Embassy of Japan in the UK Webmagazine (February 2012)
Article/Journalism, Events, Reviews 
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Embassy of Japan in the UK Webmagazine round-up. Posted by JET alum and current editor of the webmagazine, Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). To subscribe to the Embassy of Japan’s monthly webmagazine, email webmagazine@ld.mofa.go.jp with the subject ‘subscribe’.
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Embassy of Japan in the UK Webmagazine: February 2012
Ambassador’s blog
My visit to Fukushima
Featured article
JAPAN: International Fashion Showcase 2012
Other articles:
Films at the Embassy of Japan: The Glass Cape
Manga Jiman 2011 Competition Results
Wasabi and chocolate?! An interview with William Curley
Tatsumi – A new film by Eric Khoo
Olympic Judo Champion Maki Tsukada to appear at HYPER JAPAN!
One Year After the Great East Japan Earthquake
JET Alum Lee-Sean Huang’s article in Fast Co.Exist on social innovation in Brazil
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JET alum and JETwit webmaster Lee-Sean Huang (Oita-ken, Nakatsu-shi, 2003-2006) has published a new article about Social Innovation in Brazil. Lee-Sean is a member of JETAA New York, but is currently working in Brazil for a few months. He credits his JET experience as an invaluable resource for his current field of design for social innovation, where he works with cross-cultural communities to create social, cultural, and civic value.
Here is a preview of the article:
Brazil is known for its supermodels, but what about its social innovation models? Besides the economic boom, the country is finding a new groove in the field of digital collaboration and activism.
Last year, I moved from New York to Rio de Janeiro, where Purpose has opened its first overseas office. I have met with local innovators and interacted with all kinds of people on the streets, at the beach, and in botequins (informal bars). These experiences have all enriched my work in social innovation. Besides stimulating my creativity, immersion in a different culture and working in a foreign language have heightened my sense of mindfulness and empathy, reminded me of the virtue of humility, and taught me a few things about what it means to innovate.
Read the rest of the article at Fast Co.Exist.
How has your JET experience helped open doors to other cultures (besides your home culture and Japanese culture)? Are there any other JET alumni out there living in Brazil? Any other JET alumni working in the field of social innovation? Drop us a line in the comments, we would love to hear from you.
Relief effort photos
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Thanks to JETAA Chicago’s Shannon Copp (Shiga-ken) for sharing the link to these photos from The Daily Mail indicating the amazing extent of Japan’s clean-up and rebuilding efforts following the 3/11 disaster.
WIT Life #191: Multiple marathons and Honolulu highlights
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WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
Tomorrow I head to Kumamoto, my home for three years during JET, to participate in the inaugural Kumamoto Marathon which will be held next weekend. The following weekend I will go up to Tokyo to participate for the fifth time in their amazing marathon. I’m looking forward to not only the running, but catching up with natsukashii friends, eating oishii food and most of all onsen!!!
Speaking of oishii food, 
I recently enjoyed the Hawaiian version of wagashi at my favorite shop in Honolulu, Kansai Yamato. This small stall in the food court of the fantastic Ala Moana mall sells handmade mochi in funky flavors like Kona coffee, mango and Oreo as well as Read More
Preston busts a move onstage with cosplay idol Reni Mimura. (Justin Tedaldi)
By Preston Hatfield (Yamanashi-ken, 2009-10) for JQ magazine. Preston moved from San Francisco to New York City in January 2012 and is now accepting submissions from people who want to be his friend. Abduct him from his house in the middle of the night, or find him on Facebook and ask about his JET blog in which he details his exploits and misadventures in that crazy Land of the Rising Sun we all love.
The Bennett Media Studio in New York’s West Village was filled to capacity on Feb. 11 for Saturday’s Lunar New Year Celebration and Fashion Show. This event, hosted by the ASIANinNY networking organization, treated guests to a night of Asian-oriented exhibitions, highlighted by two fashion shows and an energetic performance by cosplay singer and Japanese idol Reni Mimura.
The boys took the stage first, modeling clothes by designer Ninh Nguyen and eliciting a number of lascivious hoots and catcalls from an appreciative crowd, and the girls, wearing Meiling Chen’s new line, came out to a barrage of camera flashes. Fitting with the Year of the Dragon, the models’ hair, stylized by a team from Haruo Noro Salon, exhibited a quiet ferocity and mystique.
“For [the girls] the look is a simple and romantic boho style, center part, with a low ponytail and a braid. For [the boys] the look is a ’60s mod, edgy/punk, with a modern and clean feel,” lead stylist Noro said of his artistic intent. Having worked and studied in salons in Japan and London before coming to New Jersey and establishing his own business, Noro explained that for this event he drew mostly from his Japanese training, though having additional training and work with other cultures and participating in various fashion shows has enhanced his creative vision.
“I love that ASIANinNY is able to feature and promote various Asian designers, and my team and I are very happy to be part of it,” he said.
