JET ROI: Top Ten “Best of JQ” Articles That Support Our Cause
Article/Journalism, JQ Magazine, Return on JET-vestment 
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Wondering how JET alums give back to the community and make new connections with Japan after their work on the program is over? JQ Magazine Editor Justin Tedaldi (Kobe-shi CIR, 2001-02) has compiled a list of ten relevant articles from the past two years that exemplify the dedication of our members.
2010 May/June – Bruce Feiler interview (an author who’s probably the biggest “JET celebrity” out there. Wrote his first book about his JET experiences) by Justin Tedaldi
2010 January/February – Aaron Woolfolk interview (JET alum, first African American to direct a feature film in Japan) by Lyle Sylvander
2010 January/February – Peace Corps profile (talks with those who joined Peace Corps after the positive experience they had on JET) by Marea Pariser
2009 Fall – International Visitor Leadership Program interpreting (shows how JETs can become invaluable interpreters to continue grassroots internationalization at home) by Stacy Smith
2008 Summer – Ambassador Nishimiya interview (boosts visibility of new Japanese officials to our readers; demonstrates strong relationships between JETAA chapters and local government) by Anne Koller
2009 Spring – Hikaru Utada interview (probably the longest English-language interview with Utada out there. It was even translated into Japanese by a resourceful fan) by Justin Tedaldi
2009 Spring – JETAANY Author Showcase (names four notable JET alum authors and also stands as a unique event organized by JETAANY) by Gina Anderson and Justin Tedaldi
2009 Spring – President Sakurai of Japan Society interview (this piece examines JET’s relationship with non-profit cultural centers and is included in Japan Society media kits) by Justin Tedaldi
2008 Fall – Anthony Bianchi interview (JET done good in Japan) by Michael Glazer
2008 Summer – George Rose interview (JET done good at home) by Stacy Smith
Comments are welcome. Spread the word!
By Justin Tedaldi, Editor (Kobe-shi CIR, 2001-02) for JQ Magazine. Portions of this interview were originally published on Examiner.com.
Award-winning bestselling author, journalist, and—in his own words—“professional traveler” Bruce Feiler (Tochigi-ken, 1987-88) has been a writing books for nearly 20 years, the most recent of which focused on social issues and religion. Bruce’s new book, The Council of Dads: My Daughters, My Illness, and the Men Who Could Be Me, was inspired by his diagnosis with cancer two years ago. Faced with an uncertain future and concerned about his family, he asked six of his peers to form a “Council of Dads” to help guide his young daughters through their lives. JQ spoke with Feiler about the start of his writing career, which began with 1991’s Learning to Bow, an account of his time living in Japan as an English teacher on the inaugural year of the JET Program, as well as his thoughts about the program today.
You’re now cancer-free. When did you receive this prognosis, and what was your treatment like?
I was first diagnosed in July 2008, and I had osteosarcoma, which is so rare that only one hundred adults a year get it. Twenty years ago they would have cut off my leg and hoped, since there was a fifteen percent survival rate. They determined that one cocktail of chemo could be effective, and I had that. I basically had four months of chemo, a 15-hour surgery to rebuild my leg, and then four more months of chemo. So, I’ve technically been cancer-free since my surgery when they cut the tumor out of my femur. I’ve been cancer-free now for about 15 months. I’m full of hope walking forward.
JET Filmmaker/JQ subscriber Aaron Woolfolk at the New York premiere of his film ‘The Harimaya Bridge,’ December 2009
By Lyle Sylvander (Yokohama-shi, 2001-02) for JQ Magazine
Most JETs enjoy telling tales about the cities they lived in. But it’s a select few who take the extra step of making movies that actually take place in them. JETAA Southern California’s Aaron Woolfolk (Kochi-ken, 1992-93) is the writer and director of The Harimaya Bridge, which received a theatrical release in Japan last year and premiered in New York’s Upper West Side in December as part of the African Disapora Film Festival.
The film stars Ben Guillory as Daniel, an American man who travels from San Francisco to Kochi after his estranged son—who works as an assistant English teacher—Mickey (Victor Grant) dies in a traffic accident. There, Daniel’s own prejudices spark rows with his Japanese hosts and daughter-in-law Noriko (Saki Takaoka) as he discovers secrets his son left behind. The film will receive a wider release in the U.S. for spring 2010, and JQ talked with Aaron about the making of the film.
