All the JETAA Southeast alums will have a chance to meet and hear Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, speak at Keenesaw State University in Atlanta, GA on Thursday, March 4 from 6:30-8:00 pm.  If you happen to go and say hi, let him know you heard about the event on JetWit.  Also, email JetWit (jetwit [at] jetwit.com) to let us know how the event was so we can share it with the rest of the JET alum community.

Here’s the flyer with all the relevant info for the event:

If you’ve been following Toyota’s problems of late, then you may have also noticed JET alum Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, popping up a lot as a commentator.

He recently appeared on ABC’s World News Tonight.  And even more recently he was commissioned to write an op-ed for the Christian Science Monitor to clarify some of the vast cultural misreadings evident in the Congressional Toyota/Toyoda hearings.

• Toyota and trust: Was the Akio Toyoda apology lost in translation? Stung by Toyota recalls, Toyoda had to convey sincerity – and bridge the gulf in communication styles between Japan and America. http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2010/0225/Toyota-and-trust-Was-the-Akio-Toyoda-apology-lost-in-translation

• Roland is also quoted in this AP article on Toyota:  “Toyota President Battles Crisis in Family Company“ http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2010/02/19/toyota_president_battles_crisis_in_family_company/?page=full

And addressed the topic of Toyota in an interesting way in his recent Daily Yomiuri column on The Super Bowl, Toyota, Anime and Hollywood:

• SOFT POWER, HARD TRUTHS / Anime must eventually transcend Japan ‘national’ brand http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/arts/20100219TDY11003.htm

And if you’re looking for commentary on non-Toyota topics, then you can listen to Roland’s recent appearance on NPR discussing a wild relic of Japanese popular culture, a viral video of Japanese ‘Jazz Opera,’ produced in 1986 by Tamori, the great comedian:

• http://www.theworld.org/2010/02/17/japanese-jazz-opera/

Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, is interviewed on ABC’s “World News Tonight” with Brian Ross and Diane Sawyer.

Here’s the latest SOFT POWER/HARD TRUTHS column in the Daily Yomiuri by Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, this one whether Japan, like Fonzie in the epic sitcom Happy Days, has “jumped the shark.”

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/arts/20100122TDY11003.htm

Also, fyi, Roland is now down in Miami for the Super Bowl (his sister works for the NFL!) hanging out with his pal Pete Townsend of The Who which will be providing the halftime entertainment.  Here’s the post from Roland’s blog:  http://japanamerica.blogspot.com/2010/02/super-bowl-in-south-beach.html

*************

Here’s the latest SOFT POWER/HARD TRUTHS column in the Daily Yomiuri by Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, this one about hybrid people, hybrid music and hybridization as a trend.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/arts/20091218TDY11001.htm

******************

Here’s a nice review of Japanamerica (by Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99) on the blog Fan-to-Pro:  The Blog of Professional Geekery, which describes itself as “a blog about jobs, career and economics for ambitious fans, progeeks, Otariimen and other members of the Modern Literati.”

http://www.fantopro.com/blog/2009/12/book-review-japanamerica.html

Just in time for the holidays, in case you’re looking for that special gift for that special JET friend or Friend of JET!

Here’s a column by Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, in the Japanese-language travel magazine, PaperSky (http://www.paper-sky.com/blog/).  It’s a “mediation on hybridization and travel” and includes photos of the Tokyo, Sydney and NYC skylines.

Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, wrote this story about Japan’s unique generation gap for Psychology Today.  According to Roland, “things keep changing, but the fundamentals remain the same.  Japanese youth are enacting a kind of Bartelby Rebeillion–checking out, passively, to check in.”

Here’s the link to the post:  http://japanamerica.blogspot.com/2009/12/psychology-today.html

***************

The JET alumni community already has a great reputation for writers such as Bruce Feiler, Roland Kelts and James Kennedy among others.  And now we’re starting to make our mark on the world of film as well.

