Yokosuka, in Kanagawa Prefecture, is the perfect spot for a naval base. It occupies most of the Miura Peninsula, which forms a natural breakwater protecting the mouth of Tokyo Bay. The establishment of an Imperial Japanese Navy base there in the late 19th century gave Yokosuka an unexpected connection to the nation’s culinary history.
In its early days, the navy was plagued by the painful and often fatal disease beriberi. Food historian Katarzyna J. Cwiertka writes in her excellent book “Modern Japanese Cuisine” that 12 percent of all Japanese sailors were found to be suffering from the condition in 1883. A high-ranking navy doctor named Kanehiro Takagi was aware that beriberi was rare in Western navies, whose sailors more often ate meat. He theorized that a high-protein diet might improve sailors’ health. Efforts were begun to Westernize navy meals by including more meat, and curry was one of the dishes used for that purpose. It became a staple of Japanese navy cooking.

Click HERE to read more.

Last night I saw a concert at Carnegie Hall given by the Hearts and Eyes Choir ( ゆきわりそう合唱団 or Yukiwariso gasshoudan).  This choir was established in 1990 by founder Hiroyo Ubayama, who was on hand to offer her greetings to the audience.  It is composed of members with physical and mental disabilities, and the origin of its name is because the choir “shares its dreams and expresses its joy with its hearts and eyes.”  They travel the world performing with the motto “we will all be sisters and brothers.”  This was their second time on stage at Carnegie Hall, following their debut performance back in 2000.

They were joined by local choral groups as well as featured singers, and the pieces chosen were Rhapsody for Orchestra, Four Seasons of Old Home and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor.  Happy Doll founder Nozomi Terao was the MC, and during intermission collections were taken up for this organization, a “doll travel agency” which arranges the logistics for children around the world to make dolls for other children in need.  Yukiwariso had previously made dolls with Happy Doll, and their creations were displayed on stage alongside the performers, which made the event even more special.

During my several years in Japan, I can’t recall ever having seeing any mentally or physically challenged people in public.  I don’t personally know any Japanese living in Japan who are disabled, but I have heard that there is a tendency to institutionalize them or keep them at home, preventing the possibility of a normal life.  I was happy to see the members of Yukiwariso singing their hearts out and conveying their emotions, and was greatly moved by the performance.  I’m not sure what sorts of lives they lead back home, but it was encouraging to see that they have the opportunity to engage in activities that develop their talents and allow for interaction as fully functioning members of society.

Position: Part Time Program Coordinator and A part-time International Marketing Coordinator
Posted by: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Type:
Location: Tokyo, JP
Salary: 210,000¥/ month (2,000¥/ hour, plus overtime and bonus)
Start Date: ASAP

Outline
Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), a national university in Tokyo, is seeking a part-time native or native level coordinator for international affairs, starting ASAP. The applicant should be a native or native-like speaker of English, who is highly qualified in assisting the international activities at TUAT.

Responsibilities
The coordinators will ensure effective coordination of all the mission’s activities for international affairs and his/her responsibilities include international marketing, supporting for internationalizing university campus, coordinating and promoting international exchanges and activities with partner universities (including overseas travel), overseas liaison offices and overseas alumni, and assisting international cooperative research and industry-university cooperation.

Other important duties include making public information in English and developing English web page.

Qualifications/Competences
The applicant should be/ have:  (Language)

(1) a native or native-like speaker of English
(2) Some working knowledge of Japanese

(Education)
(3) a bachelor’s degree or advanced university degree in any field

(Work Experience)
(4) Experiences with any university, school, government in Japan, and/or other international organizations in Japan are desirable.

Those who have no such a responsible professional experience, but only voluntary work experiences and have enthusiasm to work for a university may be considered for application.

Term of employment
25 hours per week (work hours per day can be consulted)

The initial contract is for one year with the possibility of annual base renewal for an additional two-year period. After completing the three-year contract, if the university deems necessary, there will be the possibility of renewal of the contract.

Salary
Based on the regulations of the salary system of TUAT, commutation and other allowances will be paid.

Application materials
(1) Curriculum vitae with photograph and email address
(2) A list of working experiences and achievements
(3) An essay stating the applicant’s opinion on the expectations of a university in a globalized society (approximately 500 words)

Deadline for application
Application materials must arrive no later than May 16, 2013

Selection process
Short listed candidates will be invited for an interview, which will be held at their earliest convenience. (Travel expenses will not be reimbursed.)

