Check out this documentary made by journalist (and former JET !) David Caprara! He moved from NYC back to the village in Nara where he taught as a JET from 2012 to 2014 and heard that there was a plane crash there during WWII. He did some research and discovered that the crash took place on the Buddhist holy mountain of Mt. Omine, visible from his backyard. In this documentary, NHK World shows about the journey of uncovering what happened and the quest to meet eyewitnesses in Japan and bereaved family members in the USA 76 years after the war. 

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/special/episode/202112120910/

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

Dear Friends,

Are you interested in Storytelling in Tohoku, Japan?

Let me introduce a new article for it by Dr. Flavia Fulco.

Kataribe: Ten years of post-disaster storytelling in Tōhoku, by Flavia Fulco

Please also enjoy her past essay “Kataribe: A keyword to Recovery” on Japan-Insights. 

https://topics.japan-insights.jp/Public/pdf/japan-insights_jp/topics/JIN_Kataribe.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 #tohoku

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

---

Position: TBD
Posted by: New York Japanese Restaurant Association (non-profit)
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Part-Time

Here’s a job passed along to us with the NY Japanese Restaurant Association:

Reports To: One of the board members who is in charge of administration.

Job Description: (Subject to change) All administrative work for this organization including:

• scheduling and managing monthly board meeting
• contacting/negotiating with NY Hospitality Alliance over some topics
• contacting professionals (lawyers, accountants) by request from board member
• bookkeeping/expense management
• event planning, fundraising, etc.

Read More

About 

We’re very excited to announce our finalized lineup for the Japanese Film Festival Online 2022! Starting next month from February 14-27, 2022 you will be able to watch 16 Japanese films for FREE! For the complete lineup, please visit: https://jff.jpf.go.jp/watch/jffonline2022/film-lineup/ and select your host country to see the full list of films available to you. 

To watch the films, please register and create your free account from here: https://watch.jff.jpf.go.jp/signup.html 

While you wait for the film festival to start, we’ve also created a portal where you can read up on the latest Japanese news, and interviews with prominent film directors and industry insiders. Check out the interviews here: https://jff.jpf.go.jp 

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

Dear Friends,

Have you been to islands of exile?

Let me introduce an essay from Japan-Insights archives.

The twenty-sixth one is on Exile and Poetry on the Oki Islands by Dr. Christina Laffin.

https://topics.japan-insights.jp/Public/pdf/japan-insights_jp/topics/JIN_OkiMythExilePoetry.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 #oki

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.

As 2021 draws to a close, everyone is likely experiencing a variety of emotions in regard to the beginning of a new year. An article in the Washington Post surveyed more than 200 readers on the one word they would use to describe the past year. Their answers were as follows: “Relentless. Disappointing. Messy. Clarifying. Growth. Grief. Change. Survival. Fragile. Unexpected. Enlightening. Tumultuous. Transformational. Lonely.”

Japan takes a similar pulse of its nation with the annual determining of the “Kanji of the Year.” The single character selected is supposed to represent how the populace views the closing year, and for 2021 it was deemed to be 金 (kin, or money/gold). The winner beat out 輪 (rin, or circle/wheel) by only 118 votes.

According to the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Association that administers the voting, kin was a fitting choice because the Tokyo summer Olympics were the venue for the Japanese Olympic team’s best results ever (including 27 gold medals). The association also noted that kin begins the word 金字塔 (kinjito, or monumental achievement), pointing to the success of MLB’s American League MVP Shohei Ohtani as well as professional shogi player Sota Fujii, who became the youngest four-crown titleholder in the game’s history.

Read More

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

Dear Friends,

Have you known Lafcadio Hearn?

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

The twenty-fifth one is on Finding Homes in the Unfamiliar by Clara Kumagai.

https://topics.japan-insights.jp/Public/pdf/japan-insights_jp/topics/JIN_GlimpsesLafcadioHearn.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 #lafcadio

About 

JFNY Literary Series invites notable writers in Japanese literature and their translators to discuss their work, speak on the art of translation, and touch upon the current literary scene in Japan. 

This session of JFNY Literary Series features renowned Japanese author Kyoko Nakajima and her translator Ian MacDonald and Ginny Takekomori, moderated by David Peace, Allison Markin Powell from the collective Strong Women, Soft Power and interpreter Bethan Jones also join the session. The English translation of Nakajima’s book Things Remembered and Things Forgotten was published in May, 2021.   

