WIT Life #234: Tokyo Rose
Events, Translating/Interpreting, Uncategorized, WIT Life, Writers 
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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 together with her own observations.
Last night I had the chance to see the play Iva: The Myth of Tokyo Rose at Asia Society. Prior to seeing the performance I had heard of Tokyo Rose, but was not aware of what the story behind this name was. It was actually created by Allied forces in the South Pacific during WWII to describe English speaking female broadcasters of Japanese propaganda, which was intended to disrupt the morale of the Allied force listeners.
The play’s protagonist is Iva Toguri D’Aquino, a Japanese-American who later married a Filipino. She had the misfortune of going to Japan to take care of a sick relative in 1941, and being stuck there once war broke out. When the Japanese government asked her to renounce her American citizenship and she refused, she was forced to work at Radio Tokyo as an announcer. The program was The Zero Hour, which consisted of propaganda-tinged Read More
Let’s Walking
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Posted by Benjamin Martin, a 5th year JET on Kume Island in Okinawa, publisher of the blog MoreThingsJapanese.com and author of the award-winning YA fantasy series Samurai Awakening (Tuttle).
Sanpo is Japanese for a ‘walk,’ and it’s a popular pastime here. From the bureaucratic samurai of the Tokugawa period who would wander among the cherry trees and write poetry, to modern office workers trying to keep fit, walking is still a much appreciated activity in Japan.
Japan is also a land with a rising elderly population. It has one of the longest life expectancies in the world. As communities and towns have ever older populations it is also becoming ever more important to promote fitness in populations that will strain public health services ever more if not kept healthy. One way municipalities can do this is by hosting events such at the one Kumejima Town hosts every January.
The 久米島のんびりウオーク or Kumejima’s Leisure Walk is a two-day yearly event, part of the larger Okinawa Marching league. Participants come from all over Japan. As a resident of Kume Island I attended this event first in 2011.
The first day offered 32km, 16km, and 5km courses and the second day offered 20km, 10km, and 5km courses. One participant was a 86-year-old who planned on completing the full 32km course!
Both days featured different courses through the island. Participants entered with a nominal fee, and were provided maps and completion certificates. Along the way stickers were awarded at checkpoints, and food stations were set up where walkers could rest and eat.
I did the 16km walk on the first day of the event. Walkers stretched together and announcements were made. As with many events there was an MC tapped for the event who extolled everyone to do a good job. The 32km group did the same about half an hour before, so everyone in the 16km group set off together.
Each group set off to the sound of a taiko drum performance. All along the way were supportive Japanese Flags with messages urging the participants on. These helped guide the walkers through the more remote areas. There were also tea and water stations along the way, with great views and interesting conversations.
One lady I talked to came all the way from Yokohama to participate. She said it was a great way to see more of Japan, while keeping in shape. She talked to me because her children live in the states and wanted to know why I was there. ^_^ All in all, it was a great morning/afternoon spent among Kumejima’s beautiful walkways. Do you want to visit new places and keep in shape? Let’s Walking!
This post originally appeared on MoreThingsJapanese.com. To learn more about Kumejima visit KumeGuide.com.
Calling all Ex-JETs in the Midlands Area (UK)
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Originally posted to the JETAA UK LinkedIn group by Sarah Parsons:
CALLING ALL EX JETS IN THE MIDLANDS AREA to help with Q & A session for JETS about to go out to Japan and to provide advice and networking opportunities for those who will return this year.
We are holding a pre-departure Q & A session in Birmingham on Saturday 20th July from 3-5pm for JETs about to set sail for Japan so they can ask us more experienced and hopefully wiser JETS anything they want to know about living in Japan.
We are also holding a welcome back reception for JETS returning from Japan in September to offer them a networking opportunity and post-JET careers advice (date yet to be confirmed).
We really need ex-JETS who have used their JET experience whether in Japan related companies or doing something completely different to come along and share their experiences as well as continue to promote the links between our two countries.
E mail us on midlands@jetaa.org.uk, follow us on Twitter @JETAAMidlands or find us on Facebook – JETAA UK Midlands. Thank you.
