Justin’s Japan: Mar Creation, Inc.
Article/Journalism, Events, Film, Justin's Japan, Music 
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By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Shukan NY Seikatsu. Visit his Examiner.com Japanese culture page here for related stories.
Those who have attended intimate Japanese arts performances in the city—such as last November’s sold-out shows of “IN THE BOX” at the Martha Graham Dance Company featuring Bessie Award winner Miki Orihara—might be familiar with the name Mar Creation, Inc.
Established by Nagoya-born Hiroshi Kono in 2003 as an independent record company with him doubling as label artist, Mar Creation expanded its focus to live events in 2008, and in recent years has been involved with various charitable causes. Some of its popular series include j-Summit NY (which hosted its 27th edition last month at The Bowery Electric featuring Alan Merrill, the original singer and composer of “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll”), and the annual New York Japan CineFest at Asia Society, which Mar Creation aims to expand this year as part of a national tour that includes Tokyo and several U.S. cities.
A music writer and journalist, Kono says that his other ambitions as a producer include a collaboration with Japanese calligrapher Setsuhi Shiraishi on her upcoming solo exhibition in New York and Washington, D.C. featuring workshop/performance shows with live musicians in multiple cities this summer and fall; Fukushima-related lectures and film screening events; Brazilian music festivals to celebrate the Rio 2016 Olympics; Japanese cherry blossom festivals in springtime; and anime/comic book conventions nationwide and abroad.
For more information, visit www.marcreation.com.
2 Jobs in International Education
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Via Carleen Ben (Oita). Posted by Sophia Chan (Sapporo-shi, 2009-2014). If interested in more job listings, join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
(1) University of South Carolina_Academic Advisor/International Business
> The Undergraduate Division at the Moore School of Business (University of South Carolina) is hiring for an Academic Advisor that will specialize in serving high ability students, International Business majors, and those business majors interested in studying abroad. This position involves frequent collaboration with the USC Study Abroad Office, cooperation with overseas partners, and additional projects relevant to international education. Study abroad, international work experience, or other equivalent international background is required.
> Please see the SC HR website for additional position information, including a full description of duties and requirements. Job requisition number 009940: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1453304325513
>
> For inquiries related to this position, please contact Ms. Mackenzie King, Co-Director of the Undergraduate Division, Mackenzie.King@moore.sc.edu<mailto:Mackenzie.King@moore.sc.edu>
(2) (DC)Temporary (Parental Leave) – Global Education Advisor (Spain and Latin America), Georgetown University
Temporary (Parental Leave) – Global Education Advisor (Spain and Latin America)
The Office of Global Education at Georgetown University is hiring a Temporary – Global Education Advisor (GEA) to cover a staff member who is on parental leave (approximately 4 months; position is available immediately).
Position Summary:
The Global Education Advisor advises 130-160 students on academically appropriate study abroad opportunities for a portfolio of programs. The GEA assists students with the application and selection process and acts as the primary liaison with exchange and partner institutions in his/her designated region regarding student support and service. The GEA serves as a resource for curricular deans regarding academic questions for universities within his/her region. The GEA maintains responsibility for program management and fiscal oversight of programs in his/her region. The GEA organizes recruitment and cross-cultural programming for overseas programs, communicates with overseas contacts and partner institutions, and resolves curricular issues in cooperation with students and their curricular deans. The GEA works with the OGE Leadership Team to coordinate community engagement and service learning programming initiatives for OGE.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required (Master’s degree preferred). 0-2 years minimum experience in study abroad advising and management in a university setting; experience studying and/or working overseas as it relates to designated program portfolio; language proficiency in related foreign language and ability to communicate effectively in one or more foreign languages is strongly preferred; Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, faculty and campus administrators. Must have strong written and spoken communication skills, proven organizational skills, and proven ability to complete multiple, complex tasks, sometimes under pressure of deadlines. Familiarity with Microsoft Office, especially Access databases and Excel spreadsheets preferred. Knowledge of Banner and Terra Dotta (StudioAbroad) desired. Familiarity with student development or intercultural development theory is strongly preferred.
NOTE – Applications will be reviewed as received. All applications must be officially submitted through Georgetown University Department of Human Resources. Applicants can find application information at http://hr.georgetown.edu (job number 20160029). Qualified candidates will be considered on the requirements for the position, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Georgetown University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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.
