Feb 3

NYTimes column: “Dominating the Man Cave” by JET alum Bruce Feiler

Article/Journalism, Books, Celebrity, Notable JET Alums, Writers

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A thoughtful column in today’s New York Times on the topic of ESPN and man culture by JET alum Bruce Feiler, author of Learning to Bow, Walking the Bible and several other best-sellers including his recent book The Council of Dads:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/06/fashion/06ThisLife.html?_r=1&src=twrhp

Feb 3

Music City JETAA (aka Nashville) reveals its new logo!

JETAA Chapters

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Via Music City JETAA President Terry Vo, who is also the JET Program and MEXT Coordinator at the Consul-General of Japan in Nashville:

“We JUST revealed our new logo at the JET Returnees Welcome Reception last Friday, January 28, 2011 at the Consul General’s Residence.”

“We had over 20 JET alumni attend from Tennessee and Kentucky and it was a REALLY successful event. The evening began with Consul General Sato’s high regards for the JET Program and how he sees JET Alumni as “one of the greatest assets in Japan-U.S. relations.” Consul General Sato then asked for the five recent returnees to give short speeches about their experience on the JET Program.”

Meanwhile, here are some upcoming events for JETAA Music City:

Saturday, February 12^th – Cooking Night with Master Sushi Chef Toshihiro Nishimoto, 6pm (Attached is the information)
Sunday, March 27^th– Hanami (More info to come!)

Feb 2

Wide Island View: Philly Phanatic vs Slyly, the Hiroshima Carp Mascot

Article/Journalism, Writers

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There’s a nice piece today by Dan Moeller on The Wide Island View (a really high-quality JET-produced webzine for Hiroshima-ken) looking into the similarities between the Philly Phanatic and Slyly, the Hiroshima Carp’s mascot. In the process, Dan comes to grips with the overlap and digs below the costume to reveal some interesting things about the two mascots:

http://www.wideislandview.com/2011/02/the-hiroshima-carp-and-slyly-their-mascot/

Correction: The Wide Island View is independent and not an official AJET publication, as previously stated. Thanks to Dan for pointing that out and apologies for the confusion.

Feb 1

Job: Assistant Producer for Japanese TV Company (NYC & DC)

Jobs

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Job listing received directly from TV Asahi:

Japanese television network seeks assistant producer to provide support for foreign correspondents in their newsgathering and reporting.

Excellent research and coordination skills required. Entry-level with opportunity for hands-on experience in all phases of broadcast news.

In your cover letter, please identify three story ideas, including human interest, national news, and techonology/economics, from the last month that you think would be of interest to a Japanese audience.

Job opportunities are available both at Washington, D.C., and New York city.

Please send your resume to kitasei [at] tv-asahi.net.

Jan 29

What I like about JetWit (Part 2)

Uncategorized

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What do you like about JetWit?

Please take a moment to share your response for the benefit of potential supporters and sponsors of JetWit, JETAA and the JET Program.

Here’s a link to the comments section of the original post from April 28, 2009 where the question was first asked: https://jetwit.com/wordpress/2009/08/09/what-i-like-about-jetwit/#comments

Thanks for your help and yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

–Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, Kariya-shi, 1992-94)
Brooklyn, NY

Jan 28

JET alum Bruce Feiler’s TED talk on The Council of Dads (video)

Books, Celebrity, Notable JET Alums, Uncategorized, Video, Writers

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JET alum Bruce Feiler, author of Learning to Bow, Walking the Bible and several other best-sellers including his recent book The Council of Dads, recently spoke in connection with the TED lecture series:

Jan 26

JET Alum LinkedIn Groups: Shimane-ken demonstrates its superiority

Local Government, Networking, Return on JET-vestment

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Regarding the JET alum prefectural groups recently set up on LinkedIn, just a quick note to let everyone know that Shimane-ken is kicking major oshiri and is already up to 23 members. Well ahead of any of the other groups.

If you’re ok with this, you shouldn’t be. Now is the time to reach out to people in your prefecture and get them to sign up for the respective LinkedIn Group. The leading group by next week will receive significant accolades on JetWit. (That’s all I can really offer right now. JetWit t-shirts for everyone would be too expensive for me.)

