Feb 7

2013 JETAA Tokyo Mentor Program

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A request from Christian Tsuji (Miyazaki-ken, 2004-08), current JETAA Tokyo Career Chair. Originally posted on the JETAA Tokyo Facebook group. Posted by Celine Castex (Chiba-ken 2006-11).

Feb 6

Job: Curator of Education at the Morikami Museum & Gardens (Del Ray Beach, FL)

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Thanks to JET alum (and Miami Consulate JET Coordinator) Abby McBain for passing this on.. Posted by 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: Curator of Education
Posted by: Morikami Museum
Type: N/A
Location:
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A

Company Overview:
The Curator of Education will report to the Museum Director and be primarily responsible for the creation and implementation of educational programming at the Morikami Museum. This includes working closely with curatorial and exhibitions staff, developing and maintaining school and group tours, programs and activities, evaluating and developing potential educational programs, and assisting in the sponsorship and marketing of educational programs. The Curator of Education will also be responsible for training and scheduling docents. Read More

Feb 6

Job: Wine Educator/Retail Clerk (Napa, CA)

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Via JETAA PNW.  Posted by 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: Wine Educator/Retail Clerk
Posted by: The Napa Valley Wine Train
Type: Full-time/ Part-time
Location: Napa, CA
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A

Overview:
The Napa Valley Wine Train is looking for an outgoing Japanese speaking individual to work in our Wine Shop, located in the train station, and in our Tasting Car on board the train. This is a full time position which includes medical benefits and 401K. Part-time non-benefited position may also be available. This is an hourly position – must be able to work days, weekends and an occasional evening. Flexibility is a must! Read More

Feb 6

Job: New Consulate position – Visa Section (Houston, TX)

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Via JETAA PNW.  Posted by 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: Consular Service Clerk
Posted by: Consulate General of Japan
Type: N/A
Location: Houston, TX
Salary: Commensurate with abilities and experience
Start Date: N/A

Overview:
The Consulate General of Japan in Houston is looking for a new Consular Service Clerk (Visa). Candidates must have strong written and verbal Japanese ability.

Traditionally, this position has been offered only to local Japanese natives, but has now been extended to the JET community.

If you want to strengthen your language skills and spend time learning more about Japanese legal culture and researching interesting requests. Candidates who enjoy researching and helping others in addition to language and cultural ability will be considered. For a full summary of the position, please email Ryan Pauley at jetcoord@ho.mofa.go.jp

Feb 6

Job: Cultural Affairs/Public Relations section Consulate General of Japan (Atlanta)

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Via JETAA Southeast.  Posted by 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: Cultural Affairs/Public Relations Staff
Posted by: Consulate General of Japan
Type: Full-time
Location: Atlanta, GA
Salary: Commensurate with abilities and experience
Start Date: N/A

Overview:
The ideal candidate would be a team-player who works well with Japanese people; a recent college graduate or someone with 2-3 years work experience; flexible and motivated, with the ability to handle a wide variety of tasks; educational background in Japanese, English, Journalism, or Communications preferred; posses a strong interest in Japan, preferably with work experience in Japan through the JET Program or other organization or business; Japanese language ability (reading, writing, speaking) and excellent English language skills; and basic IT skills necessary for website updates. Read More

Feb 5

2013 Sakura Festival in Kumejima

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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 YA fantasy series Samurai Awakening (Tuttle).

January 26th marked the beginning of the 2013 Kumejima Sakura Festival.  Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) are an important symbol marking the change of seasons in Japan.  As the weather begins to warm, cherry trees sprout beautiful flowers in a range of colors from white to red.   Since Okinawa is so far south, cherry blossoms begin to arrive in January.  They work their way north through April.  During this time, people flock to areas with cherry trees to picnic, drive, and see the beautiful flowers and wildlife.You might have noticed the new header, a compilation of 3 shots taken of a Mejiro (Japanese white-eye) in cherry trees I caught the Friday before the festival along the Ara Forest path.

The Festival

As part of the sakura season, many locals often have festivals to support tourism, create entertainment for locals, and to simply celebrate the beautiful surroundings.  This year the Kumejima Sakura Festival took place on January 26th, a day of sun and generally great weather (I got sunburned in January.  It was also a little windy.)

On Kume Island, the festival takes place at Daruma Mountain Park in the western/central part of the island.  The festival was set up in a clearing surrounded by cherry trees.  After an opening ceremony, new cherry trees were planted for the future.  Arrayed around the clearing were many tents with local restaurants serving specialty foods.  This year, the restaurants competed in a competition to see which one had brought the most popular item.

There were several live performances from local groups including Nankuru Sanshin and the “Super Bridal Band,” as well as karate demonstrations and other entertainment.  The band I play with (Super Bridal Band started up a few years ago to play at my boss’s wedding, I joined a bit after moving here) just after the opening ceremony.   There’s a compilation video below of our set.