Let’s Talk Japan Podcast, Episode 10 – Smile Kids Japan
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Let’s Talk Japan is a twice 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.
Dear JETs and JET Alumni,
One of the main reasons I started the Let’s Talk Japan podcast was to highlight the positive impact JETs and JET alumni have on their local communities in Japan. In Episode 10, I interviewed Meredith Smith, Media and Public Relations Director for Smile Kids Japan, a volunteer organization founded by JETs in Fukui Prefecture which encourages visits to orphanages in Japan. Through its website and volunteer leadership, Smile Kids Japan helps facilitate such visits by serving as a resource for best practices. This organization is doing amazing work, and I hope this episode helps raise its profile both in Japan and abroad.
Enjoy!
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 alum journalist Tom Baker presents Yomiuri Shimbun’s “Japan News” videos
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Tom Baker (Chiba-ken, 1989-91) spent many years on the staff of The Daily Yomiuri. On April 1 this year, The Daily Yomiuri became The Japan News. The paper’s website includes a daily video introducing a few sample headlines from each day’s paper, and Tom is one of the presenters. His latest video appears below, and you can see more at the-japan-news.com or The Japan News’ YouTube page.
JETAA Chapter Beat 14th May 2013
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Welcome to JETAA Chapter Beat. Theodore Genba Bigby (Yamagata 2008-12) walks you through some of the highlights from JET alumni associations across the globe. Genba currently serves as the chair of JETAA Midlands and JETAA UK Webmaster.
This month, I’ve been keeping an eye on the world of JETAA with a slightly different perspective. I’ve recently connected with a lot of chapters via social media and I’m glad to say that spirits are high. With recent news that numbers on the JET Programme are set to rise, that means our committed membership will also rise. There are a lot of great events this month for the JET alumni community and from this month, there are even events created not just for the sake of current alumni, but also for JETs departing later this year. Let’s see what’s up with alumni!
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Sake Brewery Tour
1st June, 2013
51 Gristmill Lane, Toronto (Distillery District)
http://www.jetaatoronto.ca/jetaa-events/june-event-sake-brewery-tour/
JETAA Toronto Culture Series: Sake Brewery Tour
There are two two private, expert-guided tasting tours available especially for JETAA Toronto members. Tours will consist of an overview of the sake brewing process, raw materials and equipment, followed by a guided tasting of several of their freshly-brewed unpasteurised and pasteurised brews. The tasting tour will last for around an hour and includes a souvenir IZUMI sake tasting cup.
Spaces are limited and although the tour is open to non JET alumni, priority will be given to ex-JETs.
Tour #1 – 3:00-4:00pm (please arrive at 2:45pm), Tour #2 – 4:00-5:00pm (please arrive at 3:45pm)
Price: $17.29 ($15 + HST + 2% Booking Fee) Register here: http://guestli.st/163074
There will be a nijikai, to which everyone is welcome, scheduled to begin at 5:30pm. The location is yet to be decided, so it is recommended that you check the facebook event page https://www.facebook.com/events/161125420722099 “Due to tour capacity, there are only 15 tickets available for Tour #1 at 3:00pm and Tour #2 at 4:00pm respectively, so book your ticket ASAP. Please remember that tickets for Tour #1 and Tour #2 are NOT interchangeable, and must be used at the time indicated on the ticket.”
Dragon Boat Team Opening
Summer, 2013
Sunnyside Paddling Club, Lake Ontario
Fighting Carps
Meetings will begin in mid-June and run for 10 weeks. It costs around $170 to join the team, which includes equipment rental for all 10 practices, a team t-shirt and two races. The first race will take place on Sunday, 11th August, in Milton, with a two-day regatta, the GWN Dragon Boat Challenge on the 7th and 8th September to end the season. Check here for contact information to join the team: http://www.jetaatoronto.ca/jetaa-events/dragon-boat-team-opening/
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POP Exhibition @ Japan Society
31st May, 2013
Japan Society, 333 E 47th St New York, NY 10017
http://jetaany.org/2013/05/03/531-edo-pop-exhibition-japan-society/
JETAANY is organising a group outing to see Edo Pop: The Graphic Impact of Japanese Prints. “Edo Pop playfully juxtaposes classic ukiyo-e prints from such masters as Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige with contemporary works inspired by these artists and their works. Delve into alluring worlds created by the power of the Edo period and contemporary popular culture in which change is the only constant.”
