Jul 9

JETwit Job Hunter Project: Grant Minagawa

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JETwit Job Hunter is a feature started by Autumn Widdoes (Okinawa-ken 2010-14) where we share the profile of a JET or JET alum currently seeking work and invite JETwit readers to share any advice, suggestions, or perspectives.  Autumn is a writer with a focus on performance and film who will soon return to the job market herself.  She’d like to put her four years of experience in Japan to good use in future employment.

Job Hunter:  Grant Minagawa (Okinawa-ken, 2010-14) is a JET currently living in Naha, Okinawa.  Grant will end his contract with the JET Program this August.  During his JET tenure, Grant was one of the Prefectural Advisors for Okinawa.  He gained experience in event planning, management and human resources, and counseling and conflict resolution.  Grant is interested in using the skills he learned as a PA in working in the management of English language education programs, university-level international education, or as an event planner.   He would like to remain in Japan, though he is potentially interested in opportunities in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, and the USA.

Objective:  To work in English language education management, international education at the university level, or in event planning.

Areas of Interest: 

• Management of English Language Education Programs
• International Education at the university level
• Event planning

Job Hunting Strategies:

• 2014 After-JET Conference and Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• Websites for job listings
• Networking
• Hello Work employment office

Challenges:  Grant feels that the market has changed significantly since his last job search, but he feels that people have been, often unexpectedly, very helpful to him during this process.   He has been managing his job search while also working diligently as an outgoing PA, managing and coordinating reappointing, inbound and outbound JETs.  With his Japanese at the JLPT N3 level, Grant is finding it difficult to locate non-ALT jobs that do not require full fluency at the N1 or N2 level.    He believes that the job market in Japan is set to expand exponentially for foreign employees, especially as Tokyo gears up to host the 2020 Olympics, but he isn’t quite certain where to begin to look for employment.   Grant is seeking advice and connections to people working in industries related to his areas of interest, especially those who can help him find a job in Japan.

Web Presence:

• To contact Grant visit his LinkedIn Profile.

To help this JETwit Job Hunter, post your comments below, or contact Grant Minagawa directly. 

If you’d like to be profiled, click here to submit your information through the JETwit Job Hunter Google Form.  

Reminder that there are a number of JET Alum professionally oriented LinkedIn groups set up to help you.  By joining groups in fields that interest you, you can find and connect with other alums in that field.

Jul 5

JQ Magazine: Film Review – JAPAN CUTS 2014 at Japan Society

Article/Journalism, Film, JQ Magazine, Reviews Comments Off on JQ Magazine: Film Review – JAPAN CUTS 2014 at Japan Society

Ken Watanabe (right), stars in Unforgiven, premiering July 15 at Japan Society in New York as part of their annual JAPAN CUTS film festival. (© 2013 Warner Entertainment Japan Inc.)

By Lyle Sylvander (Yokohama-shi, 2001-02) for JQ magazine. Lyle has completed a master’s program at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University and has been writing for the JET Alumni Association of New York since 2004. He is also the goalkeeper for FC Japan, a New York City-based soccer team.

This year’s JAPAN CUTS—North America’s biggest festival of new Japanese film—kicks off July 10-20 at New York’s Japan Society, continuing its tradition of showcasing the latest films from Japan along with some special guest stars and filmmakers. This year’s highlights include Japan’s blockbuster The Eternal Zero, The Great Passage (Japan’s submission for the Academy Award last year) and the post-3/11 documentary The Horses of Fukushima. Below are three of the 28 films in this year’s lineup that were made available to JQ at press time.

Eiji Uchida’s Greatful Dead marks the latest entry in the “dark and twisted” Japanese genre. The sordid story follows Nami (Kumi Takiuchi) as she follows “solitarians” (old and psychotic loners) around Tokyo and snaps selfies with them when they die. She enters into a morbid friendship with one particular “solitarian” (Takashi Sasano) and the rest of the film explores the darker side of humanity and mental illness in modern-day Japan. Uchida also seems to be making a statement about those most marginalized in modern Japan—the young and the elderly. Japan’s youth have a staggeringly large unemployment rate while the aging demographic makes for a perilously underfunded social security system.

