Japan America Society Roundup 9.13.09
Japan Society Round-up 
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, Editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America societies…
2009 Annual Cultural Festival — This free fundraising event of JASSC will feature a bazaar where you can buy second-hand kimonos, haoris (jackets) and various Japanese goods like washi, pottery and bonsai. Fill up on sushi and other Japanese cuisine while enjoying taiko and koto music performances, Japanese dance and martial arts demonstrations.
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
- Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Place: Stargazers Theatre and Event Center, 10 S. Parkside Dr., Colorado Springs
- For more information: Email jcarusorathe (at) msn (dot) com or call 576-2229.
- Ikebana International Pittsburgh Chapter #25 50th Anniversary Celebration — Enjoy a reception with hors d’oeuvers and cash bar and an evening of entertainment including koto music, flute and violin performances and an ikebana demonstration and exhibition.
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 1
- Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
- Place: Phipps Conservatory, Tropical Garden Room, 700 Frank Curto Drive, Pittsburgh
- For more information: Call Nelda Burd at 742-352-5036
Ladies’ Day Trip in Ohio — Recall memories of the inaka while driving through backwoods Ohio. JASK ladies are invited to join a day trip to the Amish restaurant in Plain City, the new Premium Outlets in Cincinnati and the Japanese grocery in Columbus. The cost to JASK members is $45.
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 15
- Time: 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- For more information: http://jask.org/events?eventId=84477&EventViewMode=EventDetails
- US-Japan Business Luncheon — Ambassador Shinichi Nishimiya will share his reflections on Japan’s government change, Japan’s past government reforms and its relevance to American business today. The luncheon is $65 for JASGP members.
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 13
- Time: Noon to 2 p.m.
- Place: The Union League of Philadelphia, 140 S. Broad St., Philadelphia
- For more information and to register, click here.
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
JetWit job poster Stephen Palanik (Fukushima Ken, 2004-08) learned of the following short-term employment opportunity through the JETAA Toronto group and thought it might be of interest to former JETs in the Toronto area. Stephen is a translator based in Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka Ken, and he periodically posts job listings and event information for JET alumni.
Position: JET Programme Assistant Coordinator
Position Type: Full Time – Temporary
Location: Japan Information Centre, Consulate General of Japan
Application Deadline: Tuesday, September 22nd – 4:00 pm
Start Date: Friday, October 2nd 2009
End Date: Thursday, November 12th 2009
Position Description:
The JET Programme Assistant Coordinator will provide assistance in the fall recruitment of the JET Programme. She/he will be responsible for answering telephone and in-person inquiries from potential JET applicants; responding to post and e-mail inquiries; liaising with various organisations and institutions regarding the JET Programme; helping maintain data using MS Access; preparing and creating form letters in MS Word; and helping to maintain a few busy schedules. On occasion, she/he may also be asked to assist with work beyond JET.
Bruce Rutledge hired as editor of new Ibuki Magazine, seeks ideas and stories from JETs in Pacific Northwest
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A nice update from JET alum Bruce Rutledge, the owner of Seattle-based publisher Chin Music Press via the JETAA Pacific Northwest yahoogroup:
Hi everyone, I wanted to let you all know about a new magazine about Japanese culture that was launched this summer. It’s called Ibuki.
You can find it on the Web here: http://ibukimagazine.com/
The publisher has hired me to edit the magazine and has said she would love to hear ideas for stories from former JETs in the Pacific Northwest. The magazine is beginning as a quarterly centered on Seattle, but, the economy willing, it will expand both its focus and its readership in 2010. If you’re coming to Aki Matsuri this weekend, you’ll find publisher Misa Cartier there at the Ibuki table (and you’ll find me at the Chin Music Press table).
Please stop either one of us and say hi if you’re interested in contributing.
Cheers,
Bruce
For more information about Bruce Rutledge and Chin Music Press just go to http://chinmusicpress.com
BAPCPA Man #7 – BAPCPA Man vs. Mortgantua
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BAPCPA Man and Bankruptcy Bill are cartoons created by Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94) and Gideon Kendall. For more cartoons, original bankruptcy haiku and even a bankruptcy country song, go to bankruptcybill.us.
(Click here to see larger version of the cartoon.)
Additionally, if anyone would like to take a stab at translating the cartoon into Japanese for JetWit’s Japanese fans out there, feel free to post in the comments section of this post. Some cultural explanation might be helpful as well, given that Japanese bankruptcy laws are very different than the U.S.
JetWit job poster Stephen Palanik (Fukushima Ken, 2004-08) learned of the following translation contest through the Japan Association of Translators website and thought that it might be of interest to former JETs. Stephen is a translator based in Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka Ken, and he periodically posts job listings and event information for JET alumni.