Gallery Associate Cory Campbell from Japan Society will be giving a tour/short introduction to JETAANY members. Find out more about the works displayed in the exhibition here. The exhibition will run until 9th June, 2013.
Yukata Bar Crawl
1st June, 2013
Brooklyn
JETAA is hitting the streets of Brooklyn donned in their finest Ykatas. Meandering through the the streets from Cobble Hill to Park Slope, they aim to get New York’s Jinbe and Yukata owners to dust them off and show BK how to party Japan style. Why? Because they’re just that cool. Save the date and check the JETAA New York site for updates.
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Queensland Night Out
31st May 6:30pm
Cyber City 2012, 245 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
http://jetaany.org/2013/05/03/531-edo-pop-exhibition-japan-society/
The time is about right for a meeting Yes! We were thinking the same thing! So it is for this very reason that we would like to invite the JETAA community to dinner and a spot of natsukashii karaoke at the action packed Cyber City 2012. This will be a great opportunity to meet fellow JETAA members, catch up, have a great night out and belt out a few tunes. The night will include a Japanese style banquet of meats (yakiniku), skewers, tempura, sushi and of course – karaoke. Please find the details below:
The event is set to cost $30 per person, but that includes the banquet and karaoke, though drinks are to be purchased separately.
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Picnic in the Park
8th June, 2013
Wollaton Park, Nottingham
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There’s no hotter event in the JETAA calendar this month than a trip to the set of the latest Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises. Meet at midday for a fun, relaxed British picnic. Kids and families are especially encouraged to attend this relaxed social event, where you can catch up with your fellow alumni from across the Midlands. Be sure to bring your spandex and a cape.
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South Alberta New JET Conference Appeal
I’d like to take this opportunity to remind the JET community that new JETs are preparing to start their adventure in Japan. The JETAA South Alberta New JET Conference is coming up in June and they’re looking for volunteers. Lunch is provided for any wonderful alumni who’d like to help out. Go to their site and drop them a line if you’re interested.
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Silicon Valley Networking
23rd May, 2013 5:30 – 7:30pm
TBC
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/6399241303/eorg
To the home of modern computing for this JETAA networking event for alumni who now live in Northern California and Nevada.
WIT Life #233: Live Your Dream
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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 together with her own observations.
Handmade bookmark distributed in Taylor’s memory
Last month I had the opportunity to interpret for Mr. Hakubun Shimomura, the current Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT or 文部科学省) during his time in Washington, DC. His schedule included a variety of official visits and meetings, including to a charter school and with various U.S. government agencies, but to me the most personally significant part of working with him was when he addressed the local JETAA chapter (In addition to MEXT, JET is carried out by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC or 総務省), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA or 外務省) and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR or 自治体国際化協会).
Minister Shimomura provided opening remarks at a reception before the screening of a documentary called Live Your Dream, which tells the story of JET Taylor Anderson who lost her life in the tsunami two years ago. Also featured in this film is the other JET who passed away during this natural disaster, Montgomery (Monty) Dickson. Family members of both Read More
Akita Global Network Blog
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Akita Prefecture has been publishing a newsletter for the last few years (which has been posted to JETwit) in an effort to stay connected with the community of foreigners who have lived in Akita. Now it’s a blog, and there’s a way for all current and former Akita denizens to contribute. To learn more contact saito-sayori [at] pref.akita.lg.jp.
Also a reminder you can join the Akita Prefecture JET Alumni group on LinkedIn to connect with other Akita JETs. And here’s the link to see all of the Prectural JET Alumni groups on LinkedIn.
