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Thanks to a recent conversation with Peter Kelley, President of the National Association of Japan-America Societies, I just learned of this New York Times article by Harvard history professor and JET alum Ian Miller (Miyagi-ken, Miyako-shi) which ran March 19, 2011.

Bitter Legacy, Injured Coast

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/opinion/20miller.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1

By IAN JARED MILLER

Cambridge, Mass.

THE rugged Sanriku Coast of northeastern Japan is among the most beautiful places in the country. The white stone islands outside the port town of Miyako are magnificent. The Buddhist monk Reikyo could think of nothing but paradise when he first saw them in the 17th century. “It is the shore of the pure land,” he is said to have uttered in wonder, citing the common name for nirvana.

Reikyo’s name for the place stuck. Jodogahama, or Pure Land Beach, is the main gateway to the Rikuchu Kaigan National Park, a crenellated seashore of spectacular rock pillars, sheer cliffs, deep inlets and narrow river valleys that covers 100 miles of rural coastline. It is a region much like Down East Maine, full of small, tight-knit communities of hardworking people who earn their livelihoods from tourism and fishing. Sushi chefs around the country prize Sanriku abalone, cuttlefish and sea urchin.

Today that coast is at the center of one of the worst disasters in Japanese history. Despite the investment of billions of yen in disaster mitigation technology and the institution of robust building codes, entire villages have been swept out to sea. In some places little remains but piles of anonymous debris and concrete foundations.

I taught school in Miyako for more than two years in the 1990s, and it was while hiking in the mountains above one of those picturesque fishing villages that I came across my first material reminder of the intricate relationship between the area’s breathtaking geography, its people — generous and direct — and powerful seismic forces.

On a hot summer day a group of middle-school boys set out to introduce me to their town, a hamlet just north of Pure Land Beach. While I started up the steep mountainside the children bounced ahead of me, teasing me that I moved slowly for someone so tall. “Are you as tall as Michael Jordan, Miller-sensei?” yelled one boy as he shot past me up the trail.

“Not quite,” I told him, pausing on a spot of level ground to look out over the neat collection of tile roofs and gardens that filled the back of a narrow, high-walled bay.

“What is this?” I asked, pointing to a mossy stone marker that occupied the rest of the brief plateau. A chorus of young voices told me that it was the high-water mark for the area’s biggest tsunami: more than 50 feet above the valley floor.

“When was that?” I asked, but the boys couldn’t say. Read More

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Thanks to Japan Society of Boston President Peter Grilli for passing this on:

July 19, 2011

The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation

and

The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership

Announce Recruitment for the Second Group of Participants for the

“U.S.-Japan Network for the Future” Program

[JETwit note: FYI, JET alum David Boling was recently appointed Deputy Executive Director at the Mansfield Foundation.]

The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation and the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, after a successful inaugural program, are pleased to announce the recruitment of a new group of participants for the “U.S.-Japan Network for the Future” program.  This program was launched in 2009 to foster a new generation of Japan specialists.  The inaugural group of fifteen Network participants has met regularly throughout 2010 and 2011 to build their knowledge of Japan, their policy expertise, and their contacts in Japan-related policy circles.   The Foundation and CGP are pleased to make this opportunity available to a second group of emerging Japan specialists.

Purpose of the Program

The purpose of the “U.S.-Japan Network for the Future” program is to identify American professionals who demonstrate an interest in and potential for becoming Japan specialists and policy intellectuals and to support them in this effort. The network will include Japan specialists from all regions of the U.S. with diverse expertise and perspectives and the ability to participate constructively in the bilateral policymaking process and to contribute to U.S.-Japan understanding. The program seeks to nurture a new generation of scholars and professionals working on the following policy areas: U.S.-Japan security relations; U.S.-Japan economic relations; regional cooperation; issues where the two countries confront common domestic challenges (such as aging societies or income inequality); and issues where the two countries have opportunities to work together to resolve global challenges (such as climate change or food security).

Eligibility and Terms

Applicants must be American citizens or permanent residents who are currently and actively involved in the U.S.-Japan dialogue and have a working knowledge of the Japanese language,  The program is targeted at scholars with a professional interest in Japan, and professionals who have a strong engagement with Japan and who have work experience in policy-relevant fields.  In addition to having an interest in public policy, successful applicants will be able to demonstrate their interest in and potential for becoming future leaders in the U.S.-Japan relationship.

