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WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.

This weekend’s NYT featured two interesting Japan articles in the magazine and Sunday Styles section.  The former features the country’s living cultural treasure novelist Haruki Murakami, whom the article’s author spends time with in Tokyo to dissect his newest book 1Q84 as well as his older works.

The latter article discusses the popularity of 八重歯 (yaeba), or double teeth that look that fangs (aka “snaggleteeth”).  Apparently this fashion calls not for perfect smiles, but unstraight teeth.  Women are asking dentists to affix plastic fronts to their real teeth to create artificial yaeba, as shown here in the picture.

Upon asking two young Japanese women who were visiting the city about yaeba, they said it was the first they had heard of it.  I’ll see what further informal surveys reveal about whether this is a real trend, or just something being sensationalized by the media.

 

 

Suzanne Kamata (Tokushima 1988-90),  Publicity Assistant for SCBWI-Tokyo shares this:

Agent Day with Mary Kole, October 29
Time:   　　         Saturday October 29, 2011

Place:                             Yokohama International School, Middle Building, Cafeteria

For access information and maps visit www.yis.ac.jp

Fee:         

5,000 yen SCBWI members

8,000 yen nonmembers

Reservations Required:
To register visit www.scbwi.jp

This event will be in English. 

 

Saturday, October 29, 2011

10:00-10:30
Registration, Announcements and Opening Remarks

10:30-12:00
Three Things That Separate Aspiring Writers
from Published Authors

This presentation will offer an overview of the children’s book market as it stands today and a discussion of three vital things
that writers must add to their craft portfolio before they can write their breakout book.

Lunch
Break
Lunch will not be served. Please bring lunch or join other writers and illustrators at nearby cafés.

1:30-2:30
Slush Pile Secrets: How to Catch an Agent’s
Eye With Your Query

Queries intimidate a lot of writers, but it’s easy to get to the top of a slush pile if you write a great one. This talk
will feature query examples from the audience, go over common mistakes, and show you how to write a successful letter. (See below for details.)

3:00-4:00
First Pages Open Critiques

Writers and author/illustrators are invited to submit the beginning of a manuscript to be read and commented on by Mary Kole. Novels: up
to 150 words. Picture books: up to 100 words/first three spreads for a dummy.
(See below for details.)

4:15-5:00
Final Q&A

Participants will have a chance to ask any remaining questions.

 

First
Pages and Queries First Pages and Queries will be discussed in
open sessions listed above. To send First Pages and Queries, reserve early. First
Pages and Queries must be received by October 1.

 

Mary  Kole is an associate agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. She came to literature from a writer’s perspective and started reading at ABLA to see what it was like “on the other side of the desk.” She quickly found her passion there and officially joined the agency in August 2009. She has also worked at Chronicle Books and earned her MFA in Creative Writing at the University of San Francisco. Mary represents picture books from authors and author/illustrators, and both middle-grade and young adult novels. She prefers upmarket premises with literary spark and commercial appeal and operates the Andrea Brown East office from Brooklyn, NY. Visit the Andrea Brown agency website at www.andreabrownlit.com and visit Kole’s own website http://kidlit.com

Accommodation
Hotels
convenient to Yokohama International School include Star Hotel, Hotel Monterey
Yokohama, Hotel New Grand, and Washington Hotel Sakuragicho.

 

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

Emily Lemmon, (Hyogo-ken, Shiso-shi, 2009-present), PSG volunteer, organizer of Hyogo-ken’s PEPY Ride, student of Shorinji Kempo, and editor of the Hyogo Times, gives a little taste of what JETs are doing around Japan.  To submit items for future JET Prefecture Round-up posts, e-mail Emily at jetinfogather [at] gmail.com.

 

Events by Region

Tohoku Region

Akita

• The Akita Halloween Dance Party will be October 29th!

Fukushima

•  Halloween SHINE is October 22nd in Aizu Wakamatsu City.
• The 2011 International Festival Aizu is October 29th!
• Fukushima ALTs are doing a Home Visit Program in Aizu on November 5th.

 

Kantou Region

Chiba

• Chiba JETs are prepping for the Tokyo Yamathon 2011.