Application materials should be emailed to:  kokusai3@cc.tuat.ac.jp

The below is a request from  Eliot Honda (Ehime-ken, 2009-2012) who is seeking to interview other Ehime JET alumni as part of a project aimed at re-establishing the Ehime Kenjinkai in Hawaii: 

My name is Eliot Honda, I am a former ALT in Uwajima city. I was there from 2009-2012, I had a blast and learned a lot about Uwajima, and Ehime in my three years. I found out that my home, Hawaii has deep ties to Ehime dating as far back as Japan’s first interaction with a Head of State. King Kalakaua and Date Munenari would meet during Kalakaua’s trip to Japan.

Since returning I’ve attempted to stay active in JET and in international exchange. My wife and I have been working to rebuild the Ehime Kenjinkai (Ehime Prefecture Club.) One of the things we talked about doing is a series of videos on the Ehime area. I wanted to add a bit of JET in there, since I’ve also become a board member of the JET Alumni Association in Hawaii. I wanted to do a screen cap of Skype/Facetime interviews and get former/present JETs to talk about the area in Ehime they lived in. A bit about the history, the landscape, the people, the attractions, and overall lifestyle of the area they live/lived in.

Ehime and JET hold a very special place in my heard, and Uwajima has become a 2nd home for me; a place I can always return to. (And not just because my wife is from there.) I have so many friends, and now family in Uwajima. This prefecture is rarely visited, but has a lot of beauty in it, and the JET Program is constantly on the chopping block, and I think people outside of the program miss the value of the program.

If you’re interested in doing an interview (which will eventually go on YouTube) and also helping to show the beauty of Ehime and just how helpful the JET Program can be for international exchange, please email me.

Thank You,

Eliot Honda

Email: eliot.honda [at] gmail.com

Here are some previous JETwit posts with Eliot’s videos about JET and Ehime.  And here is a JQ Magazine “Life After JET” interview with him.

New Rice Cooker Chronicles submissions always welcome. Just e-mail it to Leah at jetwit [at] jetwit.com.

I’ve noticed a lot of people find my blog by searching for bamboo shoot recipes. This year, I wanted to develop a new recipe to add to the list and to make something other than bamboo-rice with the shoot I bought. My friend and temporary roommate mentioned that she had seen a bamboo and kabocha curry at a festival over the weekend….

Click HERE to read more.

Click the link below to see the video.  (The features starts around 07:54:30, after the opening segment on Michelle Obama.)

http://ctv4.criticalmention.com/playerpage/player?shareid=124788&partnerToken=26ce96c33e478f62013e5c8a55bd1a48&clientId=0

Here’s another link to the video that also has a written article in connection with the video:  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-33816_162-57585156/whats-for-lunch-in-japanese-schools-its-always-healthy/

New Rice Cooker Chronicles submissions always welcome. Just e-mail it to Leah at jetwit [at] jetwit.com.

Hug Chai Works (ハグチャイワークス)
Location: Sainen, Kanazawa (Kencho Road/60 near Kanazawa Station)
Type: Lunch, café
Dietary: Meals are not vegetarian-friendly, but bagels and baked goods are.
Language: Japanese

Click HERE to read more.

The JETAA USA Board of Advisors, the JETAA USA Country Representatives, and the JETAA USA Working Group have been collaborating with JET alum Paige Cottingham-Streater of the US-Japan Friendship Commission (among others) on the opportunity to grow and strengthen JETAA USA and its chapters. Thanks to Paige’s hard work, the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership has created a part-time position to work for the US-Japan Bridging Foundation to support this mission.

*********************

Photographic evidence of the event available on the PNW JETAA Facebook group, courtesy of President Cheryl Hou.

Takae Kawabe, a member of the all-female New York City-based taiko group COBU. (Courtesy of Takae Kawabe)

By Kirsten Phillips (Niigata-ken, 2005-2008) for JQ magazine. Kirsten is a native New Yorker and currently works as a teacher for the New York Board of Education.

Sakura matsuri season is upon us. For JET returnees, this time of year hearkens back to picnics with friends or students. Copious amounts of alcohol under the pink shower of blossoms and maneuvering through crowded lines of vendors celebrating the coming of spring. Sakura season also brings out the finest Japanese talent in New York and no event worth mentioning would be whole without the beating heart of COBU.

