Apr 22

NYTimes Book Reviews: Manga and Creative Writing

Thanks to JETAA Pacific Northwest alum David Kowalsky for sharing the following two JetWit-relevant book reviews from the NY Times:


Apr 22

Job: Full-time Translator J>E for consulting firm (NY)

This job listing is from a seasoned Japan hand (i.e., not from Craigslist) who asked me to share it with the JET alum community.  If you apply, please mention that you saw the listing on the WIT Group or on JetWit:

Translator, Japanese to English.

Small company specializing in Japanese/English communications, research, and industry monitoring seeks to hire an experienced translator whose native language is English and who has excellent writing skills in English. Familiarity with IT and pharmaceutical industries a plus but not required. We are seeking someone who is responsible, eager to learn about new fields, and works well with colleagues and clients. Collegial atmosphere with American and Japanese colleagues. Midtown Manhattan location. Competitive salary and health insurance benefits.

Please send resume and cover letter to translator [at] msapr [dot] com.


Apr 22

J-News Mini-Roundup: Chiba Mayor Arrested on Corruption Charges

J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com). Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese language learning options.

Background: All three newspapers were filled with headlines this morning showing the Chiba Government Office being flooded with police. The mayor Chiba was arrested today on charges of bribery in a construction scandal. The police claim that Mayor Tsuroka Keiichi received about 1,000,000 yen (10,000 dollars) in 2005 as bribe money when new orders were being placed for public works projects. Each newspaper added different sides to the story.

Nikkei: “The Mayor Claims he’s innocent” The Nikkei’s opening paragraph descrmayoribes the accusation that is being brought on the mayor, and then the second sentence abruptly states “and he claims he’s innocent.” The Nikkei also mentions that the Public Works Construction Company involved in the scandal is using the defense that the statue of limitations on bribery is three years, and three years have elapsed since the event.

Yomiuri: “The Mayor had a Motive” The Yomiuri paints a vivid picture…

(Click HERE to read the rest of the post)



Apr 22

JET alum discount for Human Japanese 2.0

JETAA Texoma’s Dallas Subchapter Rep Angela Beard reports that she’s been able to secure a 20% discount on the downloadable version of Human Japanese 2.0, a Japanese instruction program. Users who posted reviews on Amazon.com seem to like it (78% of reviewers awarded 5 stars…and the sole negative reviewer actually recanted and awarded 5 stars later).

Angela says:  I know that Human Japanese offers boxed versions and iPhone versions, but for now the discount applies to the downloadable version only. However, depending on how well this promotion goes, maybe we’ll be able to strike a deal on the other versions, too! Here is information from the creator himself, including how to get the discount:

To see Human Japanese and download a trial version, the students can just use the normal web site, at www.humanjapanese.com. When they’re ready to purchase, they’ll get a discount if they use this URL: http://www.humanjapanese.com/Purchase.aspx?promotion=APLGGBEX That brings the price for the download-only version to about $15, which is a smokin’ deal if you ask me! :-)

I hope this discount will help those of you who have been wanting to get better at Japanese but can’t quite get motivated or commit to a classroom course. I know that I am in that group, and I am excited to give this program a try. From the reviews, it seems that Human Japanese takes a different approach from many other language instruction programs.

Incidentally, the creator is a wonderful guy…he and his wife were kind enough to let me stay with them during half of my time in Seattle last August. Actually, his whole family is great, especially his brother (my boyfriend). ;) In seriousness, he is very open to feedback about the program and if you run into difficulties or have questions, he is always available to help. I approached him about this discount specifically for JETAA and he was immediately happy to offer some incentive.

Thanks for reading and good luck with Human Japanese.


Apr 22

JetWit Blog Beat by Crystal Wong

JetWit Blog Beat by Crystal Wong (Iwate-ken, 2002-04) is a recurring item featuring posts from the blogs of various JET alumni.  Crystal is a formerEnglish-language writer for Kyodo News. She now works as a media planner in Chelsea and sorely misses all her favorite midtown ramen joints.

fish_general_sm

Hello JetWit readers! Blog Beat was on a brief spring hiatus, but we have a lot to catch up on as JET alumni everywhere have been clearly very busy this spring.