 

Chubu Region

Shizuoka

• Shizuoka JETs are attending TWI’s Halloween Party on October 28th.
• Shizuoka JETs are invited to the 2011 Halloween Party on October 30th.

Nagano

• October 22nd is the Pasta and Poker night in Komagane, Nagano!
• October 23rd is the International Picnic at Alps Park in Matsumoto.
• Nagano NagaYes presents The Ninja Games on November 12th in Togakushi!
• Nagano JETs are invited to enjoy a Taiko (Japanese drums) workshop for beginners, a visit to a rare bonsai garden and a tea ceremony on November 12th in Okaya City.
• November 26th is the Nagano AJET Thanksgiving Dinner and Charity Auction in Ina!
• The National JET Christian Fellowship held its Fall Retreat on October 7th-10th in Nagano-ken.

Kansai Region

Nara

• The Nara AJET Halloween Party will be at the Wormwood Café on October 29th.

Hyogo

• Himeji Haunted Halloween Party is October 28th!
• The Tajima Halloween Party will be October 29th in Yabu.
• Hyogonians get their “JETs on Jitenshas” on in the Fall PEPY Ride in Himeji November 19th.
• Hyogo will host the Awaji ALT Football Tournament on Awajishima Friday 18th – Sunday 20th November.
• A Very Shiso Thanksgiving will be held in Shiso on November 26th.

Osaka

•  Block 6 & 7 Amemura Spook-tacular Halloween Party is presented by Osaka AJET in Shinsaibashi on October 29th.
• RISE – an Art and Music Charity Event for the Tohoku Earthquake will be November 13th and 14th in Shinsaibashi.

 

Chugoku Region

Tottori

• Tottori JETs go on the Mt. Mitoku Walk in Matsuzaki on October 23rd.

Shikoku Region

• Shikoku Field Day will be held in Shikoku Saburo no Sato, in Mima City, Tokushima on November 26th and 27th.

Ehime

• October 23rd is the Matsuyama Orphanage Visit.
• Ehime JETs are climbing Mt. Ishizuchi on November 5th!
• November 12th is the Ehime AJET Dinner in Matsuyama.

Kochi

• Kochi JETs are getting artsy at Mouth to Mouth: a meeting of makings on October 23rd in Kochi City.
• Kochi-JETs are helping with Halloween Party in an abandoned school building on October 28th.
• There is a Chorus and Gospel Concert October 28th and 29th in Kochi City, and JETs are invited both to enjoy it, or take part in workshops.
• There will be a Halloween party for kids at Kochi Misono Tenshien at midday on October 29th, and JETs will be helping out!
• The Hirome Halloween Party is October 29th in Hirome.
• The Third Board Game Night will be November 12th-13th in Yusuhara.
• Kochi JETs are invited to Tea Ceremony on November 23rd in Takajo-machi.

 

Kyushu Region

•  The 1st Annual “Together Alone” Fall Bike Trip will pass through Oita, Miyazaki, and Kumamoto prefectures October 22nd and 23rd. The group is going to bike from Taketa down to Mt. Aso, then stay at a beautiful campground/log cabin place in Kumamoto prefecture. On the second day they’ll bike to Takachiho and then back to Taketa.

Oita

• October 22nd, Oita International Plaza hosts its monthly Japanese Conversation Circle!
• The Annual Oita AJET Sumo Trip is coming up on Saturday, November 26th!

Kumamoto

•  The Tamana Halloween Party will be October 29th in Nankan, Tamana-gun!

Miyazaki

• There will be a Halloween party in Miyakonojo on October 29th at Dreci!

Kagoshima

• The Ibusuki Onsen Festival is October 22nd to 23rd!
• Dragonboat Halloween is October 29th in Nejime.
• Kagoshima JETs are dancing in the Ohara Matsuri on November 3rd.

Andrew McCarthy (Akita-ken, 2005-08) is a recent law school graduate who currently runs the blog JETs with J.D.s, an information source for current JET alumni law students and prospective law students for career paths and approaches within the current legal market. Coincidentally, if you are a current or prospective law student looking to contribute a little to your fellow JET community by blogging a bit, Andrew would be interested in hearing from you!

