“Order of Odd-Fish Week” on Murphblog
Blogs, Books, Interview/Profile, Uncategorized, Writers 
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Writer Paul Murphy has declared it “Order of Odd-Fish Week” on his blog Murphblog. Every day this week, Paul will run segments of his long, in-depth interview with author James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06). And according to James, the week comes “with a contest! And pictures! And audio of Paul himself reading a selection from The Order of Odd-Fish!”
JETAA British Columbia Call for Submissions for Spring, Summer Newsletters
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JETAA British Columbia Call for Submissions – Spring & Summer 2009 Newsletter
We always welcome new contributors to submit an article. Any and all ideas (JET or Japan-related) would be wonderful! If you’re wondering what to write about, here are a few ideas to help you get started:
Deadline for submissions is Friday, May 22nd, 2009!
*life post-JET – personal anecdotes/experienc es
*JET Life / Life in Japan – personal anecdotes/experienc es
*upcoming events or a review of events that have taken place recently (ex. hanami 2009 with Mokuyokai, etc).
*restaurant reviews of Japanese restaurants in Metro Vancouver and Victoria
*former JET personal profiles; profiling local and prominent former JETs
*profiles on a specific prefecture/area in Japan
*articles touching on the JET 20-year anniversary – “JET Then & Now”
*topics on VirtualMuseum. ca – ex. Asahi baseball team
*Japanese TV and movie reviews
*photos, art, poetry
If you would like to share something with other JET alumni in the newsletter, please share your stories with us. You can contact me at newsletter [at] jetaabc [dot] ca
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I hope to hear from you soon!
Thank you,
Dinah
Job: International education positions via Chronicle of Higher Ed
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Via the Chronicle of Higher Ed:
4/20/2009
- Ball State University (Indiana) : Associate Director, Intensive English Institute; Rinker Center for International Programs
Learn more in our Employer Profiles
4/17/2009
- Marymount Manhattan College (New York) : Director of International Recruitment and Multicultural Proagrams
4/14/2009
- Institute for Study Abroad (Indiana) : Director of Latin American Programs
4/13/2009
- St. George’s University (New York) : Manager of Overseas Recruitment Offices
4/8/2009
- The School for Field Studies (Kenya) : Center Director
JET alum heads Writopia Lab, creative writing nonprofit in D.C.
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This just in from JETAA DC:
Hi fellow JET alums,
I’ve just gotten a job as the DC director of a creative writing nonprofit called Writopia Lab (www.Writopialab.org/writopia-washington-dc.html) which holds writing workshops for kids and teens. The organization is based in NYC and is brand new to this area, so I’m trying to spread the word about summer workshops. I know that many of you are involved in schools and arts/education organizations, so if you know of lists/folks to pass this info onto, could you please do so? And let me know? I really appreciate any help you can give, as well as any advice for spreading this great organization to Washington! (Contacts at schools / local publications especially appreciated!)
Thanks so much!
Kathy Crutcher (Gifu ’00-’01) Read More
Florida JETAA: Japanese Lantern Fest in Clearwater, FL
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JetWit has learned that Tom Gregorich, the new Florida JETAA president, is going to be volunteering at the Japanese Culture and Lantern Festival in Clearwater this Saturday, celebrating Clearwater’s 50th anniversary of its sister city relationship with Nagano, and he encourages JET alums in the area to come out. Tom says, “I’m sure that many of you have good memories of Japanese matsuri, so this should be fun. I look forward to meeting some of you there.”
JETAA Chicago’s Japanese Food Hook-up
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Getting our Japanese food fix in NYC, LA, SF, Seattle and even places like D.C., Portland and Atlanta is relatively easy. But what about the Midwest? The following article by JETAA Chicago Treasurer Todd Kaiser, which appeared in the Spring 2009 Issue of the JETAA Chicago Newsletter, is a helpful resource for any JET alums that end up in or plan to go to Chicago.
Todd Kaiser: Your Chicago-area Japanese Food Hookup
Need more natto for your superbowl party? Wanna stock up on Pocari Sweat for your marathon training? Here’s a quick list of places to buy Japanese food (and stuff) in and around Chicago:
Mitsua – www.mitsuwa.com – 100 E. Algonquin Rd. (Arlington Heights) – If you didn’t already know it, Arlington Heights is the Chicago suburb where a lot of Japanese people live and Mitsuwa is where they shop. Mitsuwa is a huge Japanese supermarket with authentic Japanese food and health & beauty products. Check out the Japanese food court, bookstore and CD shop.
