Oct 15

Job: After-school Program Coordinators (Bay Area)

Via JETAA North Carolina:

Here is some information from a great leadership program. Priority given to applications received prior to October 19th.

For full job description, please click HERE.

The Exploring Leadership Program is excited to announce new job openings!
In an effort to address the ever-widening achievement gap in our public high schools, Exploring Leadership has designed a new after-school Spring Component to its 10-month experiential leadership training program. We are seeking 10 highly skilled and passionate “Coro Campus Managers”, independent contractors. Read More


Oct 12

JETAA Chicago Fall 2009 Newsletter

JETAA Chicago Newsletter Editor Elizabeth Friedman (Shimane-ken, 2003-04) has put out the the JETAA Chicago Fall 2009 Newsletter (PDF).  Have a look-and-see at what’s going on in Chicago’s JET-world:

http://www.chicago.jetalumni.net/newsletter/2009_Fall_Newsletter.pdf

  • Letter from the President
  • JETAA National Conference (hosted by Chicago)
  • Photos from the JETAA National Conference
  • Green Teaist Tea Tasting
  • Japan America Society of Chicago Events
  • Volunteer Opportunity

Oct 12

Kabuki in San Francisco for $10-$20!?!

Thanks to JETAA Northern California Co-President Rod McLeod for sharing the following:

This rare and special event introduces audiences to the history of kabuki, featuring an informative lecture and exquisite performance of the classical, stylized Japanese theatre form. Celebrated kabuki actors Kyozo Nakamura and Matanosuke Nakamura lead a 14-member troupe from the world-renowned Shochiku Co.

Actors

  • Kyozo Nakamura
  • Matanosuke Nakamura

Musicians

  • Ichishiro Yoshimura: Classical Japanese vocal ensemble
  • Ishinosuke Yoshimura: Classical Japanese vocal ensemble
  • Shoen Kineya: Shamisen
  • Rokujiro Kineya: Shamisen
  • Dentaro Tanaka: Japanese flute
  • Tashu Mochizuki: Japanese standing drum
  • Takijuro Mochizuki: Japanese shoulder drum

Presented by the College of Creative Arts and College of Humanities at San Francisco State University, General Consulate of Japan and Japan Foundation.

Press coverage

Hokubei Mainichi, Oct. 17, 2009


Oct 7

Event: The World of Children’s Book Publishing with Alvina Ling (Yokohama)

Author Suzanne Kamata (Tokushima-ken, 1988-90) who also serves as the Publicity Assistant for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, shared the following, which she mentioned is, “a great opportunity for writers in Japan to meet one of the top editors in the world of children’s books.”

The World of Children’s Book Publishing

with

Alvina Ling, Senior Editor

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Saturday, November 14, 2009, 10:30 am – 5:00 pm

Manuscript critiques 8:30-10:00 a.m.

Place:      Yokohama International School, Middle Building Cafeteria, Yokohama

For access information and maps, visit www.yis.ac.jp

Fee:         Advance Registration 4,000 yen SCBWI members; 7,000 yen nonmembers (contact info@scbwi.jp by November 5)

At the Door 5,000 yen SCBWI members; 8,000 yen nonmembers

Reservations: Required! Contact info@scbwi.jp to reserve your place.

This event will be in English.

SCHEDULE

************ Read More


Oct 6

Job: Manager at Urban Assets (NYC)

An interesting job opportunity passed along by Steven’s sister-in-law! See direct message below:

I’m excited to announce the launch of our search for a Manager to join the Urban Assets team!

We are looking for a passionate, committed, and proactive professional ready to dive in and support all facets of the design and execution of the new phase of the Urban Assets Initiative.  The Manager will report directly to me and will be based out of our new(!) New York City office at the Blue Ridge Foundation.

Read More


Oct 6

Job: Bilingual Customer Service Rep. (Iowa)

Via the Japan America Society of Iowa: 

Job Area: Customer Service
Business Area: Health
Location: Clive, Iowa
Career Category: Recent College Graduate
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Date Posted: 09/30/2009
Close Date: 10/30/2009

Responsibilities:
Respond to claim and benefit telephone inquiries from customers, providers, marketing arms, and other insurance companies. Read More


Oct 5

JapanInfo eNewsletter September 2009

The September 2009 edition of JapanInfo is now available online.  JapanInfo is published by the Consulate General of Japan in New York/Japan Information Center and is a great source of info for Japan-related things going on in New York and the surrounding area.

