【RocketNews24】10 things Japan gets awesomely right
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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.
At the end of our recent article listing the 10 things that we think Japan gets horribly wrong, we assured you that we’d be back soon to focus on some of the positives and introduce the things that we really, truly love about living in Japan. True to our word, we sat down and decided on what we as (mostly) foreigners most love about this great little collection of islands, and it turned out to be a lot of fun.
Although Japan is not without its faults, it is nevertheless an incredibly efficient and easy-to-live-in country, and we’ve discovered that there are numerous things that the Japanese get not just right, but awesomely right.
Join us after the jump for our top 10 things we love about Japan.
Let’s Talk Japan, Episode 17 – Temple University Japan
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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.
In this episode, Nick speaks with Bruce Stronach, the dean of Temple University Japan, the oldest and largest foreign university in Japan. Together they discuss the unique undergraduate and graduate opportunities available at Temple’s Tokyo campus as well as recent trends and the future of higher education in Japan.
Nick
If you have not already done so, be sure to “Like” the podcast on Facebook, and follow the podcast on Twitter @letstalkjapan. Additionally, please consider leaving a positive rating and/or review in iTunes.
JET alumni from JETAANY meet Kumamon and Governor Kabashima at the Consul General’s residence
By Mark Frey (Kumamoto, 2002-2006), mark.frey@jetaanc.org
Updated with media coverage of the visit.
Boston and New York had the honor of hosting Kumamon’s North American debut last week! Who is Kumamon you may ask? The rosy-cheeked, sack-shaped bear is the official mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture in Kyushu. Voted the top “Yuru-kyara” (cuddly mascot character) in Japan, he has taken Japan by storm and sold more than $300 million worth of merchandise in 2012 alone.
Kumamon’s remarkable success in promoting his rural prefecture across Japan–there is even an exclusive “Kumamon Goods” store in Tokyo’s upscale Ginza neighborhood–is being studied in government offices and marketing departments across Japan. In fact, no less than the Wall Street Journal has published no fewer than three articles about the phenomenon.
If you’d like to learn more about Kumamon, including what he does every day, I recommend checking him out online:
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kumamotodiary.en
Home page: http://kumamon-official.jp/
Kumamon accompanied Kumamoto Governor Kabashima during his visit to Boston on Novermber 12-13, which included giving a lecture at Harvard on “The Political Economy of Kumamon: A New Frontier in Japan’s Public Administration.”
Kumamon spent time with the Boston Red Sox’s mascot, Wally the Green Monster, for what was surely an important, high-level diplomatic meeting. The full itinerary of their Boston visit can be found here, here, and here. Media coverage of their visit includes:
Kumamon meets Boston Red Sox’s Wally the Green Monster at Fenway Park
The lovable bear and Governor Kabashima made their way down to New York on November 14, where they paid back the compliment with a visit the Wall Street Journal. Later they visited the Consul General’s residence, as part of a special reception to promote Kyushu. JET alumni from the New York Chapter of JETAA representing all of the prefectures of Kyushu were invited to the reception. In addition to presentations on Kyushu travel, tourism and shochu, Governor Kabashima introduced Kumamon. Guests dined on Kumamoto oysters and “ekiben” prepared by the chef from Hataka Tonton, and sipped shochu from the region. Kumamon and Governor Kabashima’s full New York itinerary can be found here. Media coverage of their visit includes:
Photos of JET alumni at Kyushu Promotion event at Consul General’s residence
Governor Kabashima is an interesting person. He was an “at-risk” student who grew up poor in Kumamoto. Against all odds, through hard work and dedication he ended up earning a PhD from Harvard and becoming a political science professor at University of Tokyo. His launch of the Kumamon public relations campaign is one of the great local promotion success stories of recent times.
Kabashima has also gotten a lot done in Kumamoto, including making some real headway in repairing Kumamoto’s troubled finances (he started by cutting his own salary), trying to resolve remaining issues related to Minamata disease, and blocking Tokyo’s plans to build a huge dam in the prefecture. A very good article about his life can be found here in the Asahi newspaper. The governor introduces himself and his views in two videos, here and here.
From the start, Kumamoto Prefecture and local communities have been dedicated supporters of the JET Program. Year after year, the prefecture has been near the top of the list in hosting the most JETs, hosting around 100 this year. I myself was a Kumamoto JET. I grew to love the prefecture while I lived there, and now consider it to be my “second home.”
Aso-Kuju National Park, Kumamoto
I encourage everyone to take some time to visit Kumamoto while traveling in Japan. The prefecture boasts some of the best onsen hot springs in the country. Aso-Kuju National Park is one of the natural wonders of the world, with its giant ancient crater that is so large that an entire volcano and six towns exist inside of it (I lived in one of them!). Kumamoto Castle is one of the three finest castles in Japan. Beautiful parks and gardens, beaches and mountains, history and culture, Kumamoto has it all!
If you are a JET alum from Kumamoto, I encourage you to join the LinkedIn Group for Kumamoto JET alumni here. In fact, I encourage all alumni to join their prefecture’s LinkedIn Group. You can find yours here. It’s a great way to stay connected with other alumni from your prefecture.
