JET alum and technical writer David Kowalsky has a nice book review on the book Twitterville: How Businesses Can Thrive in the New Global Neighborhoods in the latest edition of Sound Views, the newsletter for the Puget Sound Chapter of the Society for Technical Writers.
Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/3hix5A.
Have a look and feel free to share your thoughts on Twitter as well. Also, you can follow JetWit via Twitter at http://twitter.com/jetwit.
New JET alum book: “People of the 21st Century: A Portrait of Japanese Society” by Taylor Chapman
Books, Events, Interview/Profile, Photography, Uncategorized 
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Thanks to a post on the JETAA Texoma (Chapter 9) yahoogroup, just found out about JET alum Taylor Chapman, a professional photographer who has a new book out titled People of the 21st Century: A Portrait of Japanese Society. Additionally, Taylor has a book signing coming up in Houston, TX. (Details below.) Meanwhile, if you know of any other JET alums out there with published books, by all means let JetWit know and we’ll post about it here to let everyone know.
Here’s the info from JETAA Texoma:
Hi All,
I am excited to let you know about a book signing by photographer and JET alumnus Taylor Chapman that will take place at the River Oaks Bookstore on Friday, November 27 from 5pm-7pm. Taylor would love to have folks stop by to say hello, even if you haven’t bought his book.
Taylor Chapman spent the last two years living in Kumamoto, Japan with the JET Program, teaching English at a local high school. As his Japanese proficiency grew, he became increasingly fascinated by Japan’s distinctive culture, and decided to embark on a unique photographic project to document Japanese society.
Having pursued photography for ten years now, including extensive study at Yale University, Chapman developed a specific methodology, adapted from a 1930’s German photographer’ s approach. He classified all members of Japanese society by their occupations and societal roles, and set out to create a portrait of Japanese society as a whole by photographing as many of its component parts–in other words, these individuals- – as possible in their natural environments.
In his last six months in Japan, Chapman went out shooting almost every single day, ending up with an archive of thousands of pictures spanning hundreds of individuals and social roles. Included are bakers and butchers, salarymen and snack bar girls, farmers and fishermen, teachers and students.
In July, he held an exhibition of his work in Japan; this Thanksgiving, he’ll be having a book release/signing party at the River Oaks Bookstore in Houston (across the street from Lamar High School, next to Baskin Robbins). Please come! There will be wine and hors d’oeuvres from 5 to 7.
The book (there are mini and deluxe editions available in-store and online: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/950612 makes a great Christmas present. But please feel free to just drop by, say hi, and have a glass of wine– the author is happy just to share his work and his love of Japan, and there’s no need to buy anything.
If you’d like to get a feel for the work in the book, here are some of the images posted online: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31959446@N07/sets/72157622321556815/
Finally, for any comments or questions, feel free to contact the author at taylor.c.chapman [/at/] gmail [/dot/] com.
JETAA New York Board Election Results
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Omedetou gozaimashita to JETAA New York on electing its new Board members!
A little bit of context: JETAA NY became a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit entity not too long ago and as a result is required to have a Board of Directors. The first Board was appointed, so this year was the first year that JETAA NY held elections for some positions on the Board. And here are the results:
Each of the newly elected members will serve a two year term.
New Board Members
- Randall David Cook
- Clara Solomon
- Steven Horowitz
- Kia Cheleen
Reelected Board Members
- Shannan Spisak
- Katrina Barnas
Current Board Members
- Evan Hyman
- Sara Beinert
- Josh Saifer
- Megan Miller
Photos: JET alum Aaron Woolfolk’s 5-week Japan promotional tour for “The Harimaya Bridge”
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JET alum Aaron Woolfolk‘s film The Harimaya Bridge, starring starring Ben Guillory, Saki Takaoka, Misa Shimizu, and Danny Glover, is making its New York debut on Sunday December 6 (with Q&A and cocktail reception to follow) and Sunday December 13 as part of the African Diaspora Film Festival. (See the JetWit post about the upcoming event here for details and ticket info.)
