Jan 18

Any JETs or JET alums with Georgia connections in Japan?

Article/Journalism Comments Off on Any JETs or JET alums with Georgia connections in Japan?

Via JET alum Jessica Cork who works at the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta:

Trevor Williams, the editor of Global Atlanta, will be visiting Japan at the end of this month and would like to interview some young professionals or entrepreneurs in Japan, preferably those who have Georgia connections. If you are interested, please contact him directly:

Trevor Williams
Editor, www.globalatlanta.com
twilliams@globalatlanta.com
Office: (404) 377-7710
Mobile: (706) 615-4599


Jan 16

JETAA Chicago site posts link to JetWit

JETAA Chapters, Uncategorized Comments Off on JETAA Chicago site posts link to JetWit

Thanks to JETAA Chicago for including a link to JetWit on its “Resources” page:

http://www.chicago.jetalumni.net/resources/

And a request to other JETAA chapters to include a link to JetWit somewhere on your chapter websites.  (Feel free to use the JetWit mascot image as well.)

Here’s the list of other JETAA chapters that have included a link to JetWit so far:

Also, a reminder that all content on JetWit may be used by JETAA chapters and any other official JET-related organizations (e.g., AJET) on their websites, in their emails & newsletters, etc.  No permission necessary.  Just copy and paste.  (Or link.  Whatever makes your job easiest.)

Special thanks to Sam Lederer (Shizuoka-ken, 2005-07) for gathering the info.  If your chapter has a link to JetWit, e-mail sam [at] jetwit.com and let us know.


Jan 14

Learn to blog….on your own!

Advice, Blogs, Career, Writers Comments Off on Learn to blog….on your own!

I often encourage JET alums to learn to use a blog, and I’ve even done some “Learn to Blog” workshops for JET alums (and lawyers too) where I walk people through the set-up, the basics and some of the quirks.

Now there’s apparently a WordPress site that offers a tutorial for setting up a blog and using it.  Just go to  http://learn.wordpress.com/

Knowing how to use a blog is a great job/communication skill to have in this era.  It’s also a great platform for promoting yourself and your skills serving as a portfolio for your abilities and accomplishments if you’re trying to make your way in the freelance world, or trying to bootstrap yourself into a full-time job.

And of course, if you ever want to write for JetWit, it’s extremely helpful on my end if there’s less explaining for me to do in order to enable you to get started contributing to the site.

So take a look if interested and let me know whether it’s helpful.  (I haven’t actually reviewed any of the tutorials.  But WordPress generally has good quality stuff.)  Also note the somewhat JET-relevant title on the main page. :-)

–Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94)
Founder & Publisher, JetWit.com
Brooklyn, NY


Jan 12

JET Alum Anthony Bianchi to run for Lower House seat in upcoming Japan elections

Celebrity, Local Government, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment Comments Off on JET Alum Anthony Bianchi to run for Lower House seat in upcoming Japan elections

Here’s the link to the article (which is in Japanese):  http://www.asahi.com/politics/update/0111/NGY201101110010.html

Below is text from the article:

衆院愛知６区補選　民主、犬山市議のアンソニー氏擁立へ

民主党の石田芳弘衆院議員（６５）の名古屋市長選立候補に伴い、４月に予定される衆院愛知６区補選に、同党が愛知県犬山市議のビアンキ・アンソニー 氏（５２）を擁立する方向となった。同党愛知６区総支部が１１日午前に開いた選挙対策会議で、候補として県連に提案することを決めた。

ビアンキ氏は米国ニューヨーク市出身。１９８９年に愛知県教育委員会の英語指導助手として来日。２００２年に日本国籍を取得して０３年に犬山市議選に立候補、最多得票で初当選した。０６年には同市長選に立候補したが、８候補中３位で落選。０７年に市議に再選された。

総支部の意向を踏まえ、県連が最終調整を進める。衆院補選への立候補について、ビアンキ氏は朝日新聞の取材に「名誉なこと。まだいろいろなステップがあるが、頑張っていきたい」と述べた。

６区補選では、０９年衆院選で落選した自民党元職の丹羽秀樹氏（３８）が立候補を準備。みんなの党も独自候補を擁立する方針だ。


Jan 10

Job: Associate, Nikkei Horizons Continuing Education Program (Seattle)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Associate, Nikkei Horizons Continuing Education Program (Seattle)

Via JETAA Pacific Northwest e-mail list:

Nikkei Concerns, a non-profit elder-care organization primarily serving the Japanese-American and Asian-American Communities in the Greater Seattle area, is seeking qualified applicants for their Nikkei Horizons Associate vacancy for Nikkei Horizons Continuing Education Program.

