Oct 28

JET ROI: Why JET Matters – Japanese language education, national security and the future of US-Japan relations

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In a recent discussion on the JETAA Education Professionals LinkedIn Group, JET alum and Japanese language consultant Beth Yamamuro shared some perspectives and thoughts on the decline in administrative support for Japanese language study.  Beth’s comments prompted Matt Gillam, a long-time CLAIR-NY staff member and a graduate of Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, to offer some useful insights into the role of JETs and the JET Programme in the bigger picture of US-Japan relations.

With their permission, and with the aim of helping to make the JET and JET alum community more aware of its role in the bigger picture, JetWit is posting their comments below.  (For the record, Matt’s comments are his own personal views and are not on behalf of CLAIR-NY):

Here are Beth’s comments:

I did want to share with you what I’m learning in the Japanese Language Teaching class I posted about earlier. It seems there is sort of a crisis in the Japanese as a second language field these days. Despite a growing number of students in classes, there is a decreasing amount of financial and administrative support. Japanese is not a strategically important language to the US like Chinese and Korean are, so there are fewer (or no?) government grants to study it. The Chinese government is subsidizing many Mandarin education programs within the US, and as a result some institutions are giving up their Japanese programs in favor of Chinese. Having bilingual speakers of English and Japanese IS strategically important to Japan, and the JET program is a unique system already in place to support the development of large groups of such speakers.

Another issue in which the JET program could play a part is the lack of qualified teachers of Japanese. With the increasing emphasis on standards in all levels of foreign language education, teacher training for the specific education community involved is more important than ever. JET participants tend to be people who are in some way interested in education, and many go on to be teachers on returning to their home country, whether or not that was their original career plan.

Here are Matt’s comments:

This is a really interesting report on what’s going on with Japanese language education recently, and in my opinion it reflects an extremely short-sighted policy shift by the U.S. government just when it’s becoming clear (again) that we need Japan as an ally to deal with an increasingly belligerent China and an increasingly (who’d have thought it possible?) unstable Korean Peninsula.  I think Japan is slowly beginning to come out of its recent phase of thinking the US-Japan security alliance is merely burdensome and no longer particularly relevant, and China was their new best buddy.  However, the events of the past few weeks, especially, have the US and Japan both realizing that China is not growing into the steady, dependable partner we’d all been hoping for.  It is doubly unfortunate that Japan herself has not made any efforts to counter this growing neglect and promote Japanese language acquisition or actively cultivate those who have an interest in becoming teachers.  As far as I know, there is only the JET Program to fill this void.

Each country is important in its own way and each requires attention.  China, despite recent tensions, is a vital component of the world economy and a critical trading partner for the US and Japan, besides being an indispensable player in addressing security and environmental issues.  They also possess a rich and ancient culture and history.  It is likely that political and economic realities will eventually compel them to soften their ham-handed, nationalistic approach to dealing with other countries, but when that might happen is unclear.  South Korea has become the steadier partner in many ways, partly because they have made extensive efforts to strengthen ties with the US and to appeal to American feelings of goodwill toward an old ally and trading partner.  But South Korea is vulnerable in ways Japan is not, and with their smaller economy and more limited capabilities in economic and security terms they are no replacement for Japan.

We cannot maintain a significant presence in Northeast Asia and thereby maintain credibility with our security partners as a counterweight to China without our bases in Japan (read, primarily, “Okinawa”), and to keep those bases we need people who can work with the Japanese and understand their needs and concerns, and not blunder through crises like the Pentagon and the Administration did with the new Hatoyama administration and the Futenma fiasco.

Everyone got lulled into thinking the US-Japan relationship was rock-solid and boring and could cruise along on auto-pilot without anyone actively managing it.  That, along with being dazzled by the rise of China, South Korea’s great success in democratizing and building itself into an economic powerhouse (albeit on a smaller scale than Japan or China) in Northeast Asia, and the two wars in the Mid-east/South Asia, have led to a deeply unfortunate neglect of Japan and the pivotal role the country plays in keeping Asia and the world stable.  We had hoped China would take the path of integrating into the world economy and governance structure as a responsible player, but, at least for the moment, they have chosen to emphasize nationalism and uncompromising self-interest instead.  That is not good news for Japan or the US, obviously.

As student exchanges and other ties between Japan and the US wither, JET becomes one of the few initiatives to consistently maintain a flow of people between the two countries, and is, I think, thereby critical in supporting that larger security relationship.

Oct 27

JET ROI: NY’s Consulate-General of Japan, JET alumni make mighty combo

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Oct 18

JET ROI: “JET Programme, JET Alumni Vital to the Future of U.S.-Japan Relations”

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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

Oct 13

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)

Oct 12

Future of JET: Reinventing English Education in Japan

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A Daily Yomiuri article (“Japan Teachers May Get English Training in U.S.“) reports that as part of an effort to reform the current English education structure in Japan, Japan and the U.S. are considering “a program that would send young Japanese teachers of English to the United States to improve their English ability.”

Here’s the link to the full article:  http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T101010001858.htm

The idea appears to still in be in the concept stage, and it is unclear whether exposing JTE’s to U.S. education will inherently assist in their ability to deliver English to the Japanese classroom. Also unclear is what form this “training” will take.

The project seems to allow for the inference that the JET Programme will be scaled back and perhaps retooled, with a possibility of outright elimination.

With the possibility of Japanese Teacher of English being brought into local American communities, it would be interesting to contemplate a supporting role for JETAA and JET alums generally to assist recruited teachers.

Oct 6

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/JETorientations

Technology in the Workplace
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AJETtech2010

Workplace Integration Survey
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/integration2010

These surveys are vital to the longevity and improvement of the JET Programme.

Oct 5

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:

Oct 5

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/

Sep 26

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.

