Nov 6

Job: Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Nikkei Concerns (Seattle, WA)

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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: Chief Operations Officer (COO)
Posted by: Nikkei Concerns
Type: N/A
Location: WA
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A

Overview
Nikkei Concerns (NC), a non-profit elder-care organization primarily serving the Japanese-American and broader Asian communities in the Pacific Northwest, is seeking qualified applicants for a Chief Operations Officer (COO).  The COO’s primary responsibilities include providing leadership and growing operational and organizational aspects of NC that includes Seattle Keiro Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, Nikkei Manor Assisted Living Community, Kokoro Kai Adult Day Social Program and Nikkei Horizons Continuing Education Program.  The ideal candidate will have solid management experience and demonstrate an ability to lead, innovate, motivate, and execute with a passion for and sensitivity to enhancing the quality of life of our residents, participants, staff and community.  Familiarity with elder health care policy and services is desired. Please visit www.nikkeiconcerns.org  for the full job description.  Interested qualified individuals should email their resume and cover letter to rtakeuchi@nikkeiconcerns.org  (Rick Takeuchi, Human Resources Director, 206-726-6506).  First considerations will be given to resumes/cover letters received by 5:00 pm, Friday, November 9, 2012.

Nov 6

Jobs:Two Positions Available at the JICC

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Via JETAA DC. 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: Two positions available: Publicity Coordinator and Webmaster Director
Posted by: JICC
Type: N/A
Location: Washington DC
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A

Overview
The JICC is a part of the Public Affairs Section of the Embassy of Japan, with a goal to promote better understanding of Japan and Japanese culture by providing a wide range of information and events to the American public.

The Publicity Coordinator is responsible for promoting various Japan-related events to the public and media. The Webmaster is in charge of maintaining and managing the JICC website and social media. These positions also entail other duties. For further details, please refer to the following Employment Opportunities page of the JICC website. Please be advised to follow the instructions carefully.

http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JICC/employment.html

Nov 6

Job: Director for Japan Affairs at USTR

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Thanks to JET Alum Daniel Lee who is leaving this position soon for a different post at the USTR. 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: Director for Japan Affairs
Posted by: Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
Type: Full-time
Location: Washington DC
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A

Overview
Under the direction of the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative (AUSTR) for Japan, Korea & APEC Affairs, the incumbent serves as the Director for Japan Affairs.

The incumbent performs a variety of duties related to the development, coordination and execution of  U.S.- Japan trade policy.  The incumbent leads U.S. trade negotiations with Japanese counterpart agencies, develops U.S.  positions in advance of these negotiations,   supports relevant Trade Policy Sub-Committees to reach interagency agreements on policy positions, determines the most appropriate negotiating strategies and tactics, researches and analyses all background material for these negotiations, and advises the AUSTR, the Deputy USTR, and the USTR on trade policy issues with Japan.  The incumbent prepares Congressional testimony, briefing materials, summary statements and speeches for the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), both Deputy USTRs, the AUSTR for Japan, Korea, & APEC Affairs,  and other senior executives, as appropriate, on major trade issues.  Explains and defends the Administration’s trade policies to foreign governments, the public, the press, and the Congress.

Ability to speak Japanese desirable, but not mandatory. Domestic and foreign travel will be required.

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/330491500

Nov 6

Job: Bi-lingual Accountant (Atlanta)

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Thanks to JET Alum Jessica Kennett Cork for sharing this opening. 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: Bilingual Accountant
Posted by: Accountants One, Inc.
Type: Full-time
Location: Atlanta, GA
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A

Overview
Accountants One has been hired to recruit a bi-lingual Japanese speaking Senior Accountant for their team.  The ideal candidate will 5+ years experience in a manufacturing environment as a senior accountant.

