Jul 31

JETAA Chapter Beat for August 2016

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Ryan Hata (Tottori-Ken, 2014-Present) AJET National Council Director of Alumni Relations: Ryan is in his second year on the AJET National Council and first as the Director of Alumni Relations. He works alongside Rachel Brisson (AJET National Council Director of Alumni Resources ) and members of JETAA International (JETAA-I) to strengthen the relationship between former JETs, current JETs, and Japan. Ryan helps to keep you up to date with JETAA events around the world. If you have a specific event that you would like promote, please do not hesitate to contact him by email at ryan.hata@ajet.net or his Linkedin profile. 

August is notorious for numerous Obon Festivals throughout Japan and the world. See what type of JETAA events are going on around the world during the last month of summer.

1. JETAA Chicago

JETAA Chicago August Meeting

When: August 1st, 6:30 pm CDT
Where: Japanese Information Center Chicago-737 N Michigan Ave #1000, Chicago, IL 60611, USA

On Monday, August 1st, JETAA Chicago will have its monthly board meeting.

The meeting’s location will be at the Japanese Information Center downtown, so pencil the date in your diary. We will be reflecting on our outgoing JET initiative 2016, discussing upcoming events such as our much anticipated board game fundraiser and our Career Development Workshop. If you want to come and have your voice heard then you will be most welcome.

Plus there will be a nomikai afterwards.

Our meetings are open to any and all JET Alumni. Dinner is provided to all who attend. Let us know if you have any food allergies or avoidances.

Email info@jetaachicago.com with any questions or any items you would like to add to the agenda.

PC: JETAA Chicago’s Facebook Event Page

2. Texoma JETAA

Hurrah for Triviah! Houston JETAA Monthly Social

When: August 1st, 8 pm CDT
Where: Pimlico Irish Pub-810 Waugh Dr Ste 100, Houston, Texas 77019

Join us for Trivia in August! We will be at Pimlico Pub for trivia, starting around 8 PM.

Show up and hang out with Houston area JETAA members at this monthly event. Jessica will be attending for once, and there’s rumors that Dennis Li will as well.

Come one, come all!

NOTE: Since we had a non-drinker join us a couple of months ago, it’s come to our attention that monthly trivia night is looked upon by some as a “drinking event.” I’d note that while Pimlico is indeed a bar, they do sell non-alcoholic drinks and the group will certainly encourage non-drinkers to come and enjoy Trivia and time together with fellow JETAA members.

PC: Texoma JETAA’s Facebook Event Page

3. JETAA Canberra

August おしゃべりかい (Oshaberikai)

When: August 3rd, 6:30 pm AEST
Where: King O’Malley’s-131 City Walk, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601

Our August Oshaberikai and get together will be at King O’Malley’s, on Wednesday, 3 August from 6:30pm.

皆さん、できれば日本語でしゃべりましょう！( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ

If you can’t speak Japanese come along anyway, we all speak English too!

For those who haven’t been before here’s how it works: You only pay for what you eat/drink and JETAA Canberra provides the bar snacks.

The Castle room is towards the back of the pub. Turn left at the bar.

Where King O’Malley’s, “The Castle room” 131 City Walk, Canberra
Date Wednesday 3 August 2016
Time From 6:30pm

SPECIAL NOTE ON PARKING
As of 1 September 2015, paid parking has been introduced to the parking area on London Circuit on the eastern side of Northbourne Ave. There is a maximum fee of $5 if you park there after 5pm.

The London Circuit car park on the western side of Northbourne Avenue is still free after 5.30pm.

Canberra Centre has a flat fee of $2 for parking if you enter after 6pm on weeknights.

There is FREE parking within the Australian National University after 5pm on weeknights.

It is also possible to find free parking on Torrens, Lonsdale and Mort streets in Braddon.

PC: JETAA Canberra’s Facebook Event Page

4. JETAADC 

JET Talks Presents: Taiko Workshop with Mark H. Rooney

When: August 6th, 6-9 pm EDT
Where: Dance Exchange- 7117 Maple Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912 (About a 5 minute walk from Takoma Station on the Red Line)

Join JETAADC for a dynamic JET Talks workshop with JET alum Mark Rooney (Wakayama, 2000-2003), who will share the history and traditions of Japanese taiko drumming, along with his own experiences studying and practicing taiko in Japan. Through Mark’s instruction, participants will get hands-on experience learning the basics of taiko technique, practice of kumidaiko (ensemble drumming), awareness of ki (energy), and use of koe (voice).

PC: JETAADC.org

5. JETAA Wellington

NZIFF: The Red Turtle

When: August 7th, 1:45 pm NZST
Where: Embassy Theater-10 Kent Terrace, Mount Victoria, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

A couple of us are interested in seeing this movie and thought we could make it a JETAA +family+friends themed last minute event. I’ve e-mailed the box office to inquire about a group discount, but it might just boil down to each interested party buying their own tickets. I will update the situation by Friday at 12 noon. If we get the discount, we’ll need 20 attendees. So… who is interested?

PC: JETAA Wellington’s Facebook Event

6. JETAA NSW

‘Shaberanaito’ Japanese-speaking night!

When: August 10th, 6:30 pm AEST
Where: Daruma Japanese restaurant-8 Quay St, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia

Again, Shaberanaito on August 10 will be at Daruma Japanese restaurant in Haymarket, where winter-time calls for nabe (Japanese hot-pot), in addition to the other plentiful dishes. Join us for a relaxed dinner speaking Japanese.

The format will be the same as usual: shared dinner in mixed small groups. All levels are welcome….and the atmosphere is friendly…

Join members of AJS-NSW, and JET Alumni Association (JETAA) and feel free to bring other friends.

The price includes good Japanese food, with drinks on your own account. Remember from 6:30pm it is Japanese speaking ONLY!

Registrations are now open. Sign up online or use the form and send by email.

Please get in touch with us (AJS email) if you would like to donate a door prize.

PC: Yelp.com

7. JETAA Singapore

JETAA Singapore Photo Contest!

When: Photos accepted from July 25th-August 10th, 2016

In conjunction with the JET Programme 30th Anniversary Photo Contest, we are calling all photo-loving JETAA SG members to participate in the 2016 JETAA Singapore Photo Contest. Winning submissions will be printed and distributed in JETAA SG’s events as postcards.

