JET Prefecture Round-Up 09.02.11
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Emily Lemmon, (Hyogo-ken, Shiso-shi, 2009-present), PSG volunteer, organizer of Hyogo-ken’s PEPY Ride, student of Shorinji Kempo, and editor of the Hyogo Times, gives a little taste of what JETs are doing around Japan. To submit items for future JET Prefecture Round-up posts, e-mail Emily at jetinfogather [at] gmail.com.
Events by Region
- The HAJET Eastern Welcome Party will be September 3rd-4th at Saroma Sougou Park.
- The HAJET Northern Welcome Party will be September 10th-11th.
- The HAJET Southwest Welcome Party was August 27th-28th in Shiraoi.
- The HAJET Central Hokkaido Welcome Party was August 20th-21st at Lake Shikotsu. (facebook event)
- The HAJET Sapporo area Welcome Party was August 13th in Sapporo City.
- Akita JET Welcome Party is September 3rd-4th in Yuri Honjo.
- Iwate AJET will be climbing Mt. Iwate on October 8th on the Umagaeshi trail.
- MAJET Bandai Trip is September 17th-19th , a camping adventure at Mount Bandai in Northwest Fukushima.
Kantou Region
- Chiba AJET Welcome Dinner was August 26th at the Pirate’s Kitchen.
- Poker Night in Minakami, September 4th!
- GAJET Canyons trip, September 10th-11th in Minakami.
- Gunma JETs join the football tourney in Nagano on October 1st.
Chubu Region
- Surfing lessons and beach party at Shizunami Beach, September 10th.
- Shizuoka AJET makes an excursion to Fuji-Q Highland on October 15th.
- Shizuoka AJET conducted a Mt. Fuji climb on August 27th.
- September 4th will be the first meeting (Alice in Wonderland) of the Nagano Book Club.
- Matsumoto Conference AfterParty will be September 30th.
- Nagano JETs are going camping October 8th-10th in Kamikouchi.
- Charity Auction Buffet is September 10th at the Peace Street Kitchen.
Kansai Region
- JETs continue their exploration (this time from Kobiro-oji to Hosshinmon-oji) of the Kumano Kodo, or Path of Prayer, on September 11th.
- The Marty Party will be postponed until the 17th of September.
- Ultimate Nara JETs area gearing up for the Akashi Ultimate Frisbee Beach Tournament, taking place on October 2nd in Kobe.
- Nara JETs will make a trip to Hiroshima‘s Sake Festival, October 7th-10th.
- Moon Party is September 11th in Kobe.
- Hyogo JETs are going rafting in Shikoku on October 9th and 10th.
- Osaka JETs Welcome Event (part one) will be September 10th. Part two will be later that evening.
- Osaka Smile Kids Japan group makes its next visit on September 25th.
Chugoku Region
- Bound in Japan comes to Okayama! Workshops will be in Okayama City on September 17th and 18th, in Maniwa September 24th, and in Tsuyama September 25th.
- Beerfest Daisen 2011 will take place at Mt. Daisen in Tottori, featuring craft brews.
- October 1st-2nd is the Niihama Welcome Party, held on the beach in Niihama.
- October 15th Ehime JETs will climb Mt. Ishizuchi, tallest mountain on Shikoku.
- October 22nd is the Matsuyama Orphanage Visit.
- November 12th is the Ehime AJET Dinner in Matsuyama.
- Beer, Sake, Baseball, and BBQ will be September 17th at Hagi Park.
- Kochi JETs will make an excursion to Nahari Hotel Beer Garden on Friday 30th September.
- October 8th-10th is Surf Camp in Kuroshio-cho for Kochi JETs.
- Kochi-JETs are helping with Halloween Party in an abandoned school building on October 28th.
- The AJET beach party will be happening on Saturday, September 3rd at Otachimisaki Koen Beach in Ashikita.
JET Prefecture Round-Up 08.26.11
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Emily Lemmon, (Hyogo-ken, Shiso-shi, 2009-present), PSG volunteer, organizer of Hyogo-ken’s PEPY Ride, student of Shorinji Kempo, and editor of the Hyogo Times, gives a little taste of what JETs are doing around Japan. To submit items for future JET Prefecture Round-up posts, e-mail Emily at jetinfogather [at] gmail.com.
