May 6

Essay: “Rikuzentakata”

Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, Japan Local, Writers Add Comment (4)

Thank you to Vancouver-based JET alum Alison Dacia Brown (Iwate-ken, Rikuzentakata, 2005-2008) for sharing the below piece which she originally wrote for JETAA British Columbia:

“Rikuzentakata”

Rikuzentakata in Iwate prefecture is the best little town that you’ve never been to.

I think I can safely assume that. I think Vancouverites in particular would have appreciated it because to me, Rikuzentakata as of March 10, 2011, was Vancouver in miniature, complete with a beach and mountains in the background. It made me feel like I was just across the pond from Canada. I actually requested Iwate on my JET application, which hardly anyone does. I was more than lucky to be placed where I was, and not just in terms of geography.

It had a quaint little sake factory called Suisen that held hanami parties during the cherry blossom season. It had a gorgeous, sandy beach lined with thousands of slender, yet majestic pine trees. It had the best neighbours a foreigner could ever have when she is away from home. Neighbours who fed her when she was sick with a stomach infection. It had an amazing Japanese woman, who translated all of her farewell speeches from Japanese into English. It had a hard-working Board of Education. It had an amazing ALT from Alaska.

Suisen is gone but I was told that in the days after the tsunami, the smell of sake permeated the area. I’m sure it was hiding more insidious smells. All of the trees which lined the beach are gone except for one. This tree is now called ‘The Miracle Tree’ and it’s giving hope to tsunami survivors. Unfortunately, it’s become a tourist destination and it’s making transportation into Rikuzentakata difficult.

The neighbour who fed her when she was sick, sometimes 3 times a day, lost her house which also housed the family’s tatami business. Her son was a volunteer firefighter and went directly to the beach to close the tsunami wall. His body was found 4 days ago and he has been cremated. The woman who translated her farewell speeches into English, Mutsuko Ozawa, is alive but has lost her mother, sister, nephew and cousins to the tsunami. Only her sister was found. Her house is gone and she has sent her children to central Japan while she and her husband fix up a new house to live in.

21 out of the 26 people who worked at her Board of Education are dead. It was an emergency meeting point, but unfortunately, the building which housed the Board of Education, was only 3 stories high. The tsunami went over it. My good friend, Kie Murakami, was still working at the Board of Education when the tsunami hit. I was hoping she wasn’t, as people change jobs every 3 years, as many of you know. I prayed she was somewhere else, away from the shore. She was found two weeks ago, and she has left behind a daughter and a husband who will miss her immensely. Kie was with Monty Dickson, who was the current JET ALT. He had taken over my position a year after I left Japan, and I know he loved the place as much as I did. I have a picture of Kie and Monty on the top of the local mountain, and it’s very hard to look at, knowing what has happened to them.

I hope to return someday to help. I think many of the former Iwate JETs feel this way. Right now, the only way I can help is by donating money, which we have all been doing. I have given hugs to Japanese people on Granville street in exchange for money. I have bought t-shirts. I have done a charity walk for Japan to raise money through JETAABC. I have donated money directly. But of course it is not enough. I desperately want to return to my adopted city which took care of me for 3 years to let them know that they have not been forgotten.

May 4

Job: Translator (Kentucky)

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Via JET alum Roy Harrison of the JETAA Bluegrass subchapter:

May 4

JET alum sake expert John Gauntner to lecture at Japan Society Sake Tasting next Tuesday

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JET alum John Gauntner (aka “The Sake Guy”) will be lecturing on “Hot or cold?” at Japan Society of New York’s Annual Sake Tasting next Tuesday, May 10 at 6:30pm.  John is considered the leading non-Japanese expert on sake in the world.

Apr 28

Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA) Update 04.28.11

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The Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA) has been an excellent source of updates via the earthquake section of its website as well as its Facebook page.  The kind of info you’re likely not getting from CNN or network news.  Notably, JET alum James Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94) is the Executive Director of JCIE/USA’s New York office.  Here’s the latest update:

4/28 Update: http://www.jcie.org/earthquakeupdate.html

* Peace Winds Japan helps chambers of commerce to get up and running as an important recovery step.

* Another PWJ initiative, the free “Compassion Bus”, takes evacuees to supermarkets in Ofunato and others.

* Association for Aid and Relief also offers transportation services to those on the Oshika Peninsula, which sustained enormous damage to its roads.

4/26-27 Update: http://www.jcie.org/earthquakeupdate.html

* The Japan Association for Refugees (JAR) began offering legal consultations; evacuees have many concerns from lost family, businesses and even the mortgages on homes that were swept away.

* NICCO experts find that functioning batteries from cars that were destroyed can be used to power LED lights, which can then be hooked up to solar panels for all day use.