Here’s the link again to all of the prefectural LinkedIn groups along with some explanation about why this is important to the future of JET and JETAA:

https://jetwit.com/wordpress/2011/01/21/saving-jet-jet-alumni-groups-by-prefecture/

*******

p.s. Also a reminder that there are also JET alum Linkedin groups for Translators, Lawyers, Education Professionals, China Connection, Restructuring Professionals and more. Here’s a partial list: https://jetwit.com/wordpress/jet-alum-groups/ (You can also just search on LinkedIn.)

And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, start your own group! Just e-mail the link to jetwit [at] jetwit.com and I’ll post about it on JetWit to encourage more people to join.

Jan 25

LinkedIn: Do Japanese people use it?

Japan Trends, Networking

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In the course of creating the JET alum prefectural groups on LinkedIn and encouraging Japanese local government staff to join as well to foster connections and communications, I’ve become aware of the fact that LinkedIn is not anywhere near as popular in Japan as it is in the English speaking world. As word gets around CLAIR of the project, I’ve noticed several Japanese government workers signing up (which is great) who have 0 connections. That means this is the first time they’re using LinkedIn.

Does anyone else out there have perspectives on awareness of LinkedIn in Japan, to what extent it’s used, whether there are alternative networks out there that are more popular?

Please share any insights or thoughts in the comments section of this post.

Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

–Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94)
LinkedIn profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenwaseda

Jan 24

Georgia tries JET-like approach to English teaching

Japan Trends

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A New York Times article today describes the push in Georgia to put an English teacher in every school and make English, rather than Russian, the required second language. However, while the article mentions the Peace Corps, Teach for America and the South Korean English language effort (probably EPIK) as similar programs, it does not mention JET for some reason.

Here’s the link to the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/world/europe/24georgia.html

Jan 24

JetWit Society: Japanese royalty at the Museum of Natural History today

Uncategorized

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Just heard from a friend who works at the Museum of Natural History that there is apparently some Japanese royalty visiting the museum right now. No other details at the moment.

Jan 24

New LinkedIn Group: Monbusho English Fellows (MEFs)

Career, Networking

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Thomas Schalow has set up a LinkedIn group for Monbusho English Fellows (MEFs). MEFs were the forerunners to JETs, and from JetWit’s perspective, are part of the JET alumni community.

Here’s the link: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=3757582

A little MEF background from Thomas: “The number of MEFs was small. In my year, 1980, for example, there were only 12 MEFs for all of Japan. The program did not run that many years before it morphed into the JET program, so there may be only 100 or so of these MEFs out there.”

Jan 23

JETAA London Mailshot 01.20.10

JETAA Chapters

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Thanks to all who attended JETAA’s January Pub Night at Japanese bar Life; great turn-out and a brilliant time (see pics! ->). The following evening was another successful JETAA Creative Entrepreneurs’ Salon, where we were pleased to welcome not one, but four, members of JEEF (Japan Europe Entrepreneurs Forum)!

Don’t forget to join us at the AGM this Tuesday if you are interested in getting involved with the running of JETAA in 2011. If organisation isn’t your thang, join us (non-ex-JETs also welcome!) for our Winter Walk on the 30^th.

JETAA London Annual General Meeting – Tuesday 25th January

What do you want JETAA London to do for you? Now’s your chance to tell us! Or, if you’re up to the challenge, get involved yourself. All committee positions will be open for election, and we’re always looking for more volunteers! Afterwards, we’ll all go out for dinner and drinks.

Date: Tuesday 25th January
Time: 7pm – 8pm
Place: Berne Union (27-29 Cursitor Street, London EC4A 1LT). Nearest
tube is Chancery Lane. Click here for a map.

The JETAA London chapter is one of the largest JETAA chapters in the world with 2000+ members. The committee consists of a Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Communications Officer, Events Officers and Careers Information Day Coordinator (for returning JETs in September), however, extra volunteers are always needed to help organise various events and activities throughout the year.

All positions at the AGM will be elected by ballot and anyone who wishes to stand for a post or wants to find out more about what being on the committee involves should email Josy, the current chair, on london@jetaa.org.uk.