You haven’t been following COBU around like a bloodhound? Shame on you. Don’t even know what a COBU is? Double shame on you. Fortunately, oneesan is here to clue you in.

Spearheaded by artist and visionary Yako Miyamoto, COBU is more of a statement in taiko than a collaboration. We are heard. We are seen. We are felt. We are here. A handful of iron women play tirelessly in perfect sync. A little humor, an appropriate smattering of sexy and a metric ton of showmanship make COBU a delight for audiences across the tri-state area.

This year’s Branch Brook Park performance in New Jersey was a staggering hit by COBU, showcasing the talent of their following, or deshi. Upstage, COBU performing members Micro Fukuyama and Haruna Hisada kept time and loudly cheered on the fledgling members as they demonstrated some of COBU’S trademark choreography and pulsing patterns. If you have ever witnessed a COBU show before, it’s easy to become dazzled by the performing members, but this showcase invited audiences to the notion that, hey, they can be a part of this rhythm, too.

Taiko in Japan is not just an art form. To some, it may even be called a form of worship. All of one’s energy, passion and soul manifest in the relentless rhythm of the drum. You need dependable guns to play taiko well. Good arms, strong blood, a clear mind and a tireless heart.

COBU member Takae Kawabe was kind enough to answer some burning questions in this exclusive interview.

***

JQ: Watching a COBU performance is breathtaking! About how long does it take to become a performing member?

Kawabe: If you have discipline, you are the one! It really depends how hard you practice.

JQ: How often do you guys practice?

Kawabe: Usually we have three rehearsals a week. But when a performance comes up, the members contact each other, get together, and practice extra. If necessary, we meet every day.

JQ: Please give me a little information about the COBU tap/drum classes. Does it go by level? Are the classes taught in English? Japanese? Both? What age range are the students? What is the atmosphere like in the COBU training class?

Kawabe: We have drum class on Tuesdays and Saturdays. On Tuesday, since it’s a weekday, we usually have smaller classes, and it’s more like a semi-private class atmosphere. Most of the time, we teach more details and what the students want to learn individually. On Saturday, we have more students, so we divide into groups. The students take turns and keep playing! We speak both English and Japanese, but more Japanese, I guess. The age range….Now we have a lot of kids. I guess the youngest is five or six years old and the oldest, I do not know. But anybody can join us and have fun together! The atmosphere is very energetic as people know if they know COBU. We try to make every class interesting.

JQ: Do any of the members have a preferred piece they like to perform especially and could you please tell, briefly, why?

Kawabe: Yes, I have some pieces I would love to perform. That is simply because I love them—the rhythms or the choreography. And also we would like to perform because it’s the audience favorite.

COBU performs through the rest of sakura matsuri season. For upcoming events through the summer, visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/COBUNY.

For JQ’s 2009 interview with COBU founder Yako Miyamoto, click here.

Zanutig’s home full of letters.

Jessie Zanutig was in the middle of celebrating her junior high school students’ graduation at a small restaurant in Kawaba Village, Gunma Prefecture, when the earthquake struck.  Buildings in her tiny mountainous town in northern Gunma shook violently, but her town was thankfully safe from the tsunami that was about to ravage several coastal communities in northeast Japan.

As Gunma residents banned together in the next few weeks to send supplies to neighboring Fukushima-ken, Zanutig began to correspond with a Canadian friend who was living in Ishinomaki, one of the hardest hit towns in Miyagi Prefecture, to learn more about the situation.  Her friend’s boyfriend, who is Japanese, lost his father in the tsunami and was struggling with the sudden loss of a family member.

“I was in contact with her a lot to make sure she was OK. Her students were having a really hard time,” Zanutig, 28, remembers.  “I thought, ‘I want to help but there’s nothing I can do.’ So I asked her, ‘If I just collected a few letters from friends and family, do you have a few students you can give them to?’”

Her friend agreed, and Zanutig sent an invitation to friends in Gunma and around Japan to write letters to students who were most affected by the triple disasters.  Soon, her home’s tiny mailbox was overflowing with letters from around the world.  Her town’s postal delivery woman began bringing boxes of letters directly to the junior high school where Zanutig worked.  Every morning, Zanutig and her students would carry the letters to the staff room.

“The goal was to really show the children affected by the earthquake and tsunami that people around the world care about them and think about them,” Zanutig says.  “The other goal was to give people a really concrete way of helping, doing something rather than just donating money, a way for people around the world to show that they care.”

