Job: Sushi Historian (Cambridge, MA)
Thanks to Therese Stephen (Iwate-ken, 1996-99), former Philly Subchapter Representative, for passing on this job posting from the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS) jobsite:
Company: River Bird Studios
Job Title: Sushi Historian
Job Description: Research and guide a historically accurate adventure story focusing on the early development of modern sushi, techniques, tools and ingredients to be told in a sequential monthly art strip. Candidates should be bilingual in English and Japanese.
How to Apply: Send an email to roho[at]aerealcity[dot]com with a brief description of your sushi related knowledge, and writing experience if any (not required).
Click here for job listing on NAJAS site.
J-News Mini-Roundup: The World Reacts to North Korea
J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com). Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese language learning options.
Background Earlier this year in April North Korea did two long range missile tests, aimed at the two bodies of water bordering Japan. Although North Korea claimed the rockets were designed to launch a satellite, these launches were widely condemned by the United Nations as acts of aggression. North Korea in response to the U.N.’s condemnation said it would start testing its nuclear facilities again and continue to do more long range missile tests. Yesterday North Korea put words into action by conducting a nuclear test. The Japanese newspapers this morning reported different world reactions to the North Korean nuclear testing.
Asahi “Korean Foreign Minister: 3-4 Times the Size of Hiroshima” In response to the nuclear testing conducted by North Korea, the Asahi reported that Korea has determined the blast was 3-4 times the size of the bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Yu Myonfan, the foreign minister, claimed this in an interview in front of the Korean cabinet. Although these numbers are alarming, the Asahi does point out that the Defense Minister, Lee Sanghi, claimed the day before that the blasts were not as big as the Hiroshima blast.
Why are the opinions differing between the Defense Minister and Foreign Minister? The Asahi offers this troubling thought: “According to scientists, both the defense and foreign ministers would have had a different perspective on the bomb blast. If they were in different parts of the country when the nuclear bomb went off, they would’ve felt a different earthquake-like wave.”
Nikkei “Russia: A Strict Resolution is Inevitable” The Nikkei reported the commentary by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
(Click HERE to read the rest of the post)
New JET Alum Co-Working Group in NYC
Are you a freelance translator or writer? Do you while away the days in solitary confinement while thinking it might be interesting to meet like minds, have someone to turn around and confirm a sentence with, or just add some more beating hearts to the room?
If so, then get in touch if you’re interested in being a part of the first ever JET alum co-working group in NYC. The goal behind this is to create a community of people who can share space, support, information, and experience. Timing could be every day, once a week or even once a month. It will depend on the level of response and interest.
Jobs: International Education Programs (Chronicle of Higher Ed)
Via the Chronicle of Higher Education’s international education programs job listings:
5/24/2009
5/22/2009
- New York University (New York) : International Student Advisors, Department of Student Life
5/20/2009
- Institute of International Education – D.C. (D.C.) : Program Development Coordinator
- Institute of International Education – D.C. (D.C.) : Program Officer – Eastern Europe
5/19/2009
- Washington and Jefferson College (Pennsylvania) : Director of Study Abroad and Off-Campus Programs
5/18/2009
- University of California at San Diego (California) : IGCC Director of Special Projects, Middle East Programs (Payroll title: Academic Coordinator)
Job:Loyola University Study Abroad Advisor (New Orleans)
Thanks to JET alum Carleen Ben for sharing the following job listing:
Job Description/ Responsibilities
1. Work with students
-Advise students on study abroad opportunities and the procedures involved to study abroad.
-Ensure compliance with best practices for study abroad.
-Develop and deliver study abroad information, orientation, including health and safety information, and re-entry sessions.
-Advise Returnee Network and inBUS, student organizations for returning study abroad students
-Maintain communication with study abroad students while abroad to notify of university deadlines, scholarship deadlines, and address issues regarding culture shock, health and safety, etc.
-Assist Director in work with returnees to evaluate programs, obtain feedback on programs and experiences for future students, ease transition and promote study abroad.
-Coordinate applications, interviews and selection of students for Loyola exchange programs.
-Help students with financial aid and scholarship applications, e.g. Freeman Asia, Gilman, Fulbright, NSEP, and IFSA Foundation and other study abroad scholarships.