As the legal market continues to languish in the perfect storm of post-financial crisis lay-offs, globalization shifting entry-level legal work to places like India, and heat is slowly (perhaps too slowly) being applied to the legal education system to affect substantive change: law school administrations and law students alike are looking to “Alternative Careers” to be their safe harbor after graduation.

But what are the alternative career options for the J.D.?

In this entry, I give you my two yen on the subject, and hook you up with the most recent commentary out there, letting you decide for yourself.

The entry, in full, is available here.

 

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

Emily Lemmon, (Hyogo-ken, Shiso-shi, 2009-present), PSG volunteer, organizer of Hyogo-ken’s PEPY Ride, student of Shorinji Kempo, and editor of the Hyogo Times, gives a little taste of what JETs are doing around Japan.  To submit items for future JET Prefecture Round-up posts, e-mail Emily at jetinfogather [at] gmail.com.

 

Events by Region

 Hokkaido

• Hokkaido JETs are going to Hike Mount Rausu on October 1st!

 

Tohoku Region

Iwate

• Iwate AJET will be climbing Mt. Iwate on October 8th on the Umagaeshi trail.

Yamagata

• Connect 2011 is happening October 8th-10th at Kurosawa in Oguni, Yamagata.

Fukushima

•  Halloween SHINE is October 22nd in Aizu Wakamatsu City.
• The 2011 International Festival Aizu is October 29th!
• Fukushima ALTs are doing a Home Visit Program in Aizu on November 5th.

 

Kantou Region

Chiba

• Chiba AJET Baseball Game trip goes to see the Chiba Marines on October 1st.
• Chiba JETs go Camping in Otaki October 8th-9th!
• Chiba JETs are prepping for the Tokyo Yamathon 2011.

Gunma

• Gunma JETs join the football tourney in Nagano on October 1st.

 

Chubu Region

Shizuoka

• Shizuoka JETs go to Costume Karaoke on October 1st!
• Shizuoka AJET makes an excursion to Fuji-Q Highland on October 15th.
• Shizuoka JETs are invited to the 2011 Halloween Party on October 30th.

Nagano

• Cricket Game: Nagano vs. Hakuba, October 19th.
• October 16th, the Ina English Guide Club will present Zazen Meditation.

Toyama

• Toyama JETs are going on a Kyoto Trip, October 7th-10th.
• Toyama AJET is holding a Cheesecake Bakeoff on Sunday, October 16th, in Nanto city.

 

Kansai Region

Kyoto

• Kyoto AJET takes part in the Mikoshi Challenge, October 9th.

Nara

• The Nara AJET Halloween Party will be at the Wormwood Café on October 29th.

Hyogo

• Hyogo JETs Rant and Rave at the Lock Up in Kobe, September 30th.
• There will be an art event (dance, music, theater, visual arts, performance art, sculpture, installation, etc.) in the Fukuchiyama abandoned train tunnel on October 1st.
• Akashi Disc Summit, featuring Beach Ultimate, will be October 2nd at Okura Beach in Akashi.
• Hyogo JETs go rafting and canyoning in Shikoku, October 9th and 10th.
• The Tajima Halloween Party will be October 29th in Yabu.

Osaka

• Language Exchange Meetup is October 1st in Namba.
• Osaka AJET will have its fourth meeting on October 12th.

Wakayama

• Lots of Wakayama JETs are attending a birthday dinner party on October 1st.
• Wakayama JETs are going camping on Friend Island, October 15th.

 

Shikoku Region

• Shikoku Field Day will be held in Shikoku Saburo no Sato, in Mima City, Tokushima on November 26th and 27th.

Ehime

• October 1st-2nd is the Niihama Welcome Party, held on the beach in Niihama.
• There will be a drifting event at Setonaikai Circuit in Saijo on October 9th, complete with a Pro D1 Grand Prix driver (Takashi Haruyama) who’s coming out to help judge the competitions!
• October 15th Ehime JETs will climb Mt. Ishizuchi, tallest mountain on Shikoku.
• Ehime JETs assist with the Yoshida International Association’s Halloween party for the local elementary and junior high school students on October 15th.
• October 23rd is the Matsuyama Orphanage Visit.
• November 12th is the Ehime AJET Dinner in Matsuyama.

