http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQrfiJ2WFeQ

And one more cute and fun video by Lena titled “Souljia Boy” which is a compilation of video clips where she taught students the dance that goes with the tune:

http://www.youtube.com/user/francol86

—————————————————————————————–

Position Title: Program Associate, GSM
Grade: G-5
Reports to: Program Director, GSM
Location: Washington, D.C.

Click ‘Read More’ for job details and requirements

General Description:
Grants Solicitation & Management (GSM) Program is USAID funded. The Program Associate is directly involved in various aspects of the process of solicitations for grants, granting of awards, grants management and monitoring. Currently, the GSM Program manages approximately 60 multiyear grants to US based PVOs and national NGOs in over 30 countries.

Specific Responsibilities:

Administrative
• Provide daily administrative support to the GSM staff by creating the monthly calendar, scheduling appointments, providing logistical support, record and disseminate meeting minutes, draft correspondence, and coordinating travel arrangements
• Coordinate messenger logistics
• Data Files
o Prepare and maintain data files (electronically and manually)
o Database entry and maintenance

Grants Solicitation and Award Process
• Assist in announcing RFAs and serve as liaison for RFA questions from potential applicants
• Assist with proposal reviews
• Process applications as they come in
• Review and track applications (budget amount, duration of proposed project, etc.)
• Compile required documents for USAID approval

Grants Management
• Track annual audit reports, quarterly program and financial reports and cash request report submissions, correspond with sub-grantees accordingly
• Process wire transfers and correspond with sub-grantees accordingly
• Assist in quarterly program and financial reports reviews
• Act as a GSM contact for sub-grantees as necessary
• Any other tasks that may be assigned

Required Qualifications:
Eligible candidates should have the following qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in International Relations, International Business or a related field
• Some professional experience (internship and/or employment)
• Proven financial skills and Excel proficiency
• Strong administrative skills
• Detail oriented with excellent organizational skills; Ability to prioritize and multi task
• Ability to work as a team player and adapt to quick changing situations
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills
• Ability to work independently, make sound judgment calls, but know when to ask for advice

Desired Qualifications:
The ideal candidate should have the following qualifications:

• Interest in finance
• Foreign language ability
• Time spent living and/or studying abroad

Contact
Candidates must submit their cover letter (stating salary history) and resume no later than close of business on September 17, 2010 to: liz dot allen at worldlearning dot org Please reference “Program Associate, GSM” in the subject line. Only finalist candidates will be contacted.

About World Learning
The International Development & Exchange Programs of World Learning has an immediate opening for a Senior Performance Management Advisor. World Learning is a 78-year-old global non-profit with operations in 77 countries. Through its award-winning international education programs – The Experiment in International Living, the SIT Graduate Institute and SIT Study Abroad – World Learning fosters global citizenship by connecting over 3,000 young ambassadors annually across cultural differences and social barriers. Through its International Development & Exchange Programs, World Learning practices what it teaches, undertaking community-driven international development, training and exchange projects in sixteen countries. For more information visit www.worldlearning.org

In a rather brilliantly creative move, James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of the acclaimed young adult novel The Order of Odd-Fish, has developed a classroom guide for the novel which is intended to be used by school teachers in class with their students.

In James’ own words:

Some schools have put The Order of Odd-Fish on their reading lists. That’s great!

So I’ve put together a classroom guide for Odd-Fish. It’s 44 pages of discussion questions, lesson plans, and projects. It also features Odd-Fish fan art by enthusiastic readers—art that was featured in our Odd-Fish gallery show in Chicago in April 2010.

This curriculum does the strangeness of the book justice, I think. Aside from the chapter-by-chapter worksheets, there are also activities such as inventing your own Odd-Fish specialty, writing your own articles for the Eldritch Snitch, researching Japanese rituals that inspired the Odd-Fish festivals, baking avant-garde pies, creating urk-ack music, and inventing one’s own Eldritch City mythologies.

It’s also gateway to other fields of study. The knights of the Odd-Fish are, after all, scholars as well as warriors. This curriculum touches on topics as disparate as cockroach anatomy, Shinto and Hindu mythology, the KGB, Wikipedia, foppery, real-life historical eccentrics, and more.

Download the guide for free here. And of course, I always enjoy visiting schools, either in person or by Skype.

Go pester your teachers now! I’m doing this for you, people!