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Akita Global Network Blog
秋田グローバルネットワークブログは、秋田県とゆかりのある外国の方々と継続的なネットワーク関係を維持するために、秋田グローバルネットワークメンバーからの海外情報や、秋田県の旬な情報を共有し発信するブログです！
Akita Global Network aims at maintaining an ongoing relationship between Akita Prefecture and foreign people who have been associated with Akita through international exchange projects, etc. We share information about Akita and foreign countries contributed from Akita Global Network members.
What would doubling the JET Program look like?
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A thoughtful post about the implications of an expanded JET Program from the Mutant Frog Travelogue blog. One of the things I like about this piece is that it attempts to concretely think through some of the implications. The other is that it actually factors in different forms of Return On JET-vestment that tend to be brushed aside or ignored in other commentaries or critiques of JET.
What would doubling the JET Program look like?
Here are a few excerpts:
Recent news reports suggest that the LDP is planning to propose doubling the JETProgram in three years and placing JET language assistants in all elementary, middle, and high schools within a decade. There are around 38,000 such schools in Japan, so that’s aLOT of ALTs!
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It also means more “Japan hands,” maybe even double, and this can cut in different ways. I feel like Japan is sorely in need of talented Japanese-to-English translators, so an influx of native English talent that could eventually progress to ace-translator status is a good thing. At the same time, the increased supply in the market could put pressure on prices, and who knows maybe some whipper snapper could come after my job some day.
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From what I gather, the job of an ALT is generally to supplement a Japanese teacher of English by helping with pronunciation and various other tasks. Maybe I just don’t get around enough, but I cannot recall ever hearing someone even try to argue that they are an essential part of the learning process or that what they do has an appreciable benefit to the level of English ability in Japan. I don’t think that is really a problem though because of the program’s other upsides.
On the other hand, what I have heard and experienced is that ALTs can help inspire students to discover the joys and rewards of learning English or encourage them to keep going. I think the value of that should not be underestimated because it is life-changing and the ALTs deserve huge credit for it.
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CLICK HERE to read the full post.
Job: Tokyo Broadcasting System International, Inc. – Associate TV News Producer
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Thanks to JET Alum Greg Beck, who works for TBS, for sharing this opening. Posted by Kim ‘Kay’ Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Associate TV News Producer
Posted by: Tokyo Broadcasting System International, Inc
Type: Full-time
Location: New York, NY
Salary: N/A Entry level position with full time and overtime payment
Start Date: As soon as possible
Overview:
The New York News Bureau of Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) is seeking an energetic, professional individual to fill an Associate TV News Producer position. TBS is one of the oldest and largest television and radio broadcasting networks in Japan and broadcasts nationally via 28 affiliate stations. The New York Bureau covers news primarily in the United States for broadcast in Japan. Read More
Job: The Japan-United States Educational Commission – Executive Director
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Thanks to JET Alum Carleen Ben for sharing this high level job listing. Posted by Kim ‘Kay’ Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Executive Director
Posted by: The Japan-United States Educational Commission (JUSEC)
Type: N/A
Location: N/A
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Overview:
The Japan-United States Educational Commission (JUSEC) invites applications from experienced American and Japanese citizens for the position of Executive Director beginning on or about March 1, 2014.
Since 1946 over 300,000 people have been awarded prestigious Fulbright Scholarships world-wide, which are now offered in over 150 countries. In addition to the Fulbright Program, the Commission administers other exchange activities which align with its core mission. JUSEC operates under a bi-national mission to further educational and cultural exchange between Japan and the United States. Its headquarters are located in Tokyo and funding is provided by the Japanese and United States governments, alumni, and a select group of sponsors. Read More
Job: The Yomiuri Shimbun – Assistant Correspondent
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Via JETAA UK. Posted by Kim ‘Kay’ Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Assistant Correspondent
Posted by: The Yomiuri Shimbun
Type: Full-time
Location: London
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Overview:
The Yomiuri Shimbun’s London Bureau is looking for a researcher/assistant for 12 month period.
