Mar 3

JapaneseLondon Round-up – March 3, 2011

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Thanks to JETAA UK Communications Director Vanessa Villalobos for sharing this with JetWit.  Vanessa is also the publisher of JapaneseLondon.com:

Featured article: March 2011 Round-Up Part One

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN JAPANESE LONDON?

From Norwegian Wood, Tran Anh Hung’s film, based on Murakami’s book.  What was that?  *Head spins on neck*.  Erm, that was the first one-sixth of 2011, passed already.  But fear not, now spring has most definitely sprung  it’s the perfect time to get out and appreciate Japan… in London!

Japanese Literature

Fans of Japan-related scribblings are in for a treat this month.  Tran Anh Hung’s highly-anticipated screen version of Haruki Murakami’s bestselling novel, ‘Norwegian Wood’, will open at UK cinemas from 11th March.   British author David Mitchell’s newest offering, ‘The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet’ isn’t due for release until March 17th, but has already racked up 96 rave reviews on Amazon.  If you fancy a literary chinwag,  Japan Society book club members will be vociferously discussing ‘Silence’ by Endo Shusaku next Monday March 7th – Japan Society members shouldregister their attendance: events@japanesociety.org.

Madame Butterfly

The enduringly popular Madame Butterfly is on at the Royal Albert Hall only until March 13th, so you’ll need to be quick to catch it.  Set in an ‘enchanting’ Japanese Water Garden, an extra show has been already been added to meet ‘huge popular’ demand.  If you can’t make it, why not order  Angela Gheorghui’s CD recording, lie back and think of Japan?   Or, if you’ve seen the opera and you crave more of the same, pre-order a copy of Lee Langley’s Butterfly’s Shadow – a novel in the style of Jean Rhys’s Wide Sargasso Sea, that takes Puccini’s Madam Butterfly as its starting point.

HIBIKI – Japanese Music

Continuing on a musical note (!), HIBIKI: Resonances from Japan at King’s Place will run from today 3rd March, until 5th March 2011.  This eclectic event; ‘A 1000-year journey through the rich heritage of Japanese music’ features collaborations with London-based musicians and an exploration of ‘Music in Mange’ with Helen McCarthy.  Promisingly, there is also set to be a Suntory Hibiki whisky tasting in the bar.

Bunka-Sai – Japanese Cultural Festival

And finally – a new Japanese Culture Festival: ‘Bunka-sai’ will take over Conway Hall for one day only, this Saturday 5th March, to bring together Japanese culture, language, food and drink.  Organised by Akemi Solloway.

JapaneseLondon.com‘s Round-Ups are bi-weekly. If you want to see more Japan-related events in London, check out the JapaneseLondon.com Events Calendar.


Feb 28

JETAA Chapter Beat 02.28.11

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Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.

JETAA Pacific Northwest

  • General Meeting – Wednesday, March 2nd, 6:30 to 8:00 at the Hyogo Business & Cultural Center. Discuss upcoming events, issues and the future of PNWJETAA.
  • Happy Hour – Friday, March 4th, 6:00 at Wann Izakaya. Kick back and relax after a long week with friends and alumni this Friday.

JETAA Florida

  • Tampa Subchapter Tsudoi – Friday, March 4th, 7:00 at Panera Bread in the Brandon Mall. The Tampa Subchapter will be hosting their monthly Tsudoi, an informal time for anyone interested in Japanese and Japanese culture.
  • Tampa Happami Write-up: Thanks to everyone who came out to Happami. The location was perfect and the weather was great. We had 13 people attending, and three dogs. The Japanese language puzzle race came off well and I think everyone enjoyed it…though it was perhaps more challenging than they had anticipated;) Congratulations to the winner’s of the bonus prize…a ceramic sake serving set shaped like a Tanuki! Karaoke brought more friends out for a greta evening. Thanks again to everyone who came and hope more of you will join us next year. –Tampa Kumi

JETAA Canberra

  • O-Shaberikai – Wednesday, March 2nd, 6:00 at Coo Izakaya in Civic. Join in and meet Japanese people living in Canberra and other locals interested in Japan.
  • Pitch n Putt Day – Saturday, March 5th, 4:00 at the Canberra International Golf Centre. Spend the day outside and come hit some balls with friends and alumni.