I’m glad JET alumni had a chance to welcome Governor Kabashima and Kumamon to the U.S. Congratulations on the great success of their first U.S. tour together!
“The Wind Rises is a combination of everything that makes Studio Ghibli as we know it today. It also adds several new elements which make this film dynamic and, some say, controversial.” (Touchstone Pictures)
By Alexis Agliano Sanborn (Shimane-ken, 2009-11) for JQ magazine. Alexis is a graduate of Harvard University’s Regional Studies—East Asia (RSEA) program, and currently works as an executive assistant at Asia Society in New York City.
Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, The Wind Rises is like no Studio Ghibli movie I have ever seen. No. Wait. It’s like every Ghibli movie I have ever seen. You want fantasy? You got it. You want airships à la Castle in the Sky or Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind? You got it. You want deliciously portrayed food? You want nostalgic scenery from bygone days of Tokyo or picturesque European towns? You got that, too. The Wind Rises is a combination of everything that makes Ghibli as we know it today. It also adds several new elements which make this film dynamic and, some say, controversial.
One of the most differentiating factors is that The Wind Rises is the only full-length feature to focus on an actual historical figure—Jiro Horikoshi, the designer of the Mitsubishi A5M, a fighter aircraft of World War II. Granted, Miyazaki used his artistic license to embellish the narrative—but he does that only to make things more beautiful and fantastical. (And that’s why we love Miyazaki, right?)
Watching The Wind Rises, you feel repeatedly—and indeed the entire plot more or less focuses on—Japan’s desperation to achieve modernity according to “Western standards.” But modernization was not a smooth road, and Miyazaki makes that message clear. Despite the beautiful veneer, the crux of this film lies in the frustration of a country and its people. Economic deflation, poverty, and limited resources repeatedly arise as roadblocks. (This may explain part of the reason for its amazing popularity in Japan. Frustrations, impatience and desperation exist within every generation.) Yet, as Jiro is reminded, even with setbacks and disappointments, one must live on and progress despite it all.
Job: International Account Rep – Japan & Korea – at Nova Tech Engineering (MN)
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Just received this very JET-relevant listing directly from the 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: International Account Representative – Japan and Korea
Type: Full-Time
Location: Willmar, MN
Overview:
Rapidly growing engineering firm located in central Minnesota seeking individual for installation and maintenance of NTE’s innovative automated poultry processing equipment, end-user training, and process validation. Read More
Job: JETAA Chicago Career Workshop
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Via the JETAA Chicago website. 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:
JETAA Chicago Career Workshop and Networking Event – Saturday, 11/09/2013
http://jetaachicago.com/archives/annual-career-development-workshop-november-9
On Saturday, November 9, 2013, JETAA Chicago will host its annual Career Workshop and Networking Event. The event will be held at the Japan Information Center (737 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1000, Chicago, Illinois 60611). The event will start at 2:30 PM.
We’ve lined up a few great speakers to talk about a range of topics for job-seekers, mid-career professionals, and anyone looking to hone valuable skills including: resume and professional writing, networking and effectively utilizing LinkedIn.
First up is Charlotte Weeks, an executive career coach and resume writer who specializes in helping leaders find their passion and land at the top. As a featured author of “101 Great Ways to Enhance Your Career” and “I Want a Job in an Association – Now What?? A Guide to Getting a Job in a Professional Association, Membership Organization, or Society,” she regularly gives presentations and conducts career development training sessions.
The second session will feature experts R. David Rahn and Larry New with their presentation “LinkedIn, What’s That Noise?” Mr. Rahn and Mr. New will walk us through discovering, learning and understanding how to best utilize LinkedIn. They will share their strategies for using LinkedIn to leverage your professional network for professional development, job seeking, and networking.
A wine and cheese networking reception will immediately follow the presentations. The event is free of charge and all are welcome to attend. Put your networking skills to good practice by meeting other professionals and members of the community.
For more information, contact JETAA Chicago President Wesley Julian at president @ jetaachicago.com.
Hope to see you there!
Job: University Relations Coordinator, Middlebury College (VT)
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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: University Relations Coordinator
Posted by: Int’l Prog & Off-Campus Study, Middlebury College
Location: Middlebury, VT
Salary: $38,341 minimum
Review of applications will begin November 15, 2013.
Overview:
The University Relations Coordinator recruits students for and markets the C.V. Starr-Middlebury Schools Abroad, Middlebury Language Schools, as well as Middlebury School of the Environment and Bread Loaf School of English, whenever possible; maintains and cultivates relationships with staff and faculty from sending and partner institutions; represents Middlebury College, the C.V. Starr-Middlebury Schools Abroad and Language Schools at various conferences and international opportunity events.
Job: EU Executive Training Program (ETP)
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Interesting opportunity, originally posted by JETAA UK‘s Sarah Parsons to the JETAA UK LinkedIn group. 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:
So sayeth Sarah, “I sat on the discussion panel on Monday night for the EU Executive Training Programme (ETP) reception for participants going out to do business internships in Japan and South Korea.
