Japan Trends: “Jersey Shore” to air in Japan, titled “Macaroni Rascals”
Japan Trends 
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This CNN story on Jersey Shore as the latest U.S. pop-culture import to Japan and how the title translates loosely as “Macaroni Rascals.”
http://www.cnngo.com/tokyo/none/macaroni-rascals-mtvs-jersey-shore-comes-japan-490032
Here’s the official title:「MTV Jersey Shore〜マカロニ野郎のニュージャージー・ライフ〜」And CNN just decided to translate “yaro” as “rascals” to keep the story family friendly, but they acknowledge that the term could be translated less politely.
If anyone watches this in Japan, first, I’m very sorry. And second, JetWit would love to hear about reactions from some of your Japanese friends and colleagues.
Loss in the JET community
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From the October 20, 2010 edition of CLAIR News, a bi-monthly newsletter for the JET community published by the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR):
“It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the death of Alan Buckley, a second-year ALT in Tomioka City, Gunma Prefecture. Alan, from Ireland, died on Sunday, 22 August 2010 due to injuries sustained from a traffic-related accident. We express our most sincere condolences to Alan’s family and friends during this difficult time.
If you knew Alan and would like to talk, please feel free to call the JETLINE at 03-5213-1729 (M-F 9am-5:45pm).”
Translation: Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize for the Translation of Japanese Literature
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Via Kia Cheleen (CIR, Aichi-ken 1996-98, ALT 1998-1999) of the Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture at Columbia University:
Call for submission for the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize for the Translation of Japanese Literature
We are currently accepting applications for Japanese to English translation of literary works for the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize for the Translation of Japanese Literature.
The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize has long set a standard of excellence in its field, playing a central and enduring role in enhancing the quality, quantity, and scope of Japanese literary works that receive translation into the English language. Annually, it awards the Prize to the best translation of a book- length modern work or a classical work, which is selected by the translators themselves.
The 2011 Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize application deadline is Thursday, October 28, 2010.
For submission guidelines and the application form, please click here: http://www.keenecenter.org/content/view/58/76/
Translation: First Annual William F. Sibley Memorial Translation Prize
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Via JETAA Chicago October Webletter:
Call for Submissions: First Annual William F. Sibley Memorial Translation Prize
To honor their late colleague William F. Sibley, The Department of East Asian Languages & Civilizations and the Committee on Japanese Studies of the Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Chicago have established the William F. Sibley Memorial Translation Prize in Japanese Literature and Literary Studies. The competition will be held annually and judged by members of the Committee on Japanese Studies.
In keeping with William Sibley’s lifelong devotion to translation and to the place of literature in the classroom, up to three awards of $2500 each will be given for the translation from Japanese into English of a work of fiction, poetry, or drama (including screenplays), or scholarship in literary studies, broadly understood. To encourage classroom use and comparative research, winning entries will be published on the Center for East Asian Studies website (http://ceas.uchicago.edu).
Submissions should be on the scale of short story rather than novel, on the one hand, but a body of poetry rather than single poems, on the other. Essays, reportage, and criticism are all genres for consideration. Retranslations of works previously translated, especially of premodern literature, may also be submitted. Translations of manga and anime will not be accepted, but scholarly essays about these genres will be considered. Translations of subtitles, no; scenarios, yes. Co-translations are acceptable.
Each entry should not exceed a length of 15,000 words and should be accompanied by an introduction of no more than 1,000 words presenting the significance of the work in Japan and its potential life in English. The rationale for retranslation should be separately addressed. Entries should be for unpublished works only. The committee will not consider more than one submission per person per year.
The deadline for the first competition is December 1, 2010.
Application materials should include:
A cover letter with the applicant’s full name, mailing address, email, and phone number.
Introduction (1,000 words or less)
A single printed version of both the English translation and the Japanese original, as well as a digital copy of each, preferably in .pdf format.
If applicable, a rationale for retranslation of previously translated works.
If applicable, proof of permission to translate. It is the responsibility of the applicant to secure permission from copyright holders for any works not in the public domain.
Send materials to:
Chair, Selection Committee, Sibley Memorial Translation Prize
Committee on Japanese Studies
5835 S. Kimbark Ave.
Judd Hall 302
Chicago, IL 60637
For additional information about William F. Sibley and his work, we encourage you to visit the William F. Sibley Memorial Symposium website at http://ceas.uchicago.edu/events/Sibley_Memorial_Conference.shtml.
