Thanks to JET Liason Noriko Furuhata and JET alum Eric Campbell, both of whom work at the Consulate General of Japan in New York, for sharing the link to this Japan Times article about JET alum John Gauntner who has established himself as the leading non-Japanese sake expert in the world. And this on the heels of a recent JETAA NY sake tasting event at Bao Noodles, a restaurant owned by JET alum and sake sommelier Chris Johnson (Oita-ken, 1992-95).
Great stuff. Then again, is anyone really that surprised that JET alums would know sake so well? :-)
For more info, here are links to:
- the Japan Times article: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20090404a1.html
- John’s website: http://www.sake-world.com/ (filled with lots of good stuff)
- The five books he’s written on sake: http://www.sake-world.com/html/books.html (Yet another published JET alum author!)
- His Nihonshu columns that he wrote for the Japan Times for 8 years: http://www.sake-world.com/html/jt-archives.html
Perhaps going forward it’s time for JetWit to start keeping its eyes peeled for JET alum shouju sommeliers.
Kirsten’s World: Oh, I’m a Joyous Glad T.V.
Writers 
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By Kirsten Phillips (Niigata-ken, 2005-08)
I would pay a ton of money to be a Japanese-comprehending fly on the wall of a Glico marketing conference. Summer approaches and Japan requires a new gum.
Eureka! I’ve got it! Monkey gum!
No one’s gonna buy monkey gum, idiot.
I tell you some folk can’t resist the idea of monkey gum! It’ll be a sensation! The people will embrace it by storm!
3 people will embrace it by storm–the guy in the strait jacket and the two men in white chasing him with a net.
You just don’t see my vision, man!
Ok. What exactly does monkey gum taste like?
I believe we may have found an appropriate vehicle for our as yet unlaunched gobo-yuzu series.
In what blanking universe does gobo OR yuzu have anything whatsoever to do with primates?
Who fucking cares??? It’s monkey blast! Simmianrific! Sarutastic! My mojo’s on the yen, baby! Tart it up, get Kamenashi in a chimp suit to whore it out and it’ll sell like スルメ in a Nursing Home!
The ironic thing is, ladies and gents? It likely will. In fact, it might even launch an American remake.
Such a fickle lot the Japanese are. Just when I’d start developing a bitching jones for キャラメル 味 Kit-Kats, I’d find them cruelly yanked come Winter and Read More
JapanInfo Newsletter – April 2009
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The April 2009 edition of JapanInfo is now available online. JapanInfo is published by the Consulate General of Japan in New York/Japan Information Center and is a great source of info for Japan-related things going on in New York and the surrounding area.
Highlights include:
Ambassador Nishimiya Takes Office- Ambassador Nishimiya Visits Philadelphia
- Ms. Toshiko Calder of the Princeton Community Japanese Language School is Honored
- JETAANY Hosts First Author Showcase
- The World Heritage Sites in Japan: Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto
- Manga as a Tool for Learning Japanese
- And plenty of things to do and see on the Events Calendar.
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WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). Recently she’s been watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
When I was in Japan back in March, a topic that was on everyone’s minds (or at least those of my single friends) was 婚活 (konkatsu), 
the idea of pursuing a marriage partner in the same way you would look for a job. The flip side of the coin is the companion term 離活 (rikatsu), referring to rikon katsudou or similar efforts regarding divorce. In keeping with the times, new dramas this spring season revolve around these themes. In the interest of anthropological research as well as satisfying my Japanese drama addiction, I checked out 「婚カツ！」 and 「コンカツ・リカツ」 .
The former stars SMAP member Masahiro Nakai as Kuniki Amamiya, a 34-year old who Read More
Job: Assistant English Teacher (Hokkaido)
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Via JETAA Pacific Northwest:
Greetings from Hokkaido,
I remember this gig as being a sweet one if anyone is interested in coming back to Japan and living up in Kamui Mintara (Ainu for “God’s Country”) of Hokkaido. If so, please check out the below and get in touch with them directly.
If you are interested in coming over to the Kamui Mintara this summer for some good ol’ fashioned (straw bale) wall raising, check out the blog listed in my signature for information on our workshop the first weekend in August.
I hope all is well back in The Pac. NW!! Ogenki de!!
