JQ Magazine: Nippon in New York – Kurosawa, JAPAN CUTS, AniTOMO Con


By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02). Justin has written about Japanese arts and entertainment for JETAA since 2005. For more of his articles, click here.
After the outdoor fireworks, enjoy some summer events in the cool indoors, whether it’s taking in North America’s largest annual Japanese film festival, checking out a Kurosawa or Studio Ghibli classic, or enjoying an anime con, Brooklyn-style!
This month’s highlights include:

July 5-18
Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai
Film Forum, 209 West Houston Street
$11 members, $17 general
The epic 1954 masterpiece returns to the big screen, remastered for the very first time in 4K by Toho! In 16th century Japan, as proud samurai end up as masterless, wandering ronin and farmers are terrorized by marauding bandits, a village patriarch counsels resistance. How? Hire samurai, “hungry samurai.” Under the calm leadership of Takashi Shimura (Kurosawa regular and Ikiru and Godzilla star), that magic number enlist for a war against 40 mounted bandits, winding up at the most hair-raising battle ever filmed. One of the most influential films of all time, but nothing can top the original: Kurosawa’s orchestration of swords, spears, arrows, men, horses, rain, wind, and mud; blazing tracking shots; giant close ups; chiaroscuro lighting; telephoto lenses that put us underfoot as horses crash amid struggling men; deep focus shots that render the tip of a sword poking into the lens equally clear with scurrying figures fifty feet away, transitions that effortlessly whip us from scene to scene; and ensemble performances that give three dimensionality to every character, topped by Toshiro Mifune’s eventual transition from manic goofball to tortured, self-hating tragic hero. Voted in the 1979 Kinema Junpo critics poll as the Best Japanese Film ever.

July 10-21
Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street
$5-$25, based on film category/event
North America’s largest festival of contemporary Japanese film returns for its 17th year this summer at Japan Society! Join us July 10-21 for 30+ curated films from across Japan featuring major blockbusters, indie darlings, up-and-coming filmmakers, restorations, documentaries, experimental and short films, and anime. JAPAN CUTS is a showcase of the latest in Japanese cinema, featuring both today’s most popular actors and directors as well as tomorrow’s pioneering talent. Become part of our passionate filmgoer community for premieres, parties, and celebrity guests in the heart of America’s biggest city! This year’s festival features three International Premieres, 14 North American Premieres, five U.S. Premieres, three East Coast Premieres and four New York Premieres, plus three parties during the course of the festivities!
“We couldn’t be more amazed by this year’s festival,” says Peter Tatara, Director of Film at Japan Society, who organized this year’s festival with Japan Society Film Programmer Alexander Fee. “This year’s JAPAN CUTS presents an abundance of powerful, engaging and unexpected films together with rare appearances from some of their most imaginative creators. JAPAN CUTS is a reflection of the breadth of Japan’s contemporary film industry, and this year absolutely celebrates the scope and storytelling of what Japanese cinema brings to the world.”
Leading this year’s guests, JAPAN CUTS will present acclaimed actor Mirai Moriyama (Shadow of Fire) with the CUT ABOVE Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film and acting legend Tatsuya Fuji (Great Absence) with a Lifetime Achievement Award! Further guests include directors Gakuryu Ishii (The Box Man), Ema Ryan Yamazaki (The Making of a Japanese), Kei Chika-ura (Great Absence), Masanori Tominaga (Between the White Key and the Black Key), Noriko Yuasa (Performing KAORU’s Funeral), Shinya Tsukamoto (Shadow of Fire), and actress Tomoko Tabata (Moving)! Click here for tickets to all films, and here for the complete list of special guests.

July 13-17
Various locations
Various prices
From the legendary Studio Ghibli, creators of Spirited Away, and Academy Award-winning director Hayao Miyazaki comes an epic masterpiece that has dazzled audiences worldwide with its breathtaking imagination, exhilarating battles, and deep humanity. Inflicted with a deadly curse, the young warrior Ashitaka heads west in search of a cure. There, he stumbles into a bitter conflict between Lady Eboshi, the proud people of Iron Town, and the enigmatic Princess Mononoke, a young girl raised by wolves, who will stop at nothing to prevent the humans from destroying her home and the forest spirits and animal gods who live there. The English-language version features the voice talents of Gillian Anderson, Billy Crudup, Claire Danes, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Billy Bob Thornton (July 14 and 16 screenings).