How did you get involved with JET?
During my senior year in college, I ran into a couple of friends who were on their way to pick up an application for the JET Program. I had nothing to do when I saw them, so I tagged along. I had never heard of the program before, but it definitely intrigued me. I had always wanted to experience another culture firsthand, and thought the best way to do that would be to live in that culture, rather than merely visiting it for a limited time.
Lisa Reitmeier and B.J. Whetstine of the Peace Corps at the World AIDS Day panel
By Marea Pariser (Kagoshima-ken, 2003-04) for JQ Magazine
What comes to mind when you think of the Peace Corps? Is it the image of young, daring humanitarians performing HIV/AIDS work across Africa? Or how about the ambitious environmentalist who flocks to third-world Latin America to build aqueducts in the locals’ backyards? Sure, we all know the stereotype—adventurous, somewhat-experienced travelers willing to spend two years out in the bush roughing it with the locals as a result of their passion to see the world and underlying desire to help others.
Perhaps we’ve thought about the opportunity for ourselves. And it’s likely that we all know at least one person who’s a current or returned Peace Corps volunteer. What probably doesn’t come to mind, though, regarding this nearly 50-year-old program—founded in 1961 by the Kennedy administration—is the image of native English speakers flying abroad to teach English as a second language to locals in over 70 countries where the Peace Corps has presence.
Sound familiar? It should.
- Of course a nomikai is the official way to end the three-week journey. Otsukaresama IVs!
By Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2002-03) for JQ Magazine
Since becoming a freelance Japanese translator/interpreter/writer, one of the opportunities that I have enjoyed the most has been interpreting for the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). IVLP is an exchange program designed to build mutual understanding between the U.S. and other countries through carefully designed visits that reflect the participants’ (the titular IVs) professional interests and to support U.S. foreign policy goals. For IVs, it involves meeting professional counterparts and learning to appreciate America’s ethnic, cultural, political and socioeconomic diversity.
IVs are established or potential foreign opinion makers in government, public policy, media, education, labor, the arts and other key fields, and after being nominated by someone they are selected by American embassies abroad. Since the program’s inception in 1940, there have been over 140,000 participants (about 5,000 each year), including 290 current and former heads of government such as Tony Blair and several Japanese prime ministers.
However, here in the States all IVs are considered “honorary Americans.” This means that no matter what their rank is back home, during the program everyone is of equal status. This takes quite a bit of pressure off the lowly interpreter (who of course has hopes of being fondly remembered when her former participants go on to become big shots!).
Best of JQ: Ambassador Shinichi Nishimiya: Diplomat, Collaborator, Fly Fisher (Summer 2009)
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Anne with Ambassador Nishimiya (photo by Noriko Furuhata)
By Anne Koller (Fukuoka-ken, 2002-2004) for JQ Magazine.
Having been spotted at various local Japan events, JETs were curious to know more about the new Consul General Shinichi Nishimiya. JQ talked with Ambassador Nishimiya to find out his plans for the consulate in New York and how JETAANY can help.
How are you and your family adapting to New York life? What has been the hardest part about living in the city and the most satisfying? What do you miss the most about our beloved Nippon?
We are adapting very well. The hardest part has been the weather. Nobody told us that NY weather is this unstable and unpredictable. [Jokingly] I have been told that there is no spring or fall between the long hot summer and a long, cold winter: then how do you describe what we have now? The most satisfying part of living in New York for my wife and I is meeting people. Everyone has been very welcoming and kind. I miss ramen! There are ramen shops everywhere in Japan and they are always open. You can go to places in New York, but it isn’t the same. I do think the lack of eating ramen has allowed me to live a healthier life here which my wife is certainly happy about [laughs].
Best of JQ: The Hikaru Utada Interview (Spring 2009)
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By Justin Tedaldi, Editor (Kobe-shi CIR, 2001-02) for JQ Magazine
It was perfect timing. Back in January, Hikaru Utada, the New York-born recording phenomenon who before she was out of her teens notched three of Japan’s top ten bestselling albums (including Number One), was back in town working on a new album for the U.S., and JQ spent a full hour with Hikki to talk of many things, including her new disc This is the One, which hit stores in May.
I know you want to talk about the new album and the single.
The song…
I heard it about two and half weeks ago, as I think I was already on the e-mail list from when your last English album came out.
Oh, right, right, right.
