Jan 1

Akita Global Network Newsletter – Vol 6

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Thanks to Akita Prefecture for sending out the latest volume of its Akita Global Network Newsletter:

We’ve just published the latest Akita Global Network newsletter,vol.6.  You can read here:

http://www.pref.akita.lg.jp/www/genre/0000000000000/1286429964066/index.html

Please share it with your family and friends.  Have a nice holidays!

Dec 24

“Introduction to the JET Program” video created by JET alum Eliot Honda

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Here’s the latest video project by Hawaii-based JET Eliot Honda (Ehime-ken, Uwajima-shi), who previously created four videos about his JET town of Uwajima-shi as well as a video titled “Sister City Ties“:

Eliot says: “I finally completed the JET Program Introduction video. (Revised, hopefully audio and graphics look better.)”

http://youtu.be/3_u4ZhXNFpw

Published on Dec 23, 2012

Dec 21

Good analysis of the LDP return to power from The Monkey Cage

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This post from The Monkey Cage by political science professor Joshua Tucker citing Christina Davis is the most in-depth and current piece I’ve seen explaining what the LDP re-election is really all about and putting Japan’s current situation in perspective.

2012 Japan Post-Election Report: They Are Back! The Return of the LDP and What it Means for Japan and the World

Here are some excerpts:

Despite electoral victory, the LDP did not receive a strong mandate. In a post-election poll conducted by the Asahi Shimbun, respondents asked to explain the LDP victory cited “disappointment of the DPJ government” (81 percent) rather than “support for the LDP’s policies” (7 percent).

…….

In what could be seen as a profile in courage or political suicide, Prime Minister Noda made a deal with the LDP in August that in exchange for their support to pass an unpopular tax increase, he would agree to call for an early election.

The DPJ’s ability to allocate pork barrel policies as the incumbent party made it hard for the LDP to differentiate itself on bread and butter issues, and it instead had to rely on nationalism to mobilize a new policy frame.

……..

Going forward, it is probable that the LDP will deliver what Noda could not and bring Japan into the TPP negotiations.  Despite the party’s tepid stance toward the trade talks during the election, in order to deliver on its promise to revitalize the economy the party cannot only cater to rural interests in protection.

……..

China has viewed the election with alarm as sign of movement toward resurgent nationalism and anti-China sentiment in Japan. This fear is misplaced given that the electoral politics reflected rejection of DPJ more than endorsement of LDP…… Chinese leaders are equally committed to economic growth and must recognize that efforts to coerce Japan through economic policies may backfire as did the embargo on rare earth mineral exports imposed in October 2010. The key will be to avoid misunderstandings and accidents through clear diplomacy on both sides to assure that posturing for domestic audiences does not aggravate relations.

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

Dec 20

Life After JET: Matthew Kohut, Psychotherapist

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Matt Kohut (CIR Aichi-ken, Shitara-cho, 1998-2000) is a psychotherapist is New York City. He is not a writer but wrote this piece. For more about Matt please visit: www.mattkohut.com.  

*Have your own “Life After JET” story that you think would be of interest to the JET/JET alum community?  Email jetwit [at] jetwit.com.

PRACTICE

Matthew M. Kohut, LMSW

JET was always part of the plan. Since studying abroad in Japan in my teens and twenties I felt the need to keep my love for Japan alive. I had each step planned. First do JET, learn Japanese, then work at a high-profile company pushing billions of Yen around the world, bow, firmly shake hands, exchange business cards without pocketing them until outside the room, guzzle Kirin black-label with colleagues until shuden, show up for calisthenics the next morning, pretend like none if it happened, live long, prosper and die. It was a nice plan, cinematic and to the point. But, exciting? Debatable.

I did ok at making the plan work until I got to the point of pushing billions of yen around the world. Upon returning from JET in 2000, I landed a job at the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco as Assistant to the Cultural Attaché. I was hobnobbing with National Living Treasures, speaking Japanese in huddles of diplomats by day, and lazing around home with my Japanese boyfriend by night, ne-ing and yo-ing about it until bedtime. It wasn’t the plan, but it was close enough.

