Mar 8

JET alum Harry Hill named Chairman of U.S. CULCON

JETs in the News, LifeAfterJET, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment Comments Off on JET alum Harry Hill named Chairman of U.S. CULCON

Here’s a link to the official post on the CULCON website:  http://culcon.jusfc.gov/news/harry-hill-becomes-chairman-of-u-s-culcon

FEBRUARY 18, 2014

The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission and the U.S. CULCON Panel are pleased to announce the appointment of a new Chairman, Mr. Harry A. Hill.

Mr. Hill, a native of New York City, has served as President and CEO of Oak Lawn Marketing, a branding and media company that owns Shop Japan, the largest infomercial brand in Japan, since 2006. He brings with him a wealth of experience related to educational and cultural exchange and entrepreneurship, having lived and worked in Japan for nearly thirty years.  Mr. Hill served as a participant on the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme and its precursor program, the Monbusho English Fellows from 1987-1990 in Gifu Prefecture, where he created a strong network of individuals and government officials who would later help him in building his professional career.   His extensive professional experience includes founding H&R Consultants, a leading lease providing and relocation service in Tokyo and Nagoya.  In addition, Mr. Hill has been actively involved in numerous charitable and non-profit organizations, including the U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation, where he has been a member of the Tokyo Advisory Committee and long-time sponsor of its scholarship program.  “Mr. Hill will be an asset to the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission and CULCON, bringing strong leadership experience as a successful entrepreneur, and a deep passion for strengthening the U.S.-Japan relationship through educational and cultural exchange,” says Executive Director Paige Cottingham-Streater.  Mr. Hill’s expertise on Japan and cross-cultural communication skills will further advance the Commission and CULCON’s efforts to invest in Japanese and American studies, people-to-people exchanges and artistic and cultural initiatives.

Mr. Hill succeeds Read More

Mar 7

Student Delegates Sought for Upcoming Japan-America Student Conference (Deadline March 31)

Academic Comments Off on Student Delegates Sought for Upcoming Japan-America Student Conference (Deadline March 31)

This isn’t for JET alums per se. But if you know anyone who might be interested, it’s a great way to help support the future of Japan-US relations. Please note the March 31 application deadline.

Thanks to AJET Chair Kay Makishi for pointing JASC Executive Director Yuuki Shinomiya towards JETwit.

 Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Overview:

The Japan-America Student Conference (JASC) is currently recruiting student delegates for the 66th Annual Conference, which will be held in the U.S. in August 2014. This student-led exchange program, initiated in 1934 by university students concerned by the breakdown of bilateral relations prior to the Second World War, JASC has evolved into a leadership training program for both Japanese and American students. Read More

Mar 7

GLOBIS University MBA for JETs (Tokyo)

Academic Comments Off on GLOBIS University MBA for JETs (Tokyo)

Thanks to JETAA UK Chair Sarah Parsons for sharing this info.  A great transition step opportunity for current JETs.  Sarah was recently in Tokyo to speak at the After JET Conference and while there met with people from GLOBIS who made her aware of this program and that scholarships are available for JETs.  Please not the March 12 deadline.  Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Overview:

GLOBIS University in Tokyo offers a full time and part-time MBA course taught in English with opportunities for internships. This is suitable for JETs wanting to bridge the gap between their time on JET and developing professional experience as well as a transferable qualification. There are scholarships available for fees that JETs are eligible for and also possible funding for living expenses. Read More

Mar 6

【RocketNews24】The Japanese universities where graduation is one giant cosplay party【Photos】

Article/Journalism, Writers creative, graduation, RocketNews24 Comments Off on 【RocketNews24】The Japanese universities where graduation is one giant cosplay party【Photos】

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

We’ve seen what can happen when high schools relax the rules for yearbook photos. Today, we bring you the Japanese anything-goes graduation! At the Kanazawa College of Art, graduating students can wear anything they want to the ceremony – and they certainly rise to the challenge.

The students’ epic outfits have become such a popular attraction that TV crews even turn up to find and interview the wearers of this year’s best costumes. The effort these students have put into their outfits is really something!