“I think the letter is a lost art form.  Anyone can sit down and write an e-mail. That’s not the same effort as writing a letter, something physically made for you. There is a lot of effort and kindness that goes into a letter.”

Her initial hope was to deliver 300 letters to students in Tohoku, but after seeing the response from friends and strangers around the world, she changed the name of the project to 3,000 Letters for Japan.  Within three months, Zanutig had received about 13,000 letters in total, and in May 2011, she and her boyfriend drove from her village to Miyagi to distribute the letters to ALTs in the area, though some of the delivery process was difficult due to the critical situation in the area.

“A lot of schools were closed down, or ALTs had left,” she says.  “It was really hard to distribute, we are a little bit disconnected. It was hard for her to find schools, to say ‘Hey I have these letters from around the world.’”

Still, many of the letters reached students who were eager to hear from a new friend in a different country.  Many of the letters came from students who wrote about their own hobbies and what they love about Japan — everyday things that perhaps helped the Tohoku students think about other matters rather than the sadness around them and the grief that consumed so many adults.  Zanutig says one of her favorite group of letters came from a junior high class whose students included a photo of themselves in each letter.

“They didn’t talk about how they were sorry for their loss; it was more of a friendship letter,” she says.

Zanutig is now back in her home country of Canada pursing a master’s degree in education with the hopes of teaching at an international school, perhaps once again in Japan. Occasionally, she will hear about someone who received a reply back from a student who received a letter in Tohoku.

Although 3,000 Letters for Japan has closed, Zanutig hopes efforts continue to reach Tohoku, even two years after the disaster.

“I think the earthquake was a really hard time to be in Japan, but when I look back at the three years I was there, it was one of my favorite times.  I learned the most about Japan, Japanese people and the Japanese spirit,” she says.  “I remember a lot of foreigners left Japan; they were scared. I didn’t leave.  I had a strong enough community that I had faith.”

Position: Reservations and Marketing Coordinator
Posted by: Hokubei Hochi Foundation
Type: N/A
Location: Seattle, WA
Salary: This is a contract job with an hourly wage, to be negotiated
Start Date: N/A

Overview:
A Japanese-inspired event venue is searching for an outgoing and friendly individual to handle rental bookings, staffing, and marketing tasks.  The ideal candidate is able to communicate in a professional manner, providing exceptional service to clients.  (www.nagomiteahouse.tumblr.com )

Job Responsibilities:
-Handle incoming inquiries and show the space to potential customers.
-Coordinate the logistics of room rentals, from parking to staffing and setup plans.
-Create invoices, handle finances, and assemble quarterly reports.
-Research, identify, and reach out to businesses and organizations in the neighboring areas (Pioneer Square, Sodo, etc.).
-Develop marketing strategies and promotional offers to increase revenue and bring back previous clients.
-Assist in the publicity of public events at Nagomi through the newspaper, Nagomi tumblr, and other outlets, which may include designing marketing materials.
-Represent the tea house at community meetings, introduce the tea house and its programs at public events, if requested.

Skill Requirements:
-Excellent verbal/written communication skills.
-Be able to work some weekends/weeknights and have a flexible work schedule.
-Be able to lift 25 lbs.
-Knowledge of Japanese culture, Japanese language skills a plus, but not a requirement.
-Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite a plus, but not a requirement.
-Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.

Hours: 5-15 hours a week depending on bookings.
Location: Chinatown-International District (across from the bus tunnel).
Contact: Send a cover letter and resume to: info@hokubeihochi.org,   Please no phone calls.

**Note: If you apply, please indicate you learned of the job through JETwit.**

Position: Sales at Japanese Telecommunication Company
Posted by: Actus Consulting
Type: Full-time
Location: Manhattan , New York
Salary: DOE
Start Date: N/A

Company Information:

• The company provides portable internet solutions to travelers in the United States and around the world.
• Main product is portable Wi-Fi routes.
• Headquartered in Tokyo, established 40 years ago.
• Number of Employees: 300 (worldwide), NYC Office 1

Appealing Point: As this is a small-office/start-up operation, your voice and actions will surely be heard and make a significant difference in the business. The company welcomes new opinions and suggestions and appreciates you taking initiatives. The philosophy of the company is to encourage your unique individuality and the work environment fosters your creative and innovating mind-set.