• RULES

1. The photo theme should be either of the following:

「給食」：Kyushoku, school lunches
「教室」： Kyoushitsu, classrooms
「国際交流」：Kokusaikoryū, international relations
「祭り」：Matsuri, Japanese festivals

2. Only submit photos that you’ve taken and have the right to share

3. Photographs featuring the faces of people are not acceptable.

4. All submitted photos must have been taken in Japan.

5. Each entrant may submit up to 2 photo entries for each theme.

6. Each image must be in JPEG format with a resolution of at least 1600×1200 pixels.

7. Each image should not be bigger than 10MB.

• Entry method:

Send your photos to publicrelationsjetaasingapore@gmail.com

Please indicate your:
– Full name (For winners, please note that your name will be published on the postcards)
– Your year and placement
– A title for each photo, where and when

This contest in eligible to all JETAA SG members.
Contest entry period: July 25 (Mon), 2016 ~ August 10 (Wed), 2016

General consent: By submitting your entry, you give JETAA SG permission to publish your photos and the information you provided on the Facebook page and other related social media channels. You also give JETAA SG permission to use your entry as a photo motif for the JETAA SG postcards.

PC: jetaainternational.org

8. Heartland JETAA

HJETAA JET Returnee Social (unofficial)

When: August 12th-August 13th 6:30 pm-9:30 pm CDT
Where: Tapcade-1701 McGee St, Ste 200, Kansas City, Missouri 64108

Let’s meet the JET returnees over drinks and 80s/90s arcade games!

JET Returnees! Come meet the alumni! We’re an awesome community that wants to hear about your stories! We want to hear about your plans? Not sure what to do about grad school or a job? We’ve got members from all over walks of life that want to help you out.

Never been to Tapcade? $5 gets you unlimited arcade games. Drink menu on the website below. Parking is free on the streets.

http://www.tapcadekc.com/

*Not official JET-supported event.

** There are way more than 4 arcade games than pictured above. They’re behind the picture’s view.

PC: HJETAA’s Facebook event page

9. JETAA Queensland

JETAA Annual Triva Event

When: August 13th, 2 pm AEST
Where: ‘Hidden Windows’ room-The Catchment Brewing Company- 150 Boundary Street, West End

Open to members and non-members of JETAA, this annual trivia event is a fantastic chance for you to catch up with ex-JETs or find out about the JET programme!

Hello members and friends!

PC: onozomi.com

Jul 24

WIT Life #304: JAPAN CUTS 2016 comes to a close

Translating/Interpreting, Uncategorized, WIT Life, Writers Comments Off on WIT Life #304: JAPAN CUTS 2016 comes to a close

WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.

This weekend marks the end of the 2016 JAPAN CUTS film festival.  Due to a business trip midway through I wasn’t around as much as I would have liked, but I was able to attend the beginning and end to see some fantastic films.

Last night featured Tatsuya Mori’s FAKE, which looks at the 2014 controversy surrounding self-taught classical composer Mamoru Samuragochi.  At that time, he was exposed by part-time university lecturer Takashi Niigaki as a fake.  Niigaki claimed that Samuragochi could hear despite claims that he was deaf, and that because he didn’t know how to notate music Niigaki had been his ghostwriter during their 18-year tenure working together.

Within the media circus that emerges, Mori takes a closer look by spending time with Samuragochi, his wife and their photogenic cat at their Yokohama apartment.  Although this serves as the film’s prime location, the viewer does not feel confined but instead drawn in to this he said/he said tale where true and false are not easily delineated.

At the post-screening Q&A, Mori stated his disdain for simple black and white explanations, and offered his view that there can be 100 versions of the truth.  He makes this stance very clear with the final shot of the film (which follows the credits so stick around until the very end when you watch it!), which closes with an open-ended question that is left unanswered.

Tonight I’ll be going to see the very last film of the festival, The Actor.  Hate to see it end but already looking forward to next year!

Jun 30

JETAA Chapter Beat for July 2016

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Ryan Hata (Tottori-Ken, 2014-Present) AJET National Council Director of Alumni Relations: Ryan is in his second year on the AJET National Council and first as the Director of Alumni Relations. He works alongside Rachel Brisson (AJET National Council Director of Alumni Resources ) and members of JETAA International (JETAA-I) to strengthen the relationship between former JETs, current JETs, and Japan. Ryan helps to keep you up to date with JETAA events around the world. If you have a specific event that you would like promote, please do not hesitate to contact him by email at ryan.hata@ajet.net or his Linkedin profile. 

In many parts of Japan, July=rainy season. However, in other parts of the northern hemisphere there is pristine weather for outdoor events such as picnics and hiking. Unfortunately, it’s a bit cooler for our friends in the southern hemisphere. For more information on what events are being held across the JETAA community, continue reading on.

1. JETAAUK

Pre-departure Meetup

When: July 2nd, afternoon
Where: Nottingham

The JETAA Pre-Departure Meetups organised by the JET Alumni Association of the UK are separate and very different from the one run by the Embassy of Japan. They are optional and meant to facilitate discussion on (almost) any aspect of the JET experience: from preparation and expectations, issues you may encounter, making the most of the experience, being family of a JET, and the options available to you after JET (like JETAA!).

They are casual meetups, usually over food/drink. Everything discussed is held privately within the JET alumni family. So please come to any/all of these events.

(Photo credit yuppee.com)

2. JETAA NSW

JETAA NSW 2016 JET Pre-departure orientation

When: July 2nd, 3 pm-4 pm AEST
Where: Sydney 

~ Call for past JETs to share their experiences ~

It’s that time of year again, and 2016’s new JETs will be leaving next month from Sydney. With this in mind, we invite past JETs to share their knowledge and experience (particularly recent experience from the last 2-3 years) with our JETlings, at our Pre-departure Orientation. It’s a great way to get involved and give back to the Programme! Our event will be Saturday, 2 July (yep, election day) from 3 pm or 4 pm onwards.

