WIT Life #17: Coming of Age in an Insecure World
Japan Trends, Translating/Interpreting, WIT Life, Writers 
Comments Off on WIT Life #17: Coming of Age in an Insecure World
WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). In her recent posts, she’s been watching the news in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
Coming off the news that Toyota reported its first operating loss in 70 years, Japan’s other leading manufacturers are also falling victim to the high yen and global recession. Sony just announced that it will have its first profit loss in 14 years, despite the fact that it was in the black with profits of 200 billion yen in March of last year. For the business year through this March, it looks like Sony may post an operating loss of 100 billion yen ($1.1 billion). Toshiba also revealed that it will have its first operating loss in 7 years, due largely to slumping sales of its semiconductors.
However, in the midst of all this doom and gloom there was a bit of good cheer in Japan yesterday as nationwide more than 1.3 million 20-year olds celebrated Seijin no hi or Coming of Age Day. Seijinshiki (ceremonies) took place from Hokkaido to Okinawa, and this first generation of Heisei (1989~) seijin shared their hopes and fears with reporters. With a large percentage of college students, many expressed the desire to Read More
Sherif Afifi, a technical recruiter at Robert Half Technology, is looking for a resource that can translate a manual written in Japanese with technical specifications The manual is 600 pages, but he says he is not looking for a programmer or a developer, just the keen sense of understanding. Also the selected candidate will NOT be required to translate the whole manual , instead identify key chapters and better convey to the line manager what the document is aimed to present.
If interested, contact Sherif at sherif.afifi /atto/ rht /dotto/ com.
Via GaijinPot.com. I’ve never heard of this job fair myself, so if anyone has any perspectives or additional info, please feel free to add in the comment section. (The only Akiba I’m aware of, actually, is a rabbi who gets mentioned in the Passover hagadah.)
The first annual Akiba International Job Fair, presented by Vein Carry Japan Inc., will be held this year on February 28th in Umeda, Osaka and on March 7th in Akihabara, Tokyo.
http://www.gaijinpot.com/job_view.php?jid=23079
Japan Society presents Kazuko Shiraishi, the “Allen Ginsberg” of Japan, Friday, Jan. 30, 6:30pm
Books, Celebrity, Events, Translating/Interpreting, Uncategorized, Writers Comments Off on Japan Society presents Kazuko Shiraishi, the “Allen Ginsberg” of Japan, Friday, Jan. 30, 6:30pm
Interesting upcoming event at Japan Society in NYC:
JAPAN SOCIETY PRESENTS THE “ALLEN GINSBERG OF JAPAN,” WHO READS FROM NEW WORK, ACCOMPANIED BY LIVE JAZZ
My Floating Mother, City: An Evening with Kazuko Shiraishi
Friday, January 30, 2009, 6:30 pm at Japan Society
New York, NY – Japan Society presents an intimate evening with one of Japan’s foremost poets, Kazuko Shiraishi, in conjunction with the recent English-language collection of her poetry, My Floating Mother, City. Shiraishi, a pioneer in jazz-poetry collaboration, is joined by trumpeter Itaru Oki for a special live performance, and partakes in a discussion and Q&A moderated by Forrest Gander, author and Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Brown University. My Floating Mother, City: An Evening with Kazuko Shiraishi takes place Friday, January 30 at 6:30 pm and is followed by a reception. Read More
Conversation Partners – Japanese/English – NYC
Jobs, Translating/Interpreting Comments Off on Conversation Partners – Japanese/English – NYC
I just saw this on Craigslist NY Writing Jobs. I’ve become rather skeptical of a lot of Craigslist postings. Does anyone want to check it out and report back as to whether it’s actually legit? Just an fun project for a snowy day if you have time.
Conversational Partners (Japanese)
Reply to: gigs-987035626@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2009-01-09, 10:47PM EST
Two female college student’s looking for some people who are fluent in English and Japanese to speak with. Serious inquiries only.
- it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
- Compensation: Two great friends !