Kochi

• Kochi JETs will make an excursion to Nahari Hotel Beer Garden on Friday 30th September.
• October 8th-10th is Surf Camp in Kuroshio-cho for Kochi JETs.
• Kochi JETs are getting artsy at Mouth to Mouth: a meeting of makings on October 23rd in Kochi City.
• Kochi-JETs are helping with Halloween Party in an abandoned school building on October 28th.

 

Kyushu Region

Oita

• The Notsu City’s annual Halloween Party will be October 8th, and Oita JETs are helping out!
• The Annual Oita AJET Sumo Trip is coming up on Saturday, November 26th!

Kumamoto

• KumAJET and DiscSports Japan present Ichi Kyuu Bee on October 1st, featuring 4 ALT Teams (Saga, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kumamoto) and 9 Japanese Teams (Shakaijin and college students from all over Kyushu).
• Kumamoto JETs will be rafting down the Kuma River on Saturday, 15th October with LandEarth.

Nagasaki

• On 1st October, Nagasaki JETs will take a walk through Hasami. The attractions include tiered rice fields, crazy scarecrows, pottery, and pretty temples.

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

Emily Lemmon, (Hyogo-ken, Shiso-shi, 2009-present), PSG volunteer, organizer of Hyogo-ken’s PEPY Ride, student of Shorinji Kempo, and editor of the Hyogo Times, gives a little taste of what JETs are doing around Japan.  To submit items for future JET Prefecture Round-up posts, e-mail Emily at jetinfogather [at] gmail.com.

 

Events by Region

 

Tohoku Region

Aomori

• Aomori AJET Welcome Party was September 10th at Shichinohe Campground.

Iwate

• Iwate AJET will be climbing Mt. Iwate on October 8th on the Umagaeshi trail.

Miyagi

• MAJET Bandai Trip is September 17th-19th , a camping adventure at Mount Bandai in Northwest Fukushima.

Yamagata

• Connect 2011 is happening October 8th-10th at Kurosawa in Oguni, Yamagata.

Fukushima

• The Aizu Festival 2011 is September 22nd-24th in Aizu Wakamatsu City.
•  Halloween SHINE is October 22nd in Aizu Wakamatsu City.
• The 2011 International Festival Aizu is October 29th!
• Fukushima ALTs are doing a Home Visit Program in Aizu on November 5th.
• Fukushima JETs attended Volunteer Day at a Children’s Home on September 3rd at Iris Gakuen in Fukushima City.

 

Kantou Region

Chiba

• Chiba AJET Baseball Game trip goes to see the Chiba Marines on October 1st.
• Chiba JETs are prepping for the Tokyo Yamathon 2011.

 

Gunma

• Gunma JETs join the football tourney in Nagano on October 1st.

 

Chubu Region

Shizuoka

• Shizuoka JETs go to Costume Karaoke on October 1st!
• Shizuoka AJET makes an excursion to Fuji-Q Highland on October 15th.

Nagano

• Cricket Game: Nagano vs. Hakuba, October 19th.
• October 16th, the Ina English Guide Club will present Zazen Meditation.

Toyama

• Toyama AJET is holding a Cheesecake Bakeoff on Sunday, October 16th, in Nanto city.

 

Kansai Region

Over the weekend of September 2nd,  Typhoon Talas crossed through Japan, dumping massive amounts of rain especially on the prefectures of Wakayama, Nara, and Mie. There are volunteer opportunities available to JETs in and around the Kansai area to help the victims of this typhoon.

Kyoto

• Kyoto AJET takes part in the Mikoshi Challenge, October 9th.

Nara

• The Nara AJET Halloween Party will be at the Wormwood Café on October 29th.

 

Hyogo

• Hyogo AJET leads a hike through the Fukuchiyama abandoned railroad on September 24th in the Takarazuka area.
• Hyogo JETs Rant and Rave at the Lock Up in Kobe, September 30th.
• There will be an art event (dance, music, theater, visual arts, performance art, sculpture, installation, etc.) in the Fukuchiyama abandoned train tunnel on October 1st.
• Hyogo JETs go rafting and canyoning in Shikoku, October 9th and 10th.

 

Osaka

• Osaka Smile Kids Japan group makes its next visit on September 25th.