If you’d like to help, please email us at info@jetaansw.org

3. JETAA Ottawa

Sempai-Kohai Pub Night

When: July 3rd, 4:15 EDT
Where: Earl of Sussex-431 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9M6

Description: Meet the newest crop of bright-eyed and bushy-tailed outgoing JETs and pass on some of your hard-earned sempai wisdom about life and teaching in Japan. The JETs will be heading to the pub after the end of two-day pre-departure orientation and we’ll be staying as long as people want to stay! One of our most popular events of the year and a really useful get together for nervous JETs. Please don’t miss it! RSVP to events@jetaaottawa.ca so we reserve enough space for everyone.

*Event image from Deviant Art – One Piece Kampai

4. JETAA Singapore

海の日 Beach Clean-up

When: July 6th, 9:30 am- 12 pm SGT
Where: Meet at Pasir Ris MRT, move to Pasir Ris Park

18 July is 海の日, Marine Day in Japan. To commemorate the importance of the ocean to our tiny island of Singapore, JETAA Sg will be holding a Beach Clean-Up activity at Pasir Ris Beach! Join us for to do your part for the environment. Friends and family are welcomed too!

Date: 6 Jul, Wed (Public Holiday)
Meeting time: 9:30am at Pasir Ris MRT

Programme:
9:30am Meet at Pasir Ris MRT, move to Pasir Ris Park
10:00am: Briefing
10:10 – 11:30 am: Beach Clean-up
11:30am: Debrief
11:45am: End of activity / Lunch at 5 Drunken Rabbits (*Lunch is not provided for by JETAA)

Things to note:
– Please wear comfortable footwear and attire.
– Please bring sufficient drinking water.
– In the event of rain or PSI >100, the event will be cancelled. You will be informed via SMS by 8:00am.

Please note that there is a limit on the number of participants, so do sign up early! Thank you and see yaaa!

(Photo credit snakku.com)

5. JETAANC

San Francisco Networking Nomikai

When: July 7th, 6 pm-7:30 pm PST
Where: Crystal Jade San Francisco-4 Embarcadero Ctr, Ste 1, San Francisco, California 94111

Join alumni and friends at our San Francisco Networking Nomikai (happy hour)! Crystal Jade has great happy hour specials and if it’s nice out come find us on the back terrace with beautiful views of the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge!

Come out, make new friends, and catch up with old ones. This is a great chance to do some networking in a fun, casual setting. Everyone is welcome!

Look for alumni with red JETAANC lanyards. Or print out this mini JETAANC table sign so people can find you! Just fold in half and then fold the bottom of each side into a base to make a standing “triangle”:
http://bit.ly/Xedg5s

JETAANC’s SF Networking Nomikais are held on the first Thursday of every month, so mark your calendar!

**Please drink responsibly.**

6. JETAA Wellington 

Drinks and Karaoke Catch-up

When: July 8th, 7 pm NZST
Where: Fork and Brewer-20A Bond Street, Wellington, New Zealand 6011

It’s been a while since JETAA Wellington has caught up, so how about we do that? Come out for some nibbles, some social drinks, and maybe even some karaoke to remind you of the times in Japan that you once had…

At the moment the proposal is this: we catch up at a bar (possibly Fork and Brewer on Bond Street), chat a bit and have some drinks, and then if we’re in the mood we can head to karaoke at somewhere like K-Zone. I’m open to ideas, and we can change things up depending on what’s popular.

Feel free to bring along anyone and everyone that might be interested – the more the merrier. Hope to hear from some of you soon!

7. JETAA Canberra

Trivia Night Fundraiser 

When: July 9th, 6:30 pm AEST
Where: St Peter’s Church Hall, Watling Place, Weston

It’s time again for our annual Trivia Night and on Saturday 9 July we will be fundraising for the Tohoku Youth Program. The Program is organised by our friends at The Australia-Japan Society (ACT) and aims to help, in some small way, the young Japanese who lost their parents in the disastrous earthquake and tsunami on 11th March 2011. All money raised on the night will be donated to the Tohoku Youth Program.

Our comperes for the night will be the inimitable Parker Brothers, Keith and Ken, and the questions will be a mix of Japan and Australia focused, so everyone will have a chance. All are welcome and we have arranged some great prizes direct from Japan, and have full range of side games and entertainment planned.

Where: St Peter’s Church Hall, Watling Place, Weston Creek
Date: Saturday 9 July 2016
Time: Doors open at 6:30pm and trivia starts at 7pm (sharp!)
Price: Entry by donation ($15 minimum). Please bring along plenty of gold coins for games and challenges
RSVP: Spaces are limited so get in early to avoid disappointment. Book a table of 8 or let us know that you’re happy to join a table on the night by emailing social.coordinator@jetaacanberra.org (special prize from Japan for the first 20 to register)
Food & Drink (BYO): Feel free to bring along dinner or order a pizza delivery on the night. Japanese snacks, and soft drinks, will be available for purchase. We ask that attendees bringing along alcoholic drinks make a $5 ‘corkage’ donation for use of the fridge

8. JETAA NOLA

Summer Taikai

When: July 9th, 7:30/8:30 pm- 10 pm CDT
Where: Sector 6 – 612 Distributors Row, New Orleans, LA 70123

Summertime in Louisiana calls for more indoor activities which is why Sector 6 is the perfect place to stay indoors and catch some air. Other than the signature large trampolines, Sector 6 includes a range of features like the rope forest, monkey bridge, tire swings and the FOAM PIT OF DEATH! Note: At 9:00 pm the venue becomes 15+. Please let us know if you will be bringing any children under 15 years of age to the event.

What: Summer Taikai at Sector6 Extreme Air Sports
When: Saturday, July 9th 2016
Time: 7:30 pm*/8:30 pm – 10:00 pm (we will have a 7:30* start if JETAA members bring children under 15 years of age)
Cost: $5.00 (PayPal link will be sent after you RSVP)
Where: Sector 6 – 612 Distributors Row, New Orleans, LA 70123
Who: JET Alumni and immediate family members
RSVP (Mandatory): http://jetaanola.weebly.com/jetaa-events.html

(Photo credit roadtrippers.com)

9. JETAASC

Beach Party and Potluck

When: July 9th, 2:30 pm PST
Where: Dockweiler Beach (https://goo.gl/maps/ioK7CetU42K2)

Every year, we gather to do a barbecue/picnic in a park. This year, we’ve changed it up and decided to do something distinictively Californian. Please join us for a potluck and a fun day at the (Dockweiler) beach.