Undoubtedly one of the coolest cakes ever – James Kennedy lauds his fans in a recent post, and with good reason, as these are original and wonderful ways to see his work appreciated.  (James’ editor is reported to have commented, “That is simultaneously the most impressive and least appetizing cake I have ever seen.”)

Another new addition to the blogroll – Suzanne (Borsum) Kamata (Tokushima, 1988-90) is the author of the novel Losing Kei (Leapfrog Press, 2008), a picture book, Playing for Papa (Topka Books, 2008) and the editor of three anthologies. We welcome her to Blog Beat and look forward to cheering for her little Tiger during his adventures in Japanese baseball.

JET alum Chen Reichert shares thoughts and photos from her first craft show of the season during Sakura Sunday, the biggest event during the Philly Cherry Blossom Festival. Sounds like it was a smashing success!

Check out Lee-Sean Huang‘s (Oita-ken, 2003-06) intriguing final project for his Visual Music and Animals, et al. classes.

JET alum Lars Martinson is hard at work on the sequel to his graphic novel Tonoharu – read a complete rundown of his progress here.

Bruce Rutledge of Chin Music Press reveals a few more tantalizing sneak peeks at the upcoming Oh! by Todd Shimoda.

Finally, we’d like to report that Rose Symotiuk (Hokkaido, 2003-2005) just got married in Poland a few days ago! Congratulations Rose!!


Apr 22

**************************

Author Suzanne Kamata (Tokushima-ken, 1988-90), who serves as the publicity assistant for the Tokyo branch of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, shared the following announcement:

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators presents

Literary Agent Laura Rennert

Under the Hood: The Nuts and Bolts of Craft

Time: Friday, May 15, 2009, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Place: Tokyo Women’s Plaza, Conference Room 1

5-53-67 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

(by the Children’s Castle and United Nations University)

For a map see www.scbwi.jp/map.htm

Fee: SCBWI members 1,500 yen; non-members 2,000 yen

This event will be in English.

In this two hour presentation, Laura Rennert, senior agent of Andrea Brown Literary Agency, will lift the hood and focus on the key elements of the writer’s craft: voice, great beginnings, characterization, narrative structure, plot, powerful endings. How do you establish your compact with the reader and then honor it? What makes opening pages irresistible and how do you sustain these page turning elements throughout your work? What causes an agent, an editor, or a reader to put down a book? If voice is that ineffable something you bring to the table, are there concrete ways in which you can work on it? What are the essential elements that go into the creation of “round” characters, and how can you create these multi-dimensional, vivid characters?

Come to this hands-on session and plumb these questions and others as Rennert delves into issues of craft and technique, drawing on her ten years plus experience as an agent, on her Ph.D. and eight years of university experience teaching English Literature, and her own experience as an agent with forthcoming published books.

Laura Rennert is a Senior Agent with Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Founded in New York City in 1981, it was the first literary agency to represent both children’s book authors and illustrators. Rennert has been with the agency for almost ten years, and specializes in all categories of children’s books, from picture books to young adult, graphic novels, fiction and nonfiction. Visit the Andrea Brown agency website at www.andreabrownlit.com.

www.scbwi.jp info@scbwi.jp


Apr 21

Upcoming Lectures at Japan Society (NY): Intimacy and Tourism

I just saw that Japan Society (NY) has two particularly interesting lectures coming up.  One on the issue of intimacy in Japanese society and the other on whether Japan has failed to take advantage of a big tourism opportunity, both topics that are likely to be of interest to JET alums.



Lovesick Japan:


Dana Goodyear.

Stories of Intimacy from Courts to Keitai (Cell Phone) Novels
Tuesday, May 5
6:30 PM

Dana Goodyear, poet, journalist and the author of the New Yorker article “I ♥ Novels,” and Mark West, Nippon Life Professor of Japanese Law at the University of Michigan, discuss their latest research into this “crisis of intimacy.”  Moderated by Kenji Yoshino, The Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law at New York University.

Tickets:
$10 / $8 Japan Society Members / $5 Senior and Students

Purchase tickets online or call the box office at 212.715.1258


Historical and Natural Tourism:


Alex Kerr.