JETAA Chicago

  • General Meeting – Wednesday, March 9th, 6:30 in Chicago. Come discuss the future of JETAA Chicago and more.
  • Yakiniku & Karaoke – Saturday, March 12th at San Soo Gab San. Enjoy a weekend of Korean BBQ followed by Karaoke at Lincoln Karaoke.

JETAA D.C.

  • Happy Hour Networking Event – Wednesday March 2nd, 6:00 at Hard Times Cafe. Chat, relax and catch up with friends old and new at this month’s Networking and Happy Hour event. This will be the last networking event of the year, so don’t miss it.

JETAA Southern California

  • Santa Barbara Event – Saturday, March 5th, 11:00 to 1:00 at the Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market. Shop local this weekend at the farmer’s market, followed up by lunch at Sojourner Cafe.
  • Nihongo Dake Hike – Sunday, March 13th, 8:30 A.M. at Chantry Flats, Sierra Madre. JETAASC is having its first ever Japanese only hike, so get out the trekking boots, dust off the Japanese skills and get out on the trail.

JETAA New York

  • Annual Meishi Exchange – Thursday, March 3rd, 6:30 at Amber Restaurant. Join JETAANY for its largest social networking event of the year, and get to know other alumni and organizations in the area.

What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.


Feb 14

JETAA Chapter Beat 2.14.11

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Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.

JETAA Northern California

  • East Bay Nomikai Happy Hour – Thursday, February 17th, 6:00 at Thalassa in Berkeley. Catch up with friends and alumni at this month’s happy hour event.
  • Japanese Home Cookery: What We Really Eat – Sunday, March 12th, 10:00 to 2:00 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. The OACC Is presenting their final Asian culinary workshop of 2010/11, looking at the Japanese winter dish Umani and as well as some other various side dishes.

JETAA Canberra

  • Shinnenkai – Wednesday, February 16th, 6:00 at Shogun. Ring in the new year a little late with the folks at JETAA Canberra. Nijikai to follow at a location yet to be determined.

JETAA Minnesota

  • Sushi Making at Fuji-ya – Sunday, February 27th, 4:00 at Fuji Ya. Make your own sushi or just come to eat and hang out with friends and alumni.

JETAA Southern California

  • Nihongo Dake Dinner – Saturday, February 19th, 6:00 in Encino. Dust off the Japanese skills for a night of food and nihongo with JETAASC.
  • Career Networking Mixer -Thursday, February 24th, 6:00 in Santa Monica. Make connections and friends at this month’s upcoming career mixer.

JETAA New York

  • JETAANY Quarterly Meeting – Wednesday, February 16th, 7:00 in midtown. Learn more about your local chapter, get involved and add your voice to the future of JETAA.
  • Koto Workshop – Saturday, February 19th, 1:00 to 2:00. Learn about the Koto, a traditional Japanese 13-stringed instrument, at this fascinating workshop.

JETAA New England

  • Nihongo Dake Dinner – Saturday, February 19th, 12:00 at Hei La Moon in Chinatown. Dust off the old Japanese over some delicious dim sum this weekend.

What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.


Feb 8

JETAA UK job listings!

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Thanks to JETAA UK Web Content Editor Fiona Steele I just learned that JETAA UK has a section on their most excellent website that provides current job listings:

http://www.jetaa.org.uk/jobs/

And here’s the RSS feed:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/JETAAUKJobs

(JETAA UK also has a nifty interactive map on its homepage that tells you how many JETAA UK alums there are from each section of Japan.  And if you click on a region, you can see a list of all of the JET alums from a given prefecture.  However, you can’t see any information about the individuals unless you have a login and password for the site.)


Feb 3

Music City JETAA (aka Nashville) reveals its new logo!

JETAA Chapters Comments Off on Music City JETAA (aka Nashville) reveals its new logo!

Via Music City JETAA President Terry Vo, who is also the JET Program and MEXT Coordinator at the Consul-General of Japan in Nashville:

“We JUST revealed our new logo at the JET Returnees Welcome Reception last Friday, January 28, 2011 at the Consul General’s Residence.”

“We had over 20 JET alumni attend from Tennessee and Kentucky and it was a REALLY successful event.  The evening began with Consul General Sato’s high regards for the JET Program and how he sees JET Alumni as “one of the greatest assets in Japan-U.S. relations.”  Consul General Sato then asked for the five recent returnees to give short speeches about their experience on the JET Program.”