Events by Region
- The 2011 Everest of Apples Aomori Scavenger Hunt will take place on September 10th; participants explore Aomori-ken while getting to know each other and supporting education in Cambodia and Nepal.
- Aomori’s Welcome Party will be right after the Scavenger Hunt on September 10th.
Chubu Region
- Summer Splash is September 3rd!
- Nagano will host the all-Japan JET soccer tournament on October 1st and 2nd at Sugadaira Sania Park.
- Nagano’s AJET Camping Trip will be October 8th-10th in Kamikouchi.
- Saku Welcome Shindig was August 20th.
Kansai Region
- JETs continue their exploration (this time from Kobiro-oji to Hosshinmon-oji) of the Kumano Kodo, or Path of Prayer, on September 11th.
- Nara JETs return to Takatori Thursdays on August 25th with a Mexican theme.
- Nara’s Orientation Beer Garden is August 28th.
- Smile Kids Japan is attending Matsuri at a local Kobe orphanage on August 26th.
- Shiso JETs host the Shiso International Picnic in Yume Koen on September 4th.
- Tajima Board Game night is September 10th in Takeno.
- JETs will gather for the Hanshin Tigers game at Koshien stadium on October 1st.
- Osaka Smile Kids Japan group makes its first orphanage visit of the JET year on September 10th.
Chugoku Region
- Bound in Japan comes to Okayama! Workshops will be in Maniwa City on September 3rd and 4th, in Tsuyama on the 10th and 11th, and in Okayama City on the 17th and 18th.
- There is a welcome party in Ainan on September 3rd, preceding the Mud Soccer Tournament.
- This year’s Mud Soccer Tournament (and Mud Festival) will be on Sunday in Ainan, Ehime.
- Group Birthday Party in Sakawa on August 26th, with a rooftop BBQ.
- SGG international music and cooking event is September 4th.
- The Harimaya Bashis are pleased to announce the Fall 2011 Frisbee Camp in Noichi. It will be held from 11am on September 10th until 3pm the following day.
- Kochi JETs may attend the presentation of kabuki on November 5th in Sukomo.
- The Orientation After Party will be held Friday, August 26th at 9 PM at Motion in Nagasaki City.
- On Saturday August 27th, 11am, there will be an informal open Nagazasshi meeting at the mall next to Dejima Wharf.
- The AJET beach party will be happening on Saturday, September 3rd at Otachimisaki Koen Beach in Ashikita.
JETS with J.D.s >> Calling All Aspiring JETs w/ J.D.s!
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Posted by Andrew McCarthy (Akita-ken, 2005-08). He currently runs the blog JETs with J.D.s, an information source for current JET alumni law students and prospective law students for career paths and approaches within the current legal market.
Two years ago, in search for what to do after law school, I was fortunate to come into contact with Jetwit.com founder Steven Horowitz (himself a “JET with a J.D.”), and that conversation spurred me to create this blog. In that time, this blog has attempted to compartmentalize answers to the questions I had as a JET alum in law school, and tried to offer reasonable guidance about finding a direction for life after law school.
After many years of searching, networking, and reaching out to JET alums turned “Legal Eagles,” I can happily say my ship has come in. Soon, I am setting off to begin a newer, brighter chapter to my life. But, before I go, I have a little something to ask.
If you are a JET in law school (or a JET just about to begin law school; or hell, if you’re at the LSAT stage), and you’d like one more thing to add to your plate: JETs with J.D.s could use your help.
Read my request in full here.
JET alum’s film “The Harimaya Bridge” now via Video On Demand
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JET alum and film director Aaron Woolfolk’s (Kochi-ken, 1991-93) acclaimed film The Harimaya Bridge is now available via video on demand. Read below to see how the JET alum community can help.
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Acclaimed feature film The Harimaya Bridge is now available to watch via video on demand (VOD) on most cable and satellite systems. The film can now be seen in more than 100 million households in the U.S. and Canada. If you didn’t see it in theaters, it’s just a click away in the comfort of your homes.
The Harimaya Bridge, written and directed by Aaron Woolfolk, stars Ben Guillory, Saki Takaoka, Misa Shimizu, and Danny Glover (who also executive produced it). It is a drama about an American man who must go to rural Japan after the sudden death of his estranged son there, and the secrets he discovers his son left behind.
