J-News Mini-Roundup: Japanese Prime Minister Just Says NO to Yasukuni Shrine
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J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com). Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese and Chinese language learning options. 
Background: Yasukuni Shrine is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) diplomatic challenges that Japan has with its neighbors. The shrine exclusively celebrates the Japanese war dead, so naturally when an anniversary of a war comes up the prime minister needs to look patriotic and pay homage to fallen soldiers. The problem is that those fallen soldiers, to neighbors such as China and Korea, also include Class A war criminals that tortured and killed their people. Every prime minister in recent years that has visited the shrine has ended up getting key diplomatic missions cancelled, and on a more extreme level countries will shut off economic and political negotiations entirely.
Prime Minister Aso today commented on Yasukuni, in the background of the anniversary of the end of WWII coming up on August 15th. Each newspaper had a different take on the event.
Nikkei “I’m Against Visiting Yasukuni While in Office” On the evening of August 10th at the Prime Minister’s residence, Prime Minister Aso stated in regards to the anniversary on the 15th of WWII…
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
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(Originally posted on April 28, 2009.)
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Sake World e-Newsletter by John Gauntner (August 2009)
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The August 2009 issue of the Sake World E-mail Newsletter by JET alum and leading sake expert John Gauntner (aka “The Sake Guy”) is now available online. In this issue:
- Cost of Sake & that of Rice
- Did You Know?
- Guided Sakagura Tours
- NEW! Sake Professional Course in Las Vegas
- Sake Events
- Learn More About Sake eBooks
- Odds-n-Ends
Job: Country Manager for United Planet, Japan
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Via the Hokkaido JETs Yahoo group:
United Planet (UP) is a leading international non-profit organization based in Boston devoted to fostering cross-cultural understanding and addressing shared challenges to unite the world in a community beyond borders. As featured on CNN, United Planet conducts creative local, online, and international initiatives to build global community.
United Planet is searching for a Japan-based Country Manager in Tokyo, Saitama, or Chiba to help United Planet further develop our program in Japan and expand our partnerships with NGOs and universities.
This highly competitive position requires a compassionate, globally minded, hard-working individual with strong communications, leadership, and organization skills. United Planet currently receives international volunteers into Japan for 1-12 weeks to support a variety of community service projects, while immersing in the Japanese culture. United Planet plans to develop an outgoing program to recruit Japanese volunteers to serve in countries around the world, including the United States. United Planet also seeks to develop Ambassador Clubs at schools and communities in Japan.
As a vital United Planet team member, the Country Manager will: Read More
J-News Mini-Roundup: Plane Crash in Bangkok…What Really Happened?
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J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com). 
Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese and Chinese language learning options. Their main service is private one on one tutoring in the NYC area, where the student chooses where and when to have lessons.
Background: It’s sometimes difficult to report on an international incident. Stories get conflicted, newspapers have to follow leads, and they’re pressed for time to release something to the public as soon as possible. Today’s crash for of a Bangkok Airways ATR72 showed how each Japanese newspaper can create a different story.
They did agree that the accident happened earlier today about 2pm Bangkok time, 4pm Tokyo time (although exact estimates are all different). The crashed happened on the island of Samui, with 72 people on board.
Asahi ”Landing failure in Thailand, the pilot dies, over 40 people injured” The time was 4:10 Tokyo time. As the plane was landing at the island of Samui, it went off the runway…
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
Transcript of Roland Kelts full interview with Hayao Miyazaki (via GhibliWorld)
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For those of you who weren’t able to catch Roland Kelts’ (Osaka-shi, 1998-99) interview with Hayo Miyazaki in Berkeley, CA on July 25, a “fanatically thorough transcript” of the full interview has been posted at the GhibliWorld site: http://www.ghibliworld.com/miyazaki_on_stage_conversation_berkeley_july_2009.html
Japanese Proficiency Test – applications now being accepted in U.S.
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Thanks to JETAA Pacific Northwest for passing this along:
The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles Office Now Accepting Applications for the “2009 Japanese Language Proficiency Test”
The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is an internationally accredited language examination designed to measure a person’s Japanese language skills. Those who pass the JLPT receive a Certificate of Proficiency and, as a result, are better able to market their Japanese skills in order to further their careers and educational pursuits.
Date: Sunday, December 6, 2009
Test Site in Seattle: University of Washington
Application Deadline: September 25, 2009
To register visit: http://www.jflalc. org/?act= tpt&id=8
Contact Information: The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles Office
JLPT Administration Committee
Tel: (213)621-2267
E-mail: noryoku@jfalc. org
For more information and on-line application, please visit the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles site: http://www.jflalc. org
Free “On-line Japanese Language SUSHI TEST” is also available for those who are not yet ready to undertake Level Four of the Japanese Proficiency Test http://momo. jpf.go.jp/ sushi/
Roland Kelts and young fans at Keio Academy Digital Media Creation program
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Over the weekend we mentioned that Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, gave a talk for the students in the Keio Academy of New York Japanese-English Bilingual Summer Program in Purchase, NY in connection with a two-week Digital Media Creation program. (Additional speakers in the program include Michael Arias, director of “ANIMATRIX” and “Tekkonkinkreet,” Shoji Kawamuri, animation director and mechanical designer and Yuji Nunokawa, CEO of animation producer Pierrot Co., Ltd.)
