Job: Associate Liaison Specialist – Fukuoka Institute of Technology (California, USA)
Jobs 
Comments Off on Job: Associate Liaison Specialist – Fukuoka Institute of Technology (California, USA)
Posted by Sydney Sparrow, an ALT currently living in Toyota City. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Associate Liaison Specialist
Posted by: Fukuoka Institute of Technology (FIT)
Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Contract: Full-time
Fukuoka Institute of Technology (FIT) was established in 1963. There are approximately 4,500 students studying three main faculties of engineering, which focuses on manufacturing, information, and communication technology and the environment. In addition to FIT’s undergraduate and graduate programs, FIT consists of a Junior College (JC) and Jyoto High School (JHS). Our campus is conveniently located near the Kagoshima Main Line, and we offer an eco-friendly environment. We aim to cultivate our students to become strong individuals in the modern global world.
The Associate Liaison Specialist will work under the general supervision of the International Affairs Assistant Manager. He/she will be responsible for providing various English support services as a Native Speaker of the English language for JHS and FIT.
Job: Country Specialist and Regional Sales Manager – Audley Travel (Massachusetts, USA)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Country Specialist and Regional Sales Manager – Audley Travel (Massachusetts, USA)
Posted by Sydney Sparrow, an ALT currently living in Toyota City. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Country Specialist and Regional Sales Manager
Posted by: Audley Travel
Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Contract: Full-time
Audley Travel a luxury customized tour operator is looking to hire in their Boston office for positions focusing on countries around the world.
We are specifically trying to expand our Japan Team and looking for more Country Specialists and Regional Sales Managers. Country Specialists should have some background in sales and a love for travel. Check out the job description here: http://careers.audleytravel.com/us/
Interested applicants should apply online, but if you want more information, you can send your application directly to Teisa at the following email address: tesiasmith@gmail.com
Job: Full-Time ESL Teacher – Chicago Futabakai Japanese School Day School (Illinois, USA)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Full-Time ESL Teacher – Chicago Futabakai Japanese School Day School (Illinois, USA)
Posted by Sydney Sparrow, an ALT currently living in Toyota City. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Full-Time ESL Teacher
Posted by: Chicago Futabakai Japanese School Day School
Location: Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA
Contract: Full-time/Part-time
Design and implement lessons based on school and departmental standards. Teach ESL classes for elementary and middle school students. Create and maintain a positive learning environment. Work in a team setting to help achieve professional goals.
Necessary Qualifications:
- Native level English ability (speaking, readings, writing, and listening)
- Bachelor’s from an accredited college or university in a related field
Desired Qualifications:
- PEL (Professional Educators License), or TBE-Japanese (Transitional Bilingual Educator-Japanese), or 3-5 years of teaching experience.
- At least 2 years of elementary or middle school teaching experience
- Excellent interpersonal communication and organizational skills
- Receptive of feedback
- Japanese proficiency (sufficient ability to perform various school administrative duties and tasks in Japanese)
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time (40 hours a week); overtime and weekends may be necessary. 10-month academic schedule as per the Japanese school year.
Start Date: November 7, 2016 (As soon as possible)
Application Process: Please send a letter of introduction and resume to Principal Asai. Email only.
Mr. Toshimasa Asai
Principal
Chicago Futabakai Japanese School
2550 N Arlington Heights Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Phone: 847-590-5700 Fax: 847-590-9759
E-mail: principal_d@chicagojs.com
Job: Student Services Manager – StudyGroup (New York, USA)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Student Services Manager – StudyGroup (New York, USA)
Posted by Sydney Sparrow, an ALT currently living in Toyota City. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Student Services Manager
Posted by: StudyGroup
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Full Time
Provide administrative support in all matters pertaining to Student Services including finance, accommodations, and activities. Ensure superior customer service for all clients; manage accurate and complete student files; support all booking and post arrival transactions where necessary.
Key Responsibilities: Manage the Student Services department:
- Management
- Oversee the daily operations of the Student Services office.
- Manage Student Services staff.
- Oversee petty cash and office supply ordering.
- Customer Service
- Deliver friendly, efficient and professional customer service to students.
- Provide general student support services, including local and travel information, help with bank accounts, flight confirmations, ID cards, log-in IDs and passwords, etc.
- Resolve or refer student problems and queries to Study Group colleagues as appropriate.
- Assist with weekly student inductions.
- Finance
- Ensure correct collection and allocation of payments.
