Web Designer (Bellevue, WA)


Via JETAA Pacific Northwest:
We are looking for an entry level or intermediate level web designer to work with a small software company that specializes in Japanese language software, internet applications and web development. This company is based in Bellevue, WA and would be a 6 month contract to permanent role. This position will report to the Technical Services Manager.
Position requirements include:
1) HTML/CSS skills
2) Illustrator / PhotoShop knowledge
3) Ability to document the projects
4) Basic knowledge about Internet and Web
5) Flash, JavaScript
6) Ability to communicate in Japanese
For more information please contact Erik Koch @ 206-384-0299 or erik[at]averro[dot]com.
Internship with the Mainichi Newspaper (NYC)


Via JETAANY:
The Mainichi Newspaper, a Japanese national daily newspaper headquartered in Tokyo, seeks part-time interns in its New York office. This is an unpaid internship opportunity.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities:
- Research, transcribe interviews, make appointments, and assist in other editorial and clerical works.
- Have to be able to work for 2 to 3 days in a week.
- Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:
- Must be fluent in English (native-speaker level).
- Have in-depth knowledge of American culture, society and politics.
- Be familiar with international affairs.
- Have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Must be energetic, creative, and self-motivated.
How to Apply:
Send a resume with a cover letter explaining why you are interested in Mainichi’s internship position to mainichi[dot]newyork[at]gmail.com by July 22, 2009. Selected candidates will be notified of interview dates.
About the Mainichi Newspaper:
The Mainichi Newspaper was founded in 1872 as the oldest national daily newspaper company in Japan. Mainichi is currently recognized in Japan as one of the leading national daily newspapers, and has garnered a reputation as a provider of unbiased reporting, poignant editorials and other information vital to modern society. Mainichi’s nationwide circulation is 4 million copies.
Its New York office mainly covers the United Nations, American politics and culture, Major League Baseball, and other major events happening mainly in the eastern United States and Canada.
James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of The Order of Odd-Fish continues to redefine the standard job description for “author.” In his latest adventure, he gave a speech at the American Librarians Association where he forcibly took the Newbery Award from “Neil Gaiman.” And that’s not even the most shocking part.
After watching the video clips below, you may find yourself contemplating the young Japanese students James once taught. What has become of them and how have their lives been affected, or perhaps more appropriately, distorted? Perhaps a film-making member of the JET alum community could set out to produce a documentary on the subject.
Until then, watch and enjoy below. Or watch and read the post on James’ site: “I Win the Newberry”
Video 1: James announces his intention to strip Gaiman of his Newbery.
Video 2: Freya and Erin act out a scene from his novel The Order of Odd-Fish.
Video 3: Neil Gaiman and James fight for the Newbery.
Need a little more James Kennedy? Click here to see video of him reading at the JET Alumni Author Showcase.
A recent question from a fellow JET alum:
“Does anyone know a truly informative, enjoyable way to get a TESL/TEFL/ or CELTA certification? Does anyone have any personal experience they can share.”
If you can help, please post your response in the comment section below, or e-mail jetwit [at] jetwit [dot] com.
J-News Mini-Roundup: Dealing with Disasters in Japan


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 language learning options. Their main service is private one on one Japanese language lessons in the NYC area, where the student chooses where and when to have lessons. They’ve also recently expanded to include the Korean and Chinese languages.
Background: For most Americans, more specifically Americans who come from states not on the Pacific Coast, the most frightening part of living in Japan is an Earthquake. Most people when they travel to Japan experience earthquakes for the first time, and wonder just how fragile the land they’re standing on is. The biggest Earthquake I experienced was a 5+, and it shut down the subway for about 2 hours leaving 2-3 million commuters stranded.
Earthquakes and natural disasters are ubiquitous throughout Japanese media and movies. Dealing with disasters is part of their lives, in particular earthquakes, but also from today’s news articles other disasters as well. Each newspaper wrote about a different tragedy Japanese people are working to overcome.
Asahi “Mountain Expedition Leads to Disaster for 17 Climbers”
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
WIT Life #44: 水筒男子


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.
暑中見舞い (shochuu mimai) or mid-summer greetings to everyone! I apologize for my absence, but I was traveling across the country for the past three weeks as an interpreter for a Japanese delegation participating in the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). My co-interpreter and I shared some wonderful adventures with this group that I will detail in a post soon to come.
First I would like to talk about the rage currently overtaking Japan: water bottle boys! As you probably know, the Japanese love to find trends and attach catchy names to them, thereby creating a stir. For example, in a previous post I mentioned the phenomenon of 草食男子 (soushoku danshi), “herbivorous men” who are cooperative, family-oriented and kind but not very aggressive when it comes to romance. This time around the trend is 水筒男子 (suitou danshi), or men who carry around their own bottles.
Manufacturers are coming up with a variety of masculine styles to appeal to this previously neglected market. One store in Tokyo revealed Read More
Jobs: International Education Programs (Chronicle of Higher Ed.)