Job Duties
– Process financial statements and analysis
– Report and present financial statements and analysis to CFO and Japanese parent company
– Help process books for the plant
– Process budget vs. actual sales units
– Create power point presentations to communicate financial analysis to CFO and Japanese parent company
– Speak and read Japanese and English fluently
– Financial reporting and analysis – Profit and Loss Variances Read More

Nov 6

JETAA Chicago Career Development Workshop – November 10, 2012

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Via JETAA Chicago. 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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Event Information

Nov 6

Job: Japan Baseball Administration Intern Spring 2012

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Via JETAA Chicago. 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: Japan Baseball Administration Intern Spring 2012
Posted by: Octagon
Type: Internship (part-time or full-time)
Location: Chicago, IL
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A

Qualifications
Octagon is the world’s largest sponsorship consulting practice and a pioneer and leader in athlete and personality representation and management.  With more than 800 employees globally, Octagon manages/influences billions in worldwide sponsorship rights fees and activation.  We work with hundreds of blue-chip corporate clients, more than 800 Athletes & Personalities clients, and manage more than 5,000 events per year.  Leading stakeholders in the sports and entertainment world continue to look to Octagon to provide leadership in understanding fans’ passions and how these insights can build more effective, efficient and measureable marketing programs.  For more information, please visit www.octagon.com

About The Internship
The Baseball Internship offers a compelling and insightful look into the sports industry and an introduction to the world of Baseball off the field. Octagon seeks talented and driven undergraduate or graduate students to closely work with members of our successful Baseball Division on a variety of projects and tasks. Throughout the course of the internship, you will provide administrative support to our Asia Baseball division mainly focusing on Japanese baseball. Your duties will include minor translation, processing expense reports (Yen conversion), client services projects for Japan baseball clients, equipment orders and other general office administrative support.

The position is located in our Chicago, IL office and is a part-time or full-time position during the Spring Semester.  Ideally, we would like you to start in January and work at least 25 hours per week. In order to be considered for this unpaid internship, you must be able to receive school credit and provide proof of credit. Read More

Nov 4

Justin’s Japan: ‘Hold These Truths’ Honors Freedom

Article/Journalism, Justin's Japan, Reviews Add Comment (1)

Click image to read story

By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Shukan NY Seikatsu. Visit his Examiner.com Japanese culture page here for related stories.

The opening of playwright Jeanne Sakata’s Hold These Truths begins with the famous United States Declaration of Independence quote that all men are created equal, followed by the Japanese proverb “the nail that sticks up gets hammered down.” The one hammered down is Gordon Kioyoshi Hirabayashi, the late American pacifist and Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree whose experiences in World War II-era America are brought vividly to life by Joel de la Fuente in this one-man show now running Off-Broadway.

“From the day rehearsing began for our premiere in November 2007, we’ve been working to make Hold These Truths a better play, and that hasn’t stopped with our New York premiere,” said Sakata, who shaped it through extensive interviews with Hirabayashi. The play has received positive reviews from The New Yorker and the Associated Press, and has brought wider attention to a traumatic time in American history.

Born in Seattle in 1918, Hirabayashi was imprisoned in 1942 for protesting wartime curfews. He lost a U.S. Supreme Court case the following year, but the verdict was later overturned in the 1980s, triggering an apology and reparations to the families of the more than 100,000 people interned in the western United States during the war.

Hold These Truths runs through Nov. 25 at the Theater at the 14th Street Y. For more information, visit http://epictheatreensemble.org/holdthesetruths.

Nov 3

JQ Magazine: 2012 JETAA National Conference in San Francisco Recap

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JETAA USA delegates at the residence of Ambassador Hiroshi Inomata, Consul General of Japan in San Francisco, Oct. 26, 2012.

By Pam Kavalam (Shiga-ken, 2007-09) for JQ magazine. Pam is Secretary of the JET Alumni Association of New York (JETAANY) and a participant at this year’s National Conference.

Thursday, Oct. 25

Hosted by the JETAA Northern California (JETAANC) chapter, the conference kicked off with a “reception” at Off the Grid, a collection of gourmet food trucks inspired by Asian night markets and conceived and run by JET alum Matt Cohen (Saga-ken, 2001-04).