Also using horror conventions for social satire is Miss Zombie, taking place in a futuristic Japan where zombies can be domesticated as servants and pets. Directed by Hiroyuki Tanaka (here using the pseudonym “Sabu”), Miss Zombie follows Shara, a mail order zombie whose owner, Dr. Teramoto, feeds her rotten vegetables in exchange for domestic labor. The film takes a darker turn as she is raped by two handymen—an event that sexually arouses Dr. Teramoto. Soon, Shara’s services are no longer limited to domestic chores. Even Dr. Teramoto’s wife finds her services useful after their son drowns. Overall, Sabu brings a fresh and interesting approach to the zombie film—a far cry from the works of George A. Romero and the countless imitators he inspired.

Read More

Jul 3

Justin’s Japan: Nippon in New York — Kabuki at Lincoln Center, JAPAN CUTS, NY Mets, DJ Krush

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Neko Samurai ～Samurai ♥ Cat～ makes its international premiere as part of Japan Society’s annual JAPAN CUTS film festival July 19 with a live appearance by star Kazuki Kitamura. (© 2014 NEKO SAMURAI PRODUCTION COMMITTEE)

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 witnessing the return of one of the world’s most distinguished kabuki companies returning to New York after seven years, catching one of 20 films in Japan Society’s annual festival, or waiting for the bass to drop at a live performance from a legendary DJ.

July 7-12

Heisei Nakamura-za

Rose Theater, 10 Columbus Circle

$45-$190

The Heisei Nakamura-za company, which made its North American debut in a critically acclaimed and sold-out run during Lincoln Center Festival 2004, was founded by the illustrious Kanzaburo XVIII, the late patriarch of the Nakamura family—a veritable kabuki dynasty in Japan with an unbroken line of actors and innovators reaching back to the 17th century. For its Lincoln Center Festival engagement, the company has revived a rarely performed 19th-century ghost story, Kaidan Chibusa no Enoki (The Ghost Tale of the Wet Nurse Tree), about the murder of an artist by a handsome samurai who desires the artist’s wife. Running the emotional gamut from drama to uproarious slapstick comedy, and culminating in a thrilling fight-to-the-death beneath a waterfall, this is kabuki theater at its most engaging. Performed in Japanese with English synopsis via a headset.

July 10-20

JAPAN CUTS 2014

Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street

$10-$20

North America’s biggest festival of new Japanese film returns for its eighth year, serving up a thrilling cross section of Japan’s diverse film cultures to New York audiences! Screening 27 features across 10 days, including co-presentations with the 13th New York Asian Film Festival, JAPAN CUTS premieres the best of recent action epics, genre oddities, touching dramas, warped comedies and cutting-edge arthouse cinema made in and around Japan. Plus, meet special guest stars and filmmakers during exclusive post-screening Q&As and raucous parties in Japan Society’s theater and atrium!

Friday, July 11, 5:30 p.m.

New York Mets Japanese Heritage Night 2014

Citi Field, 123-01 Roosevelt Avenue

Special seating $35-$72

For the fifth annual Japanese Heritage Night at Citi Field, the Mets take on the Miami Marlins for this special event. The pre-show kicks off at Mets Plaza outside with an explosive taiko set from New York’s own Soh Daiko, followed by the Mets Spirit Awards inside the stadium given to honored members of the New York Japanese and Japanese American community. Prior to the first pitch at 7:00 p.m., the Japanese Men’s Choir will perform our national anthem. A portion of the proceeds from each ticket bought will go to Japanese community charities through the Japanese American Association of New York. Be sure to look for fun Japanese activities and games throughout the evening at the special tables on the main concourse behind the giant video screen. Price of ticket includes a free T-shirt!

For the complete story, click here.