And in JetWit’s opinion, while the novel is in the young adult category, it’s also one of the funniest books you’ll ever read as an adult.  To read more JetWit posts about James, click here.  And watch the below video to see James doing an extremely dramatic reading from the book at last year’s JET Alumni Author Showcase in New York:

Job posting by Lauren Sethney (Niigata-shi CIR, 2000-2003).  Lauren serves as the Program Director at the Japan-America Society in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Via the Golf Channel

Title: Freelance English>Japanese Translator (work from home)

Reports to: Director of International Operations Japan

Overview: Freelance translator will create a typed Japanese translation script of Golf Channel’s English language programming. Translation scripts must be broadcast quality in a ready-to-read format for Japanese voice talent.

Job Responsibilities:

• Translate all programming material from English to Japanese
• Type Japanese translations with time code in Microsoft Word
• Proofread and e-mail voice over-ready Japanese translation scripts

Minimum Requirements:

• Native Japanese ability (Tokyo Standard, reading, writing, speaking)
• Near-native English (reading, writing, speaking)
• English to Japanese translation experience; broadcast translation experience preferred
• Excellent knowledge of the game of golf and its vernacular
• Experience with Japanese OS and word processing (Microsoft)
• Ability to work with tight deadlines
• Weekly commitment preferred

Qualified candidates should apply directly to Debra Conrad at dconrad@golfchannel.com

Yesterday’s NYT had an article about the rise of Japan’s very own Tea Party.  It profiles the rise of the Zaitokukai, or the Citizens Group That Will Not Forgive Special Privileges for Koreans in Japan.  In comparison to old-line rightist groups this movement is known as the Net right, as they are organized via the Internet and come together for demonstrations.  The article focused on their protest last December at an elementary school for ethnic Koreans.  This year they also picketed theaters showing the documentary The Cove, which they perceive to be anti-Japanese.  The group is led by a 38-year old man who insists that foreigners have caused Japan to go in the wrong direction (members even harassed some Westerners for wearing Halloween costumes!).  The far right writes them off as amateur attention seekers, but nevertheless this is a disturbing trend.

In WSJ coverage this morning, there is discussion of how a majority of the Japanese populace is still supporting PM Naoto Kan despite economic and political troubles.  On September 14 there will be a DPJ internal vote, and at this time Kan will be challenged by party rival Ichiro Ozawa.  Should Ozawa win, he would become the third prime minister since the DPJ took power in September [and] the seventh national leader in less than four years.  He resigned as a top party official in June due to a campaign finance scandal, but is said to have close ties to opposition parties which could help strengthen the DPJ.

In order to remedy the soaring yen, Kan met today with central bank officials and plans to unveil a new economic stimulus package tomorrow.  The Bank of Japan plans to introduce their own stimulus proposals in the next few days.  In the Kyodo News poll featured in this article, 52% of respondents said the most immediate tasks for the DPJ are jump-starting the economy and securing employment.  Indeed, the Zaitokukai’s success has largely been attributed to the country’s economic decline, and the 9000 person group consists primarily of young males who bounce from job to job, feel disenfranchised and are looking for someone to blame.  A quote from a 37-year old member appeals, “Japan has a shrinking pie.  Should we be sharing it with foreigners at a time when Japanese are suffering?”

Qualifications:

• Minimum of a college degree in a related area;
• Strong analytical skills; the ability through questioning and informal research to understand the feasibility and implications of submitted proposals;
• Desire to think creatively, explore new ideas, and develop new networks to foster innovative program ideas and funding initiatives;
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English;
• Strong organizational skills, keen attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Understanding of contemporary Japan; experience living in Japan and proficiency in the Japanese language, including translating ability, preferred.

• Review and assess letters of inquiry and proposals, draft recommendations, and related materials;
• Communicate with grantees and grant-seekers through written correspondence, meetings, and site visits;
• Monitor on-going grants using a database program to ensure timely payments and follow-up of outstanding issues;
• Research fields to identify and monitor trends, new models, and new initiatives.

• Explore creative ideas and develop new networks to foster innovative program ideas and funding initiatives;
• Participant in the development and implementation of a public relations strategy;
• Coordinate in-house events such as roundtables, seminars, and outreach events;
• Carry out other logistical and administrative duties as assigned by the Program Director and senior management;
• Assist in the proof reading of English documents.

“Thanks to Mark Frauenfelder’s writeup about Tonoharu: Part One on Boing Boing, the book has made it into Amazon.com’s Top Ten Bestselling Graphic Novels today!”