Position: Job Fair
Posted by: Career Forum
Location: San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront
Dates: February 19th (Fri.) and February 20th (Sat.)
The San Francisco Career Forum, a job fair for individuals with Japanese language ability, is coming up on February 19th and 20th. Companies from all different industries are hiring for positions in Japan, the U.S., and various other locations.
Positions require varying degrees of Japanese proficiency. Companies will hold information sessions and interviews at the event, and many will also make offers of employment by the final day. You may attend one or two days of the San Francisco Career Forum, and you are also welcome to attend just to explore the vast opportunities available. All you need is professional attire and copies of your resume.
Current Participating Companies (as of 1/22):
- AIG JAPAN (Insurance) *
- BILCOM, INC. (PR Strategy Consulting) *
- DHL SUPPLY CHAIN LTD. (Global Logistics) *
- DISCO INC. (HR Consulting) *
- EFX.COM SECURITIES CO., LTD.
- FUTURE ARCHITECT, INC. (Architect (IT Consulting)) *
- GINZA EYEGLASSES AND CONTACTLENSES (Retail)
- HIROSE ELECTRIC CO., LTD. (Small Electric Parts Manufacturing) *
- JBS USA (Information Management/Consulting) *
- KAMAKURA SHIRTS (Retail) *
- RAKUTEN (Internet Service) *
- RECRUIT HOLDINGS CO.,LTD. (Internet/IT/Advertising)
- SUMIKA ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC. (Electronics Manufacturing & Sale) *
- VALQUA AMERICA, INC. (Manufacturing) *
* denotes companies currently accepting applications on CFN
For a complete participating company list and event details/registration:
http://www.careerforum.net/event/sf/comlist.asp?ref=JETAA&lang=E
*No cost to register or attend
If you have any questions concerning this event, please feel free to contact Catherine Rackley (Chiba-ken, 2005-2006) at c.rackley@discointer.com.
Job: Web Producer – Japan Society (NY)
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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.
Position: Web Producer
Posted by: Japan Society
Location: New York City, New York
Contract: Full-Time
Established in 1907, New York’s Japan Society is an internationally recognized nonprofit, nonpolitical organization that provides access to information on Japan, offers opportunities to experience Japanese culture, and fosters sustained and open dialogue on issues important to the United States, Japan, and East Asia.
The Web Producer is responsible for supporting web and e-communications efforts across multiple programs and departments. This person is also responsible for updating and maintaining content on the Japan Society website, creating and editing our email campaigns, and assist with various other tasks including website optimization, graphics editing, and social media updates to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram. A key quality is attention to detail, strong project management skills, and a keen eye for proofreading web content for publishing. The position requires flexibility in working across multiple projects concurrently, with an ability to shift priorities when needed. Read More
Job: Experiment in International Living – International Group Leaders (Worldwide)
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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.
Position: Experiment in International Living
Posted by: International Group Leaders
Location: Worldwide
Contract: Full-Time; Summer 2016
The Experiment in International Living is currently hiring exceptional professional individuals to serve as international group leaders to guide our summer 2016 programs in over 20 countries worldwide!
The Experiment, the founding program of World Learning, has been sending students on immersive abroad programs since 1932, and we continue to be on the cutting edge of international education. Our programs provide high school students with the opportunity to connect deeply and engage meaningfully with the richness and complexities of another country through hands-on experiences in local communities and through the lens of a specific program theme.
Our leaders are our most critical on-the-ground resource, traveling alongside each group and serving as our students’ primary support throughout the program. Each program has two co-leaders who work together to guide a group of 10 to 15 high school students on a 3-, 4-, or 5-week journey. Leaders take on a wide range of responsibilities, including helping students integrate into local cultures and host families, conducting group excursions, and guiding students through discussions of and reflections on their experiences. Leaders work with The Experiment’s US-based staff and in-country partners to maximize students’ health and safety and to ensure the program is meaningful, challenging, and experientially rich.