Highlights include:


Oct 1

Event: Third Annual Japan Writers Conference

Author Suzanne Kamata (Tokushima-ken, 1988-90) who also serves as the Publicity Assistant for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, shared the following:

The Third Annual Japan Writers Conference

www.japanwritersconference.org

Do you wonder what’s the best way to get your ESL textbook into print and to market? Or how you can have your poem catch an editor’s attention? What’s the best way to get that rough draft novel smoothed out and readable? Why is an abstract such a big deal? How do different translators approach a Japanese text? Or more simply, where are the others who share your interest in the written word?

Possible answers to those and almost any other question one might have about writing, editing, translating, and publishing will be offered up at the Third Annual Japan Writers Conference. This year’s Conference will take place on the weekend of October 17th and 18 on the campus of Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts in Kyoto.

More than thirty writers, journalists, editors, translators, film makers and other wordsmiths will offer up their expertise in fifty-minute presentations, filling both days. And what is perhaps most remarkable is the event is completely free and open to all who want to attend. The Conference is a completely volunteer event.

Among those scheduled to present are novelist and children’s book author Holly Thompson,  author/anthologist Hillel Wright,  columnist Arudou Debito, literary translator Juliet Winters Carpenter, journalist Eric Johnston, article writer John Spiri, and poet Jane Joritz-Nakagawa. Novelist and diplomat Vikas Swarup has also agreed to appear. There are also plans for various writing groups and organizations to hold special meetings to introduce themselves to prospective members. And there will be a gathering for all attendees and presenters at a local restaurant on Saturday evening.

According to Juliet Carpenter, whose school is hosting this year’s conference, the Imadegawa campus of Doshisha Women’s College, across from the Gosho, is “a terrific location, easily accessible. We have a very nice campus that has a brand-new building with state-of-the- art ‘bells and whistles,’ and some beautiful Meiji-era Registered Cultural Property buildings, nicely preserved.”

Although the Conference takes place in Japan and has a decidedly Japanese focus, it will be a predominantly English-language event. It is also an international affair, with presenters from Canada, the US, China, India and other nations. While some of the presenters are Japan residents, others are short-term visitors and will provide a more global perspective on the writing life.

Complete information about the Third Annual Japan Writers Conference can be had at:

http://www.japanwritersconference.org/


Oct 1

Job: HPLC Column Sales (NYC, midtown)

Via Actus Consulting Group

HPLC Column Sales (Midtown)

A Japanese HPLC column manufacturer seeks a motivated individual to fill their sales position. The main job responsibility is to expand and develop their business in North, Central, and South America by determining and executing detailed sales action plans under the directions of Company’s strategy and Sales/Marketing Manager. This is an entry level position. Read More


Sep 30

WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03).  Recently she’s been watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.

Big news for expecting parents.  Going into effect today in Japan (October 1), child care costs will be  borne directly by hospitals.  Previously pregnant women would have to pay the one-time delivery/child rearing costs up front and later received 380,000 yen back, but now it will be directly paid by the hospitals at a 40,000 yen increase of 420,000 yen .  This was initially proposed in Read More


Sep 28

J-News Mini-Roundup: Yen Rises, the Japanese React

J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com). Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese and Chinese language learning options.goingup

Some of the biggest economic news in Japan, besides the stock and job markets, is always the exchange rate. When the yen gets stronger against the dollar, big Japanese exporters always worry. Their prices become relatively more expensive in other countries, and with that comes a drop in sales.

The newspapers this morning each reported on the reaction to the increase in the yen to 88 yen per dollar. The Asahi focused on this as a headline in their newspaper, where as the Nikkei and Yomiuri decided to list it as second page news.

Asahi It Went Up! Cried Farmers and Factory Workers Alike The Yen, on the morning of the 28th rose to…

Click here for the rest of the article, including other Japanese language and culture articles


Sep 24

Pacific Northwest JETAA Opportunities Forum and Networking Expo – Oct 17

Hot off the presses from the Pacific Northwest JETAA yahoogroup:

Dear PNWJETAA Members & Friends of PNWJETAA,

SAVE THE DATE for TRANSITIONS 2009!!!REGISTER TODAY!!! SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17th

“TRANSITIONS:  PNWJETAA Opportunities Forum & Networking Expo” is BACK!

