Justin’s Japan: Nippon in New York—JAPAN CUTS, Kishi Bashi, ‘Kafka on the Shore,’ Keiko Matsui
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HIBI ROCK: Puke Afro and the Pop Star kicks off this year’s JAPAN CUTS film festival at Japan Society July 9. (© 2014 HIBI ROCK Film Partners)
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his Japanese culture page here for related stories.
After you’ve seen the outdoor fireworks, enjoy some summer events in the cool indoors, whether it’s catching one of 28 films premiering at Japan Society’s annual festival, enjoying the new sounds of electronic and jazz veterans, or witnessing an all-new retelling of the work of contemporary Japan’s most influential novelist.
This month’s highlights include:
July 9-19
Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street
$13, $10 Japan Society members, seniors and students (most screenings)
North America’s largest festival of new Japanese film, the ninth annual edition of JAPAN CUTS is proud to present actress Sakura Ando with the CUT ABOVE Award for Outstanding Performance in Film, presenting her latest great performances in two new films for the festival’s Centerpiece Presentation. Shingo Wakagi’s elegant Banana Yoshimoto adaptation Asleep makes its North American premiere, and Masaharu Take’s fantastic slacker-to-boxer pathos-drenched comedy 100 Yen Love is presented in its North American premiere, followed by the PUNCH LOVE Party. The festival’s Closing Film is perhaps one of the most memorable Japanese titles of the decade: Juichiro Yamasaki’s Sanchu Uprising: Voices at Dawn, being shown for the first time outside of Japan. Director Yamasaki appears at the festival to present this remarkable independent period film, which offers a valuable fable for the political consciousness of the contemporary moment.
Monday, July 20, 7:00 p.m.
$40
Having collaborated and toured with of Montreal, Regina Spektor, and now Guster, singer, violinist, and composer K Ishibashi (aka Kishi Bashi) embarks on an epic orchestral solo project. His solo live show is a dazzling array of looping and vocal/violin gymnastics. Bright and soaring avant-pop songs are prevalent, as are Eastern-tinged arrangements, gentle ballads, Philip Glass-inspired improvisations, and more than a few moments that flirt with ‘70s prog (in the tradition of ELO or Yes). Jarringly kaleidoscopic, but it works.
July 21-23
High Line at the Rail Yards, West 30th Street and Eleventh Avenue
Free
Aki Sasamoto presents Food Rental, a new performance for which she will bring a custom-built food cart to the High Line’s newest section. From her perch inside the cart, the artist will offer visitors an à la carte selection of micro performances and playful narrative demonstrations. Like an off-kilter life hacking workshop, Food Rental will continue Sasamoto’s history of performances that engage visitors with sneakily shifting stage sets and unruly props.
For the complete story, click here.
Justin’s Japan: Wismettac Wows at Japanese Food Fest
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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.
Lovers of Japanese food and drink gathered at 230 Fifth in Midtown Manhattan on June 20 for the Wismettac Asian Foods 2015 NY Premium Sake and Shochu Tasting Event, an annual business-to-business gathering that served up a foodie’s paradise.
Formerly known as Nishimoto Trading Co., Ltd. USA, Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc. was established in Kobe in 1912, and is one of the oldest importers, wholesalers and distributors of Asian food products in North America. It is well known in the U.S. for its Shirakiku brand food products, which include rice, noodles, and seafood.
Now in its eighth year, the event featured around 25 different Japanese sake and shochu companies and 15 different food manufacturers. It’s a place where one can enjoy piping hot savory katsudon curry rice followed by chocolate mochi ice cream with freshly sliced strawberries, finishing with a crisp, refreshing selection of daiginjo sake.
“Participating in this event is a great opportunity, because I can introduce Japanese culture and it’s a great way to introduce how to use Japanese ingredients properly to make a delicious dish,” said Hideko Lilley, a sales associate for Wismettac attending the New York event for her third year.
For more on Wismettac, visit www.ntcltdusa.com.
Invest in Japan: Mie Business Seminar and Exchange Meetings (London)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow, curriculum and content developer for a real estate schools based in Virginia. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Located in the middle of Japan, Mie prefecture is an area of technology and manufacturing that lies along the main highway connecting east and west Japan. Mie prefecture is an industry and innovation hub where there is great potential for foreign companies. In this seminar, we will not only explain Mie’s excellent location, appealing industries and variety of industrial clusters, but also introduce the nature, culture and charms of life in this region.
