“Brain Man” – Film Review from Australia’s Japanese Film Festival
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Australia’s 17th Japanese Film Festival is soon embarking on its last city tour in Melbourne, the capital of the southern state of Victoria, after being shown around Australia in the first ever national film festival administered by the Japan Foundation. Eden Law (Fukushima-ken ALT 2010-2011, current JETAA NSW committee member) got to see some of what’s on offer during its recent run in Sydney. This one’s for you, Melbournites! Don’t say we don’t do anything for you south of the border.
Doumo arigatou Mr Roboto
At times graphically brutal and sadistic, “Brain Man” moves at a brisk pace, frequently keeping the audience off-balance with unsettling scenes and stylistic ideas that are reminiscent of other films in the genre. An adaptation of the novel “No Otoko” by Urio Shudo, the novel itself won the 2000 Edogawa Rampo Award for newcomers to crime fiction. In it, a series of sadistic murders and explosions pressures the police lead by Detective Chaya (Yosuke Eguchi, who must be channelling every crusty, grouchy detective character ever to exist in film) to find the culprits responsible, and soon enough Ichiro (Toma Ikuta) is apprehended as the prime suspect. However, things are rather decidedly odd about Ichiro, who is more like a robot than a human, going like clockwork to… go, unable to feel pain or emotion. Although in peak physical condition (via an establishing shot as the camera lingers over Toma’s skinny yet hard-bodied torso, which is itself inhumanly bereft of fat), he is clearly a special psychiatric case, which is where Dr Washiya (Yasuko Matsuyuki), a brilliant psychiatrist, comes in to help with police investigation. Although like other characters in the film, she herself carries a trauma, that fuels her determination to investigate and uncover the truth about Ichiro, and ultimately the case.
This film calls for a certain suspension of disbelief – probably more than usual, with the number of implausibilities it has. This is not a film that is completely grounded in reality, even given the premise of a serial-bomber-Saw-wannabe and a man-bot. However, that’s not to say it’s done badly. Director Tomoyuki Takimoto excels at creating a tense, unsettling atmosphere, typically using lots of dark cold colours that’s grim and claustrophobic, even in the day scenes. There are unexpected shocks punctuating the film at a brisk pace, creating a sense of dangerous unpredictability for the characters. Takimoto doesn’t shy away from being graphic either, what with body parts being ripped, stabbed, shredded or sliced merrily in some form or another, in sadistically creative ways. Some of the characters and baddies are suitably over the top (especially Fumi Nikaido and Rina Ohta as Noriko and Yuria, in deliciously scenery-chewing performances), though are a little obscure in their motivation. But whatever man, they’re totes cray-cray – who can understand why they do the things they do.
But that sort of unreality element can work against it, especially when the film, in the form of Dr Washiya, seems to be exploring more serious and unexpectedly philosophical issues: can a person be rehabilitated, or their basic nature changed? In the beginning of the film, Dr Washiya advocates a new form of “narrative” therapy to habilitate hardened criminals, contrary to the accepted methods of the establishment. It’s a theme that surfaces once in a while throughout the film, although largely overwhelmed by the more exciting and visceral violence and terror. But during those moments, Matsuyuki (as the doctor) does really well in giving her character the right mix of toughness and vulnerability, and her interaction with a “cured” patient, brings a totally different kind of disturbing creepiness thanks in no small part to Shota Sometani who plays Shimura, the patient in question. But these differences seem out of place in a film that’s usually more thrills and spills, in a world where a grizzled no-nonsense detective has long hair and the living coin-operated boy somehow has access to a great hair stylist and chic clothes.
However, as mentioned, “Brain Man” is still done well and is highly enjoyable to watch, especially if you’re a fan of the thriller/crime/mystery genre. As Ichiro, Toma Ikuta’s highly restrained acting, communicating only through subtle body language and stares, is quite absorbing. And “Brain Man” manages to deliver right to the end, as a final emotional shock is revealed.