Jul 3

Leading U.S.-Japan Exchange in Northern California: JETAANC

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The following was written by JETAA Northern California President Mark Frey (Kumamoto-ken, 2002-06) with contributions from Xander Peterson (Miyazaki, 2009-2012) and was originally published in Japanese in the most recent edition of the CLAIR Forum which is distributed to pretty much every prefecture and town government in Japan as well as every Japanese consulate and embassy.  Below is the English version.  Here’s a link to the CLAIR Forum (PDF) which has the article in Japanese.

Leading U.S.-Japan Exchange in Northern California: JETAANC

By Mark Frey, President, JETAANC, mark.frey@jetaanc.org

Many of you know participants of the JET Program (Japan Exchange and Teaching Program). They may be your co-workers or friends. But what happens to them when they return to their home countries? I hope to show you some of the exciting things that former JETs are doing on behalf of U.S.-Japan relations. I will also suggest some ways that you can engage JET alumni to further your own goals.

In 1989, two years after the start of the JET Program, former JETs gathered and established the JET Program Alumni Association (JETAA) with the aim of giving each other support and continuing the mission of the JET Program to foster grassroots international exchange.

Over the past 25 years, JETAA has grown into a vibrant worldwide organization. There are now over 57,000 JET alumni living across the globe. Over 28,000 of them live in America. That’s about 1 in every 8,000 American adults! You can see the positive impact that JET alumni can have in promoting Japan around the world.

This year I became President of JETAA’s Northern California chapter, JETAANC. With over 3,000 members, I am proud to say that we are one of the largest and most active chapters in the world. Next year we will celebrate our 25^th Anniversary.

Our alumni are working at every level of every sector of the local economy, including for-profit, non-profit, education, and government. They are promoting exchange between the U.S. and Japan whenever and however they can.

Every year, our alumni provide substantial support to the JET Program. Read More

Jul 3

Leaving JET: “Dear God, what have I done!?”

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By Hollie Mantle (Gunma-ken, 2011-13) who lives in the UK but has great memories of Gumma, home to the wonderful choking hazard konniyaku.

In February some of you would have ticked that fateful box and signed away all ties to that sweet, sweet wage packet and comfortable life you’re living tucked away in one of Japan’s mountainside prefectures, famous for cabbages or sweet potatoes or a particular flavour of senbei. (Oh the fame, the glory!) As it’s coming up to just before home time, I thought I’d give you a few tips just to horrify you into clinging desperately to your futon and make you comfort-eat kara-age as you think ‘DEAR GOD WHAT HAVE I DONE?’ Read More

Jul 3

Job: Study Abroad Program Manager, University of Colorado Boulder

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Via JET alum Carleen Ben.  Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-Present), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai.  Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

Position: Study Abroad Program Manager
Posted by: Univ. of Colorado Boulder
Location: Boulder, CO
Type: Full-time 

Overview:

This position exists in order to enable students to study abroad as an integral part of their University of Colorado at Boulder academic career by managing CU-Boulder academic programs overseas, by advising students about study abroad, by serving as a regional advising specialist, and by selecting and preparing students for the experience. The position provides backup to other program managers during their peak busy times by reviewing student applications and following up with difficult cases. Read More

Jul 3

Job: Study Abroad Advisor – University of Florida (Gainesville)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Study Abroad Advisor – University of Florida (Gainesville)

Via JET alum Carleen Ben.  Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-Present), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai.  Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

Position: Study Abroad Advisor
Posted by: University of Florida 
Location: Gainesville, FL
Type: Full-time 

Overview:

An opening for a study abroad advisor position at the University of Florida International Center (UFIC) in Gainesville, Florida. This new position is an opportunity to join a dynamic team of 5 study abroad advisors, an Assistant Director, an Executive Director, and a receptionist, who are responsible for facilitating study abroad opportunities for University of Florida students. It is an exciting time to work at UFIC, as internationalization has been identified as the theme of the university Quality Enhancement Plan that will begin implementation this Fall.
Read More

Jul 3

Study Abroad Advisor, Towson University (MD)