Friday, Oct. 26

The delegates from 18 of the 19 JETAA USA chapters received a welcome from JETAANC President John Dzida, Consul General of Japan in San Francisco Hiroshi Inomata, and Takaaki Ogata from CLAIR New York. Noriko Watanabe from the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C. gave a touching personal farewell from Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki, who attended the past two JETAA National Conferences and will be leaving his post this year. Workshops topics included sister city-JETAA cooperation; databases and approaches for chapter membership management; and the utilization of Google apps and websites to publicize programs. There was also an update on the National 3/11 Relief Fund, which raised nearly $90,000 from all 19 chapters for Tohoku recovery efforts. The evening ended with a reception at the Consul General’s Residence and continued networking at Local Edition in the Financial District.

Saturday, Oct. 27

The Country Representatives discussed their visions for JETAA in the coming year and introduced the newly formed JETAA USA Advisory Board, which consists of four seasoned JET alums who will provide guidance to all national and regional leadership. It includes James Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94) and Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94) of JETAANY; Ryan Hart (Chiba-ken, 1998-99) of Pacific Northwest JETAA; and Jessyca Livingston (Hokkaido, 2003-06) of Rocky Mountain JETAA. Other workshops discussed organizing chapter finances; a JETAANC-run high school scholarship program; facilitating cultural exchange through continuing Japanese traditions such as kabuki; and a panel with members of the Northern California community, including JET alums Ken Wakamatsu (Hiroshima-ken, 1996-1998) at Salesforce and Ryan Kimura (Shizuoka-ken, 2004-06) of JCCC Northern California (and the owner of a purikura shop in San Francisco’s Japantown!). The panel discussed how JETAA chapters can form relationships and collaborate with community groups to engage members. The delegates finished the night with a CLAIR reception at Yoshi’s San Francisco and a cable car sightseeing tour.

Read More

Nov 1

Justin’s Japan: Interview with ‘Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics’ author Frederik L. Schodt

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“I grew up overseas in several different countries, and I’ve always enjoyed different cultures. And for me, that was exactly the way Japan appeared: it was always interesting, and it still is always interesting. There’s always things to learn.” (Courtesy of Stone Bridge Press)

By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his Japanese culture page here for related stories.

Frederik L. Schodt first traveled to Japan in 1965 as a teenager, and since the early ’80s he has written numerous books about Japanese culture both popular and obscure, including the landmark Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics, the first substantial English-language work on the art form. Schodt also has translated a wealth of books and manga series (many by his late friend, the “god of comics” Osamu Tezuka), and in 2009 he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette for his contribution to the introduction and promotion of Japanese contemporary popular culture.

Out Nov. 13 is his newest book, Professor Risley and the Imperial Japanese Troupe, the true story of “Professor” Richard Risley Carlisle, an American who introduced the Western circus to Japan in 1864, and in turn gave many Americans their first glimpse of the East when he took his “Imperial Japanese Troupe” of acrobats and jugglers on a triumphant tour of North America and Europe, stirring a fascination with all things Japanese that, Schodt says, eventually led to today’s boom in manga and anime.

In part one of this exclusive, wide-ranging interview, I spoke with Schodt about his fascination with the late 19th century, his relationship with contemporary pop culture icons like George Lucas, and the story behind his middle initial, which is colorfully connected to the events of the film Argo.

It’s been more than five years since the release of your last book, The Astro Boy Essays. What else have you been up to since then?

I’ve actually gone through this and done some rough calculations, but it seems to take me about five years between books. I’ve been doing this same sort of thing that I always do, which is a mix of writing books and translating and then also working as a conference interpreter. For different periods, the weight and the ratio changes, but the mix is pretty much the same. And I’ve been working on the book of Professor Risley and the Imperial Japanese Troupe, I guess, for the last two or three years doing research. But it’s been a lot of fun, I have to say—it’s been one of the most fun books I’ve worked on in a long time.

What are some developments in manga/anime/Japanese pop culture in the U.S. that you feel has moved in a positive direction? At the same time, what things are you a bit critical of in the way they were handled?

I think it’s wonderful that a popular culture from another country such as Japan developed such a large fanbase in the United States, and that was a real surprise to me. I always hoped that people would take more notice in Japanese manga and anime, because I thought they were such an interesting manifestation of popular culture that had been long overlooked in the United States. But I never imagined that both of those entertainment media would become so big and so entrenched in the United States in terms of the fanbase, so that’s been wonderful to see.

