Sep 20

Return to Tohoku: Round-up 09.20.11

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Here are updates from a few more of the 20 Tohoku region JET alumni selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to return to their town to both engage in volunteer efforts and also help document and share what’s going on there.

• Ben Erickson (Iwate-ken, Ninohe-shi) of Pacific Northwest JETAA left yesterday for Iwate.  You can follow his experience on his blog at Tohokuben.com – One JET’s Return to Iwate.  Here’s Ben’s current itinerary:

• Brent Stirling (Fukushima-ken, Fukushima-shi, 2006-10) – “A Rough Guide to My Fukushima Trip – Return to Tohoku #1“ –Brent, based in Ottawa, shares his itinerary as he prepares to depart Canada for Fukushima.

You can also check the JETAA USA website post (“JET Alums Return to Tohoku”) for additional information.

Sep 13

Return to Tohoku: Round-up 09.13.11

Blogs, Earthquake Tsunami, Japan Local, JETs in the News, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Travel/Tourism, Volunteer, Writers Comments Off on Return to Tohoku: Round-up 09.13.11

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Here are updates from a few more of the 20 Tohoku region JET alumni selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to return to their town to both engage in volunteer efforts and also help document and share what’s going on there.

• Alan Mockridge (Iwate-ken, Ohtsuchi-shi), originally from the UK and now based in Santa Clara, CA, has started a blog in preparation for his upcoming trip to Tohoku.  www.alanmockridge.com  Alan reports that his town of Ohtsuchi “was completely destroyed by earthquake, tsunami & fire on 3/11. As you can imagine, after 17 years its been a bit of a challenge to reconnect with my old school but I’ve managed it & will depart on 19th Sep. until 27th.”

• James Foley will be blogging about his visit at  jamesafoley.com.

• Brent Stirling (Fukushima-ken, Fukushima-shi, 2006-10) – “Still Alive, Just Really Busy” – Brent, based in Ottawa, writes about getting ready for his upcoming Tohoku visit and includes some of the recent media coverage about him.

You can also check the JETAA USA website post (“JET Alums Return to Tohoku”) for additional information.

Sep 3

Sake World e-Newsletter by John Gauntner (August – September 2011)

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The August – September 2011 issue of the Sake World e-newsletter by JET alum and the leading non-Japanese sake expert in the world, John Gauntner (a.k.a. “The Sake Guy”), is now available online.

Go to John’s Sake World website for more information as well: www.sake-world.com

Sep 3

“A Perspective on Helping Japan Disaster Victims” by ex-JET Jeannie McKinney

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This article titled “A Perspective on Helping Japan Disaster Victims“ recently appeared on the CleanEnergy.org website, written by Jeannie McKinney (Hokkaido, 2010-11) who is currently doing an internship for the Knoxville, TN office of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE).

Link to original post:  http://blog.cleanenergy.org/2011/08/30/helping-japan-disaster-victims/

Here’s an excerpt:

“Post-March 11th, the amount of willingness and enthusiasm, good will and generosity that came from abroad as well as at home, was honestly overwhelming. I was living in a small town in Hokkaido, the northernmost island and prefecture of Japan, at the time of the disaster, in an area that experienced nothing but a few tremors and shakes. But somehow, my community of 13,000 generated so many donation packages within the first few weeks after the disaster that our three little post offices had trouble handling the increased mail traffic. Instead, postal workers had to set out collection bins in their lobbies for the Japan Red Cross to come and pick up on their own.”

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“The problem is that there is only so much individuals can do on their own, without any direction or instruction from organized groups – especially without advice from the country’s government. Post-Katrina, the biggest complaints here in the U.S. were the slow reactions of the local and federal government to respond. Though nonprofits and volunteer groups were first on the scene, there was only so much they could do without bureaucratic support.”

“The same can be said for Japan right now, both in disaster areas as well as radiation areas.”

Sep 3

Return to Tohoku: WSJ article on ex-JET’s return

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Nice article on the Wall Street Journal’s RealJapan blog titled “JET Calls in Favors in Tohoku“ about ex-JET Tanya Gardecky (Miyagi-ken, Shiogama-shi) and her return to Tohoku through the MOFA program.  Follow JETwit updates on Tanya here and follow Tanya’s ongoing blog of her experience here.