The Experiment’s international group leaders come from a variety of backgrounds, but all share a commitment to intercultural exchange and experiential education. Our leaders:
- Have (at minimum) achieved a bachelor’s degree by June 2016
- Have leadership experience working with young people, preferably high school students
- Have in-depth experience living in The Experiment’s 2016 program countries/regions
- Are competent in the language of the program country (level of fluency required varies)
- Are flexible, resilient, resourceful, organized, dynamic, and proactive
- Are, above all, educators and facilitators
Application Process: Applications for 2016 group leader positions are being accepted now through January 26, 2016, and hiring is conducted on a rolling basis through spring 2016. Apply online at experiment.org/leaders. Questions? Contact leadership@experiment.org.
Job: Butler – Japan Society (NY)
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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.
Position: Butler
Posted by: Japan Society
Location: New York City, NY
Contract: Part-Time
Established in 1907, New York’s Japan Society is an internationally recognized nonprofit, nonpolitical organization that provides access to information on Japan, offers opportunities to experience Japanese culture, and fosters sustained and open dialogue on issues important to the United States, Japan, and East Asia.
The Butler is responsible for managing the food and beverage service of Japan Society programs and rental events. This includes setting up beverage stations and bars, and arranging food service or other special food preparations. During programs, the butler manages cleanup, keeps food and beverages refreshed, and responds to guest’s requests in a professional and courteous manner. When the butler performs as Captain, he/she also manages additional staff, including bartenders, waiters, and bussers.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities Include:
- Setting up food and/or beverage stations in a timely manner prior to an event. Consulting with the Director of Program Operations and Program Officers regarding setup needs.
- Managing the flow of food distribution and replenishing as needed. This also includes bussing trash and keeping an organized and clean event space.
- Cleaning up after events and programs. Ensuring proper disposal of recycling, trash, and putting equipment away in the appropriate places.
- Notifying the Director of Program Operations of inventory stock and equipment.
- When acting as Captain, the Butler trains and manages temp staff to perform assigned duties in a professional manner suitable for Japan Society programs and rental events.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- High School graduate or the equivalent
- Good command of the English language
- Previous food and beverage service or event/catering experience
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with ability to work well in teams and take direction
- Able to be flexible for changing requirements for events and under different managers
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment
- Experience in managing diverse teams
- Ability to work evening and weekend hours as needed, with limited notification
Hours:
Butlers are notified of assignments in advance on an as-needed basis. Butlers are expected to be available on weekdays, as well as evening and weekends for events and programs.
To Apply: Email your letter of interest and resume to the Director of Human Resources, at jobs@japansociety.org.
Job: Trade Commissioner – Australian Trade Commission (Japan)
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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.
Position: Trade Commissioner
Posted by: Australian Trade Commission
Location: Sapporo and Fukuoka
Contract: Full-Time (Australian Applicants Only)
The Australian Trade Commission – Austrade – contributes to Australia’s economic prosperity by helping Australian businesses, education institutions, tourism operators, governments and citizens as they develop international markets, win productive foreign direct investment, promote international education, strengthen Australia’s tourism industry and seek consular and passport services.
Trade Commissioner – Various Roles
- Austrade Performance Level 4 (Equivalent to Executive Level 2)
- $110,099 – $128,307 per annum
- Fukuoka and Sapporo
The Trade Commissioners are responsible for the development of market strategies and the achievement of trade, investment and international education outcomes and the day to day management of/or assistance with operations at post.You will represent Austrade and Australia playing a key role in promoting and supporting Australian business, optimizing existing and establishing new business networks to take advantage of trade investment and international education opportunities. You may also be responsible for the strategic direction, management and leadership of an industry team(s).
The Trade Commissioner role in Fukuoka, is Consul General, and in Sapporo is Consul, with responsibility for the protection and welfare of Australians abroad through timely and responsive consular and passport services. Read More
Job: Temporary Event Assistant – Columbia Business School (NY)
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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.
Position: Temporary Event Assistant
Posted by: Center on Japanese Economy and Business, Columbia Business School
Location: New York, NY
Contract: Temporary
Dates of employment: February 1 – May 13, 2016
Number of hours per week anticipated: 20 hours (4 or 5 days a week preferred, but negotiable)
Salary Range: $15 (negotiable based on experience/skills)
Main Responsibilities Include:
- Assisting with conferences, symposia, and program development and planning
- Creating, maintaining and updating event registration lists (Excel/Access)
- Assisting with updating event related manuals
- Event related administrative support (mailings, photocopying, filing)
- Other projects as assigned
Required Skills/Experience Include:
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Prior project management experience (International setting preferable)
- Team-oriented
- Detail-oriented
- Applicants should be proactive, professional, responsible, and exercise tact and discretion when interacting with faculty, administrators, and international leaders in academia, business and government.