Meanwhile, here are some upcoming events for JETAA Music City:

  • Saturday, February 12th – Cooking Night with Master Sushi Chef Toshihiro Nishimoto, 6pm   (Attached is the information)
  • Sunday, March 27th– Hanami (More info to come!)

Jan 31

JETAA Chapter Beat 1.31.11

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Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.

JETAA Canberra

  • O-Shaberikai – Wednesday, February 2nd, 6:00 at Coo Izakaya in Civic. Join in and meet Japanese people living in Canberra and other locals interested in Japan.

JETAA Florida

  • Tampa Subchapter Tsudoi – Friday, February 4th, 7:00 at Panera Bread in the Brandon Mall. The Tampa Subchapter will be hosting their monthly Tsudoi, an informal time for anyone interested in Japanese and Japanese culture.

JETAA Sydney

  • Annual General Meeting – Friday, February 4th, 6:00 at the Japanese Consulate. Connect with friends, meet people in the Japanese community and discuss the future of JETAA Sydney in this year’s meeting. Dinner and drinks to follow at the Nippon Club.

JETAA D.C.

  • Happy Hour Networking Event – Tuesday, February 1st, 6:00 at Cafe Asia. Chat, relax and catch up with friends old and new at this month’s Networking and Happy Hour event.

JETAA Portland

  • J-Kaiwa – Friday, February 4th, 7:00 at Hawthorne Lucky Lab. Practice your Japanese or just get together with friends for a drink at Lucky Lab.

JETAA British Columbia

  • Shakuhachi Workshop – Saturday, February 5th, 1:00 to 3:00 at the Roundhouse Community Centre. JETAABC presents a workshop by the renowned Shakuhachi(Japanese bamboo flute) artist and musician, Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos. Learn how to play from the master and enjoy a day of Japanese culture.

What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.


Jan 24

JETAA Chapter Beat 1.24.11

JETAA Chapter Beat, JETAA Chapters Comments Off on JETAA Chapter Beat 1.24.11

Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.

JETAA New England

  • Shinnenkai – Saturday, January 29th, 6:00 at Shabu-Zen. Celebrate 2011 with some shabu-shabu, good friends, and a raffle.

JETAA Great Lakes

  • Shinnenkai – Saturday, January 29th, 5:00 at Yotsuba Japanese Restaurant in Ann Arbor. Celebrate the new year in style with friends and alumni. Upcoming elections, subchapter issues and other event ideas will also be discussed, so do not miss it.

JETAA Sydney

  • Yakiniku BBQ at the Beach – Sunday, January 30th, 11:00 to 2:00 at Shelly Beach in Manly. Spend the day outside with fellow alumni and friends for a BBQ. Suikawari, sun and fun to be had by all.

JETAA New Orleans

  • Karaoke Shinnenkai – Saturday, February 12th, 7:00 at Little Tokyo Small Plates and Noodle Bar. Sing, eat, drink and ring in 2011 with the group in New Orleans.

JETAA Minnesota

  • Bowling Night – Saturday, January 29th, 8:00 at Memory Lanes. Roll some rocks and catch up with old friends at this fun event.

JETAA Chicago

  • Happy Hour – Friday, January 28th, 6:00 at Chizakaya. Kick off the weekend with friends and alumni this Friday.
  • Urasenke Tatezome Tea Ceremony – Sunday, January 30th, 12:00 at the Japan Information Center, Consulate General of Japan. The JIC is celebrating 2011 with a traditional tea ceremony.

JETAA New York

  • Shinnenkai – Saturday, January 29th, 7:00 at Restaurant Riki on 45th St. Join JETAANY for their new year’s celebration. It will be izakaya style food and nomihodai(all you can drink), so don’t miss it.

JETAA Northern California

  • Kabuki Club – Sunday, January 23rd, 2:00 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. This month’s selection will be the classic “Sukeroku: The Flower of Edo.” A casual Shinnenkai will follow the viewing at a nearby restaurant.

