J-News Mini-Roundup: Corporate Japan Comes Under Attack
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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 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: The business news today is full of negative headlines for corporations, such as: the necessity to let people go, the difficulty of being in the red, fear of bankruptcy, sales at record lows, etc. Reading the American news it feels as if America is the country being most affected by the Recession. After all, the credit crisis developed from bad sub prime loans mainly being held by U.S. banks, insurance companies, and other unfortunate entities.
Image from "The Nikkei"
Reading the headlines from Corporate Japan today, however, the dismal economic world seems like a small one. Each newspaper reported a different aspect of Corporate Japan that was getting embattled by the current economic crisis.
Yomiuri “Japan Made 40% Less Cars…”
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
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Miguel Gervais (Saitama-ken, Fukaya City, 2000-03) founded and runs the M.L.C.英会話 (eikaiwa) school in Fukaya City, Saitama-ken which currently teaches approximately 45-50 students. He is originally from Canada and was kind enough to write this article in response to a JetWit request to share his career experience.
Any other JET alums interested in sharing their own career advice, experience and perspectives are encouraged to e-mail your article idea to Steven at jetwit [at] jetwit [dot] com.
Having a Job is Irresponsible
My friend Jack is a fine, upstanding person and a great teacher. He’s been in Japan for untold years, had a job that he liked well enough and is blessed with a wonderful family. Unfortunately, the college that had hired him for the past 10 years or so suddenly refused to renew his yearly contract. In their magnanimity, they told him this one month before he was due to start the new school year. Obviously, this was much too late to find another job.
Jack is a great teacher. He is a valuable asset… and yet he is now unemployed and in rather desperate straits. But things could have been even worse… he could have been forced to leave Japan, just like untold numbers of other teachers after the NOVA debacle. Luckily, he is on a spousal visa and was spared this final humiliation.
Don’t let this happen to you! Life-time employment has never been in the cards for foreign teachers in Japan. Unless you are Read More
Jobs: International Education Programs (Chronicle of Higher Ed.)
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Via the Chronicle of Higher Education’s international education programs job listing:
6/22/2009
- Ball State University (Indiana) : Director of International Student Recruitment and Admissions, Rinker Center for International Programs
- Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge (Louisiana) : Coordinator 2 (Grants), Office of International Programs
- St. John’s University (N.Y.) (New York) : Associate Director of International Admission (R2758); Office of Admission (Undergraduate)
- Stephen F. Austin State University (Texas) : Director, Office of International Programs
- U.S. Department of State () : Deputy Director of Fulbright Program, Turkey
- University of Maryland University College () : Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
- University of Maryland University College () : Regional Managers
J-News Mini-Roundup: “Talent” Governor, Candidate for Congressman?
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PLEASE CLICK THE DOCTOR for Japanese Lesson Signup
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.
Today’s Article:
Background: One of the most amusing parts of Japanese politics is the willingness for politicians to get involved in comedy shows. Although this might sound familiar in terms of American politicians joining Saturday Night Live, David Letterman, or Obama at Jay Leno, the Japanese air tons of comedy and game shows everyday, most of which do not have the star quality of a light night talk show. It is here where the “Talent” Governor, Hideo Higashikokubaru, appears so much that the average viewer wouldn’t recognize him as a governor.
A former comedian turned politician, Higashikokubaru-san uses the television to increase his popularity and discuss his political life. Today he was encouraged to be a candidate for the Diet by Koga-san, the head of the electoral commission. Each newspaper reported a different take on the event…
Asahi “Higashikokubaru: If I were a candidate…” The Asahi reported more detailed commentary…
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
Job: Purchasing Assistant at Major Japanese Telecommunication Company (NYC)
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Via Actus Consulting:
Title: Purchasing Assistant at Major Japanese Telecommunication Company
Location: Midtown, Manhattan
Starting Date: July 13th
Job Description:
- Equipment Purchase
-Equipment Purchase Administration- Place an order to vendors according to Purchase Plan Form in a timely manner.
-Maintain the order status and feed back to sales rep. or the concerned accordingly.
-Keep records for other process like acceptance and account payable.
********** Read More
Job: Retail Manager and Store Clerk Positions Available (Torrance, CA)
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Via JETAA Southern California:
Position: Retail Manager
Company Name: Interplace Inc.
City: Torrance
Job responsibilities and qualifications:
- Manage a retail store of sports related products.
- Japanese language skill is a plus.
- Must have great communication skill.
- Must be interested in sports.
Description: Full-time(including weekends)/permanent position with benefits. The salary is apex $13/hr.