We hope to see you there!

JETAA London Winter Walk – Sunday 30^th January

Following the popularity of our autumn walk, we’ll have a bracing Winter Walk through South West London. Spend your Saturday enjoying the wholesome pleasures of a brisk stroll in the company of other JETAA members – although guests & non-JETAA are most welcome!

Date: Sunday 30^th January
Time: 12pm, meeting at Wimbledon Park tube station
Venue: A fine stroll from Wimbledon Park to Richmond. Highlights include: lake of Wimbledon Park, the windmill on Wimbledon Common (this is a café – a good stopping off point for a coffee), and red and fallow deer in Richmond Park, waterbirds, and last but not least, Richmond’s fine riverside frontages.

For more details, and a map, visit http://www.walklondon.org.uk/section.asp?section=30

We plan to stop off in Richmond for refreshments, and then take the District Line back up to Earl’s Court to finish the evening with some karaoke at the Japanese-run OnBoard Karaoke Box!

Please register your interest at londonevents@jetaa.org.uk, include your name, plus dates, years on JET. Please indicate if you are interested in joining us for the walk, the karaoke, or both!

JETAA Members Invited to Haiku Event at the Japanese Embassy

The Embassy of Japan is hosting an evening with expert haiku poet and Japanese cultural envoy, Ms Madoka Mayuzumi from 6.30pm on Tuesday, 1 February 2011. Since receiving a promotional award for the 40th Kadokawa Haiku Prize in 1994, Ms Mayuzumi has contributed greatly to the revival of the popularity of haiku in Japan. Notable for its romantic and urban flavour, and for bringing new elements into the tradition, her work has been received with great acclaim.

Just what exactly is a haiku? What is its place in modern Japanese society? Why not attend this special event to find out the answers to these questions and more? The presentation will be followed by a reception.

Registration prior to this event is essential. Register by emailing haiku@ld.mofa.go.jp with your name, affiliation, email address and telephone number, quoting ‘JET AA’ in the subject line. The deadline for registrations is 28^th January 2011.

JETWIT Tally

Nearly all of us had relatives and friends come and visit us in Japan. Some of us have brought student groups and organized other exchanges. All of this has provided tourism revenue for the Japanese economy. The goal of this project is to determine, at a minimum, the amount of tourism revenue for which JET is directly responsible.

This information is particularly important amidst ongoing discussions of costs associated with the JET Programme and the JET Alumni Association. Many of the short and long term benefits have simply not been factored in. So email visitors@jetwit.com with your responses and let’s make sure this info does get factored in to future discussions.

Here’s a simple way for every JET and JET alum to do their part to support the JET Programme and the JET Alumni Association:

Just fill out this simple Google Form or, if you prefer….
E-mail visitors@jetwit.com and tell us how many people you are personally responsible for causing to visit Japan (both during and since JET).
Please make sure to include:

1.Number of tourists (e.g., Mom + Dad + two brothers = 4 people)
2.Total number of days they stayed in Japan (e.g., If Mom & Dad + two brothers each stayed for 10 days, that’s 40 total days of tourist travel)
3.Your name + position on JET (ALT/CIR/SEA)
4.Your Prefecture + city/town and years on JET (e.g., 2006-10) (this is vital info!)
5.Any comments, stories or additional info you want to share

Taiko Meantime’s 1-day Taiko workshops: Feb 5^th, 6th and 19th

This year’s series of Winter Taiko workshops for beginners and improvers will be in Bentley, near Farnham, Surrey.

Beginners – Sat 5th Feb, Sun 6^th Feb 2011

On 5th Feb we’ll be running a full-day introductory Taiko workshop for beginners. If you’ve ever wanted an exhilarating, fun and comprehensive introduction to Taiko drumming, this workshop is for you.

Improvers – Sat 19th Feb 2011

On 19th Feb, we’ll be running a full-day Taiko workshop for improvers – i.e. anyone who has some experience of Taiko and would like to refresh on the basics and build on their technique.

Both workshops will be held at the beautiful Bury Court Barn in Bentley, near Farnham in Surrey. This converted barn has the perfect acoustics for drumming, and is in an isolated position ensuring the focus needed for Taiko.

