Job: Educational Affairs Specialist – Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle (Seattle, WA, USA)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Job Title: Educational Affairs Specialist – JET Program/Japanese Government Scholarships
Posted by: Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Contract: Full-time
Here’s a job received directly from the Embassy of Japan:
The Consulate is seeking a well-qualified individual with excellent communication skills to serve as an educational affairs specialist.
This position will be responsible for supporting the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, Japanese Government educational programs including scholarships and youth exchange, generating written content on a variety of cultural topics, and serving as an information resource to the public.
The ideal candidate possesses good knowledge of Japanese culture and international relations, a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, a high level of proficiency in Japanese, office software skills, and will be a reliable and flexible team member in a demanding environment. Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S.
For more information and to apply: http://www.seattle.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/00_000424.html
Job: Japanese Interpreter – LanguageLine Solutions (Remote)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Job Title: Japanese Interpreter
Posted by: LanguageLine Solutions
Location: Remote (Eligible to work in United States or Canada)
Contract: Full-time
Here’s another job passed along to us from JET alumna, Rebecca Chen (Akita-ken):
LanguageLine Solutions has an immediate opening for Work at Home interpreters. This is a rewarding position that you can perform from the comfort of your home.
The Japanese Telephone/Video Interpreter is responsible for handling calls on demand, and renders the meaning of conversations between Japanese and English speakers. The interpreter helps break the communication barrier between a Japanese speakers and a non-Japanese speaker, who is a professionals in any of the wide range of industries LanguageLine Solutions serves: Healthcare, Government, Insurance, Financial, Utilities, Travel & Hospitality, and 911, Law Enforcement, Court, and General Business.
The interpreter processes information quickly, concisely and recognizes sensitive cultural differences and she/he is professional and courteous at all times. The interpreter uses appropriate terminology and understands common industry procedures and practices. The calls may involve simple or complex, non-technical or technical subjects in the industries LanguageLine Solutions serves. Read More
Job: Research Associate, Japan – Harding Loevner (Bridgewater, NJ)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Job Title: Research Associate, Japan
Posted by: Harding Loevner
Location: Bridgewater, NJ
Contract: Full-time
Thanks to JET alumna, Rebecca Chen (Akita-ken) for passing this job opportunity along:
Harding Loevner is seeking a Research Associate to support our coverage of publicly listed stocks of Japanese companies. Harding Loevner’s equity research entails the careful study of individual companies and the global competitive dynamics of the industries in which they operate in order to identify high-quality, growing companies.
The Research Associate will support the current Japan Analyst by communicating with Japanese companies, translating notes, questions, company information, etc. at the request of colleagues, helping to maintain analyst earnings models, maintaining research data, and conducting performance attribution analysis.
The Research Associate position offers a curious and motivated individual the opportunity to develop his or her securities analysis abilities through continual interaction with experienced analysts and portfolio managers. The Research Associate will have frequent opportunities to contribute meaningfully from an early stage. Read More
JETAA Chapter Beats May 2018


JETAA Chapter Beat is a periodic mosaic of events taking place in the JETAA sphere. Compiled by AJET‘s Director of Alumni Relations Megan Buhagiar (Ishikawa Prefecture, 2017- Present)
- JETAA SC
Little Tokyo Sparkle
When: Saturday, May 12th
Time: 9am-12pm
Where: Japanese American Cultural & Community Center-JACCC
244 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles, California 90012
Come on out Saturday May 12th to help little Tokyo sparkle by cleaning up streets and store fronts!!
Volunteers meet at the JACCC plaza at 9am on May 12th. Bring a hat, sunscreen, gloves, and clothes that you don’t mind getting a little dirty. If you have a green bandana from last year, bring that too! Light lunch will be provided.
For more information email snagano@aol.com
2. JETAA UK
London Chapter PUB QUIZ
Description
The JETAA London PUB QUIZ IS BACK!
Sharpen up on your trivia and clear out those cranial cobwebs – JETAA London is hosting a pub quiz on Thursday 10 May 2017!
Teams: up to 6 people
Cost: £2 per person
Venue: The Somers Town Coffee House Basement Bar (The Cosy Kettle), NW1 1HS (between Euston and King’s Cross stations)
Quiz starts at 7:30pm so ARRIVE EARLY to register your team and bag yourself some seats as the pub quiz is always popular! The Committee will be there from 6:30pm.
