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Post by Bridget Ryan (ALT Shimane-ken, 2021-23)

Up until now, have never had any experience with cosplay or dressing up, but now twice a week I undergo a type of transformation. Since coming to Japan, I’ve thought how nice it would be to work at a convenience store. The employees always treat you so politely and with a smile, so I’ve come to love convenience stores. Last November, this dream became a reality. Twice a week I put on a uniform and work part-time at a convenience store called Lawson. Putting on my uniform, I transition from being a regular international student to a member of Japanese society.

Although I’ve done various part-time jobs and work since middle school, but I’ve never worn a uniform before. When I first put on the Lawson uniform, I understood why uniforms are necessary. Even though I’ve been in Japan for over two years, I still lack confidence speaking Japanese. However, when I wear the uniform, I feel more confident, like I’m part of the team, not just an individual. I confidently operate the cash register and assist customers in Japanese without worry. Additionally, I work with my colleagues to solve problems and keep the store clean and running smoothly.

As a result, whether I’m working or not, I feel like I’m participating in Tokyo’s society. Japanese society can be quite uniform, so sometimes, outside of school life, I feel distant from the people in Tokyo. However, thanks to my transformation at the convenience store twice a week, I feel like I’m gradually becoming a part of Tokyo’s society. As long as I continue to live here as a student, I want to continue working part-time.

今までで、コスプレなどの経験がなかったが、週2回、私は変身にしている。日本に来てから、コンビニで働きたいないなと思っていた。いつも笑顔で丁寧に接するので、コンビニのことが大 好きになった。去年11月にこの夢が現実になった。1週間に2回制服を着て、ローソンというコン ビニでアルバイトをやっている。制服を着て、普通の留学生から日本の社会人になる。

中学生の時から色々なアルバイトや仕事をしてきたが、今まで制服を着たことがなかった。初め てローソンの制服を着たところ、ユニフォームを着なければならない理由が分かった。2年間以上 日本にいるのに、まだ日本語で話すことにまだ自信がなかなか持てない。しかし、制服を着ると 自信が出る。個人から、お店のチームに入っていると感じる。気にせずに日本語でレジをした り、お客さんをに手伝ったりする。そして、同僚と問題を解決したり、お店をきれいにしたりす
ることもする。

その結果、アルバイトをする時もしない時も、東京の社会に参加しているという感じを持って る。日本の社会はとても画一的なので、留学生にとって学校以外で東京の人々と距離を感じる時 もある。だが、週2回コンビニでの変身のおかげで、少しずつ東京の社会と距離が縮まるように なった。ここに住み続ける限り、アルバイトを続けたいと思う。

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Designer, educator and longtime JETAANY contributing member Lee-Sean Huang (Oita-ken, Nakatsu-shi, 2003-06) joins Steven Horowitz(Aichi-ken, 1992-94) and Zach Piper (Kochi-ken, 2001-04) to talk about his path to JET and since JET as well as his longtime role as JETAANY Webmaster. Plus hear Leesean singing enka!

Show Links:

• AIGA: The Professional Association for Design
  • AIGA book event: The Impossibility of Silence: Writing for Designers, Artists & Photographers(Q&A by Lee-Sean Huang)
• Leesean.net
• Foossa (Lee-Sean’s design and communications company)
  • Fossa (the animal)
• Jero (famous African American enka singer in Japan)
• Yoppareeikawa: English Nomikai Podcast by Emmalee Manes (Toyama-ken, 2016-19)
• Oda Yori-sensei, Professor of Japanese at Harvard University
• Nakatsu-shi, Oita-ken
• Fukuzawa Yukichi – most famous resident of Naktasu-shi
• Nakatsu, the mecca of fried chicken in Japan
• NYU: Interactive Telecommunications (ITP) Program
• The Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda
• JETwit 
• JETAA New York 
• Monica Yuki’s JET Alum Zoom Rajio Taisou every Friday, 11:30am (EST) 

Other JETs/JET alumni mentioned in this episode:

• Emmalee Manes (Toyama-ken, 2016-19)
• Ramez Kafrouni (Niigata-ken, 2016-18), Webmaster for JETAANY

Credits

• Intro/Ending narration by Rose Horowitz (COJ)*
• Art/Design by Lee-Sean Huang (Oita-ken, 2003-06)
• Podcast hosting on Transistor courtesy of Percival Constantine (Kagoshima-ken, 2008-13)

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

• Email Steven Horowitz at stevenwaseda@gmail.com

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• The JETAA-sphere Podcast is a production of JETwit.com, with special thanks to USJETAA and CLAIR for their support.
• *COJ = Child of JET

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From JETwit Media, it’s the 6th episode of the JETAA-sphere Podcast!

