【RocketNews24】Nippon or Nihon? No consensus on the Japanese pronunciation of “Japan”
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Posted by Michelle Lynn Dinh (Shimane-ken, Chibu-mura, 2010–13), editor and writer for RocketNews24. The following article was written by Master Blaster, writing team for RocketNews24, a Japan-based site dedicated to bringing fun and quirky news from Asia to English speaking audiences.
As any student of Japanese will tell you, its use of Chinese characters known as kanjican be a nightmare at times. And although they can be really useful at deducing the meaning of complex words, they give little in the way of clues as to how one should pronounce them.
Take the kanji for Japan (日本) for example. Even a first grader can tell you what it means, but ask a group of adults how to pronounce it and you might get a mixture of “Nihon” or “Nippon” and maybe even an occasional “Yamato” if one of those people happens to be a smart-ass.
CLAIR Magazine “JET Plaza” series: Marshall Ikeda (Miyagi)
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Each month, current and former JET participants are featured in the “JET Plaza” section of the CLAIR Forum magazine. The December 2013 edition includes an article by current JET participant Marshall Ikeda. Posted by Celine Castex (Chiba-ken, 2006-11), currently programme coordinator at CLAIR Tokyo.
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“From the day I set foot in Natori as a JET, I knew it would be a life-altering experience. As cliché as it sounds, I really do feel like [it] is my home away from home.”
Natori My Second Home
It was the heat, humidity and the overpowering sound of cicadas that welcomed me to the city of Natori. Bordering the neighboring city of Sendai, Natori is nestled between a mountain range to the west and Pacific beaches to the east. The mixture of city and country was a perfect combination to satisfy my curiosity and love for travel. After arriving, I began exploring the wonderful aspects of Natori every weekend, and quickly grew to know and love the area.
My commute to three different schools, two Elementary and one junior high, also helped me get acquainted with Natori. My favorite school to visit is an elementary school buried far in the mountains. In order to get there, I have to set out on a hard one-hour bike ride early in the morning. From the time I first arrived, this hour spent outdoors has allowed me to experience the beauty of all four seasons on my way to work. Paired with my time outdoors spent biking, the scenery surrounding Natori has made it easy to integrate the seasons into my classroom activities. In spring we hold classes under the cherry blossoms. In fall we trace Japanese maple leaves onto paper. In winter, we build three-piece snowmen. These experiences represent a unique cultural exchange for my students. I feel fortunate to be able to use my natural surroundings as a teaching aid. As Canada is also rich in natural beauty, it is easy to make ties to my homeland. Infusing nature into my teaching curriculum interests my students academically and culturally.
Despite many successful attempts to incorporate active teaching styles into my lesson plans, the most challenging aspect of teaching English has always been engaging the students. When I first began teaching, I was deluded by an unrealistically positive vision that all students adore English. I soon realized of course that this is simply not true- some students do not even want to try speaking at all! While I cannot force every student to love English, (and I am not expected to), I still try to demonstrate to my students how English is beneficial for travel, work, school, and lifestyle. My efforts in readjusting students’ perceptions of English is certainly not an overnight process, but I believe it is the driving force for myself, and many other ALTs working in Japan.
While it is discouraging at times that some students simply do not show an interest in English, there are always those students willing to go the extra mile. Over the past year, I had the pleasure of coaching one of my junior high students to the finals for the All Japan National Speech contest. Through her consistent time and effort, she was highly successful in her English goals. I feel very rewarded in circumstances where students display a positive attitude towards English, and want to put forth their best efforts. I believe that the most rewarding aspects of being an ALT comes from being able to see tangible results. Read More
Job: Japanese to English Translator for CSI (Lexington, KY)
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Thanks to JETAA Bluegrass Subchapter Rep Roy Harrison of the JET alum-owned company CSI for forwarding on another opening for a translator at their company. 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: Japanese to English Translator/Interpreter
Location: Lexington, KY
Type: Full-time
Overview:
We’re looking for a Japanese-English translator/interpreter to join our growing team in central Kentucky. You’ll be responsible for ensuring high-quality translations in a deadline-driven environment are delivered to our customers. Your work within our team will breakdown large projects and juggle multiple tasks with competing priorities. Read More
Job: Program Assistant at Duke Center for International Development (Durham, NC)
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A great JET-relevant listing shared by Shiga JET alum Kyle Munn who works there. Kyle adds: “There is a job opening at the Duke Center for International Development that JET alumni may be interested in. I think an alumnus would be a good fit for this position!”