Feel free to turn up alone or with a couple of friends even if you don’t have a full team! We’re happy to introduce you to some more team members. This event is open to anyone who would like to demonstrate their quiz prowess with new and old friends, and please feel free to invite non-JET friends along!
Prize = Winning team gets the pot!
Date: Thursday, 10th May
Time: 19:00 – 21:00
Place: Somerstown Coffee House
60 Charlton Street
LONDON
NW1 1HS
United Kingdom
Japan Day at Central Park
On Sunday, May 13th (Mothers’ Day), JETAANY and the Japan Society will be hosting the Yo-Yo Balloon Tent at Japan Day in Central Park and we are looking for volunteers!
We’ll be helping hundreds of visitors “fish” for Yo-Yo Balloons and need JET Alumni volunteers to assist in many areas of the booth – including greeting the guests, explaining the game, prepping water balloons, and assisting children with the game. All volunteers will get a delicious bento lunch, a drink and a free Japan Day t-shirt, plus meet tons of fun people and teach the NYC community a fun Japanese festival game.
This year we are having THREE shifts. If you are available for more than one shift that is great! Please don’t be late because it affects when other volunteers can finish their shift.
#1 Morning shift: 8am-11am
#2 Mid-day shift: 10:30am – 2pm FULL
#3 Afternoon shift: 1:30pm – 5pm
It’s a super fun day, so we’ll hope you’ll be able to join us! Check out photos from last year!
Questions? Contact Monica.Yuki@jetaausa.com
Location: Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park
Date: Sunday, 13th May
Time: 08:00 – 17:00
Place: Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park
Children’s Day Festival – Volunteer Opportunity
It’s almost time for Golden Week! And that means, Children’s Day! JCCCNC is organizing the Children’s Day Festival in SF Japantown and are looking for volunteers. Come sign up to volunteer and enjoy Japanese performances, youth art contests, arts and crafts activities, games, bounce house, and more!!
When: Saturday, May 5, 2018
Volunteer Shift Times: 9 AM -1:30 PM and 1 PM – 5:30 PM
Where: Peace Plaza, Japantown, San Francisco
Sign-up Sheet: http://bit.ly/2018childrensdayvolunteers
Lunch will be provided.
Want to volunteer beforehand? From April 30 to May 9, kindergarten through 2nd graders will be taking a field trip to JCCCNC to learn about Japanese Children’s Day and Girl’s Day holidays, learn Japanese folk tale, and do crafts activity. You will have the opportunity to assist in these activities.
When: April 30 – May 3 and May 7 – May 9
Volunteer Shift Times: 9:45 AM -11 AM and 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
Where: JCCCNC 1840 Sutter Street, SF, CA 94115
Sign-up Sheet: http://bit.ly/2018jcccncschoolvisitsvolunteers
More information here.
5. JETAA WJ
Job Hunting and Business Manners Seminar
The JET Alumni Association Western Japan (JETAAWJ) will be hosting a two-day job hunting and business manners seminar in Osaka with Mori Kosan Co., Ltd., a firm that supports foreigners seeking employment in Japan. The seminar will be from 9:00 to 17:00 on May 12 (Sat.) and 13 (Sun.). Attendees will learn things like: how to write a Japanese-style resume, prepare for an interview, exchange business cards, answer phone calls in Japanese, etc.
The seminar participation fee is 3500 yen (includes fee for networking event). There will also be a networking event on the night of May 12 (Sat.) from 17:30 to 19:30, with special guests from organizations around the Kansai area.
For those who would like to attend, please RSVP here. Priority will be given to JET alumni, but current JETs can still apply. A schedule with more detailed information on the seminar will be sent to applicants at the end of April.
*The seminar will be conducted in Japanese, so it is recommended for participants to have at least a JLPT N3 level of Japanese or higher.
Date: Saturday, May 12th – Sunday, May 13th
Time: 09:00 – 17:00
Place: Mori Kosan Co., Ltd.,
Mori Bldg. 1-4-11, Minamisemba Chuo-ku,
Osaka
Price: ¥3, 500.00
6. JETAA Toronto
Sakoolah 2018
Details
Hanami in High Park 2018!
トロントのハイパークで日本の花見を!
A free picnic in support of friendship, cultural exchange, nature, and beauty, brought to you by:
JETAA Toronto & JCSA @ the University of Toronto
++++
At this point, we don’t know when the cherry blossoms will bloom, but we are aiming for Sunday, May 6th at 12 noon. We may need to change the date again, so please continue to check www.facebook.com/Sakoolah for updates.