Three members of the JETAA USA Board of Advisors—Monica Yuki (Saitama-ken, 2002-04), Jessyca Livingston, formerly Wilcox (Hokkaido, 2003-06) and James Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94) join Steven Horowitz(Aichi-ken, 1992-94) and special co-host Matt Gillamof CLAIR NY (aka the Japan Local Government Center) to talk about the JETAA USA Board of Advisors–what it is, who’s on it, and how the tragedy of 3/11 became the catalyst for the creation of a Board of Advisors for JETAA USA.

Show Links:

• JETAA USA Board of Advisors
• JETAA USA
  • JETAA USA Tohoku Recovery Info
• Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE)
• Toru Kikiwada, Diet Member from Rikuzentakata – “Japanese Politician Recounts Losing Family to Tsunami“
•  & fundraising links
• Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund
• Monty Dickson Center, University of Alaska Anchorage
• “JET Program on Chopping Block” by James Gannon via JETwit.com
• JETwit 
• JETAA New York 
• Monica Yuki’s JET Alum Zoom Rajio Taisou every Friday, 11:30am (EST) 

Other JETs/JET alumni mentioned in this episode:

• Paul Yoo (Akita-ken, 2009-2012), Founder of Volunteer Akita and currently living in Ventura, California (working at Patagonia HQ)
• Ryan Hart (Chiba-ken, 1998-99), former JETAA USA Country Rep, former PNW JETAA President
• Mark Frey (Kumamoto-ken, 2002-06), former JETAA USA Country Rep, former JETAA Northern California President & Newsletter Editor
• Cheryl Hou (Toyama-ken, 2005-08), former JETAA USA Country Rep, former PNW JETAA President
• Shree Junk (Shiga-ken, 2005-07), former JETAA USA Country Rep, former JETAA NY Vice-President
• Kelly Nixon, former JETAA NY Treasurer
• Shannan Spisak, former JETAA USA Country Rep, former JETAANY President
• Shannon Quinn, former JETAA USA Country Rep, former PNW JETAA President
• Grant Minagawa, JETAA Southern California Social Chair
• Lisa Gappa-Norris (MEF Gunma-ken, 1982-83)

Credits

• Intro/Ending narration by Rose Horowitz (COJ)*
• Art/Design by Lee-Sean Huang (Oita-ken, 2003-06)
• Podcast hosting on Transistor courtesy of Percival Constantine (Kagoshima-ken, 2008-13)

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

• Email Steven Horowitz at jetwit@jetwit.com

*********

• The JETAA-sphere Podcast is a production of JETwit.com, with special thanks to USJETAA and CLAIR for their support.
• *COJ = Child of JET

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From JETwit Media, it’s the 6th episode of the JETAA-sphere Podcast!

Ryan Hata (Tottori-ken, 2014-17) joins Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94) to talk about the many hats he wears in the JETAA-sphere–from AJET to JETwit to JETAANY to JETAA International–and his passion for helping JETs find work opportunities and connect with each other and helping the JET alum community continue to grow stronger.