Designed to foster, recognize, and reward excellence in commercial, non-literary translation between Japanese and English by new translators, the sixth annual awards will be given in 2010. A 450-member-strong organization of professional freelance and in-house translators and interpreters, JAT is dedicated to promoting the interests of individual translators and interpreters working between Japanese and English worldwide.
SIXTH ANNUAL JAT CONTEST FOR NEW AND ASPIRING TRANSLATORS
Sponsored by: Japan Association of Translators (JAT)
Purpose: To cultivate new talent in commercial, non-literary translation
Qualification: Anyone with less than three years of commercial translation experience. (JAT membership not required. Except for the winners, entrants in the past contests are welcome to enter again.)
Categories: Japanese-to-English and English-to-Japanese
Entry fee: Free
Awards (each category):
The First Place winner in each category will receive a free trip to IJET-21, to be held on April 24 (Sat.) and 25 (Sun.), 2010 in Miyazaki, Japan, including registration fee, round-trip ticket, and hotel accommodations (3 nights), plus a one-year membership in JAT. Each Second Place winner will receive a one-year membership in JAT.
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 former English-language writer for Kyodo News. She is now a freelance writer and digital strategist in New York and relishes her constant hunt for the best cheap(ish) eats in the city.
Adventure writer Elizabeth White (Toyama-ken, 1995-98) visited a most amazing vineyard this weekend. Check out her wonderful post here – you can practically taste every sip. Also be sure to scroll down for some delicious-looking recipes with a lot of San Luis Obispo flavor.
Writer Kelly Luce (Kawasaki, 2002-03) checks in with a cute anecdote about her experience at Fishtrap writing workshops.
If only we were in Japan to share this very special Pringles flavor with JET alum Lars Martinson…
Sake World e-Newsletter by John Gauntner (September 2009)
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The September 2009 issue of the Sake World E-mail Newsletter by JET alum and leading sake expert John Gauntner (aka “The Sake Guy”) is now available online. In this issue:
- The Hazards of Nama
- Did You Know? The Toji
- Guided Sakagura Tours
- NEW! Sake Professional Courses in Las Vegas and Japan
- Sake Events
- Learn More About Sake eBooks
- Odds-n-Ends
Events: JETAA Toronto Upcoming Events Digest (Toronto)
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JetWit job poster Stephen Palanik (Fukushima Ken, 2004-08) learned of the following events through the JETAA Toronto newsletter and thought they might be of interest to former JETs in the Toronto area. Stephen is a translator based in Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka Ken, and he periodically posts job listings and event information for JET alumni.
Japanese Class
If you’d like a fun, casual environment where you can keep up your Japanese language skills, then sign up for JETAA Toronto’s Japanese conversation class.
Classes are conducted in Japanese, and are led by beloved long-time teacher, Sugimoto-sensei.
Conversation level is intermediate, but a lot of individual attention means that beginner and advanced students will also enjoy the class.
Monday nights starting Sept 28
WHAT: 10 sessions; 2 hours each
WHERE: Toronto Reference Library at Yonge & Bloor
WHO: Former JET participants only
COST: $60 to be paid by the second class
Interested parties should contact Sonia.
Read More
Job: Native English Translator for a Japanese Bank (Tokyo)
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JetWit job poster Stephen Palanik (Fukushima Ken, 2004-08) learned of the following translation opportunity through the GaijinPot website and thought it might be of interest to former JETs in the Tokyo area. Stephen is a translator based in Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka Ken, and he periodically posts job listings and event information for JET alumni.
Human Development Institute, Ltd. is recruiting a native English translator for a Japanese bank. Duties include translating financial and economic reports, correspondence and other banking-related materials. Translation experience, advanced Japanese, and good interpersonal skills required.
Job: In-house J -> E Translation Position with Nintendo of Europe (Frankfurt, Germany)
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JetWit job poster Stephen Palanik (Fukushima Ken, 2004-08) learned of the following translation opportunity through the Honyaku E <> J Mailing List and thought it might be of interest to former JETs in Frankfurt, Germany. Stephen is a translator based in Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka Ken, and he periodically posts job listings and event information for JET alumni.
Aerotek is recruiting a JP -> EN translator for Nintendo of Europe. The main text to being translated is in-game text.
Parties interested in this in-house translation position in Frankfurt, Germany should contact Mr. Thomas Bronek either through e-mail or through the following contact details.
Aerotek
An der Dammheide 10
60486 Frankfurt am Main
Tel: 0800 2553 447
DDI: +49 (0)69 22221 3862
Fax: +49 (0)69 2557 7446
WIT Life #49: Regime Change
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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.