Dates: Monday, July 6, 2015
Venue: Embassy of Japan 101-104 Piccadilly, London W1J 7JT
Program:
14:30 – 15:00 Registration
Opening Remarks and Presentations
15:00 – 15:10 Opening Remarks: Embassy of Japan
15:10 – 15.30 Presentation: Mr Eikei Suzuki, Governor of Mie Prefecture ― “Why Mie”
15:30 – 15:45 Presentation: Mr Jun Arima, Director-General, JETRO London ― “JETRO’s Support”
15:45 – 16:00 Presentation by Sir David Warren, Chairman of the Japan Society (former British Ambassador to Japan)
16:00 – 16:15 Presentation by Mr Norio Nagai, President, NABELL CORPORATION
16:15 – 16:40 Presentation by Mr Yoshihisa Kumagai, President, Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation Europe B.V.
16:40 – 16:55 Presentation by Ms Anna Dingley, Japan and Korea Market Specialist of UK Trade and Investment ― “How UKTI can help”
16:55 – 17:10 Q&A
17:15 – 19:15 Networking Reception
Registration: This event is free of charge. To register please click here. The deadline to register is July 2, 2015 (Thursday). Please note that there is a limited number of seats available. For further information, please contact the Investment Team, JETRO London by email (Ldn_invest@jetro.go.jp) or phone (020 7421 8315).
Job: JET Programme Assistant Coordinator (Embassy of Japan in the UK)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow, curriculum and content developer for a real estate schools based in Virginia. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: JET Programme Assistant Coordinator
Posted by: Embassy of Japan in the UK
Location: London
Status: Full-Time
Overview:
The JET Desk in the UK at the Embassy of Japan seeks a highly qualified former JET Programme participant who can provide support on running the JET Programme in the UK – and related activities as a member of the JET Desk team. Should you be interested in applying for the position, please send your CV along with a covering letter addressing the following three points;
- Reason(s) why you believe you are qualified for the position
- How you would promote the JET Programme to UK graduates (please include ideas of practical tactics)
- How the position fits in with your long-term career plans To: ukjet@ld.mofa.go.jp, addressed to Coordinator for Educational Affairs by 26th June 2015 5PM (GMT)
Only former JET Programme participants from the UK are eligible to apply to this job. We only contact applicants whose application form has successfully to be interviewed.
WIT Life #288: おわハラ and other Japanese harassment
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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.
I had the chance to go back to Japan on business this month and will be going again next month to interpret for the same project, so I’m excited to be able to visit on such a regular basis. Being back in a Japanese workplace reminds me of the different styles our two cultures have when it comes to this environment, whether it is the uniforms worn by OLs or the wide open floor plan consisting of endless islands where people sit. Another striking aspect is the specific categorization of various types of potential harassment in the workplace. I’m sure most people have heard of セクハラ (sekuhara which is short for “sexual harassment”) and maybe パワハラ (pawahara which is short for “power harassment,” when a superior uses his/her power to influence a subordinate), but lately there are some new versions of harassment in Japan to
take note of.
For example, マタハラ (matahara or “maternity harassment”) describes when a pregnant woman is bullied because of her physical state, and usually the perpetrator’s motivation is trying to get her to quit. A newer term which was just coined this past March is おわハラ (owahara, coming from 就活終われハラスメント or “job search termination harassment”). It refers to when potential employers pressure their university student recruits to stop considering offers from other companies by offering them a guaranteed position in their own.
This article, though a bit dated, offers a humorous take on the “hara” phenomenon. I like his suggestion of adding “hara hara” at the end!
One other Japanese suffix that might rival “hara” in usage is “活”, or “katsu” which is used to refer to Read More
JQ Magazine: Book Review — ‘Marathon Japan’
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“The running boom in Japan shows no signs of slowing. Marathon Japan explains why as it marvelously highlights a growing and evolving sport.” (University of Hawai’i Press)
By Rashaad Jorden (Yamagata-ken, 2008-10) for JQ magazine. A former head of the JETAA Philadelphia Sub-Chapter, Rashaad graduated from Leeds Beckett University with a Master’s degree in Responsible Tourism Management (for more on his life in the U.K., visit his blog at www.gettingpounded.wordpress.com). While in Japan, Rashaad completed the 2010 Tokyo Marathon, ran two half marathons in Yamagata Prefecture, was a part of an ekiden club, and finished fourth in the 2009 Ishidan Marathon (a race up the steps of Mount Haguro).