Wakayama

• Wakayama JETs are going camping on Friend Island, October 15th.

 

Chugoku Region

Okayama

• Bound in Japan comes to Okayama! Workshops will be in Okayama City on September 17th and 18th, in Maniwa September 24th, and in Tsuyama September 25th.

Tottori

• Beerfest Daisen 2011 will take place at Mt. Daisen in Tottori, September 23rd, featuring craft brews.

 

Shikoku Region

• Shikoku Field Day will be held in Shikoku Saburo no Sato, in Mima City, Tokushima on November 5th.

 

Ehime

• October 1st-2nd is the Niihama Welcome Party, held on the beach in Niihama.
• October 15th Ehime JETs will climb Mt. Ishizuchi, tallest mountain on Shikoku.
• October 22nd is the Matsuyama Orphanage Visit.
• November 12th is the Ehime AJET Dinner in Matsuyama.

Kochi

• Beer, Sake, Baseball, and BBQ will be September 17th at Hagi Park.
• Kochi JETs will make an excursion to Nahari Hotel Beer Garden on Friday 30th September.
• October 8th-10th is Surf Camp in Kuroshio-cho for Kochi JETs.
• Kochi-JETs are helping with Halloween Party in an abandoned school building on October 28th.

 

Kyushu Region

Oita

• The Annual Oita AJET Sumo Trip is coming up on Saturday, November 26th!

 

 

Kumamoto

• The Amakusa Waterwheel event is September 23rd in Amakusa, Kumamoto!
• Kumamoto JETs are helping out with the 5th annual Nagasu Ferry Event on September 25th, Sunday!
• KumAJET and DiscSports Japan present Ichi Kyuu Bee on October 1st, featuring 4 ALT Teams (Saga, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kumamoto) and 9 Japanese Teams (Shakaijin and college students from all over Kyushu).
• Kumamoto JETs will be rafting down the Kuma River on Saturday, 15th October with LandEarth.

Nagasaki

• JETs are invited to the O’hana Cafe’s 8th Anniversary Party on September 16th.
• On 23rd September, JETs will check out the wild boar races in Kawatana.
• On 1st October, Nagasaki JETs will take a walk through Hasami. The attractions include tiered rice fields, crazy scarecrows, pottery, and pretty temples.

Thanks to invaluable help from AJET Webmaster Kevin Mitchell, JETwit is back up and should be running smoothly now.

Apologies for any confusion or inconvenience.

–Steven

Apologies if you’ve had trouble accessing the site recently.  My site hosting provider (SiteGround) has been having some technical issues that I’m trying to get resolved.

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

Emily Lemmon, (Hyogo-ken, Shiso-shi, 2009-present), PSG volunteer, organizer of Hyogo-ken’s PEPY Ride, student of Shorinji Kempo, and editor of the Hyogo Times, gives a little taste of what JETs are doing around Japan.  To submit items for future JET Prefecture Round-up posts, e-mail Emily at jetinfogather [at] gmail.com.

 

Events by Region

Hokkaido

• The HAJET Eastern Welcome Party will be September 3rd-4th at Saroma Sougou Park.
• The HAJET Northern Welcome Party will be September 10th-11th.
• The HAJET Southwest Welcome Party was August 27th-28th in Shiraoi.
• The HAJET Central Hokkaido Welcome Party was August 20th-21st at Lake Shikotsu. (facebook event)
• The HAJET Sapporo area Welcome Party was August 13th in Sapporo City.

 

Tohoku Region

Akita

• Akita JET Welcome Party is September 3rd-4th in Yuri Honjo.

Iwate

• Iwate AJET will be climbing Mt. Iwate on October 8th on the Umagaeshi trail.

Miyagi

• MAJET Bandai Trip is September 17th-19th , a camping adventure at Mount Bandai in Northwest Fukushima.

 

Kantou Region

Chiba

• Chiba AJET Welcome Dinner was August 26th at the Pirate’s Kitchen.

Gunma

• Poker Night in Minakami, September 4th!
• GAJET Canyons trip, September 10th-11th in Minakami.
• Gunma JETs join the football tourney in Nagano on October 1st.