Here are a couple nice photos from the event:
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J DOC: Learn Japanese Grammar! Nuances of the Particles に and で
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The Japanese Doctor is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com). 
Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese and Chinese language learning options. Their main service is private one on one language lessons in the NYC area.
One of the most difficult parts of learning Japanese is not learning colloquial phrases or expanding vocabulary, but perfecting the usage of small words. Although small words to non-native speakers might seem to be trivial, just look at how important the articles “a, an, and the” are in English. “A girlfriend” vs. “The Girlfriend” means something entirely different in English, although in Japanese there is no direct equivalent to describe this situation. Japanese speakers who are learning English explain to me all the time that they still don’t quite understand when to use “a,” vs. when to use “the.” Conversely, the Japanese particles (が、は、で、に、を、へ) continue to confuse both beginner and advanced students of the Japanese language.
In this entry we’ll try to explain the subtle differences and the correct usage of the articles でand に. Both articles show the location of where something is, or where an action takes place. So if you were going to say…
(CLICK HERE to read the rest of the article)
JapanInfo Newsletter – July 2009
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The July 2009 edition of JapanInfo is now available online. JapanInfo is published by the Consulate General of Japan in New York/Japan Information Center and is a great source of info for Japan-related things going on in New York and the surrounding area.
Highlights include:
- Professor Setsuko M. Nishi of CUNY Honored by the Government of Japan
- The Young People’s Chorus of New York City Departs for Japan Tour
- From the Ambassador’s Desk
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Buriki: Japanese Tin-Toys July 9 to August 16, 2009 – Japan Society
- Yuto Miyazawa 9 year old Guitarist – Highline Ballroom- 8/2
- And plenty of things to do and see on the Events Calendar.
Jobs: International Education Programs (Chronicle of Higher Ed)
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Via the Chronicle of Higher Education’s international education programs job listing:
Associate Professor or Assistant Professor, Economics
Faculty of Liberal Arts, Saitama University
Posted: 07/30/2009
Assistant, Associate, or full Professor, International Relations
School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University
Posted: 07/30/2009
Assistant, Associate, or full Professor, Modern/contemporary European or American History
Waseda University
Posted: 07/30/2009 Read More
Job: Translator/interpreter for Saitama Prefecture International Division (Japan)
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This job listing is courtesy of Denise Schlickbernd, a JET currently working as a CIR in the Saitama Prefecture International Division.
The Saitama Prefecture International Division currently has a job opening for a translator/interpreter and is hoping to find a native English speaker to fill it. The details are as follows:
The Saitama Prefecture International Division in Saitama City is currently searching for a part-time English-to-Japanese translator and interpreter.
Responsibilities include:
· Editing and translation of English publications
· Creation and editing of English web pages
· Assist with projects to support foreign residents
· Native English checks of translated materials
Job: Assistant News Producer – Tokyo Broadcasting System International (D.C.)
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UPDATE 9/10/09: This position has been filled. Please do not send resumes.
Assistant News Producer
Location: Washington, DC
Start Date: September 2009
Payment: Full Paid
Company: Tokyo Broadcasting System International
The Washington, D.C. Bureau of Tokyo Broadcasting System International (TBS) is seeking a professional individual to fill an Assistant News Producer position. Read More
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Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, hosted a talk with Hayao Miyazaki (director of Spirited Away among other animated films) on July 25 in Berekely, CA. Miyazaki made a rare U.S. appearance to receive the second annual Berkeley Japan Prize for lifetime achievement, presented by the Center for Japanese Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. (See a Japan Times article on the event here.)
This was familiar territory for Roland, who hosted a talk with novelist Haruki Murakami in October 2008 when Murakami was presented with the first Berekely Japan award.
WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). Recently she’s been watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
There is talk in Japan of changing the legal adult age of 20 down to 18, as a government advisory panel introduced thi
s idea on Wednesday. This was put forth by the Democratic Party, who is expected to take power from the long-reigning Liberal Democratic Party in the upcoming general election. The proposal will be submitted to Japan’s justice minister if the Legislative Council approves it at its general meeting in September. This could go through sas early as May of next year, and it would allow people to vote in elections and get married without permission from their parents two years earlier than is currently permitted (the current marriage age is 18 for men and 16 for men, but they suggest making it 18 for both).
It has been said that this idea is being floated for the purpose of “young people’s self-sustainability,” but the word on the street from those interviewed on the news was that Read More