The position will assist in planning, coordinating, administering and marketing a continuing education program that encourages friendships and creates lasting memories through a wide range of exciting activities such as adventurous excursions locally and aboard, computer lessons, exercise and wellness classes, and learning about Japanese art, culture, traditions and more.

The ideal candidate will have experience in planning and coordinating activities, be a people-person who is detailed-oriented, possesses excellent customer service and communication skills and has a passion for enhancing the lives of our community members.  Fluent in Japanese preferred.

Interested qualified individuals should email their resume and a cover letter to jlardizabal@nikkeiconcerns.org (Jeannette Lardizabal, Human Resources Specialist, 206-726-6525).  Complete job descriptions are available upon request.

Please visit the Nikkei Concerns website at www.nikkeiconcerns.org for more information about our organization.

Position advertisement is open until filled. First considerations will be given to resumes and cover letters received by 5:00 p.m. Friday, January 21, 2011.

See attachment for application information

Continuing Education Program

1601 E. Yesler Way

Seattle, WA 98122


Jan 10

Job: Bilingual (J-E) event attendant for trade show (NYC)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Bilingual (J-E) event attendant for trade show (NYC)

Via Actus Consulting:

*Note:  If you apply for this job, please indicate that you learned about it via JetWit.

Japanese company who is attending a trade show seeks a Japanese English Bilingual Event Attendant.

Job responsibilities will include but not limited to:

1. Assist communication between a vendor and visitors by interpreting

2. Explain and promote products

Dates and Hours:

Jan 29, 3:30-5:30pm

Jan30-Feb 2, 9:00am-6:00pm (include lunch break 30 min / afternoon break 30 min)

Feb 3, 9:00am-12:00pm

Salary: $14/hr

Location: New York, NY

Qualification: Must be able to communicate both in Japanese and in English.  Event attendant experience a big plus.

Contact: infony@actus-usa.com


Jan 7

JETAA Northern California Rajio Taiso – TOMORROW!

Events, JETAA Chapters Comments Off on JETAA Northern California Rajio Taiso – TOMORROW!

Hi everyone!

Just a reminder that we will be meeting at 11:00am tomorrow morning for some Rajio Taiso!

JETAANC is kicking off the new year with some good, ole Rajio Taiso! Back in August 2010 at the JETAA National Conference, delegates came up with the great idea of filming JET alumni around the world practicing the long time favorite, Rajio Taiso. This infamous Japanese calisthenics routine is performed daily and at special sporting events, like an undoukai! What a better way to show how JET alumni are still connected to Japanese culture! Who could forget that piano music and voice counting out each movement?

JETAA USA asked all chapters to film themselves doing rajio taiso in front of a landmark and we thought that having the Golden Gate Bridge and SF cityscape in the background would be perfect! So we’re headed to the Marin Headlands!

When: Saturday, January 8 from 11am-12pm
Where: Marin Headlands, Conzelman Road at Kirby Cove (map)

All are welcome to join! Even if you’re a little bit rusty, we will practice the routine a few times before filming, so come on out!

To get a better idea of what we’re doing, here’s the video that our friends at JETAA Portland made (http://www.facebook.com/l/c5af5k7y9RlwljjtpZ4o9Iq06xA;www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqGUsHusnWE).

See you there!

~Melissa Chan
JETAANC Media Coordinator
books@jetaanc.org


Jan 5

Sukiyaki Survey: Can you get a raw egg at Japanese restaurants in the U.S.?

Uncategorized Comments Off on Sukiyaki Survey: Can you get a raw egg at Japanese restaurants in the U.S.?

Will Japanese restaurants in the U.S. give you a raw egg for sukiyaki or gyudon or other purposes?

In my limited experience, they won’t offer it on the menu, I believe due to health code restrictions.  But my understanding is that if you ask for it, they’ll give it to you.

Does anyone else have any perspective or experience with this?  Have you obtained one successfully?  Been denied?

Please share your responses in the comments section of this post.

Yoroshiku!


Dec 30

Japan Fix: Tampa (Part 2)

Japan Fix, Uncategorized Comments Off on Japan Fix: Tampa (Part 2)

By Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94) and Lily Lam (Kagawa-ken, 2004-09)

If you read the previous Japan Fix:  Tampa post, then you know of some quality JET-recommended places in Tampa to get your Japan Fix on.   It turns out, however, there’s more to tell and Tampa is even Japanese-ier than previously thought.  You just have to know where to look.  (In our case, we were forced to look because the places listed in the previous Japan Fix:  Tampa post happened to be closed this past Monday thanks to the holidays.)