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Via JET alum Carleen Ben.  Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-Present), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai.  Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

Position: Study Abroad Advisor
Posted by: Division of Academic Affairs at Towson University
Location: Towson, MD
Type: Full-time 

Overview:

The Division of Academic Affairs at Towson University seeks an Advisor for the Study Abroad Office. The advisor is responsible for promoting credit-bearing study abroad programs to students and faculty, advising and supporting students prior to, during and after their study abroad experience, and administering select TU study abroad programs.
Read More

Jul 2

【RocketNews24】Japanese student’s English homework captures futility of life

Article/Journalism, Writers Language, poetry, RocketNews24, study, teaching English in Japan Comments Off on 【RocketNews24】Japanese student’s English homework captures futility of life

Posted by Michelle Lynn Dinh (Shimane-ken, Chibu-mura, 2010–13), editor and writer for RocketNews24. The following article was written by Clara Clegg, a writer and translator for RocketNews24, a Japan-based site dedicated to bringing fun and quirky news from Asia to English speaking audiences.

I’ve marked my fair share of English exam papers here in Japan, and there have been a few gems of hilarity in amongst the spelling mistakes and butchered grammar, but nothing that measures up to this beauty. One student’s answer to a simple question was so deep and existential, it read like poetry.

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Jul 2

JETwit Job Hunter Profile: Kyle William Mullen

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JETwit Job Hunter is a new feature started by Autumn Widdoes (Okinawa-ken 2010-14).  Autumn is a writer with a focus on performance and film who will soon return to the job market herself. She’d like to put her four years of experience in Japan to good use in future employment.

Job Hunter:  Kyle William Mullen (Chiba-ken, 2011-14) is a JET currently living in Kamagaya, Chiba.  He will finish up his time on the JET Program this summer and is seeking a job in Tokyo, Japan.

Objective:  To work in an International Business or International Non-Profit/NGO environment that allows him to use and increase his Japanese language skills through translation and interpretation.

Areas of Interest: 

• International Business
• Translating and Interpreting
• International Non-profit and NGO

Job Hunting Strategies:

• Job fairs
• Websites and web-based applications
• Informational interviews and networking.
• Recruiters

Challenges:  Kyle is looking to expand his networking contacts in the above industries, in particular those based in Tokyo, Japan. He states, “job searching is all about persistence.” He has managed to stay optimistic and positive even when he has faced disappointment in the job hunt.

Web Presence:

• His blog: http://kylemullen.wordpress.com/
• To contact Kyle visit his LinkedIn Profile.

To help this JETwit Job Hunter, post your comments below, or contact Kyle William Mullen directly. 

If you’d like to be profiled, click here to submit your information through the JETwit Job Hunter Google Form.  

Reminder that there are a number of JET Alum professionally oriented LinkedIn groups set up to help you.  By joining groups in fields that interest you, you can find and connect with other alums in that field.

Jul 1

Job: Manager at Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (Tokyo)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Manager at Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (Tokyo)

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THE ORGANIZATION: The Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund) is an international non-profit grant-making foundation that aims to advance the development of new health technologies such as drugs, vaccines and diagnostics, for the developing world. It is the first fund to involve a consortium of pharmaceutical companies, government, and civil society working together to support research and development for neglected diseases. Primary grantees include product development partnerships (PDPs). Key public and private partners include five Japanese pharmaceutical companies, two Japanese government ministries, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The GHIT Fund was launched in 2013 with a five-year commitment of over US$100 million. The combination of Japan’s government and its pharmaceutical industry—the third largest in the world—brings a powerful engine of knowledge and innovation to the development of medications for the developing world.