PS: Bonus points for the ending credit song: “21st Century Schizoid Man” by King Crimson!
Brain Man (No Otoko) by Tomoyuki Takimoto, released in Japan February 9 2013, starring Toma Ikuta, Yasuko Matsuyuki, Yosuke Iguchi, Fumi Nikaido and Rina Ohta.
CLAIR Magazine “JET Plaza” series: Anthony Bianchi (Aichi)
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Each month, current and former JET participants are featured in the “JET Plaza” section of the CLAIR Forum magazine. The November 2013 edition includes an article by JET alumn Anthony Bianchi. Posted by Celine Castex (Chiba-ken, 2006-11), currently programme coordinator at CLAIR Tokyo.
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“Once you are in the programme, you are in the programme for life. As an Italian kid from the streets of Brooklyn, I get that. Like they say, when you’re a JET you’re a JET all the way, from your first cup of tea to your last hanami.”
A native of Brooklyn, New York, Anthony Bianchi (Aichi-ken, Kiyosu City, 1989-91), graduated from New York University with a degree in film making. After working on a number of television programs in Hollywood, he joined the JET Programme and spent two years working as an ALT in rural Aichi. A few years later, after overcoming many difficulties, he started the Native English Teacher (NET) Program, a teachers programme tailored for Inuyama City. Feeling there was a wall between the citizens and the city hall, he decided to run for the office and was voted into the city council of Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture in April 2003. Anthony is currently serving his third term.
JET Generations
As anyone who has done so knows, living and working overseas in a different culture has a profound effect on all sides.
I have written before about how being on the JET Programme changed my life. To make a long story short, I would definitely not be here in Inuyama doing what I am doing had I not been involved in JET. Sometimes it still amazes me how things worked out. I mean, sometimes while I am making an argument on the council floor about some very local issue I still think, “How in the world did I end up here?” Conversely, I wonder at times what I would be doing if I had not joined JET some 25 years ago. Definitely something very different and most likely not as rewarding.
But the JET experience is certainly not only about what you get out of it, as I mentioned at the top, it is about the effect it has on all sides. As time passes I realize more and more that being a JET alumnus is a living thing that goes on after your contractual duties end. I still meet people involved with the programme that leads to great relationships and opportunities. Especially opportunities to give others even a small glimpse into another culture like the one we had by being part of the JET Programme. I am always impressed by the willingness of JET alumni to give back. A couple of summers ago I was asked to be on a panel at a national conference in Washington DC. Of course, there again, I met many outstanding alumni who are doing great things to promote cultural exchange and understanding between Japan and their home country. But I also realized that there is something about meeting former JET participants that has a camaraderie that is different and,in many ways, surpasses any other alumni association that I have known. I include in this group also Japanese staff and officials who have worked on the programme.
I would like to talk about a recent example. Out of my office, we run an exchange program called B. Bridges. We are a volunteer exchange group in our tenth year of existence. The idea for the group was seeded at an event the Brooklyn Borough President,Marty Markowitz, held for me at Borough Hall after my first election in 2003. There I was reacquainted with the administration of Xaverian High School. On that same trip I visited the school before returning to Japan. During that visit we decided to hold some kind of exchange.
I’ll Make It Myself!: Japan-Friendly Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas
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Leah Zoller (CIR Ishikawa-ken, Anamizu, 2009-11) is the editor of The Ishikawa JET Kitchen: Cooking in Japan Without a Fight. She 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.
Hosting two Thanksgivings in Japan taught me to love the holiday and its food again. My friends are amazing cooks, and the sheer sense of community, of getting together to remake a tradition in our own way really made the holiday feel special.
Last year, I did a recipe-roundup of our meal. This year, I’d like to offer more recipes and suggestions for making Thanksgiving special in Japan or wherever you are.
Senso-ji in Tokyo
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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).