Your Role with the Company:

As a Sales, your job duties will include:

1. Sales

• Service existing accounts and obtain orders
• Establish new accounts by planning and organizing daily work schedule to call on existing or potential sales outlets
• Keep management informed by submitting activity and results reports, such as daily call reports, weekly work plans, and monthly and
  annual territory analyses.
• Monitor competition by gathering current marketplace information on pricing, products, new products, delivery schedules,
  merchandising techniques, etc.
• Recommend changes in products, service, and policy by evaluating results and competitive developments.
• Resolve customer complaints by investigating problems; developing solutions; preparing reports; making recommendations to
  management.

2. Customer Support and Administrative Duties

• Provide product, promotion, and pricing information by clarifying customer request; selecting appropriate information; forwarding information; answering questions.
• Prepare sales presentations by compiling data; developing presentation formats and materials.

Qualification:

• Sales experience is highly desired but not required
• Must be interested in working at a start-up company and have adventurous mindset
• Must be able to take initiatives
• Must have excellent communication skill in English

Benefit: Eligible after hired
Work Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am to 5:30pm
Start Day: Around June 1st
Contact stakeda@actus-usa.com  to apply.

Position: Visa Clerk/Consular Assistant
Posted by: Consulate General of Japan
Type: Full-time contract
Location: Miami, FL
Salary: DOE
Start Date: Monday, July 22nd, 2013

Overview:
The Consular Section at the Consulate General of Japan in Miami has an opening for a Visa Clerk/Consular Assistant. This is a full-time contract position.

You will not be required to work weekends unless a special event is taking place. In such cases, you will be given advance notice.

Benefits:
This is a full-time salary position. Over-time is available when approved. Health benefits are included.

Duties:
-Answer phone calls and e-mails regarding Japanese visas, re-entry permits, Japanese textbooks, and request for investigation of lost articles.
-Collect and revise all visa application packages at the Consulate.
-When necessary, interview the applicants to verify information they have provided for their visa application.
-Process all Japanese textbook orders from Japan for the two Japanese schools in Florida, and for all individual home schooled children.
- Assist the Consul with Japanese nationals in the State of Florida who are in need of Consular services.
-Assist in Consular events in the community

Minimum Qualifications
-High School Degree or equivalent
-Fluent English and Japanese (reading and writing)
-Moderate computer skills (excel, word)

Preferred Qualifications
-Conversational Spanish
-Experience working with Adobe Dreamweaver

Application Procedure:
Please submit a cover letter(400 character max), and resume by no later than May 27th, 2013. Please send all information to: info@mi.mofa.go.jp

If you are chosen for an interview, you will be notified by June 3rd, 2013. We will call and schedule an interview sometime in early June. The person who is chosen for this position will be notified by telephone.

Position: Program Assistant III
Posted by: UC Berkeley Center for Japanese Studies
Type: Full- time
Location:  Berkeley, CA
Salary:  $41,448 (step 1) to $47,508 (step 7) depending on experience
Start Date: N/A

Overview:
The Center for Japanese Studies (CJS), founded in 1958, supports the teaching and research mission of the university in all areas of Japanese studies by serving faculty and graduate students, providing grants and fellowships, and organizing conferences and colloquia.

Working under the supervision of the staff Program Director and the faculty Chair, the CJS Program Assistant will provide support for the public and academic programming, postdoc fellows and visiting scholar services, as well as student and outreach activities. S/he will help to plan, execute and manage, with a large degree of independence and using both English and (if possible) Japanese, the full portfolio of center activities and general administration.

Responsibilities
• Conference and Events Coordination (20%)
• Visiting Scholar Program Management (20%)
• Center Administration and Office Management (15%)
• Outreach and Donor Relations (5%)

Required Qualifications
• Excellent spoken and written English required.
• Ability to interact with broad range of international visitors using tact and diplomacy.
• Excellent organizational skills, with experience in office management, events planning, and/or university administration.
• Ability to work independently and to prioritize tasks effectively

Preferred Qualifications
• Skill with spoken and written Japanese is preferred, in order to manage the visiting scholar program and to welcome academic visitors from Japan.
• Experience in an academic research unit environment.
• Skill with standard office applications such as MS Word, Excel, Access, In Design, Photo Shop, e-newsletter platforms, browsers and email programs.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit:
http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/forms_pubs/misc/benefits_of_belonging.pdf

How to Apply
Please submit your cover letter and resume as a single attachment when applying.