We will provide some seating, frisbees, and fun, but please BringYourOwnFood, BYOGames, BYOSportsEquipment, etc.
Date: 6th May
Time: 12:00 – 15:00 EDT
Place: High Park
7. JETAA Florida
Japanese Children’s Day Celebration
Details
Children’s Day Celebration will be held on Saturday, May 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Saint Sylvester Catholic Church, 6464 Gulf Breeze Parkway in Gulf Breeze. This is free community event. This event provides children a variety of Japanese cultural activities including yo-yo catching game, origami, face paint, calligraphy contest, mochi (sticky rice) sampling, Okinawa taiko and Karate performance, etc. There will be food vendors offering various Japanese dishes.
Date: May 26th
Time: 11:00 – 14:00 CTD
Place: St Sylvester Catholic Church
6464 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze
FLORIDA, 32563
Networking Hour
Details
Come meet up with other JET Alum! For the first 2 hours (1-3pm), we will be having our monthly meeting to plan upcoming events for the year. All is welcome to join and contribute in the discussion :) we’re always interested in your opinions to make our events a success, so we hope you come!
The Meeting will be at the Sakura Square Mezzanine. A big thank you to Sakura Square LLC and the Sakura Foundation for their wonderful support of JETAA.
After, starting at 3, we will be doing our Networking Hour where we will socialize and catch up :) If you can’t make it to the meeting, we hope you make it to this half of the event.
We’ll be heading to Jagged Mountain Brewery
Looking forward to seeing you!
Date: May 6th
Time: 13:00 – 17:00 MDT
Place: Sakura Square,
1215 19th Street
Denver, Colorado 80202
JETAA Iron Chef
Details
SAVE THE DATE!
Iron Chef 2018 is coming your way.
It’s time to sharpen those knives and dig up your best recipes as contestants, judges, and other hungry mouths gather for one of our most popular (and delicious) events of the year!
This year’s secret ingredient is miso, courtesy of our friends at Jorinji Miso!
Stay tuned for more information, including how to RSVP and get directions.
Bring your family & friends!
Date: May 19th
Time: 13:00 – 16:00 PTD
Place: SE Portland
Hanami in Minnesota
Details
This is just tentative and bloom-based!
We’ll keep you posted on the time and location weather depending!!! 🌸🌸🌸
It’s time for our annual Hanami Picnic! The crab apple tree blossoms are nearly in full bloom. Hopefully the weather will be perfect as well!
Bring your family and friends for games, food, and conversation at Lyndale Park on the NE side of Lake Harriet (location is near the Rose Garden).
JETAAMN will provide sandwiches for all who come. All that you need to bring are your own beverages as well as a dish to share with the group.
In addition, feel free to bring some outdoor games/activities to play with others! We will try to bring some too!
How the potluck dishes will be organized:
**Last names that begin with the letters A-L bring a side dish, salad, or chips.**
**Last names that begin with the letters M-Z bring fruit or a dessert.**
Please RSVP by emailing us or through out Facebook event page!!
Date: May 12th
Time: 12:00 – 15:00 CDT
Place: Lyndale Park
4124 Roseway Road,
Minneapolis,
Minnesota 55409
Job: Partner Development and Communication Manager – TABLE FOR TWO USA (New York, NY)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Job Title: Partner Development and Communication Manage
Posted by: TABLE FOR TWO USA
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Part-time
Here’s a part-time job received directly from the organization:
TABLE FOR TWO USA(*), 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is looking for a part-time (contract position) Partner Development and Communication Manager to further expand the unique Japanese inspired food education program, Wa-Shokuiku.
About Wa-Shouiku –Learn. Cook. Eat Japanese!-
The Wa-Shokuiku Project (https://www.wa-shokuiku.org) is a new initiative from TABLE FOR TWO USA (*). Wa-Shokuiku combines the Japanese words “Washoku” which refers to Japanese food and, “Shokuiku”, food education and is a 7-part series of classes on Japanese food and food culture for American elementary and middle school-age students. Our goal for the Wa-Shokuiku program is that students will be equipped with practical knowledge and skills regarding healthy eating, Japanese foodways, and best practices. The objectives are (1) to expand students’ palates by teaching how to prepare tasty and healthy dishes using washoku preparation techniques, (2) Include discussion about manners, respect toward food and simple relevant Japanese words, and (3) introduce food related concerns, such as obesity and waste while discussing do-able daily actions inspired by shokuiku. Our instructors and volunteers implement and teach the Wa-Shokuiku Curricula in schools across New York City, Washington D.C., Boston and California.