- Liaise with Direct Sales on direct student debt collection.
- Oversee outstanding student debt report, and take appropriate measures to collect as necessary.
- Administration
- Manage post-arrival course changes, ensuring accurate information is entered into student database.
- Ensure completeness of student immigration records, addresses, emergency contacts, etc. in student database.
- Manage activity program, housing, and airport transfers as required.
- Prepare for student arrivals: liaise with IAC to ensure accurate arrival information for incoming students.
- Sales
- Provide tours and information for walk-in and phone inquiries.
- Provide current students with necessary information to encourage extensions and upgrades.
- Assist Center Director with managing local agent relationships.
- Group Liaison: obtain quotes for trips, accommodation, and transfers.
Job: ESL Instructor – LMS Language Services (Georgia, USA)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: ESL Instructor – LMS Language Services (Georgia, USA)
Posted by Sydney Sparrow, an ALT currently living in Toyota City. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: ESL Instructor
Posted by: LMS Language Services
Location: Pendergrass, Georgia, USA
Contract: Full Time
LMS Language Services seeks experienced ESL Instructor to teach adult clients in a business setting. The instructor will be required to create lesson plans and conduct private, 1-hour lessons for 8 students in Pendergrass, Georgia (USA). This is a fun and rewarding opportunity with a lot of autonomy, and highly motivated English language learners. Applicants with experience teaching Japanese students are especially encouraged to apply.
This is a part-time, contractor position that comes with a competitive salary and weekly pay. Perfect for instructors/tutors looking to supplement their income.
Please email cover letter and resume to Launa at support@lmslanguageservices.com.
JET Alumni: 210 Companies Hiring at Boston Career Forum Nov. 18-20
Events Comments Off on JET Alumni: 210 Companies Hiring at Boston Career Forum Nov. 18-20
Posted by Sydney Sparrow, curriculum and content developer for a real estate school based in Virginia. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
This is a reminder that JET alumni with at least conversational Japanese language ability are invited to the Boston Career Forum 2016 November 18-20. This is the world’s largest Japanese-English job fair, featuring 210 global companies. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about participating companies, submit resumes, interview, and even receive offers of employment during the three-day event. You are free to attend one, two, or all three days.
—- Boston Career Forum 2016 —–
November 18-20 (Fri.-Sun.)
Hynes Convention Center
http://www.careerforum.net/event/bos/?ref=2016JETwit&lang=E
Currently 210 companies participating including:
BLOOMBERG, FUJI TELEVISION NETWORK, GOLDMAN SACHS, JAPAN AIRLINES, MICROSOFT, SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT, TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION, TWITTER JAPAN, and many more
Register and begin applying to companies here: http://www.careerforum.net/event/bos/comlist.asp?ref=2016JETwit&lang=E
*There is no cost to register for or attend Career Forums.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact JET alum, Catherine Rackley, at c.rackley@discointer.com.
We hope to see you in Boston!
Sincerely,
Catherine Rackley (Chiba-ken, 2005-2006)
DISCO International, Inc.
Job: Program Coordinator – JET Program (Washington, D.C., USA)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Program Coordinator – JET Program (Washington, D.C., USA)
Posted by Sydney Sparrow, an ALT currently living in Toyota City. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Program Coordinator
Posted by: JET Program
Location: Washington, D.C. (JET Program Office, Embassy of Japan, 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, 20008)
Contract: Full Time
The JET Program is the government of Japan’s most successful exchange program, sending over 62,000 participants to Japan since 1987 to serve as Assistant Language Teachers and Coordinators for International Relations. The program aims to enhance English language education at the primary and secondary school levels, as well as to promote international exchange by fostering ties at the grassroots level between Japanese and foreign youth.
Please note: the Program Coordinator is an independent contractor to the Embassy and will not be deemed an employee of the Embassy for any purpose whatsoever. Overtime hours will be compensated as paid time off commensurate with the amount of overtime accumulated. This position does not include paid vacation, sick leave, or health insurance coverage. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S. green card holder. Screening will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Only successful candidates will be contacted. All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance.
Position Description
Under the supervision of the Education Counselor, the Program Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating the screening process for applications for all U.S. candidates, recruitment and interviewing of applicants in the D.C./Maryland/Virginia area, and preparing successful candidates for departure. This position will also involve liaising with the JET Alumni Association of Washington, D.C. and assisting with other projects within the Education Counselor’s portfolio as necessary.
