JET Memorial Invitation Program for High School Students ready to head to Japan
Cultural Outreach, Earthquake Tsunami, JETs in the News, Return on JET-vestment, Travel/Tourism, Video 
Comments Off on JET Memorial Invitation Program for High School Students ready to head to Japan
*****************
Thanks to Andy Anderson, father of Taylor Anderson, for sharing information and the video link below. FYI, JETAA USA had the honor of Mr. Anderson attending the National Conference this past weekend in Washington, D.C. and speaking to the conference attendees (2 representatives from each JETAA chapter in the U.S.)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced an exchange program on June 24, 2011 (press release here) to send 32 American students to Japan as a way of commemorating the work of Taylor Anderson and Monty Dickson. Those students, who come from all over the U.S., have been selected and are now in San Francisco getting ready to depart for Japan.
The majority of the 10 day program takes place in Japan and includes a pre-departure orientation and a wrap-up meeting and farewell dinner in San Francisco. During their stay in Japan, the participants will have an option of participating in a day trip to visit the Tohoku area.
KTVU (San Francisco) did a story on the student group as they gathered in San Francisco for a pre-departure orientation before heading to Japan. Here’s the link to the video: http://www.ktvu.com/video/28580191/index.html
Minasan ganbatte kudasai!
Note: If anyone can figure out how to get the embed code for the video, e-mail it to jetwit [at] jetwit.com so we can post it here.
Update 7/21/2011: Here’s a Japanese article about the event, forwarded by Andy Anderson:
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/world/news/110718/amr11071818190005-n1.htm
2011年07月18日
日米の懸け橋へ努力
日本研修に向け米高校生
【サンフランシスコ共同】東日本大震災で犠牲になった米国人の英語教師２人の業績をたたえ、創設された日本研修事業に参加する米国の高校生３２人の壮行会が１７日、サンフランシスコの日本総領事館で行われた。代表のトーマス・クドさんは「帰ったら、この体験と日本語を生かしたい」と話し、日米の懸け橋となるために努力することを誓った。猪俣弘司（いのまた・ひろし）総領事は、大震災で亡くなった外国青年招致事業（ＪＥＴプログラム）の英語教師テーラー・アンダーソンさんとモンゴメリー・ディクソンさんの死を悼み、「研修を成功させるかどうかは皆さん次第」と激励した。米側のデボラ・ダニエルズさんは「同じ高校生がどんな風に（大震災で）被災し、どんなことを考えて毎日暮らしているのか知りたい」と話した。一行は今月１９～２８日、大阪の地元高校生との交流や、ホームステイを体験。京都訪問のほか、希望者による岩手視察も予定されている。
JETAA North Carolina Subchapter on the move
Cultural Outreach, JETAA Chapters Comments Off on JETAA North Carolina Subchapter on the move
New JETAA subchapter activity has been detected in North Carolina, thanks to some outreach by Kay Munn who has gotten a JETAA Southeast North Carolina Subchapter Facebook page up and running!
Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jetaasenc
And here’s a message from Kay:
“Hello everyone! If you’re currently living in NC (or moving here soon!) we’re trying to get a subchapter up and running over here. Feel free to join our Facebook page :)”
Welcome to the JETAA SE North Carolina subchapter! The NC subchapter was started to help connect former, current, and aspiring JETs with the North Carolina community. Connect with other JETs in North Carolina and help us teach our community about our second home, Japan.
E-mail: jetaasenc [at] groups.facebook.com
Visit all 47 prefectures in Japan in 100 days — for free! (But there’s a catch…)
Cultural Outreach, Japan Local, Local Government, Travel/Tourism Comments Off on Visit all 47 prefectures in Japan in 100 days — for free! (But there’s a catch…)
I’ve seen this posted several places and also had it sent to me by JET alum and President of Music City JETAA Terry Vo (2007-09, Kumamoto-ken) . So while no JET alums would be eligible, maybe our extensive alumni community might know someone who is.
The Offer: Some lucky person will win 100 days to visit all 47 prefectures in Japan and blog about it.
The Catch: You can’t have ever lived in Japan before.
