Job Listing: Japanese-English Quality Managers (Midtown, NYC)
Jobs, Translating/Interpreting 
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Saw this on Craigslist NYC. FYI, there are a couple JET alums who work or have worked for Transperfect.
Italian, French, and Japanese-English Quality Managers (Midtown East)
Reply to: job-928614895@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-11-21, 2:52PM EST
TransPerfect Family of Companies
www.transperfect.com www.translations.com
Quality Manager – Italian, French, and Japanese-English Read More
Reviewed by Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi 2001-02) (Originally published in the JETAA NY Fall 2008 Quarterly Newsletter)
The flames are all long gone
But the pain lingers on
-Pink Floyd, “Goodbye Blue Sky”
For all the good they’ve done advancing equal rights and universal peace in the generations since World War II, the U.S. and Japan continue to struggle with charges of insensitivity and unfair treatment of minorities stemming from that era. Two important new films highlight the historical signposts of the Japanese American internment camps of 1942-44, and the growing international tensions surrounding Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine.
Passing Poston, a documentary by journalists Joe Fox and James Nubile, premiered in America this past summer. Its narrative unspools through the tales of four of the 17,800 Japanese-American internees forced to live at Poston in Arizona, one of the 10 War Relocation Authority centers launched five months after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. While the camps were devised by the U.S. government under the guise of internal defense, they were ruled unconstitutional two years later by the Supreme Court, with formal apologies finally issued by Congress in 1988 and 1992, along with $1.6 billion issued in combined reparations to survivors and heirs.
Opening with a propaganda film from the U.S. Office of War Information to set the mood of the time, Read More
Book Review: Japan Rising by Kenneth Pyle
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Reviewed by Lyle Sylvander (Yokohama-shi, 2001-02) (Originally published in the JETAA NY Fall 2008 Quarterly Newsletter)
Bookstores are stocked full of tomes charting the recent rise of India and China. The IT and computer programming revolution in the former and the manufacturing explosion in the latter have accompanied such massive population growth in both countries that the world’s attention has naturally shifted to that region of Asia.
In this context, Kenneth Pyle’s new book Japan Rising: The Resurgence of Japanese Power and Purpose may seem anachronistic, as a holdover from the 1980s, the decade when, to quote a book from the era, Japan would be “first among equals.” But Pyle, a Professor of Asian history at the University of Washington, makes a strong case for Japan’s continuing relevance in the international global community, both politically and economically. His book is a fascinating account of Japanese foreign policy history, from its origins in the Meiji era to its current strategic calculations.
Much commentary has been made about Japan’s ability to preserve tradition while adapting to foreign Read More
Akiko Wada, interviewed at Kinokuniya by Store Manager John Fuller
By Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02)
If you’ve ever watched TV in Japan on New Year’s Eve, chances are you’ve seen Akiko Wada. One of Japan’s most celebrated stars, the singer and entertainment personality has made over 20 appearances on the annual Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red-White Song Contest). To celebrate her 40th year in show business, the “Female Emperor” performed a landmark one-night-only concert, Power & Soul, at Harlem’s renowned Apollo Theater on September 29.
Born in Osaka, the headstrong Wada made her recording debut in 1968, shortly after dropping out of high school at age 17. The following year, she broke big with “Doushaburi no Ame no Naka de” (In the Pouring Rain), with pop stardom and numerous variety show hosting gigs to follow. With her tall, stocky build and direct nature, Wada is something of an anomaly in the Japanese entertainment world, where women are less encouraged to speak their mind or even think about criticizing their peers.
Three days before the Apollo date, Wada held court at a press event in Midtown’s Kinokuniya Books. Hosted by store manager John Fuller, the conference (conducted entirely in Japanese) kicked off with an a cappella performance of “Amazing Grace” from American vocal trio The Wild Women, who also opened Wada’s concert.
The superstar then emerged from the back to thunderous applause, fielding questions from Fuller and the Japanese media. She gushed about New York, which she’s visited eight times, and explained that she hand-picked the Apollo over venues like Carnegie Hall because of the “sacred place”‘s ties to the R&B acts that inspired her growing up.
Other questions focused on her rehearsal of English-language songs Read More
Seeking JET alumni authors
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Are you a JET alum? Have you ever written a book? Do you know of any JET alumni who have authored a book?
JetWit is trying to track down any and all JET alumni authors, well-known and obscure. If you’ve ever written a book or know of another JET alum who has, please e-mail any info to stevenwaseda /atto/ jetwit /dotto/ com.
Below is a list of JET alumni authors JetWit knows about. (To see the books they’ve written, go to jetwit.com/wordpress/library/authorsbooks/.)
