Apr 5

WIT Life #159: UN Messages of Solidarity with Japan

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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.

Last week I had an interpreting assignment at the United Nations Department of Public Information, and while there I had the chance to learn about a new webcast series featuring UN Messengers of Peace showing their support of Japan during this time of crisis.  Currently there are 8 of these public service announcements with the bilingual tagline “Japan we are standing by your side (みなさんを応援しています).”  They are offered by prominent figures such as Ban Ki-moon and Michael Douglas, and I particularly like the one of Stevie Wonder which closes with him saying, “Japan, I love you!” to the tune of his famous song.  All of the spots have Japanese translations at the bottom, and they are scheduled to be shown in Japan by NHK and other providers.  They began at the end of March and are scheduled to continue throughout the year, so make sure to check them out as new messages are added!

Apr 4

Surviving In Japan: How to Find Out How Fast Your Laundry Will Dry

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Ashley Thompson is "Surviving in Japan: without much Japanese"

Posted by Ashley Thompson (Shizuoka-ken, 2008-2010) of Surviving in Japan: without much Japanese and Lifelines columnist for The Japan Times.

You probably already know that most people in Japan hang out their laundry to dry. Drive or ride past apartment buildings on a sunny day and you’ll see clothes, towels, blankets and futons hanging from bars and draped over the rail. And what could be better than to have the sun dry and naturally remove odors and stains from your items? It’s a wonderful thing. Well, at least when you don’t have the strong winter wind like here in Shizuoka attempting to throw your stuff over the ledge (I’ve gotten quite clever at coming up with ways to keep things from blowing off the balcony).

And you probably also know that you wouldn’t hang clothes outside if it’s raining or looks like it’s going to rain.

But what if you could know how fast your clothes might dry on any given day?

There’s a neat tool on various weather websites that determines a “laundry index” or 洗濯指数 (せんたくしすう, sentaku shisuu) – essentially it tells you if it’s a good day for hanging out laundry or not and how quickly certain items will dry.

For this example I’m going to use tenki.jp, though you can find the laundry index on Yahoo and other sites as well (and they are all the same so I can’t say one is better than another).

First, go to tenki.jp, and then click on 指数情報 (しすうじょうほう, shisuu jouhou – sort of like “index information”), as in the picture below. (There’s actually a map of Japan in that blank gray box but it didn’t show up in my screenshot for some reason.)

Next, choose 洗濯 (せんたく, sentaku, laundry). — CLICK HERE to read the rest of the post.

Apr 1

2:46 Quakebook project

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Via a recent article in the Wall Street Journal:

The 2:46 Quakebook Project is  “a Twitter-sourced collection of personal accounts of the quake and its aftermath….one group’s response to the disaster initiated by the local blogging community that aims to raise money for relief efforts (the title refers to the time at which the magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck on March 11).”

Note:  All proceeds will go to the Japanese Red Cross.

Mar 29

JET Prefecture Round-Up 03.23.11

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Emily Lemmon, (Hyogo-ken, Shiso-shi, 2009-present), PSG volunteer, organizer of Hyogo-ken’s PEPY Ride, 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.

My task on JETwit is to “give a little taste of what JETs are doing around Japan.” In this unprecedented time, what exactly are JETs doing around Japan? That depends a very great deal on where those JETs live.

JETs everywhere have spent time reassuring their families back home as well as fellow JETs; they have been sharing information and putting together emergency kits. They have been donating money and giving blood.

Normally I will be posting short descriptions and links for events and activities going on in different prefectures around Japan. But I want to give a slightly more general impression of how it feels out here, especially in unaffected Japan where I am lucky enough to reside. Because the JET placement process is something in which we all have very little say, it’s almost by total random chance that we all are where we are. We could just as easily have been in any prefecture; these disasters could just as easily have come at any time. It is a scary thought for JETs who, though they perhaps did not know Taylor Anderson personally, still have a pretty good grasp on what her daily life must have been like. JETs in unaffected regions struggle with finding the balance between the fact that life goes on as usual, and that nothing will ever be the same.

Akita JETs continue to collect and move supplies into the affected area. Other, more distant prefectures are following suit, although the farther we are from the disaster (and, therefore, the less affected by it), the more time and organizational effort it takes to get our stuff to Tohoku. JETs are still giving where and when they can, at post offices, at combini, and into donation boxes to be found in virtually every place of business. They wait and keep one eye on the internet for news about volunteer opportunities.

At the same time, especially in the parts of Japan where not so much as a tremor was felt, life does appear at first to go on more or less as usual. Some events are canceled (Himeji Castle’s big hanami party, for example). But our students still graduate, and those who didn’t still go to club activities. JETs are faced with plans they made long ago, and in many cases the events I list are the things that JETs have chosen not to cancel. It is difficult to celebrate when others suffer, but perhaps it is also important.

So it’s strange, because life around here is about the earthquake, but it’s not.. Our students go to club activities, but they also put together clothing and towel drives. We do what we always did out here in unaffected Japan, but we also do more than that because we donate and worry and hope and mourn too.