• 

• 

Show Links:

• Ryan Hata on LinkedIn
• AJET & JETAA-I Job Listings Facebook Group
• AJET website
• JETAA Hawaii
• JETAA British Columbia
• JETwit 
• JETAA New York 
• Monica Yuki’s JET Alum Zoom Rajio Taisou every Friday, 11:30am (EST) 

Other JETs/JET alumni mentioned in this episode:

• Bruce Feiler, author of Learning to Bowand many other best-selling books
• Anna Ayvazyan, current AJET Director of Alumni Relations
• Monica Yuki
• Lee-Sean Huang (Oita-ken, 2003-06)
• Teri Galvez, JETAA Rocky Mountain President and creator of many JETAA chapter logos/mascots
• Richard Kei, JETAA Hawaii and former Monbusho English Fellow (MEF)
• Nathalie Ng, JETAA Singapore and also JETAA International Board of Advisors
• Joe Moore, JETAANY and JETAA Southern California Board of Directors
• JET alumni who have worked at Columbia Business School, Jerome A. Chazen Institute for Global Business:
  • Amber Liang
  • Katrina Barnas
  • Jennifer Olayon
  • Yvonne Thurman
  • Joshua Safier

About the JETAA-sphere Co-Hosts:

• Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94) is the founder of JETwit.com, a member of the JETAA USA Board of Advisors, and a long-time active member of JETAA New York and now JETAA DC.
• Joe Moore (Saga-ken, 2010-13) is a member of the Board of Directors for both JETAA Southern California and JETAA New York and a former Co-President of JETAA Southern California. 
• Zach Piper (Kochi-ken, 2001-04) is a member of the Board of Directors for JETAA New York and a long-time active member of JETAA New York.
• Note: All three of them have full-time jobs outside of this. This isn’t how they make a living or put food on the table.

Credits

• Intro/Ending narration by Rose Horowitz (COJ)*
• Art/Design by Lee-Sean Huang (Oita-ken, 2003-06)
• Podcast hosting on Transistor courtesy of Percival Constantine (Kagoshima-ken, 2008-13)

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

• Email Steven Horowitz at stevenwaseda@gmail.com

*********

• The JETAA-sphere Podcast is a production of JETwit.com, with special thanks to USJETAA and CLAIR for their support.
• *COJ = Child of JET

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From JETwit Media, it’s the 5th episode of the JETAA-sphere Podcast!

Former JETAA Rocky Mountain chapter president Adam Lisbon (Kobe-shi, 2004-07) joins Zach Piper (Kochi-ken, 2001-04) and Steven Horowitz(Aichi-ken, 1992-94) to talk about JETAA Rocky Mountain, his work as Japanese & Korean Studies Librarian at the University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado’s Japanese-American history, and JET days of yore.

Show Links:

• JETAA Rocky Mountain
• Japanese and Japanese-American Community History Project
• Video about the Project
• Digital Archive of the CU Japanese and Japanese American Community History Project
• Paige Cottingham-Streater, Executive Director, Japan-US Friendship Commission
• JETwit 
• JETAA New York 
• Monica Yuki’s JET Alum Zoom Rajio Taisou every Friday, 11:30am (EST) 

About the JETAA-sphere Co-Hosts:

• Steven Horowitz is the founder of JETwit.com, a member of the JETAA USA Board of Advisors, and a long-time active member of JETAA New York and now JETAA DC.
• Joe Moore is a member of the Board of Directors for both JETAA Southern California and JETAA New York and a former Co-President of JETAA Southern California. 
• Zach Piper is a member of the Board of Directors for JETAA New York and a long-time active member of JETAA New York.
• Note: All three of them have full-time jobs outside of this. This isn’t how they make a living or put food on the table.

Credits

• Intro/Ending narration by Rose Horowitz (COJ)*
• Art/Design by Lee-Sean Huang (Oita-ken, 2003-06)
• Podcast hosting on Transistor courtesy of Percival Constantine (Kagoshima-ken, 2008-13)

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

• Email Steven Horowitz at jetwit@jetwit.com

*********

• The JETAA-sphere Podcast is a production of JETwit.com, with special thanks to USJETAA and CLAIR for their support.
• *COJ = Child of JET

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From JETwit Media, it’s the 3rd episode of the JETAA-sphere Podcast!

Matthew Gillam of CLAIR NY (aka the Japan Local Government Center) and Bahia Simons-Lane (Gunma-ken, 2005-07), Director of USJETAA join Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94) and Joe Moore (Saga-ken, 2010-13) about what CLAIR and USJETAA are, what they do, how they support JETAA USA, and how they each ended up in their current roles. (Don’t worry. It’s more fun than it sounds.)

The JETAA-sphere Podcast is (finally) available on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, and anywhere else you might download podcasts from.