Responsibilities
- Program promotion through recruiting events (career fairs, information sessions, etc.) and social media outreach efforts
- Implementation of the online application system, application screening, and responding to applicant inquiries
- Coordination of the review and interview processes, including scheduling and serving as point of contact with review and interview committee members
- Planning and execution of events, including logistical support, coordinating volunteers, and conducting presentations
- Communicate and collaborate with other JET Program Coordinators at Japanese Consulates in the U.S.
- Other duties assigned at the discretion of the Education Counselor or senior JET Program Coordinators
Job: Convention Sales Account Executive – Development Counsellors International (New York, USA)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Convention Sales Account Executive – Development Counsellors International (New York, USA)
Posted by Sydney Sparrow, an ALT currently living in Toyota City. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Convention Sales Account Executive
Posted by: Development Counsellors International (DCI)
Location: New York City, New York, USA
Contract: Full Time
The Convention Sales Account Executive (AE) will develop an awareness of Japan’s offerings in the meeting and events (MICE) space and increase the number of association meetings and corporate incentives from the Americas that select Japan as their meeting destination. Sales activities will target academic associations, corporate meeting planners, incentive planners, professional congress organizers and the business events industry. The AE will create and maintain a database of client contacts as well as be responsible for monitoring industry trends via networking, magazines & educational sessions and implement best practices.
Qualifications:
- This is an entry level position with for candidates with up to 1 year of marketing or sales experience
- Exemplary written and oral presentation and a talent for presenting
- Ability to build strong client relationships through daily email and phone interaction
- Willingness to travel about 1 week per month for trade shows and sales missions
- Undergraduate or Graduate Degree in business, marketing or tourism
- Understanding of Japanese language and culture a plus
To Apply:
Place “Sales AE” in the subject line. Send cover letter stating why you are a good match for this position and send resume to nancy.otten@aboutdci.com.
Announcement of the results of the JET Programme Video Contest
Uncategorized Comments Off on Announcement of the results of the JET Programme Video Contest
Thank you for your continued understanding and support in helping promote the JET Programme. The JET Programme Video Contest, which CLAIR held to create a platform for JET Programme participants and alumni to utilize their unique insight to discover and share the hidden charms of Japan’s local regions, has finally come to an end and the winners have been decided. From all over Japan, over 50 videos were submitted in the Autumn/Winter Edition of the contest and 57 videos in the Spring/Summer Edition, making the total 107 videos submitted over the 11 month period.
We would like to thank everyone who assisted in submitting videos to the contest and raise awareness about this project among the JET community.
The 10 award winners of the contest, announced today, will be recognized for their achievements at the JET Programme 30th Anniversary Commemorative Ceremony, scheduled to be held Monday, 7 November, 2016.
JET Programme Video Contest Winners
First Prize: “Ekin Kabuki Festival, Akaoka, Japan” – Alexander Barnett (Kochi Prefecture)
Most Voted Video Award*: “THIS IS JAPAN” – Rochelle Mighty (Toyama Prefecture)
Best Idea Award: “A Gourmet Tour of Aomori” – Sooyoung Park (Aomori Prefecture)
PR Award: “Tanegashima This is Our Island” – Emily Rose Eisemann (Kagoshima Prefecture)
Best of Season (Spring/Summer) Award:
“Kagura in the Shimane Highlands” – Sarah Laverty (Shimane Prefecture)
“Definitely More Fun in Hiroshima – Kitto Motto Tanoshii Hiroshima” – Arum Jung (Hiroshima Prefecture)
Best of Season (Autumn/Winter) Award:
“Senri no Michi mo Ippo Yori (Little by little, one goes far)” – Aaron Jones (Oita Prefecture)
“Nishiizu, My Little Sunset Town by the Sea” – Dana Nyberg (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Special Judges’ Award:
“The Kotatsu Train of Iwate” – Amada Wayama (Iwate Prefecture)
“Tonneru wo Nukeru to Soko wa Hare no Kuni de atta” – Edouard Brena (Okayama Prefecture)
*The Most Voted Video Award was selected by vote from general viewers on the contest’s website.
Dr. Mitsuko Okamoto, Professor at the Graduate School of Film and New Media at the Tokyo University of Arts and Chair of the Contest’s Panel of Judges, commented on behalf of the panel, saying “…I was moved to see that JET participants truly understand and enjoy the tradition, culture, and variety of seasons of Japan, and that they proactively make efforts to interact with those around them and become part of their respective communities. The videos in this contest are a great endorsement of the JET Programme, of the regions they feature, and of Japan itself.”