Read MoreJob: Communications Assistant – Japan Center for International Exchange (New York, NY)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Communications Assistant
Posted by: Japan Center for International Exchange
Location: New York, NY (Hybrid—in person and remote)
Contract: Full Time
Thanks to Staci Custus (Kagoshima-ken, 2016-2019) for passing along the following job opening.
Description: JCIE/USA is seeking a mission-driven individual to join our dynamic and productive team in New York, led by the Executive Director based in the Washington DC area. The majority of the position’s time will be spent on supporting the policy advocacy and communications work of JCIE’s Friends of the Global Fund, Japan (FGFJ) initiative. The remaining time is expected to be spent supporting JCIE/USA’s broader global health and organization-wide communication activities.
This position is suitable for an individual with a couple of years of professional experience in managing communications and outreach work at a non-profit organization, who is interested in issues related to Japan and global health. An ideal candidate would be able to start as early as late August 2024.
Read MoreJob: JET Program USA Coordinator – Embassy of Japan in Washington DC (Washington, D.C.)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Short-term Secondary School English Literature Teacher
Posted by: Embassy of Japan in Washington DC
Location: Washington, D.C.
Contract: Full Time
Thanks to Devon Altman (Chiba-ken, 2018-2023) for passing along the following job opening.
The Embassy of Japan is seeking a highly motivated, team-oriented individual for the position of JET Program Coordinator at the Public Affairs Section. This individual is primarily responsible for coordinating the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program with the other JET Program Coordinators and the JET Program’s supervising diplomats. Please see below for a detailed listing of responsibilities.
Working hours are 9:00 am – 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday, with occasional weeknight and/or weekend events (paid overtime). Salary is commensurate with experience and the skills of the candidate. Benefits include group health insurance coverage, paid time off, sick leave and an annual bonus. There is a potential annual salary increase based on individual performance. The minimum monthly base salary for this position is $3,700 USD. Salary is commensurate with experience.
Application Process: For more information and to apply, please click here – https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/job-jet-program-coordinator.html
Job: Assistant News Producer – Fujisankei Communications Int’l, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA, USA)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Assistant News Producer
Posted by: Fujisankei Communications Int’l, Inc.
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Contract: Full Time
Thanks to Fujisankei Communications Int’l, Inc. for passing along the following job opening.
Description: A media professional who supports the production of newscasts across all platforms. Perform US/Mexico (West Coast focus) news-gathering activities for broadcast in Japan, including news research and on-location producing.
- Monitor and remain up-to-date with daily news through local/national TV news stations, social media, news wires, newspapers, magazines, publication agencies (AP, Reuters, NYTimes), etc.
- Inquire various communication specialists, public relations, and related points of contact to gather information and set up interviews.
- Collect information, set up interviews, and coordinate travel arrangements for any potential news, projects, or breaking news.
- Discuss and coordinate with Bureau Chief and the Engineering department in setting up crews, satellite bookings, coverage requirements and additional outside technical support.
- Go on location and perform troubleshooting, researching, translating, directing, coordinating, driving, editing, and footage transmission duties for Fuji Television
Job: Short-term Secondary School English Literature Teacher – EduCareer (Tokyo, Japan)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Short-term Secondary School English Literature Teacher
Posted by: EduCareer
Location: Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
Contract: Full Time
Thanks to EduCareer for passing along the following job opening.
Description:
Application deadline: June 28, 2024
Contract period: September 2, 2024 – October 15, 2024
Location: Setagaya-ward, Tokyo
Pay/week : 80,000yen – 95,000yen (before tax) + transportation
(Total: 560,000yen-665,000yen/7weeks) *Depending on academic background and relevant teaching experience
Working days: Monday – Friday
Working hours: 8:20 – 17:20
Lessons: English Literature (17 Lessons/week)
Job: Sales Support or Inside Sales – Pasona NA (Lexington, KY, USA)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Sales Support or Inside Sales
Posted by: Pasona NA
Location: Lexington, KY, USA
Contract: Full Time
Thanks to Laura Tanaka (Osaka, 2017-2020) for passing along the following job opening.