We’ll stay until everyone wants to go home or until we finish with the bonfire.

Since it is a potluck, please post what you are bringing on the wall.

10. Florida JETAA

2016 Tanabata Hot Pot Party

When: July 10th, 2 pm EST
Where: Lemongrass Hot Pot-21073 Powerline Rd, Boca Raton, Florida 33433

It’s that time of year again – Tanabata’s just around the corner, which means it’s time for the FL-JETAA Tanabata party!

The Tanabata party in South Florida has been a yearly event for some time now. In the past, it was held potluck style, and members were encouraged to dress in Yukata. Last year, Bahia (FL-JETAA President) hosted it at her house, and we were able to tie some wishes to the bamboo trees she had in her yard.

This year, we unfortunately will not be able to have the potluck at someone’s house due to various circumstances. Since it’s too hot for a picnic, we’ve decided to have a Tanabata Hot Pot Party! The location is Lemongrass Hot Pot in Boca Raton. The price is about $33.00 for an all-you-can-eat array of ingredients that you can cook at your table!

Unfortunately, we will have limited space for this event. Only the first 16 people to respond will be able to join. If you would like to come, please RSVP to me as soon as possible (Private Message me!).

And remember to come in your Yukata!

Location: Lemongrass Hot Pot
21073 Powerline Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33433
Date: Sunday, July 10, 2016
Time: 2:00 P.M.
Cost: $33.00 (CASH ONLY)

11. JETAA Portland

Sayonara BBQ

Join JETAA Portland for a BBQ as we say “sayonara” to the new JETs as they leave for Japan!

When: Sunday, July 10th
Time: 12pm – 3pm
Where: Overlook Park, Picnic Area A (1599 N Fremont St. Portland)

Please bring a side dish, dessert, or snack to share with everyone. JETAA will provide the main dishes for meat lovers and vegetarians alike!

Parents, family, and friends of JETs are all welcome to attend!

For questions and to RSVP for this event, please contact Matt Turner.
Email: matthew.turner@se.mofa.go.jp
Phone: (503) 740-4250

12. JETAA DC

JASWDC + JETAA DC Izakaya Pub Quiz

When: July 12th, 6 pm EST
Where:  Pasara Thai (1219 Connecticut Ave, NW) (Nearest Metro:DuPont Circle | Red Line)

JASWDC and JETAADC are excited to host this year’s Summer Izakaya Pub Quiz with a Japanese spin. Test your knowledge of American and Japanese trivia! Teams  of  four  players  answer  various  questions  related  to  Japan  and  America.    Questions  will  be  read  either  in English or Japanese. But don’t worry; we will assign everybody into teams to level the playing field by spreading out  Japanese  speakers.  You  can  also  register  as  a  team  of  four  (make sure  you  have  someone  who’s fluent/advanced  in  Japanese!).

The  highest  scoring  teams  will  win  prizes!

Past  categories  include  language, Okinawan and Hawaiian history, music, Ghibli and Disney movies, and more!

Register online at www.jaswdc.org by July 6, 2016. Refunds will not be given to cancellations after this date or to no shows. We do not accept applications on the day of the event.

If you have any questions, please call JASWDC at (202) 833-2210 or email info@jaswdc.org

(Image from kyllopattana.com)

13. JETAAUK

Pre-departure Meetup

When: July 16th, (late morning after JET orientation)
Where: London

The JETAA Pre-Departure Meetups organised by the JET Alumni Association of the UK are separate and very different from the one run by the Embassy of Japan. They are optional and meant to facilitate discussion on (almost) any aspect of the JET experience: from preparation and expectations, issues you may encounter, making the most of the experience, being family of a JET, and the options available to you after JET (like JETAA!).

They are casual meetups, usually over food/drink. Everything discussed is held privately within the JET alumni family. So please come to any/all of these events.

(Image from londonplacestoeat.com)

14. JETAA Auckland

JETAA NZIFF Film 2016

When: July 16th, 11 am NZST
Where: Civic Theater-Corner Queen Street & Wellesley Street Auckland, New Zealand 1010

This year’s JETAA Auckland New Zealand International Film Festival Japanese film selection is 海よりもまだ深く < umi yorimo fukaku> – After the Storm.

By well renowned Director Kore-eda Hirokazu <Like Father, Like Son NZIFF13> and featuring some well-known faces in this beautiful slice-of-life Japanese drama – this Cannes entry is one to see, so come see it with us~

Movie is at 1pm at the Civic, JETAA is putting on a pre-screening meetup from 11am involving food! – more details to come :)

Tickets are at the Group Booking discount of $15 – invite your friends, meet other former JETs and Yets (not yet, but almost off on JET!) and other Japanofiles!

When: Sat, 16th July
Time: 11am (1pm Movie)
Place: Civic – another venue TBC
Cost: $15 (discounted from the full price ticket price of $18.50!)
Why?: It’s Film Festival time!

###################################################
Tickets to be prepurchased to be secured.
RSVP to shelleymai@gmail.com or by texting 0210436056
for payment options and for more details
###################################################

Other Japanese films advertised are the famous 1953 classic Tokyo Story, The epic 5hr Happy Hour and the Japan wrestling scene Doglegs – go check them out!

15. Music City JETAA

New-JET Send Off

When: July 28th, Time TBD
Where: TBD

On Thursday, July 28th, JETAA will host an informal happy hour for outgoing JETs and their families on the eve of their July 30th departure for Japan. Join us to send the 2016 Cohort off in style. More information will be forthcoming on the JETAA FB Page.

16. JETAANY

JETAANY 2016 Summer Retreat

When: July 30th-July 31st 9 am-6 pm EDT
Where: Taconic Outdoor Education Center-75 Mountain Laurel Ln, Cold Spring, New York 10516

Bring yourselves. Bring your friends. Bring your kids. There’s something for everyone at the first-ever JETAANY Summer Retreat!

Activities, overnight lodging and all meals (lunch & dinner on Saturday and breakfast & lunch on Sunday) will be provided. We will be staying in 8-10 person cabins with shared bathrooms. Bus transportation (at an extra cost) can be provided if there is enough interest.

Activities include:
Hiking
Boating
Picnicking
Low Ropes Course
Campfire
Sports and Games
…and much more.