CLAIR hopes to utilize the videos submitted in the contest to contribute to the revitalization of Japan’s local regions as well as raise awareness of the activities of JET Programme participants and the JET Programme itself.
Job: Temporary Processing Staff – JET Program Office (Washington, D.C., USA)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Temporary Processing Staff – JET Program Office (Washington, D.C., USA)
Posted by Sydney Sparrow, an ALT currently living in Toyota City. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Temporary Processing Staff
Posted by: JET Program Office
Location: Washington, D.C., USA
Contract: Full Time
The JET Program Office is seeking application processing staff members for its Fall 2016 processing season.
Processing staff will have the opportunity to learn more about the JET Program from the inside, meet JET alumni, and become more involved with the JETAA and U.S.-Japan communities in D.C. This is a temporary position from early/mid-November to late December 2016 or early January 2017. Please find more information about the position below:
Responsibilities
- Checking application materials for completeness; sorting and filing applications
- Data entry and preparation of application materials for review
Position Details
- Staff will work in the JET Program Office at the Embassy of Japan (2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20008)
- Working hours are Monday–Friday from 9:30AM to 5:00PM.
- Full-time staff are desirable but working hours are flexible within these times
- Orientation and beginning of contract period will be early/mid-November
- Salary will be $12.00/hr
- As a temporary position, health insurance and benefits are not offered
Japanese Film Festival Celebrates 20 Years in Australia
Uncategorized Comments Off on Japanese Film Festival Celebrates 20 Years in Australia
By Eden Law (ALT Fukushima 2010-2011), reporting from Sydney, Australia.
© 2016 “Chihayafuru” Film Partners © Yuki Suetsugu / KODANSHA LTD.
The Japanese Film Festival (JFF) in Australia is the largest Japanese-themed film festival in the world, travelling around the major cities in Australia as well as several regional towns. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the festival, which started in 1997 in North Sydney. As Margarett Cortez, JFF Program Coordinator (at Japan Foundation in Sydney) describes, it has expanded in size and scope, from 3 films, to offer a schedule that now boasts over 40 works, and is a touring festival that covers all the major Australian cities and some regional towns. Some films in the JFF will even have their first world premier during the festival, showing in the same week as when they open in their domestic market (such as Night’s Tightrope and Sanada Ten Braves). The original film festival was the vision of festival director Masafumi Konomi, and while he has moved on from helming the festival, he continues to be involved from Tokyo, ensuring the quality of films that Australian audiences currently enjoy.
Proper 20th anniversary celebrations will kick off in Sydney, the original home of JFF. The Sydney leg will open on 17th November with After the Storm, from legendary director Hirokazu Kore-eda, in a family drama about a deadbeat father given a chance to reconcile with his estranged wife and child. Following the opening film, the celebrations begin with a reception at Sydney Town Hall, with live music, and a special guest appearance by Yukiko Mishima, whose film Night’s Tightrope, a dark coming-of-age story of two girls with an obsession with death, is one of the highlights of the festival. Other events are planned as the festival unfolds, with live music in both Sydney and Melbourne (the latter at the ACMI cafe and bar).
JFF offers something in a wide variety of genres. Ms Cortez recommends the two-parter Chihayafuru – a live-action adaptation of the popular manga and anime series and a “sports” film of sorts, as it is based on competitive karuta, a Japanese card game that has seen a revival due to the popularity of the films. Dramas make a strong showing this year, apart from the aforementioned After the Storm, there is Nagasaki: Memories of My Son, about a grieving mother who reminisces with the spirit of her deceased son about life and loss – this is Japan’s entry to the foreign film category in this year’s Oscars. Creepy, the latest from Japan’s leading horror director Kiyoshi Kurosawa, is a psychological thriller about a neighbour that gets too close for comfort, while at the opposite end of the spectrum, step into the bizarre (or hilarious, depending on your taste) world of the panty-equipped superhero, Hentai Kamen, who returns in the sequel HK2: The Abnormal Crisis (lead actor Ryohei Suzuki seems to be contractually obliged to bare flesh in his films these days). In the documentary genre, Tsukiji Wonderland, filmed in the last year of operation of the famous Tokyo fish marketplace, is a behind the scenes look at how this institution operated for almost 80 years.
