Jun 5

Job: Japanese Teacher at Einstein High School (Maryland)

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.


Jun 4

Job: U.S.-Japan Council Office Manager (D.C.)

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


Jun 4

J-News Mini-Roundup: Proven Innocent…After 17 Years!

boku

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)


Jun 4

Over 400 hits again

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.


Jun 2

Job: News Assistant/Receptionist at the Asahi Shimbun (NYC)

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.

Read More


Jun 2

Oh (JETAA) Canada!

jetaa-canada-logoI 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


Jun 2

J-News Mini-Roundup: Tragic Accident in Yokohama Kills 3

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.red-light

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)


Jun 1

Jobs: International Education Programs (Chronicle of Higher Ed)

Via the Chronicle of Higher Education’s international education programs job listings

5/27/2009

5/25/2009


Jun 1

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.


Jun 1

JETAA DC seeks Newsletter Editor

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.


Jun 1

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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


Jun 1

J-News Mini-Roundup: Economic Woes Plague 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.workers

The U.S. economic news hasn’t been that bad, lately. Just last week was released some of the most promising consumer confidence numbers since the recession began, and the stock market has been slightly gaining over a period of time. In fact minus the effects of the Swine Flu, and some people might say the U.S. economy is showing signs of recovery.

Not so in Japan. The effects of the recession that have already taken hold have been exacerbated by…

(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)


May 28

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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.

One of Japan’s recent innovations for battling the ongoing recession is providing consumers with products or services that can be paid for with just one coin (the phrase ワンコイン that refers to this phenomenon has been getting a lot of traction lately).  Today there was a feature focusing on 500 yen (or one coin) health related services and how they are boosting business for many establishments.

One location profiled was a place where you can get various health factors evaluated.  Here they provide a “one coin menu” which offers Read More


May 28

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.

smap

Background: SMAP is one of the most popular boy bands in Japan. Anyone that’s been to Japan and done Karaoke will probably tell you about their songs. Just turn on the TV and you’ll see the very popular Smap Smap variety show. According to Wikipedia SMAP leader Nakai was the highest tax payer of any entertainer in Japan in 2003.

In late April of this year, SMAP member Tsuyoshi Kusanagi was arrested for indecent exposure in a public park. He was found not guilty by authorities, and is scheduled today to return back to showbiz on the show Smap Smap. The Japanese newspapers each had their own account of the Smap member’s return.

Yomiuri He’s Back As Popular Than Ever This summary of the article basically sums up Yomiuri’s reporting of the return of Tsuyoshi Kusanagi. They quote him by saying “I’m happy to have my job and start from square one. I apologize for any inconvenience caused to my band members, and I also thank the fans for all their encouraging words.” The “encouraging words”, according to Yomiuri, were about 45,000 letters sent by fans during his one month absence. Yomiuri paints a picture of Tsuyoshi both as popular as ever, and also as busy as ever. After his debut on Smap Smap tonight Tsuyoshi then is scheduled to appear on “Waratemoii” the following day.

Asahi He Has Risen and Reformed The Asahi fails to mention the massive fan mail and rigorous schedule of Tsuoyoshi and instead…

(Click HERE to read the rest of the post)


May 27

Job: Accounting and General Affairs for a Trading Company (NYC)

Via Max Consulting:

Industry: Trading (Import/Export)

Title: Accounting and General Affairs

Job Description: Accounting and General Affairs Staff in a trading company.

Read More


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