Rediscovering Lost Japan
Monday, May 11
6:30 PM

While tourism has become the world’s largest earner of foreign exchange, famed author and Japan expert Alex Kerr argues that Japan has largely missed a great opportunity. Using examples of successful historic renovation and new approaches to managing tourist sites in both rural and urban Japan, Kerr offers an innovative vision for the future of international tourism in Japan.

Tickets:

$10/$8 Japan Society Members/$5 Senior & Students

Purchase tickets online or call the box office at 212.715.1258


LOCATION:
Unless noted otherwise, all programs will be held at Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street at First Avenue, NYC.


Apr 21

Job: Doc review for attorneys fluent in reading Japanese

Thanks to Jonathan Golub, Esq. (Saitama-ken, 1996-97) for passing along this opportunity:

PeterSan Legal Temps is seeking admitted attorneys who are fluent in written Japanese for a document review project. Admission to at least one state bar is strongly preferred; attorneys with admission pending will be considered. No non-attorney candidates are being accepted at this time. Please email your resume ASAP to pltresumes@petersan.com.

(Also, a reminder for any JET alum lawyers, law school students, potential law school students or those with any other connection to or interest in law that you’re welcome to join the JETAA Law Group on Facebook.)


Apr 21

J-News Mini-Roundup: [Hayashi Sentenced to Death]

rice

J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com). Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese language learning options.

The year was 1998, in Wakayama-ken. In Japan it was called the “Curry Incident”, where four people were killed eating poisoned curry. Hayashi-san was charged with murder, and had appealed all the way to the Japanese Supreme Court. Today in Japan, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, and sentenced her to death. Each newspaper reported the account differently.

Nikkei Defends the accused The Nikkei focused on the court proceedings, and how under the 3rd Petty Bench of the Supreme Court, all 5 judges ruled unanimously that Hayashi-san was guilty. The Nikkei claims “she insists she’s innocent, and her and her lawyer are applying for a retrial”. The most alarming part of the Nikkei article came at the end, stating “there is actually no direct evidence linking her to the crime. The focus is instead on circumstantial evidence.” This adds new meaning to the Japanese legal philosophy: guilty, until proven innocent.

Yomiuri Condemns the accused The Yomiuri’s headline ran “The Death Penalty has been decided.” It then goes on to describe the event as the “Tragedy that took place in the summer festival”. According to the Yomiuri, in 1998 at an outdoor festival held by the Wakayama City Park Service, someone emptied poison into the curry rice. 4 people died, and 61 people sustained injury from the poisoned rice. If you weren’t feeling bad for the guilty yet, they added that Hayashi-san was a “door to door insurance salesman.”

Asahi Also fights for her innocence The Asahi as well points to the fact that the evidence pointing to Hayashi-san is all circumstantial. It then gives a full account of the appeals process, how the smaller court in Wakayama had given her a guilty sentence, but both her and her lawyer had appealed to the Supreme Court. Although the Supreme Court had ruled that she’s guilty, the Asahi does not give any examples of what the judges ruled, and instead closes their article with the arguments used to defend Hayashi-san. “The expert testimony in regards to arsenic poison cannot be trusted. The witness’s account of seeing Hayashi-san near the curry rice could have easily mistaken her for some other woman. And at any time, other people had access to the curry rice.”


Apr 21

Via Sabrina Carlin on the JETAA Pacific Northwest e-mail list:

For those Yoshida Kyodai fans out there, the Brothers are playing at the Triple Door on May 20th. There are two shows, 7 pm or 9:30. Tickets are $23 or $26 at the door. You can call over the phone for tickets for a small service fee. http://www.tripledoor.com/ The doors open at 5 pm, and they have a full dinner menu available. A few of us Alums are going to the first show. Want to join us?

For those of you who’ve never heard of them:


One more video clip below the fold: Read More


Apr 21

New JET alum blog – Japandra

I just found out about another JET alum blog, this one at japandra.blogspot.com by a woman named Sandra (Miyazaki-ken, 1997-99) who worked in media in NY for a few years and now is back n Tokyo still in the media biz.

My favorite line so far is from her post “Do Over” where she attends a Yakult Swallows game and comments:

Maybe you know something about how Japanese baseball fans coordinate and organize. They make honeybees look sloppy.

Definitely a blog worth following.