Because we are seeking to identify a future generation of leaders, our preference is for candidates in the mid-career stage.  In the academic context, normally this translates into scholars at the advanced assistant or early associate professor levels.  Policy professionals should have a Master’s degree and at least five years of Japan and Asia experience.

Participants must be fully dedicated to the two-year program and able to participate in all scheduled meetings.  Network participants will be expected to participate in:  a two-day workshop in Washington, D.C. (January 2012); a week-long meeting in Washington, D.C. (June 2012); a two-day retreat in Montana (autumn 2012); a week-long Japan study trip (June 2013); and a January 2014 public symposium and current issues panel discussions.

Throughout the two-year program, participants will be expected to: develop their network of contacts; engage with other Network members; engage others in the academic and policy fields with what they have learned about Japan; prepare for and actively participate in the program’s meetings, workshops, and study trip; participate in group activities and support the program’s larger goals and objectives; conduct independent research on key issues of particular interest to them; produce op-ed pieces and commentary/blog posts on important policy issues in U.S.-Japan relations; and produce and seek to publish or otherwise disseminate a brief policy paper.  Network participants will present their papers and discuss current issues in the region during the last meeting, the January 2014 public symposium in Washington, D.C.

Financial support for those selected is limited to coverage of travel, accommodations, and meal expenses associated with participation in program meetings and study trips. Program participants may be eligible to compete for cash awards contingent upon publication of their pieces.

Applications and Selection

For an application and application instructions, please go to: http://www.mansfieldfdn.org/programs/networkforthefuture.htm.

Applications are due October 3, 2011 and can be submitted electronically to hr@mansfieldfdn.org or by mail to: The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation, 1401 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 740, Washington, D.C. 20005.  Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee and participants will be announced by mid-November, 2011.  The Foundation and CGP will select up to fifteen Network participants for this program.

For further information, please contact Sam Dundon, Program Associate, The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation, (202)-347-1994.

Organizers

The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation is a 501(c) 3 organization that promotes understanding and cooperation in U.S.-Asia relations. Maureen and Mike Mansfield’s values, ideals and vision for U.S.-Asia relations continue through the Foundation’s exchanges, dialogues, research and educational programs, which create networks among U.S. and Asian leaders, explore the underlying issues influencing public policies, and increase awareness about the nations and peoples of Asia.  The Foundation has offices in Washington, D.C.; Tokyo, Japan; and Missoula, Montana.  Please visit the website at http://www.mansfieldfdn.org/

The Center for Global Partnership (CGP) is a part of the Japan Foundation which is a Japanese Independent Administrative Institution (Dokuritsu Gyosei Hojin). To enhance dialogue and interchange between Japanese and U.S. citizens on a wide range of issues, CGP operates grant programs as well as self-initiated projects and fellowships. CGP has offices in Tokyo, Japan and New York, New York. Please visit the website at http://www.cgp.org

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.

Last week New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman profiled the Harvard University political philosopher Michael J. Sandel.  This professor’s classes were picked up by PBS and made into a television program that has attracted worldwide attention.  Last year, Japan’s NHK TV broadcast a translated version of the series, which sparked a philosophy craze in Japan and prompted the University of Tokyo to create a course based on Sandel’s.

As Friedman details, the PBS series is now available at http://www.justiceharvard.org, and here you can find a thought-provoking discussion of the ethical and global implications of the 2011 Japanese earthquake and nuclear disaster among students in Tokyo, Shanghai, and at Harvard. 

It is interesting to see Japanese students voicing their opinions in a proactive way, and I am curious to see what kind of feedback the university course has received since being introduced.

I just set up a new LinkedIn group for JETs, JET alums and Friends of JET who work in academia or are interested in working in academia.  This includes any professors, PhD candidates, masters degree students or anyone related in any way to research and academia.

CLICK HERE to join the

JET Alum Academics LinkedIn Group.

via PNW JETAA. 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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The Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle is now accepting applications for the following 2012 Japanese Government Scholarships for studying in Japan.

U.S. citizens living in the states of Washington, Montana, and Northern Idaho are eligible to apply at the office.

The application forms are available on the website at: http://www.seattle.us.emb-japan.go.jp

Read More

There’s a very thoughtful article titled “This is what public diplomacy looks like“ by JET alum Emily Metzgar, Assistant Professor at Indiana University’s School of Journalism, on the Center for Public Diplomacy blog (which is part of the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Communications).  (This is the same Emily Metzgar conducting the Survey of American Alumni of the JET Program.)

