New Ambassadors Appointed to Japanese Embassies in the U.S. and China
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File photo of Ambassador Fujisaki
According to this recent Mainichi article (Japanese) and this Bloomberg/Businessweek article (English), Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki will be leaving his post at the Japanese Embassy in Washington, D.C. His successor is reported to be Kenichiro Sasae, the current Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs. Also, Shinichi Nishimiya, the former Ambassador in New York until 2010, will be the new Ambassador to China.
Here’s the link to the Japanese article in the Mainichi: http://mainichi.jp/select/news/20120820k0000m010095000c.html
Here’s the link to a Bloomberg/Businessweek article in English: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-08-19/japan-to-replace-envoys-to-u-dot-s-dot-s-dot-korea-yomiuri-says
Read an exclusive interview JQ magazine conducted with Ambassador Fujisaki at the 2010 JETAA National Conference: http://jetaany.org/magazine_files/JQ_SeptemberOctober2010.pdf
Roy Moneyhun (Mie-ken, 1996-98), founder of Tohoku Forward
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JET Alum Cycling for Tohoku
For more information, contact Roy Moneyhun at roy@tohokuforward.org. The web address is www.tohokuforward.org. The Facebook page is Tohoku Forward.
We all know what happened in northeast Japan on March 11, 2011. The devastation remained front page news for weeks following the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Now—more than a year later—news of Tohoku must be actively sought out by anyone wanting to know what is going on up there. Tohoku has been relegated to the back burner of the international news cycle.
As the drama in Tohoku unfolded during the spring months of 2011, the world’s media understandably focused on the devastation, the death toll, and the threat of nuclear radiation escaping the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. A less generally reported catastrophe during the early weeks and months following the disaster was the creation of a new wave of orphans in Tohoku. If this crisis was overlooked during the initial period of the tsunami, it has now become close to invisible. Agencies such as Smile Kids Japan and Living Dreams toil in near-obscurity to address the crisis with little attention and limited funds.
Enter Tohoku Forward, the one-man project of JET alumnus Roy Moneyhun (Mie-ken, 1996-98) of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, USA. With Tohoku Forward, Moneyhun hopes to reach thousands of potential donors around the world, most of whom can be found in the JET alumni community.
Many orphans of the Tohoku disaster are babies, meaning that they will need support for at least another fifteen to eighteen years. Read More
Japan Local Government Center (NY) Newsletter (July 2012)
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Here’s the July 2012 issue of the Japan Local Government Center (aka CLAIR New York) Newsletter: http://www.jlgc.org/pdfs/en/news73.pdf
Content includes:
No.73 (July 2012)
・A Greeting from the New Executive Director (1-2)
・Comments from ICMA International Committee’s Japan Tour Participants (page 3-7)
・Comments from JETAA members who volunteered at the JLGC booth in the New York Times Travel Show 2012 (page 8-10)
・Introduction of JLGC New Staff (page 11)
・JLGC New Staff visited Novi, Michigan (page 12)
JET alum Lars Martinson publishes “Kameoka Diaries Volume 2” e-comic
Books, Cartoon/Illustration, Humor, Japan Local, JET Alum Author Beat, Language Study, Notable JET Alums, Writers Comments Off on JET alum Lars Martinson publishes “Kameoka Diaries Volume 2” e-comic
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Lars Martinson (Fukuoka-ken 2003-2006), author of the graphic novels Tonoharu: Part Two andTonoharu: Part 1, has just published the Kameoka Diaries Volume 2. This is a follow-up to Kameoka Diaries Volume 1, Lars’ insightful and entertaining (especially to any JETs) e-comic about his return to teaching English, this time in Kameoka, Kyoto.
Notably, you can purchase a copy for $0.99 for iPhone/iPad/iPodTouch or pay $1 for a PDF version for Mac/PC/Android/whatever.
More info here and below: http://larsmartinson.com/kameokadiaries2-now-available/
In Lars’ words:
When I submitted my first e-comics to Apple, ( The Kameoka Diaries: Volume One and Young Men of a Certain Mind ) it took one month for them to get approved, so I’m surprised & delighted it only took two days this time. But hey, I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth!
I’ll write more about the new volume of The Kameoka Diaries soon; I just wanted to get this announcement blog entry out right-away.
So please check it out. And if you enjoy it, please consider writing a review on iBooks, and/or telling your friends, and/or tweeting about it, and/or “liking” it on Facebook. Thanks a bunch!
JETwit Note: I just downloaded a copy onto my iPhone as soon as I saw the announcement. Volume 1 was great, even on an iPhone screen.
JET Eliot Honda’s latest video project: A YouTube series called “Sister City Ties”
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The latest video project by current JET Eliot Honda (Ehime-ken, Uwajima-shi), who previously created four videos about his JET town of Uwajima-shi:
“So here’s a preview show of a YouTube series I’ve been working on called Sister City Ties. It will show the sister city relationship between Honolulu and Uwajima.”