Apr 20

J-News Mini-Roundup: [The Timing of the Snap Election]

kitagawa

J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com). Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese language learning options.

The Japanese political system is parliamentary democracy. One of the main differences when compared to the American system is politicians can decide to call a “snap election,” in other words they can call to dissolve the parliament and try to realign political alliances to their advantage. The snap election is the general buzz term of the year in Japanese political news, and every Japanese newspaper reports political commentary to try to predict when the snap election will be held.

This weekend the focus was on commentary made by the Secretary General of the LDP’s coalition party, the Komeito party. The Komeito party’s important because both the LDP and the Komeito’s policies should be politically in sync. Here’s what the newspapers reported about Komeito’s Secretary General, Kitagawa-san.

Nikkei “The chance for a snap election is when the economy bottoms out” The Nikkei reported that Kitagawa-san said, “The bill for the 2009 budget needs to be passed before we try to do a snap election.” As to exactly when that timing would be, the Nikkei hinted at the commentary made by Kitagawa-san. “In August, we’ll get the numbers for the GDP for April to June. Once we have the feeling that the economy is bottoming out, that is our chance for a snap election.”

Yomiuri “The snap election will be either in August, or afterwards” The Yomiuri reported a slightly different take on the Secretary General’s words…for the rest of this article please visit http://hillslearning.com/blog2.aspx


Apr 20

This past Saturday we held the first-ever JET Alumni Blog Workshop where we invited JET alums to gather and learn how to set up, use and take advantage of blogs.  This was my first activity in my new JETAA NY role as Professional Outreach & Development Chair and it turned out to be both productive and a lot of fun.

  • The goal was to help JET alums develop skills that will be beneficial in furthering their careers, whether they want to be independent writers, promote their services and abilities or perhaps just be one of the few people in their company who knows how to use blogs effectively (or at all).
  • Location: JETAA NY webmaster Lee-Sean Huang‘s apartment building in the Financial District in Lower Manhattan, which has wi-fi in its library.  Two JET alums joined:  Randall, who had never used a blog before, and Anton, who is familiar with blogs but was seeking structure for his writing energies and was interested in learning some of the techniques for effectively using a blog and increasing traffic.  Rather than a formal class-style lecture, we just sat around with our laptops (3 laptops for 4 people), demonstrated the basics of blogs and then looked over Randall’s shoulder as he set up his first-ever blog.  With Anton we discussed using RSS feeds to follow other blogs as well as possible writing topics and ways to contribute to JetWit.com.
  • Next JET Alumni Blog Workshop:  Probably on a weeknight in the near future, most likely in midtown at a cafe or other space that has wi-fi.  Stay tuned for more information.  If you’re interested and you have not already been in touch, just send an e-mail to professional at jetaany dot org and I’ll add you to the list.
  • Lastly, I encourage other JETAA chapters to try setting up blog workshops as well.  In addition to helping JET alums learn new skills, it was also nice to get together, learn about what each of us was doing and exchange info in a constructive way.  In the current economy it’s more important than ever for JET alums to help each other out, and this is just one small way among many to do that.

Apr 19

Just found out about another JET alum author out there in the JETAA-sphere…

Suzanne (Borsum) Kamata (Tokushima, 1988-90) is the author of the novel Losing Kei (Leapfrog Press, 2008), a picture book, Playing for Papa (Topka Books, 2008) and the editor of three anthologies – Call Me Okaasan: Adventures in Multicultural Mothering (Wyatt-Mackenzie Publishing, 2009), Love You to Pieces: Creative Writers on Raising a Child with Special Needs (Beacon Press, 2008) and The Broken Bridge: Fiction from Expatriates in Literary Japan (Stone Bridge Press, 1997). Her articles, essays, and short stories have appeared in over 100 publications, and have been nominated for the Pushcart Prize five times. She is also the 2008 recipient of the SCBWI Magazine Merit Award for Fiction. She is currently fiction editor of literarymama.com, and provides manuscript critiques on a freelance basis.


Apr 19

JETAA Texoma website up and running

Texoma JETAA Region has just announced the launch of its new website in blog format:  www.jetaa9.org

Get the RSS feed here:  http://www.jetaa9.org/wpb/?feed=rss2

You can go here to meet the Texoma JETAA officers.


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