Please view these the video of the hands-on programs to give you an idea of what the program covers.
https://www.wa-shokuiku.org/photos/2017/12/6/wa-shokuiku-learn-cook-eat-japanese-introduction
Job: eLearning Course Developer / Instructional Designer – TABLE FOR TWO USA (Remote)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Job Title: eLearning Course Developer / Instructional Designer
Posted by: TABLE FOR TWO USA
Location: Remote
Contract: Part-time
Here’s a part-time job received directly from the organization:
TABLE FOR TWO USA(*), 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is looking for a part-time (contract position) e-Learning Course Developer/ Instructional Designer to develop an online food education program to teach Japanese food and foodways to high school students in the U.S.
The developer will collaborate closely with a team of subject matter experts in Japanese food education. This includes writing and developing, with some editorial, multimedia, and design work as needed. We have already developed contents for the hands-on program and some of the contents can be used for the online program.
About Wa-Shouiku –Learn. Cook. Eat Japanese!-
The Wa-Shokuiku Project (https://www.wa-shokuiku.org) is a new initiative from TABLE FOR TWO USA. Wa-Shokuiku combines the Japanese words “Washoku” which refers to Japanese food and, “Shokuiku”, food education. It is a 7-part series of classes on Japanese food and food culture for American school students. We developed a hands-on program targeting elementary to middle school aged students successfully and now plan to develop its online version targeting high school students.
Job: Business News Researcher / Reporter – 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.
Job Title: Business News Researcher / Reporter in the New York Bureau
Posted by: Yomiuri Shimbun
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Full Time
Here’s a job received directly from the newspaper:
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. Website: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/ English-language site is: http://the-japan-news.com/
Qualifications: Applicants must have a strong interest in current affairs, especially business news. An interest in journalism combined with attention to accuracy and the ability to multitask effectively under deadline is required. Applicants should already be based in New York region.
Description: Main duties involve assisting the Yomiuri Shimbun Japanese business correspondent by covering events, tracking relevant stories, arranging and conducting interviews, doing research, and coming up with story ideas. In addition to reporting on business and covering financial markets, you may have to cover other areas (including national politics, sports, etc.) as the situation warrants. Rapid transcription ability is also required. Since the articles are written in Japanese, there are no byline opportunities for this position.
Base Salary is $38,000 annually plus overtime. Compensation includes excellent medical benefits, and a 401(k).
Application Procedure: Please email cover letter and resume. No phone calls, please. Applicants must be available for in-person interviews and live in the Greater New York region.
Email letter and resume to:
Makoto Yoshiike, New York, Bureau Chief, Yomiuri Shimbun at: yominyjob2018@gmail.com
JET Prefecture Round Up (May 2018)


JET Prefecture Round Up is a mosaic of events taking place in the AJET community in Japan. Compiled by Suzanne Bhagan (Tottori Prefecture alumni).
When: May 12
Where: Shiga Prefecture
This is a perfect opportunity to see a very traditional Japanese community surrounded by unspoilt nature.
When: May 12
Where: Chiba Prefecture
Join Chiba AJET and friends in the beautiful Chiba Minato Park and enjoy sports and snacking!
When: May 19
Where: Hiroshima Prefecture
Don your neon helmet, reflective armbands, and your tightest biking Lycra to ride over 70 km with AJET.
Block 11’s Out There On Okinawa
When: May 19-20
Where: Okinawa Prefecture
Block 11 is hitting the seas and bringing the party down to Okinawa!
21st Annual Oita AJET Charity Bike Ride
When: May 26-27
Where: Oita Prefecture
Oita AJET invites you to participate in the 21st Annual Oita Charity Bike Ride!
WIT Life #324: Inland Sea


Written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03), WIT Life is a periodic series about aspects of Japanese culture such as film, food and language. Stacy starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.
This weekend I caught Kazuhiro Soda’s Inland Sea (港町) at the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Art of the Real. The festival’s opening film about John McEnroe whet my appetite for more documentaries, and I was looking forward to seeing the latest from Soda after enjoying his film Campaign at Japan Society several years back. Inland Sea is set near the hometown of his wife Kiyoko Kashiwagi, who is also the film’s producer. They were both on hand to introduce the film and take part in a post- screening Q&A. In his introduction Soda shared that the film adheres to their Ten Commandments, which include tenets such as no research before shooting, not setting any themes or goals before editing, and paying for the production on their own (to the dismay of producer Kashiwagi).