After we finished our set, I quickly jumped over to the 89.7 FM Kumejima radio booth to do my weekly Haisai English! show live from the event.  It was a lot of fun despite a few technical snafus from going on location.

For more on Sakura and this year’s Festival, visit MoreThingsJapanese.com

Feb 5

Job: Grants Officer, Institute of International Education (NY)

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Via Philanthropy News Digest.  Posted by 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: Grants Officer
Posted by: Institute of International Education
Type: N/A
Location: New York, New York
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A

Purpose of Position:
Manages various Foundation-funded Travel and Learning funds and provides management to other grant initiatives in the division. Work is carried out independently under general supervision.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. IIE may add, change, or remove essential and other duties at any time.

•Responsible for complying with applicable contract and sponsor requirements and following all IIE policies and procedures
•Manage multi-million dollar grant, which enables individuals from all over the world to travel internationally to conferences, seminars, and short courses. Primary responsibilities include preparing grants and contracts, conducting due diligence, and monitoring grant/contract progress and payment.
•Assure compliance with IRS regulations, other U.S. government regulations and foundation-specific guidelines for all grants, identifying potential issues
•Ensure grant files meet legal and auditing requirements; coordinate creation, and maintenance of all grant files
•Manage the logistics of travel for consultants and grantees including heavy interaction with the travel agency to arrange for domestic and international travel and hotel reservations worldwide Read More

Feb 5

Job: Oakland Asian Cultural Center Seeks Executive Director (CA)

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Thanks to JETAA Northern California VP Mark Frey who has worked closely with OACC for the past two years.  Posted by 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 Oakland Asian Cultural Center (OACC)
Type: Full-time
Location: Oakland, CA
Salary: Salary $55-$60k depending on experience and skills
Start Date: N/A

Overview:
The Oakland Asian Cultural Center (OACC) was founded in 1984 by a coalition of volunteers who recognized the need for a strong artistic and cultural force in the Chinatown area.  Since opening its own facility in 1996 in the heart of Oakland’s Chinatown district, the OACC has presented countless high quality cultural programs including performances, workshops, festivals, school tours, classes, and exhibitions. OACC builds vibrant communities through Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) arts and culture programs that foster intergenerational and cross-cultural dialogue, cultural identity, collaborations, and social justice. Read More

Feb 5

Job: PT Assistant at the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (NYC)

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Thanks to J. Renay Loper for sharing this posting.  Posted by 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
Posted by: The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership
Type: Part-time
Location: NY
Salary: Hourly wage, commensurate with experience. No other benefits offered.
Start Date: March 1, 2013 (or as soon as possible thereafter)

Overview:
Established in 1972, the Japan Foundation seeks to promote international cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and other countries. The Foundation awards grants in the areas of Arts & Cultural Exchange, Japanese-Language Education Overseas, Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange, and operates fellowship programs to foster individual research and the development of human resources. The Center for Global Partnership (CGP) was founded within the Foundation in 1991 in New York City and seeks to promote exchange and collaboration between the United States and Japan with the goal of fulfilling shared global responsibilities and contributing to the improvements in the world’s welfare. Read More

Feb 5

Actus Job: Sales Assistant(temp to hire) at a Japanese Company (New York, NY)

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Via Actus Consulting. Posted by 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: Sales Assistant
Posted by: Actus Consulting
Type: Temp to hire
Location: New York, NY
Salary: $30~35K
Start Date: N/A

Company Overview:

• The company provides mobile internet solutions to travelers in the United States and around the world.
• Main product is mobile Wi-Fi routes.
• Headquartered in Tokyo, established 40 years ago.
• Location: Manhattan , New York
• Number of Employees: 300 (worldwide), NYC Office 1

Read More

Feb 3

JQ Magazine: JQ&A with Takashi Ikezawa of Resobox Japanese Art Gallery

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“We don’t want art to be only for wealthy people, but instead want to target as wide an audience as possible for the purpose of disseminating Japanese culture. This is actually the reason why we chose to be located in Queens, as it is said to be the most diverse part of the city.” (Stacy Smith)

By Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03) for JQ magazine. Stacy is a professional Japanese writer/interpreter/translator. She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations in the periodic series WITLife.

In recent years, Long Island City has experienced a rapid gentrification, being converted from an abandoned, industrial wasteland to a hotspot of waterfront apartments and art institutions. Of course it has big hitters like the Noguchi Museum that are well known to Japanophiles, but there are also Japan-related galleries flying under the radar just waiting to be discovered. One such place is Resobox, a short walk from the Queensboro Plaza subway stop whose location is marked by only a small, overhanging sign and a signboard that sits on the sidewalk reading: “The place where people who are conversant with, dedicated to and influenced by Japanese art can gather, create innovative arts through the collaborative process and disseminate them to the world.”  Interest piqued? So was mine, and I was fortunate to have the opportunity to speak with Resobox co-owner Takashi Ikezawa to learn more about this unique endeavor.

