In advance of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s Friday virtual meeting with President Joe Biden, the US-Japan community has issued a letter to the government of Japan urging it to relax its border restrictions in order to allow foreign students and scholars as well as family members abroad to enter Japan.

• Link to just the letter on Nichibeiconnect.com (“US-Japan Community Urges Government of Japan to Relax Border Closure”)
• Link to the letter and additional commentary on GoPetition.com (“Calling on Japan to open to foreign students and scholars”)

“Members of the US-Japan Network for the Future initiated this petition to call on the Japanese government to expand the range of foreign visitors allowed to enter Japan subject to vaccine, testing, and quarantine requirements. The petition will be delivered to representatives of the Japanese government in Washington, DC, and in Tokyo. We encourage Japan scholars, experts, and others involved in student exchange, regardless of nationality, to sign the petition.”

https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/calling-on-japan-to-open-to-foreign-students-and-scholars.html

Over 100 scholars, educators, policy practitioners, and bridge builders of the US-Japan community have signed the letter, a number of whom are JET alumni:

• Paige Cottingham Streater, Executive Director, Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission (Also co-founder and Board Chair of US JETAA, and one of the original founders of the JET Alumni Association back in 1988!)

• James Gannon, Senior Fellow, Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA) (Also Vice-Director of US JETAA and a member of the JETAA USA Board of Advisors)

• Michael Green, Director of Asian Studies and Chair in Modern and Contemporary Japanese Politics and Foreign Policy, Georgetown University; Senior Vice President for Asia and Japan Chair, Center for Strategic and International Studies (Michael was a Monbusho English Fellow (MEF) which was like the beta version of the JET Program.)

• Mary M. McCarthy, Professor of Politics and International Relations, Department of Political Science, Drake University

• Anand Rao, Assistant Professor of Political Science & International Relations, State University of New York at Geneseo

• Benjamin Self, Vice President, The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation
• Note: There may be other JET alumni among the signatories. If you identify one, you can email jetwit@jetwit.com.

• Leonard Schoppa, Professor, Department of Politics, University of Virginia; Senior Advisor, US-Japan Network for the Future
• Ryan Shaffer, President of Japan-America Society of Washington DC

• Gavin Whitelaw, Executive Director of the Edwin O. Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies, Harvard University

• Bahia Simons-Lane, Director, US JETAA and former President of JETAA Florida

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: TBD
Posted by: New York Japanese Restaurant Association (non-profit)
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Part-Time

Here’s a job passed along to us with the NY Japanese Restaurant Association:

Reports To: One of the board members who is in charge of administration.

Job Description: (Subject to change) All administrative work for this organization including:

• scheduling and managing monthly board meeting
• contacting/negotiating with NY Hospitality Alliance over some topics
• contacting professionals (lawyers, accountants) by request from board member
• bookkeeping/expense management
• event planning, fundraising, etc.

Read More

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Director of Outreach Coordinator
Posted by: Japan Information Center (including Receptionist/ Librarian tasks)
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Below is an opening for an Outreach Coordinator (including Receptionist/ Librarian tasks) at the Japan Information Center (JIC) received directly from the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago.

About 

We’re very excited to announce our finalized lineup for the Japanese Film Festival Online 2022! Starting next month from February 14-27, 2022 you will be able to watch 16 Japanese films for FREE! For the complete lineup, please visit: https://jff.jpf.go.jp/watch/jffonline2022/film-lineup/ and select your host country to see the full list of films available to you. 

To watch the films, please register and create your free account from here: https://watch.jff.jpf.go.jp/signup.html 

While you wait for the film festival to start, we’ve also created a portal where you can read up on the latest Japanese news, and interviews with prominent film directors and industry insiders. Check out the interviews here: https://jff.jpf.go.jp 

Hi, and welcome to the new podcast space here on JETwit.com. I’m Scot Maupin (Hokkaido, 2005-09), a JET alum/podcaster, and every month I’ll serve you up a list of podcasts with new episodes by myself and other JET Alumni/podcasters. I will also be featuring some episodes from month to month with more detailed write-ups.

