Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03) presents WIT Life, a periodic series about aspects of Japanese culture such as art, film, food and language. Stacy starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she offers some interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.

Although the days are still balmy here in NY, we’ve had some chilly nights and mornings as we get deeper into fall. In LA however, the warm weather sticks around longer, allowing for fun outdoor activities as we move closer to winter. I’d like to share one that I wish I was able to attend in person!

LA eats Japan has been an annual food festival since 1999, and it will be held outdoors for the first time this year at Little Tokyo. This free event will be held on Sunday, November 14 from 11 am-8 pm, and is presented by the Japanese Restaurant Association of America with support from the Consulate General of Japan in LA.

There will be 17 vendors from local restaurants selling curry rice, yakitori, okonomiyaki, ramen, yakisoba and sushi, as well as sweets such as kakigori and castella. In addition to all this amazing food, there will be a cosplay costume competition with a prize of $1,000. Live performances will feature contemporary techno music, as well as traditional martial arts and music like karate and taiko. A mikoshi portable shrine will even be paraded through the streets!

For those who want to experience Japanese food, culture and sightseeing spots but aren’t able to travel at this time, I would like to recommend the Kyushu Virtual Fest to be held Thursday night. It is the second half of a two-part event, and I attended the first last night. Having lived in Kumamoto on JET, I was thrilled that they spotlighted Aso and other amazing places in the prefecture, as well as a waterfall I had never visited but hope to on my next trip. They also highlighted sites and products from Fukuoka and Kagoshima, and there were many giveaways and discounts for viewers. This event is free as well so definitely check it out!

JETAA‎‎‎‏‏‎​ Podcast Beat is a weekly round-up of current JET and JET alumni podcasts and podcast appearances compiled by Emmalee Manes (Toyama-ken, 2016-19)

Do you have a podcast or did you recently appear in a podcast? Help us share it with the community by filling out this form.

Welcome to the JETAA Podcast Beat! Every week we’re sharing the newest podcast episodes from JET alumni and current JETs. If you have the chance, please enjoy listening to one of these recent episodes this week!

🎉 THANK YOU FOR 1 YEAR「1周年記念 パーティー」with Aaron!

Let’s celebrate 1 year of よっぱれ英会話! Emmalee and Aaron drink and talk about their memories from the first year of the podcast. They listen to messages from various guests including Anthony, Laine, Kazuki, Caralynn, and more!

🍻 Grab a drink and listen with us! Thank you for your support in this 1 year!!! 🍻

インスタ: @yoppareikaiwa
メール: yoppareikaiwa@gmail.com

是非、インスタでメッセージをください〜

聞いてくれてありがとうございます！

Data Mapping as a Service

I spoke with Dean Gonsowski, the chief revenue officer and chief marketing officer at ActiveNav, a data privacy and governance software provider. We discussed the challenges that ActiveNav is helping organizations overcome, its Data Mapping as a Service initiative, Zero Dark Data, and the relationship between information governance and privacy.

The Multilingual Lawyer: Jonathan Golub

The USLawEssentials Law & Language podcast celebrates its 20th episode with a fun (fund!) discussion with Jonathan Golub, partner in the Corporate Department at Wiggin & Dana, where he is also the Chair of the Fund Formation and Investment Management Practice Group.

Stephen Horowtiz talks to Jonathan about his experiences living in Japan and how Jonathan developed expertise in a fascinating, and highly sophisticated practice. Among other things, Jonathan shares frank advice about what it takes to excel as a lawyer, 

Oh, and of course there is a ‘Dad’ joke!

This episode includes important legal English vocabulary so stand by for our next course.

Meanwhile, we invite you to try the Jones v. Mississippi podcast course where you can see just some of the ways that the USLawEssentials Law & Language podcast will help you develop your legal English.

Manga: Literature & An Art Form ft. Danica Davidson

In this episode of the Krewe of Japan Podcast, Doug, Jennifer and Nigel dive into the world of manga. The Krewe provides an intro to manga for those unfamiliar with it, notable characteristics, and why you should consider reading it. In the second half of the episode, the Krewe sits down with Danica Davidson, author of 17 books and frequent manga writer for major publications, to discuss her career path, the manga industry, and things you might not have known about what goes into making manga!