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 Assistant
Location: Durham, NC
Type: Full-time
Overview:
The Program Assistant position provides a wide range of logistical and administrative support to the MIDP. The MIDP is a non-traditional graduate program. It enrolls a student body of about 45 per year that is 90% international, comprised mostly of mid-career professionals from non-western cultures. As such, a high level of sensitivity to cultural differences, excellent communication skills, and sensitivity to issues facing students (and families) from other countries are essential. This position collaborates with colleagues across the Sanford School and reports to the MIDP. Read More
CLAIR Magazine “JET Plaza” series: Dr. Adam Komisarof (Saitama)
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Each month, current and former JET participants are featured in the “JET Plaza” section of the CLAIR Forum magazine. The February 2014 edition includes an article by JET alumnus Dr. Adam Komisarof. Posted by Celine Castex (Chiba-ken, 2006-11), currently programme coordinator at CLAIR Tokyo.
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Adam Komisarof (Saitama-ken, 1990-92), PhD, is a professor in Reitaku University’s Department of Economics and Business Administration. In 2012-13, he served as a senior associate member of St. Antony’s College, Oxford University, and conducted research as a visiting academic at the Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies. As a bilingual intercultural trainer (Japanese and English), he has conducted workshops for thousands of participants in Japan, the United States, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Dr. Komisarof has over 40 publications and has authored two books, On the Front Lines of Forging a Global Society: Japanese and American Coworkers in Japan (2011) and At Home Abroad: Westerners’ Views of Themselves in Japan (2012).
“Overall, my life in Japan has been very satisfying, and if the JET Programme had not given me such a positive first experience here, I doubt that I ever would have settled in Japan and led the life I have. JET has opened my eyes to a new cultural, linguistic, and personal reality for which I am deeply grateful.”
A Life Trajectory Shaped by the JET Programme
My experience in the JET Programme made me who I am today—both as a professional and a human being. When I graduated from Brown University in 1990 and readied myself to journey to Japan, I never imagined that I would be still living here in my middle age, raising a family, and working as an academic who researches and teaches about how culture affects human experience, thought, and behavior. Yet here I am. Currently, I am a professor at Reitaku University, where I teach intercultural communication, English, and acculturation psychology. In my free time, I am also a corporate intercultural communication trainer and consultant. And with the exception of one year of my sabbatical at the University of Oxford, I have lived in Japan continuously since 1998 (in addition to two years on JET from 1990-1992).
So how did I get here? While at Brown, I studied education, so after graduation, I had two goals: to teach English and to do so in a culture that was completely different from my own. I spent the next two years working daily in the same high school in Saitama, a place which I called my “educational laboratory.” The English teachers encouraged me to design our lessons while giving advice and feedback. Consequently, I grew immensely as a teacher during those two years, as I could experiment with many educational philosophies and methods. I also developed close relationships with other teachers since they included me in many social events where we engaged in the revered Japanese custom of “nomunication.” Read More
JQ Magazine: JETAA UK Launches Careers and Networking Programme
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JETAA UK members Sarah Parsons (second from right) and Rob Gorton of Toyota (second from left) attend the inaugural Careers and Networking Programme reception with guests in the fields of business and academia, Nottingham, Oct. 3, 2013. (University of Nottingham)
By Sarah Parsons (Gunma-ken, 1995-97) for JQ magazine. Sarah is the careers and networking coordinator for JETAA UK and chair of the Midlands Chapter. She also runs her own business called Japan In Perspective, where she facilitates business links between the UK and Japan.
There are a variety of ex-JETs: those who have just returned looking for jobs and hoping to make sense of and use their JET experience, and those who are still interested in keeping in touch with Japan who have been very successful using their JET experience professionally—whether it be directly Japan-related or using it as a catalyst for a new career—but who have not been engaged with JETAA for a long time, if ever. Several things became evident.
First, JET can be a life-changing experience that offers so many potential professional opportunities, but the professional needs of our members are not being formally facilitated within JETAA UK. Secondly, the job environment in the UK is getting more and more competitive and it is very challenging for ex-JETs to stand out, gain more business skills and use their experiences professionally, so there is a demand for helping JETs with their post-Japan careers; and thirdly, in order to achieve any of this, JETAA needs to raise its profile professionally and engage with local business communities.
In this vein, we decided to map out a multifaceted programme within JETAA UK to facilitate these needs and to engage and utilise the expertise of some of our more experienced members. We wanted to organise networking events for local ex-JETs to meet the local business communities (UK companies that are interested in Japan as well as local Japanese companies) so as to offer great opportunities for JETs to develop important contacts and give attendees a chance to keep up to date on what is happening in the Japan-related business world.