Via the Chronicle of Higher Education’s international education programs job listing:
7/9/2009
- New York University (New York) : Associate Director, International Programs and Services; Stern School of Business
7/8/2009
- Miami University (Ohio) (Ohio) : Assistant Director of International Programs
J-News Mini-Roundup: GOOD Economic News in Japan


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 language learning options. Their main service is private one on one Japanese language lessons in the NYC area, where the student chooses where and when to have lessons.

Economics Minister Along with Prime Minister Aso
Background: With America still recovering from the worst job numbers in recent memory, Economists are still pondering the question is the economic recession bottoming out, or continuing to get worse? Although there are some signs from America the economy’s taking off like housing sales up and mortgage rates now climbing, overall the picture is still unclear.
Japan’s economic news today offered hopes that perhaps the world’s second largest economy is showing signs of economic recovery. Despite the comparatively strong yen (it’s been hovering close to 90 yen to the dollar) which hurts Japanese exports, the Monthly Economic Report published by the Japanese authorities today had positive comments on the economy. Each newspaper told a different story on the economic climate.
Yomiuri “The Monthly Economic Outlook Revised Up 3rd Month in a Row”
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
A guide to useful iPhone apps in Japan


A quick word from Gail Meadows, JetWit contributor of the Japan America Society Roundup and co-editor of Hiroshima-ken JET webzine the Wide Island View…
If you’re living in Japan and sporting a slick new iPhone, there are a number of nifty applications available for download to make life a bit easier, or at least a little more fun. From kanji flashcard drills to TV listings to a maps program that helps you find your way around cities with nameless streets, there’s no shortage of potentially useful apps. Hiroshima-ken JET Brody Nixon offers a helpful guide to some of his favorite apps in his story A guide to useful iPhone apps in Japan on the Wide Island View. Check it out, and if we’ve missed one of your favorite apps, feel free to let us know in the comments section. Happy reading!
J-News Mini-Roundup: Japan and Russia Still Deadlocked over Generation-Long Dispute


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 language learning options. Their main service is private one on one Japanese language lessons in the NYC area, where the student chooses where and when to have lessons.

All smiles...but is that a good thing? - Picture from the Asahi
Background: On the conclusion of World War II, Japan was forced to give back a lot of its territory it had received from its imperial reign. However it did manage to hold onto Okinawa, and multiple island chains. The one island chain that was never “given” back to Japan, and remains disputed to this day, are “The Northern Islands”; or the Kurile Islands, according to Russia. Because neither side can concede on who really controls the islands, Russia seeing it as a symbol of their conquest during WWII, a peace treaty has still never been signed between the two countries.
Yesterday President Medvedev and Prime Minister Aso met to discuss this territorial issue. Last October, Medvedev met with Prime Minister Aso and said “this territorial dispute cannot be handed down to the next generation.” This May when Putin came to visit Japan he stated that Prime Minster Aso and Medvedev should explore “every option” this July when they meet in Italy. Despite expectations, the Japanese newspapers reported on the lack of decision this July.
Asahi “The Northern Territories: No New Proposal from Russia…”
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
Jobs: International Education Programs (Chronicle of Higher Ed.)