Job description:
The post involves assisting Japanese journalists with their coverage, including:
* gathering background information and conducting research,
* monitoring breaking news via newswire services and TV/radio broadcasts, Read More
JQ Magazine: JETAA New York Greets Distinguished Guests
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Inuyama City Council Member Anthony Bianchi, center, poses with fellow JET alums at the Japan Friendship Festival, Brooklyn Borough Hall Plaza, May 2013. (Photo courtesy of Ann Chow)
By Ann Chow (Hyogo-ken, 2007-09) for JQ magazine. Ann is a native New Yorker and serves as the Membership Development Chair for the JET Alumni Association of New York.
On April 17, members of the JET Alumni Association of New York (JETAANY) were invited to attend a reception at the Nippon Club for the Governor of Tokyo, Naoki Inose, who was in New York to drum up support for his city’s bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. Among the guests at the reception included Willie Banks, the three-time track and field Olympian, and world record holder from 1985-95 in Men’s Triple Jump. (Cool trivia: Banks speaks fluent Japanese.)
And on May 3, several JETAANY members, along with employees of CLAIR and the Japanese consulate, were on site to help Inuyama City Council Member Anthony Bianchi (Aichi-ken, 1987-91) and B. Bridges participants at the Japan Friendship Festival at Brooklyn Borough Hall Plaza. The B. Bridges program (short for “Brooklyn Bridge” as well as “Building Bridges” and “Be Bridges”) was created as a cultural exchange program by Bianchi and the administration of Xaverian High School, of which Bianchi is an alumnus.
“The idea for the B. Bridges exchange program was born 10 years ago at an event the Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz, held for me at Borough Hall after my first election, so it was great to be able to hold this, our Japan Friendship Festival: Inuyama Day at Borough Hall,” Bianchi said.
The program has sent close to 500 people from Brooklyn to Inuyama City and vice versa. This year, 40 participants came from Inuyama City to stay with families of students attending the school. On a beautiful sunny day, JETAANY members were able to help the group out at various booths which showcased tea ceremony, Japanese calligraphy, and traditional Japanese toys and wares.
“The cooperation of the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office, the Japanese Consulate of New York, the Japan Local Government Center, and the JET Alumni Association of New York were crucial to making this event successful,” explained Bianchi.
He added: “I was also proud of our B. Bridges members, as well as our exchange partners at Xaverian High School, who made great use of the opportunity. This, I believe, made the event a great experience for all those in attendance.”
For additional photos from the events, click here and here.
Job: Au pair (NZ)
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Thanks to Stella Johnston for sharing this post. Posted by Kim ‘Kay’ Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Au Pair
Posted by: Au Pair Link
Type: N/A
Location: New Zealand
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Overview:
As an Au Pair in New Zealand you will be able to care for children, explore our country and culture and enhance your English. With Au Pair Link you can also have the unique opportunity to teach a world-leading educational curriculum to your children.
Au Pair Link is licensed by the New Zealand Ministry of Education and provides an educational programme which is supported by our fully qualified Early Childhood Education teachers. You will be able to learn about world-leading childcare and education techniques as well as participate in playgroups, fun outings and professional training sessions!
http://www.aupairlink.co.nz/au-pairs/default.aspx
Job: (Junior) Translator Japanese – UK English Nintendo of Europe (GER)
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Via JETAA UK. Posted by Kim ‘Kay’ Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: (Junior) Translator Japanese – UK English
Posted by: Nintendo of Europe
Type: full time
Location: Frankfurt upon Main, Germany
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Description:
Nintendo of Europe is looking for a UK English native speaker with an excellent knowledge of the Japanese language to take up a full-time position within our software localisation team.
A multi-faceted role within a team of talented colleagues awaits the successful applicant. We look forward to receiving your application through our website.
https://jobs.nintendo.de/main?fn=bm.ext.jobsdetail_engl&refnr=1377021&land=DE
Job Posted On: Tuesday 7 May 2013Contact Name: Helge FriedrichContact Address: Herriotstraße 4Contact Email: makeawish@gmx.fr
