J-News Mini-Roundup: The Economy Continues to Bleed
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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.
The news articles this morning had conflicting stories of how the Japanese are being affected by the economic downturn. The Asahi ran a miraculous headline stating “record catches of black tuna found in Ishikawa Prefecture.” They also stated, although not in a headline, that the Nikkei average had bounced back over the past couple days.
Despite some exceptions, the headlines this morning each told of a different part of the economy sputtering. Looks like in Japanese economic news, what still catches reader’s eyes follows the old saying “if it bleeds it leads.”
Yomiuri “Record Bankruptices” …
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
The June 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:
- The Kome Khronicles
- moto-i in Minneapolis
- Did you Know?
- Sake Professional Course
- Sake Events
- Learn More About Sake eBooks
- Odds-n-Ends
For more information about John and about sake, go to his website at: http://www.sake-world.com
Job: Kaplan Aspect Part Time and Substitute English Teacher (East Village, NYC)
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A job listing direct from Kaplan Aspect:
English as a Second Language Instructor
Purpose of the Job:
ESL instructors helps international students achieve their personal or academic goals through English language instruction and/or preparation for the TOEFL exam.
Responsibilities:
§ Teach ESL classes Monday-Friday according to Kaplan Aspect curriculum.
§ Prepare daily lesson plans according to established syllabus.
§ Maintain a classroom atmosphere conducive to learning.
§ Test, evaluate, and counsel students regarding their academic performance and goals.
§ Maintain accurate record keeping for daily attendance and student performance.
§ Participate in staff meetings and in-service workshops. Read More
Job: Air-Ocean Expert Clerk (OH)
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via Actus Consulting:
Japanese Logistics company seeks an Air-Ocean Export Clerk for immediate hire.
Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:
– Manage assigned accounts by processing export shipments and all related activities for an assigned base of accounts.
– Assist with duties related to document preparaion and traffic coordination required to correctly process goods through customers and effect timely delivery.
– Prepare reports of transactions to facilitate billing of shippers and foreign carriers.
– Coordinate any necessary surface transportation to airports or pier. Read More
Job: Japanese Teacher at Einstein High School (Maryland)
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Montgomery County Public Schools are seeking a part-time Japanese language Teacher to work at Einstein High School. Einstein is located in the Wheaton/Kensington area of Maryland. They are looking for someone to work a 0.6 (24 hours/week). Medical/retirement benefits are included. The applicant must be authorized to work in the United States.
If you are interested, please forward a resume or contact Rochelle Kraus at RochelleKraus[at] mcpsmd[dot]org.
For further information, please refer to the MCPS Office of Human Resources website where you can find details on the requirements to apply to MCPS, as well as an online application.
Job: U.S.-Japan Council Office Manager (D.C.)
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via JETAA DC:
Employer: The U.S.-Japan Council
Title: Office Manager
Responsibilities: The Manager will be an integral part of a small team of people in a new nonprofit membership organization focused on U.S.-Japan relations. The Manager will have primary responsibility for Council office administrative operations and provide some communications and program support. The position requires an individual who is flexible, able to multi-task and prioritize, proactive, organized, able to plan and meet deadlines and comfortable working independently and as part of a team. The Manager’s duties include but are not limited to the following: Read More
J-News Mini-Roundup: Proven Innocent…After 17 Years!
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An image from the movie, "Soredemo Boku Wa Yattenai."
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.
To understand the differences between the American and Japanese justice systems one needs to watch the movie それでも僕はやってない (soredemo boku wa yattenai). It’s a chilling tale about how a boy gets accused of harassing a girl due to false testimony, ends up in jail and gets his life tarnished forever. The movie states figures such as 95% of the people accused of crimes are convicted.
The difference is the Japanese judicial system assumes you’re “guilty until proven innocent,”…
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
Over 400 hits again
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JetWit went over 400 hits for the day again yesterday as traffic continues to consistently grow on the site. Chotto jiman, I know. Just wanted to share that.
Job: News Assistant/Receptionist at the Asahi Shimbun (NYC)
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Via JET alum Beth Hillman (Hyogo-Ken, 2002-04) who is finishing up her job at the Asahi Shimbun:
News Assistant / Receptionist
Asahi Shimbun, New York bureau
The Asahi Shimbun, a major Japanese newspaper, has an opening for a news assistant / receptionist in its New York bureau located in Times Square.
Job Description: The assistant will be required to perform two separate duties: news assistant and receptionist.
Oh (JETAA) Canada!
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I just had a great time in Toronto this past weekend (May 29-31) where I had the honour (Americans: please note spelling) of being invited to be the keynote speaker for the JETAA Canada National Conference.
Here’s what I have to report:
- I think the speech went well and resonated with the chapter reps, especially on the themes of creating structures and motivation to get more JET alums to self-identify and view themselves as part of the JET alumni community. (Full text of speech available here.)
- Several people told me they were familiar with JetWit but didn’t really get what it was all about and how it could be helpful until they heard me talk about it and provide the background and context.