This event is now available to watch on our YouTube channel! 

Watch the event here: https://www.jfny.org/event/jfny-literary-series-kyoko-nakajima-x-ian-macdonald-ginny-takemori/ 

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.

I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful holiday weekend, and that your Thanksgiving was filled with lots of food, fun and family/friends! This is the season of expressing gratitude, and I can’t help but be thankful for this venue where I can share my thoughts. Specifically, I’m grateful that I began my Japanophile journey in high school and that it’s taken me this far.

My work as an interpreter is slowly starting to rebound, and I am deeply appreciative for that. I was tickled to find that there is an interpreter out there who recently received official recognition for his skills, that being none other than the Angels’ two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter Ippei Mizuhara.

Following Ohtani being deemed the American League’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) this year, Mizuhara received a Most Valuable Interpreter (MVI) award from the Angels. On Twitter, fans wholeheartedly agreed with the team’s sentiment: “The existence of Ippei is indispensable not only for Shohei, but for all of us.”

Read More

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

Dear Friends,

Have you visited the land of the Japanese blade?

Let me introduce an essay from Japan-Insights archives.

The twenty-fourth one is on The Soul of the Japanese Blade by Dr. Erich Pauer.

https://topics.japan-insights.jp/Public/pdf/japan-insights_jp/topics/JIN_SoulOfJapaneseBlade.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 #blade

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:
Stephanie Toriumi wrote a book about her time on JET in Ishigaki City, Okinawa.

Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture is home to the southernmost city of Japan and known for its coral reefs, village traditions, and folk performing arts. Stephanie calls Ishigaki City her new home while serving on the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme.

As she immerses herself into the rich and vibrant culture, Stephanie discovers that behind the pristine blue and rosy red colors of the island lies a dark history of bloodshed, malaria, tsunamis, and more. Through her interactions with islanders, she comes to understand the meaning of Shimanchū, the term they use to identify themselves.

Shimanchū: A Memoir of Ishigaki Island offers a captivating glimpse of past and present life in the Yaeyama Islands from the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom to modern-day Japan through the author’s lens as a nisei from Hawaii.

Public Information:

Amazon Kindle (US):
https://amzn.to/3DqBakh

Amazon Kindle (Japan):
https://amzn.to/3qQwe4Z

Apple Books:
https://apple.co/3FsHdW2

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! We’re excited to share 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!

Healthy Life「健康的な生活」with Patrick!

Emmalee and Patrick talk about ways that they exercise, how to stay healthy at work, and reasons why they think it may be easier to live a healthy life in Japan.

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！

He Said, She Said

I spoke with Christy Burke, president and founder of Burke & Company, a public relations and marketing firm specializing in legal tech, and Doug Austin, editor of eDiscovery Today, a publication covering the electronic discovery industry, about their new podcast: He Said, She Said. We discussed the first episode focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the key takeaways, topics for future programs, and trends driving e-discovery and legal technology forward.

What’s New in the Legal News: Free Speech and Violence

The USLawEssentials Law & Language podcast continues its What’s New in the Legal News series with a discussion of the civil lawsuit against organizers of the violent 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. In that rally, ‘white nationalists’ gathered to protest the removal of a statue and then violently attacked plaintiffs. The lawsuit alleges that the organizers and protestors conspired to commit the violence and should be held liable for the injuries they caused.

Daniel Edelson and Stephen Horowitz discuss the lawsuit – –  Sines v. Kessler – – which was brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1985. 42 U.S.C. § 1985 is a statute that enables plaintiffs to sue people in federal court who conspire to violate their civil rights.

Japan Travel Destination: Hokkaido ft. Kay Allen

In this episode, the Krewe are re-joined by a guests from season 1, Kay Allen (Japan National Tourism Organization) to discuss all things Hokkaido! With the distinction of being the largest prefecture in Japan, Hokkaido offers some of the top winter sports experiences in Japan, incredible natural landscapes, and the chance to learn about the culture and history of the indigenous Ainu people. The Krewe and Kay take listeners on a journey through Hokkaido, exploring what to see and do, where to stay, how to travel there, and so much more! If you are planning a trip to Japan (especially Hokkaido) for the future, this is an episode you do not want to miss!