More Info Here: http://travelvolunteer.net/
By the way, for tourism info on all 47 prefectures, here are the tourism sites for each prefecture (which I organized in a JETwit post back in early June):
- Local Japan: Prefecture Tourism Links: http://jetwit.com/wordpress/2011/06/02/local-japan-prefecture-tourism-links/
Sake World e-Newsletter by John Gauntner (July 2011)
Cultural Outreach, Food & Drink, Notable JET Alums, Writers Comments Off on Sake World e-Newsletter by John Gauntner (July 2011)
The July 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
Video: “Tonoharu” explained in unique video by creator Lars Martinson
Books, Cartoon/Illustration, Cultural Outreach, Humor, Notable JET Alums, Uncategorized, Video, Writers Comments Off on Video: “Tonoharu” explained in unique video by creator Lars Martinson
****************
Lars Martinson (Fukuoka-ken 2003-2006), author of the graphic novels Tonoharu: Part Two and Tonoharu: Part 1, has put together a rather unique video that “explains” the Tonoharu series in a marvelously tongue-in-cheek way. (BTW, does anyone know if there’s a Japanese term for “tongue-in-cheek”?)
Anyway, have a look at the video. I think it’s fair to say that no one has captured the JET/living in Japan experience in as intricate a way as Lars has:
Dreams Come True to hold rare concerts in U.S. Any JET alums going?
Cultural Outreach, Events, Film, Music Comments Off on Dreams Come True to hold rare concerts in U.S. Any JET alums going?
Just heard from Aaron Woolfolk (Kochi-ken) (writer and director of the film “The Harimaya Bridge”) that he’s going to the Dreams Come True concert in L.A. in October and that they’ll also be playing concerts in Seattle and NYC as well as free concerts in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima.
Here’s a June 28 post about the concerts from Anime News Network.
If you’re a JET or JET alum and plan on going, post a comment here and let the JET alum community know.
JET Prefecture Round-Up 07.05.11
Cultural Outreach, Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, Japan Local, JET Prefecture Round-up, Uncategorized Comments Off on JET Prefecture Round-Up 07.05.11
**************
Emily Lemmon, (Hyogo-ken, Shiso-shi, 2009-present), PSG volunteer, organizer of Hyogo-ken’s PEPY Ride, student of Shorinji Kempo, and editor of the Hyogo Times, gives a little taste of what JETs are doing around Japan. To submit items for future JET Prefecture Round-up posts, e-mail Emily at jetinfogather [at] gmail.com.
Events by Region
- Iwamizawa International Mini Festival was June 18th at Higashiyama Park, and included international food and drink, as well as face painting, Smores, 3 craft tables, board games from around the world, an obstacle course, salsa dancing, national anthems, Ebingo and many more great activities for everyone to enjoy.
- Leavers’ Party (“Towada Renaissance”) will be Saturday July 9th, from 1pm until everyone falls asleep.
- 2011 Tohoku Summer Retreat – JET Christian Fellowship retreat will be held from July 16th to 18th at the Aomori Christian Center in Moya Hills, Aomori City (registration required).
- Annual Cabin Sayonara Party will be July 16th at the Yakehashiri cabins.
- Iwate JETs were invited to attend the earthquake debate session on June 16th, to share stories of the March 11 disaster and how they got news or information.
- Akita JETs are lending traditional costumes from their home countries to students of the Akita University Network for their July 10th International Festival.
Chubu Region
- The Giant Jumping Monkey – a charity bash held in Myoko on July 2nd, rain or shine, features guest DJs, a monkey bounce-house, camping, and BBQ. All proceeds to Tohoku
- ZAZA Arts Festival and Charity Event presented by AJET Nagano and Arriba Arriba Cafewill be at Ikirou near Kamishiro Stationn in Hakuba on July 9-10th: an arts, music, and performance event featuring the great people of Nagano!
- Shimosuwa was one of the first towns in the prefecture to introduce a comprehensive English curriculum into elementary schools. July 18th is the 4th annual Kid’s Expo at Shimosuwa Cultural Center; This years theme is “Japan, connections to the world” . JET volunteers may showcase their countries or a cultural activity in a mini Expo style booth and give the kids a chance to interact in English.
- KoiKoi Matsumotos, a big international festival, was held on June 26th at M-Wing, Matsumoto’s chuo kominkan. About 20 countries were represented with various shows, games, presentations, kids’ activities, an international food court, and more. Entry was free, food was cheap, and profits went to help the relief effort in Tohoku area.