Work Style: Hybrid is considerable after training (Once a week WFH)
1. General Position Summary:
This position is responsible for managing the traffic/claim process, overseeing staff who are responsible for the flow of goods into the country, performing inventory control, customer service and administrative support. Builds relationships with vendors and negotiates rates. Incumbent is required to be able to perform complex sales activities by him/herself.
2. Essential Job Functions:
Primary Job Functions
- Performs Traffic Duties
- Performs Inventory Control Functions
- Provides Customer Service
- Performs Sales Support Functions
- Performs Administrative Duties
Job: Japanese-English Bilingual Coordinator – Quick USA (Dublin, OH, USA)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Japanese-English Bilingual Coordinator
Posted by: Quick USA
Location: Dublin, OH, USA
Contract: Full Time
Thanks to Carlo Medina (Oita Prefecture, 2019-2022) for passing along the following job opening.
Description:
A very famous Japanese Manufacturing Company is currently searching for a Japanese-English Bilingual Coordinator (Translator/Interpreter) to help them by providing services to clients according to their needs, acting as liaison between employees and clients, and freelancers (interpreters and translators) and clients.
Duties include communicating with employees to provide solutions to their work problems and communicating with clients to meet their needs.
This is considered an entry level position, but advanced/native level Japanese/English is needed for this position. JET Alumni who have such level are encouraged to apply.
Your essential duties would include the following:
Read MoreJob: Specialist Contract Employee – Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (Oita, Japan)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Specialist Contract Employee, Multiple Positions
Posted by: Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Location: Oita, Japan
Contract: Full Time
Thanks to Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University for passing along the following job opening.
Positions are available in multiple offices, and the job descriptions vary by office. Please see the recruitment information document at the bottom of the recruitment page under ” > Specialist Contract Employee Recruitment (PDF)” for detailed information.
*The university will determine the office of assignment after employment, based on the applicant’s aptitude and other factors.
Application Process: For more information and to apply, please click here – https://en.apu.ac.jp/home/contents/jobs.html/
Job: Reporter/Researcher – The Yomiuri Shimbun (New York, NY, USA)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Reporter/Researcher
Posted by: The Yomiuri Shimbun, New York Bureau
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Full Time
Thanks to The Yomiuri Shimbun (New York Bureau) for passing along the following job opening.
Description:
Reporter / Researcher for Yomiuri Shimbun New York Bureau
The Yomiuri Shimbun is Japan’s largest daily newspaper. We are headquartered in Tokyo and have 26 international bureaus, three of which are in the United States: New York, Washington, and Los Angeles.
Japanese: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/
English-language site is: https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
Our history: https://info.yomiuri.co.jp/english/group/history/
Qualifications: Applicants must have a strong interest in current affairs, especially American society, politics, and culture. An interest in journalism, attention to accuracy and the ability to multitask effectively under deadline is required. Applicants should already be based in New York region.
Job Description: Main duties involve research and reporting to assist the Yomiuri’s New York Bureau Chief and other Japanese correspondents stationed in New York.
In the coming months, stories related to the 2024 election and coverage of legal cases involving election disputes and former President Trump’s criminal cases will be one focus.
Read MoreJob: Bio-Tech Customer Support / Marketing / Sales – interesse international inc. (Rockville, MD, USA)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Bio-Tech Customer Support / Marketing / Sales
Posted by: interesse international inc.
Location: Rockville, MD, USA
Contract: Full Time, Temp Position
Japanese Biotechnology company is seeking Bio-tech Customer support/marketing&sales representative in Rockville, MD.
Description:
- Answer Technical question about our life science area products (Need to check internal data base, or reference carefully. Persevere personality is suit for this job.
- Inside sales such as Web-marketing (email, Web update), sales calling
- Develop and maintain positive customer relations mostly with collage professors and lab
- Search for new customer accounts
- No Business trip during a temp period. After hired, may have a few business trip in US.
Apply at: https://iiicareer.com/applicant/en/jobsearch_america.php
Job: Assistant Clerk for the Political and Economic Section Section – Consulate General of Japan in Miami (Miami, FL, USA)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Assistant Clerk for the Political and Economic Section Section
Posted by: Consulate General of Japan in Miami
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Contract: Full Time
Thanks to Virginia Montiel (Nagano-ken, 2016-2020) for passing along the following job opening.