For additional inquiries about the translation prize, contact Sarah Arehart at sarehart@uchicago.edu or 773-702-2715.
JETs in the News: Shannon Booth
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There’s a nice article in the Block Island Times about JET alum Shannon Booth who taught in Shimoda-shi, Shizuoka-ken, which has a sister city relationship with Newport, Rhode Island. Shannon is now teaching social studies at the Block Island School.
Here’s a link to the article: http://www.blockislandtimes.com/view/full_story/9928738/article-New-Social-Studies-teacher–up-for-the-island-adventure?instance=home_news_2nd_left
Have an example of JETs in the News you’d like to see posted on JetWit? Email jetwit@jetwit.com.
Japan to expand JET Programme eligibility to Pacific Island states?
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Thanks to JETAANY President Megan Miller for sharing a recent Kyodo News International article titled “Japan, Pacific Island states to boost ties, cooperate on climate“ which mentioned that Japan has discussed the possibility of opening up the JET Programme to residents of the Pacific Island states:
“The two sides also agreed to examine the possibility of expanding eligibility for the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program to Pacific island states as a way of boosting people-to-people exchanges. The program aimed at improving Japanese students’ foreign language skills has accepted participants from 36 countries.”
The recent Pacific Islands Forum consisted of Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
The below article appeared in the Summer 2010 Issue of the JLGC Newsletter.
“JET Program, JET Alumni Association Vital to the Future of U.S.-Japan Relations”
by Matthew Gillam, Senior Researcher and Chizuko Kawamura, Assistant Director, Japan Local Government Center (aka CLAIR-New York)
JETAA New York hosted the JETAA USA National Conference from August 12 to 15, with 42 representatives from 18 of the 19 US chapters (except Alaska) and the three US Country Representatives participating.
Since a review of CLAIR’s overseas offices and the JET Program was conducted by the Government Revitalization Unit in May, and support for JETAA was among the activities under administrative review by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in June and July, this year’s conference was focused much more than usual on explaining the role of the JET Program and JETAA in efforts to improve the English language ability of the Japanese and to promote international exchange in Japan.
The first main session on this topic took place on the morning of Friday, August 13. Mr. Yasuhisa Kawamura, the director of the Japan Information Center at the Consulate General of Japan in New York, explained the position of the Ministry after their recent review. During his talk he emphasized that the Ministry understands the importance of JETAA’s vital role in the US-Japan relationship and will continue supporting the alumni. However, this support will be strictly limited to activities and events which enable former JETs to be diplomatic assets for Japan, or which improve the quality of future JETs. He concluded his remarks with his “Three Cs” for future relations, “Confidence, Caution and Cooperation”, and asked for pragmatism rather than excessive optimism or pessimism in dealing with the current situation. As to CLAIR’s position, Mr. Matthew Gillam explained CLAIR’s current situation and future support for JETAA, saying that the continuing fiscal difficulties facing local governments make it difficult for CLAIR to promise to maintain current funding levels in the coming years. He concluded by saying it is very important that we gain the support of local governments for JETAA activities. These presentations were followed by a lengthy discussion by attendees on ways to address the issues raised in various criticisms of JET and JETAA in Japan.
The other main session was Read More
New: JETAA Education Professionals Group on LinkedIn
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Update 10/15/10: It turns out a JETAA Education Professionals group had already been created by JET alum Joshua Flannery (who also serves as Secretary for JETAA Western Japan). Despite some minor initial confusion, this is a really good thing since he’s been doing a great job with an existing group and now we’ll have even more people.
I’ve just set up a “JET Alum Education Professionals Group“ on LinkedIn.
Here’s the updated link to join: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=2973279
The goal is to bring together as many JET alum teachers plus education policy/government/academic folks as possible, as well as any JET alums who are interested in getting into the field or just have an interest in the topic period.
A bigger purpose is that it would be nice if JETAA can start being a source of good ideas for improving the JET Programme. JET alum teachers and other education professionals are a good resource for helping to make that happen. And the first step is figuring out who is out there (since there are no official lists or databases of JET alumni and what they’re doing now).
Of course, another purpose of the group is networking and also a way for established JET alumni to help those getting started or figuring out their path.