  Read More

Jul 1

Job: Alumni Relations Manager for Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft LLP (NYC)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Alumni Relations Manager for Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft LLP (NYC)

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Overview: 
As part of the Firm’s Human Resources Department, the Manager of Alumni Relations will work to strengthen and capitalize on the Firm’s alumni network of approximately 2,600 attorneys.
Read More

Jul 1

Job: Receptionist Position at NYU Law Career Services Office (NYC)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Receptionist Position at NYU Law Career Services Office (NYC)

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Overview: 

This is a very entry level job, but we need someone who can really multitask (handle simultaneous phone-calls, emails, walk-ins, and requests from administrators easily) and who has a very positive, service-oriented attitude. Anyone interested should apply online. We are a two-JET office right now, maybe we can make it three? Read More

Jul 1

AJET: Stonewall Japan – LGBT Computer-based Q and A sign-in

AJET Comments Off on AJET: Stonewall Japan – LGBT Computer-based Q and A sign-in

Saw this originally posted to the JETAA Southern California Facebook group by Stephen Haverfield:

Passing along info from Stonewall Japan: LGBT Computer-based Q&A sign in:

Greetings from Stonewall Japan! Many of you may know of our organization already but for those unfamiliar, we are one of the national AJET special interest groups. With almost 800 members, we are definitely the largest of the SIGs, and our mission is to provide a safe community for LGBTQIA English language speakers living and working in Japan.

http://ajet.net/contact-ajet/special-interest-nationality-language-groups/Stonewall.ajet.net

We are contacting you today to let you know about the resources we have been putting together for the incoming 2014 JETs. As departure looms, we’re sure you are all extremely busy with preparing the new JETs for their life abroad. In order to help with that process, we have created a small handout about living as an LGBTQIA person in Japan. It includes links to resources and has a lot of great information that we certainly wish we had had when we first arrived on JET! We have also gathered some wonderful volunteers from Stonewall’s leadership to provide Q&A sessions through Google Hangouts for incoming JETs BEFORE they leave, which we hope will answer a lot of lingering questions and alleviate some stress from the often stressful process of preparing for departure.

The orientation handout is attached and the link to the Q&A session sign-up is here:
http://stonewall.ajet.net/new-jet-info-session-sign-up-2014/

However, as you know, the time for orientation is limited, especially considering AJET will no longer have a presence this year at Tokyo orientation. So we were encouraged by National AJET to send this out to the JET alumni associations / orientation coordinators post-haste. We hope that you can distribute the handout and the link to the Q&A to the incoming JETs in your area as soon as possible (the deadline for the Google Hangouts sign up is July 12th and we have a limited amount of spots open).

Lastly, we want to congratulate you on the work you’ve done and continue to do to make sure the new JETs arrive in Japan with the knowledge they need to hit the ground running. A big Otsukare-sama goes out from the whole Stonewall team.

Thank you and onegaishimasu,

Sincerely,

The Stonewall Japan Leadership Team
stonewallsig@ajet.net

Attachment: Handout https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n2WwAeSZYmv2nqVETSA8SI4lKbMLKi9vp3AUn4salVc/edit?usp=sharing

Jun 30

Let’s Talk Japan, Episode 23 – 2014 Embassy of Japan JET Program Pre-Departure Orientation

Audio, Life As a JET Comments Off on Let’s Talk Japan, Episode 23 – 2014 Embassy of Japan JET Program Pre-Departure Orientation

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.

A few weeks ago, I was invited to a pre-departure orientation for new JET Program participants, organized by the JET Program Office at the Embassy of Japan.

The orientation covered a wide range of topics, and I am very grateful to the Japanese Embassy for allowing me to record the event and use the audio on the podcast. The presenters were all JET Program alumni, who shared their first-hand experiences and advice with the new JETs on a wide range of topics.

In this episode, I have included three particularly useful presentations; including: (1) Things To Do Before You Leave; (2) Life in Japan; and (3) Life as an Assistant Language Teacher. These are just a few of the topics covered at the orientation, and I hope to share more of them with you in a future episode.  If you know of someone considering the JET Program or moving to Japan, there’s a lot of useful information in this episode.

Enjoy,

Nick

If you have not already done so, be sure to follow the podcast on Twitter @letstalkjapan and leave a positive rating/review in iTunes.