Via the Chronicle of Higher Education’s international education programs job listing:
7/6/2009
- Azusa Pacific University (California) : International Director Master of Arts in Transformational Urban Leadership (MATUL) Program
- Ball State University (Indiana) : Director of International Student Services; Rinker Center for International Programs
- Council on International Educational Exchange (Germany) : Resident Director – Berlin, Germany
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (Minnesota) : Director of Education Abroad
6/30/2009
- Institute of International Education – D.C. (D.C.) : Program Officer
6/29/2009
- Fairmont Private Schools (California) : International Student Counselor
- Hartwick College (New York) : Senior Associate Director of Admissions – International Recruitment
6/25/2009
- Berry College (Georgia) : Director of Multicultural and International Student Programs
6/23/2009
- West Valley-Mission Community College District (California) : International Student Services Supervisor
JETAA Careers Information Day 2009 (London)


Via JETAA United Kingdom:
Event: JETAA Careers Information Day 2009
What: Business Meeting
Host: JETAA: London
Start Time: Friday, September 25 at 2:00 pm
End Time: Friday, September 25 at 10:00 pm
Where: HMS President building
Returning to the UK? Already here and looking for work? Thinking about a career change?
The annual JETAA Careers Information Day is here to help past JETs use their experience on JET and in Japan to their advantage. CID can introduce you to some of the employers who are interested in your background – and let you discover what other options are there for you.
In the evening the Japan Local Government Centre will host a drinks reception with everyone in the same venue, looking out over London’s Tower Bridge.
To attend send your name, address and contact details to: cidregistration[at]jetaa[dot]org[dot]uk.
Registration is free and open!!
New JETAA Brazil Country Representative


JetWit is happy to share that Brazil’s JETAA chapter has a new Country Representative as of July 1st.
Please meet Cristiane Megumi Hayato, who attended the last JETAA International meeting in Paris last September.
Also, a big o-tsukare sama deshita to outgoing Country Rep Cristina Izumi Sagara, who has done a fantastic job on behalf of JETAA Brazil for the past 9 years, also serving as a JETAA International officer for part of her time.
Japan America Society Roundup 7.07.09


Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, co-editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of various Japan America societies…
Art of Laughter: The Kyogen Theater of Japan — This program co-sponsored by JSNC sounds sure to bring a smile to your face given that “kyogen” means “wild speech” or “comical tales.” This free, interactive program at the Asian Art Museum will be led by Izumi Junko and Miyake Tokuro, who have been pioneers for opening the Kyogen stage to women. They will demonstrate performance techniques and discuss their careers as the first female performers in this male-dominated field.
- Date: Thursday, July 16
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Place: Asian Art Museum, Samsung Hall, 200 Larkin St., San Francisco
- For more information: http://www.asianart.org/performances.htm#kyogen_performance
- Mind, Body, Spirit — How does a free massage and Japanese oysters sound? Find them at the next meeting of JASC’s 5:01 Club, where you can challenge your mind with Humana video games, talk to a fitness expert from Bob Roncker’s Running Spot for training advice, and receive spirit-lifting reflexology massage while learning about other ways to relax and rejuvenate your spirit.
- Date: Thursday, July 30
- Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- Place: Humana Building, 640 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati
- For more information: http://www.jasgc.org/501club.html
Boat building presentation — JSB invites members to attend a talk and slide presentation by Douglas Brooks, who has apprenticed with four different boat builders in Japan since 1996. He will share his experiences with different crafts drawn from over a dozen trips to Japan. Brooks is a boat builder, writer and researcher who builds traditional wooden boats for museums and private clients. In 2003, he published his first book, The Tub Boats of Sado Island: A Japanese Craftsman’s Methods.
- Date: Wednesday, July 22
- Time: None listed
- Place: The Carpenter’s Boat Shop, 440 Old County Road, Pemaquid, Maine
- For more information: http://www.carpentersboatshop.org/
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
J-News Mini-Roundup: The LDP Political SHOCK: Defeat in Chiba


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 language learning options. Their main service is private one on one Japanese language lessons in the NYC area, where the student chooses where and when to have lessons.

Prime Minister Aso, from the Yomiuri Shinbun
Background: The ruling party of Japan and the party of Prime Minister Aso, the LDP (Liberal Democratic Party), is showing signs of cracking. A usual LDP stronghold, Chiba Prefecture, today announced that the recommended candidate from the LDP and Komeito coalition lost a preliminary election for governor. This paves this way for the opposition party, the DPJ (Democratic Party of Japan), to take the governor’s seat.
This election comes in the background of the bigger national snap election, which the Prime Minister could announce at any time. The snap election can be called in the Japanese parliamentary system by the Prime Minister to redistribute power, ideally to his own party. However the signs lately are showing the opposition party gaining, and the Prime Minister losing. The papers this morning each reported something different about the LDP’s losing popularity.
Asahi “We have come from behind. This shows our real strength…”
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)