Since my last post there has been a huge shakeup in Japanese politics, with the Democratic Party winning in a landslide election and its leader Yukio Hatoyama poised to become the next Prime Minister. His wife, Miyuki, has even been getting lots of press for her claim to have been abducted by aliens and taken to Venus when she was younger. She is already fodder for late-night comedians, as this week she was the subject of a David Letterman Top-Ten list entitled “Signs the Japanese First Lady is Nuts.”
Analysts expect the Democrats to focus at least initially on their ambitious domestic agenda. The party has pledged to change the postwar paradigm, promising to ease growing social inequality by handing more money and social benefits directly to residents rather than to industry or other interest groups. It has promised to strengthen the social safety net and raise the low birthrate by giving families cash handouts of $270 per month per child and by charging lower gasoline taxes. Such policies could bring about the start of recovery by lifting Japan’s flagging consumer spending. Hatoyama has expressed a desire to move away from American-style capitalism.
The party has said it will rein in the powerful central ministries in Tokyo which have run postwar Japan on the Liberal Democrats’ behalf. It plans to wrest away power from ministerial bureaucrats to ensure that spending more closely reflects public needs. However, party’s leaders have not had much to say about how to address productivity, or Japan’s continuing battle with deflation or the overhang of a huge public debt. Due to this, some people have not embraced its platform with much enthusiasm and are not optimistic about the Democrats’ ability to solve looming problems like the growing government debt and a rapidly aging population. Read More
Jobs: 1) Outreach Program Coordinator and 2) Volleyball Coach at Keio Academy (Purchase, NY)
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Via the JETAAJobs yahoogroup, two positions at Keio Academy in Purchase, NY. 1) Outreach Program Coordinator & 2) Girls Varsity Volleyball Coach:
1. POSITION: OUTREACH PROGRAM COORDINATOR (F/T)
RESPONSIBILITIES: The Outreach Program Coordinator develops and organizes Keio Academy’s unique Bilingual Summer Camp program, community outreach programs, extracurricular activities and partnership programs with other schools. The Coordinator will also be in charge of developing and implementing the home-stay program for students in local communities. (Continue reading…)
Japan America Society Roundup 9.05.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, Editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America societies…
Japan Robot Night — Not only is Japan on the cutting edge of the robotics industry, but it even manages to make its robots so kawaii! One example is PARO, a baby seal robot that interacts with people and makes them feel emotionally attached. PARO is part of a new track of Japanese robotics that has taken off — service robots assisting humans. You’ll have a chance to see this therapy robot for yourself at this event, which will feature a lecture by Dr. Takanori Shibata, inventor of PARO. The program also will include a presentation on service robotics trends in Japan. The event is free and open to the public.
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 15
- Time: 5:30 to 8 p.m.
- Place: University of Missouri-St. Louis, Millennium Student Center, Century Room C, One University Boulevard, St. Louis
- For more information: http://www.us-japan.org/jasstl/images/Japan_Robot_Night.pdf
- 13th Annual Grand Taiko Concert — Witness the grace of an authentic Japanese classical dance master and the acrobatics of beautiful aerial silk performers at this annual taiko drum performance. Admission is free.
- Date: Sept. 18-19
- Time: 7:30 to 9:45 p.m.
- Place: Miller Outdoor Theatre, Hermann Park, Houston
- For more information: http://www.ilovetaiko.org/
Japan America Kite Festival — Go fly a kite! Bring your own to this event, or purchase one from the variety of kites available for sale. Enjoy international kites of all sizes and colors, and don’t miss the huge 50-foot by 100-foot kites on display. There will be a Rokaku kite battles, stunt kite demonstrations, kite “ballet” and precision synchronized kite team performances.
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 4
- Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Place: Seal Beach Pier, (North side of the Pier), Seal Beach, CA 90740
- For more information: http://www.jas-socal.org/jas/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=2&tabid=3#13th
- Life for Foreign Workers in Japan — If you’ve wondered what life is like for non-Japanese blue-collar workers in Japan, check out this presentation by Dr. Harumi Befu, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Stanford University. Dr. Befu will present his current research on foreign workers’ lives in Japan — the support they receive as well as the challenges they face. This event is free and open to the public.
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 17
- Time: 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Place: Union Bank Hospitality Room, 22 Peace Plaza, Miyako Mall, San Francisco
- For more information: http://japansocietyofnortherncalifornia.myshopify.com/products/foreign-workers-in-japan
Japanese Fall Festival — Enjoy stage events including karate, taiko, iado and kendo, as well as plenty of food booths, games and cultural demonstrations.
