WIT Life #201: Comfort Women (慰安婦) Controversy
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.
A few days ago the New York Times featured an article about a monument in Palisades Park, New Jersey, an area populated largely by Korean Americans, dedicated to comfort women. The amount is disputed, but “comfort women” (慰安婦 or ianfu) refers to the at least tens of thousands of women and girls, many Korean, who were forced into sexual slavery by Japanese soldiers before and during World War II (Some counts put their numbers as high as 410,000).
The Palisades Park monument, built in 2010, is the only known tribute in the United States to the comfort women (Last year one was erected in Seoul, South Korea, in front of the Japanese Embassy). This picture shows three Korean Congressman who placed bouquets of white chrysanthemums at the stone monument last week.
According to the article, a delegation of four officials from Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party recently visited Palisades Park Mayor James Rotundo in order to urge him to get rid of the memorial. During this meeting they disputed Read More
Job: Postings from Idealist.org 5.20.12
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Via Idealist.org. Posted by Geneva Marie (Niigata-ken 2008-09) Geneva is a contributor to both JETwit and JETAANY. Geneva is on a continuous (epic) search for Japanese-related jobs in the United States. Hire me! :-)
Office Manager
Posted by: Japan Society of Northern California
Type: Full-Time
Location: San Francisco, CA
Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience
Start Date: June 1, 2012
The Japan Society of Northern California is seeking an office manager to work directly under the president. Candidate must be highly organized, and positive team player, a quick learner who can work efficiently with precision and minimal supervision. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
http://www.idealist.org/view/job/5K553gWd4fsP/
Type: Full-Time
Location: Washington, DC
Salary: DOE
Start Date: Not specified
JQ Magazine: Japan Day @ Central Park Reels in the Crowds
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Volunteers from JETAANY helped make this year's yo-yo fishing game a big success.
By Alma Jennings (Fukushima-ken, 2008-10) for JQ magazine. Alma works at Japan Society in New York as a development assistant in foundation and government relations.
The sixth annual Japan Day @ Central Park took place on a warm Sunday May 13. Over 40,000 people attended the event, which featured live performances, Japanese games and language lessons, and the four-mile “Japan Run.” This year also marked the triumphant return of food tents, where volunteers dished out free sushi, udon, Pocky, and other Japanese vittles to hungry visitors.
According to their homepage, the goals of Japan Day are to build bridges of understanding between the people of Japan and the U.S., showcase the local Japanese community’s appreciation toward New York, and facilitate stronger grassroots connections within the local Japanese community. This year, the JET Alumni Association of New York (JETAANY) teamed up with Japan Society, a New York City-based organization that deepens understanding between the U.S. and Japan, to offer traditional Japanese “yo-yo fishing.” In this addictive game, participants try to win a colorful balloon by using a paper hook to lift it from a pool of water. Volunteers from the Japan Local Government Center, Mitsubishi, K Line Logistics, Mirai IT International, and the Bronx Science Key Club also provided much appreciated help at the tent.
The cute yo-yos look deceptively easy to make. In fact, they are tricky to make and can get messy. Volunteers showed up hours before the event began to blow up the balloons, which tend to deflate over a few days and thus couldn’t be made in advance. Japan Society’s director of special events and JET alum Christy Jones (Nagasaki-ken, 1995-98) served as the yo-yo activity organizer on behalf of the Society, encouraging Japan Society’s staff and JET alums to prepare thousands of paper hooks before the big day.
JETAA British Columbia Newsletter – May 2012
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The latest issue of the JETAABC Newsletter is now available. In the first issue of the new cycle, they talk about Sakura Days Japan Fair, the Changing Tides Silent Auction, Photohoku, and much more, directly from Vancouver!
- PDF: http://www.jetaabc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/NewsletterV17N1.pdf
- Online viewer version on Issuu.com at http://issuu.com/jetaabc/docs/newsletterv17n1
JETAABC Newsletter: An Interview with Photohoku
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By Wanda Yee (Fukui-ken, 2001-07) for JETAABC Newsletter. Wanda is the Social Media Coordinator at JETAABritish Columbia.
© Satoshi Narita
What is Photohoku and how (and why) did you become involved with this project?
Photohoku is a family photo-album building project for those affected by the events of March 11th. It’s a portmanteau blending of the words Photo and Tohoku. It was officially started on September 11th of 2011 by myself (Brian Scott Peterson) and our co-founder, Yuko Yoshikawa. We became involved in the project having collaborated on another Tokyo-based project called Tokyo Kids Photo.