Read More

Mar 5

Getting Married in Japan

Advice, Blogs Culture, japan, Marriage, More Things Japanese Comments Off on Getting Married in Japan

Posted by Benjamin Martin, a JET from 2008-2013 in Okinawa, publisher of the blog MoreThingsJapanese.com and author of Revenge of the Akuma Clan
(Tuttle).

This post is an excerpt from the original on my blog, here to help anyone in Japan who might be considering settling down. Like most people, I had no idea what I was getting into but figured the process might not be quite as straight forward as going to a local court and signing some papers… I don’t think Kume Island even has a court…

I did what most would do and googled it. The American Embassy site explains the process quite clearly for US citizens. I’m sure most other countries have similar information available for their expats. It gives all the basic information, and I went to my local town hall to confirm. Since I live in such a small community it was rather easy and quick to get everything I need, but unlike large cities the offices are not open 24/7.

The first step for Americans is filling out the Affidavit of Competency to Marry and having it translated (or translate it yourself). On a side note, the legal marriage is called nyuseki (入籍) in Japan. For me this was easy as I followed the example provided on the site above. One thing to watch out for is the part where you write your passport number and issuing local. For me it turned out to be the Department of State and not a city so I had to rewrite the form at the last-minute.

To get the forms notarized you have to make an appointment with the embassy, which are limited and cost $50.  It was a pain (though the staff were very nice) and I had to make a special trip into the mainland to do it. With the added security you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time. You can’t even get to the gate without your appointment slip so don’t forget it. With the form in hand your work is done as far as preparations go.

Getting Married

All you should need at the town (city) hall is your passport and the competency form (notarized English and Japanese translation). Then you can fill out the form and have your partner do the same. If your partner is Japanese they’ll need their own forms (such as family register) which they can get at their own local town or city hall. You’ll also want to decide if your partner will be changing their honseki (permanent residence) at that time or at a later date. For foreigners you just write your nationality (in Japanese).

One good piece of advice I received and will pass on here is to go a day before you actually marry to have your forms checked over (you can get them in advance). Since the day you marry is often important in Japan, you can avoid having the date of marriage delayed due to a typo and re-entered form. As a foreigner, I filled in my name in Katakana and the rest in Japanese (be careful here, especially if you have a middle name. They originally tried to talk me into writing my middle and family name together, which would mean my wife would have to go by that rather than just Martin!). My significant other filled out the form in Japanese and had to fill out a separate form to take my name. Both forms are straight forward, though there’s a section about household work. For those of us who lived alone, it’s whatever work we were doing. For my partner it was the primary work of her father and mother. It’s something the person in charge can help you answer.

You’ll need two witnesses as well (remind them to bring their seals!). If everything is in order they’ll announce everything is alright and you’ll be legally married. You will also be able to get your notice of marriage certificates sometime after that (I got mine later that day).

All in all it was not a difficult process.. but you’ll see that (or read about it in a later post). It helped that we planned ahead and communicated with the town hall.

One thing to note is that when a Japanese person marries a foreigner they are removed from their family register and become a family of one. Until they have a child they are legally their own family (unless you become a Japanese citizen which does not happen automatically). That’s a big deal in Japan.

Also, if you’re reading this and you happen to be a wedding planner/cake maker/do everything so we don’t have to er/ in Japan willing to donate (cough cough) your services… let me know!

P.S. You might note this post is a bit lacking in any info on what happened around the form signing.  Keep an eye on TBS’s Motemote99 TV show in Japan to see what really happened.