H Mart – www.hmart.com – 801 Civic Center Dr. (Niles) – This Korean superstore is similar to Mitsuwa but newer, bigger and closer to the city. H Mart is Korean but you can find plenty of Japanese food too. There are a couple of nice ladies working at a table in the middle of the market making kimchi. Buy a big bag of it because it’s fantastic. Buy an extra bag and send it to me. Then check out the home center to pick up a hot carpet, bento box, rice cooker, and hamutaro slippers.
Chicago Food Corporation (Joong Boo Market) – www.chicagofood.com – 3333 N. Kimball – This is a smaller Korean market that also sells Japanese vegetables, rice, curry, natto, gyoza and more. Hit up the small food counter in the back if you’re up for Korean food. This market is small, older and crowded, but convenient.
Tensuke Market – 3 S Arlington Heights Rd (Elk Grove) – Tensuke is known in the J-community for a great seafood department and their sashimi grade fish is popular. If you can read Japanese, they also have plenty of J-Magazines. If you’re feeling really Japanese, stand there a few hours and read. No one will mind here. Try a sushi setto or donburi at the small restaurant in the back. Tell them I sent you.
JETAA Chicago Newsletter article on James Kennedy
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Finally got a hold of this nice article from the Spring 2009 Issue of the JETAA Chicago Newsletter about Jamese Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06) written by JETAA Chicago Newsletter Editor Elizabeth Friedman (Shimane-ken, 2003-04).
Local Chicago JET Alum Spotlight: James Kennedy
James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-2006), a Chicago resident, is the author of The Order of Odd Fish, a 2008 Smithsonian Notable book for children. I recently attended a reading he did of the book at the Evanston Public Library’s Fantasy Festival. Children and adults alike giggled as James bounced around the room while emulating his various characters’ voices and mannerisms. James mentioned he has taken improvisational theater classes in Chicago, which was evident in his ability to keep the group entertained and engrossed in the fantastical story. James also talked about how his improv classes were beneficial in getting him through the JET program interview; he had no problem acting out a sample English lesson on the spot in front of strangers.
In “The Order of Odd Fish,” James’ language often soars to dizzying heights, built upon his silliness and brilliant sense of humor. Each sentence seems to compete with the next to be the most surreal and outrageous piece of writing possible. The book’s dust jacket states that “The Order of Odd Fish” is “equal parts Monty Python and Roald Dahl ….” and I think that comparison is spot on. “The Order of Odd Fish” brought back fond childhood memories of reading “The Witches” and listening to the silly banter of Monty Python.
The main character of the novel, Jo, enters a strange land full of Read More
U.S. High School Japanese Karaoke Contest – via YouTube
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Definitely some future JET alums in this crowd. It turns out there’s a national contest for U.S. high school students to submit “karaoke videos” in which they sing Japanese songs which are then judged by a panel of experts. (Come to think of it, I wonder if there are any JET alums now working as Japanese teachers who have students who submitted videos.)
You can see the full slate of the winner and finalists here: http://www.cheng-tsui.com/superstar/index.php?q=finalists
And the winning entry below:
Job: Manager, Research and Strategy – Telecommunications (NY)
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Via MAX Consulting:
Job Number: F6181 Title: Manager, Research and Strategy
Location: Mid-town, Manhattan NY Area
Industry: Telecommunication
Job Description: Attend trade shows, decide the theme to discuss with venture companies and manufacturers and make appointments to hold meetings with them. Point of contact for maintaining the relationship with venture companies and carriers and for coordinating contracts between carriers and distributors. Window for new business development with venture capitals and other related companies; coordinate forming alliances and handle contracts. Research US market, products and service and report to headquarter in Japan. Excellent communication skill in English is a must. Business level proficiency in Japanese is preferred.
Salary: Depending on Experience
Please email your resume to info@maxjob.com or call 212-949-6660.
NYTimes: Japan offers to pay foreign workers to go home
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One step back for Japan, according to this NY Times article titled “Japan Pays Foreign Workers to Go Home.”
Are there any JETs out there who have run into this process or have friends who have been affected? Feel free to post a comment.
In my case, I lived in Kariya-shi on JET in the early 90s, right next to Toyota-shi. My area was the heart of the auto manufacturing industry in Japan–I was told my town had the largest Brazilian population in Japan (though I’ve since heard other people say the same thing about their towns). So this article definitely hits close to (JET) home.
That said, Jiro Kawasaki, a senior LDP lawmaker and former health minister, comes across as a bit of a reactionary nut job who may simply be representing a minority opinion. He unfortunately is in a position to make something happen. Although, they’re not forcing anyone to leave. It’s simply an option. Of course, it’s an insulting and short-sighted option that’s garnering a lot of publicity. And perhaps that was Kawasaki’s real goal–a publicity stunt that lets his supporters know that he’s Momotaro the Peach Boy doing his job to “protect” the good Japanese people and send the foreign devils home.