Nationally (and beyond!)

• Man Up for Japan is up to 4,933 participants.
• Creatively support Japan by participating in Write for Tohoku, or musically in the TerraNoble project.
• Cranes for Taylor, Cranes for JETs: JETs are encouraged to craft and photograph paper cranes in memory of Taylor Anderson.
• 3,000 Letters for Japan is a project started by Gunma ALT Jessie Zanutig to send something to brighten the days of students affected by the earthquake and tsunami disasters.

Events By Region

Hokkaido

• T-Shirt fundraiser for Tohoku, within Hokkaido only.
  

Kanto Region

Tokyo

• The Tokyo Yamathon (fundraiser in which participants walk the Yamanote Line) will now be contributing all raised funds to the disaster relief efforts in Tohoku.
  

Chubu Region

Toyama

• Toyama has organized a route for their participation in 5 to Survive!

Ishikawa

• Ishikawa is also participating in 5 to Survive! Read More

Mar 27

Foxhound87: Earthquake

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Joshua Small is a First Year JET currently living in Ikaruga-cho, Nara-ken and has been chronicling his experience on his blog Snorlax87.

During the month of March, there is NOTHING for me to do at school. The school seems to look the other way (or just not care) about what I do during these vacation months. Because I’ve been given no tasks or assignments, I generally spend my day watching movies on my laptop or internet surfing.

As I was watching one of the most intense movies I’ve ever seen (The Hurt Locker), I suddenly found myself swaying a little bit. I thought at first that maybe the movie was just THAT good; that it was so tense, I was actually feeling dizzy. It wasn’t until I took off my headphones that I heard we were in the middle of a small earthquake!

All the teachers were smiling and giggling. It was, after all, a REALLY small one. Even I was smiling and giggling. It was my first earthquake. I couldn’t help being excited. Nothing was broken. Nothing shifted. Everything continued as normal. When one of the teachers turned on the television to check the news, we learned of the true devastation. We watched as the news slowly trickled in. What we felt in my office was an aftershock of the large earthquake in northern Japan.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the post.

http://snorlax87.blogspot.com/

Mar 25

WIT Life #158: Charity concerts, etc. for Japan’s recovery

Events, Translating/Interpreting, Uncategorized, WIT Life, Writers Add Comment (1)

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.

Japan’s recovery efforts continue to take place, and while it is easy to feel helpless in the face of the disaster’s aftermath we can each help out in our own small way.  I would like to highlight some upcoming events that will enable you to contribute to the cause while enjoying good food and music.

First up is Dine Out for Japan Relief, a week-long event in which the 70+ participating restaurants are donating 5% of their proceeds to Japan’s tsunami recovery and relief efforts.  There are many familiar Manhattan Japanese favorites like Read More

Mar 21

WIT Life #157: Bye Bye Kitty!!!

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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.

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the opening for the Japan Society’s newest exhibit, Bye Bye Kitty!!! The title refers to opposition towards the domination of Japan’s kawaii-ness, the idea of cuteness that has become Japan’s major export as represented by Hello Kitty.  It features 16 artists, many of them quite young and not household names, and their interpretation of this concept.  I was particularly drawn in by the intricacy of the works of 38-year old Manabu Ikeda, whose pen and ink masterpieces were incredibly detailed and required several minutes of close examination to take in all of their elements.

Equally interesting was the large-scale Read More

Mar 17

Role of JET alumni community in this crisis

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There was an article in the NY Times earlier this week saying there has not been a large response from the Japanese community in NYC, because it’s not as big as other ethnic communities in NYC and because many members are here for short periods to work for their companies, etc.

But that article didn’t understand this important fact:  We–the JET alumni community of 55,000+ worldwide–we are part of the Japanese expat community.

So when the media talk about the Japanese community in the world, they need to factor in the JET alumni.  Because we all have a lifetime connection to Japan no matter what else we do in life, and in our minds we are all Japanese.  We are hurting like hell and we are also helping.

JET alumni are doing amazing things right now to organize and mobilize resources, funding, translations, information and volunteers.  Through the JET Alumni Association.  Through independent efforts.  And also through the roles established JET alumni already play in myriad organizations and companies that are supporting Japan.

In addition to these efforts, part of our role as JET alumni is to engage the people around us in our home country so that they understand and feel connected to Japan.  So that they understand and are aware of ways they can help.  Cultural outreach is one of the most important ways that JET alumni can help right now.

Minasan, ganbatte kudasai.

Mar 16

A Nuclear Reactor Explained by Poop and Farts: Nuclear Reactor Boy’s Tummy-Ache

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Mar 16

Dispatch from Minamisanriku and other towns nearby

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Mar 15

JET Prefecture Round-up 03.16.11

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Emily Lemmon, Shiso-shi ALT  2009 to present, and editor of Hyogo Times, gives a little taste of what JETs are doing around Japan.