The film had a nationwide theatrical release in Japan beginning in June, and Aaron was involved in a five-week promotional tour in Japan for the film. What is it like for a former JET to go on a five-week promotional tour in Japan? Well, Aaron captured much of it in photographs available on Facebook along with informative and entertaining captions. (FYI, you don’t need to have an account to view the pictures.)
Here’s the link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=124235&id=833564815&l=9d23bf0eb9
And here’s Aaron’s intro commentary on the photos along with a couple samples of what you’ll see:
Five weeks in Japan in May and June of 2009, traveling all around the country doing promotion in the run-up to the June 13th nationwide opening of “The Harimaya Bridge.” Most days were spent doing loads of media interviews and promotional appearances. This here is just a small sampling, as I wasn’t able to come anywhere close to capturing everything with a camera. It was hectic and exhausting…but talking to the media and connecting with audiences only reaffirmed my desire to live my life telling stories via film, television and theater. :-)
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Job: Fashion Institute of Technology – Assistant Director International Programs (NYC)
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Thanks to JET alum Clara Solomon of the JETAA Student Services Group for sharing this listing:
FIT – ASSISTANT DIRECTOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), a college of the State University of New York (SUNY), is the premier educational institution for fashion, design, and related professions. FIT provides an unmatched combination of specialized curricula, an in-depth liberal arts education, and an extraordinary location in the center of New York City.
The Office of International Programs is currently searching for an Assistant Director. The incumbent will be responsible for a broadspectrum of responsibilities, in furtherance of the college’s strategic plan to enhance and strengthen international relationships. You will have the opportunity to plan, organize and coordinate the operations of all study abroad programs, including FIT’s residential programs in Italy, summer and winter study abroad courses as well as reciprocal and non-reciprocal exchange programs working with international partners and institutional stakeholders. In addition, you will be responsible for recruitment and program delivery, operational and administrative support relating to all the department’s programs, including orientation and pre-departure workshops for outgoing students and orientation and program support for incoming students.
To qualify, we desire you will have an earned Master’s Degree and five years of appropriate experience, preferably in higher education study abroad programs. You must possess working knowledge of program development with a demonstrated understanding of verbal, print and digital communications strategies. Experience in student support services and institutional electronic systems; working directly with faculty, staff and students; high organizational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines. Ability to compile and generate detailed academic and financial reports. Must be able to take responsible independent action, compose complex correspondence and conduct research for concurrent projects. Experience with creating and maintaining electronic communication systems, databases and spreadsheet reports. Excellent student and faculty relations skills are essential. Substantial international travel a plus.
If this sounds like the job for you, please access the full job
description and application at http://fitnyc.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=15939
Japan Society (NY) Weekly eNewsletter Nov 16-22
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UPCOMING: Sir Deryck Maughan, the head of KKR’s Global Financial Institutions Group; Chairman and Chairman of KKR Japan, explores issues stemming from the global financial crisis. Register online or send email to register@japansociety.org.
LOCATION FOLLOW JAPAN SOCIETY ON THE WEB Updates on upcoming events will be e-mailed periodically. |
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Roland Kelts radio interview with Tyler Brule of Monocle Magazine on manga and Japanamerica
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Here’s a radio interview Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, did in Tokyo this past weekend with Tyler Brule, founder and editor of the UK-based Monocle magazine, about manga in Japan and overseas, and Japanamerica:
http://www.monocle.com/The-Monocle-Weekly
The Japanamerica segment is introduced at 1:00 and starts at 22:00
Job: International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) Program Officer – India, Japan, Korea, Thailand
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Thanks to Pam Kavalam (Shiga-ken, 2007-09) for sharing the below job listing, which she found on the SECUSSA listserv, an email list for study abroad professionals.
Job Opening for ISEP Program Officer–India, Japan, Korea, Thailand
Under the general supervision of the Regional Director of Asia Programs, the Program Officer administers student exchanges with and study abroad programs at designated ISEP member institutions in India, Japan, Korea, and Thailand; serves as principal liaison with institutions in these countries; handles all applications to and from institutions in these countries and provides student support services before departure and while students are in the program.