 

Chubu Region

Shizuoka

• Surfing lessons and beach party at Shizunami Beach, September 10th.
• Shizuoka AJET makes an excursion to Fuji-Q Highland on October 15th.
• Shizuoka AJET conducted a Mt. Fuji climb on August 27th.

Nagano

• September 4th will be the first meeting (Alice in Wonderland) of the Nagano Book Club.
• Matsumoto Conference AfterParty will be September 30th.
• Nagano JETs are going camping October 8th-10th in Kamikouchi.

Toyama

• Charity Auction Buffet is September 10th at the Peace Street Kitchen.

 

Kansai Region

Wakayama

• JETs continue their exploration (this time from Kobiro-oji to Hosshinmon-oji) of the Kumano Kodo, or Path of Prayer, on September 11th.

Nara

• The Marty Party will be postponed until the 17th of September.
• Ultimate Nara JETs area gearing up for the Akashi Ultimate Frisbee Beach Tournament, taking place on October 2nd in Kobe.
• Nara JETs will make a trip to Hiroshima‘s Sake Festival, October 7th-10th.

Hyogo

• Moon Party is September 11th in Kobe.
• Hyogo JETs are going rafting in Shikoku on October 9th and 10th.

Osaka

• Osaka JETs Welcome Event (part one) will be September 10th. Part two will be later that evening.
• Osaka Smile Kids Japan group makes its next visit on September 25th.

 

Chugoku Region

Okayama

• Bound in Japan comes to Okayama! Workshops will be in Okayama City on September 17th and 18th, in Maniwa September 24th, and in Tsuyama September 25th.

Tottori

• Beerfest Daisen 2011 will take place at Mt. Daisen in Tottori, featuring craft brews.

 

Shikoku Region

Ehime

• October 1st-2nd is the Niihama Welcome Party, held on the beach in Niihama.
• October 15th Ehime JETs will climb Mt. Ishizuchi, tallest mountain on Shikoku.
• October 22nd is the Matsuyama Orphanage Visit.
• November 12th is the Ehime AJET Dinner in Matsuyama.

Kochi

• Beer, Sake, Baseball, and BBQ will be September 17th at Hagi Park.
• Kochi JETs will make an excursion to Nahari Hotel Beer Garden on Friday 30th September.
• October 8th-10th is Surf Camp in Kuroshio-cho for Kochi JETs.
• Kochi-JETs are helping with Halloween Party in an abandoned school building on October 28th.

 

Kyushu Region

Kumamoto

• The AJET beach party will be happening on Saturday, September 3rd at Otachimisaki Koen Beach in Ashikita.

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

Emily Lemmon, (Hyogo-ken, Shiso-shi, 2009-present), PSG volunteer, organizer of Hyogo-ken’s PEPY Ride, student of Shorinji Kempo, and editor of the Hyogo Times, gives a little taste of what JETs are doing around Japan.  To submit items for future JET Prefecture Round-up posts, e-mail Emily at jetinfogather [at] gmail.com.

 

Events by Region

Tohoku Region

Aomori

• The 2011 Everest of Apples Aomori Scavenger Hunt will take place on September 10th; participants explore Aomori-ken while getting to know each other and supporting education in Cambodia and Nepal.
• Aomori’s Welcome Party will be right after the Scavenger Hunt on September 10th.

 

Chubu Region

Nagano

• Summer Splash is September 3rd!
• Nagano will host the all-Japan JET soccer tournament on October 1st and 2nd at Sugadaira Sania Park.
• Nagano’s AJET Camping Trip will be October 8th-10th in Kamikouchi.
• Saku Welcome Shindig was August 20th.

Kansai Region

Wakayama

• JETs continue their exploration (this time from Kobiro-oji to Hosshinmon-oji) of the Kumano Kodo, or Path of Prayer, on September 11th.

Nara

• Nara JETs return to Takatori Thursdays on August 25th with a Mexican theme.
• Nara’s Orientation Beer Garden is August 28th.

Hyogo

• Smile Kids Japan is attending Matsuri at a local Kobe orphanage on August 26th.
• Shiso JETs host the Shiso International Picnic in Yume Koen on September 4th.
• Tajima Board Game night is September 10th in Takeno.
• JETs will gather for the Hanshin Tigers game at Koshien stadium on October 1st.