Apr 28

JETAA Florida to provide volunteers for South Florida events this weekend

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Thanks to JETAA Florida President Bahia Simons-Lane (Gunma-ken) for sharing the following:

JETAA Florida is providing volunteers for two events in South Florida this weekend:

1.  Japan Culture Day at Florida International University

2.  Miami Reggae Festival for Japan Relief in Coconut Grove

See Bahia’s blog for full details.

Apr 27

Fundraising: JETAA UK

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Via the JETAA UK website:

Thanks to all who have made our ‘Give a Day for Japan‘ scheme and the pub quiz last Thursday such a fantastic success.  We’re all doing that we can in the light of Japan’s terrible losses.  We have extended our invitation to the JETAA Ball this year (which is a fund-raising event and is thus not subsidised, as in previous years) to the wider Japan-UK community in London.  Help us make this a night to remember!

JETAA May Ball in Aid of the Tohoku Earthquake Appeal

Tickets are going faster than limited edition Kate & Will china teacups – so get yours on the double! Check out the amazing conservatory venue – resplendent with fairy-light trimmed palms…

Hosted at the deluxe 4-star Millennium Gloucester Hotel & Conference Centre in the heart of Kensington, London, this year’s JETAA Ball will be raising funds for the Japan Society’s Tohoku Earthquake Appeal, which JETAA UK is also supporting through our Give a Day for Japan scheme.

Date: Saturday 14th May, 19:00 – 23:00

Tickets: £60 (this includes a 3-course buffet dinner with some drinks, a taiko performance from Kaikyo Taiko, music, dancing and a night of fundraising)
Dress Code: Black Tie and Evening Gown
Nearest Tube: Gloucester Road Underground Station (Piccadilly, Circle and District lines)
Overnight stay: Special rates are available for JETAA guests wishing to stay overnight at the hotel, please e-mail for further details.
To Register: Please fill in our online registration form. Read More

Apr 27

Fundraising: JETAA Northern California’s Earthquake Relief Efforts

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Via the JETAA Northern California website:

Thank you to everyone who came out to show their support for JETAANC’s Japan Earthquake Relief Benefit on March 23. The event was a great success, raising over $7,000 for Japan!  In addition, JETAANC received a donation of over $1,800 from the PiQ Japan Relief Benefit event held in Berkeley on March 21.

Apr 26

JETAA USA announces new Country Representatives

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The 2011 Country Representatives are Jessyca Wilcox (2nd term as Country Rep, former JETAA Rocky Mountain Treasurer), Megan Miller Yoo (former JETAA New York President) and Mike Shu (JETAA Northern California, former AJET President).

Congratulations!

Nikki Lindsay

National Elections Officer

Apr 26

Event: 2nd Japanese Heritage Night at Mets Citifield – Tues, June 21

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Via request of the Consulate General of Japan in New York:

2nd Japanese Heritage Night at Mets Citifield

Please let your members, colleagues, friends and family know that the 2nd Japanese Heritage Night at Mets Citifield will be held on Tuesday June 21st, 2011 when the Mets play the Oakland As with  Hideki Matsui in attendance. This is a fundraising event – a portion of each ticket sold through our group will go to Japan relief efforts.

We will be sending out information about Group Sales as soon as the site is set up but this year, seats in three price categories will be grouped together:

• Baseline Box Silver seat =$54.00
• Pepsi Porch seat = $32.00
• Promenade Reserved Infield seat = $19.00

While we understand that not all of you are Mets fans, the Yankees do not provide a Heritage Night and we wanted to have a community event where Japanese and Japanese Americans and all those interested in “things Japanese” could get together and have a good time. We look forward to everyone’s participation again this year.

Last year 400 tickets were purchased. This year, let’s aim for 1,000!

If you are interested in helping out, please contact our organizing committee co-chairs: Ann Harakawa (aharakawa [at] twotwelve.com) or Marianne Yoshioka (mry5 [at] columbia.edu).

Thank you!!

Organizing Committee

Ann Harakawa, Marianne Yoshioka, Gary Moriwaki, Susan J. Onuma, George Hirose

Advisor: Donna Tsufura

Apr 26

CLAIR News April 2011

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Here’s the latest edition of CLAIR News, April 2011.  Click here the Japanese edition (PDF).

This edition of CLAIR News contains the following topics:

1. Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake and Tsunami
2. Tragic News
3. New JET Arrivals
4. For Returning JETs: Applying for a Partial Refund of Your Pension
5. Payments
6. Tax Refund on Pension Refund
7. Local Inhabitant Taxes
8. Proceedures Concerning Status of Residence and Period of Stay
9. CLAIR Thanks all TOA Applicants
10. AJET Peer Support Group
11. Recruitment for Self-Support Group Leaders (SGLs)
12. The JET Alumni Association (JETAA)
13. ALT Opinion Exchange Meeting
14. Japanese Language Courses
15. The Local Government Officials Training Programme
16. TOA T-Shirt Design Contest
17. JET Q&A
18. Contracting Organisation Q&A

Apr 25

MOFA Letter of Appreciation to JETAA USA

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Posted at the request of the Consulate General of Japan in New York:

To:  JET Programme Alumni Association ＵＳＡ

More than one month has passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake has hit the nation. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to all the people who have suffered as a result of this disaster, both Japanese nationals and non-Japanese including JET Programme participants, and to their families.　I especially offer my sincerest condolences to Ms.Taylor Anderson and Mr. Montgomery Dickson, who were the victims of the disaster. I laud their achievement and contribution as JET Programme participants for English education and international exchange activities at the local level. Ａｔ　the same time I express my gratitude to JET Programme participants who have continued to assume their duties in Japan in this difficult time.