NY Times reviews “Triburbia” by JET alum Karl Taro Greenfeld
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JET alum Karl Taro Greenfeld (Kanagawa-ken, 1988-89), author of Speed Tribes: Days and Nights With Japan’s Next Generation), has a new book out titled Triburbia: A Novel which was recently reviewed by the New York Times (“Bobos in Paradise“). Here’s the link to the review: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/05/books/review/triburbia-by-karl-taro-greenfeld.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
- For more information about Karl Taro Greenfeld, go to his website or read the Wikipedia entry about him.
- To purchase the book on Amazon, go here: http://www.amazon.com/Triburbia-Novel-Karl-Taro-Greenfeld/dp/0062132393
Taiwan names JET alum Terry Vo as First American Youth Trekker Ambassador
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JET alum Terry Vo
Thanks to JETAA Music City’s Terry Vo for sharing this. An opportunity for other JET alums to keep in mind.
National Youth Commission of Taiwan Names Terry Vo First American Youth Trekker Ambassador
Nashville, TN July 30, 2012- The National Youth Commission (NYC) of Taiwan, through its “Youth Trekker’s Wanted” campaign, has named Ms. Terry Vo to the position of 2012 Youth Trekker Ambassador. Vo is the first American to receive this honor in the campaign’s four-year history.
Campaign applicants must submit an itinerary proposal for a trip to Taiwan lasting ten days or longer that is centered on a theme chosen by the applicant and reflects youthful energy and enthusiasm. Once completed, the applications are uploaded online, where a panel of seasoned backpackers, academics, and travel experts chooses the twenty ambassadors.
The 20 ambassadors for 2012 represent 13 countries and were chosen from a pool of more than 653 applicants from 55 countries. The theme of Vo’s trip will be, “Tying the Knot in Taiwan-The meanings behind Taiwanese weddings.” Vo says she got the idea for her theme upon being invited to a friend’s wedding in Taiwan and realizing she knew little about what would occur. She will stay in Taiwan from August 7-August 17, 2012, to fulfill her itinerary and will share her experiences through social media via her blog, http://tour.youthtravel.tw/travel2009/iblog/main.php?id=164950 , and on Twitter @TerryBlossom11.
“I am truly honored to be chosen as the first American,” Vo said. Read More
Two JET-relevant articles
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Thanks to JETAA USA Country Rep Melissa Chan for sharing the below:
JET Memorial Project: Montgomery Dickson Memorial
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Thanks to JETAA USA Country Rep Jennifer Butler for circulating this item from the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership.
http://www.cgp.org/announcements/jet-memorial-project-montgomery-dickson-memorial
11-Jul-2012
In the fall of 2011, the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP) announced the launch of the “JET Memorial Project,” to commemorate the two American JET participants, Ms. Taylor Anderson (Ishinomaki City, from Virginia) and Mr. Montgomery Dickson (Rikuzentakata City, from Alaska) who lost their lives during the Great East Japan Earthquake. CGP will support various activities at each of their respective universities for 5 years, with the intent to enhance the younger generation’s further understanding of Japan.
This announcement introduces the first year project activities of the “Montgomery Dickson Memorial Project” at the University of Alaska, Anchorage (UAA)
Montgomery Dickson Memorial Project (Year 1)
UAA has created the Montgomery Dickson Center for Japanese Language and Culture (MDCJLC) in an effort to develop Japanese Language education at UAA and throughout Alaska, as well as to promote mutual understanding between the U.S. and Japan. UAA will do this through the following projects:
1. Summer Institute: Post-Secondary Japanese Language Education with a Focus on 21st Century Skills (Summer 2012, 4 days)
A seminar-workshop for post-secondary full-time Japanese language instructors to discuss issues relating to student attainment of 21st Century skills. Subtopics include AP Japanese Language and Culture, Thematic Approach, CBI, and Assessment and how they all relate to 21st Century Skills.
2. Cultural Event: Kimono Lecture and Demonstration (Fall 2012)
A cultural education event for UAA Japanese language students; students and teachers from the Anchorage School District; and Anchorage community members.
3. Montgomery Dickson/Japan Foundation Scholarship (2012 – 2013 academic year)
To provide an opportunity for 5 UAA students to participate the UAA exchange program with Hokkaido University of Education.
4. Visit to Rikuzentakata (Summer 2012, 2 days)
On behalf of UAA, the Director of the MDCJLC, accompanied by Mr. Dickson’s sister, will visit Rikuzentakata and strengthen relationships with the board of education and the community in order to explore future possibilities of cultural exchanges between UAA, Anchorage and Rikuzentakata.
5. Professional Development (2012 – 2013 academic year)
Support for UAA Japanese language faculty members to participate in relevant professional development opportunities throughout the year.
In addition to the above endeavors, the Japan Foundation Japanese Language Institution, Kansai also started a 5-year project called JET-MIP which provides an opportunity for selected U.S. high school students to receive intensive Japanese language training and first-hand cultural experiences during the summer in Japan. Please see the detailshere.
Here’s a nice interview on the TeachingTraveling.com website with JET alum and JETAA NY’s Philadelphia Subchapter Rep Rashaad Jorden.
Note: While this is a JETAA Chicago photo contest, they welcome submissions from everyone.