Sep 21

JET Alum Author Profile: Malena Watrous

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Malena Watrous (Ishikawa-ken, 1998-2000), author of the novel "If You Follow Me"

Freelance writer, essayist and blogger Liz Sheffield (Hokkaio-ken, Sapporo-shi, 1993-95) recently came across an article in Writer’s Digest about Malena Watrous, the author of If You Follow Me. The book’s description and the author’s biography made Liz think there was a JET connection. Indeed there was — here are Liz’s thoughts about the novel and her conversation with  the author:

Malena Watrous (Ishikawa-ken, 1998-2000) joined the ranks JET alum authors with the recent release of her debut novel, If You Follow Me, published by Harper Collins in March 2010.

Although Watrous admits she didn’t want her novel to become a “Japan weirdest hits” type of book, she does an exceptional job of capturing details and drawing upon common expatriate experiences in Japan. Part of the joy in reading If You Follow Me was having a trip down memory lane. For example: ever receive a handwritten note from your Japanese supervisor admonishing something you did? Check. What about the nasal voice booming over the portable PA system each night as an old man tries to sell his jagaimo? Check. One too many kanpais at the bonnenkai? Check.

Along with these key details, Watrous also weaves together a story that is unique and which is about much more than a gaijin living in Japan. If You Follow Me is the tale of Marina, a young American who moves to Japan with her girlfriend in order to teach English and escape the painful reality of her father’s recent suicide. The cast of characters in the town of Shika includes a quirky co-teacher of English who sings a mean Elvis on karaoke, a silent neighbor boy who is just breaking out of hibernation and the British expat who is attempting to become the next great foreign talent after his stint teaching English in Shika. As is true for many who live abroad, Marina is changed by her experience in ways she never could have anticipated.

“I’d say that the experience made me have a deeper understanding of what it feels like to be different,” Watrous says of the impact the JET Program had on her own life. “It gave me a lasting sense of the value of creating relationships between people of different ages and backgrounds, and made me less afraid of ‘strangers’ of different kinds. It also gave me a greater sense of possibility.”

She notes that she witnessed similar realizations in her students as a result of her presence in their classroom.

“I loved seeing my students become less afraid of the big bad foreigner, which actually happened so quickly and naturally, especially with the elementary school kids, who were just magic to me. I loved those first grade boys with their fuzzy heads, who talked to me like I was another one of them.”

It’s no surprise that the book has received awards and recognition in the United States as well as generous support in Japan. Watrous’ heartfelt and often humorous novel allows readers from any country to experience a journey of sadness and grief that leads to an eventual greater sense of possibility.

So, what can readers expect next from this talented author?

“I’m working on a novel set at least partly in occupied Japan. I hadn’t thought that I’d write another book in Japan, at least not right away, but a character presented herself to me and I’m having a lot of fun with it. Plus–now I’ve got the perfect excuse to make another research trip.”

Go to Motherlogue to hear more about about Malena’s experience writing If You Follow Me.

Sep 8

JET ROI: Japan Times column says “Don’t blame JET for Japan’s poor English”

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A recent column from The Japan Times by Debito Arudou (not a JET or JET alum) that does a nice job of addressing the oft-heard (and rather misleading) charge that JET has not led to improvement in English scores in Japan:  http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20100907ad.html

It has a bit of snark and falls into some generalizations, but the underlying point as well as the thoughtful analysis are spot on and greatly appreciated here on JetWit.

Sep 8

JET ROI: Japan Times readers respond to recent article on JET

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From The Japan Times, definitely worth a read:

• “Readers offer their thoughts on jettisoning JET” – http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20100907hs.html

Here are links to related JetWit posts with:

• The original Japan Times article by Eric Johnston:  http://jetwit.com/wordpress/2010/07/27/jet-roi-japan-times-article-on-debate-over-jet-program/
• A Japan Times article based on JETAA’s press release following the JETAA USA National Conference in August:  http://jetwit.com/wordpress/2010/08/17/jet-roi-japan-times-article-jets-press-to-keep-program-intact/
• Christiana Aretta’s “100 English Dreams”:  http://jetwit.com/wordpress/2010/07/31/jet-roi-100-english-dreams-a-jet-project-by-christiana-aretta/

Sep 6

JET ROI: JETAA Rajio Taiso

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JETAA Portland is getting ready to make a video of a group of its members doing NHK Rajio Taiso (radio exercises) in Portland’s Japanese Gardens on September 8.  And it’s hoping to inspire other JET Alumni chapters to do the same in front of their respective landmarks.  The goal is to aggregate all of the videos into one big video that shows JET alumni doing Rajio Taiso all over the U.S. and, preferably, the world.

While the idea takes a lighthearted approach, it will also help symbolically demonstrate to Japan’s population how JET alumni everywhere are and have been promoting and spreading Japanese culture around the world.

For more information, or to submit your own video, 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/

And if you have no idea what Rajio Taiso is (or you just need a little dose of natsukashii) here’s a video:

Aug 28

Notable JET alums: Rob Cornilles – U.S. Congressional candidate

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JET alum Rob Cornilles

JET alum Robert Cornilles won the Republican primary for Congress in Oregon’s 1st District and will be running against incumbent Democrat David Wu this November 2010.

Rob is also the founder and CEO of Game Face, a successful sports marketing company with a client list that includes the Chicago Bulls, Miami Dolphins, Boston Celtics, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers.

For more information about Rob and his campaign, you can visit his website at www.cornillesforcongress.com.

Aug 28

New “JET Alumni Policy & Government Group” on LinkedIn

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A new LinkedIn group called “JET Alumni Policy & Government” has been set up by Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94) for JETs and JET alumni who work in any field related to policy or government, aspire to work in related fields or have an interest in the topic.

CLICK HERE to see the group and join.