Here’s the link to the review:  http://www.boingboing.net/2010/08/27/tonoharu-excellent-g.html

Here’s a quote from the review:

“Published in 2008, and a winner of the prestigious Xeric Award, Tonoharu is a story of isolation, frustration, and mystery, with just the right amount of black humor to keep it from being depressing.”

For fans awaiting the next installment, Tonoharu:  Part 2 is due out in December.

Position in Seattle:

“We now have a unified goal and position, which enables us to send a strong and consistent message to the Japanese government and to our local communities that JET and JETAA are not only worthwhile but essential to U.S.-Japan relations.”

Here’s the link to the full article in The Mainichi Daily:  http://mdn.mainichi.jp/features/news/20100826p2g00m0fe075000c.html

And here’s a scan of the first page of the original Kyodo article which includes a photo of Megan.  (The Kyodo version is only available via subscription.)

Click here for more JetWit posts about this topic and related media coverage.

Members of Monkey Majik with Deputy Minister Len Edwards

Maynard Plant (Aomori-ken, 1997-2000) is the founder of the well-known Japan-based band Monkey Majik (www.monkeymajik.com), which consists of two Canadian members (Maynard and his brother Blaise) and two Japanese members-tax and DICK.

For more information you can check out their:

• Website: www.monkeymajik.com
• Wikipedia entry (where you’ll learn about the origins of the band as well as how Maynard is fluent in Aomori-ben):  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_Majik
• Embassy of Japan in Canada press release: “Goodwill Ambassadors, Monkey Majik, arrive in Ottawa to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Japan-Canada Diplomatic Relations”

Here is their song Change with the Yoshida Brothers (a video all JET alums will appreciate):

Do you know of any notable JET alums?  Let us know at jetwit [at] jetwit.com.

We’d like to thank those members who responded to our earlier call for volunteers for the JET Ambassadors Program. This is a second call for volunteers before we begin our orientation and school visits in the fall.

The JET Ambassadors program wishes to establish a network of volunteers who can visit local schools and discuss their experiences in Japan through photos, videos, games, and other props.

The main focus of these presentations will be life at a Japanese school, but they will vary from person to person.

The goal is to begin presentations in the Fall of 2010 and include all interested schools in the JETAADC area, including the Baltimore Region, Annapolis and the Eastern Shore, Richmond and other points South, and even West Virginia. So regardless of your distance from D.C., please respond if you are interested.

Each presenter will receive be reimbursed for his or her time and travel.

If you are interested, please respond to this e-mail with the following information.

Name:
Current Location:
Preferred E-mail address:
Phone:
Years on JET:
Prefecture:
Grade Levels Taught in Japan:
Current Profession:
Access to Metro/Public Transport:
Access to Car:

There will be an orientation on September 14 at the Embassy of Japan. More details will follow. Please respond by Friday August 27 if you are interested. If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to contact me.

Maurice Maloney
President, JETAADC
president.dc@jetalumni.org

PS – If you know of or work at a school that might be interested in receiving visitors, please let us know with the name of the school, its location, and the best person to contact.

Thanks to JET alum Sacha Battrick (currently working at CLAIR-Tokyo) for sharing this:

Barefoot Ted (aka Ted McDonald), a JET from 93-96, has established himself as one of the leading proponents of barefoot running.  He’s also has a company that makes sandals based on models originally developed by indigenous peoples. He gave a Google talk about barefoot running back in March for the Authors@Google series.

More info about Ted at his blog:  www.barefootted.com

Do you know of any notable JET alums?  Let us know at jetwit [at] jetwit.com.

• http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20100817a8.html
• http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/us-alumni-call-for-continuation-of-jet-program

Kyodo News Service ran an article in Japanese on the JETAA USA National Conference dated August 16 that was carried by a number of Japanese local newspapers.  The article resulted from the JETAA press release issued at the end of the Conference.  Below is the list of the papers.  Thanks to Noriko Furuhata of the Consulate General of Japan in New York for sharing the information.  (BTW, if anyone wants to write up an English summary of the article in the comments section of this post, that would be greatly appreciated.):