This is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Design Adjacent: The strategy of design and beauty of storytelling

Abby Allen is the Founder of Neon Butterfly and as long as Abby can remember she has been fascinated with people and why they do what they do. In that vein she was drawn to the world of communications and has worked in advertising and marketing for over 15 years at some of the largest agencies across the country on brands like Twitter, Olay and Garnier. And just recently, she launched a new reimagine tomorrow project with Disney, reimaginetomorrow.disney.com, a platform amplifying underrepresented voices. In this episode of AIGA Design Adjacent, host Bennie Johnson talks with Abby about the strategy of design, the beauty of storytelling, and what it means to be authentic.

About Abby Allen

Through her company, Neon Butterfly—the only creative agency of its kind run by a woman of color—Abby offers brands, organizations, and individuals a unique understanding of cultural trends, human behavior, and consumer insights. The latest example is Reimagine Tomorrow, a visionary creative campaign and digital platform developed for Disney that launched in early September. The initiative amplifies underrepresented voices and champions the importance of accurate representation in media, helping Disney bring their commitment to DE&I to life in a meaningful way. Abby’s unique ability to understand people and why they do what they do is born from her experience as a biracial woman in America fused with 20 years working for and leading global brands like Olay, Twitter, and Garnier, at ad agencies like Saatchi & Saatchi, TBWA Chiat Day, and Publicis as well as thousands of hours of study in Tibetan Buddhism and yoga. Her mission is to revolutionize the impact of media on society and change the limiting beliefs we have about ourselves and others, helping organizations infuse their efforts with messaging and practices that promote a better world for us all. Not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s the smart thing to do. You can find her on IG @abbymallen and @_neonbutterfly

About AIGA Design Adjacent

AIGA Design Adjacent is a monthly podcast series with AIGA’s Executive Director, Bennie F. Johnson, in conversation with industry leaders who are innovating and designing the future. These conversations expand beyond the design community, encompassing industries and areas that intersect with design and shift the ways in which we think about and interact with each other and the world around us.

About Bennie F. Johnson

Bennie F. Johnson is the Executive Director of AIGA, the professional association for design. Bennie thrives on the connections between marketing, technology, education, and innovation. With experience in strategic and consumer marketing, brand management, and innovation management, he is drawn to opportunities that allow him to lead and create new modes for business engagement. He has broad experience growing brands, businesses, and organizations with a special focus on venture launch and brand relaunch business environments.

************By Makoto Shirai, secretary, Japan-Insights Research Institute (Non-profit organization in Tokyo)

Dear Friends,

Have you visited to museums in Shimane?

Let me introduce an essay from Japan-Insights archives.

The twenty-second one is on Portraits of Museums by Sophie Richard.

https://topics.japan-insights.jp/Public/pdf/japan-insights_jp/topics/JIN_Museums.pdf

Please share this expert’s experience!

Japan-Insights is a nonprofit open database compiled by leading experts in Japanese studies. The posts present a broad range of historical and contemporary topics that encourage visitors to engage with the real Japan through immersive experiences. Follow the Facebook page and website to learn about and share these insights from around the country!”

#japan #japaneseculture #museum

Date and time
Thurs, October 28, 2021
8:00 PM EDT
Online

About this event 

Cosplay, a portmanteau of “costume” and “play,” is the practice of dressing up as a fictional character, usually from an anime, film or video game. The practice has grown in popularity around the world and has even evolved into a profession in some cases. Nowadays, cosplay represents a significant facet of popular culture, and has grown to a level where the practice has even produced conventions and competitions globally. Cosplay continues to maintain and expand on its massive social media presence and other forms of media, attracting new fans daily.  

What are the appeals of replacing one’s identity with a fictional personality? What powers do the costumes give us? Why do communities around the world embrace this activity so much?  

Come join our panel discussion with four cosplay experts who study cosplay and have worked in the field both in the U.S. and in Japan: Edmund Hoff, Frenchy Lunning, Akiko Sugawa-Shimada and Diana Tolin. They will delve into the history of cosplay and how it spread globally, exploring the core essence and the power of cosplay through examining topics such as gender, identity and race.  