After visiting Tokyo Skytree during my two-day trip to Tokyo I worked my way down to the new train station to work my way back into town. Many people had suggested the Asakusa area so I got off at the Asakusa station, just a few stops from the tower. I didn’t have any specific plans or maps but I quickly found my way to a highly populated area before the Senso Temple grounds.
Between the Kaminari (lightning) Gate and the Hozo Gate is a long street sided by stalls of small shops offering a wide variety of gifts and souvenirs. From the small train station I arrived at I ended up in the middle of the street. Despite the lack of special events there were tons of tourists and other visitors packing the small way. The reason for this oldest temple in Tokyo’s popularity was clear when the Hozo Gate and the main hall came into view just beyond.
The temple’s grounds are large and expansive, offering the traditional views most Buddhist temples offer, but with a variety of interesting things that make a visit there unique. Unfortunately, while I was visiting the skies were overcast, but I managed to snap a few photos while wandering the grounds. Before going I did no research or planning which made the exploration a bit more fun, even though I was quite tired after an entire day walking Tokyo.
One of the most interesting views was from just beyond Hozo Gate. There, you can glimpse Tokyo Skytree paired with the giant fiber sandals attached to the back of the gate. I found it an interesting mix of new and old. I definitely think a trip to Senso-ji is worth the time if you’re visiting Tokyo.
For more pictures from the trip visit MoreThingsJapanese.com
WIT Life #254: Denver’s Japanese influence
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WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends along with her own 
observations.
My interpreting travels bring me again to Denver, and earlier in the fall I posted here about the city’s amazing History Colorado Center, currently showing an exhibit about Japanese American internment during the war. It is still running, so make sure to check it out if you are in town! My clients and I spent the first week of our three-week journey in DC, as these Department of State programs always do. There I spent some time at the Memorial to Japanese-American Patriotism in World War II. It features two Japanese cranes caught in barbed wire on top of a tall marble pedestal, and it was created by Japanese-American sculptor Nina Akamu in 2000. It sits in a landscaped plaza surrounded by a granite wall with inscriptions of the battles that Japanese Americans fought in, as well as the names of Read More
JQ Magazine: 2013 JETAA Oceania National Conference Spotlights Sister City Relationships
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Hiromi Hakuta, assistant director of CLAIR Sydney, addresses alumni at the JETAA Oceania National Conference, Brisbane, Nov. 2013. (Courtesy of Hiromi Hakuta)
By Eden Law (Fukushima-ken, 2010-11). After the JET Programme more than fulfilled its promise of “an experience of a lifetime,” Eden returned to Sydney, Australia, where he joined the JETAA New South Wales chapter to take advantage of the network and connections available to undertake projects such as an uchiwa design competition for the Sydney Japan Festival. He also maintains the JETAANSW website and social media. Other than that, he’s a web designer and a poet, gentlemen and raconteur.
One of the best things about being a member of JETAA is the community, and over the weekend of 15-17 of November, the Oceania community of JETAA got together for our annual antipodean regional conference. For those of you up north who don’t know, JETAA Oceania comprises of five Australian chapters (the state chapters of Queensland, New South Wales, Canberra, the uber-chapter of South Australia-Victoria-Tasmania, Western Australia) and three New Zealand chapters (South Island, Auckland and Wellington). Representatives from Sydney’s CLAIR office (Tsuyoshi Ito, Hiromi Hakuta and Julien Ansart) attended as observers of the proceedings. This year, JETAA Queensland played host in Brisbane, the northern capital that looks to Asia and is close to the Gold Coast, a favoured destination for young Japanese looking for sun, surf and sand. Appropriately, we had our first lunch meet on Friday at MOS Burger, the famous Japanese fast food chain whose only non-Asian presence internationally is right in Brisbane.