1. 徳島新聞　Tokushima Shimbun http://www.topics.or.jp/worldNews/worldTopics/2010/08/2010081601000165.html
2. 京都新聞　Kyoto Shimbun http://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/politics/article/20100816000030
3. 千葉トピ　Chiba Nippo http://www.chibanippo.co.jp/news/world/entertaiment_kiji.php?i=nesp1281924322
4. 山形新聞 Yamagata Shimbun http://yamagata-np.jp/news_core/index_pr.php?kate=Lifestyle_Human_Interest&no=2010081601000165&keyword=%A5%B8%A5%A7%A5%A4%A5%BD%A5%F3
5. 新潟日報 Niigata Nippo https://www.niigata-nippo.co.jp/world/lifestyle/2010081601000165.html
6. 大分合同新聞 Oita Godo Shimbun http://www.oita-press.co.jp/worldTopics/2010/08/2010081601000165.html
7. 山陽新聞 Sanyo Shimbun http://www.sanyo.oni.co.jp/news_k/news/d/2010081601000165/
8. 河北新報 Kahoku Shimpo http://www.kahoku.co.jp/news/2010/08/2010081601000165.htm
9. 西日本新聞 Nishi Nippon Shimbun http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/item/191143
10. 山陰中央新報 Sanin Chuo Shinpo http://www.sanin-chuo.co.jp/newspack/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1059682016
11. 北國・富山新聞 Hokkoku Toyama Shimbun http://www.hokkoku.co.jp/newspack/09kurasi2010081601000165.html
12. 高知新聞 Kochi Shimbun http://203.139.202.230/?&nwSrl=224803&nwVt=npd
13. 中日新聞 Chunichi Shimbun http://www.chunichi.co.jp/s/article/2010081601000165.html
14. 神戸新聞 Kobe Shimbun http://www.kobe-np.co.jp/knews/0003323442.shtml
15. 下野新聞 Shimotsuke Shimbun http://www.shimotsuke.co.jp/news/domestic/life/news/20100816/367829
16. 岩手日報 Iwate Nippo http://www.iwate-np.co.jp/newspack/cgi-bin/newspack_s.cgi?s_lifestyle_l+CN2010081601000165_1
17. 静岡新聞 Shizuoka Shimbun http://www.shizushin.com/news/culture/topix/2010081601000165
18. 大阪日々新聞 Osaka Nichinichi Shimbun https://www.nnn.co.jp/dainichi/knews/100816/20100816024.html
19. 中国新聞 Chugoku Shimbun http://www.chugoku-np.co.jp/News/Sp201008160110.html
20. 佐賀新聞 Saga Shimbun http://www.saga-s.co.jp/news/global/corenews.0.1706307.article.html
21. 熊本日報 Kumamoto Nippo http://kumanichi.com/news/kyodo/life/201008/20100816004.shtml

A few more links to the article that ran in major Japanese publications online:

1. http://sankei.jp.msn.com/world/america/100816/amr1008161052004-n1.htm
2. http://www.47news.jp/CN/201008/CN2010081601000165.html
3. http://www.nikkei.com/news/latest/article/g=96958A9C9381959FE3E4E2E3E38DE3E4
4. http://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/country/article/20100816000030
5. http://www.nagasaki-np.co.jp/f24/CN20100816/li2010081601000165.shtml
6. http://www.chunichi.co.jp/s/article/2010081601000165.html
7. http://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/s/article/2010081601000165.html

Also, below is a scan of an article in the Tokyo Shimbun that was written by one of their reporters who actually attended the Conference and has quotes from some of the JETAA chapter representatives with whom he spoke:

Two interesting Japan articles in today’s Wall Street Journal.  The first on the cover page talks about the sumo club at Tokyo University, and how those previously not associated with the sport, such as smaller size wrestlers and foreigners, are now making a splash.  The second in the opinion section discusses the recent news that China has replaced Japan as the world’s second largest economy (and is set to surpass America in the near future).  Happy reading!

Here’s an excerpt:

Beginning in 2013, high school English classes are to be taught in English. New guidelines from the education ministry also state that English grammar should no longer be taught as a whole subject but instead incorporated with expressions and vocabulary of the new textbook “English Communication I-III.”

Here’s the link to the full letter:  http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/rc20100812a6.html

Here’s the link to see all the videos so far:  http://becauseofjet.tumblr.com/

• Send your own video testimonial to webmaster@jetaany.org to have it included and let people know about some of the positive effects of JET that they might not otherwise be aware of.
• If you can say your piece in Japanese that would be particularly helpful, according to Matt Gillam of CLAIR NY.
• Additionally, you can post your own “Because of JET…” testimony in written form by posting in the comments section here or in this other post on JetWit:  http://jetwit.com/wordpress/2010/07/04/jet-roi-because-of-jet/
• Written testimony in Japanese is also potentially very helpful.