Preferred Skills/Experience Include:
- Japanese language skill (business level) is highly desired.
- Interest in economics, business, or East Asian/Japanese studies desirable, but not required.
- Website management (a knowledge of HTML is desired, not required)
How to Apply: Please send your resume/cover letter to Emiko Mizumura, Assistant Director for Programs, Center on Japanese Economy and Business at em2265@columbia.edu
Ashlie O’Neill (Hyogo-Ken, 2013-Present) AJET National Council Vice Chair and Director of Alumni Relations. Ashlie is in her second year on the AJET National Council as the Director of Alumni Relations. She works alongside Ryan Hata (National AJET Director of Alumni Resources ) and members of JETAA to strengthen the relationship between former JETs, current JETs and Japan. Please feel free to contact her email at ashlie.oneill@ajet.net or her Linkedin profile. Ashlie helps to keep you up up to date with JETAA happenings around the world.
Welcome to the second chapter beat for 2016 . There is so much happening in January in the JETAA world so I have selected just a sample for everyone to enjoy. For more information on events around the world please visit your nearest chapters Facebook pages or websites.
When: January 31st, 12pm
Where: Coogee Beach, NSW
Head to Coogee Beach to join JETAA NSW for their annual summer BBQ.
Take along your swimmers, snacks and BBQ favourites and help them kick off the new year with a bang!
JETAA SG Welcome Back Reception
When: February 2nd, 6:30-9pm
Where: Japan Creative Centre (JCC), 4 Nassim Road, Singapore 258372
Join JETAA SG for the Welcome Back Reception organised by Embassy of Japan and CLAIR!
You’ll get to meet fellow ex-JETs, old and new, and also external companies and associations like JCCI, JUGAS, and SSEAYP.
Please RSVP your attendance by 24th January here: http://bit.ly/jetaasgwelcomeback2015
Annual General Meeting and Shinnenkai
When: January 29th, 6-9pm
Where: YWCA Hotel, 733 Beatty Street (Between Robson and Georgia St)
JETAABC is proud to invite all JETAABC members and their guests to the Annual General Meeting and Shinnenkai 2016. This is a great opportunity to stay connected with JETs and continue contributing to Japan/Canada relations in an amazing way. Please consider joining the JETAABC Board of Directors whether you are a recent returnee or have been beck for decades.
First Thursday (Muses Parade Edition)
When: February 4th, 8pm
Where:TBC on Muses Parade Route
First Thursdays are a casual monthly get together designed to allow JETAA members to meet up and hang out. If you are interested in attending please feel free to drop in.
5.JETAA Northern California
JETAANC East Bay Networking Nomikai
When: January 21st, 7:30-9:30pm
Where:Diving Dog Brewhouse. 1802 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, California 94612
Join alumni and friends at our New Year’s East Bay Networking Nomikai (happy hour)! Let’s ring in the Year of the Monkey together at Diving Dog Brewhouse in the heart of Oakland’s Uptown neighborhood.
Register here.
YPC Koval Whiskey Tour, Tasting & Discussion
When: January 21st, 6:30-8pm
Where: KOVAL Distillery, 5121 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
Join JASC and JETAA members for a tour, tasting and discussion of Chicago’s very own KOVAL Distillery, set on the Northside of Chicago in Ravenswood.
Sample whiskey, gin, vodka and liqueurs while touring the distillery and learning more about the whiskey making process, and what sets KOVAL apart from the competition. The tour will end with a discussion from Fuyuko Kojima, Japanese market manager for KOVAL, who will lend insight into KOVAL’s marketing strategies in Japan and discuss cultural obstacles and challenges. Products will be available for sale during the event with a 10% discount for all attendees.
Dallas-Fort Worth(DFW) Shinnenkai Karaoke
When: January 30th, 2-4pm CST
Where: Round One Arlington Texas 76015
Sing you hello to 2016 and a belated welcome to returning JETAA members at Round One in Arlington with the DFW JET Alumni.
When: February 3rd , 6:30~
Where: King O’Malleys, Civic
JETAA Canberra’s February Oshaberikai and get together will be at held at King O’Malleys.
