Job: Travel Help Desk at Art of Travel (Tokyo)
Jobs 
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Another JET-relevant job opening received directly from the Art of Travel, different from the one sent out a couple weeks ago Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Program Manager, Operations
Location: Azabudai, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
Type: Part-time
Salary: ¥1,800/hr
Overview:
This job entails working part time at the travel help desk at Tokyo American Club. This includes a variety of responsibilities, but most importantly the position will focus on making domestic and international arrangements for the members (accommodation, transportation, guides, etc.) Read More
Job: EFL Teacher at Elementary School (Southern Japan)
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Position: EFL Teacher
Location: Kitakyushu City, Japan
Type: Full-time
Salary: $50~60,000 a Year (with TESOL Certificate and bachelor degree); $60~70,000 a Year (with MA in TESOL)
Overview:
Keiai Elementary School, a private institution and located in Kitakyushu City, would like to find highly qualified ESL teachers who complete TESOL program at US universities to work for them in Kitakyushu, Japan. Read More
Senso-ji in Tokyo
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Posted by Benjamin Martin, a JET from 2008-2013 in Okinawa, publisher of the blog MoreThingsJapanese.com and author of Revenge of the Akuma Clan
(Tuttle).
After visiting Tokyo Skytree during my two-day trip to Tokyo I worked my way down to the new train station to work my way back into town. Many people had suggested the Asakusa area so I got off at the Asakusa station, just a few stops from the tower. I didn’t have any specific plans or maps but I quickly found my way to a highly populated area before the Senso Temple grounds.
Between the Kaminari (lightning) Gate and the Hozo Gate is a long street sided by stalls of small shops offering a wide variety of gifts and souvenirs. From the small train station I arrived at I ended up in the middle of the street. Despite the lack of special events there were tons of tourists and other visitors packing the small way. The reason for this oldest temple in Tokyo’s popularity was clear when the Hozo Gate and the main hall came into view just beyond.
The temple’s grounds are large and expansive, offering the traditional views most Buddhist temples offer, but with a variety of interesting things that make a visit there unique. Unfortunately, while I was visiting the skies were overcast, but I managed to snap a few photos while wandering the grounds. Before going I did no research or planning which made the exploration a bit more fun, even though I was quite tired after an entire day walking Tokyo.
One of the most interesting views was from just beyond Hozo Gate. There, you can glimpse Tokyo Skytree paired with the giant fiber sandals attached to the back of the gate. I found it an interesting mix of new and old. I definitely think a trip to Senso-ji is worth the time if you’re visiting Tokyo.
For more pictures from the trip visit MoreThingsJapanese.com
Job: Public Relations Staff at Temple University Japan (Tokyo)
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Thanks to JET alum journalist Tom Baker for passing this on. Application due November 30, 2013. Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Public Relations Staff, Communications and Marketing Support
Type: Full-Time
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Salary: Commensurate with experience, plus transportation.
Overview:
TUJ is seeking a staff who will be mainly responsible for public affairs of the university including raising name awareness and improving the brand image of Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) and Temple University (TU) among the general public in Japan through non-paid publicity and maintaining relations with various media outlets.
Requirements:
- Minimum 3 years of working experience in a public relations and/or marketing position
- Working knowledge of the Japanese and international media
- Strong interest in education, especially international, liberal arts higher education
- Solid writing and editing skills in Japanese and English
- Experience with social media marketing is preferable
- Experience of studying at a US college is a plus
- English and Japanese proficiency in writing, reading, and speaking
- Ability to think creatively and to take the initiative in pursuing set goals
- Superb communication skills (need to build good relationships internally and externally, e.g. with media, and other departments within TUJ and the main campus in Philadelphia)
Application:
For details of the responsibilities and qualification and how to apply, please visit TUJ website.
【RocketNews24】Japanese elementary school teachers may tell you “5 x 100 = 500” is wrong
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Posted by Michelle Lynn Dinh (Shimane-ken, Chibu-mura, 2010–13), editor and writer for RocketNews24. The following article was written by Master Blaster, writing team for RocketNews24, a Japan-based site dedicated to bringing fun and quirky news from Asia to English speaking audiences.