Mar 3

Job: Program Coordinator at Baruch Leadership Academy (NYC)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Program Coordinator at Baruch Leadership Academy (NYC)

From JET alum Eli Cohen (Tanegashima, 2009-10).  He currently works at Baruch College (CUNY) in NYC and says they have an immediate opening for a part-time Program Coordinator (Baruch Leadership Academy).  Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Program Coordinator
Location: NYC

Overview:

The Academy is looking for an enthusiastic and organized Program Coordinator to work closely with the Director in the development and implementation of business operations for the entire program.   The Program Coordinator will be responsible for all Academy communications both the registered and prospective students and parents.  The position requires 20-30 hours of availability per week with an immediate placement. Read More

Mar 3

Job: [Teach For Japan] Openings in Development, Recruitment, Training and Mentoring (Tokyo)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: [Teach For Japan] Openings in Development, Recruitment, Training and Mentoring (Tokyo)

[Steve’s Note:  Some very interesting and JET-relevant job openings with Teach for Japan received directly from the organization. (The listing is in Japanese because a high level of proficiency is required to work there.) Thanks to AJET Chair Kay Makishi for putting TFJ in touch with JETwit.

Mar 1

Job: 3 Immediate Openings at CSI (Kentucky & Nagoya)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: 3 Immediate Openings at CSI (Kentucky & Nagoya)

Three openings:  Bilingual Admin Professional, Japanese/English Translator-Interpreter, and English Language & Cultural Instructor, all at CSI, a JET alum owned company based in Lexington, Kentucky that has hired a number of JET alums. Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Positions are available in Kentucky, USA and Nagoya, Japan

Consultant Solutions, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will provide training and a support network that facilitates success. We will also consider relocation and/or visa support for the right candidate. Compensation is commensurate with experience. Paid Time Off, Retirement, Insurance and other standard perks apply. Consultant Solutions, Inc. may assign candidates to a subsidiary based upon skill-sets. Read More

Mar 1

JQ Magazine: JQ&A with Cade Mosley on His Return to Japan with Rotary International

Article/Journalism, Cultural Outreach, Interview/Profile, JQ Magazine Comments Off on JQ Magazine: JQ&A with Cade Mosley on His Return to Japan with Rotary International

“In my experience, Japan is going through an interesting evolution these days. It’s starting to take a more assertive role in international affairs and taking more of a stand for human rights, development, and peaceful relations. This also makes it a very interesting time for Westerners to be engaged in Japan more than ever before.” (Courtesy of Cade Mosley)

By Mark Flanigan (Nagasaki-ken, 2000-04) for JQ magazine. Mark is a program director at the Japan ICU Foundation in New York City and was also a Rotary Peace Fellow at ICU from 2010-12, during which time he volunteered for a tsunami relief mission in Ishinomaki after the terrible 3/11 tragedy. In addition to his JET and Rotary service, Mark has also been a U.S. Army officer, Presidential Management Fellow, Pacific Forum CSIS Young Leader, Eisaku Sato Memorial Essay Contest prize winner, and Aspen Institute Socrates Program Seminar scholar. His interests lie in international education, disaster response, and post-conflict peacebuilding. He can be contacted at mflanigan[at]jicuf.org.

Christopher Cade Mosley (Nagasaki-ken, 2000-01) is a current Rotary Peace Fellow at International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo and previously served as a JET for one year. Born in Texas and raised mostly in Fort Worth, Mosley attended the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in government and philosophy. He also spent a semester abroad in Haifa, Israel and interned for Congressional House Majority Leader Dick Armey in Washington, D.C. He was also on student government for their department (Liberal Arts), chairing the committee on study abroad. In this exclusive interview, JQ caught up with Mosley to discuss his lifelong interest in politics and international affairs.

Thanks for your time and for answering our questions, Cade! Would you please tell everyone about your time on JET?

I was a JET in 2000-01 on a long, thin island called Tsushima in Nagasaki, but physically closer to the city of Fukuoka, nestled in the strait between the cities of Pusan and Fukuoka. Tsushima is famous for a decisive sea battle Japan won against Russia in 1905 that first put Japan on the map as a world power and set its course into the 20th century. There’s a massive Russian battleship sunk just off the coast from my apartment there! (Too deep to see, though.) I taught for the second largest district, called Mitsushima, on the south end of the island.

What was your JET role?

I was an ALT at four schools in my district, spending a week in each so that I would rotate through all four in a month. I spent Monday through Thursday assisting the teacher with the lesson, usually coming up with some creative activity or role play to complement the lesson, and Fridays at our BOE.