I understand that JETAA chapters across the United States of America are working for the earthquake relief efforts in Japan by means of a series events including “JETAA USA Japan Earthquake Relief Fund”. I extend my heartfelt appreciation for such assistance from your organization. I am grateful for the fact that many JET alumni have prayed for Japan and extended support to us. I am deeply impressed by the warm encouragement.

The Government of Japan is currently mobilizing all resources to overcome the situation at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station and working hard to stabilize the situation there at the earliest possible date. I would appreciate if those who have been away from Japan following evacuation advice issued by their home country, among other reasons, and also those who hesitate to apply for the JET Programme in this situation in Japan could judge and act calmly based on available information regarding safety in Japan. I would like to point out that the Government of Japan considers that the areas outside the zones for evacuation and staying indoors are safe, and　the Government of Japan has required each local authority to restrict the distribution of food products whose radiation doses exceeded the provisional regulation values. The Government of Japan has uploaded the latest information on the websites as follows. I would really appreciate if you could share this message with your JET friends and their possible candidates through your network.

http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/index-e.html

http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/tsunamiupdate01.html

http://www.nisa.meti.go.jp/english/index.html

http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/2011_Earthquake.html

http://www.mofa.go.jp/index.html

http://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/saigaijohou/index.htm

http://eq.wide.ad.jp/index_en.html

http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/topics/2011eq/index.html

http://www.mlit.go.jp/en/index.html

http://www.maff.go.jp/e/index.html

There is no doubt that Japan will recover, become vibrant again, and become an even more marvelous country. I strongly believe that Japan will certainly repay, through its contributions to the international community, the cordial assistance from your organization. The Government of Japan will work to the best of its ability to realize the reconstruction of Japan. I appreciate your continued support and cooperation.

To that end, I add my own effort to those of my Government:  I extend my best wishes to you for your organization’s future development.

Naoki Murata
Director-General
Public Diplomacy Department
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

Apr 25

Sake and Chefs Tasting to Benefit Relief Efforts in Japan (NYC)

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I believe two JET alum sake experts, John Gauntner and Chris Johnson, are involved with the group that is organizing this event — New York Loves Japan:  Sake and Chefs Tasting to Benefit Relief Efforts in Japan — which takes place Wednesday, April 27.

Apr 25

Memorial ride for Nagano JET alum Kimberly Hull, killed in car accident in Minnesota

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Very sorry to report that Nagano JET alum Kimberly (Audrey) Yeong Sil Hull (25) was recently killed in a car accident.  There will be a memorial bike ride for her on Wednesday, April 27.  Details on the Facebook page set up in her honor.

Thoughts and prayers for Kimberly’s family and friends.

Apr 22

2 Jobs: Sales rep (NYC) and Admin Asst/Service Coord. (NJ)

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Important: Please make sure to indicate that you learned of these job listings via JETwit if you apply for them.  Thanks.

1.  Japanese Hair Care Product company in NY is looking for Inside Sales Representative. ASAP!

Location: Downtown NY

Position: Inside Sales

Salary: 30K-40K

Job Description: Read More

Apr 22

JET Alum Terry Vo named Arkansas Cherry Blossom Princess

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JET alum and President of Music City JETAA Terry Vo (2007-09, Kumamoto-ken) has been named Arkansas’ Cherry Blossom Princess by the Arkansas State Society in Washington, D.C., and represented the state during the recent 99th National Cherry Blossom Festival, a major annual event in the nation’s capital.

Vo took part in the Cherry Blossom Princess Program, which ran from April 2-9, 2011. The Cherry Blossom Princess Program offers cultural and educational opportunity for young women from across the U.S. and around the world. They are selected by a state society or an embassy based on their leadership, academic achievements, interest in social, civic, community and world affairs. Over 3,000 women have participated in this program since 1948. Princess alumni include Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.

The 2011 Cherry Blossom Princess Program included an array of activities and cultural events requiring the princesses to perform a variety of public relations and diplomatic duties during the week. All of the activities lead to the Grand Ball where the crowning of the U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen takes place and a princess will be selected by chance with the spin of the infamous Wheel of Fortune.

Vo was chosen by her princess class as Miss Congeniality at the Cherry Blossom Grand Ball and Sushi Reception.

Terry-san omedetou gozaimashita!