If you can’t speak Japanese come along anyway, we all speak English too! This is a great way to meet the other JET Alumni in Canberra.
For those who haven’t been before here’s how it works: You only pay for what you eat/drink and JETAA Canberra provides the bar snacks.
That’s all for this fortnights chapter beat. If you have any events that you want listed please contact me on my email ashlie.oneill@ajet.net.
Have a great week
Job: Mobile Editor -Dow Jones (Hong Kong)
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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.
Position: Mobile Editor
Posted by: Dow Jones
Location: Hong Kong
Contract: Full-Time
Dow Jones is a global provider of news and business information, delivering content to consumers and organizations around the world across multiple formats, including print, digital, mobile and live events. Dow Jones has produced unrivaled quality content for more than 125 years and today has one of the world’s largest news gathering operations globally.
More than half of traffic to Wall Street Journal content in Asia Pacific comes from mobile devices and that number is likely to grow. That’s why we’re looking for a smart, tech-savvy individual who is obsessed with news, analytics, aesthetics and presentation to serve as Asia’s Mobile Editor.
Requirements:
- The person we’re looking for must have a strong editing and writing background, but also needs to be up on current trends in mobile presentation and a voracious consumer of news. The ideal candidate is obsessed with the best reader experience and is constantly asking themselves “how will this look on mobile?”
- A large part of the job will be to help run the Journal’s new What’s News app and the Mobile Editor will need to become quickly fluent with its content management system. Asia’s Mobile Editor will also need to work closely with colleagues in London and New York to make sure everything that needs to be represented in the app is covered, and that we’re using videos and cutting-edge visuals to make presentation as sharp as possible.
- The ideal candidate will also need to understand where the Journal’s traffic comes from, using all the analytical tools that we have at our disposal. The Mobile Editor will also advise editors on the real-time desk about how to make our content as sharp as possible for the growing numbers of people who are interacting with us on mobile.
- In addition, the idea candidate needs to be familiar with both iOS and Android operating systems and will work closely with the social media team to spot trending topics and test out new apps. The Mobile Editor will also need to make sure that our Apple and Android apps are up to date during Asian hours of operation.
- And importantly, the Mobile Editor will also need to be firmly in the news flow so they can be the commissioner-in-chief for mobile-friendly sidebars to accompany not only our most ambitious enterprise pieces, but also for breaking news items that will be conversation topics from Mumbai to Matsuyama.
To Apply: Dow Jones offers an opportunity to work for one of the world’s leading financial and business news companies. We invite interested candidates to submit a cover letter and detailed resume (including up to five published samples of your work), current and expected salary via: https://internationalcareers-dowjones-newscorp.icims.com/jobs/27620/job
Job: Program Associate – Japan Society (NY)
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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.
Position: Program Associate
Posted by: Japan Society
Location: New York, NY
Contract: Temporary
Established in 1907, New York’s Japan Society is an internationally recognized nonprofit, nonpolitical organization that provides access to information on Japan, offers opportunities to experience Japanese culture, and fosters sustained and open dialogue on issues important to the United States, Japan, and East Asia.
The Program Associate will work with the Deputy Director and Program Officer on managing logistical and administrative aspects of approximately three programs per month. He/she will also assist in program execution, future program planning, research, program outreach activities, and interact with leaders and distinguished speakers in the academic and business community, as well as thousands of Corporate Members.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities Include:
- Handle program registrations, payments and refunds
- Create program materials, such as guest lists, name badges, handouts, etc.
- Greet and assist program participants
- Facilitate travel and logistics for speakers, including hotel, audio/visuals, translations, books and handouts
- Compose various departmental communications, including function forms, invitations, event descriptions, and thank you and confirmation letters
- Maintain and update constituent records in Raisers Edge
- Organize files on programs and speakers, update biographical files, photographs and institutional information
- Compile invoices and prepare VCRs.
- Prepare detailed expense and statistical reports on programs
- Work with the Deputy Director and Program Officer on promotion of programs via e-calendar, hardcopy calendar, website and twitter
- Conduct research on companies, individuals, industry sectors, and international affairs
- Facilitate and grow the department’s social media presence
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of two to three years related experience
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
- Superior research and internet skills
- Ability to read and understand Japanese documents is a plus
- Knowledge of international business and politics
- Proficiency in Microsoft office suite, online research, social media and database management
- Superior organizational skills with ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment
- Strong interpersonal skills, ability to work independently and in a team
- Availability to work overtime hours as needed
To Apply: Email your letter of interest and resume to the Director of Human Resources, at jobs@japansociety.org.