-Toby
Hokkaido, Japan, Earth
http://maikotobybomber.blogspot.com
*************
The Shintoku BOE is seeking an enthusiastic applicant to fill one of its two Assistant English Teacher (AET) positions. Read More
Job: Bilingual English/Korean Assistant Recruiter (Southern California)
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Via JETAA Southern California:
Assistant Recruiter Wanted
Description
Major Japanese trading company is looking for Assistant Recruiter(Human Resource Department)! This company holds nineteen branch offices througout the United States, Canada, Tokyo, Kobe and Shanghai China. They offers Japanese food to the world , and offers international food to Japan. Read More
J-News Mini-Roundup: The Sumo Tournament for Losers, Asashoryu Included
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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: Last night sumo’s match was an upset for the returning champion sumo, Asashoryu. After an accusation from the sumo authorities for “playing soccer in Mongolia”, among other charges, he was officially banned from sumo for an extended period of time in 2007 to 2008. Now this year he’s back along with his arch rival, Hakuhou. While Hakuhou was undefeated last tournament, Asashoryu racked up two losses. Last night also demonstrated that Asashoryu is not going to be able to come out of this tournament unscathed. Each newspaper had a slightly different take on Asashoryu, Hakuhou, and the tournament last night at Ryogoku, in Tokyo.
Yomiuri “Asashoryu hits the floor, Hakuhou racks up a third win.” The Yomiuri, compared with the other two papers, focuses on Asashoryu’s loss and him literally “hitting the floor.” His rival, Aminishiki, pushed him out of the ring by a well positioned start. The Yomiuri then describes this defeat as the seventh time Aminishiki has beaten a sumo champion. Hakuhou on the other hand, as they describe in their second paragraph, has racked up his third consecutive win.
Nikkei “Asashoryu’s first defeat, Hakuhou and Haruma win” The Nikkei cleverly gives the spotlight in their headline for a win to both…
(Click HERE to read the rest of the post)
Job: English editor, Chinese>English translation for bank (Hong Kong)
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Via JET alum Tim Tsang (CIR Hyogo-ken) of the Tardis Group, a global executive search firm:
A Chinese bank is searching for an English editor for the research department in Hong Kong. Successful candidate will edit English professionally and is capable of translating Mandarin Chinese to English as well. Current writing/editing experienced candidates only please. Please send an email/call for an initial confidential discussion.
http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=67&PageNumber=1&JobID=15307214
Professional translator Joel Dechant (CIR Kagoshima-ken, 2001-04) is now guest blogging for Fukuoka Now
Before moving my humble abode to the heart of Hakata, I had the esteemed pleasure of living in Beppu—the hot spring capital of the world—for 3 years. I worked at a university, did some volunteer guided tours and even got on TV several times One of my most memorable odysseys in Spa Land was taking my son all over the city in a quest to become Hot Spring Masters.
Hot Spring Master?
Yes, I can proudly say that I am a Hot Spring Master. Here’s how it works. You go to the tourism bureau or train station and pay 50 yen for a hot spring passport, the Spaport. Then, you pick up a copy of the Onsenbon (Hot Spring Book) which lists all of the participating hot springs and comes chock full of coupons. After enjoying each hot spring (in whatever order you choose), you show your Spaport to the onsen staff and get it stamped. Every 8 hot springs, you advance to the next level, and you have the option of paying 500 yen to the tourism bureau to get a nifty certificate and colored towel, a la the different colored belts in karate. Once you reach 88 hot springs, you pay the final fee of 1500 yen to get the granddaddy of all towels, the black and gold Hot Spring Master towel. You get another cool certificate, and your photo goes on the Wall of Fame at Hyotan Onsen. Then you can tell everyone, “You know what? I’m a Hot Spring Master!” It makes for great party conversation, and it’s a great way to get to know Beppu.
So what does this have to do with Fukuoka?
Continue reading “Masters of the Noodleverse” at the FukuokaNOW blog!
The Digitalists: State of the Media 2009
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For the benefit of all the JET alum journalists, aspiring journalists and writers of all stripes out in the JET-osphere, I thought I’d share a recent post from my bookworm brother Greg, who works in online marketing and is in the process of digesting the Pew Project for Excellence in Journalism’s extensive report:
Good overview from the Pew Project for Excellence in Journalism. I’m still working through the complete report (which apparently tops out at 700 pages), so for now I’ll just focus on some of the major trends they identify:
The growing public debate over how to finance the news industry may well be focusing on the wrong remedies while other ideas go largely unexplored.
Forget about micropayments and changing to non-profit status. And forget about a single revenue source being the magic bullet that will save the news business. Most likely, it will take a combination of new ideas, including “online retail malls” and “subscription-based niche products for elite professional audiences.” That last point is an important one; while it’s nearly impossible to get an audience to start paying for a service they’ve been receiving for free, there are always opportunities to upsell premium offerings to segments of your audience.
Power is shifting to the individual journalist and away, by degrees, from journalistic institutions.
This sounds like a good thing for journalists, but as Spider-man would say, with greater power comes greater responsibility; specifically, the responsibilities journalists used to depend on organizations to take care of such as editing, marketing and publicity.