JET alum Aaron Woolfolk‘s film The Harimaya Bridge, starring starring Ben Guillory, Saki Takaoka, Misa Shimizu, and Danny Glover (who is also the Executive Producer), is making its New York debut on Sunday December 6 (with Q&A and cocktail reception to follow) and Sunday December 13 as part of the African Diaspora Film Festival.

(Editor’s Note: I already bought my ticket for the Dec 6 date!)

The film had a nationwide theatrical release in Japan beginning in June, and the response from audiences and critics was fantastic.  (There was also a showing in Los Angeles back in June that a number of JETAA Southern California JET alums attended.)

The film will be showing in New York:

• Sunday, December 6 @ 5:30PM – Thalia Cinema, Symphony Space (95th & Bway) – GALA SCREENING. Followed by a Q&A with director and catered reception
• Sunday, Dec. 13 @ 7:30PM- Thalia Cinema, Symphony Space (95th & Bway)

This looks to be a big event for the JET alum community, so get your tickets now and hope to see you there.

Here’s the trailer for the film:

Here are two videos of Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, from a keynote speech he gave at the University of Missouri in St. Louis back in October.

In the first, he talks about the connection between manga and anime and traditional Japanese line-based aesthetics–or what Takashi Murakami now calls “Superflat”:

And in the second video, he discusses the fundamental differences between American visual iconography and Japanese sensibilities, with a reference to Pokemon in America and McDonald’s in Japan:

*************

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/arts/20091120TDY13001.htm

FYI, images below are 1) Commodore Perry’s bow, 2) Obama’s bow and 3) Political commentary from Perry’s day.

*****

******

***********

Here’s a radio interview Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, did in Tokyo this past weekend with Tyler Brule, founder and editor of the UK-based Monocle magazine, about manga in Japan and overseas, and Japanamerica:

http://www.monocle.com/The-Monocle-Weekly

The Japanamerica segment is introduced at 1:00 and starts at 22:00

***************

Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, was interviewed by Japan Society of New York at the New York Anime Festival 2009 which was held September 25-27 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.  Let’s go to the video tape:

Part 1 of the interview:

Part 2 of the interview:

***************

A story just published in the new December issue of VANITY FAIR chronicles the way Japanese kawaii, or super-cuteness, has conquered America: http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2009/12/cuteness-200912

Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, is quoted fairly liberally via an interview with Vanity Fair writer Jim Windolf.  Here’s a sample:

“There’s no doubt that cuteness has been a part of the Japanese aesthetic since the postwar years,” says Roland Kelts, the author of the 2006 book Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S. “One theory, which has been proposed by a lot of Japanese artists and academics, is that, after the humiliation and emasculation of Japan in the postwar years, Japan developed this quasi-queer position of ‘little brother’ or ‘little boy.’ If you become ‘little brother’ or ‘little boy,’ the only way you can get big brother’s or fat man’s attention is by being so cute or puppy-like that he has to take care of you.”

Roland also recently returned to Japan from a book promotion tour in Korea.

Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, has another SOFT POWER/HARD TRUTHS column in The Daily Yomiuri (and also re-printed in 3:AM Magazine) about J-Pop music in America, featuring interviews with Miho Hatori, formerly of Cibo Mato, and Reni-chan, a recent NYC transplant from Tokyo, plus reflections on AKB48.

1. Daily Yomiuri SOFT POWER/HARD TRUTHS:  Japan’s Music Makers in America
2. Link to 3:AM Magazine post of the column:  http://www.3ammagazine.com/3am/3am-asia-soft-power-hard-truths-japans-music-makers-in-america/

Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, has a good article out in Adbusters magazine.

Private Worlds:  Lives spent lurking too long in the shadows of the virtual

https://www.adbusters.org/magazine/86/private-worlds.html

Also, Roland is traveling to Korea soon to do give some talks there.  If you’re a JET alum living in Korea and you go, make sure to go up and introduce yourself and invite him out for some sho-chu.

Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, will be giving a talk in St. Louis tomorrow as part of the Anime at UMSL event featuring renowned translator of anime and manga, Frederik L. Schodt, as well as a screening of the film PAPRIKA.  The event is being run by the University of Missouri at St. Louis’ Center for International Studies.

All you Missouri JET alums out there, make sure to introduce yourself and say hi if you happen to attend.

Here’s the latest Daily Yomiuri column from Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, from his “Soft Power, Hard Truths” series for the Daily Yomiuri.  This one about the giant robot Gundam and AKB48 girl-power at this year’s New York Anime Festival, kicking off tomorrow:

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/arts/20090925TDY13001.htm

Also, Roland will be at the New York Anime Festival at the Javits Center all weekend and says to JET alums, “Please swing by and say hello if you can.”  Here’s his schedule for the weekend:

• Friday, 5:15 to 6:15 pm — Yoshiyuki Tomino (GUNDAM)
• Saturday, 12:15 to 1:15 pm — AKB48
• Sunday,  11:15 am to 12:15 pm — Yui Makino

***********

**************

The New York Anime Festival has announced its bookings for Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, for this year’s event, which commences at the Javits Center on September 25.

Roland will be on with Yoshiyuki Tomino (GUNDAM creator) on Friday, pop sensations AKB48 Saturday, and Yui Makino (voice of TSUBASA) on Sunday.

Here’s the official announcement:  http://www.mediumatlarge.net/2009/09/roland-kelts-comes-to-nyaf.html

Just found out that Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, has a review of “Tears in the Darkness,” a capacious, brilliantly narrated account of the Bataan Death March in World War II, featuring interviews with Japanese, American and Filipino veterans/survivors — in this month’s issue of BOOKFORUM.  Inhumanity, with novelistic intimacy…

Read the review here: http://www.bookforum.com/inprint/016_03/4339

More @ http://www.tearsinthedarkness.com/

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/arts/20090828TDY13003.htm

Related JetWit Posts:

• Roland Kelts interview with Hayao Miyazaki
• Transcript of Roland Kelts full interview with Hayao Miyazaki (via GhibliWorld)

Check out the latest article by Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, in AdBusters magazine, titled “Japanese Simplicity:  The only way to leave a smaller footprint would be to die.”

Also stay tuned for Roland’s forthcoming novel titled “Access.”

Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, has an article in the August issue of Adbusters magazine addressing the long lineage of Japanese artists’ resistance to the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty and subsequent interdependence.  With the elections looming on August 30th, perhaps this additional context will be of interest JET alum.

The Soul of Japan:  Japan’s crisis is not political, but psychological

https://www.adbusters.org/magazine/84/soul-japan.html

Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, has a good column in today’s Daily Yomirui titled “Anime with Texas Roots Debuts in Switzerland.”

According to the column:

Manga Impact: The World of Japanese Animation, a special program at the 62nd annual Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland, will include next Friday’s world premiere of the Japanese anime Redline in the city’s historic central square, which can accommodate more than 8,000 viewers.

And Redline is:

a film that piles hybrid upon hybrid–a racing film that blasts into sci-fi apocalypse, as a corrupt alien government seeks to destroy the mortal drivers who dare to compete on their alien planet. The action is relentless, allowing you to catch your breath only in brief interludes, yet the imagery is dense with anatomical grotesqueries–like Lucian Freud on acid, or, if you view Redline as a kind of meta- anime, an anime about the stylized thrills of anime itself, Speed Racer on speed.

If any JetWit readers happen to see Redline–especially if you see it in Switzerland at the film festival–please post a comment and share your thoughts and experience.