Ongoing

Man up for Japan – a campaign launched across prefectures not affected by the earthquake and tsunami damage. Every JET is encouraged to donate ichi-man (100,000) yen on payday, or before if possible, either via bank transfer or at a post office or Family Mart. So far, 2,303 JETs are planning to participate. See the facebook event page for more information.

Aomori – Aomori JETs, led by Travis Emery, are compiling and delivering supplies to some affected regions, including Minami Sanriku. There are many drop-off locations, including people’s homes in Morioka and Hiroskai, and a school in Oga.

Upcoming

Shikoku Region
Kochi – Yusuhara Fijian/Indian Cooking Day, April 3rd (10am – 2pm). Parents of CIR Kavita will give cooking lessons and demonstrations. Recipes to be distributed in English and Japanese. (Flyer) Cost is free, all donations go to Tohoku Earthquake relief efforts.

Kochi – Windbeat Concert, March 26th, ticket proceeds and CD sale money will be donated to aid earthquake affected region. More information here.

Tokushima – Annual Tokushima AJET Touch Rugby Tournament, to be held the 28th and 29th of May in a beautiful camping ground in Tokushima Prefecture.

Accomplished

Block 6 and 7 V-Day Party in Osaka raised 14,000yen, originally for other causes, but now being donated to provide rice in the earthquake affected region.

Mar 15

Shizuoka 6.0 earthquake or aftershock

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Update:  “There was a 6.0 in Shizuoka, then two small aftershocks (according to JMA, one of the aftershocks was actually a 5.6 quake in Tohoku.”

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Strong quake of upper 6 jolts Shizuoka Pref.

Kyodo News

A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.0 jolted Shizuoka Prefecture and its vicinity, including Tokyo, on Tuesday evening.

The 10:31 p.m. quake registered upper 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 in the eastern part of Shizuoka, and upper 5 in the eastern part of Yamanashi Prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

No tsunami warning was issued.

Just saw FB updates about 6.0 earthquake or aftershock in Shizuoka.

Mar 14

CLAIR Tokyo office operating as usual

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There was a tweet or post earlier today incorrectly stating that CLAIR Tokyo was being evacuated and responsibilities were being handed to CLAIR NY.  This was inaccurate.  I think it’s been deleted everywhere on other pages, groups, etc.  Just re-posting on JetWit in case anyone out there is still confused by this.  The post apparently related to last Friday but inadvertently got posted today (Monday).

FYI, CLAIR Tokyo office is operating as usual.  (Actually, “as usual” is probably not the correct term as they’re working their oshiris off more than ever right now.)

Ganbatte and hang in there CLAIR Tokyo people!

Mar 14

Earthquake: Translators needed for JET volunteer project

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Via Fukui JET Mike Maher-King of Smile Kids Japan:

Update: Here’s the link to the Google spreadsheet where you can start inputting any info you gather:  https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AsMdoYcl5qwSdG5BTHl3M3VSX21TZHpYc21ReVFhUGc&hl=en&authkey=CJH_ppQL

AJET and Smile Kids Japan are working on some procedures to help foreigners living in Japan volunteer at the earthquake sites.  They need JET alums with good Japanese>English ability to look through prefecture websites and find the information about prefectural volunteer groups plus, if easily available, volunteer forms. (This might best done through internet searches using < prefecture name + 東北地方地震災害ボランティア >)

CONTACT:  smilekidsjapan [at] gmail.com, cc: activities [at] ajet.net

An example of what we are looking for for every prefecture is this

Fukui

Info http://info.pref.fukui.jp/danken/npo/060_sv/touhokujisin.php

Application form http://info.pref.fukui.jp/danken/npo/060_sv/html/data/touhokumousikomusyo.doc

Complete form and mail to danjoken-volunteer@pref.fukui.lg.jp

Once gathered, this information is going to be distributed through block reps, facebook, twitter etc to all the jets and hopefully lots of non jets that want to help so it has to be accurate.

Yoroshiku,

–AJET & Smile Kids Japan

Mar 14

The AJET Relief Fund for JETs in affected areas

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Via National AJET (10:15 am, Monday, March 15 NY time):

AJET would like to announce that we will be collecting money to specifically address JET needs in areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami. We also encourage donations to relief efforts directed at the community at large (JEN: http://tinyurl.com/4sp8mba; Peace Winds Japan: http://www.peace-winds.org/en/; or Good Neigbours: http://tinyurl.com/4f6gtas), however the AJET Relief Fund will provide donations directly to JETs in affected areas, with advice from Prefectural Advisors in prefectures such as Akita, Chiba, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Iwate and Miyagi to ensure that this money is used in the most efficient way possible.

As the relief effort is still in its early stages, the needs of affected JETs have not yet been fully assessed. National AJET expects to address some of these needs as they arise; shelter, food and water will be top priorities. The AJET Relief fund will also be used to help JETs rebuild their lives after the immediate danger has passed. For updates or questions about the distribution of AJET Relief funds, make sure to e-mail relief@ajet.net.