Description:
- Conduct research and analysis on political and economic situation in the United States, the State of Florida and the region of Latin America and Caribbeans, as well as issues related to the U.S.-Japan relations and the Florida-Japan relations.
- Prepare for the daily news brief on local media report for the staff of the Consulate General.
- Prepare for public speeches for the Consul General and other diplomats.
- Secretarial works for arranging appointments and organizing meetings, etc.
Application Process: For more information and to apply, please click here – https://www.miami.us.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100675739.pdf.
Job: Boarding Assistant – Keio Academy of New York (Purchase, NY, USA)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Boarding Assistant (Boy’s Residence Hall)
Posted by: Keio Academy of New York
Location: Purchase, NY, USA
Contract: Full Time
Thanks to Keio Academy of New York for passing along the following job opening.
REQUIREMENT:
Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) or equivalent from four-year College or University. Resident supervisor, camp counselor or teaching experience is a plus. CPR, First Aid is preferred. The school provides an opportunity to obtain certificates after employment. A driver’s license is strongly preferred.
JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Student Life support
o Ensure to provide the save environment for the Residence Hall.
o Ensure that students follow daily schedule and the Residence Hall policies set by the school.
o Provide support and supervision for students during non-academic hours. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, manning the dormitory offices to handle requests and questions from students, supervising house sports practice/club activities/library hours/evening study hours/dining hall, and coordinating with nurse to care for sick students.
Job: Japanese Language Instructor – Diplomatic Language Services (Virginia & Remote)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Japanese Language Instructor
Posted by: Diplomatic Language Services
Location: Arlington, VA, USA & Remote
Contract: Full Time
Thanks to Diplomatic Language Services for passing along the following job opening.
Description: DLS is currently seeking Japanese Language Training Instructors to teach Japanese language and culture to personnel who may or may not be affiliated with the United States Government; prepare and submit lesson plans for each student; prepare progress and test reports; and conduct ongoing assessment to provide students with feedback about their progress.
We are recruiting to fill upcoming opportunities at our schools in Arlington (VA), Herndon (VA), and Elkridge (MD), as well as for online and hybrid instruction opportunities.
Instructional Expectations:
- Attends a new or re-hire orientation and at least 1 professional development training session per year to ensure DLS policies and procedures are practiced.
- Uses student-centered methods and the communicative approach while instructing all students.
Job: Admissions Advisor – Temple University (Tokyo, Japan)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Admissions Advisor
Posted by: Temple University, Japan Campus
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Contract: Full Time
Thanks to Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) for passing along the following job opening.
SALARY & BENEFITS
Salary commensurate with experience. Eleven (11) days paid vacation in the first fiscal year (July-June) increasing to 20 days after 6 years of employment, plus 5 paid “personal and sick days” each year. In addition, an approximately two-week company-wide break over Christmas/New Year, Japanese social insurance and pension, commuting allowance, and tuition benefits for TUJ academic programs.
OVERVIEW OF POSITION
The TUJ Undergraduate Admissions Office is responsible for reviewing and processing all applications to the TUJ undergraduate programs. The main operations are sending out admission decisions on a rolling basis, accurately entering and maintaining data in various information systems, and ensuring the smooth flow of student information between departments.
TUJ is looking for a detail-oriented individual to join the admissions team as an Admissions Advisor. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of Temple University Japan’s admissions office. The selected candidate will receive on-the-job training (OJT) following the implementation of Slate, scheduled this summer, and will play a key role in the admissions process. The office is currently operated remotely.
Read MoreJob: Local Staff – Consulate General of Japan in New York (New York, NY, USA)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Local Staff – Political Division
Posted by: Consulate General of Japan in New York
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Full Time
Thanks to Joseph Meringolo (Fukushima-ken) for passing along the following job opening.
Description: The Consulate General of Japan in New York is currently seeking to hire a locally employed staff for the Political and General Division. The deadline for all job applications is 6/21/2024.
A. Working hours:
• Monday through Friday, 9:15am – 6:00pm (Lunch Break 12:30pm – 1:30pm)
*This position is on-site.
B. Role of the Political and General Divisions:
• The Political Division closely monitors U.S. domestic and foreign policy. On the domestic side, we place particular emphasis on the following states/territories: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands
• The General Division coordinates with all other divisions on different issues arising from the activities of the Consulate General of Japan