JET alum Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, Kariya-shi, 1992-94), in collaboration with Daniel Edelson of USLawEssentials.com, has launched a new legal English podcast titled “USLawEssentials: Law & Language.”

The podcast is intended for foreign lawyers, law students, and LLM students as well as other non-native English speakers who want an enjoyable way to improve their legal English. The podcast episodes cover a variety of topics including legal news events and discussions of recent cases as well as interviews with multilingual lawyers. The discussions use accessible language with helpful explanations along the way.

Notably, the first two multilingual lawyers interviewed are both JET alumni! Brian Hersey (Fukuoka-ken, 1994-96) and Brenda McKinney (Hyogo-ken, 2006-09)

Horowitz, the founder of JETwit.com, is a Professor of Legal English and the Director of Online Legal English Programs at Georgetown Law School. He previously served as Director of Legal English Programs at St. John’s Law School.

Edelson is an Adjunct Professor of Law at St. John’s Law School and a practicing attorney in addition to founding USLawEssentials.com. He has previously taught English in Japan and has taught legal English in Korea.

Horowitz and Edelson encourage readers to share the podcast with students and others they know who are seeking to improve their legal English or simply their English in connection with sophisticated topics.

This week on the Krewe of Japan Podcast…

JET Program acceptance letters have gone out & short-listers are on the edge of their seats waiting to find out their placements. Nigel, Jennifer, & Doug talk about the months-long emotional roller coaster of preparing to relocate to a new country (for JET or any program). Departing JETAA Mid-South President Megan DeVille stops by to talk about her pre-departure JET experiences, from interviews to arriving at a tiny regional airport in Aomori Prefecture. She also talks about life after JET and how to keep Japan in your life despite returning to your home country.

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: Graduate Program Manager, Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures
Posted by: Columbia University
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Here’s a job passed along to us by a JET alumna who wishes to remain anonymous:

The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures (EALAC) at Columbia University is seeking an experienced and dynamic administrative professional to fill the position of Graduate Program Manager. 

Reporting to the Director of Academic Administration and Finance and working closely with the Department Chair, Director of Graduate Studies, MA Program Director, and Business Officer, the Graduate Program Manager (GPM) provides day-to-day and overall administrative and operational support for all aspects of the Department’s MA and PhD programs, including coordinating the graduate curriculum, assisting with financial planning, graduate student/TA hiring, fellowship tracking, admissions administration, recruitment, student registration, enrollment/data reporting, and departmental record-keeping. 

The incumbent works closely with administrators in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GSAS) offices, including the GSAS Financial Aid, Admissions, Student Affairs, Compass Careers, and Dissertation offices to facilitate the path for graduate students through and beyond the EALAC graduate program, from recruitment to graduation to alumni outreach.

Application Process: For more information and to apply, please click here.

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: Discover Deep Japan
Location: Yuzawa, Niigata or Asakura, Fukuoka, Japan
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to JET alumnus, Matt Klampert (Tokyo, 2015-2020) for the following roles at his company:

Hi all, former Tokyo JET (2015-2020) here. You may have seen me lurking around these parts in search of jobs, but now I’m happy to offer some! The company I work for, Discover Deep Japan, is looking to fill a few positions.

Here’s some info I’m copying from an older listing:  “Discover Deep Japan is a social startup with a mission to build a more inclusive world. DDJ’s multicultural team revitalizes rural communities through destination development/marketing & product marketing in foreign languages, making communities and local culture (products) more accessible and inclusive for people with diverse backgrounds.”

Basically, it’s a different kind of company than the ones you typically see advertised here. As a startup, we tend to be much more flexible than your typical 9-5, and especially compared to your typical Japanese company, there is much more of an opportunity to really take an active role in your work. It’s a very progressive, transparent sort of place, but not the kind of job where you should expect to wait around until you are told what to do.

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: Administrative Assistant
Posted by: Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, Social Section
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to JET alumna, Marissa Trierweiler (Hiroshima-ken, 2013-2015) for passing along the following job opening:

Application Process: For more information and to apply, please click here.

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: Educational Programs Coordinator
Posted by: Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan
Location: Washington, DC
Contract: Full-Time

Here’s a job received from a JET alumna who wishes to remain anonymous:

The Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan, is seeking a highly motivated, team-oriented individual for the position of Educational Programs Coordinator. The main responsibilities of this position include coordinating and presenting educational programs on Japan and Japanese culture, creating engaging educational content, managing the Embassy of Japan’s involvement in the Embassy Adoption Program, and managing the internship program.