And it was good enough too– for a while. But about my third year of working at the Consulate I Read More

Dec 19

Write a review of the JET Program for Teach Abroad

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I saw this posted to the Pacific Northwest JETAA Facebook group as well as the New Jersey JETAA Facebook group.  It seems to be a nice opportunity to help promote the JET Program and help with recruiting (which in turn helps build the JET alumni community), so I thought I’d re-post to JETwit and encourage others to post reviews:

Posted by Tyler Starling:

Hey everyone! I am a student at UC Berkeley and an intern at a local startup called GoOverseas. We are the leading Teach Abroad review resource, but we currently ONLY HAVE SIX REVIEWS of JET Program with a 92% overall rating. Please help out other teachers, graduates, and students by sharing your experience and posting an honest review at http://www.gooverseas.com/teach-in-japan/jet-programme-teach-english-in-japan/3012 . You would especially be helping out prospective teachers by giving JET some feedback. Thanks!

Dec 14

State of Colorado recognizes contributions of JET alumni to Colorado-Japan relationship

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Written by JETAA USA Board of Advisors member Jessyca Livingston who also serves as the JET Coordinator at the Consulate in Denver:

The Consulate General of Japan and Consul-General Ono recently hosted the 2012 National Day Reception. Rocky Mountain JET Alumni Association Executive Officers and Board Members were among the invitees along with other Japanese Community members, business leaders and government officials (including Denver Mayor Hancock).

Every year, the State of Colorado issues a Proclamation to the Consulate General of Japan in Denver on the occasion of the National Day Reception. This year, marked as “The year of opportunity for enhanced relations, friendship and mutual understanding between Japan and the State of Colorado”, acknowledged the success of the JET Program and the many participants sent from Colorado as a key component which continues to strengthen ties between Colorado and Japan.

The number of JETs sent from the Rocky Mountain region remains strong as does the quality of JETs we send as participants. Additionally, many of our JET alums in this region remain involved in supporting and strengthening US-Japan relations in a variety of fields locally, nationally and internationally. This recognition from the State of Colorado is indeed significant to RMJETAA and to the JET Program as a whole.

Dec 12

JLGC Newsletter – December 2012

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Via CLAIR-NY (aka Japan Local Government Center):

The newest JLGC Newsletter is has been published and can be viewed here: http://www.jlgc.org/pdfs/en/news74.pdf 

The issue includes a feature on the recent JETAA USA Conference in San Francisco as well as well-written and extremely informative report by CLAIR-NY Senior Researcher Matt Gillam following his recent visit to Ishinomaki City, Miyagi titled, “Appearance and Reality:  Recovery and Tohoku.”

“Even people who live there can sometimes be amazed at the pace of recovery. Until you talk for a while and realize there are two recoveries going on, the physical and the psychological, and there is a vast difference between what can be seen and what cannot.  This point was driven home for me when I spoke with the principal of an elementary school in Ishinomaki who talked about how many problems the kids are having lately and the increase in theft, bullying, fights, and other manifestations of the stress and trauma that they bring to school from their homes.”

JLGC publishes semi-annual newsletters featuring articles on JETAA activity, sister city and sister state relationships, exchange programs, and local government issues in the United States, Canada, and Japan.  The newsletter enables local government officials, JLGC’s fellowship program participants, and other interested persons to stay abreast of JLGC activities and research efforts. At the same time, the newsletter provides those outside of the organization with the opportunity to share their ideas and opinions.

Click the following link to subscribe to the JLGC Newsletter:  http://www.jlgc.org/NewsLetterEmailEntry.aspx

Dec 6

Tohoku Holiday Greeting Project

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Thanks to JETAA USA Board of Advisors member Jessyca Wilcox for sharing this information:

Tohoku Holiday Greeting Project

American students can send holiday greetings to students in the Tohoku area of Japan devastated by the 3/11/2011 disaster. Cards, which can be written in English, will be distributed beginning December 17. Postage for a regular-size envelope is $1.05.

Send cards to:

Boys and Girls
c/o Mr. Choji Sugihara
Shoshi High School
14-18 Nakamachi, Koriyama-shi
Fukushima-ken, 963-8004
JAPAN.

Dec 1

JET alum Bruce Feiler’s latest NYTimes column on Maria Popova, creator of Brain Pickings

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Here’s the latest NYT column by JET alum Bruce Feiler (Tottori-ken, 1989-90), author of Learning to Bow, The Council of Dads, and, most recently, The Secrets of Happy Family, as well as several books on the Middle East including Walking the Bible, Abrahamand Where God Was Born.  To read prior columns, please click here.