Here’s an excerpt that captures the gist of the piece, namely that JET is providing Japan with a significant “return on JET-vestment“:

“But in the aftermath of Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami, the value of having a large, worldwide network of college-educated foreigners who understand, respect and appreciate Japanese society and culture continues to emerge. A look at a JET alumni networking website, JETwit.com, provides ample evidence of the many ways in which current and former JETs are responding in whatever ways they can to the disaster hitting a country that all of them, at one time or another, have called home.”

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

Just received word from JET alum Emily Metzgar, Assistant Professor at Indiana University’s School of Journalism that given everything going on with the earthquake/tsunami in Japan, the deadline for the Survey of American Alumni of the JET Program has been extended to April 8 up until midnight.  (Here’s the original post for the full explanation.)  If you haven’t completed it yet, it would be greatly appreciated if you could as this info will have an impact on the future of the JET Program.

AMERICAN JET ALUMNI SURVEY

(URL: http://iujournalism.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_5hFAK01YxHtzqfO)

Here is the link to the “Survey of American Alumni of the JET Program“:

AMERICAN JET ALUMNI SURVEY

(URL: http://iujournalism.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_5hFAK01YxHtzqfO)

The survey is being conducted by JET alum Emily Metzgar, Assistant Professor at Indiana University’s School of Journalism. Her research focuses on public diplomacy, political communication and social media.  (Click here to read Emily’s bio.)  The survey has been approved by Indiana University’s Institutional Review Board.

Note #1:  This is the first attempt at a comprehensive survey of the JET alumni community.  I completed the survey myself and it takes about 10 or 15 minutes.  FYI, completing the survey is one more step you can take to help the future of JET.

Note #2:  Although full participation in the survey is limited to Americans who participated in the JET Program, the link above also provides an opportunity for all interested parties to request updates about research.

Note #3:  The above link will remain active until midnight (EST) March 9, 2011.

From Emily’s blog:

“I am happy to answer any questions about this research and would be delighted to keep you informed about the survey’s progress and eventual results. Please feel free to contact me through this contact page or via my page at Indiana University.”

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 the following, please let them know you learned of it from JetWit. Thanks.

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Calling JETAA Teachers Interested In Student Pen Pal Exchanges

The Consulate General of Japan would like to start a list of JET alumni who are now working as teachers in hopes of pairing them up with current JET participants in Japan who hope to establish pen pal relationships with students in Canada.

If you are interested in setting up a pen pal relationship, please indicate so in an e-mail with the following details:

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Send to E-mail: access@japancg-toronto.org

Subject Line: JETAA Pen Pals to Japan

Name: First and Last

E-mail:

Contact Number:

Years on JET & Prefecture

Current School in Canada

School Name and Address

Age Group Teaching

Grade(s):

Preferred Method of Communication between students: E-mail, Instant messaging/Skype-may not be available on the Japan side, Letters, Video

Nature of Student Group: School Club, Course, Grade Class.etc

Permission from School Principal: A letter indicating approval of the Pen Pal Exchange.

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Link to JETAA Toronto website:
http://www.jetaatoronto.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57:student-pen-pal-exchanges&catid=6:bulletinboard&Itemid=6

via PNWJETAA. 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.

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Japanese Technical Translation: Freelancing as a Career

When: Tuesday, Feb. 1 from 3:30-5:00pm

Where: UW Campus, Denny Hall 216

Learn about technical translation as a career. Mr. Barrett will help us understand what technical translation is and how it differs from interpretation and from non-technical translation. Aspects of this introductory discussion include: qualifications for entering the field, where to find work, translation issues, state of the industry, pay ranges, types of work, professional organizations, starting out, and what to expect from clients. He will also discuss machine translation and its potential impact on the future of the industry.

http://jsis.washington.edu/japan/events.shtml

via JET alum Mark Flanigan. 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, please let them know you learned of it from JetWit. Thanks.

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The Rotary Foundation is now accepting applications for the world-competitive Rotary Peace Fellowship. The fellowship provides academic and practical training to prepare scholars for leadership roles in solving conflicts around the world.

Up to 100 fellows are selected every year in a globally competitive process based on personal, academic, and professional achievements. Fellows earn a master’s-level degree or a professional development certificate in peace and conflict studies at one of six Rotary Peace Centers at leading universities in Argentina, Australia, England, Japan, the United States and Thailand.”