Application Process: Please see below for a more detailed list of responsibilities. https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/employment/epc.html

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: JET Program Coordinator
Posted by: Embassy of Japan
Location: Washington, DC
Contract: Full-Time; Contractor Position

Below is a job passed along to us directly from the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC.

About the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program

The JET Program is the government of Japan’s most successful exchange program, sending over 70,000 participants to Japan since 1987 to serve as Assistant Language Teachers and Coordinators for International Relations. The program aims to enhance English language education at the primary and secondary school levels, and promote international exchange by fostering ties at the grassroots level between Japanese youth and young professionals across the globe.

Position Description

Under the supervision of the Public Affairs Section diplomats, the Program Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating the screening process for applications for all U.S. candidates, recruitment and interviewing of applicants in the D.C./Maryland/Virginia area, and preparing successful candidates for departure. This position will also involve liaising with the JET Alumni Association of Washington, D.C. and assisting with other projects within the Public Affairs diplomats’ portfolio as necessary.

Application Process: For more information and to apply, please click here.

This week on the Krewe of Japan Podcast…

The Krewe takes a trip down memory lane to reminisce about what many consider to be the “Golden Age” of Japanese animation, 1990-2010. Nigel, Jennifer, & Doug talk some prolific titles like Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon, Naruto, & One Piece, while paying respects to some non-mainstream (but popular) shows. Packed to the brim with loves, hates, and hot takes, they take you on a fun audio journey exploring shows they loved growing up and how the ingestion and perception of anime changed with the world around it.

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!

By Jack McDonough, 2021 prospective JET

If you’re a fan of anime, manga, or light novels, then chances are you’ve heard of the genre “Isekai.” Isekai, meaning another world, is a genre that features a character, usually from Earth, getting transported to another world, which is usually a standard fantasy world akin to Lord of the Rings. In most cases, the heroes of these stories find out they have hidden powers and are the only ones who can save the new world to which they’ve been transported. These heroes are usually men and are surrounded by beautiful women who have no agency. Re:Zero subverts those expectations and delivers to its audience Subaru Natsuki: a weak nerd from Japan. 

Re:Zero Starting Life in Another World is an anime adaptation of the light novel Ri:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu by Tappei Nagatsuki, where seventeen-year-old Subaru Natsuki is transported to the nation of Lugunica one evening after leaving a convenience store. Subaru, a recluse and avid reader of Isekais, is ecstatic when he realizes he’s been “Isekai-ed” into a world of mages, knights, and nobility. He meets a beautiful, half-elf mage (who will remain unnamed in this review due to spoilers).  His enthusiasm turns to horror when he finds out that, unlike other Isekai heroes, no dormant powers are awakened in him; his only power is that, upon death, time rewinds to the moment he arrived in Lugunica. Not only does he find out that he has this power after being murdered, he learns that magic renders him unable to speak about his ability. 

At first, I thought that Re:Zero was interesting, but nothing worth writing about. After watching half of the first season, it dawned on me that this anime was the perfect blend of horror, mystery, and adventure that requires you to binge the whole series. Subaru’s ability to rewind time by dying fleshes out the story by allowing the audience to see what-if scenarios that otherwise would be inaccessible. In these other timelines, almost every character that appears on-screen dies in some gruesome way, often multiple times, before Subaru finds a way to save them from their demise.

 Another one of Re:Zero’s strong points is the nation of Lugunica, which transforms from a seemingly simple place to one of interesting lore and complex political issues that every character has a stake in. Characters that received 5-10 minutes of screen time in season one turn out to be major players with rich backstories in season two, showcasing Nagatsuki’s thorough world-building and attention to detail. The way Nagatsuki builds Subaru from an annoying, selfish, and sexist boy into a caring and heroic man is masterful. There’s also a bevy of plot twists to keep the viewer on the edge of their seat and plenty of awesome fight scenes to behold. Couple this with quality animation and an amazing soundtrack and you’ve got something worth writing about. 

Should you watch Re:Zero? Yes. Right now. This show is a classic case of “more than meets the eye.” What starts out as a simple fantasy, turns out to be a must-watch nightmare. You’ll love and hate every second of Subaru’s torturous struggle to save the lives of his new friends and understand the mysteries of his new world; this Isekai. 