So we go way back. Ten years ago I found out about First Love when I studying Japanese as an undergraduate…
Oh, wow.
It’s amazing to be here now talking about it.
I’m humbled [laughs]. Read More
- From left: JET alum authors Randall David Cook, Robert Weston, Roland Kelts and James Kennedy talk shop at the Author Showcase in Midtown (photo by Noriko Furuhata)
By Gina Anderson (Nara-ken, 2003-05) and Justin Tedaldi, Editor (Kobe-shi CIR, 2001-02) for JQ Magazine. This article was previously published on JetWit and appeared in the Consulate General of Japan in New York and Japan Information Center’s Japan Info e-newsletter.
New York City’s Holiday Inn hosted a summit for published JETs as JETAA NY launched its debut JET Alumni Author Showcase on March 22. The panelists included pro writers Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), Robert Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04) and James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06).
Drawing over 60 JET alums, friends and family, the event kicked off with some words from Akira Sugiyama, director of the Japan Information Center of the Consulate General of Japan in New York. Moderator and playwright Randall David Cook (Fukui-ken, 1991-93), creator of the critically acclaimed Off Broadway plays Sake with the Haiku Geisha and Fate’s Imagination, asked each author to share a favorite selection of their works with the crowd.
- Japan Society President Motoatsu Sakuri (photo by Ken Levinson)
By Justin Tedaldi, Editor (Kobe-shi CIR, 2001-02) for JQ Magazine
Even century-old organizations can find new ways to change. In April, New York’s Consul General of Japan Motoatsu Sakurai became the first Japanese president of the city’s esteemed Japan Society. JQ talked with President Sakurai (who has graciously hosted JET gatherings at his home numerous times over the years) shortly after his inauguration to ask about his new plans and ideas for the future.
How did become the new president of Japan Society? Did you campaign, or were you appointed directly by their board of directors?
I have long been an admirer of Japan Society, its mission and its programs. In fact, I served as member of Japan Society’s Board of Directors from 2003 until my appointment as Ambassador and Consul General of Japan in New York, after which I became an Honorary Director. Towards the end of my term as Ambassador, when former president Richard J. Wood was looking to retire, the Society’s board approached me to see if I had interest in the position. As my first venture into the nonprofit sector, leading this venerable 102-year old organization seemed like—and now is—an exciting new challenge.
JET alum/Inuyama city councilman Anthony Bianchi
By Michael Glazer (Chiba-ken, 1995-97) for the JETAANY Newsletter
Bensonhurst, Brooklyn native Anthony Bianchi (Aichi-ken, 1987-91), the first-ever North American to hold an elected position in Japan, is still going strong in his role as a city councilman in Inuyama-shi, Aichi-ken. Michael Glazer (Chiba-ken, 1995-97) recently did a recorded interview with Anthony to discuss the hot local topics, learn more about politics in Japan and get a sense of how things look across the pond.
You have a very interesting background. How does a JET program teacher become a city council member?
Well, I’ll try to make the story as short as possible. I studied filmmaking at New York University and I was interested in Kurasawa films and whatnot, and I was out in L.A. for a while. I came back to New York. I was working for New York City and I saw an ad in the paper about the Expo that was held in Gifu about 20 years ago. So I went over to Japan on a homestay program and decided it would be nice to try to live there for a year or so. I joined the JET program, stayed for a couple years, and decided I wanted to stay longer.
Best of JQ: Pride of the Yankees (Far East Edition) (Summer 2008)
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- JET alum George Rose with Yankees captain Derek Jeter after winning the 1998 World Series
By Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2002-03) for the JETAANY Newsletter
JET Alum George Rose (Fukushima-ken, 1989-91) has mingled with Japanese royalty, interpreted for two baseball superstars named Hideki (Irabu and Matsui) and currently heads Yankee operations in Japan. How did this New York native manage to accomplish all this in his post-JET life? The JETAANY Newsletter had a chance to talk with George about his past exploits and his present position. Here are some excerpts from Stacy, who is collaborating with George to lead Japanese tours during games at Yankee Stadium this summer.
What was your post-JET career path?