- Bai Bai Beach Party to be held July 24th at Uchinada Beach.
Kansai Region
- Path of Prayer continues on July 3rd; participants will walk from Nakahechi Michi-no-eki to Kobiro oji on the Kumano Kado, invoking a speedy recovery for Tohoku while experiencing this historic trail.
- Kozagawa Kayaking and Camping will take place from July 9th to the 10th on the Koza River, Wakayama.
- Nara’s farewell to leaving JETs, the Bye Bye Bash,complete with awards, was held at the Tousembou Kidaku on June 17th.
- Ultimate Frisbee practice and BBQ in the Goon on June 18th.
- Taj Ultimate, the Ultimate Frisbee Tournament, will be held July 9th and 10th.
- “There is Hope Through Music” for Tohoku – On July 9th, Ehime JET Dan will gather fellow JETs to the Asakura Kominkan in Imabari to record videos with the fireman brass band. The videos will be combined with videos from the Kurosawa Piano Music Foundation of California and broadcast both online and to the victims in refugee camps in Japan.
- Sayonara Party will be July 9th at Kashima Island.
- July 10th, Ehime JETs are invited to a tea ceremony in Imabari.
- Students now have until July 15th to apply for the Genki Scholarship for International Exchange, 2011. The Genki Scholarship hopes to assist Kochi-based students fulfil their ambitions of going on international exchange, to expand their horizons and improve their communication skills. This year’s Genki Tosaben Musical generated enough funds to provide for a scholarship of approximately 200,000 yen (exact amount depends on number of applicants, where and for how long they’re going), plus a donation of up to 100,000 yen for Tohoku’s Disaster Relief.
- The JET Farewell party and beer garden was held June 17th.
- Organic Rice Planting volunteers have been pushed back to July 2nd for lack of rain! Preparing to get muddy, JETs will assist in the labor intensive work of organic farming.
- Sayonara Party – Oita JETs say farewell on July 9th in Oita City.
- Oita JETs make a camping trip to Miyazaki Prefecture on July 23rd-24th.
- An Oita JET is organizing volunteers to help a family maintain their farm and orchard. Activities include but are not limited to: raking leaves, pruning trees, cutting grass, weeding, and setting up a wire fence.
- June 18th, the Oita International Plaza held the monthly Japanese Conversation Circle, pairing native and non-native speakers for 15 minutes and then switching partners. Participants talk freely or use materials provided based on a topic. June’s topic was talking about your hometown.
- The ‘Japan-British Society of Kumamoto’ is holding their annual ‘Tanabata “Star Festival” Party’ at 6:30PM on Friday, July 1st. This event was a huge success last year with scores of Japanese and foreigners eating, drinking and socialising in celebration of this traditional Japanese festival.
- Former Nagasaki ALT shares video from Golden Week in Tohoku here.
- This year’s international exchange party by Miyazaki City International Association (MCIA) was June 17th at the Miyazaki Shimin Plaza.
- Kagoshima’s Bon Voyage Bash will be July 9th at the Sun Royal Hotel.
Embassy of Japan in the UK (July 2011)
Cultural Outreach, Events, Japan Fix Comments Off on Embassy of Japan in the UK (July 2011)
Embassy of Japan in the UK Webmagazine round-up via Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields.
——————————————————————————————————————————–
Featured Article:
Spotlight On…. Tim Anderson, Masterchef 2011 Champion
Other articles this month:
IRO IRO – Japan, in Colour
Films at the Embassy: Waterboys
Japan at the Barbican, Summer 2011
HYPER JAPAN 2011: THE UK’S BIGGEST J-CULTURE EVENT
Japan’s First Railway: colour woodblock prints from the 1870s
Tohoku University – Back on Course
Charity bazaar held at Ambassador’s residence
Memorial Service at Wesminster Abbey
Embassy hosts 15th Summer Reunion for Peace and Friendship
The swords are out at the 2011 Nihongo Cup
Birmingham Royal Ballet triumphs in Japan
Subscribe:
To subscribe to the Embassy of Japan in the UK webmagazine, please email webmagazine@ld.mofa.go.jp with the subject ‘subscribe’.
Volunteers needed: JETwit mapping project
Cultural Outreach, Japan Fix, Japan Local, Return on JET-vestment, Volunteer Comments Off on Volunteers needed: JETwit mapping project
I’m working on a JETwit mapping project and need some volunteers to input some JET-relevant info and examples to see how it works and get a sense of how people will use it.