Costs:
Program Fee (with lodging): $102.50/person
Program Fee (without lodging – one day only): $51.50/person
Transportation: $10-20 each way, only if enough interest (Departing Saturday morning from NYC; Departing Sunday late afternoon from Taconic Outdoor Education Center) – Please email Amber at amberliang[at]jetaany.org by May 30th, if you are interested in transportation so we have enough time to organize.

Spaces are limited so please register if you want to secure your spot. Registration isn’t complete until you complete your payment using the Paypal button below the registration form. Registration closes on July 6th.

Jun 29

Suzanne Kamata is a Finalist for the Half the World Global Literati Award

Books, LifeAfterJET, Travel/Tourism, Uncategorized, Writers Comments Off on Suzanne Kamata is a Finalist for the Half the World Global Literati Award

Author/advocate Suzanne Kamata’s (Tokushima, ’88-’90) unpublished memoir Squeaky Wheels: Travels with my Daughter by Plane, Train, Boat, Tuk-tuk, Metro and Wheelchair has been named a finalist for the initial  Half the World Global Literati Award.

Sponsored by Half the World Holdings, a woman-focused investment platform, this award intends to recognize an original story, screenplay, memoir, or novel featuring one or more female protagonists as the central character, and offering “a fresh perspective on the challenges and joys of women’s lives.”

According to research by Nicola Griffith, most major literary prizes over the past fifteen years have been awarded to works that did not have a woman at the heart of the story. This award will attempt to balance the equation. An international panel will determine the winner of the $US50,000 prize, however, anyone can vote for the People’s Choice Award until July 23. Here’s a link.

Here is a brief synopsis of Squeaky Wheels:

My thirteen-year-old daughter Lilia can’t walk, but she wants to travel the world. Born fourteen weeks premature, Lilia is deaf and affected by cerebral palsy. Her primary language is Japanese Sign Language, and she uses a wheelchair to get around. At the Tokushima School for the Deaf, Tokushima, Japan, which she has attended in one capacity or another since she was about two years old, she is on the special ed track, which doesn’t include English and social studies. Even so, she is wildly curious about other countries and interested in learning her mother’s native tongue. When she told me that she wanted to go to Paris, I vowed to find a way even though I didn’t have a full-time job. In SQUEAKY WHEELS, I write about my effort to open up the world at large to my daughter as her own world seems to be shrinking. As she becomes heavier and less portable in this country short of wheelchair ramps, her accessibility has decreased. However, we attempt to confront and overcome at least some of the challenges of traveling with a wheelchair. Among other things, I write about our mother-daughter trips to the art island of Naoshima in Japan’s inland sea where we sleep in a museum; to Paris – including our arguments about what to pack and what to wear, Lilia’s response to the art and food and sights of the city, accessibility to the Eiffel Tower; and to the United States where we explore the caves of Tennessee and the monuments of Washington, DC. At the same time, I struggle to overcome my fears for the future and revise my hopes and dreams for my daughter

Jun 9

WIT Life #302: New York Japan Cinefest

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WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.

Last week I had a chance to check out the 5th annual New York Japan Cinefest, whose mission is to introduce Japanese themed films and discover new talent in filmmaking.  In the past I have attended this festival hosted at Asia Society and always loved it, and this year too did not disappoint.  I made it to the first night of this two night event, which showcased six short films varying in length from 5 to 40 minutes.

I was most looking forward to the final film A Beautiful Person, as it was the newest work from the Kumamoto-born director Isao Yukisada and featured a cast exclusively from Kumamoto (with an appearance from the ubiquitous Kumamon!).  I had to laugh once they started speaking as the dialogue was in heavy Kumamoto dialect, adding to the film’s authenticity.  The story didn’t captivate me as much as I had hoped it would, but it was like a time capsule as it had been filmed pre-earthquake.  Especially after recently going back to Kumamoto and witnessing the horrible damage the castle has undergone, it was really special to see Read More

Jun 1

JETAA Chapter Beat June 1st, 2016

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Ryan Hata (Tottori-Ken, 2014-Present) AJET National Council Director of Alumni Relations: Ryan is in his second year on the AJET National Council and first as the Director of Alumni Relations. He works alongside Rachel Brisson (AJET National Council Director of Alumni Resources ) and members of JETAA International (JETAA-I) to strengthen the relationship between former JETs, current JETs, and Japan. Ryan helps to keep you up to date with JETAA events around the world. If you have a specific event that you would like promote, please do not hesitate to contact him by email at ryan.hata@ajet.net or his Linkedin profile. 

June marks the official start of summer and with it, many new JETs anxiously awaiting more information about coming to Japan in either July or August. In addition to regular JETAA community events, this chapter beat will feature the first batch of pre-departure orientations/events where many JETAA chapters are looking for volunteers to help usher in the new JETs of 2016.

Regular JETAA Community Events

1. JETAA NOLA

JETAA NOLA First Wednesday – NOLA Brewery + McClure’s BBQ

When: June 1st, 6:30-8:30 pm (CDT)
Where: NOLA Brewing – 3001 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, Louisiana 70115

The city’s best beer and barbecue, all in one place? You’re not going to want to miss this one. JETAA NOLA First Wednesday is heading to the NOLA Brewing tap room for cool brews and outstanding BBQ from McClure’s. As always, Friends of JET and anyone with an interest in Japan is welcome to join. Come for the whole evening or just pop in to say “Hi”. See you there!

2. JETAA Rocky Mountain

Casual Career Advice Meet-Up

When: June 1st, 7 pm (MDT)
Where: Coffee at The Point – 710 E 26th Ave, Denver, Colorado 80205

So you lived in Japan, huh? And what did you do? We all have that experience in common. Now let’s work together as we look at the present and to the future while translating our time in Japan into marketable skills. Network, peer review resumes, contribute! In addition to the experience and expertise of those attending (yes, me and you!) we will also have two special guests- Catherine Rackley and Mariko Watanabe. See you there! And don’t forget your resume and business cards!