★ We will discuss based on your comments ★  

If you are a cosplayer, please give us your comments about what your biggest motivation for cosplaying is on the Eventbrite page when you register! We will structure our discussion based on your comments.  

Q&A:  

The discussion will be followed by a live Q&A. Now is your chance to ask the experts your questions about cosplay! Please ask your question when you register. Live commentary will also be enabled on the YouTube stream, so you can participate in the Q&A session live as well.  

This is a FREE event. Registrants will receive the link to the stream via email.  

We look forward to seeing you there! 

JETwit’s JET Alum Movers & Shakers is produced by Ryan Hata (Tottori-ken, 2014-2017), Margie Banin (Kochi-ken, 2005-2007), and Jim Walsh (Fukushima-ken, 2018-2020). Want to be featured next? Submit your information here.

Accomplishment: Publication of a novel based upon the Shimabara Rebellion

More Information: After returning to the U.S. with a wife and child, Michael spent fourteen years teaching Japanese at a high school in northwest New Jersey. In 2009, he was awarded the Japanese Teacher of the Year award by Seton Hall University. His recently published novel, Masaru, is based on events during the Shimabara Rebellion. Michael was inspired by this period of history during his years as an ALT in Kumamoto, particularly during a visit to nearby Amakusa where the actual events took place in the 17th century.

Public Information:
Email: bondjapan@yahoo.com
Website: https://masaru87.wordpress.com/
Book info: http://www.arxpub.com/literary/Masaru.html
Purchase the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Masaru-Michael-T-Cibenko/dp/1935228234/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=masaru+cibenko&qid=1633376653&sr=8-3

************By Makoto Shirai, secretary, Japan-Insights Research Institute (Non-profit organization in Tokyo)

Dear Friends,

Let me introduce a new video “Opening Mt. Oyama” produced by Alice Gordenker.

Please also enjoy her pass along her essay “Mt. Oyama Pilgrimage” on Japan-Insights.

https://topics.japan-insights.jp/Public/pdf/japan-insights_jp/topics/JIN_OyamaPilgrimage.pdf

Please share this expert’s experience!

Japan-Insights is a nonprofit open database compiled by leading experts in Japanese studies. The posts present a broad range of historical and contemporary topics that encourage visitors to engage with the real Japan through immersive experiences. Follow the Facebook page and website to learn about and share these insights from around the country!”

#japan #japaneseculture #Oyama

Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03) presents WIT Life, a periodic series about aspects of Japanese culture such as art, film, food and language. Stacy starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she offers some interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.

The Japanese LDP Presidential election will take place today (September 29th). The winner is expected to become the next prime minister following current PM Yoshihide Suga, leading the party in November’s general election. Here’s a run-down of the candidates, notable for being a lineup that is 50% women.

In other big news, Princess Mako of the royal family just welcomed home her fiancee, commoner Kei Komuro. When he was last in Japan over three years ago, he got engaged to Mako before coming to New York to attend Fordham Law School. They plan to marry and for Mako to return with him to New York, where he has been hired by a law firm. In renouncing her official title, she will be sacrificing almost $1.35 million in taxpayer money. Check out the Washington Post’s coverage of the palace intrigue captivating Japan (and the vitriol towards Komuro’s Covid ponytail)!

JETwit’s JET Alum Movers & Shakers is produced by Ryan Hata (Tottori-ken, 2014-2017), Margie Banin (Kochi-ken, 2005-2007), and Jim Walsh (Fukushima-ken, 2018-2020). Want to be featured next? Submit your information here.

Accomplishment: Published two novels set in Japan

More Information: Loren wrote her first book, a story about a teen’s introduction to the Harajuku street fashion scene, during her second JET year. Titled ‘Meet You By Hachiko,’ she found the research and writing process a great way to learn more about Japan as well as pass the time when her students were on holidays between terms. After returning home post-JET, she continued to blog and write about Japan on her off-time to stay connected with her experience abroad, and started on a second novel while working in the travel industry.