Design Adjacent: W. David Hubbard on the hows and whys of creativity

W. David Hubbard is Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Verizon. He leads Verizon’s marketing, intellectual property, and new media law and policy team. David also serves as general counsel for the philanthropic Verizon Foundation, dedicated to solving critical social issues in the areas of education, health care and energy management, particularly in underserved communities. In this episode of AIGA Design Adjacent, host Bennie Johnson talks with David about not only the creative field but his path and why creativity was instrumental in career and offers listeners an opportunity to hear how legal and marketing can work together.

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

Dear Friends,

Have you visited to the land of gold and silver?

Let me introduce an essay from Japan-Insights archives.

The twenty-third one is on Cipangu, Land of Gold and Silver by Dr. Regine Mathias.

https://topics.japan-insights.jp/Public/pdf/japan-insights_jp/topics/JIN_LandOfGoldAndSilver.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 #silver

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:

■Japan’s First Beer Pairing & Regional Cuisine Experience

Cicerone “Beer Sommelier,” and food guide Mario Joseph Depeine came back to Japan to pursue his graduate studies after doing trade promotion for Japan in the Washington D.C. area.

He has since worked in PR, sales for local restaurants, and conducted hundreds of food tours throughout the city before launching Crafty Pairings, Japan’s first beer pairing and regional cuisine experience.

With Crafty Pairings he introduces local Japanese specialties through unique beer tastings. This includes WAGYU, award winning JAPANESE cheeses, and MATCHA desserts to name a few, paired with beers carefully selected to match each dish.

He also currently offers an online Japanese Beer and Luxury Fruit experience.

Be sure to follow @pairmemaybe for upcoming events, concise and easy-to-read information on food in Japan, and weekly pairing suggestions!

Public Information:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pairmemaybe/

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. Studio Ghibli lovers, be sure to check out “The Perfect Show” for a special episode about Princess Mononoke. For Halloween vibes, check out “Season by Season”. To geek out about Japanese theme parks, listen to this week’s episode of “Krewe of Japan”. For everything else, please enjoy listening to one of these recent episodes this week!

International Relationships「国際恋愛」with Hattaku!

Emmalee and Hattaku talk about Hattaku’s relationship with a girl from the Netherlands, Emmalee’s experiences dating Japanese men, and the difficulties that come with dating someone from another country.

インスタ: @yoppareikaiwa

メール: yoppareikaiwa@gmail.com

~Please check out Hattaku’s accounts!~
YOUTUBE
Hattaku Nihongo Podcast

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！

Japanese Theme Parks ft. TDR Explorer

In this week’s episodes, Strap in for a wild ride as the Krewe talks Japanese theme parks! Nigel, Jennifer, & Doug all share their own experiences and favorite parks around the country. Then, Chris Nilghe of TDR Explorer joins us to talk all things theme parks! Tokyo Disney vs. Universal Studios Japan… who wins? Chris shares his top tips & tricks, along with some great insider knowledge for planning any theme park-based trip in Japan!

Fireside Chat with Robbie Tseng, Vice President, Growth Design at HBO Max

AIGA Executive Director Bennie F. Johnson talks with today’s leaders in design, business, and technology, focused around the topics of leadership growth, the future of work, and creating a culture of design. Join us in welcoming Robbie Tseng, Vice President, Growth Design at HBO Max.

This Fireside Chat was originally livestreamed on October 13, 2021. Watch the captioned video version here: https://www.aiga.org/inspiration/talks/robbie-tseng-fireside-chat-with-robbie-tseng

As the largest professional membership association for design, AIGA offers you deep personal connections with your community. Your membership dues are an investment in yourself, your profession, and a network of creative changemakers, problem solvers, and professionals. Join today: https://aigadsgn.org/3iEEqRa

First Frost

In this chilly (and chilling!) episode, Kit and Alexis journey through the eerie, melancholy season of Halloween and the Day of the Dead; will they escape alive, or will they meet their grim deaths as predicted in their calaveras literarias?! In Hiro’s Corner, a closer look at the seasonal concept of “Winter’s Neighbor,” or departing autumn.

Mononoke, Miyazaki, and Maebashi – もののけ姫 – 宮崎駿 – 前橋市

This episode Scot explores being in Japan for the opening of Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke) in 1997, and trying to see it again before it was available in the US. Mononoke Hime was Scot’s introduction to the animated movies of Hayao Miyazaki and began a life-long appreciation for his work and films.