3. JETAA NSW

JETAA Trivia Night and Kumamoto Earthquake Fundraiser

When: June 2nd, 6:30-9 pm (AEST)
Where: AB Hotel – 225 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, NSW 2037, Australia

May 20

Job: General Affairs Staff – Consulate General of Japan (New York City, USA)

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Posted by Sydney Sparrow, an ALT currently living in Toyota City. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

Position: General Affairs Staff
Posted by: Consulate General of Japan
Location: New York City, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Consulate General of Japan is currently seeking an employee for the General Affairs Staff. If you are interested, please send us your resume (English or Japanese) via E-mail or postal service. Work consists of assisting with consular duties including but not limited to reception duties and corresponding/negotiation work with vendors.

Starting Month: July 2016

Basic Work Hours: Monday through Friday 9:15-17:45.

Salary: Will be determined under Consulate regulations.

Qualifications:

• Must be an American Citizen or Green card holder.
• Fluent in both Japanese and English.
• Must be proficient with Word, Excel and other PC related work.

May 20

Job: Kindergarten English Teacher – Nishida Gakuen (Hiroshima, Japan)

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Posted by Sydney Sparrow, an ALT currently living in Toyota City. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

Position: Kindergarten English Teacher
Posted by: Nishida Gakuen
Location: Hiroshima, Japan
Contract: Full-Time

Nishida Gakuen is a small, friendly Japanese kindergarten in Mihara, Hiroshima which offers English classes during and after regular school hours. We’re currently looking for an enthusiastic English teacher for our school! It’s a great position for JETs alumni hoping to stay in Japan and explore teaching on their own. The kindergarten’s website may be found here (Japanese only): http://www.nishida.ed.jp/

Responsibilities:

• Instruct daily kindergarten English classes (15 – 20 minutes each) to the kindergarten’s three, four and five year old students
• Teach after school English classes (50 minutes each with 10 minutes of break in between classes) to students ages three to fifteen in the Pacific Language School style (training provided)
• Participate in all school events (sports day, end of year recital, graduation, etc). If the event is scheduled on a weekend, the teacher will be given a day off in lieu during the following week or another convenient date.
• Plan and conduct two holiday craft classes (Halloween & Christmas) as well as decorate the English classroom

Read More

Apr 22

WIT Life #300: Kumamoto earthquakes

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WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.

Over a week has passed since the earthquakes down in Kyushu, and things have settled down somewhat but it is still a very scary situation. I spent my time on JET in Kumamoto, so this unexpected disaster was especially hard-hitting. I have a business trip to Tokyo next month, so I’m planning to go down to Kyushu during that time to help out with recovery efforts. It’s hard to be so far away and not be able to do much, but at this point due to the instability the best way to help seems to be donations.

In that vein, here are links to two organizations that are currently accepting contributions. The first is a fund created by the Japanese American Association of NY (JAA, hosting its Sakura Matsuri from 11 am-1 pm at Flushing Meadows Park tomorrow!) devoted exclusively to Kyushu Earthquake Relief (www.jaany.org), and the second is Japan Society’s general Earthquake Relief Fund (www.japansociety.org/page/earthquake).

Finally, here’s the song Kumamoto produced by NY-based jazz pianist Senri Oe and featuring Mamiko Taira on vocals. He wrote this haunting tune right after the disaster as a way to deal with his feelings of helplessness. He describes this music as his own way of providing relief goods, as unlike other supplies a song won’t spoil nor can there be too much or too little of it. It might be just what some people are looking for, and can be accessed by anyone via the Internet. In the spirit of the potential solace it offers, enjoy.

Apr 8

JETAA Chapter Beat April 8th, 2016

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Ashlie O’Neill (Hyogo-Ken, 2013-Present) AJET National Council Vice Chair and Director of Alumni Relations. Ashlie is in her second year on the AJET National Council as the Director of Alumni Relations. She works alongside Ryan Hata (National AJET Director of Alumni Resources ) and members of JETAA to strengthen the relationship between former JETs, current JETs and Japan. Please feel free to contact her email at ashlie.oneill@ajet.net or her Linkedin profile. Ashlie helps to keep you up up to date with JETAA happenings around the world.

April showers are supposed to bring May flowers. But in Japan, many sakura are already in bloom. In addition to the warmer weather, there are numerous events going on throughout the JETAA communities. Read on to find out what types of JETAA events are going on all over the world!

1. JETAA Portland

Iron Chef 2016: JETAA Portland’s 14th Annual Cooking Competition!

When: April 9th, 12 pm-4 pm
Where: Gloria Adeboi’s home in NE Portland, RSVP for directions

Come test out your new recipes in JETAA Portland’s 14th annual Iron Chef event. There are three different categories: 1. Side Dish 2. Main Dish 3. Dessert. Prizes will be awarded to the 1^st and 2^nd place winners in each category. RSVP here by April 7^th with the dish you plan on bringing.

2. Music City and Bluegrass JETAA

Volunteer at the Cherry Blossom Festival

When: April 9th, 9 am-5 pm
Where: 1 Public Square, Nashville, TN 37201

Help by manning the Music City and Bluegrass JETAA tent in addition to spreading the word about the JET Program. Free parking and a shuttle service will be available at Nissan Stadium Parking Lot A from 8 am to 5 pm. RSVP by sending a Facebook message to the Music City JETAA page here.

3. JETAA Toronto

Rock Climbing

When: April 16th, 2 pm-5 pm
Where: Basecamp Climbing 677 Bloor St W, Toronto, Ontario M6G 1L3

Rock climbing has been a popular sport in Japan for the past 1000 years – Mt. Fuji, Mt. Keitokusan, Mt.Hiwada – What better feat of strength can someone demonstrate than conquering a sheer face of stone with only their own power, endurance and wit to guide them!? Let’s get the climbing spirit on here in Toronto! Come join us on Saturday, April 16th for a fun afternoon of intense, super fun rock climbing at BASECAMP, Toronto’s newest climbing gym! This is always one of our most popular events, and we’d love to see you there!

Price: $20 + booking fee for JETAA Members, $26 + booking fee for non-JETAA MembersTickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2520029

Climbing fee includes all equipment, belay lesson, and a climbing day pass (so you can climb to your heart’s content or arms’ torment!). Please wear stretchy, sporty, climb-y attire!