Unlike other Japan-related Fellowships (Mansfield, Mombukagakusho), many former JETs don’t realize it is possible to study at ICU in Tokyo through this Rotary Peace Fellowship.

More info here: http://www.internationalpeaceandconflict.org/forum/topic/show?id=780588%3ATopic%3A353101&xgs=1&xg_source=msg_share_topic

via JETEAA Chicago. 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.

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1. Aurora Japanese Language Scholarship
2. Aurora Challenge Grant

Japanese Language Scholarship Foundation, aka Aurora Foundation, is currently accepting applications for the year 2011 scholarship and Aurora Challenge Grant. The application forms can be downloaded at www.jlsf-aurora.org. For more details on the scholarship and grant, click “Read More”.

Read More

.

Via Shinpai Deshou, an online resource to help Japanese Studies majors figure out how to make a living doing what they love:

Lots of great academic posts have been popping up lately on Shinpai Deshou, including:

• Lecturer in Japanese at University of Michigan
  Deadline: Jan 30th
• Associate Professor in International Exchange at Tokyo Gakugei University
  Deadline: Feb 10
• The Takahashi Fellowship in Japanese Studies at the Walter H. Shorenstein
  Asia-Pacific Research Center
  Deadline: Position open until filled
• Instructor for Manga and Animation at the IES Abroad Tokyo Center
  Deadline: Position open until filled

via Jet alum Dr. Andrew Staples (Fukuoka, 1996-99), Associate Professor at Doshisha Business School. 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.

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The following information was submitted by Dr. Andy Staples, a visiting professor at Doshisha Business School, Kyoto, Japan. He would like to pass on details of significant funding opportunities that may be of interest to people considering enrolling on an MBA program in Japan. Please feel free to contact him directly if you have any questions astaples@mail.doshisha.ac.jp

The University and MBA

Based in the heart of Kyoto, Doshisha University is Japan’s second oldest private university with a long tradition of international exchange reinforced by institutional agreements with top-ranked institutions around the world including the University of Cambridge in the UK, Stanford in the USA and Peking University in China.

The university was designated as a ‘Global 30’ institution by the Japanese Ministry of Education in 2009 in recognition of its proactive internationalization strategy which includes the launch of a number of new undergraduate and postgraduate program delivered in English.

As part of this process the Graduate School of Business (Doshisha Business School, established 2004) launched the Global MBA in 2009. This is a two-year, full-time program delivered entirely in English by an international and research active faculty. 40 students representing 20 different nationalities are currently enrolled on the program reflecting the international, diverse and cosmopolitan nature of the degree.

The average Global MBA candidate is around 27 and has approximately 3 years of work experience. Many of our students have had previous experience of studying or working in Japan and some are seeking to develop a Japan based degree although all have joined the program for its content, structure and global outlook. Our mission is to educate young managers/executives willing to take the initiative in business and society as proactive leaders capable of seeking out business opportunities while at the same time making a contribution to the well-being of our society.

Applications

We currently have one former JET enrolled, (Shiga, 2006-2009) and believe that the program offers an excellent next step for JETs interested in developing an internationally focused career while remaining based in (or returning to) Japan. Significant funding opportunities exist for 2011 entry including scholarships, monthly stipends and fee waivers for outstanding international students and full details can be found on our webpage (http://gmba.doshisha.ac.jp/).

Applications are open now and early submissions are advised, particularly for those seeking funding. Potential applicants are encouraged to submit a CV/resume and personal statement outlining interest in the Global MBA and career ambition on a no-fee/consultative basis. Please also feel free to get in touch if you would like to informally correspond with a former JET enrolled on the program.

via Jet alum Naomi Basik (Shiga-ken, 2007-08). 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.

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The Global MBA program at Doshisha University will be hosting an information session on their Kyoto (Imadegawa) campus on Saturday, February 12th.

This event is designed for JETs who would like to learn more about the Global MBA program or who are considering submitting an application for 2011 entry.

The Global MBA, launched in September 2009, is taught entirely in English (although those with the requisite language skills may take a limited number of classes in Japanese) on a full-time basis over two years. This program offers an excellent opportunity to gain a high-quality MBA in English, while studying in Japan and is aimed at those interested in pursuing an internationally focused career.