So read on for Japan Fix:  Tampa (Part 2):

Japanese Food

I Ai Sushi (as in, “I love sushi”) is a cozy Japanese restaurant with an izakaya section on their menu tucked away in a shopping mall on 33614 W. Waters Ave. that also features a Marshalls (aka America’s “Ito Yokado”) and an Albertsons.  Perhaps the Japanese-iest touch of all is their business card which, in true Japanese fashion, includes a crude yet cute map of the mall with an arrow pointing to where the restaurant is located. 

I had the good fortune to go with St. Petersburg native, uber-foodie and fellow alum Lily Lam (Kagawa-ken, 2004-09) who heard about the place from a friend whose mother happens to be Japanese.  (Notably, Lily actually lives and works in San Francisco these days.  We only got in touch when she responded for the JET-Sister City List Project and, in the course of e-mailing, we realized we would both be in the Tampa-St. Pete area for Christmas.)

I Ai Sushi is owned by a Japanese couple who hail from Osaka and opened the restaurant about 3 years ago.  Tasteful Japanese art on the walls is accented with a Hello Kitty clock as well as autographed photos of several Japanese ballplayers who have eaten there. 

We started with a bottle of warm sake.  And perhaps the nicest thing about the sake was that rather than present us with a long list of detailed descriptions of sakes from all over Japan, they just brought us some decent sake.  Somehow I found this lack of choice to be reassuringly natsukashii.  (Remember lunch in your junior high schools?)

From the izakaya menu we ordered gyoza (savory and yummy), kinpira gobo (which had a surprising and tasty kick to it), maguro yama kake (mountain potato with tuna sashimi–not commonly found in most U.S. Japanese restaurants) and, from the specials menu that night, shishamo, which are small, batter-fried and very pregnant fish.  According to Lily, this was a common feature of her school lunches.  Somehow I made it all this time without ever being aware of their existence, due most likely to the fact that I’ve spent most of my life avoiding fish.  However, given my vow this year to make efforts to expand my palate, I took a couple bites.  Right in the belly.  And you know, it wasn’t so bad.  Especially with a little lemon on it.  (Lily noted that in her school lunches, there was no fried batter and no lemon.  Just rubbery pregnant fish.)

These, of course, were just the warmup dishes, the mood setters.  Because in the chilly (by Florida standards) 40 degree evening, we quickly discovered that the menu also featured various forms of nabe including sukiyaki, which we both ordered.  They let us cook it right at our table.  The beef was Japanese-thin and nicely marbled.  The veggies were exactly what they were supposed to be.  And the broth had that sweet-salty flavor that brought back memories of my first sukiyaki experience on a cold day in a friend’s unheated home gathered round a kotatsu with school colleagues.

I knew enough to request a couple raw eggs (since American health codes prohibit restaurants from offering raw eggs on their menu).  And we were in business chowing down and exchanging stories of JET days past. 

And for a final Japanese touch, they brought us (un-ordered) a dessert of grapes, hand-whipped cream and choux creme/シュークリームfilled with vanilla ice cream all on a plate.  A very nice finish to the meal.

With our bellies full of washoku and a bit of nihonshu, it was of course time for….

Karaoke

After searching Google Maps and Yelp on our iPhones, it was determined that the best karaoke options would be Korean noreban (i.e., karaoke box)  joints.  Tampa Karaoke was the obvious choice, but one Yelp review mentioned something about gero in one of the rooms.  So first we checked out One Family Korean Restaurant and Karaoke on 7030 West Hillsborough Ave.  It was a bit hard to find at first along the commercial strip, but sure enough there was a Korean market, restaurant and karaoke place all in one warehouse-like looking building.  Unfortunately for us they were all closed.

Tampa Karaoke it would be.  And it was actually not so bad.  Slick, chi-chi, high class and newly renovated are all words I would not use to describe the establishment.  But the young Korean-American guy at the desk was very friendly.  And the price was right at $25 per hour for a room.  It’s also worth noting that this is a BYOB place (like Bar Toto in Korea Town in NYC), which is great if you happen to know about it in advance (which we didn’t).

We asked if there were Japanese songs in the books and were told that indeed there were.  We eventually found them, however they were organized by song title only which made it a bit hard to search.  That inconvenience, however, was mooted by the fact that we could only find 2 or 3 songs that we actually knew.  And we decided to fault that partly to our own limited J-Pop knowledge and partly to Tampa Karaoke’s limited selection.