WIT Life #16: Home for the Holidays
Humor, Japan Trends, Translating/Interpreting, WIT Life, Writers Comments Off on WIT Life #16: Home for the Holidays
WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). In her recent posts, she’s been watching the news in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
Today’s news discussed Japanese travel trends during the New Year’s holiday, and it turns out that 2.87 million people passed through Tokyo’s domestic Haneda Airport during this time. Many were taking part in what’s called the u-turn rush, or the phenomenon of people returning to Tokyo and other big cities from their hometowns at the end of a holiday season. According to the survey, 84% were u-turning and 16% were coming back from places like Guam and South Korea where they could take advantage of the strong yen.
This piece did a check of what kind of omiyage people had received from their families. A young man from Okinawa had two large cheesecakes his mother had baked for him. A man from Kagoshima held Read More
Job: Write Subtitles in English for Adult Movies – P/T – (Tokyo)
Humor, Jobs, Translating/Interpreting Comments Off on Job: Write Subtitles in English for Adult Movies – P/T – (Tokyo)
Via Craigslist Tokyo. I’m posting this more for entertainment value than job search value.
Part Time Subtitle Editing for Adult Video Company (Tokyo)Reply to:
job-975368287@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-12-31, 11:03PM JT
Tokyo-based adult video production company seeking part time bilingual staff to add English subtitles to material orginally in Japanese.
Requirements:
– Any age
– Strong command of English and Japanese
– Over 20 years old
– Available for 4 hour shifts in central Tokyo (9:00-13:00 or 13:00-17:00)
– Some knowledge of material content a plus (knowledge of terminology very useful)
This is a translation job only. You will be adding English subtitles directly and a native English speaker will review material before completion.
- Location: Tokyo
- Compensation: 3,000yen an hour plus transportation
WITLife #14: Mooooooooo….
Japan Trends, Translating/Interpreting, WIT Life, Writers Comments Off on WITLife #14: Mooooooooo….
WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). In her recent posts, she’s been watching the news in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu! Welcome to the year of the cow. I hope it is a happy and healthy one for all! I received some electronic New Year’s greetings from friends in Japan, and the noise a cow makes in Japanese (「モー」) was often used as a dajare (pun) in the phrase: “Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.” Gotta love Japanese humor!
Social woes are already plaguing Japan in early 2009. During the end of the year a provisional “Toshikoshi Haken Mura” was set up in Hibiya Park for temporary employees who have become jobless/homeless due to premature cutting off of their contracts. This was a village where they could live over the holidays, and on the eve traditional toshikoshi soba (extra-long soba connecting the new year to the old) with mochi in it was served. One 40-year old recipient said that it was the first proper meal he had had in two weeks. When asked about his prospects for the new year, Read More
Translations agencies bad practices – LinkedIn group
Career, Translating/Interpreting Comments Off on Translations agencies bad practices – LinkedIn group
I just found out there’s actually a LinkedIn group called “Translations agencies bad practices.” A JET alum with whom I’m linked recently joined it, according to one of those LinkedIn updates you get that tells you who has done what recently.
In its own words:
“If you had or have non payment issues, or other bad experience, with a translation agency, use this group to tell us about, as it is useful information for all freelances in this sector.”
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1536857&trk=nus_grp
WITLife #13 – Emperors, Towers and More Nesting
Japan Trends, Translating/Interpreting, Uncategorized, WIT Life, Writers Comments Off on WITLife #13 – Emperors, Towers and More Nesting
WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). In her recent posts, she’s been watching the news in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
Today (already yesterday in Japan) celebrated the birthday of two of this country’s fixtures, the Emperor and Tokyo Tower. The former turned 75 and the latter 50, and both have been showing slight signs of aging.
In the customary palace visit open to the general public, Emperor Akihito apologized for causing people to worry regarding his health, as he is still fighting a cold. Because of this, many of the usual events surrounding his birthday will be canceled or postponed.
Tokyo Tower has recently undergone renovations such as a new elevator and new illumination, and author Lili Frank was on hand to offer greetings at its 50th anniversary party. He wrote the 2005 best seller Tokyo Tower, later made into drama and movie versions (which I liked so much that I’m now reading the book and enjoying it just as much).
*News of this year’s nesting phenomenon continues, and two trends regarding Christmas cakes are “mini” and “luxurious.” Mini cakes as small as 5-10 cm in diameter are wildly popular, as people would rather be able to try several different kinds instead of just one. On the other hand, high-end Christmas cake is also selling well. Whereas your typical strawberry shortcake goes for 500 yen, these luxury cakes are as much as 2,500 yen each.