Basically we go to the earthquake and tsunami affected areas of Tohoku, armed with instant cameras and instant film and find families who lost all their photos in the disaster and make new photos for them. We put those photos in a new family album for them and present that newly started album to the families. If the families don’t have a camera, we also give them a retired digital camera we’ve collected as donations from our friends and families. Finally, on subsequent trips, we print the photos from the cameras with have given and add those photos to the albums as well so they can continue them. Basically help them start their photographic lives over.
How did Photohoku evolve from being just an idea to becoming a full-on reality? Read More
Tom Baker (Chiba-ken, 1989-91) is a, coauthor of The Sushi Lover’s Cookbook and Tokyo Chic and contributor to Time Out Tokyo and Time Out Shortlist Tokyo. He blogs as “Tokyo Tom Baker.”
A few minutes ago, I went outside and tested my fancy new eclipse-viewing glasses. Forty-eight hours from now, on the morning of May 21, I’ll be among millions of people in Japan and the western United States taking the rare opportunity to view a “kinkan nisshoku,” or “annular eclipse.”
An annular eclipse is one that occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun at a point in the moon’s orbit when it is far from the Earth and thus appears relatively small – the exact opposite of the effect seen in the recent “supermoon.” In an annular eclipse, this small moon appears superimposed in front of the sun rather than completely blocking it out. The visible portions of the sun form a fiery ring around the moon’s black silhouette.
One positive effect of this event is that it has expanded my vocabulary in two languages. The English word “annular,” which comes from Latin via French, means “ring-shaped.” The Japanese term is even more straightforward and easy to remember, as it is written with a string of kanji characters that literally mean “gold-ring sun-eating.”
The moon’s shadow will fall across a large swath of the Earth, but the full annular effect will be visible only in a narrow band that goes through nearly all of Japan’s major cities (what luck!) Monday morning before moving out to sea in a long arc across the northern Pacific Ocean, where it will slip back to late Sunday as it crosses the International Date Line, after which it will come ashore in northern California, pass over Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, and finally fade out over the border of Texas and New Mexico.
I’ll Make It Myself!: Whole-Wheat Pitas (Bread Revolution Series)
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L.M. 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 Japan: Kanazawa and Discover Kanazawa, ze 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.
New Rice Cooker Chronicles submissions always welcome. Just e-mail it to jetwit [at] jetwit.com.
More Bread Revolution and Guide to Flour.
“Pita pockets” didn’t excite me as a kid. Toted as a kid-friendly food, the charm of stuffing sandwich fillings into a bread with a pocket was lost on me. I rediscovered pita–fresh pita–in university at Middle-Eastern diners and as (store-bought) hummus became more mainstream. In Japan, I sometimes bought stacks of pita from the import store, but after preparing for an international cooking lesson, I discovered pita are really simple to make, and more importantly, make a great bread substitute for proper sandwiches in Japan. Save the trip to the import store for chickpeas–you don’t even need to make hummus to go with it!*
Job: Purchasing Representative – Auto Parts Manufacturing 05.16.12
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Via Futaba North America. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
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(Received directly from hr at Futaba. They hired a jet alum last year who still works there and have been extremely pleased.)
***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Position: Purchasing Representative – Auto Parts Manufacturing
Posted by: Futaba North America Engineering & Marketing Corporation (FNA)
Type: Full-time
Location: NA
Salary: $35,000 (Entry Level)
Start Date: N/A
http://www.futaba.com/
Responsibilities:
The corporate office of four auto-parts manufacturing subsidiaries is seeking a Purchasing Representative. This is an entry-level position. We are seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented person with excellent customer service and phone skills. The applicant must be flexible, a team player and be able to multi-task successfully in busy office environment.
The position responsibilities include pricing administration for materials and parts for our subsidiaries and suppliers, developing and maintaining excellent client/supplier relations, and maintaining online and physical records. This position includes some traveling to our subsidiaries and suppliers. In addition, the incumbent will support TS compliance requirements. This is an excellent opportunity to learn the purchasing functions of the auto parts manufacturing business. Our purchasing team is responsible for purchasing supplies and parts for the Futaba North America subsidiaries and sister company in Canada.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite is essential, with a particular emphasis in Excel and Word.
A college education is required. Japanese language skills are preferred. Most of the communication to vendors will be in English; however, the primary language spoken in this company is Japanese.