Getting into specifics, I was able to find “Kampai” (Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi) and “Kimi Ga Iru Dake” (Kome Kome Club).  But no “Ashita Ga Aru” or “Banzai” or any other songs by Ulfuls (aka Japan’s answer to Hootie and the Blowfish).  Lily, meanwhile, found “Sakura” (Kobukuro), a well-known sappy graduation song as well as “Life is a Boat” (Rie Fu).  (Though she regretted not finding “Tegami” by Angela Aki.)  Sore demo, we ended on a good note with that Japanese standard, “Take Me Home Country Road” (Jo-n Den-ba).

We realize there is more Japan to explore in the Tampa-St. Pete’s area.  But it may just have to wait until next Christmas.  However, given that I’m currently “stuck” in Florida due to the Blizzard of 2010 and can’t get a flight back to NYC until Sunday, January 2, I’ve decided to head east in search of more JET-ventures.  So stay tuned for….

Japan Fix:  Del Ray Beach & Miami!

Tell us where JETs should go in your area to get their Japan Fix. E-mail jetwit [at] jetwit.com.


Dec 22

JET alum seeks funding for “Bound in Japan,” a community book art project

Art, Notable JET Alums Comments Off on JET alum seeks funding for “Bound in Japan,” a community book art project

Via the JETAA DC email list, information about an interesting project created by Kieu Lam (Kagoshima-ken, 2003-06):

Dear Fellow JETs and Friends of Japan,

I am writing to let you know about Bound in Japan, a community book art project that I am producing.

I am a former JET and, like so many of you, have come to love Japan and consider it a second home. As you are aware, establishing a new life and community in Japan presents many challenges, and opportunities for exchange amongst native and non-native residents are important. Bound in Japan will offer a unique opportunity for this kind of engagement.

I plan on going to Japan in the summer of 2011 and will be teaching book art workshops for mainly non-native residents. These participants will create original book art about their experiences living in Japan, and this book art will be organized as an exhibition. Through this creative process, Bound in Japan aims to promote intercultural exchange and understanding in a Japanese society that is slowly but steadily becoming more multi-ethnic.

In order to make the book art workshops widely accessible and to incorporate as many voices as possible, these workshops will be offered at no cost to participants. It is necessary to raise funds to cover expenses for workshops and the exhibition as well as travel and living expenses in Japan. Read More


Dec 21

JETAA DC Film Festival: How was it?

Events, Film, JETAA Chapters, Reviews, Uncategorized Comments Off on JETAA DC Film Festival: How was it?

On December 3 and December 5, JETAADC held its first ever JETAA DC Film Festival.  And they did it in style at the Freer Gallery of the Smithsonian Institute.  Here’s a write-up of the event courtesy of JETAADC.

In an attempt to increase awareness of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program and to showcase Japanese or Japan-related films to American audiences, the Japan Exchange and Teaching Alumni Association of Washington, DC (JETAADC) partnered with the Freer Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution to screen two films from December 3-5, Linda Linda Linda and The Harimaya Bridge.

On Friday, December 3, JETAADC showed Linda Linda Linda, a quirky comedy about a band of four girls and their rehearsals leading up to their talent show performance during school festival. Prior to the film, JETAADC Vice President Nick Harling provided some opening remarks, discussing the JET Program, JETAADC, and adding a bit of context to the film.  Approximately  130 people attended the show on December 3, and after the film, about 40 audience members congregated at a local bar to continue discussing the film and Japanese culture.

On Sunday, December 5, JETAADC and the Freer Gallery screened The Harimaya Bridge, written and directed by Aaron Woolfolk, a JET alum from Kochi-ken. The film follows an American man who must travel to rural Japan to claim some important items belonging to his late son, from whom he was estranged. While there, he learns several secrets his son left behind. Mr. Woolfolk attended the screening, which drew over 200 people from the greater DC metro area, including representatives from local media. After the film, Mr. Woolfolk responded to questions from the audience regarding his inspiration for the film, the process of making the film, and what it was like working in Japan, both as a teacher and a filmmaker. About 50% stayed for the Q & A.

Afterwards, Mr. Woolfolk said, “It was a special honor to have the film shown at the Smithsonian Institution, and I am especially grateful to JETAADC for playing a pivotal role in making that happen. Moreover, spending time with the DC alumni before and after the screening reminded me how very fortunate and proud I am to be a part of the JET community.”