- Auslin, Michael
- Beaton, Hamish (Osaka, 1996-99)
- Feiler, Bruce (Tottori-ken, 1989-90)
- Ferguson, Will (Nagasaki-ken, 1991-94)
- Kelts, Roland (Osaka, 1998-99)
- Kennedy, James (Nara-ken, 2004-06)
- Klar, Nicholas (Prefecture, Years)
- Kootnikoff, David (Prefecture, Years)
- Levitas, Ethan (Prefecture, Years)
- McConnell, David L. (Prefecture, Years)
- Tessler, Manya (Prefecture, Years)
By Kirsten Phillips (Niigata-ken, 2007-08) (from the Fall 2008 JETAA NY Quarterly Newsletter)
I had frequented many an urban Japanese supermarket in my college days, but a megastore like Mitsuwa always meant something special. Mostly because it required bus fare, a map, and a ranger with a sword to reach the distant shores of Edgewater, New Jersey. Crossing state lines just for konnyaku? A mad quest, indeed.
But if you want something bad enough, you’ll go the distance.
I can definitely say that it’s really not as complicated to reach Mitsuwa in New Jersey as some New Yorkers may think. There is a regular and convenient bus service that leaves from Port Authority directly to and from Mitsuwa. But, why bother hitting up Mitsuwa if you can get Japanese goods at Sunrise or Katagiri? Well, just for the sheer variety and size. Going to Mitsuwa is definitely a fun and less-cramped experience than going to the more local NY spots.
Besides, Mitsuwa offers a lot more than just quality yam starch jelly. It is the experience that makes me cough up the change and head on over. As well as an impressively-stocked supermarket, Mitsuwa also offers an authentic shokudo/kissaten cafe experience serving quickly made and reasonably priced Japanese dishes. Everything from tonkatsu to Japanese-style pasta is served in the often-crowded food court. There is also a delicious bakery for those who long for freshly baked an pan and miss eating toast as big and fluffy as a pillow. There’s even a small stall devoted to sweet festival treats such as tai-yaki and oban-yaki. Read More
JetWit Society Page – by Yoku Shitteiru – 11/21/08
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JetWit Society Page is written by Yoku Shitteiru who knows well.
Hello my loyal readers and welcome to the new on-line version of the Society Page column about JET alumni!
But enough about you, let’s talk about last night’s JETAA New York Happy Hour at Revival (15th St & Irving Place). For some reason, over 30 JET alums came out and took over the second floor of the place despite cho-beri-samui evening weather, perhaps incentivized by the happy hour deals, extended to 8pm thanks to JETAA Social Coordinator Monica Yuki’s Manhattan-style negotiating savvy.
WKRP in New York? Many in attendance were bikkuri-shita‘d by the sudden yet now-predictable annual surprise appearance of John Sandoval (Mie-ken, 1992-95), who was in from Cincinnati on Procter & Gamble business. Apparently there aren’t enough karaoke nights in Marge Schott’s furusato (though if JET alum Cincy native Jimmy Jackson has his way, there may be some of those coming soon)….Meanwhile, Queens-ken was in the house last night courtesy of super-teacher Cindy Hoffman, with Brooklyn-ken represented by translator Jamie Graves and NHK Associate Producer Marea Pariser as well as by Wynne Wu and Steven Too. Even New Jersey-ken sent party delegates including JTB employee Chau Lam and Seton Hall grad student Glen Milan….Thanks to Nandita, now a Manhattan-jin since she took over brother Neel’s 
apartment after he skipped town for Nashville to finish his M.D.), “disco nap” became the English vocab lesson for the night…And Marea had the story of the night, explaining how she needed to find a family in the NY area that would let the NHK morning show crew film its Thanksgiving dinner live from the family’s home. Turns out they found a farming family outside the city that sells to the Green Markets and was thrilled to host NHK. Why? Because their daughter was a JET, married a Japanese guy, and now lives in Nagano. All of which means that now she’ll be able to see her family on Thanksgiving live from Japan! (Sugoi yo!)….JETs Are Everywhere Moment: When a random lad from the rowdy, neighboring non-JET crowd rushing out the door paused to read Steven’s shirt (JETAA NY – 日本語分るよ!) and blurted, “Man, I do understand Japanese! I’m a JET!” and continued on his misguided way….As the JET crowd eventually dissipated and the second floor was taken over by cult of people brainwashed to believe that singing along with “Piano Man” is never a bad decision, Monica led a small crew of JET alum detritus to Stand (12th St & University) for pricey but tasty burgers, shakes and potato sticks, not to mention an educational “tramp stamp” citing.
That’s all for this edition. See you in the JetWit future.
Tokoro de, Yoku Shitteiru welcomes the sharing of any JET-related info from any JET-related events as well as news of engagements, weddings, births, new jobs and other fun and JET-worthy items. Just send an e-mail to yokushitteiru/atto/jetwit /dotto/com.
Cincinnati JETAA?
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Jimmy Jackson is trying to get Cincinatti/Northern Kentucky JET alums together. If you’re interested or know anyone in Cincinnati who might be, even if they’re not a JET alum, get in touch with Jimmy at jimmyj1640 /atto/ yahoo /dotto/ com.
