I’ll Make It Myself: Taste Test: Baked Kit Kats (焼きキットカット)
Blogs, Food & Drink, I'll Make It Myself, Writers 
Comments Off on I’ll Make It Myself: Taste Test: Baked Kit Kats (焼きキットカット)
L.M. Zoller (CIR Ishikawa-ken, Anamizu, 2009-11) is the editor of The Ishikawa JET Kitchen: Cooking in Japan Without a Fight. Ze works in international student exchange; writes I’ll Make It Myself!, a blog about food culture in Japan and the US; curates The Rice Cooker Chronicles, a series of essays by JETs and JET alumni on the theme of cooking/eating and being alone in Japan; and admins The JET Alumni Culinary Group on LinkedIn.
These Kit Kats may be old news in Japan, but I finally got my hands on some in Seattle at Uwajimaya and tried them!
Via nestle.jp
Donate to help disaster victims in Hiroshima!
Return on JET-vestment, Volunteer Comments Off on Donate to help disaster victims in Hiroshima!
Donate to help disaster victims in Hiroshima!
The death toll from mudslides in the city of Hiroshima jumped to 71 recently, with at least 15 people still missing. Nearly 1,000 people out of about 1,300 evacuees are sheltered in nine local elementary schools:
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/08/27/national/hiroshima-slide-toll-rises-66-dead-21-missing-mayor-admits-delayed-alert/#.VAAfDPldV8E
Hiroshima Kenjin Kai of Southern California has formally joined the efforts of Hiroshima Prefecture and various Hiroshima-based NGOs and NPOs in the effort to raise funds in support of the victims of the disaster that befell the local community and residents of northern Hiroshima.
Anyone interested in joining in this effort, please send donations to:
Hiroshima Kenjin Kai of Southern California
(payable to “Hiroshima Kenjin Kai of SC”; write “JET Program Alumni – Hiroshima Relief” in memo)
Attention: Mr. Takami Igawa – HKSC President
712 East First Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
This fundraising drive will be carried through the end of September (September 30, 2014).
All funds collected in this drive will be sent to Japan Red Cross Hiroshima Office for distribution to the disaster victims.
For any inquiry, please contact Dr. Charles Igawa, HKSC Secretary via email at <icigawa@gmail.com> or via (562) 818-7857.
Job: Program Officer, Global Exchange Operations – Institute of International Education (NYC)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Program Officer, Global Exchange Operations – Institute of International Education (NYC)
Via Idealist. Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Program Officer, Global Exchange Operations
Posted by: Institute of International Education
Location: New York, NY
Type: Full-time
Overview:
Carry out and advise colleagues in Foreign Fulbright Program divisions on various operational aspects of Fulbright Programs including tasks related to J visa sponsorship, grantee placement process, grant renewal process, and review of documentation for all Fulbright participants upon arrival and continuation of participation. Read More
Job: Intern- U.S.-Japan Council & Tomodachi Initiative (Tokyo)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Intern- U.S.-Japan Council & Tomodachi Initiative (Tokyo)
Thanks to JET alum Mya Fisher who works for the US-Japan Council for passing this along.
Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Intern
Posted by: U.S.-Japan Council & Tomodachi Initiative
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Type: Full-time
Overview:
The U.S.-Japan Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax exempt organization in the United States which has recently incorporated in Japan as a koeki zaidan hojin. The Council administers the TOMODACHI Initiative, a public-private partnership forged after the Great East Japan Earthquake in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo with the support of the Government of Japan. TOMODACHI invests in the next generation of Japanese and American leaders through educational and cultural exchanges as well as leadership programs. We seek to foster a “TOMODACHI generation” of young American and Japanese leaders who are committed to and engaged in strengthening U.S.-Japan relations, appreciate each other’s countries and cultures, and possess the global skills and mindsets needed to contribute to and thrive in a more cooperative, prosperous, and secure world. Read More
Job: Program Manager – U.S.-Japan Council & Tomodachi Initiative (Tokyo)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Program Manager – U.S.-Japan Council & Tomodachi Initiative (Tokyo)
Thanks to JET alum Mya Fisher who works for the US-Japan Council for passing this along.
Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Program Manager
Posted by: U.S.-Japan Council & Tomodachi Initiative
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Type: Full-time
Overview:
The U.S.-Japan Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax exempt organization in the United States which has recently incorporated in Japan as a koeki zaidan hojin. The Council administers the TOMODACHI Initiative, a public-private partnership forged after the Great East Japan Earthquake in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo with the support of the Government of Japan. TOMODACHI invests in the next generation of Japanese and American leaders through educational and cultural exchanges as well as leadership programs. We seek to foster a “TOMODACHI generation” of young American and Japanese leaders who are committed to and engaged in strengthening U.S.-Japan relations, appreciate each other’s countries and cultures, and possess the global skills and mindsets needed to contribute to and thrive in a more cooperative, prosperous, and secure world. Read More
Let’s Talk Japan, Episode 25 – Making the Most of Your JET Program Experience
Uncategorized Comments Off on Let’s Talk Japan, Episode 25 – Making the Most of Your JET Program Experience
Let’s Talk Japan is a monthly, interview format podcast covering a wide range of Japan-related topics. Host Nick Harling (Mie-ken, 2001-03) lived in Japan from 2001 until 2005, including two great years as a JET Program participant in Mie-Ken. He practices law in Washington, D.C., and lives with his wife who patiently listens to him talk about Japan . . . a lot.