How to apply: Please send WORD formatted resume to fumi[at]interplace-agency[dot]com.
Job: Secretary to Senior Diplomats of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the UN (NYC)
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Via JETAA New York:
The Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations is seeking a Secretary to senior diplomats at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
1. Manage appointment schedules and prepare daily and weekly schedule for senior diplomats
2. Respond to telephone calls, both incoming and outgoing, with efficiency and professional etiquette
3. Coordinate logistics/protocol for conferences, meetings, briefings, receptions, and other official functions
4. Draft and prepare letters and diplomatic correspondence
5. Prepare and mail invitation cards for official functions
6. Prepare and mail greeting cards for senior diplomats
7. Prepare table cards and tray cards for luncheons and dinners
8. Research topics related to the United Nations and Japan as required by the Mission staff members
9. Update and develop contact information including the bio of VIPs as well as invitation list databases
10. Receive and sort incoming mail
11. Assist the official functions as a receptionist
12. Receive guests and serve tea
13. Respond to inquiries
14. Give oral or written briefings to senior diplomats dependent on the situation
15. Receive dictation from senior diplomats, take accurate and quick notes, and keep records or write up summaries as required Read More
Job: Sales Representative for Sysco Foods (Ventura, CA)
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Via JETAASC:
Sysco is the largest foodservice distributor in the U.S. It’s Ventura location is seeking an outside Sales Representatives in the San Fernando Valley. Sales Representatives are responsible for performing various sales, customer service, and credit activities, including but not limited to the following:
Sales Activities:
- Increase existing accounts sales through the presentation of products, ideas, uses, and applications of products to meet sales and profit objectives.
- Develops new accounts through analysis, personal and telephone contacts, and other sales techniques.
Customer Service:
- Updates customer on a continuous basis about new products, services, and pricing information to enhance customer satisfaction.
- Provides service to existing accounts by resolving any customer issues and concerns.
Credit Activities:
- Provides customers with company credit terms and manage credit conditions to maximize sales opportunities as well as maintain receivables levels.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Must be bilingual English and Japanese.
- Sales experience required, food sales experience a plus.
- Proficient in basic computer skills (Windows, MS office, Outlook).
- High School diploma required.
- Must be able to work independently.
Compensation depending on experience. Excellent benefits.
Please email resume to hrm[at]ventura[dot]sysco[dot]com.
J-News Mini-Roundup: Death Threats on Wikipedia, in Japan
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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 language learning options.
Scene from "The Grudge"
Background: Japan is a perfect example of how the internet’s reach has gone global. One way to measure popularity of the internet is how many websites have been translated to other languages besides English, and Japanese has no shortage of translations in cyberspace. The internet in Japan has become a popular tool for commerce and social networking.
However, Japan is relatively new to abuses of the internet. Although sometimes incidents such as the Akihabara hit and run (06/08) were written about on blogs before the event took place, big websites such as Wikipedia have not seen abuse yet from users. The newspapers each had their own take on the “Wikipedia Incident”, the first documented arrest for abusing the Wikipedia website in Japan.
Asahi “3 Boys Charged with Writing Death Threat Articles”
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
Job: Senior Campaigners/Strategists-International Movement Team for Purpose Campaigns (NYC or elsewhere)
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(Internships also available)
Job: Change.org seeks online organizer (NY, SF or DC)
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Shared with JetWit by JETAA NY Webmaster Lee-Sean Huang (2003-06) (Please do not contact Lee-Sean to apply for this job.):
Change.org is Hiring an Online Organizer
http://jobs.change.org/view/PWutSUyzgW
Want to help run advocacy campaigns on behalf of dozens of issues in collaboration with 500,000 activists and 4,000 organizations?
Change.org is hiring a full-time online organizer to help create, manage, and promote advocacy campaigns for its 20 causes. The online organizer will:
1. Work directly with Change.org’s growing team of bloggers to identify opportunities for creating effective grassroots campaigns on a daily basis;
2. Serve as the point of contact with Change.org’s thousands of nonprofit partners to improve their campaigns;
3. Maintain a pulse on the most popular and effective campaigns across the web to feature on Change.org, and;
4. Raise awareness about particularly newsworthy campaigns through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
The online strategist will also work with Change.org’s executive team to craft overall site strategy and oversee several major upcoming projects to be announced in the fall.
Applicants should have experience with strategizing and executing online advocacy campaigns, an interest in social media, and an excitement about working in a small, fast-growing organization. We welcome applicants of all ages – from young online organizers eager for more responsibility to seasoned veterans looking to oversee a diverse array of campaigns.