So don’t be shy. Step right up and start getting to know your fellow JET alum education professionals around the world.
Note: “I” = Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94)
New issue: Pacific Bridge, JETAANC Newsletter
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Via JETAA Northern California’s John Dzida:
New Issue – Pacific Bridge, JETAANC newsletter
The new issue of the official JETAANC newsletter, Pacific Bridge, is now available! Read it online here: http://tinyurl.com/28vfvoz
Get caught up on all of the alumni happenings in NorCal and Nevada! Read about how alumni like you spent their summer, as well as other goings-on in the JET alumni world, including:
– Post-Alumni Led Orientation (ALO) wrap-up
– Exclusive interview with Board Member Sabrina Ishimatsu
– JETAANC Scholarship winner revealed
– Kabuki Club update
– Top 10 List and Life After the B.O.E.!
…and much more!
Welcome to the new JETAA International Officers
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The JETAA International Conference was held last week in Scotland, and among other things, a new slate of JETAA International officers has been elected.
Chair – Shree Kurlekar (US02 New York)
Vice Chair – Barbara Gill (JETAA Scotland, member of JETAA UK)
Secretary – Kay Dunkley (JETAA Jamaica)
PR/Treasury – David Boyd (JETAA Sydney)
Web – Paul Donovan (JETAA Canada)
Web – Bob Schnyder (US12 JETAA Portland)
O-tsukare sama deshita to the outgoing officers. Omedetou and yoroshiku onegaishimasu to the new officers.
FYI, one of the new challenges JETAAi faces as a result of recent budget cutting by the Ministry of Finance is that there will be no funding for a JETAAi meeting in 2011. Not clear yet about future meetings. But a good concrete example of how budget cutting is starting to nibble at the edges of JETAA activities and efforts.
AJET Survey: Do you have suggestions for the JET Programme?
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This year’s JET Programme Survey of current JETs is more important than ever as the JET Programme and JET Alumni Association have been subject to increased political scrutiny despite the benefits that JETs continue to provide to Japan, both during their service as well as in the years after. If you’re a current JET, please take a moment to provide responses. You are in an excellent position to help improve the JET Programme, and the more we can help the better for everyone.
Here’s the post about the survey from the AJET website:
Do you have an opinion about JET Programme orientations, technology use in your workplace or how integrated you are into your workplace? If so, please take the National AJET surveys about these issues.
Since the JET Programme is over 4,000 members strong, National AJET surveys the concerns and comments of JET Programme participants twice a year and then presents the results to CLAIR and the ministries so that your voice is heard.
You can find the the surveys here:
JET Programme Orientations
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JETorientationsTechnology in the Workplace
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AJETtech2010Workplace Integration Survey
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/integration2010
These surveys are vital to the longevity and improvement of the JET Programme.
Asahi newspaper column offers perspective on the value of JET Programme to Japan
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The following is a synopsis/loose translation of Bill Breer’s recent op-ed piece about the importance of the JET Programme to Japan which appeared in the My Viewpoint column of the Asahi newspaper from October 1, 2010. Breer is the former Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic & International Studies.
I thought it was worth sharing with the JET alum community as it provides some rather helpful perspective on the value to Japan of the JET Programme and the JET Alumni Association.
Bill Breer, Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic & International Studies
In this world of ongoing globalization, the JET Program is a daring, unique effort to open up the world to students in Japan. It is the Japanese government’s most successful program, and no other country has been able to create a citizens’ exchange initiative like it.
The many young people who have participated in the Program from the world’s leading English-speaking countries have come to like Japan, have learned the language, come to know the people and culture, and have gone on to become the “Third Wave” of Japanese scholarship.
The “First Wave” developed from the mid-19th century as art collectors worked with Japanese artists and merchants to build the great collections at the Boston Museum of Art, the Freer Galleries in Washington, DC, and others, entrancing Americans with Japan’s beauty and culture and producing the first research on Japan.
The “Second Wave” came out of the tragedy of the Second World War, as the US government trained thousands of soldiers in Japanese language for the war effort. These people came home with a deep interest in Japan and created the base of scholarship into Japan’s history, culture, economics and politics at the great universities. These men include Edwin Reischauer at Harvard, James Morley, Donald Keene, Edward Seidensticker and Herbert Passin at Columbia, and John Hall at Yale.