‘Meet You By Hachiko’ launched in February 2020, a month before travel ground to a halt. The pandemic presented Loren with an opportunity to return to creative writing and devote more time to publishing: she completed her long-shelved second book, ‘Edokko,’ the story of a Canadian exchange student’s year in rural Kyushu. Both titles are now available in paperback and eBook format worldwide, under the imprint HachiPress, where Loren hopes to reach young readers interested in Japan.

Even after being away from teaching for a decade, writing about student life has become a nostalgic touchstone, and the nods in her books to those “only-in-Japan” experiences can be appreciated by any former JET.

Public Information:
Website: http://www.lorengreene.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/authorlorengreene
HachiPress Bookshop: http://www.hachipress.ca
Amazon: http://zon.lorengreene.com

See: https://www.elginheinzaward.org/ for full details. 

Deadline: October 15, 2021

One of the 2020 winners was a JET alum!

Nominations for the Award are also welcome anytime via info@engageasia.org

Application Details are Below and Here: https://www.elginheinzaward.org/apply

Application Details

The Elgin Heinz Award recognizes exceptional teachers who further mutual understanding between Americans and Japanese. The 2021 award will focus on humanities teachers and consist of an award grant of up to $1,000.

2021 applications are due on October 15, 2021.

The award is named in honor of Elgin Heinz for his commitment to educating students about Asia as well as for the inspiration he has provided to the field of pre-college education.

See the most recent Award Ceremony HERE.

Eligibility Requirements

The award is open to current full-time K-12 classroom teachers of any relevant subject in the United States. There are two award categories, one in the humanities and one in Japanese language. The 2021 award will be awarded only in the Humanities category and the 2022 award will focus on Japanese Language.

Previous award recipients often have over 10 years of teaching experience and have been engaged in teaching their students about Japan for a substantial period of time.  Candidates must demonstrate sustained commitment to improving mutual understanding between Americans and Japanese, and must have made a significant contribution to enhancing students’ knowledge of Japan.

Applicants for the Japanese language category must have excellent command of the Japanese language and may be contacted by members of the selection committee to verify this.

Nomination Procedures

Applicants for the Elgin Heinz Outstanding Teacher Award are accepted in two ways:

1. Educators who meet the requirements are encouraged to apply on their own. A nomination is not required.
2. Nominations are also accepted, and we encourage those in the field to nominate educators whom they believe are deserving of this award.

Letters of Nomination should briefly highlight the qualifications of the candidate and must include his/her name, contact information, and indicate the school at which the candidate currently teaches.

EngageAsia, which is administering the award, will accept Letters of Nomination at any time and will inform candidates that they have been nominated for the Award. Those nominated must submit a full application as indicated below.

Nominators should keep in mind the deadline for applications is in September. Therefore, it is recommended that nominations be submitted by mid-July in order to provide potential candidates the time needed to compile their applications.

Letters of Nomination should be e-mailed to EngageAsia at: info@engageasia.org

Application Procedures & Deadlines for 2021
(Humanities category)

Applicants must submit the following documents by October 15, 2021 to be considered (please note: all materials must be submitted in one PDF document via e-mail to EngageAsia, the award administrator, at: info@engageasia.org):

1. Cover Sheet that includes the following information:

• Full name and home address
• School name and address
• E-mail and telephone contact information
• The subjects and grades you currently teach
• A list of Japan-related programs in which you have participated
• Names and contact information for those submitting letters of support

2. A narrative (not to exceed three (3) pages typed, double spaced) describing your efforts to further mutual understanding between Americans and Japanese through your classroom teaching. Please describe your classroom atmosphere and your approach to teaching about Japan and Japanese Language. Applicants should also highlight leadership positions held and detail how they have impacted other educators locally and/or nationally.

3. Three letters of support from individuals or organizations familiar with you and your teaching on Japan. A letter from a student explaining how your efforts affected his/her perceptions and understanding of Japan is permissible as a letter of support. One letter must come from the school’s principal or vice principal. Support letters can be sent under separate cover or included with all application materials.

4. A proposal not longer than three pages detailing how the candidate would utilize a grant of up to $1,000 (pending EngageAsia’s financial ability to offer a grant in 2021) to bolster Japanese language and/or Japan related endeavors in his or her classroom or at his or her school. The proposal must be specific and include a budget.