Salary: Mid $30,000’s
Application Deadline: Applications received until job is filled. Review of applications begins November 20.
Starting Date: December 14, 2009 Read More
I just got an invite to Google Wave and started playing around with it. And I noticed that one feature is a simultaneous translator they call Rosy Etta. The concept is that it translates in real time as you type an email or chat with someone. (Email and chat are actually kind of fused together in Google Wave which is part of the big picture concept.) Essentially, this means that you can theoretically have a conversation in English over email with someone else who speaks no English.
The relevant question to JetWit readers: How effective and accurate is Rosy Etta for English-Japanese? Have any JetWit readers had a chance to try it out?
A second question: What implications, if any, are there for professional translators? (or JETs for that matter)
Share your thoughts and experiences so far in the comments section. And if you’re on Google Wave, feel free to start a “wave” with me as well at stevenwaseda [/atto/] googlewave [/dotto/] com.
Lastly, here’s a video about Rosy Etta where you get to see it work with a very basic example:
JETAA Pittsburgh subchapter ganbatte!
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Just received a subarashii email from Smitha Prasadh (Tokushima-ken, 2005-07) who is part of an effort to revitalize JET alum activities in Pittsburgh-shi (which is officially part of the JETAA New York chapter). JetWit wants to say good luck to “yins guys” (that’s Pittsburgh-ben, fyi :-) and keep us updated on how everything is going.
A small but determined group of us in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA are attempting to jump-start the JETAA – New York sub-chapter here. We’re located kind of in the middle of a rough triangle composed of New York, Washington DC, and Detroit (all of which are at 200-400 miles away), and would like to restart the subchapter to establish a local JETAA presence, form ties with the Japanese community, and spread awareness of the JET Programme.
In the last couple of weeks, we’ve gotten official permission from JETAANY and established affiliations with the Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania and the Asian Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh, and we’re currently in the process of choosing officers and getting the word out. (We’ll be putting up a website in the near future, too.) At the moment, we know we’ll be hosting a Nihongo Dake dinner (date/time/location TBA) and quarterly events/meetups.
Like other JETAA chapters, we’re open to all JET alums, prospective applicants, and any friends of the JET Programme. We’re based in western PA, but people in neighboring areas who are also too far from their regional JETAA chapters to participate actively (eastern Ohio, West Virginia, etc.) are welcome to join us.
Any interested parties can send an e-mail to pittsburghrep [/at/] jetaany [/dot/] org.
Smitha Prasadh (Tokushima-ken, 2005-07)
Note: JetWit just checked out Smitha’s website (http://skprasadh.com) and realized that Smitha also does sugoi design work (graphic and web), illustrations and photography.
Sake World e-Newsletter by John Gauntner (November 2009)
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The November 2009 issue of the Sake World E-mail Newsletter by JET alum and leading sake expert John Gauntner (aka “The Sake Guy”) is now available online. In this issue:
It Just Gets Worse
Did You Know? Rice Harvest Timiing
Guided Sakagura Tours
Sake and Pottery Seminar
Sake Professional Courses in Japan
Learn More About Sake through eBooks
Odds-n-Ends
Additional links:
Sake World Website
More About Us
Archive
Japanese company job fair: It is time to hunt job for your bright future!
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The following job fair information was received directly from Yuko Takahashi:
Company job fair / job info session in NEW YORK
It is time to hunt job for your bright future! Before the Boston career forums, it is essential to obtain as much information and preparations as possible to get a job you want!
This is great news that Works Applications Inc. is conducting a job seminar in NYC before the Boston Career Forums! It is a great opportunity to advance your company research and get to know the company before the career forums!
【Presenting Company】
Works Applications Inc.
The company developed ERP package for Japanese major companies, which was believed to be impossible. It has No.1 share of the system in Japan!
For more information about the company, please visit: Read More
4 Jobs: Japanese language/cultural instructors and J-E translator/interpreters (Georgetown, KY and Nagoya)
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The following four (4) job openings are via Kentucky-based JET alum Zach Graham (ALT, Niigata 1999-2000) of Consultant Solutions, Inc. Zack says his company’s current staff is comprised of nearly 50% JET alumni and is looking to add 5-6 new positions over the next several months.