But for now, let me start by just introducing myself (Is your 自己紹介 still etched into your brain?) and presenting a full list of podcasts I have (so far) and a bit about them. If you’d like to be added to this list, or let me know something to change, then please still use this form to let us know about it and we’ll add you to the subscriptions we monitor.

House of Lee NYC

Lee Uehara (Chiba ’93-95)

Lee and her guests will share life’s random DIYs, hacks, tips and how-tos for resourceful living. A former teacher, Lee breaks it down and keeps it real. With New York City as home base, you’ll get Lee’s latest fun spots to explore in town

Japan On Film

Percival Constantine (Kagoshima ’08-13)

The top podcast for discussion of Japanese movies.

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Krewe of Japan

Doug Tassin (Fukushima ’07-10)

Krewe of Japan is a weekly podcast co-hosted by Doug Tassin that takes listeners on audio journeys through Japanese culture. With our hosts as your guide, and the help of guest experts, Japanese natives, and ex-pats, understanding Japan is now easier than ever before.

Now and Zen Japan

Andrew Hankinson

Insightful conversations with Japan experts focused on business and culture, with stories of success & failure and lessons learned. Entertaining and educational, discover first-hand what it’s like to live, work, and experience the most fascinating country in the world. Direct from Tokyo, this is the Now and Zen Podcast!

PractiMama Parenting

Lee Uehara (Chiba ’93-95)

The PractiMama NYC Show is where your host, Lee, keeps it real with practical tips for resourceful parenting – because honestly, who has time for anything else?!

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Reinventing Professionals

Ari Kaplan (Hyogo ’93-94)

This podcast hosted by Ari Kaplan is designed to offer ideas, guidance, and perspectives on how to effectively navigate a perpetually shifting professional landscape, with a unique focus on the legal industry and the technology that is driving its evolution.

Season by Season

Alexis Agliano Sanborn (Shimane ’09 – 11)

Join Alexis and Kit, lifelong friends who now live on opposite coasts, as they explore poetry, music, and sound on a journey through the rhythm of nature expressed by the seasons.

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The Perfect Show

Scot Maupin (Hokkaido ’05-09)

The Perfect Show is a podcast where host Scot Maupin catalogs the perfect things in life, one by one. Each episode he examines something that he or someone else thinks is perfect.

USLawEssentials Law & Language

Stephen Horowitz (Aichi ’92-94)

The USLawEssentials Law & Language Podcast helps non-native English-speaking lawyers and law students improve their English and better understand US law and American legal culture. Many of these short episodes are tied to a legal news event or case in the United States. Others include interviews with multilingual lawyers (including a number of JET alumni.) The shows are hosted by attorneys experienced teaching US law and legal English to students and lawyers from around the world.

Upper West Side Corner Talk

Lee Uehara (Chiba ’93-95)

Welcome to the Upper West Side (UWS, NYC) Corner Talk podcast with your host, Lee Uehara. You know, it’s news that you’d get from a friend or neighbor – at the corner.

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よっぱれ英会話 English Nomikai

Emmalee Manes (Toyama ’16-19)

In this eikaiwa podcast targeted to Japanese English-learners, Emmalee Manes talks to fellow JET alumni, current JETs, and Japanese English teachers and friends about cultural differences between Japan and their home countries (all while sharing some drinks!)

Last week on the Krewe of Japan Podcast…

The whole Krewe sits down with famous comedian and Youtuber (and former JET Program participant in Oita Prefecture), Dogen! In Part 1, Dogen shares his background including how he became interested in Japan and its culture, his background in martial arts tricking, early attempts at learning Japanese, his path to writing comedy in Japanese, and so much more.

This week…

Nigel, Jenn, & Doug conclude their awesome discussion with comedian and Youtuber, Dogen! In Part 2, the Krewe joins Dogen as they embark on a deep dive into learning Japanese. This discussion takes them to many places from discovering the meaning of pitch accent and how to study effectively, to setting appropriate goals and hilarious language learning stories. This is an episode you don’t want to miss!

The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, and Stitcher.  Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Director of Development
Posted by: The Clooney Foundation for Justice
Location: Remote
Contract: Full-Time

Here’s a JET-relevant job passed along to us:

The Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ), an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that advocates for justice through accountability for human rights abuses around the world, seeks a Director of Development.