Here’s an elementary school math question for you all:
Apples are sold for 100 yen each. If you buy 5 what is the total amount?
If you said “5 × 100 = 500” then I’m sorry but you just flunked second grade math in Japan… if there were only one question all year. The reason is an old teaching method that is employed in elementary and middle schools throughout the country. It’s also a method that many, such as a blogger by the name of Uncorrelated, want stopped as it leads to strange logic where six times seven does not always equal 42 and five times 100 might not equal 500.
Job: Copy Editor for The Japan News (Japan)
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Application due Nov 15! Thanks to both JET Alum Tom Baker and current JET Taylor Wettach for passing this on. Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Copy Editor
Type: Full-Time
Location: Japan
Salary: Monthly salary is ¥480,000～ including tax and benefits.
Overview:
The Japan News is seeking a full-time copy editor. Starting date will be Jan. 1, 2014. Read More
【RocketNews24】10 things Japan gets awesomely right
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Posted by Michelle Lynn Dinh (Shimane-ken, Chibu-mura, 2010–13), editor and writer for RocketNews24. The following article was written by Philip Kendall (Fukushima-ken, Shirakawa-shi, 2006–11), senior editor and writer for RocketNews24, a Japan-based site dedicated to bringing fun and quirky news from Asia to English speaking audiences.
At the end of our recent article listing the 10 things that we think Japan gets horribly wrong, we assured you that we’d be back soon to focus on some of the positives and introduce the things that we really, truly love about living in Japan. True to our word, we sat down and decided on what we as (mostly) foreigners most love about this great little collection of islands, and it turned out to be a lot of fun.
Although Japan is not without its faults, it is nevertheless an incredibly efficient and easy-to-live-in country, and we’ve discovered that there are numerous things that the Japanese get not just right, but awesomely right.
Join us after the jump for our top 10 things we love about Japan.
Job: Admin Assistant at Embassy of Japan (DC)
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Here’s a position at the Embassy of Japan in DC that just opened up. Via JETAA DC Google Group. Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Administrative Assistant, Public Affairs Section
Type: Full-Time
Location: Washington DC
Overview:
The Embassy of Japan is seeking an individual for the position of Administrative Assistant at the Public Affairs Section. The Embassy offers group health insurance coverage, paid vacation, a number of paid U.S./Japanese holidays, and sick leave. Salary is commensurate with experience. Read More
Maccha Macadamia Cookie Recipe
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Posted by Benjamin Martin, a JET from 2008-2013 in Okinawa, publisher of the blog MoreThingsJapanese.com and author of the award-winning YA fantasy series Samurai Awakening (Tuttle).
At this point I should probably get a lawyer, because I’m about to get a ton of hate-mail from dietitians. As promised, I’ve cooked up a recipe involving two of my favorite things. Maccha (aka Matcha) and white chocolate macadamia cookies. If you like maccha lattes or really any snack with that wonderfully powdered green tea in it, you’ll love these. While not a traditional Japanese food item, I hope you’ll give them a try. If you do share a photo!
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups (500ml) flour
- 1 tsp (small spoon) salt
- 1 tsp (small spoon) baking soda
- 1 cup (200ml) unsalted butter (or about 200 grams)
- .5 cup (100ml) white sugar
- .75 cup (150ml) brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tsp (small spoon) vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup (200ml) maccha
- 1 cup (200ml) crushed macadamia nuts
- 1 cup (200ml) white chocolate chips (or chopped bars)
Recipe
Pre-heat oven to about 350 F (180C). For best results use a baking sheet.
Cream butter and sugar, add in vanilla and eggs. Stir until well mixed. Add maccha. Next stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until well mixed. Stir in chocolate and nuts. The mixture will be slightly sticky.
Cover baking sheet with parchment paper. Form the dough into small balls about 1.5 inches in diameter and place them on the tray press them slightly to flatten. Ensure enough space so that they do not join after melting into circles.