Job: Japanese Operations Production Assistant at Golf Channel (Orlando, FL)
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A great JET-relevant job listing shared by JETAA Florida’s Tom Gregorich who works for the Golf Channel. 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: Japanese Operations Production Assistant
Location: Orlando, FL
Type: Full-time
Overview:
Full-time staff position assisting the Japanese commentary staff with research and production of live golf tournament broadcasts. Supporting entire department with additional production and coordination efforts as needed including but not limited to Japanese studio and remote original productions and news. Perform English/Japanese translation and interpretation (if applicable). Read More
Job: [IMMEDIATE] Japanese-speaking Web Designer at APCO Worldwide (DC)
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Thanks to JETAA DC President Leigh Ann Mastrini for sharing this opening at the company where she works. 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:
Below is the strategic brief for a one-off project to design a website for one of APCO’s clients based in Japan. If you are interested, please contact Leigh Ann Mastrini (Hyogo-ken, 2006 – 2008/JETAADC President) with your name and existing portfolio if you have one. Previous experience in designing for Japanese companies and Japanese websites is preferred. Read More
Job: Executive Assistant to the Chief Creative Officer at UNIQLO (New York)
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A great JET-relevant listing received directly from Uniqlo (aka Fast Retail): “The position is Executive Assistant to the Chief Creative Officer of UNIQLO, and requires English/Japanese fluency.” 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: Executive Assistant to the Chief Creative Officer
Location: New York
Type: Full-time
Overview:
The Executive Assistant will provide support and assistance to his/her assigned executives. The EA will create, build and manage the day to day responsibilities. They will assist with managing daily appointments and schedule/calendar, correspondence, note taking, and communication with both overseas and domestic partners. They will help coordinate all travel arrangements and expenses (T&E, samples and courier) and budget management. They will also support multiple, ongoing projects that impact the people side of our business. Read More
Job: Consulate Assistant at the Miami Japanese Consulate
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Deadline: Friday, February 7th, 2014
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: Consular Assistant
Location: Miami Japanese Consulate
Type: Full-time
Overview:
The Consular Section at the Consulate General of Japan in Miami has an opening for a Consular Assistant. Read More
Job: Interpretive Program Assistant at The Bronx Zoo (NY)
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[Steve’s Note: Not Japan-related, but interesting! The position would report to a friend of mine, the one who sent me the job listing.]
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: Interpretive Program Assistant
Location: Bronx Zoo, Wildlife Conservation Society
Type: Part-time
Overview:
- Assist the Director, Graphic Design and Interpretation; the Exhibit Developer/Media
- Coordinator; Exhibit Developer and other EGAD senior staff on special projects.
- Work closely with the Exhibit Developer on exhibit evaluation studies; coordinate production of prototypes and collect data from WCS visitors through observation and interviews.
- Prepare and draft evaluation results reports.
- Assist with exhibit program planning; perform content research and development; draft display copy.
- Participate in photo and video research for exhibits.
- Adhere to schedules, budgets, and priorities for implementation and project reporting schedules.
- Contribute to, enlarge, and uphold the Society’s policies toward the Equal Employment opportunities for women, minorities, veterans, the handicapped, and other protected groups.
【RocketNews24】10 weird and funny things Japanese people do
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Posted by Michelle Lynn Dinh (Shimane-ken, Chibu-mura, 2010–13), editor and writer for RocketNews24. The following article was written by Philip Kendall (Fukushima-ken, Shirakawa-shi, 2006–11), senior editor and writer for RocketNews24, a Japan-based site dedicated to bringing fun and quirky news from Asia to English speaking audiences.
Not so long ago, a friend of mine from the UK came to visit me here in Japan. After showing him around town and making sure to take him to all of the most popular tourist spots, he remarked that quite a few of the subtle behaviours Japanese people exhibit seemed, while in no way offensive, remarkably different to those of our own countrymen. As we worked through a couple of the more unusual customs and behaviours that my friend had noticed, it struck me that at some point during my eight years of living here I had come to accept the everyday quirks of the people around me as entirely normal and not in the slightest bit odd.
Last year, we discussed the 10 things that we love and the 10 things we just can’t stomach about Japan, but today we at RocketNews24 felt it was time to present you with a list of random but genuine observations, from the peculiar to the downright endearing, about the Japanese people themselves. Enjoy!