It seems like the biggest development in recent years has been the cosplay phenomenon—that’s become a real part of the lingo here now.

That’s right. And I think cosplay in the United States is a little different, and in fact I think the whole fandom in the United States has assumed sort of American characteristics, so it’s developing on its own in new directions, and it’s kind of wonderful to see. I go to some of the larger cons every once in a while, and I really enjoy seeing how young people are interpreting this cultural phenomenon developed in Japan, although I have to say that cosplay is really indirectly inspired by the masquerades and the costume competitions that started in the United States in the sci-fi comic book community. So it’s very interesting. It’s this sort of cultural interchange that I’ve always been fascinated by where you have these two countries that are kind of reflecting each other and sending influences back and forth to each other, and interpreting a phenomenon in slightly different ways.

For the complete interview, click here.

Nov 1

JQ Magazine: Theatre Review – ‘Hold These Truths’

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“This amazing life story spanning six decades manages to be compressed by playwright Jeanne Sakata into a dense 90-minute performance that both educates and entertains.” (Photo of Joel de la Fuente by Steven Boling)

A nail that stuck out but resisted being hammered down

By Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03) for JQ magazine. Stacy is a professional 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 observation in the periodic series WITLife.

The intimacy of a stage surrounded by several rows of semicircle seating at the 14th Street Y is the perfect venue for the new play Hold These Truths. This work depicts the life of Nisei (second generation) Japanese American Gordon Hirabayashi, who took it upon himself to defy Executive Order 9066, which led to the imprisonment of Japanese Americans and their families in internment camps during World War II. It is a one-man show starring Joel de la Fuente, who spellbinds the audience with his ease in slipping back and forth between Hirabayashi and the other characters he portrays. The viewer’s proximity to the performer heightens the emotional depths of Hirabayashi’s often troubling, often inspiring tale of belonging and identity.

The play begins by highlighting the Japanese phrase “deru kugi wa utareru,” or “the nail that sticks up gets hammered down,” which Hirabayashi’s parents instill in him when he is young. He internalizes this belief, but at the same time he is aware of actions that seem to go against it, such as his mom taking a case to court when her land rights are violated. He describes a peaceful childhood in Seattle where he plays with other Japanese American friends and attends picnics where their mothers bring food like “onigiri, chicken teriyaki and banana cream pie.”  Raised as a Christian, Hirayabashi becomes a religious pacifist when he enters the University of Washington.

Here he stays in an international dorm and meets his first non-Japanese friends, such as his roommate and close friend Howie and his future wife Esther. He becomes involved with the YMCA as campus vice president and tries to get a job with them at the front desk, but ironically is turned down because of his race. When an 8 p.m. curfew is later put in place for the Japanese, Hirabayashi initially complies but then runs back to join his friends studying in the library. This small act of bravery is emblematic of the much bolder resistance that Hirabayashi will show going forward.

Read More

Oct 31

UK JET alum Edward Drummond-Baxter killed while serving in Afghanistan

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Lt. Edward Drummond-Baxter (Gifu-ken, 2005-07)

I’m very sad to share that a JET alum, Edward Drummond-Baxter (Gifu-ken, 2005-07), was recently killed while serving in Afghanistan according to a BBC News article.  The article doesn’t indicate that Edward was a JET, but a post by someone to the Pacific Northwest JETAA group about the news indicated that he was a Gifu JET from 2005-07.

Here’s an excerpt from the article (“MoD names two British soldiers killed in Afghanistan“):

Two British soldiers shot dead in Afghanistan by a man wearing an Afghan police uniform have been named by the Ministry of Defence.

They were Lt Edward Drummond-Baxter and L/Cpl Siddhanta Kunwar, both of 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, attached to 40 Commando Royal Marines.

They were killed at a checkpoint while on patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province on Tuesday.

Lt Drummond-Baxter, 29, lived in County Durham and L/Cpl Kunwar, 28, Nepal.

The MoD said they were shot and killed at the end of a meeting with Afghan police at Check Point Prrang in the southern part of Nahr-e Saraj.