Bake for about 10 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Baking time will determine if they are chewy or crunchy. Remove from oven and let them cool completely before removing from the parchment paper.
Makes a whole lot of deliciousness.
Originally posted on MoreThingsJapanese.com
Omiyage and Gift Giving in Japan
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Posted by Benjamin Martin, a JET from 2008-2013 in Okinawa, publisher of the blog MoreThingsJapanese.com and author of the award-winning YA fantasy series Samurai Awakening (Tuttle).
Do you like souvenirs? Do you collect trinkets? Maybe you love trying various foods that are unique to a town or area. If you do, Japan might be the place for you.
Gifts are (arguably) one of the central aspects of Japanese culture. For those of you that point to Christmas in western cultures, Hanukkah, or other massive gift exchanges as an argument against gifts being such a big deal, it comes down to perspective. For single-day gift giving Japan does not stand toe to toe with a pile of presents around a Christmas tree or a mass onslaught of birthday gifts. Yet, when I was a teacher on Kitadaito I got presents nearly every week. Once I received seven (yes 7) strawberry plants, for no reason at all. But then there are two major aspects to gift giving in Japan.
Omiyage
Omiyage roughly means souvenir. Whenever a person goes anywhere in Japan, they generally buy a load of omiyage for their co-workers and family. For big trips this can sometimes be toys, figures, pictures, or anything that you might normally associate with souvenirs. More often its food. Japan has a massive industry around tourism. Almost anywhere you go in Japan has its own snack food that it’s ‘known for.’ There are almost always shops, small to large, that will sell the treats conveniently and individually wrapped and ready for you in a bag. In Okinawa, benimo (purple sweet potato tarts) are the most well known omiyage. In Kyoto there are various kinds of mochi, and on Kumejima we’re known for our Miso Cookies. Nagasaki is famous for Kastella Cakes, and most local places have unique omiyage for each location.
Often, when teachers go on trips, they bring back a packet of cookies, tea, or other snacks for the break room. Sometimes teachers will bring back more personal gifts for people depending on where they went and why.
Other Gifts
Aside from omiyage gifts are given for weddings (cash), birthdays, funerals (cash), and other special events. Gifts are even given by new tenants to their neighbors (usually something useful, like a small towel, or food). These other gifts have their own customs for every situation. Cash for weddings should be new and in the proper envelope, while cash for funerals the money should be used, and in a different envelope. Aside from omiyage most presents are wrapped as well (even souvenirs are sometimes wrapped).
Reciprocal Gifts
In Japan it is usually appropriate to give a return gift of roughly half what you received for most occasions. The exceptions are omiyage and birthday presents, though usually you would return in kind if you go on a trip, etc. Even mourners will return small gifts of towels or rice coupons. This tradition is what makes gift-giving a cornerstone of Japanese Culutre. It is one of the foundations of polite Japanese society, and the reason for my new strawberry plants.
Reciprocal gift giving forms a kind of endless circle of ‘obligations’ that help to create relationships in a society where it is difficult to break down social barriers. When a new neighbor arrives and gives a small present, there is a unique opportunity for conversation. A return gift (though in this instance you are not required to give a return gift, it,s they way of saying ‘regard me kindly while I am living next to you’) is another opportunity. It goes deeper.
When you do someone a favor, they feel an obligation towards you, and want to return the favor. It creates a cycle that goes far beyond what most westerners are used to, usually in a good way. Sometimes when I make too much food, I’ll take some over to a friend’s or neighbor’s. Almost without fail I get something interesting in return. One might be tempted to take the cynical view: you are bribing someone for their friendship. But in Japan, it’s so ingrained that many people don’t even think about it, if they get something, be it a favor, food, or gift, they will return it.
I’m not sure what I did to deserve my new plants, but I made some banana bread as a thank you.
Originally published on MoreThignsJapanese.com
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Revenge of the Akuma Clan
by Benjamin Martin
Giveaway ends October 31, 2013.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
I’ll Make It Myself!: Halloween Kit Kats 2013: Where’s the Pumpkin?