A seasoned development professional will be a critical addition to our dynamic team during this exciting time of organizational growth. The ideal candidate will have outstanding written and oral communications skills and be creative, self-motivated, and flexible.

Application Process: Please view the PDF below to see a full position description and details on how to apply. Deadline is Jan. 31st.

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Cultural Programs Coordinator Recruitment of Local Staff
Posted by: Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville
Location: Nashville, TN, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Here’s another job received directly from the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville:

The Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville is seeking a highly motivated, team-oriented candidate to join us as Cultural Programs Coordinator in the Culture & Information Section. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in U.S.-Japan relations and cultural exchange.

Application Process: For more information, please click here. The deadline to apply is Sunday, February 6^th, 2022 and that applications will only be accepted by mail (not email).

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Political Assistant
Posted by: Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville
Location: Nashville, TN, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Here’s a job received directly from the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville:

The Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville is seeking a highly motivated, team-oriented individual for the position of Political Assistant. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in U.S.-Japan relations. Applications must be received by Monday, January 31, 2022.

Application Process: For more information, please click here. Please note that the deadline is January 31st and that applications will only be accepted by mail (not email).

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Summer Group Leader
Posted by: The Experiment in International Living
Location: Brattleboro, Vermont, USA & Japan
Contract: Full-Time

The Experiment in International Living is currently hiring experienced and inclusive educators to serve as group leaders to guide youth on our summer 2022 programs in Japan.

To learn more about our programs in Japan, please click here.

To learn more about the group leader position please click here.

Application Process: Please see the attachment for the job description and apply at worldlearning.org/leaderapplication. Questions? Email us at groupleaders@worldlearning.org

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Tour and Guest Relations Associate
Posted by: Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens Education Department
Location: Delray Beach, FL, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to JET alumna, Wendy Lo (Toyama-ken, 2002-2005) for passing along the following opportunity at the Morikami Museum where she currently works:

I would like to inform you of a job opening at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens Education Department, for a Tour and Guest Relations Associate. We have modified the previous position and made it a full-time position.

Application Process: Job description and details on how to apply can be found here: https://morikami.org/job-opportunities/

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Posted by Tom Baker

JET alum Joe Palermo (actually a trailblazing MEF) spoke at the Japan Writers Conference in October about self-publishing his memoir, “No Pianos, Pets or Foreigners.” You can watch his talk below, and find more JWC presentations — including several by former JETs — at the Japan Writers Conference YouTube Channel.

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Various Positions
Posted by: Quick USA
Location: Various Cities around the USA
Contract: Full- Time

Thanks to Takeshi Yamagishi from Quick USA for passing along the listings below. 

Quick USA is a Japanese recruiting company that has served various Japanese companies around the United States for more than 20 years.  
There are a lot of Japanese companies seeking candidates who are bi-cultural (USA/Japanese), bilingual (English/Japanese), or interested in Japanese culture.

Read More

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Reporter/Researcher
Posted by: The Yomiuri Shimbun (Los Angeles Bureau)
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Here’s a job received directly from The Yomiuri Shimbun:

We have a job opening in our LA Bureau for a reporter/researcher. This time we are looking for someone who can speak Spanish to help with the LA reporting and territory that includes Mexico. We have always had good luck with the JET alums we’ve hired (two in the last year).

Application Process: Please see the attachment for the job description and how to apply.

************By Makoto Shirai, secretary, Japan-Insights Research Institute (Non-profit organization in Tokyo)

Dear Friends,

Have you been to islands of exile?

Let me introduce an essay from Japan-Insights archives.

The twenty-sixth one is on Exile and Poetry on the Oki Islands by Dr. Christina Laffin.

https://topics.japan-insights.jp/Public/pdf/japan-insights_jp/topics/JIN_OkiMythExilePoetry.pdf

Please share this expert’s experience!

Japan-Insights is a nonprofit open database compiled by leading experts in Japanese studies. The posts present a broad range of historical and contemporary topics that encourage visitors to engage with the real Japan through immersive experiences. Follow the Facebook page and website to learn about and share these insights from around the country!”

#japan #japaneseculture #oki