Osaka

• Osaka Smile Kids Japan group makes its first orphanage visit of the JET year on September 10th.

 

Chugoku Region

Okayama

• Bound in Japan comes to Okayama! Workshops will be in Maniwa City on September 3rd and 4th, in Tsuyama on the 10th and 11th, and in Okayama City on the 17th and 18th.

 

Shikoku Region

Ehime

• There is a welcome party in Ainan on September 3rd, preceding the Mud Soccer Tournament.
• This year’s  Mud Soccer Tournament (and Mud Festival) will be on Sunday in Ainan, Ehime.

Kochi

• Group Birthday Party in Sakawa on August 26th, with a rooftop BBQ.
• SGG international music and cooking event is September 4th.
• The Harimaya Bashis are pleased to announce the Fall 2011 Frisbee Camp in Noichi. It will be held from 11am on September 10th until 3pm the following day.
• Kochi JETs may attend the presentation of kabuki on November 5th in Sukomo.

 

Kyushu Region

Nagasaki

• The Orientation After Party will be held Friday, August 26th at 9 PM at Motion in Nagasaki City.
• On Saturday August 27th, 11am, there will be an informal open Nagazasshi meeting at the mall next to Dejima Wharf.

Kumamoto

• The AJET beach party will be happening on Saturday, September 3rd at Otachimisaki Koen Beach in Ashikita.

Posted by Andrew McCarthy (Akita-ken, 2005-08). He currently runs the blog JETs with J.D.s, an information source for current JET alumni law students and prospective law students for career paths and approaches within the current legal market.

Two years ago, in search for what to do after law school, I was fortunate to come into contact with Jetwit.com founder Steven Horowitz (himself a “JET with a J.D.”), and that conversation spurred me to create this blog. In that time, this blog has attempted to compartmentalize answers to the questions I had as a JET alum in law school, and tried to offer reasonable guidance about finding a direction for life after law school.

After many years of searching, networking, and reaching out to JET alums turned “Legal Eagles,” I can happily say my ship has come in. Soon, I am setting off to begin a newer, brighter chapter to my life. But, before I go, I have a little something to ask.

If you are a JET in law school (or a JET just about to begin law school; or hell, if you’re at the LSAT stage), and you’d like one more thing to add to your plate: JETs with J.D.s could use your help.

Read my request in full here.

JET alum and film director Aaron Woolfolk’s (Kochi-ken, 1991-93) acclaimed film The Harimaya Bridge is now available via video on demand.  Read below to see how the JET alum community can help.

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

Acclaimed feature film The Harimaya Bridge is now available to watch via video on demand (VOD) on most cable and satellite systems. The film can now be seen in more than 100 million households in the U.S. and Canada. If you didn’t see it in theaters, it’s just a click away in the comfort of your homes.

Please watch, and please help spread the word. Thank you very much!

Thanks to JET alum Scott Dixon, a reporter at Kyodo News, for passing this along.  Incidentally, Scott mentioned that he actually found his current job thanks to JETwit.

Note:  If you found your job via JETwit, send an email to jetwit [at] jetwit.com to let me know.  This kind of info can be really helpful, and I have no other way of tracking whether JETwit is helping except for when people reach out and tell me.  Yoroshiku!

• DESCRIPTION

Kyodo News America, Inc. is currently seeking an assistant sports correspondent for its New York bureau. Applicant should have knowledge about sports, sports rules, sports regulations, sports history and a basic familiarity with players’ backgrounds. Knowledge of Japanese players, especially baseball, is highly desired. Read More

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Emily Lemmon, (Hyogo-ken, Shiso-shi, 2009-present), PSG volunteer, organizer of Hyogo-ken’s PEPY Ride, student of Shorinji Kempo, and editor of the Hyogo Times, gives a little taste of what JETs are doing around Japan.  To submit items for future JET Prefecture Round-up posts, e-mail Emily at jetinfogather [at] gmail.com.

 

Newly brought to my attention is the website ToBetterUs, put together by a former Miyazaki JET to assist with earthquake/tsunami relief. The website seeks to generate money through website ad revenue; instead of money, contributors are asked to donate their art. Here they are on facebook and twitter!