-Serve as alternate emergency contact for summer programs.
-Monitor CDC and State Department Travel Warnings to ensure that students and faculty directors are aware of relevant information. Read More
Job: University of Vermont Scholarships Officer
Another job opportunity passed along by JET alum, Carleen Ben:
The job is posted on the UVM website at the following address–online applications only!!
https://www.uvmjobs.com/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1242851889250
Student Services Professional
-Advise students and coordinate logistical aspects of the application process for nationally competitive fellowships (such as Fulbright, Udall, Truman, and Rhodes).
-Research, organize, and disseminate information and assist in workshops and symposia regarding fellowship programs. Read More
Win Free Tix to a “Departures” Screening this Wednesday
Time Out New York is hosting a screening of the Academy Award Winner for Best Foreign Film, “Departures” this Wednesday in the East Village, and will also be giving out some free tickets. For more info visit their promotional page here.
Job: Tri-lingual president of Mexican subsidiary
Interesting job listing direct from Helen Godfrey, a JET alum in Houston who works for Interesse:
A large international company is seeking a President who can manage and oversee their Mexican subsidiary. Accounting background and excellent management skills are a must.
The ideal candidate is also fluent in English, Spanish, and Japanese.
If you are interested, please email your resume as a Word document attachment to helen[at]iiicareer[dot]com. Please reference “job#37618” in the subject.
Job: Development and Outreach Dept. Coordinator – Human Rights Watch (NYC)
JETAANY webmaster Lee-Sean Huang (Oita-ken 2003-06) shared this job opening at Human Rights Watch where he used to work. (Please do not send your resume to Lee-Sean.)
Full-Time Position Available: COORDINATOR
Development and Outreach Department (New York Office)
Deadline for applications: June 20, 2009
Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking a Coordinator of Development Operations to provide global operational and technical support to its Development & Outreach department.
Writing Opportunities: CLAIR-NY and JETAA NY Tweeter
WRITER NEEDED FOR JLGC NEWSLETTER The Japanese Local Goverment Center (JLGC, aka CLAIR-NY) is looking for someone to write a one page, 600 word article with pictures about JETAANY events. If you are knowledgable about JETAANY events and have a penchant for writing, this is the opportunity for you! Contact secretary [at] jetaany [dot] org for more details.
JETAANY Tweeter JETAANY is looking for an official “Tweeter” on Twitter. It’s a great way to get your name out there, especially on this newest marketing medium. If you are interested, contact Megan Miller at president[at]jetaany[dot]org.
J-News Mini-Roundup: Policy Reactions to the Swine Flu in Japan
J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com). Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese language learning options.
Background With the threat of the Swine Flu unabated in Japan, government agencies are going to great lengths to come up with forward-thinking policies to prevent an overall pandemic. Both on a local and national level Japan is rethinking its quarantine and treatment practices. Each newspaper reported a different policy being taken by taken by each level of government.
Asahi “The National Response: Split by Region” The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced its policy of a splitting the country by region if the flu is to spread further. According to the Ministry this policy would give them “room to maneuver” in their policy reactions per region. The regions suggested would be “Confirmed Region”, “Infected Region”, and “Unborn Region”. The unborn region is a region where no cases of the flu have yet been reported. The confirmed region is a region where cases of the flu have been reported, but only one by one, where the spread from person to person within that area has not yet occurred. The Infected Region is a region where it’s spreading from person to person. A statement from a ministry official said “we’re trying to revamp our policies this week as much as possible.”
Nikkei “New Policy for Small Hospitals” Within infected regions such as Kobe City, the Japanese government is looking into a policy …
(Click HERE to read the rest of the post)
***************************************************
WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). Recently she’s been watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
アラ還 (arakan) describes Japanese around 60 years of age, and it comes from (アラウンド還暦 or around kanreki). 還
暦 (kanreki) refers to one’s 60th birthday celebration. This buzzword is picking up on the previously popular アラフォー (ara fo-), coming from the phrase アラウンド40 (Around 40) which was also the title of a 2008 drama regarding this time of life. This phraseology can also be applied to other decades as well. For example, instead of disclosing my age I can simply reply that I am アラサー (ara sa- or around 30).