Here’s one of the videos:

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 am back in Honolulu, so of course I had to visit my favorite mochi stand, Kansai Yamato.  Every time I go I end up discovering something new, and this time it was the two plump manju pictured on the right.  The purple one was sweet potato flavored with this paste in the middle.  The white manju was of the standard kind, filled with red bean.  Both were quite substantial snacks, big and filling so the two-pack is likely meant for sharing.  As manju, I found them heavier than the lighter ones I am used to from Japan, as well as compared to the steamed kabocha bread I enjoyed during my last trip.

However, as much as I like manju nothing beats my love for mochi, so of course I had to get some of those too.  As this time I am traveling with a Pacific Islander group, I am not sure how familiar they are with this dessert and decided to introduce them to it.  For this purpose, I bought my two favorites of peanut butter and oreo to share with them, pictured here.  I’m hoping they like this American-style mochi as much as I do!

A Japanese company in London is looking for someone to join their team to look after Economic and Political Research. This is an ongoing temp position for one year.

Main responsibilities:

• Provide research services, including analytical reports on topical issues and statistical data spreadsheets on the UK economy.
• Check daily newspapers and keep abreast of all other information sources.
• Conduct interviews with academics and business people in order to assess UK and global economic conditions.
• Take initiative to develop and build upon existing contacts with government, academia and business to assist the company in the future.

Essential Skills:

• Sound knowledge of current affairs.
• The ability to produce comprehensive analytical reports on economic, business and political issues at short notice.
• The confidence and enthusiasm to be able to speak intelligently about the current economic situation in the UK.
• Good interview technique and report writing skills.
• A good command of written and spoken English.
• Ability to use Excel spreadsheets to compile statistical data.
• Degree in Economics or similar equivalent.

Desirable Skills:

• Knowledge/experience of Japanese business practices.
• Preference will be given to candidates who have good computer skills, are able to work confidently without supervision and who also enjoy being a member of a team.

For more details, please email your CV to anouska@perfect.eu.com
For this role, unfortunately, we can only accept applications from candidates who already have the right to work in the UK.

A central NJ global manufacturing company is searching for a candidate to fill a newly created position in their new manufacturing facility in central NJ.

MUST be able to Read, Write and Speak Fluent Japanese

 Description
-Must have experience in the manufacturing industry purchasing raw materials
-Must be able to negotiate best price with various vendors
-Must be able to locate new vendors if necessary
-Must be able to work with other departments such as production and sales
-Must be able to ensure materials are available for current and new production orders
-Should be able to evaluate various MRP systems and make appropriate suggestions

Requirements:
-Must speak fluent Japanese
-5-7 Years of experience as a Purchasing Manager
- Must have experience within the manufacturing industry

Compensation: $55,000–$65,000

For more information about the position and to apply, contact Jerry Mosseri of Stand Out Staffing and Resumes.
Email: jmosseri@standoutstaffing.com
Phone: 732-377-8873

1.  MOFA Website Comments

From the official report of State Secretary Takemasa’s visit to the United States on MoFA’s website.  (Full link here:  http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/annai/honsho/fuku/takemasa/usa_10/gaiyo.html):

2. (6) 日米人物・文化交流
特にこれまでのJET出身者が米国内で対日理解や日米交流の発展に果たしている役割について積極的な評価を共有。

English translation of the last sentence of Section 2, Paragraph (6): “We both positively recognized that JET returners have contributed to promoting understanding of Japan in the US and fostering people to people exchange between the two countries.”

2.  Personal Blog of Koichi Takemasa

Here is what Secretary of State Takemasa wrote about his meeting with JETAA members on his personal blog (link to post:  http://takemasa.asablo.jp/blog/2010/07/17/5237531):

その後、JETの経験者で作られるJETAAのNY支部の皆さんと意見交換。 JET通じて得たもの、帰国後それを伝えていること、また、新しいJETメンバーの選考や送り出しに協力をしていること。そして、事業仕分けで総務所所管のクレアが対象になったことで、JET制度そのものの存続に危機感を持っていること、などを聞く。

“I had a meeting with the members of JET Alumni Association in New York .  There, I heard comments about how much they learned from the JET experience, how they have been sharing their experience to others after they came back and how they have been cooperating in the screening and training process of the new JETs.  Referring to the fact CLAIR (JLGC) under Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications was put on the chopping block, they showed their strong concern in the future of JET program.”