Join the Chicago Chapter of JETAA in celebrating our 30-year anniversary of cultural exchange with the country of Japan. Daily Life in Japan is a one-night only exhibition that will feature a wide array of photography from those who have experienced Japan and are invested in rebuilding it.
Hobby to professional photographers are invited to submit their digital photos. You can submit up to one photo per category. You can find instructions to submit photos atwww.jetaachicago.com/contest.
Juried by a panel of two community leaders and by you in an online vote, this exhibition highlights the essence of Japanese life with an emphasis on culture, education, and community outreach.
You’re invited to the opening reception to view the winning photographs on Saturday, October 6, 2012, 6-9pm at Studio 24 hosted by Chicago’s Brian Sorg.
All proceeds from the exhibition and reception will go to the Soma City Tsunami Orphan fund.
Calendar:
Aug 28 Deadline for submission
Sept 19 Online voting ends
Sept 20 Winners notified
Oct 6 Opening reception, 6-9pm
Categories:
1. Best 80s/90s
2. Best nature scene
3. Best cityscape
4. Community engagement
5. Historic traditions
6. Did that really just happen?
For more information, email Shannon Copp at secretary@jetaachicago.com.
Job: HelloEnglish.US seeks ESL tutors for Japanese learners on Skype
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A job listing directly from HelloEnglish.us which has posted to JETwit previously and had success hiring JET alumni as a result:
Job Position: ESL Tutors needed for Japanese learners on Skype
Job Details:
My name is Scarlett and I live in Wilmington, NC. I own a small business that is growing quite rapidly called Hello English.us. I give English conversation classes to people in Japan on Skype. Currently, I have around 400 students. I have about 30 current tutors but it is not near enough. I have over 1800 classes that are prepaid and I am looking to hire 20 more tutors.
I am in need of teachers or tutors who would like to earn extra money. One of my teachers was accepted into the JET program. He found it invaluable to work here in a small way to prepare for what was coming in Japan. I also think that this might be very helpful for JET Alumni re-acclimating themselves to their home country. Or like me, an older woman who looks back affectionately on my time in Japan and sees my conversations as a way to re-connect with the culture I know and appreciate so well.
This job pays $12 per 55 minute class completed and is paid through PayPal on a weekly basis. The tutors make their own schedule of when they would like to give classes. The job is “located” on Skype ~ a free computer application.
Here is more information about the positions and how to apply: http://www.onlineeikaiwa.jp/eslteachers.html
I have had previous success hiring alumni of the JET Program and would love to hire more.
Japan Society (NY) Allocates Additional $2.1 Million with 5th Round of Earthquake Relief Grants
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Via Shannon Jowett, Director of Communications for Japan Society in New York:
“With recovery and rebuilding expected to take 10 years or more, Japan Society announced the fifth round of grants from the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, focusing on economic and community revitalization and mental health services. Full details below.”
Japan Society Allocates Additional $2.1 Million with 5th Round of Earthquake Relief Grants
New York, NY – Japan Society announced this week the fifth round of grants from the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund (JERF), supporting eight organizations, seven of which are first-time grantees. With additional grants totaling $2,131,000, this latest announcement brings total allocations from the $12.9 million fund to $9.4 million distributed to 27 organizations representing 34 grants that directly serve people affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011.
“While progress has been made sixteen months after Japan’s triple disasters, the work is far from over,” said Japan Society President, Motoatsu Sakurai upon the announcement. “As the hard work of recovery and the complex process of rebuilding moves forward, we continue to put emphasis on areas where we see great need and where we think our support can have long-term impact: mental health services and economic and community revitalization projects.”
Sakurai told Reuters in a profile of the Society’s relief work earlier this year that focus should be on local entrepreneurship and lasting sustainable projects. “It is very, very evident in Japan this recovery process will continue for more than 10 years,” he said.
The latest grant recipients are: Read More
JapanLocal: Shimane JET Welcome Video
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Shimane JET Joshua Del Pino recently put out this video titled “Shimane JET Welcome Video,” an excellent introduction to the prefecture for JETs as well as non-JETs.
For more information about life as a JET Programme participant in Shimane Prefecture, please check out the following link: http://www.shimaneajet.com/
JapanLocal: Kamo Aquarium in Tsuruoka
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JETAA Philadelphia Subchapter rep Rashaad Jorden recently wrote the following article for the Japan Tourist website (a great example of JETs helping to promote “local” tourism for Japan):
Kamo Aquarium in Tsuruoka: More wonderful water fun in Yunohama
(Click link to the article to see photos: http://japantourist.jp/view/kamo-aqarium)
In a part of Tsuruoka renown for onsen and Yamagata Prefecture’s most popular beach, it’s quite fitting there’s another place where water brings out more fun. Only here animals are stars of the show.
Once threatened with bankruptcy, Kamo Aquarium in Yunohama has grown to become one of the country’s most popular aquariums, welcoming more than 220,000 visitors in 2011 (according to a June 2012 article on the Japan Times’ website). A remarkable number considering only 90,000 people visited Kamo in 1997, sparking rumors of the aquarium’s demise.
Much of the credit for Kamo’s revival goes to one creature: the jellyfish. Read More