JETAA British Columbia

  • Annual General Meeting and Shinnenkai – Friday, January 28th, 6:00 to 9:00 at the YWCA Hotel Downtown. Elect new directors and lend your voice to the future of JETAABC, then catch up with friends and alumni at the 2011 Shinnenkai after the meeting.
  • Shakuhachi Workshop – Saturday, February 5th, 1:00 to 3:00 at the Roundhouse Community Centre. JETAABC presents a workshop by the renowned Shakuhachi(Japanese bamboo flute) artist and musician, Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos. Learn how to play from the master and enjoy a day of Japanese culture.

JETAA D.C.

  • JBook Meeting – Monday, January 24th, 6:30 in the Adams Morgan/U Street Area. Jbook is back for the new year, with this month’s selection being “The Housekeeper and the Professor,” by Yoko Ogawa. The discussion will be followed by a screening of the film, so don’t miss it.

What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.


Jan 23

JETAA London Mailshot 01.20.10

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Thanks to all who attended JETAA’s January Pub Night at Japanese bar Life; great turn-out and a brilliant time (see pics! ->).  The following evening was another successful JETAA Creative Entrepreneurs’ Salon, where we were pleased to welcome not one, but four, members of JEEF (Japan Europe Entrepreneurs Forum)!

Don’t forget to join us at the AGM this Tuesday if you are interested in getting involved with the running of JETAA in 2011.  If organisation isn’t your thang, join us (non-ex-JETs also welcome!) for our Winter Walk on the 30th.

JETAA London Annual General Meeting – Tuesday 25th January

What do you want JETAA London to do for you?  Now’s your chance to tell us!  Or, if you’re up to the challenge, get involved yourself.  All committee positions will be open for election, and we’re always looking for more volunteers!  Afterwards, we’ll all go out for dinner and drinks.

Date: Tuesday 25th January
Time: 7pm – 8pm
Place: Berne Union (27-29 Cursitor Street, London EC4A 1LT). Nearest
tube is Chancery Lane. Click here for a map.

The JETAA London chapter is one of the largest JETAA chapters in the world with 2000+ members. The committee consists of a Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Communications Officer, Events Officers and Careers Information Day Coordinator (for returning JETs in September), however, extra volunteers are always needed to help organise various events and activities throughout the year.

All positions at the AGM will be elected by ballot and anyone who wishes to stand for a post or wants to find out more about what being on the committee involves should email Josy, the current chair, on london@jetaa.org.uk.

We hope to see you there!

JETAA London Winter Walk – Sunday 30th January

Following the popularity of our autumn walk, we’ll have a bracing Winter Walk through South West London.  Spend your Saturday enjoying the wholesome pleasures of a brisk stroll in the company of other JETAA members – although guests & non-JETAA are most welcome!

Date: Sunday 30th January
Time: 12pm, meeting at Wimbledon Park tube station
Venue: A fine stroll from Wimbledon Park to Richmond.  Highlights include: lake of Wimbledon Park, the windmill on Wimbledon Common (this is a café – a good stopping off point for a coffee), and red and fallow deer in Richmond Park, waterbirds, and last but not least, Richmond’s fine riverside frontages.

For more details, and a map, visit http://www.walklondon.org.uk/section.asp?section=30

We plan to stop off in Richmond for refreshments, and then take the District Line back up to Earl’s Court to finish the evening with some karaoke at the Japanese-run OnBoard Karaoke Box!

Please register your interest at londonevents@jetaa.org.uk, include your name, plus dates, years on JET.  Please indicate if you are interested in joining us for the walk, the karaoke, or both!

JETAA Members Invited to Haiku Event at the Japanese Embassy

The Embassy of Japan is hosting an evening with expert haiku poet and Japanese cultural envoy, Ms Madoka Mayuzumi from 6.30pm on Tuesday, 1 February 2011.  Since receiving a promotional award for the 40th Kadokawa Haiku Prize in 1994, Ms Mayuzumi has contributed greatly to the revival of the popularity of haiku in Japan. Notable for its romantic and urban flavour, and for bringing new elements into the tradition, her work has been received with great acclaim.

Just what exactly is a haiku? What is its place in modern Japanese society? Why not attend this special event to find out the answers to these questions and more? The presentation will be followed by a reception.

Registration prior to this event is essential.  Register by emailing haiku@ld.mofa.go.jp with your name, affiliation, email address and telephone number, quoting ‘JET AA’ in the subject line. The deadline for registrations is 28th January 2011.