Inland Sea takes place in the port city of Ushimado in Okayama Prefecture, population 7000. Many of the younger residents have already left, and the documentary’s main subjects are the octagenarians Wai-chan and Kumiko, respectively a fisherman and the town crier. They are both captivating subjects, but as a cat lover I was most entranced by the stray felines who congregate at the home of transplants to the area who have been feeding them. I was engaged throughout the film’s two hour plus duration, but it definitely could have been cut in places, especially the long takes on the fishing boat.
During the Q&A Soda explained that the reason he chose to make a black and white film (except for the last color scene) was that he wanted to portray Read More
Job: Assistant Language Teachers – Nagano Prefectural Board of Education (Nagano, Japan)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Job Title: Assistant Language (English) Teachers
Posted by: Nagano Prefectural Board of Education
Location: Nagano, Japan
Contract: Full Time
Here’s a job listing from the current ALT-PA in Nagao, Vikki:
The Nagano Prefectural Board of Education is currently seeking two experienced Assistant Language (English) Teachers for direct hire positions. Application materials are due by May 21st.
Job posting details (English): https://naganojets.wordpress.com/2018/04/25/two-assistant-language-teacher-posts-available/
Job posting details (Japanese): https://www.pref.nagano.lg.jp/kyoiku/kyogaku/saiyo-nyuushi/joho/altsaiyo30.html
Job: Assistant Producer, TV News – Fujisankei Communications International, Inc (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.
Job Title: Assistant Producer, TV News
Posted by: Fujisankei Communications International, Inc
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Full Time
Here’s a job received directly from the company:
Fujisankei is looking to fill Assistant Producer position in the New York’s TV News Dept.
The position is available immediately.
SUMMARY
Perform North, South and Central American news-gathering activities for broadcast in Japan, including news research and on-location producing.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
TV News
- Research news story ideas and create proposals for Fuji Television Network, Inc. and affiliates’ news programs on a daily basis.
- Coordinate with the Engineering department in setting up crews, satellite bookings, coverage requirements and additional outside technical support.
- Collect information, set up interviews, and coordinate travel arrangements for any potential news, projects or breaking news.
- Go on location and perform troubleshooting, researching, translating, directing, coordinating, driving, editing and footage transmission duties for Fuji Television Network, Inc. and affiliates’ news programs.
- Keep up-to-date with the news through newspapers, news wires, magazines, TV monitors, Internet and Lexis Nexis.
- Alert the NY Bureau Chief and/or Foreign News Desk in Tokyo for any breaking news.
- Monitor AP and Reuter news sources, newspapers, magazines, television monitors for current and breaking news.
- Perform other related duties as assigned and required.
- Perform other duties assigned from time to time by FCI Management.
JQ Magazine: Nippon in New York — Japan Day @ Central Park, Miyavi, In Praise of Natto


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.
As spring continues and the weather continues to warm, New Yorkers can enjoy activities all over the city both indoors and out.
This month’s highlights include:
Sunday, May 6, 11:00 a.m.
Children’s Day Festival: Kodomo no Hi
Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street
$18, $10 Japan Society members, children ages 2 and under free
Hang the koinobori (carp streamers) and don your kabuto (samurai helmet): Children’s Day is on its way! Come join us for Japan’s national holiday where all children are stars and their happiness is celebrated. Enjoy a performance of Peach Boy (Momotaro) featuring storytelling, music, dance, taiko drumming and lots of audience participation. Continue the adventure with other authentic Kodomo no Hi activities!
Sunday, May 6, 8:00 p.m.
Sony Hall, 235 West 46th Street
$34.50, $74.50 VIP
Keiko Matsui’s music speaks to the hearts and souls of fans around the world, transcending borders and building bridges among people who share a common appreciation of honest artistry and cultural exchange. Journey to the Heart, her 27th recording as a leader, marks the 30th anniversary since her recording debut and is her boldest statement yet. On Journey to the Heart, Matsui more than delivers what she has come to be loved for breathtakingly beautiful transcendent melodies that transport the listener. A master storyteller, she crafts passionate and emotive songs with lush harmonies and global rhythms to create timeless musical anthems.
Tuesday, May 8, 6:30 p.m.