1. Japanese/English Language and Cultural Instructor
We’re looking for a part-time Japanese/English language and cultural instructor to train busy executives. In this position, you’ll be expected to wear the dual hats of Japanese and English teacher. Not only will you teach Japanese language classes to American corporate expats on assignment in Japan, but you’ll also be responsible for all levels of English conversation classes, all while facilitating understanding and helping your students communicate across cultural borders. Additional duties as necessary.
The ideal candidate is an experienced teacher who enjoys working with people of varied backgrounds, has some knowledge of manufacturing environments, and believes that mutual understanding is the first step to mutual success. The instructor will work closely with our client contacts to develop and implement a flexible curriculum that focuses on cultural fluency and effective verbal and non-verbal communication. A high level of Japanese fluency is required for this position (JLPT 1 or equivalent).
If you’re a hard worker with strong interpersonal skills, an outgoing personality, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to ensure the success of your students, send a cover letter and résumé to hr@csi-ky.com.
Position is in Nagoya, Japan.
Consultant Solutions, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will provide training and a support network. We will also consider relocation and/or visa support for the right candidate.
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2. English Language and Cultural Instructor
We’re looking for a part-time English language and cultural instructor to train busy executives. In this position, you’ll work primarily in our Georgetown Classroom and teaching offsite at student locations such as manufacturing facilities and corporate boardrooms, where you will facilitate understanding while also helping your students communicate across cultural borders. Read More
Video: Roland Kelts interviewed by Japan Society (NY) at New York Anime Festival 2009
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Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, was interviewed by Japan Society of New York at the New York Anime Festival 2009 which was held September 25-27 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. Let’s go to the video tape:
Part 1 of the interview:
Part 2 of the interview:
Art opportunity: JET alum author James Kennedy seeks “Odd-Fish” art submissions for Chicago gallery show in Spring 2010!
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James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of The Order of Odd-Fish, is seeking art submissions from JET alumni for his Chicago gallery show in Spring 2010.
To get a sense of James’ aesthetic and sensibilities (or if you just like reading extremely funny and dramatic stories), by all means read The Order of Odd-Fish. Or watch clips of his over-the-top “speech” to the American Librarians Association as well as his audience-gripping reading performed at the JET Alumni Author Showcase last March.
In JetWit’s humble opinion, if James Kennedy is putting an event together, you will benefit greatly on many levels and attain new levels of happiness by participating in it in any way you can. Keep reading and you’ll understand.
Exciting news!
For about a year now I’ve been receiving stupendous fan art for my novel “The Order of Odd-Fish.” Artists like these deserve broader recognition. So this spring I’m planning a gallery show / extravaganza of “Odd-Fish” art in Chicago!
Are you an artist? Do you want to make something for the show? Everyone’s invited. Learn more here:
http://jameskennedy.com/2009/11/03/call-for-submissions-odd-fish-art-show/
I’m working with award-winning Chicago theater group Collaboraction to pull this off. It won’t be just an art show — we’re going to convert their space into Eldritch City and throw a Dome of Doom costumed dance party! We’re going to be bringing schools in for performances and writing workshops as well.
Will there be troupes of foppish dancing cockroaches? Will you be able to venture into the very maw of the All-Devouring Mother itself? You’ll have to come and see!
The opening will be sometime in late March or early April, to celebrate the debut of the “Odd-Fish” paperback. The deadline for submission of art is March 1.
I’ve already received lots of great art! Check out Max Pitchkites’ marvelous cut-paper illustrations — he’s doing one for every chapter:
http://jameskennedy.com/2009/10/29/the-odd-fish-art-of-max-pitchkites/
Feel free to pass this on to whomever you think might be interested in doing art for the show. And don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions!
Click here to read more about the show:
http://www.facebook.com/l/c93ba;tinyurl.com/yl5tjlk
Thanks,
James