Kyodo News “JET Alumni” Series: Laura Tasharofi (Kochi)
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News agency Kyodo News has recently been publishing monthly articles written by JET alumni who were appointed in rural areas of Japan, as part of promotion for the JET Programme. Below is the English version of the column from January 2014. Posted by Celine Castex (Chiba-ken, 2006-11), currently programme coordinator at CLAIR Tokyo.
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Laura Tasharofi (Kochi-ken, Yusuhara-cho, 2004-07) hails from Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. After a Bachelors Degree in Japanese Studies from Griffith University, Gold Coast, she joined the JET Programme and was placed as a CIR in a little Shikoku town where she spent the next three years. She currently works as the Student Loan Coordinator for Queensland TAFE and has been the President of JETAA Queensland since 2011.
“I always encourage young people I meet to consider the JET Programme as a life experience, and I am eternally grateful for the opportunities the JET Programme gave me.”
The Town Above the Clouds
Yusuhara: Town Above The Clouds (梼原町：雲の上の町). With a slogan like that, I suppose it should have been obvious, but as my supervisor drove me home from Kochi Ryoma Airport, I couldn’t believe how far we were climbing into the mountains. The deep green pine trees were towering over the winding road, and there were wisps of low cloud around us after the rain on that hot, humid day. The scenery was beautiful. Little did I know, I would spend the next three years becoming part of a wonderful community and making life-long friends.
Yusuhara had a population of a little over 4,000 people at that time. It is famous for being on the route that Sakamoto Ryoma took when he made his crusade to bring about the Meiji Restoration. You can follow the signs and walk the ‘Sakamoto Ryoma escape route’ (坂本竜馬 脱藩の道), through the hills to finish in Ehime-ken. It has a beautiful onsen and hotel, a pretty river and it is a short drive to the Tengu Highlands. Such a picturesque place, but there weren’t many tourists in those days. Some time after I left, NHK ran a TV series about the life of Sakamoto Ryoma, and that put Yusuhara on the map as a tourist destination for fans of the show.
In a small town like that, a tall Australian woman like me really stood out. People quickly came to recognise me. Everyone would say ‘good morning’, or ‘hello’ as I travelled to work or walked around town on the weekends. They knew where I lived and which car I drove. I very quickly learned that everyone knew where I was and what I was doing at any given time. At first I felt like I had lost my privacy, but I soon felt very safe and comfortable living in a small, friendly community where everyone knows each other.
I was quite busy as a CIR. I spent a lot of time visiting schools to do cultural and English lessons with kids from kindergarten up to Junior High School. I taught the kids how to play cricket, how to make rocky road (chocolate filled with marshmallows, nuts and cherries), I arranged a letter and Christmas card exchange between some of the students in Yusuhara and students at the school where my mum works in Tasmania. I assisted with the annual overseas study trip for 10 students from our town to our sister school in Queensland. I helped out at town events like the marathon and the kagura taikai (神楽大会). Read More
Job: Associate for International Relations at Hokkaido and Alberta Govts.
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[Steve’s Note: Just received this from Hokkaido CIR Holly Long (who just received the listing herself and was asked to forward it). A great opportunity for a Canadian with JET-like experience to work in Hokkaido. Hopefully who likes the sport of curling, too. Please note the Feb 9 application 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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Position: Associate for International Relations
Posted By: Alberta Government and Hokkaido Government
Location: Hokkaido, Japan (Sapporo)
Type: One-year, full-time internship
Overview:
Alberta Abroad is an international work experience initiative of the Government of Alberta that places talented Alberta post-secondary graduates into short-term work placements (externships) with an international host organization. Alberta graduates will develop their specialized skills and gain international work experience through their externships. Read More
Job: Trademark Attorney at Alprin Law Offices (DC)
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[Steve’s Note: My good friend and JET alum Scott Alprin (Aichi-ken, Kariya-shi, 1992-95) has his own trademark law practice in DC (including a number of Japanese clients) and is looking to hire another attorney. See below for details. If you apply, please indicate that you learned of the listing via 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: Trademark Attorney
Location: Washington, DC
Type: Full-time
Overview:
Expanding DC-based trademark practice, established in 2005, seeks experienced trademark attorney well versed in all aspects of trademark prosecution, clearance searches, and TTAB litigation and related negotiation. The firm works with an array of international law firms, with a concentration of Japanese clients. Knowledge of Japanese culture and/or language would be valued. The firm is open to telecommuting and flexible work schedules and will consider candidates based outside of the DC area. Read More