I think Randall Crowder may officially be the chapter rep for the Great Lakes Region and is in Cincinnati, but I don’t have contact info for him. Also, former JETAA NYer John Sandoval (Mie-ken, 1992-95) is in Cincinnati now working for Procter & Gamble.
Great Lakes had been defunct for a while until Scott Norman in Detroit and Randall in Cincinnati have made efforts to bring it back in the last few years. So if you guys and other people can all link up and get some momentum, that would be JET-tastic! (Note: Not a real word.)
Job listings for JET alumni? Send’em in!
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REMINDER: If you have a job listing that would be relevant for JET alumni, or if you’re a JET alumni with an opening where you work and want to share the job listing, feel free to e-mail it to stevenwaseda /atto/ jetwit /dotto/ com.
A nice International ed job listing courtesy of JET alum Sara Arlin:
CENTER DIRECTOR – TOKYO, JAPAN
Qualifications for the Center Director position include: a Master’s degree (Ph.D. preferred) in an appropriate academic area (e.g., Japanese language, Asian studies, education); at least 5 years of management experience, ideally in a study abroad or higher education setting; excellent written and spoken Japanese and English; a good understanding of both the U.S. and Japanese higher education systems; and experience working with American university students. This is a permanent, full-time position offering opportunities for professional growth and a competitive annual salary and benefits. All applicants should be able to lawfully accept employment in Japan at the time of the offer of employment.
A complete description of this job is available on the IES Abroad website at www.iesabroad.org/IES/Careers/employment.html<http://www.iesabroad.org/IE=<www.iesabroad.org/IES/Careers/employment.html%3chttp:/www.iesabroad.org/IE=>S/Careers/employment.html>. Read More
Job Listing: Navajo Translation (DC)
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Ok, this listing from Craigslist DC is a little out of JetWit’s jurisdiction. I just thought it was interesting. But then again, it wouldn’t surprise me if there is a JET alum out there who can translate Navajo.
Navajo Translation (Georgetown)
Reply to: gigs-927863223@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-11-20, 11:00PM EST
Translation assistance needed–3 to 4 hours of work (possibility of more if desired) translating a series of simple sentences from English to Navajo. The translation is for a project that is trying to see how children learn the Navajo language. Meeting location flexible within the DC area.
Email responses to Corinne. Hope to hear from you!
- Location: Georgetown
- it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
- Compensation: $25/hr
California here we come!
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A quick thanks to Jason Porath, President of JETAA Southern California, for letting all the Southern Cal JET alums know about JetWit.com. And a big, laid back welcome to everyone in LA-LA Land who’s reading this.
Also a reminder that JetWit is always looking for writers, job listings and other JET-relevant info. And of JetWit’s reasons for being is to help JET alums promote their work and get well-deserved exposure. Just email me at stevenwaseda /atto/ jetwit /dotto/ com.
Lastly, if you’re reading this somewhere and your chapter has not yet sent out an announcement or posted it on its website, please encourage your officers to do so. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!
Bankruptcy Bill – Haiku #5
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To write all weekend
But convey nothing. ‘Tis my
Disclosure statement
********************
Bankruptcy Bill is a cartoon created by Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94) and Gideon Kendall. To see more strips as well as bankruptcy haiku, go to bankruptcybill.wordpress.com.
Job Listing: Write Blog Entries About Japanese/Korean/Chinese Idols
Celebrity, Jobs, Music, Translating/Interpreting, Writers Comments Off on Job Listing: Write Blog Entries About Japanese/Korean/Chinese Idols
From Craigslist Tokyo:
Japanese / Korean / Chinese Stars / Idols writer / blogger WANTED (Tokyo, Japan)
Reply to: job-926543896@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-11-20, 2:57PM JT
Looking for bloggers / writers who likes to write about Japanese/Asian TV Stars, Actors, Musicians and Idols. Easy and fun job. Very flexible time (you can write the blog post ANYTIME you want. 10pm, 2am no problem. No stress.
日本の芸能人、アイドル、歌手などの事をブログ投稿 Read More
Job Listing: Translate Japanese Cartoons (Chicago area only)
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From Craigslist Chicago:
Japanese Translator Needed for Cartoon Reviews (NW Suburbs)
Reply to: gigs-926569420@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-11-20, 12:46AM CST
I am looking for someone within the Chicago area who speaks Japanese and who can watch 48 episodes of a Japanese cartoon series, and write a brief 1-2 paragraph synopsis of each episode in English. Each episode is roughly 20 minutes. Aside from above, there is also a pilot episode I would need a complete translation made of. I would supply the DVDs, which are region 3 (playable on some computers). I need this done as cheaply as possible, so I will take bids on this job. I would need this all completed by sometime in January at latest. Great gig for student or retired person, especially if you like old cartoons. Please email me for more info.