For those of you who weren’t able to catch Roland Kelts’ (Osaka-shi, 1998-99) interview with Hayo Miyazaki in Berkeley, CA on July 25, a “fanatically thorough transcript” of the full interview has been posted at the GhibliWorld site:  http://www.ghibliworld.com/miyazaki_on_stage_conversation_berkeley_july_2009.html

Over the weekend we mentioned that Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, gave a talk for the students in the Keio Academy of New York Japanese-English Bilingual Summer Program in Purchase, NY in connection with a two-week Digital Media Creation program.  (Additional speakers in the program include Michael Arias, director of “ANIMATRIX” and “Tekkonkinkreet,” Shoji Kawamuri, animation director and mechanical designer and Yuji Nunokawa, CEO of animation producer Pierrot Co., Ltd.)

Here are a couple nice photos from the event:

*********

This past Thursday evening, Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, gave a talk for the students in the Keio Academy of New York Japanese-English Bilingual Summer Program in Purchase, NY in connection with a two-week Digital Media Creation program.

Additional speakers in the program include Michael Arias, director of “ANIMATRIX” and “Tekkonkinkreet,” Shoji Kawamuri, animation director and mechanical designer and Yuji Nunokawa, CEO of animation producer Pierrot Co., Ltd.

********************

Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, hosted a talk with Hayao Miyazaki (director of Spirited Away among other animated films) on July 25 in Berekely, CA.  Miyazaki made a rare U.S. appearance to receive the second annual Berkeley Japan Prize for lifetime achievement, presented by the Center for Japanese Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.  (See a Japan Times article on the event here.)

This was familiar territory for Roland, who hosted a talk with novelist Haruki Murakami in October 2008 when Murakami was presented with the first Berekely Japan award.

Bankruptcy Bill is a cartoon created by Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94) and Gideon Kendall.  For more cartoons, original bankruptcy haiku and even a bankruptcy country song, go to bankruptcybill.us.

A twist in the plot!  (Also, note the Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99) reference as the esoteric worlds of manga and bankruptcy find a rare intersection.)

*BAPCPA = Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, i.e., the 2005 Bankruptcy Law.

Check out this interview on Australian radio (ABC) with Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, about the anime industry in Japan, financial foibles and hentai habits.

Roland recently finished a speaking tour in  Australia where made several appearances.

• July 13-16th, Sydney, AU, JSAA Conference, University of Sydney
• July 17th, Sydney, AU, The Japan Foundation: Panel w/Susan Napier and Rebecca Suter
• July 20th, Brisbane, AU, The University of Queensland:  Panel w/ Susan Napier and Rebecca Suter
• July 22nd, Melbourne, AU, The University of Melbourne: Panel w/Susan Napier and Rebecca Suter

He also hosted a talk with Hayao Miyazaki in Berkely, CA on July 25.  Click here to see video clips of Roland speaking at the JETAA NY Alumni Author Showcase event held back in March 2009, here for photos from the event and here to read a review of the event.

Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, is en route to Australia where he’ll be making several appearances.  For JET alums in Australia, here are the dates and locations where you can catch him.  And if you do happen to see him, by all means go up and say “G’day.” He really appreciates meeting other JET alums out there.

• July 13-16th, Sydney, AU, JSAA Conference, University of Sydney
• July 17th, Sydney, AU, The Japan Foundation: Panel w/Susan Napier and Rebecca Suter
• July 20th, Brisbane, AU, The University of Queensland:  Panel w/ Susan Napier and Rebecca Suter
• July 22nd, Melbourne, AU, The University of Melbourne: Panel w/Susan Napier and Rebecca Suter

Roland will be back in the U.S. to host a talk with Hayao Miyazaki in Berkely, CA on July 25.  Click here to see video clips of Roland speaking at the JETAA NY Alumni Author Showcase event held back in March 2009, here for photos from the event and here to read a review of the event.

Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, has a short “JapanamericanEyes” column posted on Trannet.co.jp titled “Surfacing with Strength:  Haruki Murakami at 60.”

Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, has been keeping busy.  JetWit just hasn’t been able to keep up.  So here are some recent highlights:

• A recent Daily Yomiuri SOFT POWER/HARD TRUTHS column about a symposium on the state of the anime/manga industry and some of the challenges it faces, which you can see on 3:00 A.M. Magazine.  The column touches on the shifting market as well as the unsustainable nature of the way anime/manga workers are compensated.
• Giving a speech at book-signing event in Kyoto next weekend as part of a Creative Writing Lecture Series.  (A good event for any JETs or JET alums in the area!  If you go, say hi to Roland and feel free to report back to JetWit on the event.)
• Japanamerica is now available on Kindle!

The Spring 2009 Issue of JQ (JETAA NY Quarterly) Magazine is now available online at http://jetaany.org/magazine/.

O-tsuakare sama deshita to Editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for all his hard work in putting out another outstanding issue, this one featuring a one-on-one interview he did with Hikaru Utada in New York.

Tanjo!!  JQ’s Spring 2009 Utada Issue is Here!

• What do an Oscar-winner, a celebrated ambassador-turned-president, an international author summit and one of the best-selling singer-songwriters the Eastern Hemisphere’s ever seen have in common? That’s right! They all (I heard) turned down Conan O’Brien to appear in the new issue of JETAANY’s quarterly magazine JQ!
• Months in the making but well worth the wait, our new issue also features our newly elected officers, Sakura Matsuri at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, a you-are-there piece on the Tokyo Marathon that you’re guaranteed to learn a thing or to from, and interviews with an Off-Broadway star, community honchos, noted authors and local JETs-made-good in both Japan and beyond.
• And how’s this for a main course: for the first time ever our feature interview was too long for the print issue, so we’ve posted the complete 13-page interview with Hikaru Utada at the handy link below. Whether you’re a Hikki-mania or just want to read what might be the most in-depth interview she’s ever done in English, we’ve got you covered.   It all happens in the new issue of JQ. Dozo and enjoy!

SPRING 2009 ISSUE – click to download PDF

(Click Here to Read the Complete Hikaru Utada Interview)

Editor: Justin Tedaldi – magazine@jetaany.org

SPRING 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Page 3…..Letter From the Editor / Letter From the Country Rep
• Page 4…..Nippon News Blotter / JQ National Photo Contest Winners
• Page 5…..Comings & Goings – New Officers and JLGC Changes
• Page 6…..JETAANY Author Showcase by Gina Anderson and Justin Tedaldi
• Page 6…..TAIKOPROJECT in Philly by Renay Loper
• Page 7…..Japan Society’s New President Motoatsu Sakurai by Justin Tedaldi
• Page 8…..JETlog featuring Ed Thompson (Chiba-shi CIR, 1994-97)
• Page 9…..STOMP New York’s Yako Miyamoto by Liz Wanic
• Page 10…Running the Tokyo Marathon by Stacy Smith
• Page 11…Nihonjin in NY – Featuring Noriko Furuhata of the CGJ by Rick Ambrosio
• Page 11…Sakura Matsuri at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
• Page 13…Hikaru Utada: The JQ Interview by Justin Tedaldi
• Page 14…Adren Hart’s ConnectForce Productions Jazzes Up NY by Matt Matysik
• Page 15…JETAActivity Photos
• Page 16…An Animated Talk with Japanamerica Author Roland Kelts By Larry Heiman
• Page 17…Destination Nippon: JNTO and Kintetsu International by Sylvia Pertzborn
• Page 18…New York-Tokyo Founder Taeko Baba by Marea Pariser
• Page 19…Film Review: Departures by Lyle Sylvander
• Page 19…Book Corner: Shutting Out the Sun by David Kowalsky
• Page 20…Shutting Out the Sun Author Michael Zielenziger Q&A by Kelly Nixon
• Page 21…Awaji Puppet Theater at Japan Society by Beata Wilk
• Page 23…Top 14 List / Life After the B.O.E. / Let’s Make Chirashi!
• Major domo to (from left) Anson Mau, Kayoko & Rob Werner, Marea Pariser, Louie Reyes, Joe Marucheck, Justin Tedaldi, Steven Horowitz, Laura Pollak, Stacy Smith, and (off camera) Nancy Ikehara and Peter Mallik for pitching in to mail out the Utada Issue.