JETWIT Tally

Nearly all of us had relatives and friends come and visit us in Japan. Some of us have brought student groups and organized other exchanges. All of this has provided tourism revenue for the Japanese economy. The goal of this project is to determine, at a minimum, the amount of tourism revenue for which JET is directly responsible.

This information is particularly important amidst ongoing discussions of costs associated with the JET Programme and the JET Alumni Association. Many of the short and long term benefits have simply not been factored in. So email visitors@jetwit.com with your responses and let’s make sure this info does get factored in to future discussions.

Here’s a simple way for every JET and JET alum to do their part to support the JET Programme and the JET Alumni Association:

  • Just fill out this simple Google Form or, if you prefer….
  • E-mail visitors@jetwit.com and tell us how many people you are personally responsible for causing to visit Japan (both during and since JET).
    Please make sure to include:

1.Number of tourists (e.g., Mom + Dad + two brothers = 4 people)
2.Total number of days they stayed in Japan (e.g., If Mom & Dad + two brothers each stayed for 10 days, that’s 40 total days of tourist travel)
3.Your name + position on JET (ALT/CIR/SEA)
4.Your Prefecture + city/town and years on JET (e.g., 2006-10) (this is vital info!)
5.Any comments, stories or additional info you want to share

Taiko Meantime’s 1-day Taiko workshops: Feb 5th, 6th and 19th

This year’s series of Winter Taiko workshops for beginners and improvers will be in Bentley, near Farnham, Surrey.

Beginners – Sat 5th Feb, Sun 6th Feb 2011

On 5th Feb we’ll be running a full-day introductory Taiko workshop for beginners. If you’ve ever wanted an exhilarating, fun and comprehensive introduction to Taiko drumming, this workshop is for you.

Improvers – Sat 19th Feb 2011

On 19th Feb, we’ll be running a full-day Taiko workshop for improvers – i.e. anyone who has some experience of Taiko and would like to refresh on the basics and build on their technique.

Both workshops will be held at the beautiful Bury Court Barn in Bentley, near Farnham in Surrey. This converted barn has the perfect acoustics for drumming, and is in an isolated position ensuring the focus needed for Taiko.

Just over one hour by train from London Waterloo.

Places are limited to 15 per workshop.

All details are on our website at www.taikomeantime.com.
Don’t miss out on any emails from JETAA UK – add londonevents@jetaa.org.uk to your address book or safe list.
You are registered on the JETAA UK website with the email address vanessa@japaneselondon.com. To unsubscribe, login to your account at www.jetaa.org.uk, click on “My Profile” and update the “Receive JETAA mailshots” field.

Jan 16

JETAA Chicago site posts link to JetWit

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Thanks to JETAA Chicago for including a link to JetWit on its “Resources” page:

http://www.chicago.jetalumni.net/resources/

And a request to other JETAA chapters to include a link to JetWit somewhere on your chapter websites.  (Feel free to use the JetWit mascot image as well.)

Here’s the list of other JETAA chapters that have included a link to JetWit so far:

Also, a reminder that all content on JetWit may be used by JETAA chapters and any other official JET-related organizations (e.g., AJET) on their websites, in their emails & newsletters, etc.  No permission necessary.  Just copy and paste.  (Or link.  Whatever makes your job easiest.)

Special thanks to Sam Lederer (Shizuoka-ken, 2005-07) for gathering the info.  If your chapter has a link to JetWit, e-mail sam [at] jetwit.com and let us know.


Jan 10

JETAA Chapter Beat 1.10.11

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Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.

JETAA New England

  • General Meeting – Thursday, January 13th, 6:00 at Reline in Harvard Square. Welcome the new president and discuss the future of NEJETAA.
  • Shinnenkai – Saturday, January 22nd. More details to follow.

JETAA UK

  • London Pub Night – Thursday, January 13th, 6:30 at Life. Practice your Japanese, see old friends and have some authentic Japanese cuisine at this month’s Pub Night in London.
  • JETAA Creative Entrepreneurs Salon – Friday, January 14th, 8:00 at Brick Lane. Check out this networking event for freelancers, business owners and entrepreneurs. Share your experiences and make new friends in the new year.

JETAA British Columbia

  • Pub Night – Friday, January 21st, 7:00 at Kingston Taphouse and Grille. Join JETAABC for the first pub night of 2011 with friends and alumni.