On the Web, news organizations are focusing somewhat less on bringing audiences in and more on pushing content out.
This is another trend that’s potentially liberating, but also scary. When publishers bring users to their content, they also control the options for monetizing it. Even if (…continue reading)
Via JETAA Texoma (Chapter 9):
Dear Texoma JET Alumni:
The Consulate-General of Japan at Houston is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for a special Research Student Scholarship available only to past JET Program participants. Like ordinary Research Student Scholarships, this opportunity provides recipients with round-trip airfare to Japan, all tuition expenses, and a monthly allowance of 152,000 yen (approx. $1450) per month. The scholarship term will be one-and-a-half to two years, extendable if the recipient is accepted to a masters or PhD program.
To qualify, applicants must be previous JET participants, citizens of the United States, have been born on or after April 2, 1975, and should be in good health. Furthermore, applicants must be able to arrive in Japan between April 1 and April 7 or between October 1 and October 7, 2010 and have intermediate or higher level Japanese ability. Proposed fields of study should be the same or related to a field applicants studied previously.
More details can be found at: http://www.houston.us.emb-japan.go.jp/en/culture/page11-2.htm. The deadline for applications is June 26, 2009, so please start your applications soon. Be sure to include your JET experience on your application. If you have any questions, please contact me at 713-652-2977 x2114 or jetcoord@cgjhou. org. This is a tremendous opportunity, so we hope many of you will apply.
UTADA POSTPONES IN-STORE PROMO
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INTERNATIONAL POP STAR POSTPONES U.S. PROMOTION FOR ALBUM RELEASE
Renowned international singer and songwriter, Hikaru Utada, who is set to release her new album This Is The One on May 12th (Island Def Jam Music Group), has been forced to postpone her promotions to launch the album along with a series of in-store appearances. The 26 year-old artist, who had planned to arrive today May 11th to promote and drive the album release, has been diagnosed with an acute case of left relapsing peritonsillitis.
Utada, who is Japan’s best selling artist ever, was set to make highly anticipated in-store appearances in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, and Honolulu to promote the May 12th album. Upon consultation with doctors and a brief hospitalization, she’s been advised not to travel or use her voice for at least two weeks. A full recovery is expected.
According to the artist’s representative, “Utada was very much looking forward to sharing her new album with her U.S fans and is very disappointed that her illness has forced her to postpone these promotional activities. She looks forward to rescheduling them as soon as she can.”
Fans are encouraged to check www.utada.com for more information.
J-News Mini-Roundup: The Head of Japan’s Opposition Party Resigns
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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: Representative Ozawa of the Democratic Party of Japan announced his resignation today. The DPJ, or Democratic Party of Japan, has gained unprecedented political prominence in recent years. Just earlier this year it was highly rumored that the DPJ was going to unseat the ruling party, the LDP or Liberal Democratic Party, for the first time since the Second World War. Then, amidst a scandal where Ozawa’s secretary was accepting illegal campaign contributions, Ozawa and the DPJ abruptly started losing public favor. Each newspaper took a slightly different account of Ozawa’s resignation speech and how they viewed his departure from power.
Asahi A Political Soldier, “I did it for the Unification of my Party”. The Asahi reports that Ozawa’s main focus in his resignation was to unify his party, and continue the political battle. It’s almost made to seem as if a soldier has just retired from the battlefront. “Not only am I doing this to pave the way for a transition of power, but beyond that I’m doing this for sake of political solidarity.” The Asahi then adds that Ozawa still feels that “winning the snap election is of the utmost importance. I will continue along with my party to fight till the end.”
Nikkei A Vulnerable Threat, “The Party was Unstable“. The Nikkei focused on very different commentary…
(Click HERE to read the rest of the post)
Happy Okaasan’s Day!
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Happy Okaasan’s Day from JetWit to all the JET alum moms, moms of JET alums and homestay moms too!
On the theme of JET alums and moms, you may want to get your mom a copy of author Suzanne Kamata’s (Tokushima-ken, 1988-90) new book — Call Me Okaasan: Adventures in Multicultural Mothering, a collection of essays from 20 mothers around the world.
For some nice background on Suzanne, take a look at writer (and mother) Liz Sheffield’s (Hokkaio-ken, Sapporo-shi, 1993-95) interview with Suzanne about the book on Liz’s blog motherlogue.wordpress.com.
JOB: Japanese Nanny (West LA, California)
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Posted by Barry Greene (Yamanashi-ken ’02-’05).
A busy professional couple looking for a Japanese Nanny ASAP:
http://babysitters.sittercity.com/job_view.html?job_id=192924&source=Indeed