The film had a nationwide release in theaters in Japan and a limited release in the U.S. The San Francisco Examiner called The Harimaya Bridge “one of the best films of the year,” while The Los Angeles Times called it “powerful” and “a unique, complex, consciousness-raising accomplishment”.
The cable and satellite operators will be watching to see how the film initially performs, which will determine how long they make it available. So please help in spreading the word.
The movie is now available for viewing on Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, AT&T, Verizon, Cogeco (Canada), MTS (Canada), Amazon VOD, Best Buy/Cinemanow VOD, Microsoft Xbox, Sony Playstation, and many, many more. People can find it on their cable or satellite systems, or learn more here:
http://www.gravitasventures.com/the-harimaya-bridge/
In addition to that, the DVD and Blu-ray of the film will be available beginning October 18th. Special features will include a behind-the-scenes documentary, cast and staff interviews, and the director’s commentary. You can see a brand new minute-long trailer for the DVD/Blue-ray release here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKZ8GfVeNWU
As always, people can learn more about The Harimaya Bridge at its official website and at its Facebook page:
Please watch, and please help spread the word. Thank you very much!
Thanks to JET alum Scott Dixon, a reporter at Kyodo News, for passing this along. Incidentally, Scott mentioned that he actually found his current job thanks to JETwit.
Note: If you found your job via JETwit, send an email to jetwit [at] jetwit.com to let me know. This kind of info can be really helpful, and I have no other way of tracking whether JETwit is helping except for when people reach out and tell me. Yoroshiku!
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Kyodo News America, Inc. is currently seeking an assistant sports correspondent for its New York bureau. Applicant should have knowledge about sports, sports rules, sports regulations, sports history and a basic familiarity with players’ backgrounds. Knowledge of Japanese players, especially baseball, is highly desired. Read More
JET Prefecture Round-Up 08.15.11
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Emily Lemmon, (Hyogo-ken, Shiso-shi, 2009-present), PSG volunteer, organizer of Hyogo-ken’s PEPY Ride, student of Shorinji Kempo, and editor of the Hyogo Times, gives a little taste of what JETs are doing around Japan. To submit items for future JET Prefecture Round-up posts, e-mail Emily at jetinfogather [at] gmail.com.
Newly brought to my attention is the website ToBetterUs, put together by a former Miyazaki JET to assist with earthquake/tsunami relief. The website seeks to generate money through website ad revenue; instead of money, contributors are asked to donate their art. Here they are on facebook and twitter!
Events by Region
- Summer seminar for English teachers in Kamikita District was held July 29, at the Misawa International Center.
- Aomori’s Welcome Party will be September 10th.
Chubu Region
- The Nagano JET Welcome party will be held at Winds, Friday 12th August after the Nagano JET Orientation.
- Nagano JET groups will attend the Lake Suwa Fireworks display.
- There will be a Japanese cooking class for foreigners (chicken teriyaki and chocolate mousse) on September 4th in Okaya City.
- Toyama Beer Garden on August 13th.
- JETs will Hike Mount Fuji August 20th and 21st!
- Toyama JETs are attending lots of matsuri this month.
Kansai Region
- JETs host a cooking class and supermarket tour for their newcomers.
- Goon BBQ is Saturday, August 20 in the southern countryside of Nara, and features swimming in the Yoshino River, and grilling in the shade.
- Nara’s next Smile Kids Japan visit will be Saturday, August 27.
- Group C Welcome and Pre-orientation Beer Garden will be Sunday, August 28 at Niko Hotel Beer Garden.
- Nara JETs’ Group A Welcome Dinner was Saturday, July 30th.
- Marty Party 4 / Nash Bash 1 / Nara JET Welcome Party will be September 3rd – 4th in Tenkawa.
- Hyogo’s Welcome Party will be August 20th in Kobe.
- Ehime JETs will continue the tradition of the annual book exchange at this year’s orientation.
- There will be trivia night on Friday the 12th of August in Matsuyama.
- Enkai for the Ehime Orientation wll be at the Takashimaya Beer Garden on Thursday the 11th of August.
- This year’s Ainan Mud Soccer Tournament will be on Sunday, September 4th at Sasayama Elementary School in Ainan, Ehime.