- People seem to be much nicer in Canada. From the hostess at the trendy Panorama bar where we gathered the first night even to the personal search I had to go through at airport security. (Did I mention that my suitcase was already on the baggage carousel by the time I got to the baggage claim area upon arrival? First time ever in my life that’s happened.)
- JETAA Toronto did a fantastic job of hosting, thanks to the hard work of Conference Organizer Amy Schindler, JETAA Canada Country Rep Gloria Ma, JETAA Toronto Co-chairs Natalie Bey and Glen Morales, Website & Communications Chair Darryl Young, Website Support (and professional illustrator) David Namisato, Treasurer Sonia Cheng and many others.
- A number of chapters, especially in the less populated areas of Canada, are struggling with ways to keep their membership lists above a certain level (which they need for continued financial support from CLAIR) due to some evolving new requirements on who can be counted as a member. (So if you’re a JET alum in, e.g., Saskatchewan, and not on a chapter list, please get in touch with your chapter!)
- The main street in Toronto is called Bloor Street, which sounds funny if you keep saying it over and over.
- JETAA Toronto recently hosted a successful event featuring the work of JET alumni artists. A great idea to try and replicate in other chapters. Actually, it would be really nice if someone wanted to start a Facebook or Google group for JET alumni artists. If you do this, get in touch and I’ll help get the word out. There are a lot of good ones out there.
- I learned of two more JET alumni academics/authors: Alison Gabriele (linguistics) and Karen Healey (literature). (Thanks to linguistics grad student and JETAA Montreal chapter rep Moti Lieberman for sharing the info. Moti, by the way, also offered to write a piece for JetWit on where to go in Montreal to get your “Japan fix.” Part of the idea is that any JET alums planning on moving to Montreal will stumble on the article and then know to get in touch with the JETAA chapter there. If anyone else wants to write a “Japan fix” piece for wherever you are, please feel free to get in touch. It would be great to have a whole series of these.)
- I had a wonderful informal walking tour of Toronto with Robert Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04), author of Zorgamazoo (which just won an E.B. White Honour given to the 4 best “read-aloud” books).
All of which is to say, if you’re ever invited to attend the JETAA Canada National Conference, by all means take them up on it.
And lastly, thanks to everyone from Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Ottawa and elsewhere for your hospitality and for allowing me to join the conference. It was a terrific experience and is already leading to more cross-chapter collaboration and communication.
-Steven
J-News Mini-Roundup: Tragic Accident in Yokohama Kills 3
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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.
Remember what it was like to first get your license? It’s both exciting and nerve racking to be driving around on your own free will. This is probably what the 18 year old university student was thinking last night as he was driving through the streets of Yokohoma.
Unfortunately, he did not think to check the light as he was heading for the intersection. As he went through the red light, his car was side swiped by another, and pushed up onto the sidewalk. Waiting on the sidewalk were three female pedestrians…
(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 Higher Education’s international education programs job listings:
5/27/2009
- St. George’s University (New York) : Manager of Overseas Recruitment
5/25/2009
- Frostburg State University (Maryland) : Director of the Center for International Education
- Union College (N.Y.) (New York) : Director of International Programs
Via JETAA:
Full time Kindergarten Teaching Position opening in Sapporo.
This position offers a competitive salary, and great paid vacation time. In addition to a cooperative working environment, successful candidates will have the opportunity to teach their own class of kindergarten aged children in the schools unique English immersion program. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys teaching younger children, and is also creative, flexible, and has lots of energy. This is a fabulous opportunity for the right candidate.
Those interested in the position please contact Aimee at: allgroups1234[at]yahoo[dot]com
Position will be available from July or late June.
JETAA DC seeks Newsletter Editor
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Via JETAA DC:
According to former JETAA DC Newsletter Coordinator Abby McBain, who is now the JET Liaison at the Consulate General of Japan in Miami, the JETAA Newsletter Coordinator position is still open.
She notes that it’s a particularly great opportunity for anyone looking for a way to use or improve their desktop publishing skills. [Ed. note: As the former JETAA NY Newsletter Editor, I can vouch for this.] Abby mentions that she had a lot of fun designing and putting together the Spring issue of The Sakura Times, and it was very helpful to be able to show a mock-up fo the issue when she interviewed for her current position at the Consulate. She said she was told after getting the job as JET coordinator that the interviewers were particularly impressed with the newsletter and it was definitely a factor in her being chosen.
Tsumari, serving as a newsletter editor is a great way to build a portfolio of your work and demonstrate your skills.
The returnee newsletter issue for JETAA DC needs to be compiled soon. It would be great if someone can step up to to take on the full reins and keep the newsletter going.
If interested, please contact Abby at ASAP.
WITLife #41: Drugs for all!
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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.
Starting today in Japan, as a result of loosening of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, consumers will be able to purchase nonprescription drugs at convenience stores and supermarkets. With this deregulation, conbini and supermarket chain operators will be allowed to sell most nonprescription products such as cold and stomach medicine at outlets staffed with registered sales clerks.
Currently, consumers can only buy nonprescription products at drug stores where pharmacists are in attendance, but the legal change will allow consumers to buy such drugs at conbini around the clock. A conbini operator senior official said that Read More