JETs in Academia: Understanding Privacy in Japan
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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 is private in Japan?
If I tell my co-workers I have hemorrhoids, diarrhea, or need to go to the OBGYN will they tell everyone else?
These may not be questions JETs think about when they first go to Japan. It also may not be something JETs consider when they are ill and trying to gain medical care or just discussing information (i.e., relationship status) about themselves with their co-workers.
The reality is Japanese cultural conceptions of privacy might be different than many JETs’ expectations. Depending upon how individualist or collectivist your home country is will influence how privacy is interpreted, expected, and maintained. The concept of “what is private” or “privacy” differs cross-culturally, as do the ways in which privacy values are expressed.
Japan is no exception.
Japan has been largely classified as a collectivistic culture. As you know from your own experiences in Japan, the group matters more than the individual. In other words, in Japan the “we” wants and goals come before the “I” or “me” wants and goals. For collectivists, the very notion of privacy might be viewed as selfish due to an individual’s wants and goals taking precedent over the group’s desires.
Ever notice that privacy is in katakana, the Japanese syllabary used for foreign words? Puraibashi, or プライバシー, is taken directly from the English word for “privacy.” Since traditional Japanese language has no word for privacy, a unique cultural conception of privacy emerged. For example, the idea that one has “the right to be left alone” might signal a lack of cooperativeness with the group and an inability to work well with others. Additionally, controlling one’s privacy information might be perceived as an excess of mistrust. Even Japanese scholars have commented that gaijin might perceive the group interdependence of Japanese people as “suffocating.”
Japanese language use two distinct, yet interrelated meanings of Japanese privacy: shakai ( 社会), or “public,” and seken (世間), or “world/society.” Such terms stress the importance of relationships, interdependence, and group harmony. Shakai contributes to negative aspects of crimes being withheld from the media in order to protect victims and their families. If one was to “break shakai” it would involve speaking publically about private matters which might harm another’s reputation. Seken emphasizes human relations and allows Japanese people the ability to “understand” or at least “explain” what went wrong in a given situation. To the foreign eye, this might look intrusive, or like “gossip,” as one tries to understand one’s home life or culture to explain a tragic event.
As JETs operate on differing values of privacy, this might result in individuals feeling “violated” or “exposed.” Perceived privacy violations can lead to relationship withdrawal, isolation, and negative assumptions/stereotypes about one’s co-worker or Japan in general. Throughout my research, gaijin English teachers reported feeling that their co-workers invaded/violated their privacy expectations. In other words, if they told someone something, it was then told to someone else, who then told someone else…etc. You get the point. In my research, gaijin felt victimized when people knew things about them that they didn’t disclose (i.e., So and so sensei told me you went to the doctor and are on X medication), even if it was something positive (i.e., I heard your dental checkup went well!). My participants felt like “celebrities” because “everyone (i.e., Japanese people)” in their communities knew “everything” about them.
Critics of my participants’ stories have said “Well, they should know it will be different from their home country.” It is easy to say “expect things to be different.” To what extent should this responsibility be shared? No recruiting organizations discuss privacy in their trainings. Perhaps privacy is something so engrained in one’s culture that it is perceived to be “common sense?” Perhaps that “common sense” is where the most difficulties exist when what one “commonly” thinks doesn’t work.
Regardless, this is a collective issue that requires further dialogue and research to better understand how to cultivate meaningful relationships. Several of my participants chose to cut their contracts short or to not renew because of their interpersonal privacy experiences.
That’s costly – it costs financially and personally.
This blog post is an adaptation of the scholarly article: Simmons, N. (2012). The tales of gaijin: Health privacy perspectives of foreign English teachers in Japan. Kaleidoscope: A Graduate Journal of Qualitative Communication Research, 11, 17-38. Retrieved from http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/kaleidoscope/vol11/iss1/3/
WIT Life #294: 明けましておめでとうございます！
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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.