https://hrw-vip-prod.is.berkeley.edu/psp/JOBSPROD/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL?Page=HRS_CE_JOB_DTL&Action=A&JobOpeningId=15688&SiteId=1&PostingSeq=1

Position: Membership Officer
Posted by: Japan Society
Type: Full- time
Location: London
Salary: £20 – £23k depending on experience
Start Date: N/A

Company Information:
The Japan Society is the leading independent body in the United Kingdom dedicated to the enhancement of the British-Japanese relationship in all its facets. It is a membership organization and UK charity with a strong educational remit. Its core programmes include approximately 80 academic, business and cultural events each year, support for schools teaching about Japan, provision of small grants, publication of periodicals and books, and maintenance of a small historic library.

The Membership Officer is the first point of call for the Society’s membership of some 700 individual and 200 corporate members and is responsible for keeping our records up to date and coordinating recruitment efforts. The post provides support to the Membership and Development committees and plays an active role in the management of the programme of business events.

He/she will report to the Chief Executive, though may work directly with other members of the Society’s small team on particular areas of activity.

Duties and responsibilities:
• Handling membership enquiries and playing an active role in recruitment
• Processing membership applications and renewals, managing payments
• Maintaining the membership databases and producing regular updates, collating statistics. Helping the education team manage its database of schools and teachers.
• Drafting materials for print and website and preparing information packs for members and donors
• Sending regular postal information and events updates to members
• Assisting with the planning and organization of business and donor events, both daytime and evening
• Supporting the work of the Membership and Development committees, producing minutes and related documents

Skills required:
• Excellent English language skills with experience of business communication (ability to write business letters, draft information packs, handle telephone calls, participate in meetings, respond to email communications)
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, ability to spot errors and self-correct
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint etc)
• Experience of databases (SQL and Access) is a great advantage but not essential. Training will be provided if necessary, but evidence of strong general IT skills is important.
• Flexibility and a willingness to get involved, when necessary, in any aspect of the Society’s activity with others in our small team.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK.

Application Requirements: Please send a CV and covering letter by email to Heidi Potter at heidi.potter@japansociety.org.uk
Contact Name: Heidi PotterContact Address: Swire House, 59 Buckingham Gate, LondonContact
Email: heidi.potter@japansociety.org.uk

Position: Information and Education Assistant
Posted by: The Japan Society
Type: Full-time
Location: London
Salary: £18 – £19k depending on experience
Start Date: N/A

Company Information:
Japan Society is the leading independent body in the United Kingdom dedicated to the enhancement of the British-Japanese relationship in all its facets. It is a membership organization and UK charity with a strong educational remit. Its core programmes include approximately 80 academic, business and cultural events each year, support for schools teaching about Japan, provision of small grants, publication of periodicals and books, and maintenance of a small historic library.

The Information and Education Assistant has a central role supporting all areas of the Society’s activity. He/she is the first point of contact for general enquiries and will have a general overview of current projects. This post also provides administrative support for management of the Japan Society office, the Small Grants scheme and for aspects of the Schools Education programme.

He/she will report to the Head of Education, though will work directly with other members of the Society’s management team on particular areas of activity.

Main duties and responsibilities:
• Dealing with enquiries from callers, by phone, email and in person, and directing them to the relevant member of staff when appropriate
• Managing applications for Japan Society Small Grants, communicating with applicants and the Grants committee, keeping accurate records and administering payments
• Providing administrative support to the education team, for example with management of loan resources and education events, and the maintenance of schools database information
• Managing the office environment, including equipment and supplies, handling incoming and outgoing post
• Occasionally assisting with events, which may require evening work

Skills required:
• Excellent English language skills (ability to handle telephone calls, write letters/emails, participate in meetings)
• Knowledge of Japanese language and culture is useful.
• Excellent organizational abilities and attention to detail
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint etc) is essential. Experience of databases is useful.
• Flexibility and a willingness to get involved, when necessary, in any aspect of the Society’s activity as part of a small team.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK.