As you might expect, like baby boomers here in the States arakan are not taking aging lying down. A segment in this morning’s news featured Read More
J-News Mini-Roundup: The Clash of Cell Phones
J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com). Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese language learning options.
Background: For companies who produce consumer products in Japan there are two times a year they contemplate releasing their new product lines: summer and winter. This is because summer and winter are when the massive consumer base in Japan receives their biannual bonuses. Docomo has gotten a contract to produce a phone using the Google Android, while Softbank will be
producing the iphone. The newspapers ran headlines this morning about the preparation being done for the anticipated battle between Softbank and Docomo this summer, and which side is going to be triumphant.
Asahi: “Docomo Releases for the First Time a Google Cell Phone. Softbank Increases Animation…” This headline alone from Asahi makes it quite obvious which cell phone provider they support. Each paragraph in their article on the release of cell phones details the Docomo phone, and how it will utilize Google’s superior android technology, along with their “easy to use” email capability. Google’s also sold over 1 million of their smart phones, the Asahi adds, and Docomo’s president stated “This phone will make a big impact.”

The selling point for the Softbank phone, which the Asahi doesn’t mention until their last paragraph in the article, is the fact that it’s solar-powered. The Yomiuri elaborates.
Yomiuri: “Softbank Releases a Solar Powered Cell phone” Yomiuri doesn’t even mention Softbank’s rival…
(Click HERE to read the rest of the post)
Writing opportunity: Japan Now e-Newsletter
Just saw this posted on the Japan Intercultural Consulting group on LinkedIn:
Japan Now is currently seeking articles for publication. We would like brief articles about Japan, of around 600 words. We are particularly interested in cultural articles, but pieces about Japanese politics and economy (some specialized knowledge preferred) or Japan-US relations are welcome as well. If you have anything you would like to contribute, please contact us with your submissions–your article may be selected for publication in this nationwide online newsletter of the Embassy of Japan.
We are also looking for submissions about the Fulbright Memorial Fund (FMF) program or the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. If you are a participant within the last ten years in either of these programs and would like to write about your experiences, please contact us at the email address below.
Japan Now is a newsletter that serves anyone who is interested in Japan and its culture. Until 2005, we had been a printed nationwide newsletter of 10,000+ circulation, but we have recently converted to an online format, allowing quick access from readers all over the world. Our most recent issues, both printed and web-based, are online at: http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/JNindex.htm .
If you are interested in writing articles for any of the above categories, please contact the Japan Now staff at jnow[at]embjapan.org. Questions and requests for sample articles are welcome at this address, as well as direct submissions. If an article is selected for publication, we would like to pay a token honorarium (the amount will be decided according to the length and content of the piece). Creators retain copyright to their work.
J-News Mini-Roundup: Japan’s Panicked Reactions to Swine Flu
J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com). Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese language learning options.
Background: It’s been over a couple weeks since the first suspected case of Swine Flu appeared in Japan’s airport. Although internationally Japanese citizens have reacted swiftly to any threat of contamination, including flying employees home, evacuating to safer countries and sending out blast warning emails through embassy channels, domestically the fever of swine flu had not yet caught on. This past weekend the main newspapers were littered with headlines on reactions to the swine flu. The reported cases are both in Osaka and Hyogo prefecture. Government officials as high as the Prime Minister are making public commentary, while stories of schools closing and international conferences being cancelled are becoming common place.
Asahi “135 Reported Cases of Infection” Over half of the headlines on the Asahi this morning told of the penetration of Swine Flu into Japan and Japanese society. The headliner read “135 reported cases, not just young and old people but bankers, shop keepers…” As in New York City however, Japan’s also finding that the majority of cases are being reported from Junior and High schools both within Osaka and Hyogo prefecture. Students with infected classmates are finding their schools being shutdown. The Asahi tells of the banker, who was just “going about their daily job” when a reported older man came in to get money and possibly infected her. Or the convenience store worker, who had diligently been wearing a mask but still managed to contract the flu from one of his customers.
Nikkei “A National Policy Response is Necessary” While the Asahi reports about the already infected inhabitants and their schools and communities reactions, the Nikkei tells of how everyone else is preparing for the worst.