Cool Tokyo: Harajuku, Akihabara and Beyond
Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street
$14, $11 Japan Society members, seniors and students
From street fashion to street food, kawaii to cosplay, Tokyo is the epicenter of Japan’s latest trends. With so much to explore in this vibrant, fast-paced city, it can be hard to know where to start. At this talk, Sebastian Masuda, visual artist and founder of Harajuku shop 6%DokiDoki, and Abby Denson, comic book artist and author of Cool Tokyo Guide: Adventures in the City of Kawaii Fashion, Train Sushi and Godzilla, help to navigate Tokyo’s vending machines, subway etiquette, hidden treasures, and much more. Followed by a book signing reception.
JQ Magazine: Film Review — ‘Mary and the Witch’s Flower’



“Director Hiromasa Yonebayashi delivers a film packed with many of the attributes that characterizes Studio Ghibli at its best.” (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)
By Lyle Sylvander (Yokohama–shi, 2001-02) for JQ magazine. Lyle has completed a master’s program at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University and has been writing for the JET Alumni Association of New York since 2004. He is also the goalkeeper for FC Japan, a New York City–based soccer team.
Mary and the Witch’s Flower, the debut feature film from Studio Ponoc, an anime outfit founded by Studio Ghibli veterans Hiromasa Yonebayashi and Yoshiaki Nishimura after Ghibli closed its doors in 2015, starts in medias res, with a violent firestorm engulfing the screen. A small girl with bright red hair escapes the maelstrom by flying away on a broomstick, pursued by dolphin-squid-fighter-jet hybrids. She plunges down through the clouds and crashes into a field, where her stolen cargo of glowing blue flowers scatters, instantly transforming the landscape as trees burst out of the earth to towering heights in the blink of an eye. Who she is, where she is, and why she needs to escape isn’t revealed until the final act.
Director Yonebayashi delivers a film packed with many of the attributes that characterizes Studio Ghibli at its best. In this story (based on The Little Broomstick, a 1971 children’s novel by popular British author Mary Stewart, a young female protagonist journeys through a fantastical world, battling witches on a magical quest. As in the best films of Hayao Miyazaki, the hand-drawn animation (a novelty in the CGI-dominated marketplace) depicts a European fairy tale setting while retaining a unique Japanese otherworldliness. This family-friendly film recalls such Miyazaki masterworks as Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away and Kiki’s Delivery Service. Unlike those films, however, Mary and the Witch’s Flower falls short of being a masterpiece.
The animators invoke worlds upon worlds here: the green woods and mist-filled forests of England rendered in swooning evocative watercolors, and the show-stopping Endor, a psychedelic space from out of a dream or drug trip, packed with strange objects, unexplainable phenomena, students floating by in soap bubbles, fountains morphing into human form, grotesque creatures loping out of the shrubbery, only to disappear just as quickly. Endor is dazzling in an off-putting way (similar to some of the “worlds” presented in Ari Folman’s The Congress, where animated avatars engulf their originals). The action sequences are intricate and thrilling.
Job: Account Executive – Mutual Trading Co., Inc. (Secaucus, NJ, USA)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Job Title: Account Executive – Development
Posted by: Mutual Trading Co., Inc.
Location: Secaucus, NJ, USA
Contract: Full Time
Here’s a job received directly from the company:
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The position develops mainstream market especially bar market with Japanese alcohol beverages as well as barware or ingredients. Also expected to consistently provide excellent customer service to existing customers which will be asked to achieve company’s target. The position will should build relationships with customers to encourage new and repeat business opportunities.
- Develop mainstream market especially bar market with Japanese alcohol beverages such as Shochu or Whisky.
- Increase sales for existing customers as well as new customers including some states in East Coast.
- Responsible for all customer communications, conflict resolution, and compliance on customer deliverables and revenue.
- Ensures that customer issues are dealt with in an efficient manner, informing the Manager or Managing Director of any problems that may arise.
- Taking orders and making invoices, and is responsible for payment collections.
- Communicates the customer’s goals and represent the customer’s interests
- Understanding of company capabilities and service, and effectively communicates all offerings to the customer.
- Reports to the Manager, providing regular input on all account activity, including status and call reports monthly.
Job: Associate Program Officer – The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (New York, NY)


Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Job Title: Associate Program Officer, Grassroots Exchange & Education and Japanese Studies Programs
Posted by: The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Full Time
Here’s a job opening received directly from the company:
We have an opening for an Associate Program Officer in Grassroots Exchange & Education and Japanese Studies Programs and are seeking to hire a highly-skilled individual with a background in Japan.