Just over one hour by train from London Waterloo.

Places are limited to 15 per workshop.

All details are on our website at www.taikomeantime.com.

Don’t miss out on any emails from JETAA UK – add londonevents@jetaa.org.uk to your address book or safe list.
You are registered on the JETAA UK website with the email address vanessa@japaneselondon.com. To unsubscribe, login to your account at www.jetaa.org.uk, click on “My Profile” and update the “Receive JETAA mailshots” field.

Jan 21

Saving JET: JET Alumni Groups….by Prefecture

Local Government, Networking, Return on JET-vestment, Uncategorized

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What does “Saving JET” have to do with joining your JET prefecture’s LinkedIn group?

The biggest threat to JET (and JETAA) now is attrition at the local government level as prefectural governments increasingly choose to reduce costs by getting ALTs from dispatch companies rather than hiring JETs.
The most effective way to counter this trend is to demonstrate a positive ROJ (“Return on JET-vestment”) at the local government level.
Local governments have expressed a strong interest in being able to connect and communicate with JET alumni who worked in their prefectures.
JET Alumni have never been organized by prefecture….

……until now. So please do your part and sign up for your respective JET Alumni LinkedIn Group below. It’s one small act of giving back to your prefecture that can make a big difference over time.

Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

–Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, Kariya-shi, 1992-94)
jetwit [at] jetwit.com

Prefectural JET Alumni LinkedIn Groups

FYI: All groups below were created in connection with JetWit and not by the prefectural governments. They’re just intended to help facilitate future communications.
Current JETs and Monbusho English Fellows (MEFs) welcome too, as always. Additionally, prefectural and other government employees as well as residents of each prefecture are welcome to join the groups.
If anyone would like to be a “Manager” for their respective LinkedIn group, that would be very helpful. Just get in touch. Primary role will be approving requests to join the group.
You may of course join other groups in addition to your own prefecture’s group if it’s helpful to you.

Note on Methodology: I took a relatively awkward approach to setting this all up. I created subgroups via my LinkedIn account. However, LinkedIn only lets a user create up to 10 groups and up to 20 subgroups, so I had to create a new LinkedIn account (“Jet Wit”) and use that account to set up the rest of the prefectural alumni groups. Not ideal, but it seemed to be the best solution under the circumstances and given limited resources. It’s always better to have something than nothing. I’m very open to any ideas and suggestions on better ways to set this up.

Jan 20

Update: JET-Tourist Tally Project

Return on JET-vestment

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Check out the latest numbers for the JET-Tourist Tally Project (i.e., how much tourism revenue alone does JET generate directly for the Japanese economy?)

https://jetwit.com/wordpress/2010/12/08/project-how-much-tourism-revenue-has-jet-generated-for-japan/

Tentative conclusion thus far?
With over 250 respondents to date, it looks like it’s fair to say that the average JET generates tourism revenue for Japan in an amount equivalent to about 1/5 to 1/6 of their salary. In other words, you could argue that 1/5 to 1/6 of the budget for JET salaries should be subtracted right off the bat for discussion purposes. This is in addition to other return on investment from JET (e.g., financial, diplomatic, cultural).

Jan 18

Any JETs or JET alums in Kasugai, Komaki or Inuyama (Aichi-ken)?

Uncategorized

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If you’re a JET or JET alum who lives or lived in Kasugai, Komaki or Inuyama, or anywhere in the vicinity, please get in touch ASAP at jetwit [at] jetwit.com. We may need your help.

Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

-Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, Kariya-shi, 1992-94)

JETAA London Annual General Meeting – Tuesday 25th January

JETAA London Winter Walk – Sunday 30th January

JETAA Members Invited to Haiku Event at the Japanese Embassy

JETWIT Tally

Taiko Meantime’s 1-day Taiko workshops: Feb 5th, 6th and 19th

Prefectural JET Alumni LinkedIn Groups

Nara JET Program Alumni (set up by Savannah Maynard)

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JETAA London Winter Walk – Sunday 30^th January

Taiko Meantime’s 1-day Taiko workshops: Feb 5^th, 6th and 19th