- Some JET volunteers will assist with “Green Market,” a flea market / farmers’ market that aims to promote Kochi’s local producers and businesses on August 20th in Kagami Village.
- The Fukuoka Day Out will be October 15 and will include Fukuoka Softbank Hawks Baseball Game v. Seibu Lions, Asahi Beer Garden Dinner, and Night Out at Clubs along Tenjin’s Oyafuko-dori Strip! This event is for Fukuoka, Oita, Saga, and Nagasaki!
- The Oita JET Welcome Party is August 19th at the Forus Beer Garden in Oita City.
- On Saturday August 20th, the Oita International Plaza will be holding its monthly Japanese Conversation Circle.
- KumAJET will be hiking the lovely Mt. Aso on August 27th!
- Ichi Kyu Bee will be held in Kumamoto on October 1st as the first Co-ed ALT-hosted Ultimate Frisbee tournament in Kyushu!
- Welcome Dinner for New JETs will be August 19th at Cafe de Nature in Miyazaki.
- Some JETs will join NPO Miyazaki as they return to volunteer in Ishinomaki in August, September 5, and October 20.
- Miyazaki CIR Tiffany is on the planning committee this year’s Nobeoka, a famous outdoor Noh play, held in the spectacular setting of the city’s castle ruins on October 8th.
- KAJET Welcome Dinner will be Monday, August 22nd at the Porto Casa outdoor beer garden at Dolphin Port.
- Kagoshima’s JET Day Out was August 6th, and new JETs got a whole day of information and fun!
JET Publications Round-Up
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The summer issues are out! Check out the latest from JET publications around the country!
- Nagasaki‘s Nagazasshi
- Summer Issue available now!
- Nagano‘s Yomoyama
- Summer Issue (Natsukashii) is out now!
WIT Life #176: 悪人
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WITLife 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 together with her own observations.
First off a huge OMEDETOU to the Japanese women’s soccer team for winning the World Cup over the weekend! I watched the game with the Japanese delegation I have just begun interpreting for, and needless to say it made our night. The victory has been a nice boost of encouragement for the country, and is something all of its citizens can take pride in.
The Japan Cuts film festival at Japan Society is going strong in its second and final week, and in my next few entries I hope to discuss some of the great movies I’ve been seeing. But today I’d like to talk about another interesting film that made its New York premiere when it was screened last week as part of the Nippon Eiga series sponsored by ANA. It was 悪人 (Akunin) or Villain, and featured the two amazing actors Satoshi Tsumabuki (as the villain) and Eri Fukatsu (as the woman who falls in love with him). It was directed by Sang-il Lee who also made Hula Girls, another movie that was screened as part of ANA’s series a few years back.
Fukatsu received the Best Actress award at the Montreal World Film Festival last year for playing this role, a worthy performance. She and Tsumabuki always have great chemistry (I loved them in Read More
Japan Women Win World Cup!
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Omedetou to Japan Women’s Soccer for an amazingly resilient World Cup victory!
The JET Alumni community everywhere is cheering.
Honto ni o-tsukare sama deshita.
Posted by Tom Baker (Chiba-ken, 1989-91), coauthor of The Sushi Lover’s Cookbook and Tokyo Chic and contributor to Time Out Tokyo and Time Out Shortlist Tokyo. He blogs as “Tokyo Tom Baker.”
Did you ever go to the beach during your time in Japan? In particular, did you ever visit Suma beach in Kobe? Photographer Robin Haseba has an exhibition of portraits of Suma beach-goers currently running in Shinjuku, Tokyo, that may bring back some memories.
When I visited the show on its opening day, I briefly met Haseba and later sent him some questions by e-mail for an article on my blog. You can read my comments on Haseba’s work, and see some examples of it, here.
WIT Life #175: Japan Cuts 2011
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WITLife 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 together with her own observations.
The 2011 Japan Cuts Film Festival at Japan Society is back and better than ever, with a lineup of 32 films and 33 screenings in total. Like last year, I decided to volunteer in various roles such as ushering and ticket taking, as that allows you to stick around and enjoy the movies. The first movie I worked at was Love & Loathing & Lulu & Ayano (名前のない女たち) which was screened this past Friday night.