The Pacific Northwest JET Alumni Association in Cooperation with the Consulate-General of Japan at Seattle and local businesses and educational institutions is proud to present it annual fall career and opportunities event!  In conjunction with the recent return of JETs, who have just completed their contracts in Japan, PNWJETAA is putting together a great program open to all PNWJETAA Members & Friends of PNWJETAA!

  • LOOKING FOR A JOB?
  • CONSIDERING A CHANGE IN CAREER PATH?
  • INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMMUNITY?
  • SEEKING TO SHARE YOUR SKILLS AND ENERGY FOR A GREAT CAUSE?
  • CONSIDERING GRAD SCHOOL?

THEN YOU NEED TO ATTEND:  TRANSITIONS 2009:  Opportunities Forum & Networking Expo!

ON-LINE PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED, SO REGISTER HERE:  http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dEpYWE9tajBIUG5PTS1jckd1aVE5OWc6MA

This year’s program will include:

  • Opportunities Forum:

o   Key note speakers who will address the current job market & grad school options

o   Panel (based on needs of those who register, this may break into 2 separate panels) with information & advice for:

§  Getting into the job market

§  Volunteering to serve the community & broaden your social & professional networking circles

§  Strategies on how to use your JET experience when applying to grad school

  • Networking Expo –  Connect with a variety of organizations including:

o   Local Companies

o   Educational Institutions

o   Community Service Groups

o   J-LINK Businesses (J-Link is comprised of companies & organizations owned by or endorsed by PNWJETAA Members)

WHEN – Saturday, October 17th, Noon – 5:30 pm

WHERE – Kirkland, WA

ATTIRE – Dress for Success!

COST – $5 for JET Program Alumni who are registered with PNWJETAA* / $10 for Friends of JETs (FOJs) & Guests

Further event details will be provided to those who register for Transitions 2009.


Sep 22

CrayonShinchanThanks to a tweet from Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), I just read the news that Yoshito Usui, the creator of Crayon Shinchan, died after falling off of a cliff.  Apparently he was taking photos in Nagano and must have slipped.

Here’s the article:  http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20090922a2.html

This is very sad news.  I learned Japanese thanks to Crayon Shinchan.  No joke.  When I went on JET, I subscribed to Manga-Jin, a now defunct magazine that would do line-by-line explanations of manga.  It was studying from an issue of Manga-Jin one day that introduced me to Crayon Shinchan.

I was hooked, and I proceeded to buy ever new Crayon Shinchan book I could find.  The relatively simple language combined with use of furigana plus the appealingly crude humor that also inadvertently explained a lot of Japanese social dynamics was exactly what I was seeking in those pre-Internet days of JET.

The news of Usui’s death reminded me that I had a sort of fantasy (long since forgotten) where I would track down Usui-san and thank him and let him know how influential he was in my Japanese language study.

Well, that opportunity no longer exists.  But if anyone else wants to share any thoughts or memories about their experience with Crayon Shinchan, feel free to post below.


Sep 22

Job: Bilingual IT specialist (Deerfield, IL)

Thanks to Bianca Jarvis (CIR Kyoto-shi, 2002-05), the Outreach Coordinator at the Japan Information Center, Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago, for passing along this job listing:

Bilingual IT specialist

6 month contract, located in Deerfield, IL.  Interviews will be conducted on-site very soon.  The rate is in the $20-$25/hr rate.

Requirements:

************ Read More


Sep 21

J-News Mini-Roundup: Prime Minister Hatoyama Leaves Japan for the First Time

J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com). Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese and Chinese language learning options.Hatoyama

In early September Prime Minister Hatoyama and his party the DPJ (Democratic Party of Japan) won a historic election. For the first time since the second world war, the LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) is no longer in power, and the DPJ is now in the driver seat in the Japanese government. How things will change, and what this means for Japanese diplomacy, has yet to be seen.

Prime Minister Hatoyama left Japan with his wife last night for the United States, and for the G20 summit. Each Japanese newspaper reported something different about what policies and goals the Prime Minister would have on his first diplomatic mission.

AsahiPrime Minister Hatoyama Leaves for the U.S. for his Speech at the G20” The Asahi describes in their first paragraph how the Prime Minister sees this trip to the U.S. as…

Click here for the rest of the article, including other Japanese language and culture articles


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