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)
Jobs: International Education Programs (Chronicle of Higher Ed)
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Via the Chronicle of Education’s international education programs job listings:
6/9/2009
- Columbia University (New York) : Senior Coordinator, Weatherhead East Asian Institute
6/2/2009
- Department of State () : Executive Director
- World Learning (Vermont) : Academic Director Chile: Education and Social Change
Japan America Society Roundup 6.13.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, co-editor of the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of various Japan America societies…
Summer Enkai Party — Yakitori, sushi, sake and karaoke? Who wouldn’t have a good time? Tickets are $20 for JASGP members. Click here to buy tickets online.
- Date: Wednesday, June 24
- Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
- Place: Yakitori Boy Izakaya & Karaoke Lounge, 2F.
- For more information, click here.
- Sake & Washoku Pairing — Come hungry to this event – a nine course menu will be served with six of the most popular and famous Hakutsuru sakes. With dishes like “fried soft-shell crab with marmalade sauce”, you know it’s got to be good. By the end of the meal, you should be confident that you can choose the right sake for a Japanese meal. Click here to see the menu. Click here to register online.
- Date: Wednesday, July 1. RSVP deadline is June 29 at 5 p.m.
- Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
- Place: Tako Grill Restaurant, 7756 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, Maryland
- For more information: http://www.us-japan.org/dc/pdf/2009/090701SakePairingFlyer.pdf
Celebration Kyoto: Modern Arts from Boston’s Sister City — JSB invites members to attend an exhibition at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts now through August 9 celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Boston-Kyoto sister city relationship. Contemporary ceramics and prints created by artists in Kyoto and the surrounding Kansai region will be on display, as well as contemporary textiles by Kyoto artists. For more information: http://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/sub.asp?key=15&subkey=7534
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
JET-linked book event in Seattle
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Via JETAA Pacific Northwest:
“The book itself is a fine work of art, with a gorgeous, embossed cover, rice paper-thin pages, and textured paper inserts with illustrations that offer clues to Zack’s fate — a triumphant kick in the pants for anyone who doubts the future of paper-and-ink books.” — NPR
Japan-U.S. business consultant and blogger Yvonne Burton (also a good friend of JetWit) has a good recent post on the likely new U.S. ambassador to Japan–John V. Roos:
There is to be a new kind of ambassador in Tokyo! I just read in the Japan Times that John V. Roos, a Silicon Valley attorney, has been designated as ambassador by President Obama and in my opinion, he is just what Japan-US business needs. But many seem to disagree. Why?
The nay-sayers say he isn’t the usual politico. I say that is a good thing. They say that his appointment means the new presidency is treating Japan as less than important. I say not so.
New conditions call for new solutions
In times like these when the old standards are not working (and that is putting it mildly), it is time to create something new.
How can a successful lawyer who (CLICK HERE to read the rest of the article.)
An interesting job opportunity in Japan from JET alum Miguel Gervais (Saitama-ken, 2000-03):
Hello,
My name is Miguel Gervais and I’m a former JET (Saitama-ken, Fukaya City, 2000-03). After my tenure on the JET Programme, I opened my own eikaiwa school and currently teach 45-50 students. Between these classes and various corporate contracts, I’ve reached the limit to my individual school’s growth. I’d now like to partner with one other enterprising person to grow the M.L.C.英会話 brand further. We are looking for the following:
Eikaiwa Manager
M.L.C.英会話 is looking for an experienced English Teacher to own and operate an independent branch school in Saitama or Gunma.
The ideal candidate will meet the following criteria:
1- Be a Native Speaker of English with at least 3 years of teaching experience in Japan.
2- Have at least a 3kyu JLPT or equivalent language skills.
Please send your resume and cover letter to MLCeikaiwa [at] gmail [dot] com. Describe your work-ethic, your aspirations and detail any management experience.
J-News Mini-Roundup: The Swine Flu Continues to Spread
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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: Although articles about school closings and the threat of the swine flu have abated in the U.S., in Japan they’re still going strong. Effects from the economic downturn have been exacerbated by the spread of the swine flu, which has scared some consumers into shopping more through the internet than at their local department stores. There have also been articles from international news sources claiming that the threat of swine flu in Japan might prompt the WHO to raise the world alert level.