Director Hisayasu Sato, known as one of the “Four Heavenly Kings of Pink” for his work in ピンク映画 (pinku eiga) or soft-core porn films, incorporated his background into this movie released in Japan last year. It tells the story of a meek OL who is scouted in Shibuya to work in Read More
Video: “Tonoharu” explained in unique video by creator Lars Martinson
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Lars Martinson (Fukuoka-ken 2003-2006), author of the graphic novels Tonoharu: Part Two and Tonoharu: Part 1, has put together a rather unique video that “explains” the Tonoharu series in a marvelously tongue-in-cheek way. (BTW, does anyone know if there’s a Japanese term for “tongue-in-cheek”?)
Anyway, have a look at the video. I think it’s fair to say that no one has captured the JET/living in Japan experience in as intricate a way as Lars has:
JET ROI: “The JET Program’s Finest Hour”
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David Jacobson, a former Monbusho Scholar who now works for Seattle-based Chin Music Press (founded by former Monbusho English Fellow Bruce Rutledge), has just posted a really terrific piece titled “The JET Program’s Finest Hour“ about the role of JET and JET alumni in response to the Tohoku Earthquake Disaster. David did a particularly effective job of documenting the topic and pulling information together in a way that had not been done to date. And it demonstrates a very clear “Return on JET-vestment.”
Here’s the link: http://chinmusicpress.com/blog.php?action=display&entryID=13
David comments that the JET Program’s “support this spring, in the aftermath of the devastating March 11 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, may have marked the program’s finest hour.” And his research helps document information such as:
“Within hours after the disaster, Eric Butler, a former JET who lives in Calgary, Alberta, created a Facebook page, Foreigners from Miyagi. He intended it as a place to discuss how to help the quake victims, but within days it attracted nearly 700 users, many in Japan, and morphed into a forum for those seeking the whereabouts of JETs or others in disaster areas.”
The article also acknowledged and put JETwit’s role in perspective in the larger context:
“Editor (and JET alumnus) Steven Horowitz began a similar effort providing up-to-the minute updates on JETwit, a blog that has evolved into the de facto central information source for the JET alumni community. But he also saw his role as helping JET alums become involved in the relief effort, listing opportunities for volunteers, translators, even offering practical advice for those in Japan. And he recommended that JETs get the word out: “Make yourself available to talk to schools, churches, companies, other organizations. Engage your grad school or college alumni offices. Wear a button that says, ‘Ask Me About Japan.’”
JET Prefecture Round-Up 07.05.11
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Emily Lemmon, (Hyogo-ken, Shiso-shi, 2009-present), PSG volunteer, organizer of Hyogo-ken’s PEPY Ride, student of Shorinji Kempo, and editor of the Hyogo Times, gives a little taste of what JETs are doing around Japan. To submit items for future JET Prefecture Round-up posts, e-mail Emily at jetinfogather [at] gmail.com.
Events by Region
- Iwamizawa International Mini Festival was June 18th at Higashiyama Park, and included international food and drink, as well as face painting, Smores, 3 craft tables, board games from around the world, an obstacle course, salsa dancing, national anthems, Ebingo and many more great activities for everyone to enjoy.
- Leavers’ Party (“Towada Renaissance”) will be Saturday July 9th, from 1pm until everyone falls asleep.
- 2011 Tohoku Summer Retreat – JET Christian Fellowship retreat will be held from July 16th to 18th at the Aomori Christian Center in Moya Hills, Aomori City (registration required).
- Annual Cabin Sayonara Party will be July 16th at the Yakehashiri cabins.
- Iwate JETs were invited to attend the earthquake debate session on June 16th, to share stories of the March 11 disaster and how they got news or information.
- Akita JETs are lending traditional costumes from their home countries to students of the Akita University Network for their July 10th International Festival.
Chubu Region
- The Giant Jumping Monkey – a charity bash held in Myoko on July 2nd, rain or shine, features guest DJs, a monkey bounce-house, camping, and BBQ. All proceeds to Tohoku
- ZAZA Arts Festival and Charity Event presented by AJET Nagano and Arriba Arriba Cafewill be at Ikirou near Kamishiro Stationn in Hakuba on July 9-10th: an arts, music, and performance event featuring the great people of Nagano!