This Life:  She’s Got Some Big Ideas

By Bruce Feiler

SHE is the mastermind of the one of the faster growing literary empires on the Internet, yet she is virtually unknown. She is the champion of old-fashioned ideas, yet she is only 28 years old. She is a fierce defender of books, yet she insists she will never write one herself.

CLICK HERE to read the full column.

Dec 1

Cracked.com: 5 Things Nobody Tells You About Living in Japan

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I don’t know if the author is a JET alum, but it’s definitely a unique perspective that most JETs will appreciate and could likely write themselves.  Thanks to JET alums Carol Elk and Shannon Copp for alerting me to this article via Facebook.

5 Things Nobody Tells You About Living in Japan

By Charlie Jones

Two years ago, I achieved alpha-geek status among my friends by moving to Japan. Since then, all I’ve been hearing from them is how lucky I am and how they would murder any endangered species still clinging tenaciously to existence in exchange for permission to live in my closet. And I totally get it, because come on, it’s Japan — the wackiest, most interesting place on the planet. Who wouldn’t want to live here?

Well … you might not, actually. Because while there are plenty of great reasons to live in Japan, such as the low crime rate and the amazing public transportation system, there are a few things you should know before you decide to pack up your manga and hop on a jet across the Pacific, wearing rabbit ears and flashing peace signs at everyone who makes eye contact with you. For starters …

#5.  Everything is frightfully low-tech

CLICK HERE to read the full article on the Cracked.com website.

Nov 29

NHK TV feature on “Live Your Dream: The Taylor Anderson Story”

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NHK TV (English edition) recently aired a feature story on the premier screening of “Live Your Dream:  The Taylor Anderson Story,” a documentary produced by filmmaker Regge Life.

Here’s the link to the video:  http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/movie/feature201211270915.html

Nov 27

JETAA DC Newsletter seeks writers and submissions

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Via JETAA DC Newsletter Editor Sarah Howe:

Nov 26

JapanLocal: Tottori JET Anthony Lieven’s latest Misasa video – November 2012

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Tottori JET Anthony Lieven has been creating new videos each month as part of a project that introduces his JET town of Misasa to the world.  With Anthony’s permission, here is his latest video:

Misasa Monthly Video 08 (November 2012) – Mount Mitoku Sanbutsuji’s Fire Festival from Red T-Shirt Guy on Vimeo.

Nov 25

Rikuzentakata now a hit on Facebook

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Thanks to Vancouver-based JET alum Alison Dacia Brown (Iwate-ken, Rikuzentakata-shi, 2005-08) for posting about this to Facebook.  From a JET perspective, it seems to offer a communications model for Japanese local governments in which perhaps JETs and JET alumni could play a helpful role:

Update:  Here’s the Rikuzentakata Facebook Page

Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012

Tsunami-hit city a hit on Facebook

Kyodo

MORIOKA, Iwate Pref. — The coastal city of Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, devastated by last year’s earthquake and tsunami, has gotten global attention thanks to its use of Facebook.

In July, the city set up an official page in both Japanese and English on Facebook, the first municipality to do so among those on the northeast coast that bore the full brunt of the March 2011 catastrophe.

Since then, officials have been updating the page to display and keep the world updated on the reconstruction process, an unusual move for a municipal government. The posts, mostly written in Japanese, include articles on Rikuzentakata from Japan and around the world, advisories on earthquakes and floods, and the mayor’s participation at a local festival.

When Rikuzentakata’s officials made a fundraising page in English to help preserve the city’s famed “miracle pine tree,” donations came in from around the world. Read More

Nov 25

JET alum Asia Security Expert Michael Auslin in the Wall Street Journal

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Here’s a recent article in the Wall Street Journal by JET alum Michael Auslin, Director of Japan Studies at the American Enterprise Institute:

Michael Auslin:  Asian Pivot, Take Two

President Barack Obama is celebrating his re-election by trying to make good on his promised pivot to Asia. Not only is the President in the region for the East Asian Summit in Cambodia—he has also dispatched his Secretaries of State and Defense on extended visits as well.

Showing up may constitute 90% of diplomacy. But at a time of numerous territorial disputes and leadership upheavals, Mr. Obama may have bitten off more than he can chew over the next four years.

The Administration’s agenda this month is an unusual start. Unlike traditional trips that include old allies like Japan or …

Click here to read the article (subscription required).