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 20
- Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Place: Dallas Japanese Association, South Side Parking Lot, 4100 Alpha Rd., Dallas
- For more information: http://jasdfw.org/downloads/ffest.pdf
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
JETAA Northern California 2009 Career and Networking Forum – Sept 27
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JETAA Northern California and the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco present:
The 2009 Career & Networking Forum
Sunday, September 27, 2009 – 1:00-5:00 p.m. – Kabuki Hotel
The Career & Networking Forum (CNF) co-sponsored by the JET Alumni Association of Northern California (JETAANC) and the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, will take place on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at the Kabuki Hotel (www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/sanfrancisco/kabuki) at 1650 Post Street in San Francisco from 1:00-5:00 pm (registration begins at 12:30).
The event will include industry-related breakout sessions and a keynote address, as well as a networking session where attendees can meet representatives from various organizations, and discuss resumes and job hunting techniques with alumni. This event is FREE for all JET Alumni and $10 for Friends of JET (FOJ).
For all veteran alumni this is a great opportunity for you make some career contacts, catch up with old friends, and help recently-returned JETs. Through the industry-related breakout sessions, we are providing an opportunity for older alumni to help mentor newly returned JETs and JETs looking to transition into another career.
Following CNF the Consul General of Japan in San Francisco, Yasumasa Nagamine will be hosting a reception for recently-returned JETs at the Kabuki Hotel. We would like to invite all JET Alumni attending CNF to this reception to help welcome back JET participants.
Please RSVP through the CNF registration link, also found below.
Tentative Schedule of Events:
- 12:30-1:00: Registration
- 1:00-1:10: Opening remarks
- 1:10-1:40: Keynote
- 1:40-2:45: Breakout sessions by industry
- 2:45-3:00: Break
- 3:00-5:00: Networking Session
- 5:00-7:00: Welcome Back Reception
>> Keynote Address: Timothy Morey, (CIR, Aomori City 1996 – 99) UC Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA, Senior Business Architect at Wipro Technologies. Focusing on the tools that can help you take action to realize your career aspirations.
>> Breakout sessions by industry
Hear from alumni who been there and done that. Get your questions answered from alumni who have all landed new jobs in a variety of fields.
>> Networking Session
What is the power of networking? Find out at this two hour-long session where you will have the opportunity to meet with Bay Area companies and organizations, and fellow alumni engaged in a variety of fields. Alumni will also be available to review your resume and help you showcase yourself and the skills you honed during your years on JET. You will not want to miss this opportunity to get a jump start on your career search!
**Be sure to bring an UPDATED resume and business cards (if you have them).
**Professional attire is required.
If you are interested in attending please register online by Monday, September 21, 2009. Space is limited so register now!
CNF Registration Link: https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dG9BSHhvRkpFSXZwbkJJeGc0Sm1DQ2c6MA.
***If your company or organization is interested in hosting a table during the Networking Session please contact cnf@jetaanc.org for more information***
Internship with JET alum Michael Auslin at American Enterprise Institute
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Hot of the JETAA DC yahoogroup, a really great JET-appropriate opportunity for JET alum academic and international relations types. FYI, JET alum Michael Auslin is a professor of Japanese history and politics and currently the Director of Japanese Studies for the American Enterprise Institute in D.C. See past JetWit posts about Michael Auslin here.
Japanese Studies:
An intern in this department will work under Resident Scholar Michael Auslin, head of AEI’s Japan Studies Program. Dr. Auslin is currently focusing on Japanese strategic thinking and security doctrine, as well as Asian maritime security issues.
Tasks include: researching, in Japanese and English, topics in Japan’s national security, maritime security issues, and Asia’s strategic security environment. The intern will also conduct research in support of publications and assist in the organization of AEI conferences and panel discussions. The ideal candidate for this position will have an interest in Japanese and Asian security affairs and reading ability in Japanese language.
All applications must be submitted online at www.aei.org/internships.
All applications must include a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript, and short writing sample.
AEI internships are available to advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent graduates. A minimum of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale is required. However, most successful candidates have at least a 3.5 GPA.
This internship is one of fifty offered by the American Enterprise Institute every semester. AEI’s internship program has repeatedly been named one of the top 100 internships in the nation. The work assigned to interns is highly substantive, consisting largely of academic research, conference attendance, and various other tasks in support of their particular department. Additionally, AEI internships offer a wealth of academically enriching opportunities, including access to our conferences and events; a series of policy lectures and career talks available exclusively to interns; and frequent intern happenings, informal gatherings providing the chance to interact with AEI’s prestigious staff.
If you have any questions, please contact Leslie.Forgach@ aei.org