Send resumes to: employment@futabanaem.com
Overview:
We are Futaba North America Engineering & Marketing Corporation (FNA). We are a Japanese company. FNA was created in November 2011 to be the holding company for the three auto-parts manufacturing subsidiaries in Illinois, Indiana, and Texas. (Futaba has had a presence in the USA, since 1994.) We also provide support for our sister plant in Canada.
Job: Actus Posting: Japanese-English Bilingual Business Assistant (TEMP) (NY) 05.12.12
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Via Actus Consulting. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
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***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: Import-Export Assistant/Business Assistant
Location: Manhattan, NY
Position: Temporary (position starting from June until Feb, 2013 with possibility of extension.)
Salary: $18.50/hr. (DOE)
Hour: Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm with 1hr unpaid lunch break.
Job Description:
1. Customer Service Contact
2. Vendor contact
3. Data entry tasks.
4. Certificate of analysis verification
5. Excel reporting
6. Document maintenance
7. Provide backup assistance to colleagues when needed.
Preferred Experience and Skills:
・Good communication skill in English required. Japanese is not required, but a big plus.
・Proficient in MS Office with experience using a business system like SAP or other accounting software
preferred.
・Import/Export related experience preferred.
Company Information:
• Japanese chemical company.
• Customer Service Team: 4 employees in total.
• Friendly working environment. No overtime work. Convenient location.
To apply to this position, email me your resume and a cover letter as an MS Word attachment to mokumura@actus-usa.com.
Thank you!
Actus
Job: Postings from Idealist.org 5.14.12
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Via Idealist.org. Posted by Geneva Marie (Niigata-ken 2008-09) Geneva is a contributor to both JETwit and JETAANY. Geneva is on a continuous (epic) search for Japanese-related jobs in the United States. Hire me! :-)
LAN Administrator
Posted by: Japan Society
Type: Part-time
Location: New York, NY
Salary: DOE
Application Deadline: June 30, 2012
The Japan Society’s New York branch is seeking a part-time Lan Administrator. Position requires some nights and weekends on call. Bachelor’s degree and 3 years experience preferred.
http://www.idealist.org/view/job/32j7757J6Sz5P/
Tomadachi Resident Assistant
Posted by: AYUSA International
Type: Temporary/Contract
Location: San Francisco, CA
Salary: Not Specified
Start Date: Summer
AYUSA International is looking for a resident assistant for their summer academic program at UC Berkeley. Experience working with youth as well as recent grads preferred.
http://www.idealist.org/view/job/ktBtZb4bbncp/
A message from JETAA USA’s 3 new Country Representatives
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Each country with a JETAA chapter has the right to participate in JETAA International. Most countries have one Country Representative (or “Country Rep”) each. However, the formula for representation is one country rep for each 9 chapters. And since JETAA USA has 19 chapters, that means it has 3 country reps.
Country Reps play a large role in coordinating among the chapters in their country, which in the case of the US, has no central governing authority. (Kind of like the original 13 colonies before the Constitution, if you will.) They serve as the shepherds, facilitating the reporting and funding required between CLAIR And the chapters. However, since 3/11 the Country Reps in the US have played a significant new role, helping to organize and facilitate Japan relief fundraising and communications and helping to think about the future direction of JETAA USA along with their normal duties and obligations. This adds up to a lot of work in addition to their day jobs. So make sure to thank your CRs for all their behind-the-scenes work whenever you have a chance.
With that background in mind, here is the introduction message to the chapters from the 3 newly elected JETAA USA Country Representatives:
Hello JETAA Chapter Officers,
Melissa, Jennifer, and I would like to ‘officially’ say hello as your new Country Representatives for the 2012-2013 year. Below are some personalized greetings from us.
As always we can be reached at our JETAA USA emails:
us1.jetaausa@gmail.com – Melissa Chan
us2.jetaausa@gmail.com – Christina Omori
us3.jetaausa@gmail.com – Jennifer Butler
We look forward to a great year working with you!
MELISSA – CR1
Hello everyone! My name is Melissa Chan from JETAA Northern California and I am honored to serve as one of your JETAA USA Country Representatives with Christina and Jennifer. We are excited to continue some of the great work that Jessyca, Megan and Mike have worked on over the past year. I also plan to utilize our social media outlets (Twitter, facebook, etc.) as ways to keep all members informed of what’s happening with JETAAUSA and the various chapters. Be sure to follow us @JETAAUSA. You are welcome to contact me at us1.jetaausa@gmail.com if you have any ideas, suggestions, or want to help out! Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!