It’s late summer, and that means hundreds of new JET Program participants have recently started their new life in Japan. In this episode, I share my thoughts on what steps they can take to have an enjoyable and memorable Japan experience.
If you have not already done so, be sure to follow the podcast on Twitter @letstalkjapan and leave a positive rating/review in iTunes.
JQ Magazine: JQ&A with John Gaunter on ‘Sake Confidential’
Article/Journalism, Books, Food & Drink, Interview/Profile, JQ Magazine Comments Off on JQ Magazine: JQ&A with John Gaunter on ‘Sake Confidential’
“Sake is so deep and varied that one could never stop talking about it. Every day is full of surprises. Not major ones, but usually surprises related to the attention to detail that goes into sake and the interesting stories behind it.” (Courtesy of John Gauntner)
By Eden Law (Fukushima-ken, 2010-11) for JQ magazine. Eden is a JETAA New South Wales committee member, who would like it to be known that if it wasn’t for getting involved with JETAA, he wouldn’t know what to do with his spare time after hours. JET: It’s like the Illuminati, except less about the world domination and more about the fun denomination. Got feedback on this article? Leave a comment below.
If ever there was a prize for most unexpected job opportunity spin-off from the JET Program, the career of John Gauntner (Kanagawa-ken, 1988-89) would be hard to beat, especially after a few rounds of nihonshu. A longtime resident of Kamakura and the world’s first (and only) non-Japanese to hold certification as both a Master of Sake Tasting and Sake Expert Assessor, Gauntner has come a long way since a drinking session with a buddy from The Japan Times led him to this series of fortunate events.
Proving that this beverage continues to be an infinite font of inspiration, Gauntner has recently added a new book to his growing stable of literary output, Sake Confidential: A Beyond-the-Basics Guide to Understanding, Tasting, Selection, and Enjoyment. In it, he covers all aspects of the precious drop: from what it is, how it is made, and how it is meant to be enjoyed (spoiler: any way you like it), to the inside story of its politics, marketing, and the industry itself. But this is no textbook: Like a true sake evangelist, Gauntner enlightens beginners and insiders alike, pairing clear and simple language with confidence and unabashed passion.
In this exclusive interview, Gauntner discusses the state of sake’s popularity in its own country and abroad, what it means being a non-Japanese sake evangelist with his unique qualifications, and what the future holds for him.
What was the reason behind writing this book, and who is its audience?
I wanted to show the depth and breadth of the sake world, to show it has as many avenues for exploration as wine does.
How is this book different from the others?
This book goes beyond the basics and more into depth about many interesting side topics of the sake world.
Is this book designed to replace or update your previous books?
No, it is intended to augment them. This one introduces less sake and is light on the basics,
What’s the market like for these books?
So far it is selling well, but ask me in two years!
What’s left to be said about sake? Are there any surprises left in the industry?
It is so deep and varied that one could never stop talking about it. Every day is full of surprises. Not major ones, but usually surprises related to the attention to detail that goes into sake and the interesting stories behind it.
Yvonne Thurman-Dogruer (Kagoshima-ken, 1994-95) is a former JETAANY President and Treasurer. She has a Master of International Affairs degree from Columbia University, had a ten-year career at its Center on Japanese Economy and Business, and ran her own business for a number of years. Yvonne currently consults for small businesses and start-ups while continuing the full-time job-search, and is an avid sailor.
JETAA NY President in 1999. Columbia grad in 2002. Director at Columbia Business School in 2005. Entrepreneur and business owner in 2008. Now? Unemploy
ed.
Rarely do I say that I’m unemployed. That’s never my response when someone asks what I do. I’m consulting. I’m job-searching. I work from home. All true. I don’t know how to relate to ‘unemployed’ as a status. It’s easier on the ego to instead talk about what I’ve done up until this point. But after a year and a half with no steady paycheck, there is no doubt I am one of the many unemployed in this country, regardless of how the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics might choose to define me. I do consulting work when I can get it, and I continue to look for a full-time, salaried position. I am unemployed.
This summer marked a couple of milestones in my life; 25 years since graduating high school, and 20 years since I was on the JET program. I’ve attended really great reunions — hours full of fun and therapeutic reminiscing about the past. I would come home from them feeling good about reconnecting with those who had played an important role in my personal and professional growth, and proud of the many things I’ve accomplished in life so far. And then comes the question, “where am I now?”. That has me stumped. What are these invisible barriers holding me back from moving forward? This all feels so foreign to me, as I had always felt grounded in my professional life. Every day is a challenge to keep steady, strong, and navigate myself through such an unpredictable environment. And every day, I seem to get through, and continue to look for that thing called a job to give me some sense of stability.