JETAA Oceania was invited to attend the Welcome Back Reception for returning JETs at the Japanese Consul General’s home in Brisbane on the Friday night, a chance of course for us to network and hobnob with the cream of Brisbane’s Japanese cultural community. And after the reception finished (early, predictably), JETAA kicked on in town for a night out (hint: it’ll always involve karaoke—usually lots of obscure Japanese songs sung by that one quiet serious person who turns into a blurry, hip-thrusting maniac).
The first day of the conference began on Saturday, early (for some, too early) at our hotel and Laura Tasharofi, president of JETAA Qld, began proceedings by explaining the theme of this year: Australia-Japan sister-city relationships. As explained by Hakuta-san, of all countries, Japan has the most links in Oceania, with 108 sister city relationships in Australia and 44 in New Zealand. Therefore, the potential for JETAA to get involved is great, and the conference’s objective is to find ways to participate and be more prominent in our local communities. To start discussions and provide ideas and examples, two guest speakers, Ross Humphreys and Barry Hancock, were invited who are respected members of the Brisbane community and its influential sister city relationships.
Job: Summer 2014 Leaders for The Experiment in International Living (VT)
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Maura Walsh contacted JETAANY with this interesting opportunity at the suggestion of a JET alum who also works for the organization. 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: Group Leader
Type: Temporary
Location: Battleboro, Vermont
Overview:
Each Experiment group is accompanied by two adult leaders, and The Experiment is currently hiring individuals to serve as summer 2014 group leaders. The Experiment is looking for leaders who have a demonstrated interest in intercultural and experiential learning, in-depth experience living abroad, competency in the language of the host culture, and experience working with young people. Read More
Job: Public Relations Staff at Temple University Japan (Tokyo)
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Thanks to JET alum journalist Tom Baker for passing this on. Application due November 30, 2013. 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: Public Relations Staff, Communications and Marketing Support
Type: Full-Time
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Salary: Commensurate with experience, plus transportation.
Overview:
TUJ is seeking a staff who will be mainly responsible for public affairs of the university including raising name awareness and improving the brand image of Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) and Temple University (TU) among the general public in Japan through non-paid publicity and maintaining relations with various media outlets.
Requirements:
- Minimum 3 years of working experience in a public relations and/or marketing position
- Working knowledge of the Japanese and international media
- Strong interest in education, especially international, liberal arts higher education
- Solid writing and editing skills in Japanese and English
- Experience with social media marketing is preferable
- Experience of studying at a US college is a plus
- English and Japanese proficiency in writing, reading, and speaking
- Ability to think creatively and to take the initiative in pursuing set goals
- Superb communication skills (need to build good relationships internally and externally, e.g. with media, and other departments within TUJ and the main campus in Philadelphia)
Application:
For details of the responsibilities and qualification and how to apply, please visit TUJ website.
Job: Back Office Operator (NYC)
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Via Actus Consulting. If you apply, please make sure to mention in your cover letter 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: Back Office Operator
Type: Full-Time
Location: Midtown NYC
Salary: Starting salary: $28K (DOE) + possible bonus(twice a year — average 2 weeks’ salary each time)
Overview:
As a back office operator, you’ll be mainly responsible for cash management between the bank and custodian, contact agent banks on unsettled or unmatched trades, wire transfers, and settlement of daily trades. Preparing daily, monthly and other regular reports. Some reports must be prepared in Japanese. Other administrative duties will be included as needed. Read More
【RocketNews24】Japanese elementary school teachers may tell you “5 x 100 = 500” is wrong
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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.
Here’s an elementary school math question for you all:
Apples are sold for 100 yen each. If you buy 5 what is the total amount?
If you said “5 × 100 = 500” then I’m sorry but you just flunked second grade math in Japan… if there were only one question all year. The reason is an old teaching method that is employed in elementary and middle schools throughout the country. It’s also a method that many, such as a blogger by the name of Uncorrelated, want stopped as it leads to strange logic where six times seven does not always equal 42 and five times 100 might not equal 500.