There are far more noteworthy films than can be properly described here – but what is certain is that lovers of Japanese films will be more than satiated with the quality and quantity of films available. To keep up to date as the festival opening dates draws near, go to the website (http://japanesefilmfestival.net/) or follow on various social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).
Justin’s Japan: Yoshiki and ‘We Are X’
Article/Journalism, Celebrity, Events, Film, Justin's Japan, Music Comments Off on Justin’s Japan: Yoshiki and ‘We Are X’
Click image to read issue
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Shukan NY Seikatsu. Justin has written about Japanese arts and entertainment for JETAA since 2005. For more of his articles, click here.
The most influential rock band in Japanese history, X Japan has sold 30 million albums, performed a record 18 shows at Tokyo Dome, and even headlined Madison Square Garden in 2014. Led by their flamboyant drummer/pianist Yoshiki, the band rewrote the rules for both sound and style in the late ’80s and early ’90s, giving birth to the visual kei genre in the process.
After a series of struggles and rebirth, 2016 promises to be X’s biggest year yet on the global stage. The band is months away from releasing their first studio album in 20 years, and with October 21 comes the theatrical premiere of “We Are X,” a new award-winning documentary of the group from American director Stephen Kijak, best known for 2010’s “Stones in Exile.”
The film had its first-ever screening at Sundance in January, and Yoshiki himself appeared in New York last month for a special invitation-only screening of the film at the Crosby Street Hotel in Soho, where he participated in a Q&A with the director, played grand piano, and greeted some very lucky fans.
While X Japan has no current plans to tour America, fans hoping to see Yoshiki on stage won’t have to wait too long: Yoshiki Classical with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra makes its Carnegie Hall debut January 12 and 13. Tickets are available now. For more information on cities and premiere dates for the film, visit www.wearexfilm.com.
Justin has written about Japanese arts and entertainment since 2005. For more of his stories, visit http://jetaany.org/magazine.
Job: Global Mobility Analyst – Northrop Grumman Enterprise (Virginia, USA)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Global Mobility Analyst – Northrop Grumman Enterprise (Virginia, USA)
Posted by Sydney Sparrow, an ALT currently living in Toyota City. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Northrop Grumman Enterprise
Posted by: Global Mobility Analyst
Location: McLean, Virginia
Contract: Full Time
Northrop Grumman Enterprise Shared Services is seeking a Global Mobility Analyst. This opportunity is for an active contributor in the Global Mobility Office (GMO) to be the liaison for all US employees on international assignments. The GMO works in conjunction with our sectors and key functional areas to ensure compliance with legal and tax requirements and mitigates the risk of conducting international business.
JOB POSTING: https://ngc.taleo.net/careersection/ngc_pro_mobile/jobdetail.ftl?job=16023811
WIT Life #306: 打ち言葉
Translating/Interpreting, Uncategorized, WIT Life, Writers Comments Off on WIT Life #306: 打ち言葉
WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.
I was in Japan on business for most of September, and while there I caught up on dramas, variety shows and news programs. One special feature I saw talked about recent trends in 打ち言葉 (uchi kotoba) or Internet slang that was born from cell phone communication. For example, perhaps the most well known uchi kotoba is あけおめ (ake ome), taking the place of the more formal 明けましておめでとうございます (Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu) or Happy New Year. Such language is said to be 内輪 (uchiwa) or inner circle, and knowing how to use it indicates you are part of a group.
Some new incarnations that I found interesting were よきよき (yoki yoki) for いいよ （ii yo), or “Sure/That’s fine.” It actually reminded me of the Kumamoto-ben よかよか (yoka yoka) with the same meaning, which I would hear often while living there on JET. One abbreviation I liked was り or りょ (ri or ryo), both short for 了解 (Ryokai) or “Understood/Gotcha.” Another way of conveying a similar sentiment is おけ (Oke) for “Ok,” though this doesn’t seem to make it easier to write. These uchi kotoba are constantly evolving, and who knows how far they will go…
Good Doc, Bad Doc
Academic, Advice, Life As a JET, LifeAfterJET Comments Off on Good Doc, Bad Doc
Nathaniel Simmons (Nara-ken, 2007-2009) is currently a communication professor at Western Governors University and lives in Columbus, OH, USA. He teaches a variety of intercultural, interpersonal, and health communication courses. He has researched and published several scholarly articles regarding privacy management between foreign English teachers and Japanese co-workers in Japan and is currently working on turning his research into a book.
What makes a good or bad medical professional?