If interested in helping (it should only take a few minutes), e-mail me at jetwit [at] jetwit.com and I’ll send you further instructions.
Yoroshiku!
-Steven
MEF Bruce Rutledge article on CNN: Japan’s post-quake kawaii cute movement
Article/Journalism, Cultural Outreach, Earthquake Tsunami, Japan Trends, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Writers Comments Off on MEF Bruce Rutledge article on CNN: Japan’s post-quake kawaii cute movement
**********
MEF Bruce Rutledge, founder of Seattle-based independent book publisher Chin Music Press and editor of Ibuki magazine, has an article on CNN GO titled:
“Japan’s post-quake kawaii cute movement: Harajuku’s colorful street-styles used to combat the quake crisis.”
JET Alum Launches Cross-Cultural Business Consulting and Training Service
Cultural Outreach, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Translating/Interpreting, Writers Comments Off on JET Alum Launches Cross-Cultural Business Consulting and Training Service
**********
Jennifer Jakubowski (Hokkaido, 1995-97), founder of Bridges To Japan
JET alum Jennifer Jakubowski (Hokkaido, 1995-97) has launched Bridges To Japan, a cross-cultural business consulting and training firm.
Jennifer has been engaged in Japanese-American cross-cultural business consulting and training for a number of years, including work for the Nagano Winter Olympic Committee and cross-cultural training for numerous Japanese and American executives. She is also the author of Executive Guide to Japan: The ABCs of Japanese Culture & Business Etiquette.
For more information:
- Bridges to Japan website: www.bridgestojapan.com
- Jennifer Jakubowski bio
JETAA NY joint event with Kyushu association
Cultural Outreach, Events, Japan Local, JETAA Chapters, Networking, Return on JET-vestment Comments Off on JETAA NY joint event with Kyushu association
Last night JETAA New York joined with New York Battenkai, a New York-based association for Japanese ex-pats from Kyushu, for a unique happy hour at Nightengales (2nd Ave & 13th St) and another example of JETAA chapters supporting prefecture and local government efforts. (Translation Note: “Batten,” it was explained, is connecting phrase unique to Kyushu dialect.)
As New York is home to many other similar prefecture associations, perhaps this could end up serving as a model for future JETAA Chapter-Prefectural Association events.
Embassy of Japan in the UK (June 2011)
Cultural Outreach, Events Comments Off on Embassy of Japan in the UK (June 2011)
Embassy of Japan in the UK Webmagazine round-up via Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields. She is also the former vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
——————————————————————————————————————————–
Featured Article:
Ambassador Hayashi honoured by Diplomat magazine
Other articles this month:
Episodes from a Life in Theatre: An audience with Simon McBurney
Japanese Enamels: The Seven Treasures, Cloisonne from the V&A
Restored: A Quiet Corner of Japan in Liverpool
Saburo Teshigawara / KARAS Mirror and Music UK PREMIERE
Works relating to the Tohoku region on display at the British Museum
Spotlight On… Minister Hiroshi Noda
28th Annual Meeting of the UK-Japan 21st Century Group
Japanese Red Cross Society – Operations Update: 3 – 23 May 2011
Subscribe:
To subscribe to the Embassy of Japan in the UK webmagazine, please email webmagazine@ld.mofa.go.jp with the subject ‘subscribe’.
Japan Local: Hokkaido e-newsletter
Article/Journalism, Cultural Outreach, Japan Local, Local Government, Translating/Interpreting, Travel/Tourism Comments Off on Japan Local: Hokkaido e-newsletter
Via AJET June 2011 Newsletter:
For anyone interested in learning about Japan’s northernmost prefecture, HOKKAIDO! The Red Brick Bulletin is an electronic newsletter published by the Hokkaido Government and prepared by the prefectural English language CIR (i.e., JET). Topics range from nature to history, cuisine to tourist attractions, and much much more!
http://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/ss/tsk/akarenga_eng.htm
Sake World e-Newsletter by John Gauntner (June 2011)
Celebrity, Cultural Outreach, Food & Drink, Notable JET Alums, Writers Comments Off on Sake World e-Newsletter by John Gauntner (June 2011)
The June 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