According to a news item on the Anime News Network (which was first reported by Publishers Weekly journalist Kai-Ming Cha in her personal blog), Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, will host a talk with Hayao Miyazaki (director of Spirited Away among other animated films) on July 25 in Berekely, CA.  Miyazaki will be making a rare U.S. appearance to receive the second annual Berkeley Japan Prize for lifetime achievement, presented by the Center for Japanese Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.

This is familiar territory for Roland, who hosted a talk with novelist Haruki Murakami last October when Murakami was presented with the first Berekely Japan award.

In his latest Daily Yomiuri column, “Soft Power/Hard Truths,” Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, sits down with “Redline” director Takeshi Koike to discuss his latest work and delve further into the heart of manga and anime.

Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, has a recent Daily Yomiuri column on his experience at Sakura-Con in Seattle in April.  You can also listen to a podcast about the event in which he’s interviewed.

Here’s the link to his page on the Sakura-Con site:  http://www.sakuracon.org/programming/guests/kelts.php

Thanks to Lawrence Brenner (www.lawrencebrenner.com), an online video and content specialist who covers a lot of Roland Kelts’ events, we have even more video from the JET Alumni Author Showcase laid out in nice YouTube video clips:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=E204A157B05C1AEC

************

A good (and long) interview with Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, by Bamboo and Sara (aka Chicks-On-Anime) has been posted on the AnimeNewsNetwork.

In case you missed it (or enjoyed it so much you want to relive it), below is a highlights clip from the JET Alumni Author Showcase along with clips of each of the three author readings, all of which took place March 22 in NYC.  (Bonus tip:  Try to picture each author teaching an English class in a Japanese high school as you watch them do their readings.)

Highlight Clips

James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of The Order of Odd-Fish

Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica:  How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S.

Robert P. Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04), author of Zorgamazoo

JETAANY Hosts First Author Showcase

By Gina Anderson (Nara-ken, 2003-05), former JETAA DC newsletter chair and Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02), editor of JQ (JETAA NY) Quarterly Magazine

New York City’s Holiday Inn hosted a summit for published JETs as JETAANY 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).  (Click here and here for photos and here for video clips.)

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.

A professor at three different universities including Tokyo University, a writer and editor for two magazines and a columnist for the Yomiuri Shimbun, Kelts spoke about Japanamerica:  How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S., his non-fiction book about the eponymous subject. He began by Read More

Many thanks to JET alum Vlad Baranenko for capturing the JET Alumni Author Showcase in photographs.  Click “Read More” below to see all the photos.

Read More

Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, has two recent articles published.

Daily Yomiuri:  Soft Power Hard Truths / American anime fans party, but don’t pay
On the widening gap between Japanese and American fandom:  http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/arts/20090320TDY13002.htm

Adbusters:  Dame-Ren (No Good People) – A glimpse into Japan’s embrace of Western-style capitalism
On Japan’s new generation of dropouts and street performers:  http://www.adbusters.org/magazine/80/japan_no_good_people.html

Here are some photos from yesterday’s JET Alumni Author Showcase, courtesy of Noriko Furuhata, the JET Liason at the Consulate-General of Japan in New York:

Read More

Following James Kennedy’s (Nara-ken, 2004-06) recent post of his essay describing the heretofore unpublicized lifestyles and rituals of librarians (a “cult” of which Kennedy’s own wife is admittedly a member) in connection with the American Library Association’s awarding of the “Best Book for Young Adults” to Neil Gaman, author of Coraline, rather than Kennedy’s The Order of Odd-Fish, the blogosphere was atwitter with commentary about Kennedy, who will be appearing in NYC March 22 for the JET Alumni Author Showcase along with Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99) and Robert P. Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04)).