From school medical checks to hospital visits, the average ALT has several medical encounters throughout their year(s) in Japan. Intrigued by my own experiences within the Japanese medical world, I interviewed 49 foreign English teachers in Japan about their healthcare experiences, and here’s what they said (in a much more condensed format):
Bad providers violate patients’ cultural expectations
ALTs perceived providers that “violated,” and/or did not perform culturally expected practices as “bad” providers. In other words, if a Japanese medical profession didn’t act as expected, the ALT perceived the experience and the medical provider as negative, or “bad.” As an example, one English teacher characterized the difference between a “good” and “bad” doctor. The following is an excerpt that distinguished between two physicians this English teacher encountered while seeking treatment for bronchitis.
“I walk into his [the doctor’s] office and he’s like, ‘Yeah, you’re not healthy I can hear you from outside. This isn’t just a cold is it?’ ‘No.’ Just from hearing me cough he knew that I wasn’t well. He says to me, ‘You either have bronchitis or pneumonia. We’re going to take an x-ray and blood tests to find out.’ Difference in doctor right there! One of them [the bad one] just hands out a diagnosis and is like I think you might need antibiotics and the other [the good one] is like I want to do a blood test and do an x-ray to make sure you need the antibiotics and if they’re the right kind. So that doctor, the good doctor, figures out all the information I needed. The bad doctor, is like, ‘I’m going to give you medicine now. Goodbye. Give me ¥600.’”
This ALT’s experience with an array of Japanese medical professionals within Japan allowed the ALT to construct a comparison and contrast of “good” and “bad” doctors. According to this ALT, good doctors either knew quickly what was wrong with a patient or took immediate action to determine what was causing the patient illness or discomfort as well as how to alleviate it. The “good” doctor sought to understand the patient’s perspective and the illness versus simply handing out an antibiotic which may not treat the illness for a fee.
Throughout interviews with ALTs, “bad” providers were described as:
- Ignited fear within the patient(s) by thinking out-loud and muttering possible diagnoses.
- Provided no verbal or nonverbal cues, especially on invasive exams like pap smears.
- Did not provide an “appropriate/adequate” diagnosis.
Good providers attend to the patients’ cultural expectations
ALTs believed that “good” providers should attend to their cultural expectations (i.e., all of those standards and norms for practice in one’s home culture). In other words, “good doctors” should behave and act like one might expect in their home country. For instance, when discussing a positive time with a doctor, one English teacher said:
“People here don’t always smile when they meet you and things like that. As a westerner you think, ‘Oh you don’t like me,’ but no it’s just because Japanese don’t smile. When he [the doctor] first met me, he smiled at me, he introduced himself [in English], and so far it’s all been working out.”
Overall, “good” providers were described in interviews as:
- “Very nice and understanding.”
- “Similar to what I’d experience back home.”
- Had “appropriate” body language.
- Exceeded expectations on providing medical education, understanding, and comprehension to patients.
What next?
This study raises the importance of intercultural health communication training. More programs need it. English teachers are placed throughout Japan by numerous organizations and boards of education and are expected to live well. However, that “living well” can be complicated when foreigners expect intercultural interactions to progress flawlessly and as according to their own culture. Some ALTs even chose to not re-contract due to their health care experiences in Japan (and not necessarily because they are in poor health). Scholars argue about “who should adapt to whom,” but that doesn’t really help us in the day-to-day life of a foreigner navigating a medical system (in Japan).
Here are some suggestions, what others do you have?
- Expect difference.
- Do your homework.
- Research the Japanese medical system.
- What similarities, if any, exist between Japan and your home country?
- What differences, if any, exist between Japan and your home country?
- Google Japanese words for common symptoms and your current prescriptions.
- Ask questions to a friend, other English teachers, and co-workers (if you feel comfortable).
- What should I expect when I go to the doctor/dentist/hospital?
- What surprised you about the Japanese medical world? (to other foreigners).
- What over the counter medicine do you find works best for _____?
- Research the Japanese medical system.
- Laughter helps.
- Remember that Japanese medical professionals are trained professionals.
- Insert your tips here ______________!
This blog post is an adaptation of the scholarly article:
Simmons, N. (2016). (De-)legitimizing medical professional discourses: Evaluations from foreign English teachers in Japan. Language & Intercultural Communication, 16(2), 1-18. doi:10.1080/14708477.2015.1113984
Available at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14708477.2015.1113984?journalCode=rmli20