Job: Study Abroad Advisor/Coordinator Dickinson College (PA)
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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.
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Position: Study Abroad Advisor/Coordinator
Posted by: Dickinson College
Location: Carlisle, PA
Overview:
This position includes responsibilities that are critically important to the educational mission and daily operations of education abroad at an academically rigorous liberal arts college that emphasized global education. The position includes selective administrative duties and most student advising for a wide variety of programs: Dickinson’s own long-standing semester and academic year programs, partner programs, non-Dickinson programs, summer programs, and selected short-term programs. In addition to the specific duties and functions outlined below, the Study Abroad Coordinator/Advisor plays a lead role in outreach, individual and group advising, pre-departure orientation, re-entry programming, and training/supervising peer advisors. The position also serves a key role in fielding a variety of questions regarding study abroad from many constituents (students, faculty, administrators and parents).
Job: Study Abroad Advisor, S. Dakota State University (Brookings, SD)
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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.
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Position: Study Abroad Advisor
Posted by: S. Dakota State University
Location: Brookings, SD
Applications due December 13, 2013.
Overview:
In a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, the Study Abroad advisor will provide individualized advice and guidance to students interested in studying abroad helping them to choose the program best suited to their needs. The Study Abroad advisor will also provide outstanding service to students before, during and after their educational experiences abroad. This is a 12 month position that is benefits eligible.
Job: Coordinator, Educational Initiatives Undergraduate Education at University of California-Riverside
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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.
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Position: Coordinator, Educational Initiatives Undergraduate Education
Posted by: University of California-Riverside
Location: Riverside, CA
Salary: $44,150 – $67,336
Type: full-time
Overview:
Undergraduate Education provides students and instructors with resources that promote academic excellence and student success. The Office of Undergraduate Education serves as the central administration for a number of organizational units across campus that enhances the undergraduate student experience.
Job Duties:
Under general supervision, reporting to the Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (AVP/UE), the Educational Initiatives Coordinator will develop, coordinate, implement and evaluate initiatives and programs for (1) Faculty-Led Summer Study Abroad Programs and (2) Undergraduate Research Programs.
Job: Defense News Assistant/Staff Reporter at Asahi Shimbun (DC)
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Just saw this posted to the JETAA DC google group. LAST DATE TO APPLY NOV. 30. 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: Defense News Assistant / Staff Reporter
Type: Full-Time
Location: Washington, DC
Salary: 32,000 – 36,000
Overview:
Primary duties include assisting our Washington-based defense correspondent by attending daily press briefings, conducting thorough background research, gathering news and views, arranging and conducting interviews, and closely following developments in U.S. defense policy and international security affairs. However, candidates must be flexible and willing to work with other correspondents on non-defense issues when necessary. Some administrative support, such as transcribing interviews and other assignments, is also required. Some domestic travel may be required. Read More
Job: Purchasing Department; Food Safety / GMP Position QA (NJ)
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A JET-relevant listing received directly from the company. New York Mutual Trading has posted jobs to JETwit previously as well. 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: Purchasing Department; Food Safety / GMP Position QA
Type: Full-Time
Location: 25 Knickerbocker Road Moonachie, NJ 07074
Salary: Salary dependent upon experience and qualifications; Medical Insurance (premiums will be paid by the company); Paid vacations (after 1 year) and holidays
Overview:
- Responsible for managing and implementing the food safety program standard with regards to municipal, federal regulatory, and safety requirements. It includes: HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point), GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), and ISO/SQF auditing standards, and new quality assurance programs.
- Required to learn and perform basic purchasing works, such as import document, cost calculation, inventory control, and work with warehouse department.
- Oversee and direct facility inspections and conduct quality audits.
- Continually informing management and employees on regulations pertaining to daily operations.
- Setting standards and maintaining consistent liaise between vendors to obtain documentation.
- Maintain and file all documents pertaining to quality and/or government regulations.