The Handless Poet’s Maria Alexander said:

I’m buying James Kennedy’s book, The Order of Odd-Fish.  I’m buying it entirely because of this blog post.  James Kennedy could quite possibly be the funniest man in America. http://www.thehandlesspoet.com/blogger/2009/03/james-kennedy-is-all-growed-up.html

School Library Journal’s Elizabeth Bird wrote:

Bad news for my husband. I have just fallen head-over-heels in love with James Kennedy, author of the YA novel The Order of Odd-Fish. Ladies and gentlemen of the liking men variety, I advise you to be very careful in reading this blog post of his which tells (in a fashion) of his experience with the last ALA Media Awards. He had me at “conniving sidelong lope” and now I feel compelled to read every damn word the fellow has ever written, starting from the early scribbles he scrawled out as a toothless mewling babe. Ba-bump goes my little heart. I also feel inclined to give him a bad review with the sole intention of hoping that he will write about me and do complicated things with my name. As I read through it I almost want to dedicate this entire post solely in the purpose of getting you to read this blog. Go. Now. Read. This. Man.  I, for my part, am off to read his book.  Even if it is YA.  http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/1790000379/post/1130041713.html?nid=3713

Read More

Here are a few more photos from the photo-op last Friday to promote the JET Alumni Author section at Kinokuniya in anticipation of the JET Alumni Author Showcase (set for March 22; e-mail authors at jetaany dot org to rsvp).

The books featured include:

• Japanamerica – Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99)
• The Order of Odd-Fish – James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06)
• Zorgamazoo – Robert P. Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04)
• Learning to Bow – Bruce Feiler (Tottori-ken, 1989-90)
  
• Importing Diversity:  Inside Japan’s JET Program – David L. McConnell
• Hitching Rides with Buddha (originally titled Hokkaido Hitchhiking Blues) – Will Ferguson (Nagasaki-ken, 1991-94)
  

*See a more complete list of JET alumni authors and their works at http://jetwit.com/wordpress/library/authorsbooks/

Stop by Kinokuniya and take a look!

Read More

Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99) was recently interviewed by Sho Sakurai on Japan’s News Zero program.  Click here to watch the clip on YouTube.  (Good opportunity to practice your Japanese a bit as well. :-)

In anticipation of the upcoming JET Alumni Author Showcase (set for March 22; e-mail authors at jetaany dot org to rsvp), Kinokuniya has set up a table featuring books by JET alumni authors.  The table is on the ground floor in the main aisle, right by the magazine section and features the following books:

• Japanamerica – Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99)
• The Order of Odd-Fish – James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06)
• Zorgamazoo – Robert P. Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04)
• Learning to Bow – Bruce Feiler (Tottori-ken, 1989-90)
  
• Importing Diversity:  Inside Japan’s JET Program – David L. McConnell
• Hitching Rides with Buddha (originally titled Hokkaido Hitchhiking Blues) – Will Ferguson (Nagasaki-ken, 1991-94)
  

*See a more complete list of JET alumni authors and their works at http://jetwit.com/wordpress/library/authorsbooks/

Stop by Kinokuniya and take a look!

Other Kinokuniya-related information that may be of interest to you:

1. Kinokuniya now offers an Anime/Manga Membership Card – for $15 you get 10% off all of your purchases.  You can find the application form at the checkout desk in their stores.
2. Anime Day @ Kinokuniya – Sunday March 15  (1073 Avenue of the Americas & 40th St. in NYC) – 11am to 6pm – First 10 fans dresses as Zetsubou-Sensei will win Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei Vol. 1 from Del Rey Manga!
3. Japanese Young Artists’ Book Fair_3rd – Feb 15 thru March 8 – Comics, graphic books, picture books, art books, phtoograph books, poetry books, art object books and more at 4 different locations in NY:  Kinokuniya (Midtown), Printed Matter (Chelsea), St. Mark’s Bookshop (E. Village), Spoonbill & Sugartown, Booksellers (Williamsburg) and