4. JETAA New York

Hanami Picnic 

When: April 23rd, 12 pm-4 pm
Where: Central Park ~ Great Lawn (near The MET Museum~ 84th Street and 5th ave) Subway Directions: 4/5/6 train to 86th street or 6 train to 77th street or C train to 81st street

Come join your fellow JET alum and friends for a casual picnic sitting under the Sakura on the Great Lawn in Central Park. This is a free event! Just bring anything you’d want to have for a picnic – blankets, snacks and drinks to share – plus park activities like frisbee, volleyball, softball for catch, or bubbles! Friends and family are welcome to join.

5. JETAA Auckland

Weekend in Nature

When: April 23rd-25th
Where: Rawene, New Zealand

Saturday 23rd: Car-pool & drive up to the Hokianga. Stay at Rawene Holiday Park. Please book your own accomodation or post here to meet up with others to share a room with. Join together for dinner (provided by JETAA).

Sunday 24th: Hike. We’re thinking of doing Waiotemarama Loop Track & Hauturu High Point track. Option for some people to only do the easier loop track. Dinner together (provided by JETAA) & games etc at night.

Monday 25th: Make way back to Auckland.

FOOD:
Breakfasts – JETAA will provide oats, milk, bananas, toast, peanut butter, jam, tea & coffee for Sunday and Monday mornings.
Lunch – if JETAA budget allows, we will buy some extra things but best for people to be prepared to buy their own food.
Dinner – JETAA will provide a vegan dinner for all to share on both the Saturday & Sunday nights. IF you feel that you cannot live without meat then buy your own.

6. JETAA Western Japan

Charity Networking Brunch

When: April 24th, 11:30 am-2:30 pm
Where: Trente Et Un Kobe-shi, Hyogo, Japan

JETAA Western Japan invites alumni and current JETs to enjoy a delicious lunch while hearing about career paths in the diplomatic corps and at international schools. Space is limited to 15, so RSVP today! ¥3,500, with a portion of the receipts being donated to the Ashinaga Foundation, which operates the Kobe and Tohoku Rainbow Houses to provide educational and emotional support for orphans. For more information, contact Rose Tanasugarn at jetaawj@gmail.com

7. JETAA Ottawa

Cooking Class

When: April 30th, 3 pm- 7pm
Where: Laurentian Leadership Centre of Trinity Western University 252 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1R3

Join us for our ever popular JETAA Cooking class where we will be making memories and nostalgic dishes sure to make you weep with homesickness for Japan…or at least the nearest conbini.
Register here for free. Spaces are limited.

Mar 20

WIT Life #298: Sake production and dorayaki creation in film

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WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.

This weekend I had the chance to see two fabulous Japanese films being screened here in the city, one documentary and one fiction.  The former is The Birth of Sake being shown at IFC, and the latter is Sweet Bean playing at Lincoln Plaza Cinema, both through this Thursday, March 24th.

The Birth of Sake, directed by Erik Shirai who was on hand for a post-screening Q&A, has already won awards at Tribeca and other notable film festivals.  I had heard of it in passing a few years back when the Kickstarter campaign raising money for the film took place, and the result is a sneak peek inside the normally cloistered world of sake creation.  The film takes an in-depth look at this process carried out by the hard working staff of the 144-year old Tedorigawa Brewery in Ishikawa Prefecture.  Their business is unique in that everything is done by hand, whereas the majority of modern Japanese breweries are automated.

Tedorigawa’s workers range in age from 20-70, and one requirement of their grueling job is that they must live at the brewery during the sake-producing six months from October until April (and according to Shirai, due to Tedorigawa’s new popularity thanks to his film, this season has been extended to May!).  They are willing to taking time away from their families and home lives to make this sacrifice, and many are veterans of their craft looking to cultivate the next generation of workers.  Not only will this film educate viewers about the sake-making process, but it offers a rare glimpse of the people behind it.  In particular, I loved the scenes humanizing the workers, like when they were splashing each other in the bath, teasing each other while shopping or breaking out into karaoke after a long day of work.

Director Naomi Kawase’s 2015 Sweet Bean (あん or an, sweet red bean paste) is a surprisingly tender film about the creation of an equally treasured aspect of Japanese food/drink culture, dorayaki (どら焼き or red bean pancake).  This dessert is ubiquitous in Japan, from pre-packaged types found in convenience stores to freshly made dorayaki at food stalls.  The film centers on a dorayaki proprietor whose Read More

Mar 14

WIT Life #297: 人魚に会える日 (Girl of the Sea)

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WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.

Last week I returned from a short business trip in Japan when Tokyo was enjoying unseasonably warm weather.  People were in t-shirts over the weekend, and with 梅 (ume, or plum blossoms) already in bloom an early 桜 (sakura, or cherry blossom) season is predicted for this year (if only I could have stuck around for a few more weeks…).  However, this morning’s Japan news reported the weather dipping back down to chillier temps, so who knows when actual blooming will take place.  Stay tuned to the 桜前線 (sakura zenzen, or cherry blossom front)!

While in Tokyo I had the chance to check out the film 人魚に会える日 (Ningyo ni aeru hi or Girl of the Sea),  made by 20-year old Okinawan director and Keio University student Ryugo Nakamura.  He made his debut at age 13 with the film やぎの冒険 (Yagi no bouken or The Catcher on the Shore), and has produced over 30 movies, amazingly prolific for his young age!  After debuting in Okinawa, Girl of the Sea had a limited four-day run at the cool venue Eurolive in Shibuya (which also houses the Tokyo Film Academy).  Nakamura created the film in collaboration with his classmates over two weeks of their summer vacation.

In the Q&A after the movie he detailed how in addition to the efforts of these classmate volunteers, the actors were kind enough to drive themselves from Naha (Okinawa’s capital city) to the northern city of Nago when they realized how limited the film’s resources were.  I was particularly starstruck by the participation of one of my favorite Japanese singers/songwriters, the Okinawan artist Cocco.  Nakamura recounted how during an intense scene Cocco has with two high schoolers who were overwhelmed to be acting with her, she put them right at ease.