I’ll Make It Myself: “Kabocha-Stuffed Okonomiyaki”
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L.M. Zoller (CIR Ishikawa-ken, Anamizu, 2009-11) is the editor of The Ishikawa JET Kitchen: Cooking in Japan Without a Fight. A writer and web administrator for The Art of Japan: Kanazawa and Discover Kanazawa, ze also writes I’ll Make It Myself!, a blog about food culture in Japan.
Every food blogger with an interest in Japanese food is required by law to have a post on okonomiyaki, so today, I’m going to show you how to make my favorite version, which is stuffed with my favorite vegetable, kabocha squash.
Okonomiyaki (henceforth not italicized) is sometimes described as a savory pancake or as a Japanese pizza. What it actually entails is a batter made mainly of flour, egg, water, and baking powder, which is mixed with finely chopped cabbage and seasonings. To this batter, one adds meat or vegetable “toppings” (hence the pizza comparison) to one’s liking (hence the name, which could be translated as the “As You Like It Cooked Item”). This mixture is cooked in a frying pan or on a griddle and topped with okonomi sauce, mayonnaise, nori (seaweed), and bonito flakes.
CLICK HERE to read the full post.
The Best Prefectures: By JET Alum LinkedIn Groups – Update 02.09.12
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You may recall last year (02.21.11 to be exact), JETwit revealed the “Best Prefectures” based on how many members each LinkedIn JET Alum prefecture group had. With a little help from JETwit’s friends, we’ve updated the numbers, and they now total 787 total members.
Shimane-ken continues to kick prefectural oshiri in a big way. Not sure what’s holding back JET and JET alums from other prefectures. But all you have to do to join your prefecture LinkedIn group is to click here and find your prefecture. A great way to not only stay connected with your community, but also to provide Return On JET-vestment at the local level. (Click here for more explanation about why this helps “save” JET. And click here for a list of JET alum LinkedIn groups by profession.)
The Top JET LinkedIn Prefecture Groups
(last year’s numbers in parentheses)
1. Shimane – 69 (44)
2. Fukushima JET Alumni – 38 (14)
2. Hokkaido – 38 (16)
4. Fukui JET Alumni – 32 (11)
4. Hyogo JET Alumni – 32 (12)
4. Niigata JET Alumni – 32 (16)
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Overall Ranking of JET Alum LinkedIn Groups by Prefecture
(in alphabetical order; last year’s numbers in parentheses) Read More
New England JET alums help Japan Society of Boston welcome Bobby Valentine to Fenway Park
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New England JETAA’s Jason Currier (Fukui-ken, 2007-09) recently attended the Japan Society of Boston’s welcome reception for Bobby Valentine at Fenway Park and was kind enough to write a little something for JETwit about the experience:
A few things I learned about new Boston Red Sox (and former Lotte Marines) manager Bobby Valentine last week at a Japan Society of Boston reception welcoming him to Boston:
- He had a shrine built in his honor called Bobby Jinja.
- He prefers the Olympics over the World Baseball Classic as the international venue for baseball, but believes it should be played in a dome during the Winter Olympics, so it won’t conflict with the baseball season.
- He wants Japanese-style baseball fight songs to catch on in Boston. Read More
Kameoka Diaries #5 by Lars Martinson
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Lars Martinson (Fukuoka-ken 2003-2006), author of the graphic novels Tonoharu: Part Two andTonoharu: Part 1, has just just published the latest edition of his new cartoon series called“Kameoka Diaries“ about his return to teaching English, this time in Kameoka, Kyoto.
Click here to read the Kameoka Diaries #5.
http://larsmartinson.com/kameoka-diaries-5/
JET News Roundup 2.9.2012
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By Filmore Ha (Ibaraki-ken, 2006-08). Filmore continues to live and work in the Greater Tokyo Area as an FAE and is also webmaster for JETAA Tokyo. He is actively seeking new opportunities in the U.S. or Canada.
Back today with another roundup of JET related news after a brief hiatus. This roundup will include items from last month as well so bear with me.
- Paper artist Gannon cut his own niche
On Jan. 10th the Japan Times posted an article about paper artist Patrick Gannon who’s interest in Japan began when he visited his brother JET alum Jim Gannon who was a JET in Ehime at the time. This is an awesome example of connections that JETs help create. - Yiddish to Japanese Dictionary
Not exactly JET related, however there are many translators in the JET alumni community who could benefit from this great resource. - NYT Mourning in the age of Facebook
On Jan. 13th the New York Times posted an article written by JET alum Bruce Feiler (Tottori-ken, 1989-90) where he discusses grieving in a progressively secular world. - Panel Discussion Disaster Recovery and Human Connections
From the Sydney JETAA Facebook Group, the Japan Foundation Sydney will be hosting a panel discussion about disaster recovery in Melborne and Sydney on Thursday Feb. 23, 2012 and Friday Feb. 24, 2012 respectively. - JETAA Singapore
If you live in or are planning to move to Singapore, check out their chapter of JETAA. Their latest event is their upcoming Oshaberi Cafe to be held on Feb. 12, 2012. The deadline was Feb. 6, but maybe they’ll make an exception if you’re really nice! - Reuters English crisis in Japan
Posted to Facebook by JET alum Byron Nagy. The article discusses the relationship between English language skill and jobs in Japan. Byron is a JETAA Tokyo co-founder and currently serves as it’s Community Committee Rep.