JETAA Northern California

  • Kabuki Club – Sunday, January 23rd, 2:00 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. This month’s selection will be the classic “Sukeroku: The Flower of Edo.” A casual Shinnenkai will follow the viewing at a nearby restaurant.

JETAA Florida

  • Tampa Subchapter Shinnenkai – January 23rd, 5:30 to 7:30 on West Sitios Street in Tampa. Celebrate the new year with friends, family and alumni.

JETAA Chicago

  • General Meeting – Monday, January 10th, 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in Chicago. Lend your voice to the future of JETAA Chicago at the first Executive Board meeting of the new year.
  • Shinnenkai – Saturday, January 15th at the JIC. Celebrate 2011 Japanese style, with food, friends, games and more. More details to follow.

JETAA D.C.

  • JBook Meeting – Monday, January 24th, 6:30 in the Adams Morgan/U Street Area. Jbook is back for the new year, with this month’s selection being “The Housekeeper and the Professor,” by Yoko Ogawa. The discussion will be followed by a screening of the film, so don’t miss it.

JETAA Southern California

  • JETAASC Retreat 2011 – Saturday, January 22nd, 9:00 to 3:00 in West Covina. Spend the day getting to know your fellow JET alumni, or catch up with old friends at this year’s retreat. Discuss the future of JETAASC and don’t forget to bring your favorite dish for everyone to share.

What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.


Jan 7

JETAA Northern California Rajio Taiso – TOMORROW!

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Hi everyone!

Just a reminder that we will be meeting at 11:00am tomorrow morning for some Rajio Taiso!

JETAANC is kicking off the new year with some good, ole Rajio Taiso! Back in August 2010 at the JETAA National Conference, delegates came up with the great idea of filming JET alumni around the world practicing the long time favorite, Rajio Taiso. This infamous Japanese calisthenics routine is performed daily and at special sporting events, like an undoukai! What a better way to show how JET alumni are still connected to Japanese culture! Who could forget that piano music and voice counting out each movement?

JETAA USA asked all chapters to film themselves doing rajio taiso in front of a landmark and we thought that having the Golden Gate Bridge and SF cityscape in the background would be perfect! So we’re headed to the Marin Headlands!

When: Saturday, January 8 from 11am-12pm
Where: Marin Headlands, Conzelman Road at Kirby Cove (map)

All are welcome to join! Even if you’re a little bit rusty, we will practice the routine a few times before filming, so come on out!

To get a better idea of what we’re doing, here’s the video that our friends at JETAA Portland made (http://www.facebook.com/l/c5af5k7y9RlwljjtpZ4o9Iq06xA;www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqGUsHusnWE).

See you there!

~Melissa Chan
JETAANC Media Coordinator
books@jetaanc.org


Dec 22

JETAA Chapter Beat 12.22.10

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Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.

JETAA Chicago

  • General Meeting – Monday, January 10th, 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in Chicago. Lend your voice to the future of JETAA Chicago at the first Executive Board meeting of the new year.
  • Shinnenkai – Saturday, January 15th at the JIC. Celebrate 2011 Japanese style, with food, friends, games and more. More details to follow.

JETAA Southern California

  • Shinnenkai – Sunday, January 9th, 11:00 at Gonpachi in Torrance. Join JETAASC in welcoming the new year over a festive Japanese lunch.
  • JETAASC Retreat 2011 – Saturday, January 22nd, 9:00 to 3:00 in West Covina. Spend the day getting to know your fellow JET alumni, or catch up with old friends at this year’s retreat. Discuss the future of JETAASC and don’t forget to bring your favorite dish for everyone to share.

JETAA Portland

  • J-Kaiwa – Friday, January 7th, 7:00 at Hawthorne Lucky Lab. Practice your Japanese or just get together with friends for a drink at Lucky Lab.

JETAA Pacific Northwest

  • Mochitsuki Volunteers Needed – PNWJETAA is looking for volunteers to make mochi on Wednesday, December 29th and Thursday, December 30th for the upcoming Mochitsuki, hosted by the Japanese Cultural and Community Center.

JETAA British Columbia

  • General Meeting and Shinnenkai – Friday, January 28th, 6:00 to 9:00 at the Downtown YMCA in Vancouver. Ring in the new year with JETAABC. More details to follow.