Now, the JET Program, begun in 1987, has given birth to a new generation. These people have an entirely different perspective on Japan and the Japanese people. Many of them have a fondness for Japan and are instrumental in conveying that to people in their home countries. Furthermore, many have gone on to become educators conducting further research on Japan, and this piques their students’ interest in JET. Over 20 ex-JETs work at the US Embassy in Tokyo, and many more work in business in New York, London, and other major cities. They are all passionate “Japanese ambassadors”, conveying the message that Japan is an outstanding country with a rich history and culture.
America has the Fulbright Program and England the Rhodes Scholarships, but Japan should be proud of its JET Program as the most successful example of a government youth exchange program. JET is the advance guard of Japan’s “internationalization”, whose participants have changed the Japanese people’s perceptions of “gaijin” and then gone home to become lifelong friends of Japan.
Japan could still use “friends” like these, couldn’t it?
Here is the original column:
Rajio Taiso Project – JETAA Portland
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A little while back we posted about JETAA Portland’s effort to get every JETAA chapter to make a Rajio Taiso video in their city or town. Well, JETAA Portland has started things off with the first video.
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Inspired? For more information, or to submit your a video for your chapter, you can contact JETAA Portland’s webmaster Bob Schnyder at webmaster@jetaaportland.com or go to: http://www.jetaaportland.com/community-events/rajio-taiso-portland-japanese-gardens/
JET ROI: JET alum creates “Smile Kids Japan” program for JETs to volunteer at orphanages in Japan
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Check out this article from The Japan Times on Fukui JET alum Mike Maher-King who started Smile Kids Japan (www.smilekidsjapan.org), a web-based network that enables JETs to volunteer at orphanages around Japan. The idea came from Mike’s own experience volunteering at an orphanage in his area, which he then expanded to bring other JET alums to the orphanage as well.
Here’s the URL for the article: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20100925a1.html
(Also of note, the article is by a JET alum journalist, Jody Godoy.)
Examples like this do a wonderful job of demonstrating the Return on Investment that Japan continues to reap from the JET Programme and its alumni. If you have other examples to share, please email them to jetwit@jetwit.com and we’ll post them for the JET alum community and others to read about.
JapanInfo e-Newsletter September 2010
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The September 2010 edition of JapanInfo is now available online: http://editor.ne16.com/he/vo.aspx?FileID=2bbd4d99-ee36-41cb-9c27-6ffba6035701&m=c084f6d45dcb1543a1f92db467644006&MailID=13708788 (Click here to subscribe to JapanInfo by email.)
Of note is a feature titled “Alumni Unite to Stress the Value of the JET Program” which describes the efforts at the recent JETAA USA National Conference hosted by JETAA New York. Here’s a quote:
“At this year’s meeting in New York the main focus was the recent Japanese government review of the JET and JETAA budgets. While JET is the most successful public diplomacy program ever launched in Japan, and JETs are recognized as assets to both Japan and the US, there has been criticism of the high costs local governments must bear to accept JETs. Additionally, Japanese tax payers may not be aware of the contributions JETs make to the Japan-US relationship.”
Also of interest to the JET alum community will be the focus on JET and JETAA by Ambassador Nishimiya in the “From the Ambassador’s Desk” feature. Here’s a snippet:
“I had many conversations with JET alumni during the conference and I was encouraged by the fact that so many of them spoke earnestly about how they became big fans of Japan through their participation in the JET program and its alumni activities. Even in Japan there are not many people who could express their deep love for Japan in such a straight forward manner. I truly hope that I will continue to have the opportunity to promote the JET Program, strengthen my ties with JETAA, and aid the program in the future.”
Additional JapanInfo articles of interest include:
- The 65th anniversary of the end of World War II
- Japanese Training Squadron and Ambassador Nishimiya Visits Maryland
- Dr. Hinohara & “Freddie” convey the importance of life
- Friendship through flowers – Ikebana Demonstration
- Izumo: City of Myths and Dreams – A once in a lifetime journey
- The Japanese Embassy of 1860 Visits Philadelphia
- As well as a number of great listings in the Events Calendar!
JapanInfo is published by the Consulate General of Japan in New York/Japan Information Center and is a great source of info for Japan-related things going on in New York and the surrounding area.
Click here to subscribe to JapanInfo by email.