Link to the article:  http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2011/09/01/jet-calls-in-favors-in-tohoku/

Aug 29

Return to Tohoku: Tanya Gardecky “Hi ho! It’s off to school I go!”

Blogs, Cultural Outreach, Earthquake Tsunami, Japan Local, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Travel/Tourism, Volunteer, Writers Comments Off on Return to Tohoku: Tanya Gardecky “Hi ho! It’s off to school I go!”

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Tanya Gardecky (Miyagi-ken, Shiogama-shi) is one of the 20 Tohoku region JET alumni selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to return to their town to both engage in volunteer efforts and also help document and share what’s going on there.

Here’s an excerpt from Tanya’s latest post:  “Hi ho!  It’s off to school I go!”

But when I went to the grade 3 classes the teachers changed it a bit and had some of the students mention their experience with the March 11th earthquake and tsunami. From what I understood, the students were very surprised by the earthquake and were confused about the tsunami. Some didn’t believe the tsunami was happening or that it was that big, others simply had no idea what was happening.

JETwit will continue to post updates from Tanya and other participating alums.  You can also follow Tanya’s blog at http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/ShiogamaJET/.

Click here to read other “Return to Tohoku” posts.

If you are returning to Tohoku and would like to share your updates, please feel free to e-mail jetwit [at] jetwit.com.

Aug 27

AJET Voices: News for JETs, by JETs

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AJET’s revamped website continues to impress.  There’s now a section called AJET Voices that lists all the main JET online publications and also invites JETs to submit an article.  The goal is to help JETs connect with their communities.

Here are the publications listed:

1. The Wide Island View (Hiroshima)
2. Yomoyama
3. NagaZasshi (Nagasaki)
4. Ganbatte Times:  The Unofficial Kyoto JET Webzine
5. The Refill (Fukuoka)
6. The Hyogo Times
7. HAJET (Hokkaido)
8. The TRAM (Toyama)
9. JETFuel
10. Shimane Black Taxi
11. Mie Life
12. Ishikawa JET (Thanks to Leah Zoller for calling this one to our attention.)

For more about AJET Voices, here are AJET’s own words:

Have you done something you felt was special? Want to promote an event you are involved in? Just want to get published? AJET Voice is AJET’s way of connecting you with the rest of the JET community throughout Japan. All JETs are encouraged to submit and share their experiences with everyone.

The JET Programme is all about multicultural exchange and grassroots internationalization. If you have participated in something which you felt furthered these goals, please share it with the rest of us! Submit your articles of 200-300 words with any pictures to activities@ajet.net

Publications across Japan

Currently representing voices from Nagano, Hyogo, Toyama and many others, the site is growing in hopes of being a resources for all of Japan and those interested in the perspectives born from living here as a foreign resident.

By Prefecture

Many of the publications represented on the site are fundamentally newsletters, PDFs, or print magazines. If you are interested in or reside in the prefecture of a specific publication and wish to submit or regularly receive it, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

AJET

All of the publications on this site are in some way connected to the JET program and often each prefecture’s AJET (Association Japan Exchange and Teaching) branch. Submissions from guest writers and non-JET program teachers is extremely common and decided by each publication along with the content and editorial vision.

As a unified site, all content abides by the site’s editorial ethic not to publish any content felt to be uncritically prejudiced or offensive.

Aug 26

Return to Tohoku: JETAA Sydney’s Sharon Van Etten

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Sharon Van Etten (CIR Iwate-ken), President of JETAA Sydney, is another  Tohoku region JET alumni selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to return to their town to both engage in volunteer efforts and also help document and share what’s going on there.

You can follow Sharon’s blog Revisiting Iwate at:  http://revisitingiwate.blogspot.com/

JETwit will continue to post updates from Sharon and other participating alums.  Click here to see previous “Return to Tohoku” posts.

If you are returning to Tohoku and would like to share your updates, please feel free to e-mail jetwit [at] jetwit.com.

Aug 25

Return to Tohoku: JET alum Tanya Gardecky arrives in Shiogama

Blogs, Earthquake Tsunami, Japan Local, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Travel/Tourism, Volunteer, Writers Comments Off on Return to Tohoku: JET alum Tanya Gardecky arrives in Shiogama

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Tanya Gardecky (Miyagi-ken, Shiogama-shi) is one of the 20 Tohoku region JET alumni selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to return to their town to both engage in volunteer efforts and also help document and share what’s going on there.

