Store Assistants will be ambassadors of the Asian Art Museum as well as sales assistants. Read More
Job: Website Manager for LIVE YOUR DREAM
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Via Regge Life. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Website Manager
Posted by: Global Film Network Inc.
Type: N/A
Location: N/A
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Overview:
“Global Film Network Inc, Producer Regge Life and Andy Anderson are seeking help to maintain the website for the film “LIVE YOUR DREAM: The Taylor Anderson Story.” The site was built using Photoshop, so the person should be knowledgeable of this software. They want to update the site with links for viewing clips of the movie, continuing information about the film and fund-raising. If interested please send a message to liveyourdream1@earthlink.net.”
Job: Nissan – Benefits Admin/HR Asst. (Tennessee)
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Thanks to Leah Hashinger for forwarding this job listing. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Contract Benefits Administrator/Human Resource Assistant at Nissan
Posted by: Kelly Services
Type: N/A
Location: Franklin, TN
Salary: Competitive
Start Date: N/A
Overview:
Nissan has a strong belief in enriching people’s lives with cars that change the world for the better. Their mission is to build vehicles that are more efficient, more beautiful, more inspiring, and more human than ever before. Nissan values the quality of its people. Imagination, inspiration, unique ideas, and innovation are all part of the Nissan Way.
As Nissan’s workforce partner, Kelly is looking for a self-starter who will take their ideas into overdrive in the progressive work environment that Nissan offers. Read More
Job: AFS-USA Director of Outbound Sponsored Programs (NYC)
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Via Philanthropy News Digest. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Director of Outbound Sponsored Programs
Posted by: AFS-USA
Type: N/A
Location: New York, NY
Salary: Will be negotiated at the time of hire
Start Date: N/A
Overview:
AFS-USA works towards a more just and peaceful world by providing international and intercultural learning experiences to individuals, families, schools, and communities through a global volunteer partnership.
AFS-USA is proud of its network of more than 5000 volunteers located in communities throughout the United States. Our staff and volunteers work in partnership to deliver quality intercultural exchange programs to adolescents and adults, both those interested in coming to the U.S. as well as those U.S. citizens interested in experiencing life abroad. Read More
DISCO International Career Forums
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Via JETAA PNW. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Career opportunities for Japanese-English bilinguals
Posted by: DISCO International, Inc
Type: Career Forum 2012
Location: Tokyo 2012 & New York 2013
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Overview:
—Tokyo Winter Career Forum 2012—
Date: December 19 & 20, 2012 (Wed. & Thurs.)
http://www.careerforum.net/event/tkw/index.asp?lang=E
Some of the companies participating are:
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH / BLOOMBERG L.P. / COSTCO WHOLESALE JAPAN / ELI LILLY JAPAN / MITSUI CHEMICALS, INC / OTSUKA CORPORATION GROUP /
TAKEDA PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY LIMITED and many more! Read More
Life After JET: Return to Japan? You can, and I did, as a Rotary International Peace Fellow
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Mark graduating with his MA in Peace Studies from ICU, Tokyo
As a JET alum, have you ever thought about returning to Japan in a different capacity? Are you interested in earning a fully-funded MA in Peace Studies in Tokyo? You can, and I did, as a Rotary International Peace Fellow. (In fact, there have been at least five JET alums who have gone on to be Rotary Peace Fellows) For me, it was a perfect chance to return to Japan and advance my career at the same time.
Like many JET alums, I’d always thought it would be nice to live in Japan once again, but was not as interested in taking the Eikaiwa route. I had a wonderful experience as an ALT in Nagasaki (2000-04) and truly treasured my time there. After my time on JET, I had returned to the States and was living and working for the US Govt in Washington, DC through the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program. Still, I missed the experience of daily life in another culture and was looking for a way to make it happen. Through a friend of mine named William Daniel Sturgeon, who is also a JET alum and a former Peace Fellow, I learned about this great opportunity. Thanks to his great advice and mentoring, I was able to complete the application and selection process successfully and become a Rotary International Peace Fellow in Japan in 2010.
Through the Rotary Fellowship, Read More