Hopefully, your JET experience included you busting out your running shoes and joining your prefecture (or village) in a road race. It did for me on several occasions. But if you never got around to working up a sweat over 10 kilometers (or maybe even 21), you might remember your school being enthralled by its annual ekiden, or frequently seeing races televised on Sunday mornings.
So why have such events become an integral part of Japanese sporting culture? Thomas R.H. Havens examines why in Marathon Japan, the first comprehensive English-language book about the history of marathons and ekiden in the country.
Long before Kenya emerged as the world’s elite marathon nation, Japan could make a serious claim to producing the world’s best at 42.195 km. Marathon Japan illustrates the periods when Japanese marathoners dished out most of the world’s fastest times—such as the 1930s (In 1934, nine of the world’s ten fastest times were run by Japanese), the 1960s (1965 alone saw the Japanese record fifteen of the world’s top twenty marathon times), and the 1980s (during which Toshihiko Seko won ten of the fifteen marathons he completed in). And to top it off on the women’s side, in 2004, three Japanese finished among the world’s top eight marathoners.
Job: Site Director (Center for Global Education and Experience)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow, curriculum and content developer for a real estate schools based in Virginia. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Site Director
Posted by: Center for Global Education and Experience
Location: Windhoek, Namibia
Status: Full-Time
Overview:
The Center for Global Education and Experience (CGEE) at Augsburg College seeks applicants for the position of CGEE Site Director, Southern Africa, based at our center in Windhoek, Namibia. The Center’s mission is to provide cross-cultural education opportunities that develop critical thinking skills for analyzing local and global conditions so that personal and systemic change takes place leading to a more just and sustainable world. The Center offers an undergraduate semester program that develops the theme, “Nation Building, Globalization and Decolonizing the Mind.” Several short-term travel seminars are also coordinated every year. Programs draw students from colleges and universities throughout the US. Read More
Job: Broadcast Coordinator Team Leader – TVT Japan (Tokyo)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow, curriculum and content developer for a real estate schools based in Virginia. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Broadcast Coordinator Team Leader
Posted by: TVT Japan
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Status: Full-Time
Overview:
Would you like to be part of a dynamic team within a pioneering post-production/broadcast environment?
As Broadcast Coordinator Team Leader you will play a vital role in ensuring the overall success of the Japanese Service of BBC World News including Video On Demand and other video streaming projects.
The role centres on the day to day running of the Japanese studio in Tokyo, while reporting to the London based Operations Manager. In addition to key duties such as monitoring of Japanese audio output and operation of broadcast systems the Team Leader is responsible for investigating and reporting on broadcast issues as well as local staff coordination and developing new projects.
Out of hours response for broadcast and operational issues is required for this role.
11 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) CISabroad Career Openings
As part of the marketing and recruitment team, this position assists in meeting and exceeding CISabroad Enrollment goals through marketing to and the recruitment of undergraduate students. This role visits universities in their his/her region of the United States to develop relationships with study abroad offices and academic staff, attend study abroad fairs, recruit students, and collaborate across teams on marketing and other projects. The successful candidate will be able to work effectively as a leader and member of a team, strategize, anticipate and take initiative. A rockin’ sense of humor is required!
University Relations Institute Trainee:
Our 12-month program will offer a variety of opportunities to understand and learn about study abroad from a 360° perspective, gaining knowledge as you work with universities, students, as well as customized faculty-lead, program, marketing, and university relations teams. The successful candidate will be able to work independently as part of a larger team, be flexible, energetic, and have familiarity with the territory.
For more details about these and other open positions, please visit us at http://www.cisabroad.com/why-cisabroad/careers-at-cisabroad Read More
The JET Programme Alumni Satogaeri Project
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow, curriculum and content developer for a real estate schools based in Virginia. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Would you like to return and visit your JET towns for a few days? As part of the JET Programme Alumni Satogaeri Project, 11 JET alumni will return to their former places of work, and re-visit places with which they have a strong affiliation, local residents who they developed close relationships with, current JET participants and others, on the basis of their ‘Satogaeri Project Plan’.