5. A professional resume
The application should be submitted in one PDF electronically to: info@engageasia.org

Deadline for 2021

Complete applications must be received by EngageAsia on or prior to October 15, 2021 to be considered for the 2021 award.

Review & Selection

A national selection committee administered by EngageAsia will review complete applications received by or on October 15, 2021. The selection committee consists of leaders in the field of education about Japan and Japanese language. The award winners will be announced in the winter of 2021.

JETwit’s JET Alum Movers & Shakers is produced by Ryan Hata (Tottori-ken, 2014-2017), Margie Banin (Kochi-ken, 2005-2007), and Jim Walsh (Fukushima-ken, 2018-2020). Want to be featured next? Submit your information here.

Accomplishment: New website and customized online Japanese courses

More Information: Aarti Barve is the founder of https://hajimemashite.com/, a platform for customized online Japanese courses. With an experience of 17yrs + including, teaching at the University of Mumbai, Aarti prepares students for JLPT exams. She has designed a special fee structure for the JET alumni. JET alumni can use the HAJIME 21 code to avail a discount of 20% in fees. You can reach out on either email ids to know the detailed fee structure.

Public Information:
Website: https://hajimemashite.com/
Email: aarti.barve@hajimemashite.com; info@hajimemashite.com

************By Makoto Shirai, secretary, Japan-Insights Research Institute (Non-profit organization in Tokyo)

Dear Friends,

Have you enjoyed an ancient Japanese theater “Kagura”?

Let me introduce an essay from Japan-Insights archives.

The twenty-first one is on Kagura: Theater of Tradition Amid Innovation by Dr. Dieter Georg Adlmaier-Herbst.

https://topics.japan-insights.jp/Public/pdf/japan-insights_jp/topics/JIN_Kagura.pdf

Please share this expert’s experience!

Japan-Insights is a nonprofit open database compiled by leading experts in Japanese studies. The posts present a broad range of historical and contemporary topics that encourage visitors to engage with the real Japan through immersive experiences. Follow the Facebook page and website to learn about and share these insights from around the country!”

#japan #japaneseculture #izumo

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Research Analyst, Open Innovation Group
Posted by: Intralink
Location: Ideally, California (but remote locations possible)
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to JET alumnus, Alan Mockridge (Iwate-ken, 1992-1994) for passing along the following job opening with his organization:

Intralink is an international market expansion and corporate innovation consultancy with clients in Europe, America and East Asia. We have multiple former JETs working on our team. To support our innovation consulting work for Japanese clients as well as our group marketing activities, we are seeking a full-time Research Analyst in our Open Innovation Group.

You will work alongside project teams tasked with delivering projects for these clients, and with our sales and marketing team to support a variety of promotional activities, including:

Read More

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: ESL Teacher
Posted by: Eszette Business Language Services
Location: Washington D.C., USA
Contract: Part-Time

Thanks to JET alumna, Tia Braham (Nara-ken, 2014-2017) for passing along the following job opening with her company:

Eszett  Business Language Services is a language school that operates in about 60 countries teaching languages and providing other related services.

Our teachers work as freelancers for us and when we have a suitable program we contact you with the details and if interested, you would let us know your availability.

The program we have in Washington currently is outlined below:

Read More

************By Makoto Shirai, secretary, Japan-Insights Research Institute (Non-profit organization in Tokyo)

Dear Friends,

Have you heard the sound of God?

Let me introduce an essay from the Japan-Insights archives.

The twentieth one is on KAMINONE: Sound of God by Mr. Hino Tatsuo.

https://doc.japan-insights.jp/pdf/JIN_TOPIC_20200418214215.pdf

Please share this expert’s experience!

Japan-Insights is a nonprofit open database compiled by leading experts in Japanese studies. The posts present a broad range of historical and contemporary topics that encourage visitors to engage with the real Japan through immersive experiences. Follow the Facebook page and website to learn about and share these insights from around the country!”

#japan #japaneseculture #izumo

Congratulations to JET alumnus, Dr. Dan Tinianow (AET, 1987-1988) who was named Faculty of the Month at the University of Arizona Global Campus! Read the full article here.