So I chatted with Steven Horowitz a few months back and with his encouragement decided to write for JETwit and reflect on this past year-and-a-half of my professional life, and make some observations about this job market. It’s my hope that while I continue zig-zagging through the murky waters of the New York job hunt and share my experiences, it might help my fellow JET alumni who are going through the same thing. Whether you’ve returned from your Japan stint some decades ago like me, or have come back more recently, if you are job searching now – you will have a voice to contribute here. I do not aim to give advice, only to encourage discussion. Let’s start talking, continue to keep our heads about us, and our humor. Stay tuned…
Job: ESL Instructor – Showa Boston Institute (Boston)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: ESL Instructor – Showa Boston Institute (Boston)
Via Idealist. Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: ESL Instructor
Posted by: Showa Boston Institute
Location: Boston, MA
Type: Full-time
Overview:
Showa Boston Institute for Language and Culture, an affiliate of Showa Women’s University Tokyo, has part-time openings for teachers in ESL skills and content courses in the Fall Program September 22 – January 14. Morning skills, afternoon content, and evening TOEIC prep courses available. Read More
Job: Outside Account Representative – Yamamotoyama (East Coast)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Outside Account Representative – Yamamotoyama (East Coast)
Thanks to jet alum Daniel Goldstein for passing this on. Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Outside Account Representative
Posted by: Yamamotoyama
Location: East Coast
Type: Full-time
Purpose of Position:
Job: Resident Director, CET Intensive Japanese Language & Culture Studies (Osaka, Japan)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Resident Director, CET Intensive Japanese Language & Culture Studies (Osaka, Japan)
Thanks to Osaka-fu JET alum Kate Maruyama who works for CET for sharing this opening at her organization.
Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Resident Director, CET Intensive Japanese Language & Culture Studies
Posted by: CET Academic Programs
Location: Osaka, Japan
Type: Full-time
Overview:
CET Academic Programs seeks a Resident Director for the CET Intensive Japanese Language & Culture Studies in Osaka, Japan.
The Resident Director (RD) oversees the non-academic aspects of CET’s Japan programs. General responsibilities include managing and implementing activities, excursions, housing, Japanese roommate selection and the language pledge. The RD works cooperatively with a small group of CET Japan staff to ensure that overall goals and expectations of the program are being met through these program components. Excellent communication and team work skills are essential. Read More
Job: Instructional Support Specialist Multimedia – Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green, Kentucky)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Instructional Support Specialist Multimedia – Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green, Kentucky)
Thanks to JET alum David Nelson, who works for WKU and found his job through JETwit, for sharing these.
Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Instructional Support Specialist (Multimedia)
Posted by: Western Kentucky University
Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Type: Full-time
Overview:
Western Kentucky University aspires to be the University of choice for faculty and staff who are dedicated to helping advance academic excellence. True to its spirit, WKU offers an inviting, nurturing, and challenging work environment, which is responsive to the needs of a diverse and ambitious learning community. WKU’s main campus is located on a hill overlooking the city of Bowling Green (population est. 60,000), and is acclaimed as one of the most beautiful in the nation. We invite you to consider WKU as a place where your academic and professional dreams can be realized. Read More
Job: Instructional Support Specialists – Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green, Kentucky)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Instructional Support Specialists – Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green, Kentucky)
Thanks to JET alum David Nelson, who works for WKU and found his job through JETwit, for sharing these.
Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Instructional Support Specialists
Posted by: Western Kentucky University
Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Type: Full-time
Overview:
Western Kentucky University aspires to be the University of choice for faculty and staff who are dedicated to helping advance academic excellence. True to its spirit, WKU offers an inviting, nurturing, and challenging work environment, which is responsive to the needs of a diverse and ambitious learning community. WKU’s main campus is located on a hill overlooking the city of Bowling Green (population est. 60,000), and is acclaimed as one of the most beautiful in the nation. We invite you to consider WKU as a place where your academic and professional dreams can be realized. Read More
Job: Bilingual Mobile Applications Developer Operations Support Specialist (Mountain View, CA)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Bilingual Mobile Applications Developer Operations Support Specialist (Mountain View, CA)
Thanks to Tiffany Knearem (Yamanashi-ken 2011-12) for sharing this JET-relevant listing at her workplace. She says they’re looking to hire ASAP.
Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Bilingual Mobile Applications Developer Operations Support Specialist (Japanese)
Location: Mountain View, CA
Type: Full-time
Overview:
A position is available with the growing developer support team of a major mobile application platform. The support specialist will help support app developers in both Japanese and English. This position requires a customer-obsessed individual who is passionate about assisting developers with the timely resolution of issues related to application development and sharing tools. Strong customer service skills and interest in mobile applications are critical. Due to the nature of this role a flexible schedule covering Japanese business hours is required. Read More
Job: Translators – Voltage, Inc.
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Translators – Voltage, Inc.
Via JET Alum Alyssa Hoey (Aomori 2008-2013). Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Translator
Posted by: Voltage, Inc.
Overview:
Translators will be provided with scripts from Voltage’s “Koi-game” series and will translate these into English. Emphasis will be on creating a script that will appeal to English-speaking users rather than creating a direct translation of the original script. Scripts should be translated into American English rather than British English. Read More