Did you have any previous background in Asian languages and cultures?

I actually was accepted to JET while I was teaching English in Seoul, South Korea, and my friends there insisted I take the opportunity. Before Seoul, I didn’t have any experience. My whole reason for going to Seoul and applying to JET were because I had zero experience with Asia and thought it would be a good chance to get to know the region, since I was already interested in international affairs at that time.

Read More

Mar 1

Life After JET: A Rabu (Love) Story

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The original article was first published in Volume 48 No.4 Summer 2013-2014 edition of Japan Reports from the Consulate-General of Japan, Sydney, and also reproduced on the JETAA NSW site. The article was written by Blair Milne (Nara-ken ALT, 2010-2012), originally from Scotland, on how he met and married a fellow JET (Carly Milne, Nara-ken ALT, 2010-2012), and finally settled with her in her hometown of Sydney, Australia, both of whom kindly gave their permission for re-publication.

Posted by Eden Law (Fukushima-ken ALT, 2010-2011), of JETAA NSW.

Japan: A Rabu (Love) Story

My name is Blair and I came from Scotland to work as a JET in Nara Prefecture for two years. Among all the fantastic opportunities that came from working on the JET Programme, I was lucky to meet my Australian wife Carly early on in my time in Japan. So after proposing during the Sakura Light Up at Nijo Castle in Kyoto, then marrying in the Old Town of Edinburgh, we have “returned” to Sydney to begin our lives after JET. In this article, I wish to reflect on my experience on the JET Programme, and the importance of maintaining links to Japan.

Firstly, I came on the JET Programme to experience living in a culture alien to my own, and to experience life on the other side of the world (and, of course, for the sushi). The things that excited me most were being able to contribute to school life, and to introduce aspects of my own culture to the school. At the same time, knowing no Japanese was a daunting prospect. In hindsight, all the initial worries were largely unwarranted. No matter how alien the language was, some form of assistance was never too far away, and common sense was a winner. From buying a train ticket to finding food in the supermarket, I took my time and tried not to be overwhelmed.

It was at a welcome BBQ for new JETs on the banks of the Totsukawa River that I first met Carly. Carly had come on the programme a year before, having studied Japanese at school then university. When Carly offered me a piece of her renkon (a Japanese vegetable), I knew we were destined to be partners in crime.

There are two senior high schools in Kashihara City: My school, Unebi, and my wife’s school, Kashihara. So when we were first spotted together, sipping coffee at Mister Donuts, I dread to think of the commotion we might have caused in the town. Certainly, grinning students became a pleasant part of life early on in our relationship. Later on, Carly and I were able to share parts of our life with our Japanese friends, from photos of our wedding, to stories about our travels around Japan. Sharing our life experience with friends in Japan was one of the best parts about being in Japan for Carly and me.

Relationships are such an integral part of being on JET, from students to colleagues to Japanese friends outside work, as well as other expats living in Japan. In many respects, it is important anywhere, but the unique situation of being on JET can add challenges: differences in language and culture can change dynamics in both obvious and subtle ways. I think for me, overcoming these differences was my biggest achievement on JET. (Apart from marrying Carly, of course!)

Now, living in Australia, I can look back fondly on everything I did in Japan, knowing I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t partaken in the JET Programme. Being in Australia for me also means learning about a new culture in much the same way as I did in Japan; new concepts like “a fair go” or Aussie Battler instead of Honne-Tatemae* and Salaryman. The smell of wattle in place of harvested rice fields, bushfires instead of typhoons, and Flat Whites instead of Frappucinos. Although I am loving life in Australia, and trying to make the most of the opportunities here, Carly and I both look forward to returning to Japan to see friends and maintain a connection to the community in which we met, and to remember all the little things about Japan that made us smile.