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, Richard U. Light Fellowship Program
Posted by: Yale University
Location: New Haven, CT, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Here’s a job received directly from the institution:

Yale University is looking for a new Director of the Richard U. Light Fellowship Program at Yale’s Center for International and Professional Experience.

The Office of Fellowships and Funding in the Center for International and Professional Experience at Yale University is seeking a highly organized, student-focused individual with exceptional supervisory, communication, data management and stewardship skills to direct the Richard U. Light Fellowship Program (RUL) and advise on and manage competitions for other internal and national fellowships.

Read More

Professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03) presents WIT Life, 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 offers some interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.

Japan’s COVID-19 situation continues to worsen, and the state of emergency declaration for Tokyo, Osaka and eight other prefectures has been extended through mid-June. Okinawa in particular has shown high case numbers as of late. And yet the Olympics are still scheduled to proceed without a hitch?…Meanwhile, here in the U.S. we are slowly coming out of our quarantine slumber and rejoining the real world. Last weekend’s warm temperatures allowed my partner and I to discover a great Japanese cafe during a walk.

This spot is 969 NYC Coffee, opened by owner/chef Mitsumine Oda in 2016. He worked in the past for a Tokyo company, but he hated being a salaryman under someone else’s direction. Sick of long hours and in search of independence, he decided to quit and strike out on his own in the U.S. Oda first worked at a sushi cafe in Manhattan for three years, where he earned enough money to buy a house for himself and his sister and mother, who had also immigrated and became citizens.

969 NYC Coffee’s menu features a variety of onigiri, ramen, sushi and other Japanese food faves. Don’t be fooled by the name, as it also has an extensive menu of non-coffee drinks, especially matcha options. We got a smattering of delicious dishes, starting with onigirazu, a sandwich with rice instead of bread and wrapped in seaweed (I tried this for the first time and found it to be very filling!). We enjoyed the two types of Hiroshima fried oyster (カキ or kaki), adorned with avocado and a slice of American cheese, and fried mackerel (アジ or aji), also with avocado as well as a spicy mayo sauce. Rounding out our meal were seaweed salads and luxurious coconut milk matcha lattes (made with matcha from Japan, Oda noted.)

Read More

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

Dear Friends,

Have you heard of the story behind Meiji Jingu Shrine?

Let me introduce an essay from Japan-Insights archives.

The fifteenth one is on Emperor Meiji by Dr. Ewa Rutkowska.

https://topics.japan-insights.jp/Public/pdf/japan-insights_jp/topics/JIN_SymbolOfModernJapan.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 #Meiji

Last week on the Krewe of Japan Podcast…

Did you know Japan has 4 seasons? In this episode, Doug & Jenn take you on an audio journey through Japan’s four seasons. From the top cultural events and natural phenomena that you must see, to the weather and must try seasonal food and drinks, this episode if perfect for those reminiscing about their last trip and those planning their future one.

This week on the Krewe of Japan Podcast…

Enjoy studying Japanese and want to work in an industry where you can apply those skills? How do you even get into translation and localization? The Krewe has you covered. Doug & Jenn chat with another Jenn: Jenn O’Donnell, a localization director in the game industry based out of Japan. Jenn shares her career path, some challenges she had to overcome, and how Twitter played an interesting role in her journey to becoming a video game localizer.

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: Senior Manager, Community Marketing
Posted by: Crunchyroll 
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks again to JET alumnus, Kyle Cardine (Hyogo-ken, 2013-2016) for sharing the following opening at his company:

Who We Are

We’re a cast of characters working to shine a spotlight on anime. Crunchyroll is an international business focused on creating both online and offline experiences for fans through content (licensed, co-produced, originals, distribution), merchandise, events, gaming, news, and more. Visit our About Us pages for more information about our collection of brands.

Crunchyroll COVID-19 Hiring Status

Crunchyroll employees are currently working from home, and we are still conducting remote interviews and hiring during this time. This role is expected to start remotely, and we’ll work closely with you as we understand every person has unique circumstances.

Location: San Francisco

Our headquarters is located in downtown San Francisco, where our group of cross-functional experts assemble to create experiences for our passionate communities.

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: International Relations Specialist
Posted by: Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation
Location: Naka-ku, Hiroshima, Japan
Contract: Part-Time

Here’s a job received directly from the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation:

Application Process: http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/hpcf/nyusatsu/koboshiryo_R030520.html