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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. Ze works in student exchange; writes I’ll Make It Myself!, a blog about food culture in Japan and the US; 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; and admins The JET Alumni Culinary Group on LinkedIn.
Halloween Kit Kats in Japan and US.
Let’s enjoy Halloween!
A standard Halloween dessert, pumpkin pudding has a sweet and gentle flavor that fills the mouth. Enjoy Halloween even more with pumpkin-pudding flavor Kit Kats. (Nestle Kit Kats Mini Pumpkin Pudding Flavorネスレ キットカット ミニ パンプキンプリン味)
Job: Content Operations Coordinator at YouTube|GooglePlay (CA)
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See below for this interesting JET-relevant position sent by JET alum Adam Vera (Oita-ken, 2009-12), who works for Google. Note that time is of the essence if you plan to apply. Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Content Operations Coordinator
Location: San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area — willingness to relocate a must!
Overview:
This role is focused on coordinating service of TV content on YouTube Google Play.
Requirements:
- JAPANESE LANGUAGE ABILITY IS A MUST (Reading and Written)
- Highly organized
- Extreme attention to detail
- Flexible Schedule
- Ability to prioritize tasks despite chaotic schedules
- Multi-tasker
- Strong Excel skills
- Administrative background
*Obsessive passion for TV is a great bonus!
Application Instructions:
Please email a cover letter and resume as soon as possible to:
avera @ google.com
Keep in mind that time is of the essence!
Report: Children Bitten by Lion, Parent’s Ecstatic
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Posted by Benjamin Martin, a JET from 2008-2013 in Okinawa, publisher of the blog MoreThingsJapanese.com and author of the award-winning YA fantasy series Samurai Awakening (Tuttle).
Yes. This past week on Kume Island, children were sent screaming as a single wild lion went rampaging through a peaceful neighborhood. Well, it was mostly peaceful. Since it was the full moon and August 15th of the Kyureki calendar, there were also a bunch of people around banging gongs and playing music. There were also some creepy Hacaburo running around egging the lion on. Warned in advance that something might be going on, I showed up with some local friends just after sunset with my camera ready. What I saw shocked me, and soon my former students were running for cover… behind me.
By the end of the night no less than 5 children had been bitten. When asked, parents responded that they were overjoyed. One parent, while holding a screaming infant, smiled widely and talked about how smart he would be while neglecting to stop the lion from continuing its rampage.
For more on this story, visit MoreThingsJapanese.com for pictures and video.
I’ll Make It Myself: New Resource: Food Substitutions for Cooking and Baking in Japan
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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. Ze also writes I’ll Make It Myself!, a blog about food culture in Japan and the US; 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; and admins The JET Alumni Culinary Group on LinkedIn.
Throughout my four years in Japan, I had to figure out solutions to issues with ingredient availability and cooking equipment to be able to eat the food I wanted. I’ve just started a new resource with some of my tips for what to substitute and what to make at home. Some of them seem really obvious, but they weren’t to me at the time.
2013 Kume Island Ha-ri-
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Posted by Benjamin Martin, a JET from 2008-2013 in Okinawa, publisher of the blog MoreThingsJapanese.com and author of the award-winning YA fantasy series Samurai Awakening (Tuttle).
The Ha-ri- races are a yearly event on Kume Island. This year they took place on June 12 at three locations around the island. This year I stuck to the Maja area where locals and students gathered together for a day of races and fun in the water.
While the races are the primary attraction, there is also generally a ball-toss game for the nursery school children and a tug-of-war. There are numerous races from both locals and school participants. At the Maja area, students from the local Nakazato Junior High, Misaki and Nakazato elementary schools, and students from Kumeshima High School all joined together in mixed and separate races.
This year I broke out my gopro to give you a closer look at participating in the Ha-ri- races. Thanks to a few friends and students who wore the camera along the way. Of course with plenty of water a few bucket wars broke out among the high school students, and not all of the boats made it back without a little extra water. Check out the video and pictures below, then come join us next year for this great event.
For more photos and video from this special event visit MoreThingsJapanese.com