Applications are now open!
JET alumni who wish to act as a bridge between Japan and other countries are encouraged to apply to participate in this project, which aims to further develop the JET Programme network, promote the appeal of Japan’s local regions around the world, and create an opportunity for further development of the JET Programme.
Job: Assistant Correspondent – The Mainichi Shimbun (UK Bureau)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow, curriculum and content developer for a real estate schools based in Virginia. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Assistant Correspondent
Posted by: The Mainichi Shimbun (UK Bureau)
Location: UK
Status: Full-Time
Overview:
The Mainichi Shimbun, Japan’s oldest daily newspaper, is looking for an Assistant Correspondent for its UK bureau, based in Soho. You will assist the London-based correspondents with researching and preparing articles published in our print newspaper and our Japanese and English websites. You will also be responsible for the day-to-day running of the office.
Applicants must be native English speakers and have a good command of spoken and written Japanese (preferably Japanese-Language Proficiency Test level N1, degree level, or equivalent). You should also be able to demonstrate a keen interest in news and current affairs, politics and, ideally, economics. Previous journalistic experience is not necessary, while proficiency in other European languages is desirable.
Job: On-Site Program Coordinator – CISabroad (Global)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow, curriculum and content developer for a real estate schools based in Virginia. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: On-Site Program Coordinator
Posted by: CISabroad
Location: Global
Status: Full-Time Contract (varies)
Overview:
Customized Faculty-Led Programs Team develops international faculty-led programs for colleges and universities across the United States. We provide the logistics and staff support to facilitate the international course, allowing faculty members to focus on the academic portion of the trip. These programs vary in duration, location, travel, and activities based on the needs of the institution.
This position is part of the Customized Faculty-Led Programs Team and reports to the Customized Faculty-Led Programs Coordinator who specializes in the designated country. The primary role of this position is to facilitate the in-country implementation of the assigned customized program and provide safety/emergency support as needed. During the program the On-Site Program Coordinator is responsible for managing the day-to-day logistics of the assigned customized program and providing in-country support to both the leading faculty and CISabroad students. Using personal travel experience and language knowledge, the On-Site Program Coordinator will help create a program environment that is safe and conducive to cultural engagement. This position is contracted for the duration of the program.
11 Jobs in International Education
Jobs Comments Off on 11 Jobs in International Education
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) Study Abroad Program Manager, Univ. of Colorado Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is hiring for the potion of Study Abroad Program Manager. A full job description and application instructions can be found at: http://www.jobsatcu.com/postings/102196
For any questions, please contact CU-Boulder HR at 303-492-6475 or HRESmail@colorado.edu<mailto:HRESmail@colorado.edu>. Any inquiries made to staff in the Office of International Education Office at CU-Boulder will be forwarded to our HR office. Read More
Job: English Program Coordinator – Japan Center for Michigan Universities (Hikone)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow, curriculum and content developer for a real estate schools based in Virginia. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: English Program Coordinator
Posted by: Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU)
Location: Hikone, Japan
Status: Full-Time
Salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications. Compensation includes standard Japanese benefits, housing, and a relocation travel/personal effects allowance.
Start Date: This is a full-time, annually renewable position with an anticipated start date of fall 2015.
Overview:
English Program Coordinator duties include supervising and managing a diverse English language program, program planning, scheduling, teaching a maximum of 10 to 20 hours per week, program and curriculum development, conducting faculty meetings, facilitating professional development, and participating in student activities such as field trips and opening and closing ceremonies. Candidates should be interested in teaching both children and adults and should also be able to teach an undergraduate TESOL methods course. Read More
Job: Business Analyst – HTM Corporation (Tokyo)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow, curriculum and content developer for a real estate schools based in Virginia. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Business Analyst
Posted by: HTM Corporation
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Status: Full-Time
Overview:
As a business analyst, you will work with international clients, improve and design the business process in Japan. Ongoing training provided. This is a great opportunity for growth and career development.
HTM is a growing firm based in central Tokyo providing finance and administration services to foreign companies in Japan. HTM is a learning organization where people develop their personal skills and learn international business practices. With many projects run by teams, there are many opportunities to practice leadership skills. In addition an hour is set aside every day for team learning. HTM provides an excellent opportunity to start your career and develop your personal and business skills in a friendly and international environment.