Job: Part-time assistant at Fujisankei Communications (Los Angeles)
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Thanks to Dan DiGregorio (Shimane-ken, 2009-11) who works for Fujisankei Communications in LA for sharing this job listing.
(If you apply, please make sure to indicate you learned of the listing via JETwit.)
Fujisankei Communications International (FCI) seeks a part-time assistant to the general manager. Duties include office managing and translating (mostly from Japanese to English). Ideal candidate is fluent in both English and Japanese, and has no trouble writing a business letter/document in English. Experience in a Japanese work environment is a plus. Typical hours are 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, Monday through Friday. This is a part-time position (4 hours/day, 5 days/week); $12~$14/hr (based on experience). We are looking for long term, responsible candidates.
This position is located in Century City, Los Angeles. Local candidates only.
Candidates must be able to legally work in the U.S.
Please send resume and cover sheet to admin@fci-la.com. No calls, please.
Job: Account Manager/Assistant Sales Manager (Fort Lee NJ)
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Via Actus. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London but is interested in hearing about any Japan-related opportunities across the globe.
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***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: Account Manager/Assistant Sales Manager (Fort Lee NJ)
Job Details:
Company Information:
– Company Address: Fort Lee, NJ
– Established in 1930’s in Japan, Main product is industrial gas. Others include industrial machinery, communications and electronics, chemicals, ceramics, metals, and construction materials.
– Company size: Around 80 in Japan, 10 in the US.
Read More
Justin’s Japan: Cosplay Idol Reni Mimura, Haruo Noro Salon Headline NY Lunar New Year Fest Feb. 11
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Courtesy of AsianInNY.com
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his Japanese culture page here for related stories.
Cosplay singer Reni Mimura and Japanese stylists from Haruo Noro Salon will appear at AsianInNY‘s annual Lunar New Year Celebration and Fashion Show on Feb. 11 at Bennett Media Studio, 723 Washington Street in Manhattan’s West Village at 7 p.m.
New York’s premier online destination for multicultural networking and entertainment, AsianInNY’s Year of the Dragon celebration is in time with the New York Fashion Week. Many outstanding Asian designers will present their new collections with runway fashion shows along with an exciting line-up of comedy, music, dance, and martial arts. Models will rock tresses and looks with amazing hair and make-up provided by Haruo Noro Salon.
Reni Mimura specializes in Moe style performances, a genre that emphasizes the cute look of Japanese pop-culture with the hip appeal of Japanese animation. She released her first Japanese CD in 2006 and relocated to New York in 2008. In 2009, she was invited as a guest performer to Japan Society, Otakon, New York Anime Festival and Anime Boston, and is quickly winning over the hearts of many new local fans, thanks to her pretty stage costumes, upbeat personality, and her unique singing talent.
For the complete story, click here.
Miyagi AJET to host Feb 17 “Cultures United” event to promote multiculturalism in Miyagi
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Thanks to Andy Anderson for sharing this information originally sent by Miyagi AJET Co-President Cameron Peek regarding an upcoming Miyagi AJET event:
“On February 17th we will be holding “Cultures United,” an event promoting multiculturalism in Miyagi, and advertising the efforts of foreign members of the community towards helping rebuild after the earthquake. JET participants are going to be a big focus of the event, and about 10-11 JETs are going to be assisting, putting on booths about their activities in the prefecture. We are also planning on having a display about Taylor Anderson, telling her story.”
Notably, the event will feature JET alum Maynard Plant’s (Aomori-ken, 1997-2000) hit band Monkey Majik.
Note: Because the event is intended for Japanese residents, all information produced for the event is in Japanese only.
Why Japan does not celebrate the Lunar New Year to the extent of its Asian neighbors
By Jessica Kennett Cork (CIR, 1997-2000, Hiroshima-ken)
With the large number of Asians in the U.S., it was hard to overlook the fact that the Year of the Dragon by the lunar calendar began on January 23. But had we been in Japan, January 23 would have passed quite uneventfully. Have you ever wondered why Japan does not recognize the lunar New Year to the extent of its Asian neighbors? And as we approach the Doll Festival (Hina Matsuri), has it ever struck you as odd that this festival is also called the Peach Festival, and yet March 3 is way too early for peach blossoms? The explanation is actually quite fascinating. Read More