As one consumer explained, “This is something I buy only once a year so I might as well go all out!”
Job: Translator Needed (Manhattan)
Jobs, Translating/Interpreting Comments Off on Job: Translator Needed (Manhattan)
Translator Needed (Manhattan)
Reply to: see below
Date: 2008-12-22, 4:32PM EST
Translator is needed to translate website in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese. Please contact Mr.O’Neal at Staffinstantly.com to schedule a interview. At 917-477-2813 between 9am to 12pm Monday thru Friday.
PostingID: 967378471
WITLife #12: Net Café Refugees and More Auto Protests
Career, Japan Trends, Translating/Interpreting, WIT Life, Writers Comments Off on WITLife #12: Net Café Refugees and More Auto Protests
WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). In her recent posts, she’s been watching the news in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
The phenomenon of “net café refugees” became a hot topic in Japan last year, when it was estimated by the Health Ministry that 5,400 people with no fixed addresses, mostly those in their 20s, slept at 24-hour Internet cafes for as little as 1,000-2,000 yen per night. These legendary facilities house small cubicles equipped with reclining chairs, computers and TVs, and many cafés allow free soft drink refills. Some even have showers.
In this dismal economy, usage of net cafés has been on the increase. A café profiled in this morning’s news said that it offers a rate of 59,520 yen per month for those staying longer than 30 days, and that out of its 58 rooms, 50 were occupied long-term.
One such resident who volunteered for an interview said that he had been there for over six months. After losing his real estate job two years ago when his company went bankrupt, he has been struggling to make ends meet as a day laborer. However, being 39 prevents him Read More
Job: Japanese interpretation (Houston, TX)
Jobs, Translating/Interpreting Comments Off on Job: Japanese interpretation (Houston, TX)
Japanese Interpreter (Houston)
Date: 2008-12-18, 11:15AM CST
Day Translations, Inc. www.daytranslations.com
We are searching for a professional Japanese interpreter to work with us on various projects and contracts. We need someone who is very familiar with the oil and business industries in order to interpret in person.
If you are interested and have experience interpreting, please call us at 1-800-969-6853 and email us at hr @ daytranslations. com and shopwood @ daytranslations. com
Please call as soon as possible.
Cordially,
Sean Patrick Hopwood
Job: Japanese Transcription/Translation
Jobs, Translating/Interpreting Comments Off on Job: Japanese Transcription/Translation
Japanese Transcription/ Translation
Reply to: gigs-964954712@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-12-20, 11:33AM EST
I have a dvd with 2 20 minute interviews in Japanese. I need them transcribed and translated to English in the next 2 weeks.
- it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
- Compensation: Negotiable but looking to pay $20-$25/ hour
PostingID: 964954712
WITLife #11 – Nesting with Osechi
Career, Japan Trends, Translating/Interpreting, WIT Life, Writers Comments Off on WITLife #11 – Nesting with Osechi
WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). In her recent posts, she’s been watching the news in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.
It looks like Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso will be getting a lump of coal in his stocking. The Cabinet approval rate is currently at 16.7%, down 22 points from last month, and the disapproval rate is up 30 points to 64.7%. Further probing into sources of dissatisfaction revealed that 40% had no hope in the government, 27.6% criticized its bad policy, 26.5% faulted its lack of leadership and 26.4% said it could not be trusted. In addition, in response to the question “Who is more suited to being a politician?” 23.9% picked Aso but 34.8% picked Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) leader Ichiro Ozawa.
As a result of the “New Year’s Nesting” phenomenon, expensive osechi are a hot item for Japanese department stores. Whereas in previous years osechi selling at 10,000 yen or more were popular, this year meals in the 30,000-50,000 range are the best sellers. A customer shopping for osechi said she had planned to go to Hawaii for the holidays, but with the high fuel surcharge could no longer afford it. After deciding to spend New Year’s at home, she will put her plane fare/trip money toward a deluxe osechi. I guess you could call this practical pampering? Another factor is that prices of fish and other osechi ingredients went up this month, so the one-stop shopping that osechi packages offer seems like a deal compared to having to purchase all the necessary items yourself.