Happy Holidays from JETAA Chapter Beat!



Dec 21

JETAA DC Film Festival: How was it?

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On December 3 and December 5, JETAADC held its first ever JETAA DC Film Festival.  And they did it in style at the Freer Gallery of the Smithsonian Institute.  Here’s a write-up of the event courtesy of JETAADC.

In an attempt to increase awareness of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program and to showcase Japanese or Japan-related films to American audiences, the Japan Exchange and Teaching Alumni Association of Washington, DC (JETAADC) partnered with the Freer Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution to screen two films from December 3-5, Linda Linda Linda and The Harimaya Bridge.

On Friday, December 3, JETAADC showed Linda Linda Linda, a quirky comedy about a band of four girls and their rehearsals leading up to their talent show performance during school festival. Prior to the film, JETAADC Vice President Nick Harling provided some opening remarks, discussing the JET Program, JETAADC, and adding a bit of context to the film.  Approximately  130 people attended the show on December 3, and after the film, about 40 audience members congregated at a local bar to continue discussing the film and Japanese culture.

On Sunday, December 5, JETAADC and the Freer Gallery screened The Harimaya Bridge, written and directed by Aaron Woolfolk, a JET alum from Kochi-ken. The film follows an American man who must travel to rural Japan to claim some important items belonging to his late son, from whom he was estranged. While there, he learns several secrets his son left behind. Mr. Woolfolk attended the screening, which drew over 200 people from the greater DC metro area, including representatives from local media. After the film, Mr. Woolfolk responded to questions from the audience regarding his inspiration for the film, the process of making the film, and what it was like working in Japan, both as a teacher and a filmmaker. About 50% stayed for the Q & A.

Afterwards, Mr. Woolfolk said, “It was a special honor to have the film shown at the Smithsonian Institution, and I am especially grateful to JETAADC for playing a pivotal role in making that happen. Moreover, spending time with the DC alumni before and after the screening reminded me how very fortunate and proud I am to be a part of the JET community.”

JETAADC President Maurice Maloney added, “JETAADC was honored to have Aaron Woolfolk and The Harimaya Bridge as part of our film series. In two and a half hours at the Freer Gallery, the film, along with Aaron’s discussion, conveyed the JET experience to a broader audience than we could have reached in months.”

Maloney added, “In light of discussed budget cuts to the JET Programme and JET Alumni Associations across the globe, it is more important than ever for JET Alumni Associations to showcase the breadth of their alumni and the positive effects they have on their communities.”

Click “Read More” to see photos from the event, courtesy of JETAADC.

Read More


Dec 13

JETAA Chapter sites with JetWit Links

JETAA Chapters Comments Off on JETAA Chapter sites with JetWit Links

A.J. the JetWit Elephant

Just want to quickly thank the below chapters for including a link to JetWit on their sites.  Our goal is to have all JETAA Chapters to include a link to JetWit.  And if they want, also have an image of A.J., the JetWit mascot (who was created by web and graphic designer Zi Mei (Saitama-ken, 2002-05)  Click here to read about A.J.’s background and origins).

Also, a reminder that all content on JetWit may be used by JETAA chapters and any other official JET-related organizations (e.g., AJET) on their websites, in their emails & newsletters, etc.  No permission necessary.  Just copy and paste.  (Or link.  Whatever makes your job easiest.)

Special thanks to Sam Lederer (Shizuoka-ken, 2005-07) for gathering the info.  If your chapter has a link to JetWit, e-mail sam [at] jetwit.com and let us know.


Dec 7

Design the Nengajo New Year’s Postcard for JETAA Northern California

Contest, JETAA Chapters Comments Off on Design the Nengajo New Year’s Postcard for JETAA Northern California

Via JETAA Northern California:

JETAANC is looking for one of our talented alumni to design our 2011 Nengajo New Year’s postcard.

The card will be sent out to all of our members later this month, so alumni across two states will enjoy your work. Put your creativity to good use and add a piece to your portfolio!

Send your conceptual design in PDF format to communications [at] jetaanc.org by this Friday, December 10.

We will select a design this weekend and ask the designer to finalize it early next week for print.

Design in black & white for the front of a standard sized postcard.

2011 is the Year of the Rabbit, so make sure this lucky animal is the focus of your design!”


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