Happy New Year to all readers! Hope the year of the monkey has been treating you well so far. I am enjoying some time at home before my interpreting travel schedule begins at the end of this month. My first State Department trip of the year will start in DC and finish in Hawaii, so I am very much looking forward to that! After that I will be heading further east to Tokyo to work with a client over there, so many adventures on the road surely await…
Here are two Japan articles I recently read that I thought would be worth sharing. The first from the Wall Street Journal talks about the aging of the Japanese population (高齢化 or koureika) and how companies are targeting this older generation. The article highlights the business buzzword “end of life activities” (終活 or shuukatsu) being u
sed to pitch products to the elderly.
There is even a costumed mascot known as Shu-Cat-su (シュウキャッツ）, who has been attending trade fairs encouraging the elderly to purchase various services allowing them to better enjoy their golden years. Pictured here, his headband reads “Be Alive!” and his profile explains that he is actually over 100 years old and also known as cat wizard (猫仙人 or neko-sennin).
The second article is from the New York Times and takes a look at such Japanese mascots. It profiles Read More
Justin’s Japan: George Takei Comes to Japan Society
Article/Journalism, Celebrity, Events, Justin's Japan Comments Off on Justin’s Japan: George Takei Comes to Japan Society
“George Takei: From Barbed Wire to Broadway” comes to Japan Society Jan. 25. (Luke Fontana)
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his Japanese culture page here for related stories.
Start 2016 off right by heading down to Japan Society for some fantastic new year’s fare. This month’s events celebrate the power of theater, with productions that examine international relations between East and West, celebrating a century of growing diversity but also spotlighting a stormy past. Treat yourself and catch a break from the cold.
This month’s highlight:
Monday, Jan. 25, 6:30 p.m.
George Takei: From Barbed Wire to Broadway
Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street
SOLD OUT. Limited tickets may be released; please call the box office on January 19 at (212) 715-1258 to check availability.
“Too few people know about that dark chapter of American history,” film and television star, pop culture icon and social media powerhouse George Takei (Star Trek, Heroes) told The Daily Show‘s Jon Stewart in 2014, “when American citizens of Japanese ancestry were summarily rounded up with no charges, no trial no due process—the core pillar of our justice system—and put in barbed wire prison camps simply because we happened to look like the people that bombed Pearl Harbor.” In George Takei: From Barbed Wire to Broadway, Takei shares memories from the troubling chapter of American history when some 120,000 innocent Japanese-Americans were forcibly relocated from their homes.
For the complete story, click here.
Job: Study Abroad Program Coordinator at Michigan State University
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Study Abroad Program Coordinator at Michigan State University
Via Carleen Ben (Oita). Posted by Sophia Chan (Sapporo-shi, 2009-2014). If interested in more job listings, join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
> The Office of Study Abroad at Michigan State University is pleased to announce the following job opening.
> Study Abroad Program Coordinator
> Office of Study Abroad
> Michigan State University (MSU)
> Job summary: MSU has a high-volume, high-profile study abroad operation. Candidates are expected to bring an ability to engage in strategic thinking, professional maturity and a proven ability to be self-directed and able to work independently in a complex matrix organization. This position will provide coordination for MSU study abroad programs as assigned. At MSU, the majority of programs are faculty-led. Program coordination includes: management of on-site logistical arrangements; budget development; development and updating of program materials and exchange agreements; advising of students, faculty, staff and parents; working with faculty and academic units and with overseas partner institutions; facilitating course approval process; attending information sessions and recruitment; presenting at university-wide events and national conferences; responding to health and safety issues and emergencies on programs; creating and maintaining program information on the OSA database; assisting with new program development in designated region; and reviewing program proposals and making site visits abroad. Works closely with OSA leadership on responding to and engaging with the 100,000 Strong Foundation (China). Additional project management and team membership as assigned.
> Required qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in a related field (international relations, foreign language, area studies, communication, higher education administration, etc.); three to five years of related full-time, professional work in study abroad administration at a four-year college or university or at a study abroad organization, or equivalent experience.
> Desired qualifications: Master’s degree in one of the fields noted above. Extensive experience living/working abroad in Asia and/or managing an Asia-focused study abroad program portfolio. Working proficiency in a foreign language.
> Applications: Candidates should go to https://jobs.msu.edu to apply for posting number 2647 in the Support Staff postings. Submit a letter of application, resume and the names and contact information for three references. Position will remain open until January 26, 2016.