Application Requirements: Please send a CV and covering letter by email to Heidi Potter at heidi.potter@japansociety.org.uk

Contact Name: Heidi Potter
Contact Address: Swire House, 59 Buckingham Gate, London
Contact Email: heidi.potter@japansociety.org.uk

Position: Part-time English tutor to Japanese students
Posted by: Hello England
Type: Part-time
Location: West London
Salary: £20 per hour
Start Date: N/A

Company Information:
Hello England is looking for friendly, professional teachers who can teach private English lessons for a few hours on one or two weekday evenings to Japanese children. This position would suit someone who enjoyed teaching in Japan, and would like to join the Hello England team of excellent teachers. The applicant must be able to speak simple conversational Japanese, be reliable, presentable and enthusiastic about teaching. Long-term commitment is important (9 months +), as students do not like to switch teachers after only a short time. The applicant should have at least one year’s experience of teaching in Japan. Please send CV and details of experience and present situation.

Requirements: CV
Contact Name: John Chisholm
Contact Address: 8 Rosedale Terrace, Hammersmith, London
Contact Email: jchisholm@helloengland.co.uk

Last night I had the chance to see the play Iva: The Myth of Tokyo Rose at Asia Society.  Prior to seeing the performance I had heard of Tokyo Rose, but was not aware of what the story behind this name was.  It was actually created by Allied forces in the South Pacific during WWII to describe English speaking female broadcasters of Japanese propaganda, which was intended to disrupt the morale of the Allied force listeners.

The play’s protagonist is Iva Toguri D’Aquino, a Japanese-American who later married a Filipino.  She had the misfortune of going to Japan to take care of a sick relative in 1941, and being stuck there once war broke out.  When the Japanese government asked her to renounce her American citizenship and she refused, she was forced to work at Radio Tokyo as an announcer.  The program was The Zero Hour, which consisted of propaganda-tinged skits and slanted news reports, as well as popular American music.

Iva was made into a scapegoat when she was wrongly identified as the original Tokyo Rose.  Post-war she was detained in Japan’s Sugamo Prison for a year and investigated by the U.S. military, but eventually released due to lack of evidence.  When she attempted to return home, her case was reopened by the FBI amidst much media pressure.  After her 1949 trial she was found guilty of treason, and sentenced to 10 years in prison (of which she served over six years).  In 1974, journalists found that key witnesses claimed they were forced to lie during testimony, and that Iva’s broadcasts had been innocuous.  She was pardoned by President Ford in 1977.

The production of this play was part of Asia’s Society’s commemoration of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, which began in 1977 as a 10 day period and was later extended.  You can find a variety of events associated with this celebration, including a festival being held by the Coalition of Asian/Pacific Americans in Chinatown tomorrow afternoon.

Sanpo is Japanese for a ‘walk,’ and it’s a popular pastime here.  From the bureaucratic samurai of the Tokugawa period who would wander among the cherry trees and write poetry, to modern office workers trying to keep fit, walking is still a much appreciated activity in Japan.

Japan is also a land with a rising elderly population.  It has one of the longest life expectancies in the world.  As communities and towns have ever older populations it is also becoming ever more important to promote fitness in populations that will strain public health services ever more if not kept healthy.  One way municipalities can do this is by hosting events such at the one Kumejima Town hosts every January.

The 久米島のんびりウオーク or Kumejima’s Leisure Walk is a two-day yearly event, part of the larger Okinawa Marching league.  Participants come from all over Japan.  As a resident of Kume Island I attended this event first  in 2011.

The first day offered 32km, 16km, and 5km courses and the second day offered 20km, 10km, and 5km courses.  One participant was a 86-year-old who planned on completing the full 32km course!

Both days featured different courses through the island.  Participants entered with a nominal fee, and were provided maps and completion certificates.  Along the way stickers were awarded at checkpoints, and food stations were set up where walkers could rest and eat.

I did the 16km walk on the first day of the event.  Walkers stretched together  and announcements were made.  As with many events there was an MC tapped for the event who extolled everyone to do a good job.  The 32km group did the same about half an hour before, so everyone in the 16km group set off together.

Each group set off to the sound of a taiko drum performance.  All along the way were supportive Japanese Flags with messages urging the participants on.  These helped guide the walkers through the more remote areas.  There were also tea and water stations along the way, with great views and interesting conversations.

One lady I talked to came all the way from Yokohama to participate.  She said it was a great way to see more of Japan, while keeping in shape.  She talked to me because her children live in the states and wanted to know why I was there. ^_^  All in all, it was a great morning/afternoon spent among Kumejima’s beautiful walkways.  Do you want to visit new places and keep in shape?  Let’s Walking!

This post originally appeared on MoreThingsJapanese.com. To learn more about Kumejima visit KumeGuide.com.