Several other Japanese experts are quoted in the article pointing out how offensive and short-sighted the idea is, further supporting the notion that this kind of xenophobia is not a majority viewpoint. And I have to say it’s refreshing to read an article in a U.S. paper including such strongly opinionated quotes from Japanese people. Additionally, the Japanese government has actually been making efforts in recent years to help provide support and training to foreign workers that have been losing their jobs, so Kawasaki’s plan may be more of a renegade effort that is occasionally part of modern democracies.
And on top of everything else, I can’t imagine the Japan National Tourist Organization is too happy about all of this.
Apparently SMAP member Tsuyoshi Kusanagi was found walking around naked in a park yelling incoherently. I was on JET when SMAP was first starting out, so this is pretty startling and disturbing. (Though perhaps not quite as startling as their continued popularity all these years.)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/23/smap-japan-singer-police-naked-arrest
Bank of Japan Governor Shirakawa at Japan Society on Thursday
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*****************
This is pretty big. Note that you can watch by webcast as well.
| LIVE WEBCAST TOMORROW
Way out of Economic and Financial Crisis: Click here to insure that you have Adobe Flash to view our webcasts.
Japan Society’s Corporate Program will feature Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa at a luncheon program. Governor Shirakawa will address the current global economic crisis and offer lessons from Japan’s recent experience. Speaker: To view this event live online: |
NYTimes Book Reviews: Manga and Creative Writing
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Thanks to JETAA Pacific Northwest alum David Kowalsky for sharing the following two JetWit-relevant book reviews from the NY Times:
- Manifesto of a Comic-Book Rebel – Review and comment on A DRIFTING LIFE by Yoshihiro Tatsumi; Translated by Taro Nettleton– a memoir that looks back at the roots of gekiga, Japanese comic book art’s dark side. (Click here for a blog interview with photos with Tatsumi-san and Taro Nettleton.)
- The Ponzi Workshop – Commentary on the creative writing movement and reviews of The Program Era: Postwar Fiction and the Rise of Creative Writing by Mark McGurl and The Writer’s Notebook: Craft Essays From Tin House.
- Bonus: A NYTimes restaurant review of Inakaya, the Japanese restaurant on the ground floor of the NY Times building in Manhattan where the show is perhaps more important than the food.
Job: Full-time Translator J>E for consulting firm (NY)
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This job listing is from a seasoned Japan hand (i.e., not from Craigslist) who asked me to share it with the JET alum community. If you apply, please mention that you saw the listing on the WIT Group or on JetWit:
Translator, Japanese to English.
Small company specializing in Japanese/English communications, research, and industry monitoring seeks to hire an experienced translator whose native language is English and who has excellent writing skills in English. Familiarity with IT and pharmaceutical industries a plus but not required. We are seeking someone who is responsible, eager to learn about new fields, and works well with colleagues and clients. Collegial atmosphere with American and Japanese colleagues. Midtown Manhattan location. Competitive salary and health insurance benefits.
Please send resume and cover letter to translator [at] msapr [dot] com.
JET alum discount for Human Japanese 2.0
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JETAA Texoma’s Dallas Subchapter Rep Angela Beard reports that she’s been able to secure a 20% discount on the downloadable version of Human Japanese 2.0, a Japanese instruction program. Users who posted reviews on Amazon.com seem to like it (78% of reviewers awarded 5 stars…and the sole negative reviewer actually recanted and awarded 5 stars later).
Angela says: I know that Human Japanese offers boxed versions and iPhone versions, but for now the discount applies to the downloadable version only. However, depending on how well this promotion goes, maybe we’ll be able to strike a deal on the other versions, too! Here is information from the creator himself, including how to get the discount:
To see Human Japanese and download a trial version, the students can just use the normal web site, at www.humanjapanese.com. When they’re ready to purchase, they’ll get a discount if they use this URL: http://www.humanjapanese.com/Purchase.aspx?promotion=APLGGBEX That brings the price for the download-only version to about $15, which is a smokin’ deal if you ask me! :-)
I hope this discount will help those of you who have been wanting to get better at Japanese but can’t quite get motivated or commit to a classroom course. I know that I am in that group, and I am excited to give this program a try. From the reviews, it seems that Human Japanese takes a different approach from many other language instruction programs.
Incidentally, the creator is a wonderful guy…he and his wife were kind enough to let me stay with them during half of my time in Seattle last August. Actually, his whole family is great, especially his brother (my boyfriend). ;) In seriousness, he is very open to feedback about the program and if you run into difficulties or have questions, he is always available to help. I approached him about this discount specifically for JETAA and he was immediately happy to offer some incentive.
Thanks for reading and good luck with Human Japanese.