Here’s an excerpt from Tanya’s latest post:

I eventually made it Shiogama (and instantly noticed some damage around the train station) and went city hall. There I was greeted by the Mayor and vice-mayor, along with many staff from the Shiogama Board of Education, and they welcomed me back. We talked about the state of the city after the earthquake, and I was shown a book full of photos of the damage in Tohoku. Most I had seen in the news already but to see them all in one book was a bit of a shock. They said they had made much progress in the reconstruction, and this was something I wanted to see. From city hall I went to the Board of Education to meet the staff again and to discuss my week. It’s a very busy schedule but I know I can’t afford to get worn out because there are people, places, and things I want to and need to see.

JETwit will continue to post updates from Tanya and other participating alums.  You can also follow Tanya’s blog at http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/ShiogamaJET/.

If you are returning to Tohoku and would like to share your updates, please feel free to e-mail jetwit [at] jetwit.com.

Aug 22

Return to Tohoku: JET alum Tanya Gradecky arrives in Japan

Blogs, Earthquake Tsunami, Japan Local, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Travel/Tourism, Volunteer, Writers Comments Off on Return to Tohoku: JET alum Tanya Gradecky arrives in Japan

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Tanya Gardecky (Miyagi-ken, Shiogama-shi) is one of the 20 Tohoku region JET alumni selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to return to their town to both engage in volunteer efforts and also help document and share what’s going on there.

Here’s a quick excerpt from the first post on her travel blog:

“I’m about to head off to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a meeting and then I will be on my way to Sendai and Shiogama City in Miyagi Prefecture!!”

JETwit will continue to post updates from Tanya and other participating alums.  You can also follow Tanya’s blog at http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/ShiogamaJET/.

If you are returning to Tohoku and would like to share your updates, please feel free to e-mail jetwit [at] jetwit.com.

Aug 19

Another Canadian JET to visit Tohoku via the MOFA program

Article/Journalism, Blogs, Earthquake Tsunami, Japan Local, JETAA Chapters, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Travel/Tourism, Volunteer, Writers Comments Off on Another Canadian JET to visit Tohoku via the MOFA program

Turns out the Ottowa Citizen article was not entirely correct about Brent Stirling (Fukushima-ken, Fukushima-shi, 2006-10) being the only Canadian among the 20 ex-JETs selected for the MOFA program to go back to their town/city in Tohoku, help with volunteering and write about and share their experience.

But the post on JETwit about the article did help generate a response from Toronto-based JET alum Tanya Gardecky (Miyagi-ken, Shiogama-shi) who will also be participating and whose travel blog you can follow here:  http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/ShiogamaJET/

Aug 16

Ottawa JET alum Brent Stirling to visit Tohoku as part of MOFA program

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Brent Stirling (Fukushima-ken, Fukushima-shi, 2006-10)

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Ottawa based JET alum Brent Stirling (Fukushima-ken, Fukushima-shi, 2006-10) is one of only 2 Canadians out of 20 JET alumni selected to return to the Tohoku region to volunteer, engage and share their experience for the benefit of others, according to an article in the Ottawa Citizen.

(Note:  This post previously repeated the error in the Ottawa Citizen article that Brent was the only Canadian participating.  But it turns out that Toronto-based Tanya Gardecky (Miyagi-ken, Shiogama-shi) will also be participating.)

Stirling, who writes on his blog ForYourBrentertainment and was actively involved in the creation of Quakebook following the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, submitted a proposal which was accepted by the program established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the Japan Tourism Agency to bring 20 Tohoku-area JET alums back to Tohoku to play a role in helping their communities and then spread word of their experience afterwards.

Read the full Ottawa Citizen article here:   “Months of blogging leads to trip to Japan: Kanata teacher will help with disaster relief in the country he writes about”

Jul 29

Surviving in Japan: What is “Calorie Off” and Why Should You Care?

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Posted by Ashley Thompson (Shizuoka-ken, 2008-2010) of Surviving in Japan: without much Japanese and Lifelines columnist for The Japan Times.