The Taliban said the gunman was in their protection after having infiltrated the Afghan police.

Platoon commander Lt Drummond-Baxter, who was born in Peterborough, was deployed to Afghanistan for the first time on 30 September.

He was commissioned into the 1st Battalion in 2010 after spending two years working for the Foreign Office. He was a member of reserves regiment The Honourable Artillery Company while at University College London and later attended Sandhurst.

His family said: “Edward was fiercely loyal and totally sincere to his parents, sister and many friends who are mourning him today both in the UK and around the world. He loved the Gurkhas and died among friends doing the job that he wanted to do.”

Lt Col David Robinson, commanding officer, described him as “a character, a true gentleman and an inspirational leader”.

Please feel free to share any memories, thoughts or other comments about Edward in the comments section of this post.

Oct 31

JET Alum Will Ferguson Wins Canadian Lit Award

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Click image for JQ magazine’s 2010 feature story on Will Ferguson

From the Associated Press via the New York Times:

On Oct. 30, celebrated JET alum author Will Ferguson (Nagasaki-ken, 1991-94) won the Scotiabank Giller Prize, a $50,000 Canadian fiction award,  for a his novel 419, about a family’s entanglement in a Nigerian email scam.

A kilt-wearing Ferguson pulled out a flask during his acceptance speech and raised a toast to the written word. Presenters included Sex and the City actress Kim Cattrall.

The Giller, which honors the best in Canadian fiction, was created in 1994 by businessman Jack Rabinovitch in memory of his late wife, literary journalist Doris Giller.

Tuesday’s ceremony was broadcast by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. For a CBC video of Ferguson on writing 419 and being a Giller finalist, click here.

Oct 31

Kagoshima JET seeks help improving new language learning technology

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Oct 30

Job: Virtual Concierge (Seattle / Bellevue / Renton)

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Via JETAA Pacific North West. 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: Virtual Concierge
Posted by: 2 Places At 1 Time, Inc.
Type: Part-time
Location: Seattle / Bellevue / Renton
Salary: $20 per billable hour
Start Date: N/A

Overview:

(Job offer from a fellow JET!)

Join [2 Places At 1 Time, Inc.] as Virtual Concierge for professionals. Job duties include shopping, event planning, pet care, and more. Must have a flexible schedule. This is part-time work, up to 5-10 hours a week. Looking for an individual with thorough knowledge of Seattle and surrounding areas; has reliable transportation and strong customer service experience. This position will require frequent travel in the Seattle – Bellevue – Renton areas. Mileage will be reimbursed. Submit your resume for consideration. All applicants must include a paragraph stating why you are the best candidate for this position.

Once we receive your submission, we’ll send you a quick assessment to make sure this is the right position for you. If everything works out, you’ll receive a call from a recruiting manager within 72 business hours and could become a Virtual Concierge within 2 weeks.

If interested, please contact valeriestewart@2places.com  (JET Alum in Atlanta!) and let her know you are a part of PNWJETAA. Yoroshiku!

http://2placesat1time.com/

Oct 30

Job: JET Office Assistant, Embassy of Japan (London)

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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: Office Assistant – JET Desk
Posted by: Embassy of Japan
Type: Full Time Temporary
Location: London, UK
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A

Overview:

This is a full-time post, on a temporary basis. This post requires a former ALT participant on the JET Programme from the UK who has excellent communication skills, a good command of English, and is a good user of windows office software (i.e. Power Point, Excel, Word etc).

The job involves office administration including answering endless enquiry e-mails/phone calls and help JET interviewees by answering various questions during the interview procedure under the supervision of the Coordinator for Educational Affairs.

The contract starts early December and ends on the last working day of February 2013. After successfully completing the first contract, it will then be renewed until the end of July 2013.

Please send your CV with a covering letter stating why you think you are suited to do the job and how you can contribute to the job by November 15, 2012 to:

Ms. Miki Nemoto
Embassy of Japan, 101-104 Piccadilly, London
info@jet-uk.org

Interview is expected to be held in mid-late November.

Hard worker with patience is required.

http://www.jetaa.org.uk/jobs/jet-office-assistant/