Can you share with JQ readers Resobox’s back story and the origin of your name?

Resobox was a name created from the words “resonate” and “box,” and it refers to a space where artists can meet and collaborate to create new and innovative art. It initially referred to a project begun by my partner Fumio Tashiro, a jazz musician who became interested in experimental music and music as art performance. He would collaborate with dancers, painters, and musicians to put together performances. I had a business background as I worked at a talent agency representing Japanese artists in NYC, and I knew Fumio casually. However, we started meeting up monthly to brainstorm, and our discussions always focused on the breadth and depth of Japanese culture and arts. In order for a solid collaboration to take place, you need to have a strong foundation. Since we are both Japanese, we found the culture of our native country to be a foundation substantial enough to build on. Our brainstorming sessions yielded the idea of artists, both Japanese and non-Japanese, coming to our box and resonating off each other to create new Japanese art. This is how Resobox was launched in its gallery form in June of 2011.

Can you give an example of some successful collaborations?

One of the artists who was featured until early January, Mary Burton Wheeler, became involved by taking a Japanese ink painting (sumi-e) class at Resobox. It happened to be taught by Ayakoh Furukawa, the artist we currently have on display, and collaboration began in this class environment. Wheeler learned not just about Japanese painting itself but about Japanese sense and ideas, and she incorporated this into the new pottery she produced as a result. On first glance you wouldn’t say that her work is particularly “Japanese,” but on closer look there is definitely a Japanese sensibility that she encountered via her collaboration with Ayakoh.

Read More

Feb 3

Justin’s Japan: Nippon in New York – A Lunar New Year Kickoff

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Wakamaru, left, and Hiroshi Ota star in the short play “I, Worker,” part of the Seinendan Theater Company + Osaka University Robot Theater Project at Japan Society Feb. 7-9. (Osaka University & Eager Co. Ltd.)

By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his Japanese culture page here for related stories.Saturday, Feb. 2, 6 p.m.-10 p.m.Stay warm this winter with some hot local events, from retro anime screenings to bilingual robot plays to a J-pop infused Lunar New Year spectacular.

This month’s highlights include:

Feb. 1-15, 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

NIPPON-JIN Exhibition

Consulate General of Japan, 299 Park Avenue

Free

Presented by J-COLLABO, a unique social network that promotes the Japanese art scene with various collaborating artists, NIPPON-JIN (meaning “Japanese”), will be on view at the gallery of the Consulate General of Japan from Feb. 1-15. Showcasing more than 300 unique portrait photographs taken by Junichi Takahashi, NIPPON-JIN reveals what Takahashi sees as “Japanese people,” opposed to the prototype of stereotypical “Japanese” that others expect and portray. To capture the essence of what makes Japanese “Japanese,” Takahashi decided to approach this project by taking hundreds of samples over a four-year period of Japanese being themselves, letting the accumulation of the subject matter form the answer. The exhibition will go to the gallery of Narita International Airport in Japan this summer.

Sunday, Feb. 3, 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Salon Series No. 44. Gestures, Mime and Dance

Tenri Cultural Institute, 43A West 13th Street

$15 general, $10 students/seniors

Now in its fifteenth year, the 45th performance of Sachiyo Ito & Company’s Salon Series is titled “Gestures in Japanese Dance and Mime.” From noh theater to today’s baseball heroes, the Japanese have tended to use more gestures than other peoples, particularly compared to those in the west, and in much subtle manner. Why and how we use them in daily life and see any of those are reflected in dance. Featuring guest Yass Hakoshima (who led Yass Hakoshima Movement Theater for 40 years in the USA and Europe), live demonstrations will illustrate how a mime draws gestures from daily life as a comparison and to gain further insight. Excerpts from kabuki dances choreographed by Ito as well as Hakoshima’s ever-popular comic piece, “Fisherman,” will be performed.

Feb. 7-9, 7:30 p.m.

Seinendan Theater Company + Osaka University Robot Theater Project

Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street

$28, $25 Japan Society members

Imagine a time when “robot maids” are commonly found in family households. That’s the much-anticipated setting of these two heartrending short plays by Oriza Hirata, founder of Japan’s celebrated Seinendan Theater Company. In Sayonara (android and human actors), an android is bought to console a girl suffering from a fatal illness, but when its mechanics go awry, the meaning of life and death to humans and robots comes into question. In I, Worker (robots and human actors), a husband’s struggle to cope with the loss of his child is juxtaposed with the malaise of one of his robots, which has lost all motivation to work. This double bill was developed in collaboration with Dr. Hiroshi Ishiguro, a leading international researcher on robotics and Director of the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory at Osaka University. Sayonara will be performed in English and Japanese with English subtitles. I, Worker will be performed in Japanese with English subtitles.