To listen to other podcasts by JETs and JET alumni, check out the JETAA Podcast Roundup by  Scot Maupin (Hokkaido, 2005-09).

Show Links:

• Japan Local Government Center (aka CLAIR NY)
• CLAIR (Council of Local Authorities for International Relations)
• USJETAA
• JET30 Reunion
• JETAA Florida
• Paige Cottingham-Streater, Executive Director, Japan-US Friendship Commission
• JETwit 
• JETAA New York 
• JETAA Southern California 
• Monica Yuki’s JET Alum Zoom Rajio Taisou every Friday, 11:30am (EST) 

Credits

• Intro/Ending narration by Rose Horowitz (COJ)*
• Art/Design by Lee-Sean Huang (Oita-ken, 2003-06)
• Podcast hosting on Transistor courtesy of Percival Constantine (Kagoshima-ken, 2008-13)

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

• Email Steven Horowitz at jetwit@jetwit.com

*********

• The JETAA-sphere Podcast is a production of JETwit.com, with special thanks to USJETAA and CLAIR for their support.
• *COJ = Child of JET

Last week on the Krewe of Japan Podcast…

The whole Krewe sits down with famous comedian and Youtuber (and former JET Program participant in Oita Prefecture), Dogen! In Part 1, Dogen shares his background including how he became interested in Japan and its culture, his background in martial arts tricking, early attempts at learning Japanese, his path to writing comedy in Japanese, and so much more.

This week…

Nigel, Jenn, & Doug conclude their awesome discussion with comedian and Youtuber, Dogen! In Part 2, the Krewe joins Dogen as they embark on a deep dive into learning Japanese. This discussion takes them to many places from discovering the meaning of pitch accent and how to study effectively, to setting appropriate goals and hilarious language learning stories. This is an episode you don’t want to miss!

The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, and Stitcher.  Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!

October 28 at 8 PM ET / 7 PM CT / 5 PM PT
Japan time: October 29 at 9 AM JT
Register free to get the access link:
https://usjetaa.wildapricot.org/event-4528144

In the lead up to next year’s 35th anniversary of the JET Program, join USJETAA for a creative program celebrating JET through the success of the alumni. Highlighting the contributions of JETs to the U.S.-Japan community, this variety show brings together the diverse community of JET alumni with snapshots into their experiences with arts, culture, research, and more!

Episode 8 of the USLawEssentials Law & Language Podcast an interview with Scott Alprin (Aichi-ken, Kariya-shi, 1992-95) of Alprin Law Office, P.C. Scott is trademark and intellectual property attorney who speaks Japanese and works with many international clients. He discusses his career path and shares insights on law and practicing as an IP attorney.

JET alum Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, Kariya-shi, 1992-94), in collaboration with Daniel Edelson of USLawEssentials.com, recently launched “USLawEssentials: Law & Language,” a legal English podcast intended for foreign lawyers, law students, and LLM students as well as other non-native English speakers who want an enjoyable way to improve their legal English. The podcast episodes cover a variety of topics including legal news events and discussions of recent cases as well as interviews with multilingual lawyers. The discussions use accessible language with helpful explanations along the way.

This week on the Krewe of Japan Podcast…

JET Program acceptance letters have gone out & short-listers are on the edge of their seats waiting to find out their placements. Nigel, Jennifer, & Doug talk about the months-long emotional roller coaster of preparing to relocate to a new country (for JET or any program). Departing JETAA Mid-South President Megan DeVille stops by to talk about her pre-departure JET experiences, from interviews to arriving at a tiny regional airport in Aomori Prefecture. She also talks about life after JET and how to keep Japan in your life despite returning to your home country.

The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, and Stitcher.  Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!

Minasan, I hope you are staying safe and healthy during these strange and uncertain times. My heart goes out to all the injustice that is happening in the world, and hope that the world can unite to stamp out hate.

Many people ask me what they can do to find work during these uncertain times. These people had internships or jobs ready to go in Japan or their country, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused cancellations, layoffs and furloughs. 

My answer: think outside the box. There are many opportunities that exist, you just have to FIND them. Although they may not appear perfect, it is *something* you can do to keep moving forward. Action = momentum!