Girl of the Sea deals with the theme of the proposed Futenma Marine Corps Base relocation and how the base issue affects Okinawans, especially young people.  This topic is of extreme interest to me since I  Read More

Mar 1

JETAA Chapter Beat 3.11 5th Anniversary Memorial Edition

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Ashlie O’Neill (Hyogo-Ken, 2013-Present) AJET National Council Vice Chair and Director of Alumni Relations. Ashlie is in her second year on the AJET National Council as the Director of Alumni Relations. She works alongside Ryan Hata (National AJET Director of Alumni Resources ) and members of JETAA to strengthen the relationship between former JETs, current JETs and Japan. Please feel free to contact her email at ashlie.oneill@ajet.net or her Linkedin profile. Ashlie helps to keep you up up to date with JETAA happenings around the world.

This month marks the 5th anniversary of the Tohoku Earthquake and the loss of the lives of the two JETs Taylor Anderson and Monty Dickson.  Many JETAA chapters around the world are getting together to remember those affected by the disaster as well as raise money for various organisations in Tohoku. This edition of the JETAA Chapter Beat will focus on these events.

Screenings of Tohoku Tomo

About the film: In March 2013, Wesley Julian launched and successfully funded a Kickstarter campaign to create Tohoku Tomo — a documentary film telling the story of true friendship and commitment to Japan’s recovery by the international community following the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Julian and a small team traveled across the United States and Japan to interview individuals who have made and continue to make a difference in Tohoku.

Many of these people dropped what they were doing and dedicated themselves to Japan’s recovery. Many of them even took it upon themselves to establish non-profit organizations aimed at connecting with and rebuilding Tohoku and its communities. At the core of all of these organizations are individuals. Many of these groups were founded by members of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET Program). What started as a love of Japan through teaching blossomed into a true friendship and commitment to the Tohoku region. These founders and many other volunteers have truly become friends of Tohoku. They are, in Japanese, Tohoku Tomo.

Locations

JETAA Alaska
When: February 29th, 6:00pm
Where: The BP Energy Center, Anchorage

JETAA Midsouth/NOLA
When: March 3rd, 5:30pm
Where: Tulane University, Newcomb Campus, Jones Hall 102, New Orleans

JETAA Toronto
When: March 9th, 6:30pm
Where: Revue Cinema

Sasakawa Peace Foundation and JETAADC
When: March 11th, 4:30pm
Where: The Mayflower Hotel, Washington DC

JETAA NSW
When: March 16th, 6:00pm
Where: Japan Foundation, Sydney

JETAA Southern California
When: March 18th, 7:00pm
Where: Occidental College, Choi Auditorium, los Angeles

Florida JETAA-Miami
When: March 30th, 8:00pm
Where: Florida  International University, modesto A. Maidique Campus, Room GL 100

Florida JETAA-Orlando
When: March 31st, 8:00pm
Where: Asia Trend/ Y.E.S.S Center

113 Projects

About the Project: The mission of the 113 Project is to create a venue for dialogue and action that reclaims the message of the Tohoku disaster as an opportunity for good. The 113 Project will encourage collaboration among thought leaders, activists, community members and volunteers to continue the critical work of recovery and revitalization in Tohoku as well as to look at and address together challenges faced by others through the lens of lessons learned out of the Tohoku experience.

JETAA Northern California
When: March 8th, 6:30pm
Where: JCCC NC , 1840 Sutter Street, San Francisco

JETAA Rocky Mountain
When: March 13th, 2:00pm
Where: Sie Film Center, Denver

PNWJETAA
When: April 22-24th
Where: Cherry Blossom Festival, Seattle

For a full list of Tohoku Tomo and 113 Project events, please see the Tohoku Tomo website at http://tohokutomo.com/screenings/ or email them at info@tohokutomo.com.

Live Your Dream: The Taylor Anderson Story

About the film: This film is a story about Taylor Anderson and all the young people who travel the world trying to make a difference. Taylor was an extraordinary American who dedicated herself to teaching Japanese children, living her dream right up to the events of March 11, 2011. The earthquake and tsunami in Japan were a disaster that no one could have expected. 

When:March 13th, 1:00pm
Where: Sendai Mediatheque, Sendai, Japan

Details: http://jetprogramme.org/en/info/greateastjapanearthquake/

Additional Events around the world

JETAAWJ and National AJET

D-prep: A disaster Preparation Event

JETAA Vic/Tas/SA
The Big Bento Lunch

When:March 1st-31st
Where: Anywhere you wish

Hosting a Big Bento Lunch is as easy as rounding up up a group of your friends and work mates and eating some delicious Japanese food!
Since 2012, Big Bento Lunch participants have raise more than $30,000 for many charities by holding family picnics or parties or and getting bentos delivered to work places. It is simple and fun!

To register your lunch and help us support the Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund, visit the Big Bento Lunch website at www.bigbentolunch.com.au

Feb 25

WIT Life #296:　Kauai’s Japanese lantern

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WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.

I just returned from my 3-week State Department interpreting trip and subsequent mini vacation in Hawaii!

While enjoying some R&R on my favorite island of Kauai, I discovered something that I hadn’t noticed in previous visits.  I was staying in Kapa’a, a centrally located area boasting a beautiful bike path that I love using for morning runs overlooking the ocean.  During a run, I happened to turn my gaze away from the ocean and a Japanese-seeming lantern in the distance caught my eye.  I was curious about its location on what looked like the edge of a playing field.

Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that what I saw was a 15-foot cast concrete lantern built in 1915 by Kauai’s Japanese community to commemorate the Russo-Japanese War of 1905 and Emperor Taisho’s 1912 ascension to the throne.  Here’s a bit more of its story courtesy of the Historic Hawaii Foundation website (lightly edited by me): “By World War II, pro-imperial sentiments were a problem for a later generation of Japanese-Americans who literally buried the lantern in 1943, both to protect it from Read More

Feb 16

Let’s Talk Japan – Episode 28, Recent Japanese Cinema with Maurice Maloney

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Let’s Talk Japan is an interview format podcast covering a wide range of Japan-related topics. Host Nick Harling (Mie-ken, 2001-03) lived in Japan from 2001 until 2005, including two great years as a JET Program participant. He practices law in Washington, D.C., and lives with his wife who patiently listens to him talk about Japan . . . a lot.

In this episode, Nick and fellow JET Program Alum Maurice Maloney (Fukui-ken 2004-06) review the 2015 Cinematsuri Japanese Film Festival and share their opinions on which of these films you should see for yourself.

If you have not already done so, be sure to follow the podcast on Twitter @letstalkjapan and leave a positive rating/review in iTunes.