For the complete story, click here.

Feb 2

I’ll Make It Myself!: Vegetarian Curry Nabe

Blogs, Food & Drink, I'll Make It Myself, Writers curry nabe, curry roux, Japanese food, nabe, nabemono, vegan, vegetables, vegetarian, winter Comments Off on I’ll Make It Myself!: Vegetarian Curry Nabe

Leah Zoller (CIR Ishikawa-ken, Anamizu, 2009-11) is the editor of The Ishikawa JET Kitchen: Cooking in Japan Without a Fight. A writer and web administrator for The Art of Travel, she also writes I’ll Make It Myself!, a blog about food culture in Japan, and 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 The JET Alumni Culinary Group in LinkedIn.

New Rice Cooker Chronicles submissions always welcome. Just e-mail it to Leah at jetwit [at] jetwit.com.

Curry nabe is combination of two of Japan’s great comfort foods: curry-rice (karê raisu, カレーライス) and nabe (鍋). Curry-rice is a Japanized version of Indian curries via Britain: served with rice, this dish is a thick, brown sauce, more sweet than spicy, combined with onions, carrots, potatoes, and chicken or beef, which are sauteed before boiling in the sauce. If mac ‘n’ cheese and spaghetti are the epitome of basic American home cooking, curry-rice tops Japan’s list.

Most curry roux in Japan contain meat extracts (beef, pork, or fish are the most common). I am found of Sokensha‘s vegan* curry “flake type” roux (植物素材の本格カレー), which is sold in health-food stores like Noppo-kun but can also be ordered online. I like the “spicy” one (辛口), even though it’s not all that spicy.Haiku Girl recommends S&B’s Torokeru (とろける) curry roux blocks, and this“Curry for Vegetarians” by Sakurai is also vegan, though I haven’t tried it.

Then, of course, is the staple of Japanese winter cuisine: nabe, from nabemono, which refers to foods cooked in a (clay) pot. Nabe, like curry-rice, is completely adaptable to taste: use whatever tofu, vegetables, and/or meat you like and boil them in a broth of your choice. It’s like non-committal soup, and it’s great for casual dinner parties. You can purchase broth in a variety of flavors from soymilk to kimchi at any grocery store, but I prefer to make my own, and it’s really quite simple. (How did you guess?)

Click HERE to read more.

Feb 1

Job: Assistant Researcher Japan Local Government Centre (London, UK)

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Via JETAA UK.  Posted by 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 Researcher
Posted by: Japan Local Government Centre
Type: Full-time
Location: Central London
Salary: £22,680 – £26,640 (depending upon experience)
Start Date: N/A

Research

• Assisting Japanese staff research projects and also assistance in drafting responses to research topics from Japan regarding local administration in the UK and Northern European Countries
• Assisting research commissioned from Japan, collecting and providing information
• Assisting researching and drafting of reports
• Visit support for delegations from Japan
• Visit support for delegations from Japan visiting local authorities and other organizations
• Preparation of materials for the purpose of the delegations
• Assistance for Programmes Read More

Feb 1

JET Alumni Invited to Apply to Teach For America

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Note:  The below announcement resulted from a discussion between JETAA USA Board of Advisors member Jessyca Livingston (Hokkaido, 2003-06) and Christie Clark of Teach For America after they realized there have been a significant number of JETs who have done TFA and vice-versa.  (e.g., It turns out that current AJET Chair Mark Noizumi is a TFA alum.)  TFA has had good experience with JET alumni who go on to work for TFA, and the JET Programme certainly appreciates applicants who come with the kind of prior teaching experience that TFA alums have.  Stay tuned for more info as JETAA seeks to grow its relationship with TFA.

JET ALUMNI INVITED TO APPLY TO TEACH FOR AMERICA

Only 1 in 13 students from low-income communities will graduate from college. You can use your experience in education to be a part of a movement to change this.  Join fellow corps members– from all professional and academic backgrounds – in the fight to ensure ALL students have a chance at the American Dream.

Teach For America enlists a diverse corps of leaders who commit to teach for at least two years in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong advocates in the effort to expand educational opportunity. Our teachers use their numerous skills and experiences from their varied work, leadership, and academic backgrounds to effect change in their classroom and help break the cycle of inequity that prevents students from fulfilling their potential. Full salary, benefits, transitional grants, and Americorps funding.

Sign up here to apply. The final application deadline for the 2013 corps is Friday, February 15^th.

For further information, please email Christie.clark@teachforamerica.org .