- Shimosuwa was one of the first towns in the prefecture to introduce a comprehensive English curriculum into elementary schools. July 18th is the 4th annual Kid’s Expo at Shimosuwa Cultural Center; This years theme is “Japan, connections to the world” . JET volunteers may showcase their countries or a cultural activity in a mini Expo style booth and give the kids a chance to interact in English.
- KoiKoi Matsumotos, a big international festival, was held on June 26th at M-Wing, Matsumoto’s chuo kominkan. About 20 countries were represented with various shows, games, presentations, kids’ activities, an international food court, and more. Entry was free, food was cheap, and profits went to help the relief effort in Tohoku area.
- Bai Bai Beach Party to be held July 24th at Uchinada Beach.
Kansai Region
- Path of Prayer continues on July 3rd; participants will walk from Nakahechi Michi-no-eki to Kobiro oji on the Kumano Kado, invoking a speedy recovery for Tohoku while experiencing this historic trail.
- Kozagawa Kayaking and Camping will take place from July 9th to the 10th on the Koza River, Wakayama.
- Nara’s farewell to leaving JETs, the Bye Bye Bash,complete with awards, was held at the Tousembou Kidaku on June 17th.
- Ultimate Frisbee practice and BBQ in the Goon on June 18th.
- Taj Ultimate, the Ultimate Frisbee Tournament, will be held July 9th and 10th.
- “There is Hope Through Music” for Tohoku – On July 9th, Ehime JET Dan will gather fellow JETs to the Asakura Kominkan in Imabari to record videos with the fireman brass band. The videos will be combined with videos from the Kurosawa Piano Music Foundation of California and broadcast both online and to the victims in refugee camps in Japan.
- Sayonara Party will be July 9th at Kashima Island.
- July 10th, Ehime JETs are invited to a tea ceremony in Imabari.
- Students now have until July 15th to apply for the Genki Scholarship for International Exchange, 2011. The Genki Scholarship hopes to assist Kochi-based students fulfil their ambitions of going on international exchange, to expand their horizons and improve their communication skills. This year’s Genki Tosaben Musical generated enough funds to provide for a scholarship of approximately 200,000 yen (exact amount depends on number of applicants, where and for how long they’re going), plus a donation of up to 100,000 yen for Tohoku’s Disaster Relief.
- The JET Farewell party and beer garden was held June 17th.
- Organic Rice Planting volunteers have been pushed back to July 2nd for lack of rain! Preparing to get muddy, JETs will assist in the labor intensive work of organic farming.
- Sayonara Party – Oita JETs say farewell on July 9th in Oita City.
- Oita JETs make a camping trip to Miyazaki Prefecture on July 23rd-24th.
- An Oita JET is organizing volunteers to help a family maintain their farm and orchard. Activities include but are not limited to: raking leaves, pruning trees, cutting grass, weeding, and setting up a wire fence.
- June 18th, the Oita International Plaza held the monthly Japanese Conversation Circle, pairing native and non-native speakers for 15 minutes and then switching partners. Participants talk freely or use materials provided based on a topic. June’s topic was talking about your hometown.
- The ‘Japan-British Society of Kumamoto’ is holding their annual ‘Tanabata “Star Festival” Party’ at 6:30PM on Friday, July 1st. This event was a huge success last year with scores of Japanese and foreigners eating, drinking and socialising in celebration of this traditional Japanese festival.
- Former Nagasaki ALT shares video from Golden Week in Tohoku here.
- This year’s international exchange party by Miyazaki City International Association (MCIA) was June 17th at the Miyazaki Shimin Plaza.
- Kagoshima’s Bon Voyage Bash will be July 9th at the Sun Royal Hotel.
WIT Life #174: Saga Setting the Nuclear Standard
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WITLife 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 together with her own observations.
Yesterday’s NYT had an interesting article about Japan’s nuclear policy going forward. Increasingly local governments are being depended on to determine this, though they believe these are decisions the central government should be making. Currently the debate is taking place in the rural prefecture of Saga located in Kyushu, where battle lines are drawn between nuclear power plant operators who insist their facilities are safe and wary citizens. In the middle is Saga governor Yasushi Furukawa who is being looked to for approval or rejection of restarting two of the four reactors at the plant. After being shut down for routine maintenance, the question is whether Read More