Lots of participants from very interesting companies all over EU-not many UK participants. This is a fantastic opportunity to actually get Japan/Korean business skills and contacts and intensive language training. Seems like a great opportunity for ex-JETs who are now working within a company wanting to further their Japan experiences.” Read More
WIT Life #253: Preserving Japanese Traditional Arts
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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.
This week I had the opportunity to interpret for a Japanese delegation comprised of two groups who traveled to New York to receive the annual Tiffany Foundation Award. This award was created by the Tiffany Foundation in collaboration with the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE), and it recognizes non-profits that are preserving Japanese traditional arts at the national and regional community levels. This year’s recipients were the Association for the Promotion of Ipponsugi Street, located in Ishikawa Prefecture, and envisi, located in Miyagi Prefecture. They were the 6th round of winners since the award’s establishment in late 2007.
The Association for the Promotion of Ipponsugi Street, whose members are featured here wearing the happi coats, preserves their city Nanao’s unique custom of 花嫁のれん (hanayome noren). Noren are long curtains that hang in the entrances to Japanese restaurants and traditional Japanese rooms, and the special bridal ones are dyed using the Kaga yuzen technique. Hanayome noren are hung in the doorway leading to the butsuma (a small room holding sacred objects) for the bride to walk through when she gets married, a ritual that Read More
Job: Program Coordinator, Programs and Global Initiatives, University of Arizona (Phoenix, AZ)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Program Coordinator, Programs and Global Initiatives, University of Arizona (Phoenix, AZ)
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: Program Coordinator, Programs and Global Initiatives
Posted by: University of Arizona
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Salary: DOE
Work Schedule: full-time
Overview:
The Coordinator for Programs and Global Initiatives will work with the Associate Dean for Programs and Global Initiatives to:
1) Support existing Academic programs
2) Assist in the development of new programs (including online initiatives)
3) Assist in the day-to-day management of global programs and non-JD programs, which will include
The Advanced JD Program for Non-US lawyers (AJD); the LLM program in International Trade and Business Law and the SJD program. As well as International exchanges, visiting international scholars, Master in Legal Studies (MLS) program; and undergraduate classes and programs.
Job: Administrative Coordinator (Albany, NY)
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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: Administrative Coordinator
Posted by: University of Albany
Location: Albany, NY
Overview:
The Office of International Education at the University at Albany, State University of New York, intends to appoint an Administrative Assistant to the International Student and Scholar Services team. ISSS documents and supports over 1,400 international students and more than 60 scholars from over 100 countries, as they engage in study and research at the University at Albany.
Job: Admin Assistant at Embassy of Japan (DC)
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Here’s a position at the Embassy of Japan in DC that just opened up. Via JETAA DC Google Group. 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: Administrative Assistant, Public Affairs Section
Type: Full-Time
Location: Washington DC
Overview:
The Embassy of Japan is seeking an individual for the position of Administrative Assistant at the Public Affairs Section. The Embassy offers group health insurance coverage, paid vacation, a number of paid U.S./Japanese holidays, and sick leave. Salary is commensurate with experience. Read More
【RocketNews24】10 things Japan gets horribly 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 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.
It should come as no surprise to our readers to hear that we’re big fans of Japan. Pretty much everything here works as it should, the food is amazing, the culture rich, and people are on the whole likeable and friendly. But there are times when Westerners, and Japanese who have spent any amount of time abroad for that matter, realise that Japan gets some things not just wrong but horribly wrong. So join us after the jump as we redress the balance no doubt offset by our constant admiration of Japan by discussing the 10 little things that drive us nuts in this otherwise great country.
Job: Program Coordinator for International Engagement, Seattle University (WA)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Program Coordinator for International Engagement, Seattle University (WA)
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: Program Coordinator for International Engagement
Posted by: Seattle University
Location: Seattle, WA
Salary: DOE
Type: full time
Overview:
Seattle University has an exciting, dynamic opportunity for a Program Coordinator to join our community.
The Program Coordinator for Global Engagement is responsible for the logistics and administration of various on-campus international activities including support for international faculty, programs for international visitors to SU, and international programming for SU students and our local community. The position reports to the Associate Provost for Global Engagement and requires extensive collaboration with other campus departments and partner institutions.
Job: Coordinator, International Recruitment – Fairfield University (Fairfield, CT)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Coordinator, International Recruitment – Fairfield University (Fairfield, CT)
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, International Recruitment
Posted by: Fairfield University
Location: Fairfield, CT
Overview:
Under the supervision of the Director, the Coordinator, International Recruitment performs duties related to the recruitment, admission, and enrollment of undergraduate and graduate students in accordance with University and departmental policies. Duties will include substantial domestic and international recruitment travel, application review, and transcript evaluation. This position also supports International Students as a Designated School Official (DSO)/Responsible Officer (RO).
Requirements:
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential, including previous international travel and living experience. The ability to work with a diverse population, an appreciation and respect for foreign cultures, and the ability to understand the curriculum and requirements for graduation are also essential. Candidates must meet D.H.S. eligibility requirements for DSO/RO designation. A Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s Preferred) and a minimum of 1-3 years related work experience are required.
Additional Information:
Please visit the job listing for more information and to apply.