CHRISTINA – CR2
Hi everyone! My name is Christina Omori (NEJETAA) and it is my pleasure to be working with Melissa Chan (JETAANC) and Jennifer Butler (JETAAMC) as your JETAA USA Country Representatives for the 2012-2013 year. We have many exciting efforts such as the JETAA USA Relief fund, evaluating and promoting the success and value of the JET Programme, and much more. Some of the projects I’ll be working on include understanding the success and value of the JET Programme to learn where we have opportunities for improvement while providing support to our communications outlets such as the JETAA USA website and our Google Groups forum. Please feel free to reach out to me at us2.jetaausa@gmail.com for any questions or concerns or just to say hello! I look forward to a productive and successful year working with you all!
JENNIFER – CR3
Greetings! This is Jennifer Butler from the Music City JETAA chapter and I’m looking forward to working with Melissa and Christina this coming year as one of the JETAA USA Country Reps. We are dedicated to supporting all 19 US chapters as we work on national projects that will naturally require the cooperation of all of you. Yoroshiku! In particular, I’m planning to work on the Sister Cities Initiative and supporting more outreach to other community groups. If you have any ideas for this or would like to contact me about anything else of concern, just email me at us3.jetaausa@gmail.com. Thanks and here’s to a productive year!
JETAANY representing at JapanDay Central Park
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JETAANY apparently did a great job of running the Yo-Yo Fishing Tent at JapanDay in Central Park on Sunday. Minna-san o-tsukare sama!
***************
Job: Three job listings at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (IL)
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Thanks to Jet alum Steve Sundstrom for sharing these postings at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ in Chicago, IL where he also happens to work. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
___________________________________________________________________________
Position:
Senior Specialist / Analyst in Foreign Exchange Group
Position Summary:
Communicate and negotiate with Japanese Corporate Banking Department (JCBD) customers as well as coordinate with JCBD in (i) executing daily transactional activities including loans and investments, and (ii) developing and maintaining good customer relationships via responding to customer inquiries and solving customer problems.
Responsibilities:
35% Support other traders or RMs to promote Foreign Exchange relevant products to the Division’s Japanese customers, to execute Foreign Exchange transactions with customers (communicating both in English and Japanese) and GMDA or relevant product offices, and to prepare dealing records or other administrations associated with trade transactions.
20% Assist other traders or RMs in enhancing the overall marketing capabilities of the Division by creating FX newsletter and other promotional materials, and sending market related information to both customers and RMs.
20%Performs as a liaison between the Division and GMDA or relevant product offices, and assists other groups of the Division for the marketing and administrations of Market Products.
20% Maintains and enhances the Division’s infrastructure (including system) for market products activities, cooperating with other groups.
5% Other duties as assigned. Read More
Job: Paid Translation Opportunity with Japanese Professor 05.14.12
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Via JETAA DC. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
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Position: Paid Translation Opportunity with Japanese Professor
Posted by: Professor Yasuaki Onuma of Meiji University
Overview:
Professor Yasuaki Onuma of Meiji University (he retired to there after 35+ years at Todai) is working on translating into English for publication a short primer on international law he wrote, and he is looking for individuals fluent in Japanese to help him with one or more chapters. Chapter topics include territory, nationality and citizenship, global environment, and dispute settlement. Chapters are 35-55 small-sized pages in Japanese (the book is much smaller than 8 1/2 x 11 size).
If you or someone you know would be interested, please contact Professor Onuma at onuma@j.u-tokyo. ac.jp. He will be in the DC area until the end of the month, and is of course happy to work long-distance once he is back in Japan. I’ve gotten to know Professor Onuma as a visiting scholar at my school, he’s a wonderful guy, and he would greatly appreciate any help he can get. (Doug MacLean, 2002-04 ALT, Akita-Ken)
CLAIR NY report on JET alumni support for Japan post-3/11
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CLAIR NY has published and posted to its website a report that attempts to capture some of the efforts of the JET alumni community to support Japan post-3/11. It is worth noting that it’s difficult to capture all of the wide-ranging efforts of the JET alumni community (over 55,000 and growing every year), and there are likely many efforts that have simply not been reported or captured in other ways. That said, this report still provides a really great overview and some good details.
English version: http://www.jlgc.org/TopicList.aspx?topicCategoryID=6&topicID=49&languageTypeID=1&controlType=Display
Japanese version: http://www.jlgc.org/TopicList.aspx?topicCategoryID=24&topicID=263&languageTypeID=2&controlType=Display