My time in Japan so far has seen many changes, as to be expected, and most have been gradual. One such change has been the increasing prevalence of “calorie off” drinks. When I first arrived I remember this option being available, but as the years have gone by some of my favorite beverages converted completely to “calorie off”, including my beloved lemon Mitsuya Cider… (I like CC Lemon too, but I prefer Mitsuya Cider).

Now, just browsing at the local コンビニ (convenience store), it is more difficult to find carbonated (and some non-carbonated) beverages that aren’t “calorie off.” Not that I drink much else aside water in general (and occasionally 100% juice or tea), but even if some new, “limited edition” beverage looks interesting to try I often don’t because it is, of course, “calorie off.”

So, what is “calorie off”? — CLICK HERE to read the rest of the post.

Jul 26

Hibari-sensei: Kimi ni Todoke

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Jen Wang (Miyagi, 2008-09) is a lab tech in Dallas and a staff writer for the Japanese music website Purple SKY.  Her love of cosplay and her junior high school students inspired the name for her own Japanese pop culture blog, Hibari-sensei’s Classroom.

Since there have been a couple posts here about JAPAN CUTS film festival in New York, I thought I would write about a Japanese movie I saw at the Asian Film Festival of Dallas last week.  The festival was in its 10th year and ran from July 14-21.  Among the Japanese films screened was the 2010 live-action adaptation of the popular shoujo manga series, Kimi ni Todoke (in English, From Me to You).

Haruma Miura as Shota Kazehaya and Mikako Tabe as Sawako Kuronuma

Filled with a young actors, the movie seemed like a typical high school romance in which shy loner Sawako Kuronuma, who is made fun of for her resemblance to Sadako of The Ring, catches the eye of class heartthrob Shota Kazehaya.  However, it is more a story about Sawako coming out of her shell and forging tight bonds with the people who reach out to her.  The muted colors and leisurely pace make the film light and gentle, yet there are moments that remind us that adolescence years can contain heartache.  More importantly, Kimi ni Todoke reminds us that a little kindness can go a long way.

For a complete review of the film, click here.

Jul 12

Surviving in Japan: How to stay cool without air conditioning

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Posted by Ashley Thompson (Shizuoka-ken, 2008-2010) of Surviving in Japan: without much Japanese and Lifelines columnist for The Japan Times.

冷風扇 or "cool air fan"

The last week or so has been rather hot (in central Japan at least), with temps here in Shizuoka hovering around 30 Celsius and up (high 80s to 90s Fahrenheit). My husband and I still don’t own an air conditioner, simply due to the costs involved with buying and installing one, and then periodic cleaning. Yet, being 33 weeks pregnant, I’ve been finding myself desperate for some kind of cooling alternative the past week or so.

I never really felt like I needed an aircon since arriving in Japan three years ago. I was happy to experience nice, hot summers. People tend to complain a lot about the summer heat in Japan (unless they live in Hokkaido), but I hate the cold so much that I’m usually relieved when summer comes around.

Until last summer anyway, when we had a record-breaking heat wave that lasted until October. Sitting and working at home was mostly tortuous, so I trekked to the nearest Starbucks a few times a week just so I could get some work done in an air-conditioned, non-smoking, wi-fi equipped environment.

And now we’re into summer 2011. Temperatures are already mirroring those of last year on some days. I’m making due the best I can, but all this extra blood running through my body and 10 extra kilograms seems to make me feel hotter than I felt even last year.

After feeling sick the other day from trying to work inside (and I do still try to get out in the afternoon and at least run errands to air-conditioned places), I was about ready to build my own air conditioner.

I found this article on how to construct a makeshift one with a fan, styrofoam box cooler, and ice, and was seriously planning to go find the materials. Regular electric fans weren’t working, even with multiple ones blowing from all directions to circulate air. Drinking ice water helped only a little, and I was hopping in the shower every so often for a quick spray of cold water.

And then my husband mentioned he’d heard about some kind of machine that blows cool air (no, not an aircon), known as 冷風扇 (れいふうせん, reifuusen), or 冷風機 (れいふうき, reifuuki), or “cool air fan/machine” as a loose translation.

Essentially, you put cold water and ice–CLICK HERE to read the rest of the post.