I was going for my MBA at Columbia when I had the opportunity to become the interpreter for the new Yankee Hideki Irabu, so I took a leave of absence and worked with him from ’98-’99. When he got traded, I resume my studies and after graduation worked on Wall Street. When Hideki Matsui came over, I did a bit of interpreting for him such as at his opening press conference. Because at the time I had my own business I wasn’t able to do this full-time, but I did help with the interview process for his interpreter. Then last year the Yankees asked if I was interested in helping out with the opening of their office in Tokyo, and I went over last summer. Read More
Tom Baker reviews “Crazy Heart” and “Brothers”
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Tom Baker (Chiba-ken, 1989-91) is a staff writer for The Daily Yomiuri. He usually writes for DYWeekend, the paper’s arts and leisure section. You can follow Tom’s blog at tokyotombaker.wordpress.com.
Recently he reviewed movies, “Crazy Heart” and “Brothers.” He found poetry in both of them. Here are some excerpts:
“Crazy Heart”
Country music singer-songwriter Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) smokes like a chimney, drinks like a fish, sweats like a pig, and urinates into a plastic jug while driving from town to town. As I watched him perform under hot lights at a variety of small and unglamorous venues in the movie Crazy Heart, I could almost smell him. He didn’t smell very nice.
…
On the bright side, Bad’s personal problems are grist for the mill. One of his most popular songs looks back on a dissipated life with the refrain, “Funny how fallin’ feels like flyin’/for a little while.”
Anyone who doubts that country music is the primary home of modern American poetry should meditate on that line. “Funny how fallin’ feels like flyin'” is alliterative and catchy, but also trenchant. And Bad has flown and fallen quite a way…
Read the rest of the review here.
“Brothers”
In William Shakespeare’s play about his life, King Richard II is forced to surrender his crown to his usurper cousin Henry IV. In doing so, Richard compares himself and Henry to two buckets in a well: “The emptier ever dancing in the air,/The other down, unseen and full of water:/That bucket down and full of tears am I,/Drinking my griefs while you mount up on high.”
The title characters in Brothers, although they dwell in an American suburb rather than an English castle, are not unlike the tragic royal cousins.
Sam (Tobey Maguire) is an upstanding husband, father and U.S. marine who is about to be separated from his family for a tour of duty in Afghanistan. On the eve of Sam’s departure, his surly brother Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal), a ne’er-do-well with a drinking problem, rejoins the extended family after a stint in prison…
Read the rest of the review here.
An International List of Writing Organizations and Opportunities
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Laura Popp (Mie-ken, 2009-Present) is a current JET who writes fantasy and science fiction for children and young adults, and is an occasional playwright/film maker. Her short work includes a short story titled “In theShadow Realm” and a documentary she made in Malawi. To read about her amazing adventures all over Japan, go to her blog at laurajanepopp.blogspot.com.
Here is a practical list of organizations, market guides, and networking opportunities for jump starting your writing career. My apologies that it is heavy on the America and Speculative Fiction side, but that is who I am and what I write, so that is what I know best. But hopefully everyone can find something useful from this list:
WIT Life #102: Learning Disabilities in Japan
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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.
I was very excited to hear from one of my closest college friends that her husband would be having a business trip in Japan. Not only was I happy for him, a fellow classmate as well, to be able experience Japan, but also because of his line of work. Pictured at right, Jonathan Mooney grew up with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia and didn’t learn to read until he was 12. However, he is now an amazing author and public speaker. He has his own non-profit based in California and often travels both domestically and internationally to share his experiences and help children like himself and their families.
Jon has spoken in China before, but this was his first time going to Japan upon the invitation of a professor from Osaka. He will be giving a presentation in Read More
WIT Life #98: 鳩山おろし
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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.
This morning’s news was buzzing with the announcement that Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama will be stepping down from his position. This makes him the fourth PM in four years to quit, a statistic that will likely lead to some self-reflection in Japan. The 2 main reasons cited for his resignation were 1) 普天間問題 (Futenma mondai or the fate of the Futenma Marine Corps Air base on Okinawa) and 2) 政府と金 (seifu to kane or government and money, the investigations being carried out regarding Hatoyama’s political financing).
As for the former, Hatoyama directly apologized to Okinawans for his waffling on the matter and the loss of faith he had caused as a result. When on the street interviews were conducted with Okinawa residents, the response was largely one of disappointment and regret that Hatoyama was cutting and running. In terms of the latter, Hatoyama pledged to “return to a DPJ that separates government and money and to deal with the issue properly.”
The title of this post is 鳩山おろし (Hatoyama oroshi or “Down with Hatoyama”), referring to Read More