The position can be held in San Francisco, New York or Washington, DC. Pay is competitive.
To apply, send a brief introduction about your experience and a resume and/or Linkedin profile to organizer[at]change[dot]org.
Japan Fix: South Carolina
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Note: This is the second in what JetWit hopes will grow into a series of “Japan Fix” articles. How do you get your Japan fix wherever you live? Write it down and send it to JetWit for the entertainment and benefit of the JET alum community.
Japan Fix: South Carolina
By Daniel J. Stone (Saitama-ken, 2004-07), JETAA South Carolina Subchapter Rep
After spending seven years In San Diego and Los Angeles followed by three years in the metro Tokyo area, the decision to return to my hometown of Greenville, South Carolina with my wife who hails from Tokyo was a bit naïve when I look back to when we first returned to “America’s Bible Belt” in 2007.
Despite the geographic location, demographics and the overall facts that South Carolina is a small and rural state, one can get their “Japan Fix”, if they know where to look.
CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS
The International Center of the Upstate (ICU), located at the Greenville City Hall building, is a non-profit organization devoted to promoting cross-cultural understanding among local and international residents of Upstate South Carolina. It was here where my wife and I went to learn of where to go and what to do in the area’s international community. One of the first things I did was volunteer at ICU’s English conversation group where a group of Japanese spouses attended the weekly session.
Another group which was helpful was the Japan America Association of South Carolina based in Greenville. Through this group I was able to network with Japanese expatriates working at various companies in the area and like-minded Americans.
Lastly, there is the good ‘ol JETAA group based in Atlanta. It was through here that I met other JET alums in the area.
GROCERY & FOOD SHOPPING
The Tanpopo, aka “Dandelion”, located at the corner of Pelham Road and Highway 14 is a Read More
JETAA Chicago Newsletter request for articles
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Via JETAA Chicago and it’s wonderful newsletter editor, Elizabeth Friedman (Shimane-ken, 2003-04):
Dear Chicago JET alums,
My name is Elizabeth Friedman and I am the editor of the Chicago JETAA Newsletter.
I would like to invite all JET alums to submit articles for the summer edition. I have listed some ideas for submissions, but feel free to send in whatever you feel would be appropriate to include in a JETAA newsletter.
- The deadline for submissions is June, 26th.
- Please send your articles to me at jetaachinewsletter@ gmail.com.
- Submissions can include:
–Comic strips
–Restaurant reviews
–Japanese cultural activities in Chicago (music, movies, theater, art exhibits, etc…) reviews or thoughts on
–Announcements about JET alumni (marriages, graduations, jobs, etc…)
–Short stories (maybe a series–one page per issue),poetry, visual art, etc… done by JET alums that was inspired by Japanese culture
–Reflections on returning home from your JET experience
Feel free to contact me at jetaachinewslette r@ gmail.com if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Friedman (Shimane-ken, 2003-04)
J-News Mini-Roundup: Nature Attacks! – in Japan
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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 language learning options.
Background: Living in Japan one of the things you notice is how different your natural surroundings are. Coming from the east coast of the U.S., I was not used to Earthquakes waking me up at 4 in the morning. Or just turn on a nature show and you’ll hear about the Zumebachi, the vicious bees that are a couple inches long and supposedly have some poison associated with their sting.
The collection of articles today tries to capture the different threats from nature that are experienced in Japan. The newspapers each focused on a different phenomenon; some strange, some more common.
Asahi “Tadpoles Fall from the Sky…”
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
J-News Mini-Roundup: Another Scandal Rocks the Prime Minister
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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 language learning options.
Background: Prime Minister Aso’s approval ratings have been quite low on average this year. From the slow moving stimulus package to many scandals within his own cabinet, the Prime Minister has had a tough year. In fact one of the only political honeymoon’s he’s had is the fact that the opposition party had a scandal, therefore making him look a little better, and more in control.
The honeymoon is over with the latest scandal to face the prime minister: the reappointment of Nishikawa. The former Japan Post president’s reappointment is causing controversy and in some ways is showing Aso’s inability for leadership. On the one hand, Aso wants Nishikawa to be reappointed, he’s a strong ally and is favored by the still popular former Prime Minister, Koizumi. However his own government, namely Hatoyama (head of internal affairs) says he needs to step down. The gridlock and confusion each day makes Prime Minister Aso look worse in the public’s eye.
Nikkei “Recent Approval Ratings Drop to 25%, the Dismissal of Hatoyama is Inappropriate…”
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