Learn more about the various freelancing and online opportunities during my free webinar, whether it’s part-time, full-time or project-based.

Please note, though, that I will be doing this in Japanese… To be honest, I’m a little nervous that I will sound like a child, but I am ready because this is a topic that I am comfortable discussing. If you want to see me present in my foreign language so that you can realize nobody is “fluent” – please join!! It might give you the confidence that your nihongo is actually quite good. If I can do it, ANYONE can do it!

Free webinar date/time: June 18 (Thurs) 6 PM EST

If you’re interested, please contact me for the link!

Guest blog post by Kasia Lynch, Founder of Ikigai Connections, who supports job-seekers with her blog, job board and online training programs. Although not a former JET, she’s a big supporter of the Great Lakes JETAA and previously lived in Shiga-ken, Kobe, Kyoto, Saitama-ken and Tokyo (total 8 years).

I’ve often met JET alumni who have come back from the most incredible time of their life in Japan and struggle with their next career steps.

Here are the top 4 things I hear about this struggle:

1. What can I possibly do with the experience I gained while on the JET Program? 
2. I’ve had such a life-changing time in Japan, and I’m super confused about what I want to do. 
3. I’ve been gone so long in Japan that I don’t know how to find a job in <country>.
4. I’m “behind” in the job search and/or no one is hiring.

I will answer each of these struggles and provide my top tips on job searching regardless of where you are at in your journey.

Read More

Earlier this month, JET alum Jonathan Kushner was featured on the website of Connect, an online monthly dedicated to the JET Program and English-speaking community in Japan. Mr. Kushner talks about his experiences on JET and how they helped launch his post-JET career.

http://connect.ajet.net/2020/02/01/alumni-spotlight-jonathan-kushner/

Lillian Hanako Rowlatt, a former JET (ALT, Niigata-ken, 2003-05) wrote an article for this month’s issue of Connect (an online monthly dedicated to the JET Program and expat community in Japan) about how her JET experience helped launched her career delivering Japanese food across the world.

Thomas Chang has lived and worked in Japan since 2015 and is the publisher of the Survive in Japan blog. Thomas came to Japan as an ALT and eventually became a software engineer in Tokyo. In his spare time, he enjoys exploring Tokyo’s many cafes and enjoys drinking a nice cup of coffee early in the weekends.

Japan is one of the most popular destinations, both for tourism and for living. Japan’s anime, food, and technology are enjoyed all over the world and it sparks people’s interest in the country. Japan is also a good place to live, with convenience stores everywhere and very low crime rates. If you’ve ever thought about getting a job and living in Japan, now is the perfect time to do so. This article will show you what makes now the best time to look for a job and what kind of jobs are best for foreigners. 

Japan’s Shrinking Population

One of the biggest reasons why now is the perfect time to move to Japan is the shrinking population. There are far fewer Japanese babies being born today than before the 1970s, resulting in an imbalance of young and old people. In fact, half the population in Japan is over 46 years old. This is causing an economic crisis since there are not enough people working to support the older generation. 

In order to fill this gap, Japan has no choice but to open more doors for foreigners to work and live in the country. As a result, there are more and more job openings available to foreigners every year. 

Japan’s Traditional Work Culture

Japan has a work culture that’s different from the rest of the world and it starts from the hiring process. Instead of hiring one by one when needed, most companies follow a process called shuushoku katsudou where they mass hire new graduates every year. The shuushoku katsudou period would be considered one of the most critical times of your life because, in that year, you would have to choose a company that you would work for for the rest of your life. 

It sounds crazy but the reason is that switching jobs was often looked down upon by society and it was extremely hard to find a company that would hire somebody that has quit their previous job. In fact, this was so extreme that suicide became the number 1 cause of death in Japan for men ages 20-44. 

With times changing and the shrinking population crisis, Japan’s work culture is changing little by little. Shuushoku katsudou is still around but working conditions are improving and more people are able to switch jobs, which means that foreigners can also find jobs.

Opportunities for Foreigners in Japan

English Teacher

This is the most well-known method to start working in Japan. With Japan’s plans to increase English education, there are more and more English teaching jobs available than before …

Click here to read the full post at surviveinjapan.com