The last frontier, the “West” of Japan was hit today by the Swine Flu. The big news was that the northern island of Hokkaido had its first case. The flu has already spread and affected most of Honshu, Japan’s most populous island. Each newspaper reported the incident.
Asahi: “In Hokkaido, the First Infection of the New Virus Has Been Found.”
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
Job: Marketing Intern fluent in Japanese for Mindjet (San Francisco)
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Via JETAANC:
Position
Marketing Intern
Japanese Language Fluency Required!
Mindjet, the leader in information visualization and maker of the award-winning MindManager mapping software, is looking for a marketing intern that is fluent in both spoken and written Japanese, creative, energetic and results-oriented. The primary role of this position is to help develop integrated marketing strategies and positioning and deliver compelling web site and email marketing content to drive the continual growth of the Japanese market. This position reports to the Vice President of Asia Pacific. The position is based along the Embarcadero waterfront in Levi’s Plaza in San Francisco, CA. Read More
J-News Mini-Roundup: Change of Pace – Japanese Accomplishments!
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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.
Tsukiji-san, taken from today's edition of the Yomiuri Shinbun
Sample themes from this blog are “the economic woes facing Japan,” “The flu in Narita,” “Car crash kills one,” so today I decided it was better to report on accomplishments from Japan. The Japanese who are successful abroad are adored back home, just go to a Yankees game and look at all the Japanese corporate sponsors lining the stadium.
Today the papers reported on the achievements of a pianist, an athlete, and a novelist, all of which have international fame and recognition. Each newspaper chose a different figure to focus on.
Asahi ” Olympic Swimmer Returns to Active Duty…
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
Job: President of National Association of Japan-America Societies (D.C.)
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The Board of Directors of the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS) announces an opening for the position of President.
The National Association of Japan-America Societies, Inc. (NAJAS), located in Washington, D.C., is a private, non-profit, non-partisan 501 (c) 3 organization. The mission of the National Association of Japan-America Societies is to strengthen cooperation and understanding between the peoples of Japan and the United States by providing programs, services, and information to and facilitating cooperation among its member societies throughout North America.
Responsibilities:
The President serves as the chief operating officer of the association and reports directly to the Chairman of NAJAS, the Executive Committee and the full Board. The President and Chairman, in conjunction with the Board, set the strategic vision for the organization and the strategy to implement goals and objectives. Read More
Hikaru Utada: The Complete JQ Interview
By Justin Tedaldi, Editor (Kobe-shi CIR, 2001-02)
(Originally Published May 2009 in JQ (JETAA NY Quarterly) magazine, the official quarterly publication of JETAA NY (http://jetaany.org/magazine)
It was perfect timing. Back in January, Hikaru Utada, the New York-born recording phenomenon who before she was out of her teens notched three of Japan’s top ten bestselling albums (including number one), was back in town working on a new album for the U.S., and JQ spent a full hour with Hikki to talk of many things, including her new disc This is the One, which hit stores in May.
I know you want to talk about the new album and the single.
The song…
I heard it about two and half weeks ago, as I think I was already on the e-mail list from when your last English album came out.
Oh, right, right, right.
So we go way back. Ten years ago I found out about First Love when I studying Japanese as an undergraduate…
Oh, wow.
It’s amazing to be here now talking about it.
I’m humbled [laughs]. Read More
Job: Professional Trainee to join Reinsurance Team (UK)
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Via Willis, an insurance brokerage firm based in the UK:
The opportunity…
We are looking for a Professional Trainee, with fluency in Japanese, to join our Reinsurance team based in our Head Office in the heart of the city. Whatever your career path, you will have every chance to make an impact. The Graduate Program is a 2 year curriculum that consists of on-the-job learning complimented by training courses that are offered via the Willis Academy. Graduates will be given full support to study for the Chartered Insurance Institute examinations leading to the ACII professional qualification. Willis is going through rapid transformation – a process that is presenting tremendous opportunities. If you thrive on change and wish to influence the direction of a globally ambitious organisation, you could not join a better company than Willis.