 

Events by Region

Tohoku Region

Aomori

• Summer seminar for English teachers in Kamikita District was held July 29, at the Misawa International Center.
• Aomori’s Welcome Party will be September 10th.

Chubu Region

Nagano

• The Nagano JET Welcome party will be held at Winds, Friday 12th August after the Nagano JET Orientation.
• Nagano JET groups will attend the Lake Suwa Fireworks display.
• There will be a Japanese cooking class for foreigners (chicken teriyaki and chocolate mousse) on September 4th in Okaya City.

Toyama

• Toyama Beer Garden on August 13th.
• JETs will Hike Mount Fuji August 20th and 21st!
• Toyama JETs are attending lots of matsuri this month.

 

Kansai Region

Wakayama

• JETs host a cooking class and supermarket tour for their newcomers.

Nara

• Goon BBQ is Saturday, August 20 in the southern countryside of Nara, and features swimming in the Yoshino River, and grilling in the shade.
• Nara’s next Smile Kids Japan visit will be Saturday, August 27.
• Group C Welcome and Pre-orientation Beer Garden will be Sunday, August 28 at Niko Hotel Beer Garden.
• Nara JETs’ Group A Welcome Dinner was  Saturday, July 30th.
• Marty Party 4 / Nash Bash 1 / Nara JET Welcome Party will be September 3rd – 4th in Tenkawa.

Hyogo

• Hyogo’s Welcome Party will be August 20th in Kobe.

 

Shikoku Region

Ehime

• Ehime JETs will continue the tradition of the annual book exchange at this year’s orientation.
• There will be trivia night on Friday the 12th of August in Matsuyama.
• Enkai for the Ehime Orientation wll be at the Takashimaya Beer Garden on Thursday the 11th of August.
• This year’s Ainan Mud Soccer Tournament will be on Sunday, September 4th at Sasayama Elementary School in Ainan, Ehime.

Kochi

• Some JET volunteers will assist with “Green Market,” a flea market / farmers’ market that aims to promote Kochi’s local producers and businesses on August 20th in Kagami Village.

 

Kyushu Region

Fukuoka

• The Fukuoka Day Out will be October 15 and will include Fukuoka Softbank Hawks Baseball Game v. Seibu Lions, Asahi Beer Garden Dinner, and Night Out at Clubs along Tenjin’s Oyafuko-dori Strip! This event is for Fukuoka, Oita, Saga, and Nagasaki!

Oita

• The Oita JET Welcome Party is August 19th at the Forus Beer Garden in Oita City.
• On Saturday August 20th, the Oita International Plaza will be holding its monthly Japanese Conversation Circle.

Kumamoto

• KumAJET will be hiking the lovely Mt. Aso on August 27th!
• Ichi Kyu Bee will be held in Kumamoto on October 1st as the first Co-ed ALT-hosted Ultimate Frisbee tournament in Kyushu!

Miyazaki

• Welcome Dinner for New JETs will be August 19th at Cafe de Nature in Miyazaki.
• Some JETs will join NPO Miyazaki as they return to volunteer in Ishinomaki in August, September 5, and October 20.
• Miyazaki CIR Tiffany is on the planning committee this year’s Nobeoka, a famous outdoor Noh play, held in the spectacular setting of the city’s castle ruins on October 8th.

Kagoshima

• KAJET Welcome Dinner will be Monday, August 22nd at the Porto Casa outdoor beer garden at Dolphin Port.
• Kagoshima’s JET Day Out was August 6th, and new JETs got a whole day of information and fun!

The summer issues are out! Check out the latest from JET publications around the country!

 

• Kyoto‘s Ganbatte Times
  • How Out in the Inaka Are You?
  • Smile Kids Japan in Kyoto

• Nagasaki‘s Nagazasshi
  • Summer Issue available now!

• Hyogo‘s Hyogo Times

• • School Days With a Pig
  • Alfresco Dining in Kobe

• Hiroshima‘s Wide Island View
  • Graffity Mexican-American Restaurant
  • Yoshimizu Garden: A Festival for Frogs

• Nagano‘s Yomoyama
  • Summer Issue (Natsukashii) is out now!