Blair Milne

Feb 28

Job: Study Abroad Advisor – Office of Overseas Study, Indiana University, Bloomington

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Study Abroad Advisor – Office of Overseas Study, Indiana University, Bloomington

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: Office of Overseas Study, Indiana University, Bloomington
Location: Bloomington, Indiana
Type: full-time

Job Duties:

• Advises students in person and electronically about approximately 100 active IU and non-IU study abroad programs and procedures, and other experiential activities. Provides individual pre-departure academic advising; plans and conducts information meetings, orientations and post-program debriefings; works closely with advisors and faculty on campus and abroad; and responds to queries. Helps to organize and maintain the Overseas Study Information Center.
• Evaluates application dossiers; and maintains the student database; and assists in hiring, training and working with 10-15 student peer counselors.
• Represents Overseas Study in professional groups and to student organizations and travels internationally as needed to become familiar with Indiana University program sites.

Read More

Feb 27

【RocketNews24】Five Japanese customs even some Japanese people think are a pain

Article/Journalism, Writers Culture, RocketNews24, seasons, technology Comments Off on 【RocketNews24】Five Japanese customs even some Japanese people think are a pain

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

One of the trickier aspects of adapting to life in Japan is getting the hang of the numerous seasonal customs. While your acquaintances aren’t likely to get that bent out of shape if you miss a day or two, completely adhering to proper etiquette involves managing a year-round schedule of sending gifts and written salutations to friends, family, and business associates.

The sentiment is definitely admirable, but don’t Japanese people don’t find this all to be a huge hassle? Actually, it turns out some of them do, as shown in a poll of the top five seasonal traditions people in Japan would like to do away with.

Read More

Feb 27

WIT Life #262: 梅祭り！

Events, Food & Drink, Translating/Interpreting, WIT Life, Writers Comments Off on WIT Life #262: 梅祭り！

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.

Over the weekend I had the chance to try the 梅祭り (ume matsuri or plum blossom festival) Prix Fixe at Hi Collar in the East Village.  It was my first time going to this cool hole-in-the-wall location, which hasn’t even been open for a year.  Hi Collar operates as a coffee shop during the day, offering beverages and desserts, and at night transforms into a sake bar/restaurant.  You can see some of the amazing ume offerings in the menu here, and I especially enjoyed the rice that closed the meal (although it lacked yuba which is one of my favorite foods, as they had run out).  The cozy bar sits about 10 people (and has little hooks for your bags underneath, so convenient!), and we were there on Saturday night so it was packed.  However, there is a turnover as some people just come in for a drink and leave fairly quickly, as opposed to people like my friend and I who lingered over our ume course for hours.  At $38 it is amazingly reasonable so if you have a chance to go before the end of the month when the matsuri ends I would highly recommend it…

I also got the accompanying $30 Umeshu Pairing, which was phenomenal.  It came with five glasses of various 梅酒 (ume shu or plum wine), not all of which were sweet.  I really liked the Kimoto Umeshu from Daishichi Brewery in Fukushima.  This sake producer was one of a few highlighted in a recent New York Times article about how the Japan government is using sake to revitalize the economy by Read More

Feb 27

2014 JETAANorthern California Scholarship Application

Academic Comments Off on 2014 JETAANorthern California Scholarship Application

Saw this posted to the JETAA Northern California LinkedIn group. I know none of you are high school students, but maybe you know someone or have kids who might be interested.

Context: JETAANC set this scholarship up a number of years ago. They’re the only chapter to offer something like this, which is really terrific since promoting study of Japan is a great example of Return On JET-vestment.

Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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2014 JETAANorthern California Scholarship Application

Feb 27

Job: Japanese to English Translator for Gengo

Jobs Add Comment (1)

A nice JET-relevant listing received directly from the company.  (Thanks to JETAANY Webmaster Lee-Sean Huang for pointing them to JETwit.) Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Translator

Overview:

We are Gengo, a US and Tokyo-based online translation company. We are currently looking for Japanese to English translators to join our worldwide team.

If you are proficient both in Japanese and English, sign up to test today. Once qualified, you will gain access to hundreds of jobs.

Get started today and take the first step to work as a Gengo Translator! Read More