JETAADC President Maurice Maloney added, “JETAADC was honored to have Aaron Woolfolk and The Harimaya Bridge as part of our film series. In two and a half hours at the Freer Gallery, the film, along with Aaron’s discussion, conveyed the JET experience to a broader audience than we could have reached in months.”

Maloney added, “In light of discussed budget cuts to the JET Programme and JET Alumni Associations across the globe, it is more important than ever for JET Alumni Associations to showcase the breadth of their alumni and the positive effects they have on their communities.”

Click “Read More” to see photos from the event, courtesy of JETAADC.

Read More


Dec 20

Japan Fix: San Francisco

Japan Fix Comments Off on Japan Fix: San Francisco

Kathy Laubach (CIR Kumamoto-ken, 2003-06) originally hails from Montana but recently re-located to San Francisco and agreed to share how she’s been getting her Japan Fix there so far.

I have to admit that I simple feel too fresh back to write a worthy piece on my Japan Fix in San Francisco…. Montana was so long ago, which also makes that a challenge! I have found that my main sources of warding off Japan homesickness are skyping/emailing friends there and, mainly, tracking their lives on Facebook. I’ve also managed to meet a few Japanese folks in the area which has been helpful for the adjustment.

One place that makes the top of my still short but notable Bay Area Secrets Japanese list, however, is Umami. The menu boasts two of my weaknesses (as in addictions) – sushi and ice cream – in an upbeat, modern atmosphere. Plenty of items for sharing and the wait staff is confident making suggestions and ordering on behalf of patrons’ wanting to spend more time in conversation than deliberating over menu choices. Fairly expansive and fun cocktail list, with sake as well (Was driving, so not too familiar with the beverages. Would like to stop in for Happy Hour sometime though.)

Umami staff got good marks, too, for doing a good job of accounting for 好き／嫌い and アレルギ. The ice cream I referred to isn’t any ordinary/extraordinary 抹茶 variety, per se, but the dessert menu incorporates a cookie dough wrapped ice cream roll with delectable toppings. Attractive to the eye and as well as stimulating to the taste buds! Also noteworthy is the Japanese language lesson audio system in the トイレ!

I guess you could say I am a fan. I’d like to sit at the bar sometime and see if it offers that same visual satisfaction as often felt when doing so in Japan.

(Kathy added that she would soon be attending her first JETAA Northern California gathering, another great way to get your Japan Fix.)

Have something to add to Japan Fix:  San Francisco?  Want to share how you get your Japan Fix in your corner of the world?  Add a comment to this post or e-mail jetwit [at] jetwit.com.


Dec 19

Blind JET alum helps Japan Braile Library (“Nitten”) with unique initiative

Notable JET Alums Add Comment (1)

A recent article from Japan Times-McClatchy News Information Services about the Nitten braile library in Takadanobaba in Tokyo includes several paragraphs on a British JET alum named David Hathaway (Nagano-ken) who is blind and who is running the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) scholarship program — which is held in Malaysia, where he teaches basic and advanced computer skills to blind Asian leaders.

Here’s the link to the article:  http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2010/12/19/5203423.htm

(Thanks to Megan Miller-Yoo for alerting us to the article.)


Dec 17

JapanJuku vlog recommends JetWit

Advice, Video Comments Off on JapanJuku vlog recommends JetWit

I just came across a vlog run by Jason, a JET alum who taught in Shimane-ken, which recommends JetWit as a good resource for JET alums and also contains a significant amount of videos, written content and links intended as a helpful resource for JETs.

Here’s a link to the video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWtIgFjWt2g (FYI, he talks about a few other things before mentioning JetWit, including the most bizarrely named snack I can remember hearing about.)

And here’s a link to his YouTube video channel for JET-related videos:  http://www.youtube.com/user/myargonauts?feature=mhum#p/p


Dec 16

Beyond Karaoke: Songs about JET and Japan

Music, Writers Comments Off on Beyond Karaoke: Songs about JET and Japan

Did you or your friends write or hear any songs about your JET experience, your town, your region, or anything JET-related?

We know a bunch of songs have been written by some number of the 50,000+ JET alumni over the 23 years of the JET Program.    Now it’s time to try and gather them together in one place.

E-mail your songs to jetwit [at] jetwit.com or input them right into the comments section of this post.  Whatever works for you.  And if you have a recording or a video of the song being performed, then share that as well.

To start things off, here are some song lyrics about Saga-ken by a Japanese comedian translated into English by a JET.


« Previous Page — « Older Posts Newer Posts » — Next Page »

Page Rank