Japan America Society Roundup 7.07.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, co-editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of various Japan America societies…
Art of Laughter: The Kyogen Theater of Japan — This program co-sponsored by JSNC sounds sure to bring a smile to your face given that “kyogen” means “wild speech” or “comical tales.” This free, interactive program at the Asian Art Museum will be led by Izumi Junko and Miyake Tokuro, who have been pioneers for opening the Kyogen stage to women. They will demonstrate performance techniques and discuss their careers as the first female performers in this male-dominated field.
- Date: Thursday, July 16
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Place: Asian Art Museum, Samsung Hall, 200 Larkin St., San Francisco
- For more information: http://www.asianart.org/performances.htm#kyogen_performance
- Mind, Body, Spirit — How does a free massage and Japanese oysters sound? Find them at the next meeting of JASC’s 5:01 Club, where you can challenge your mind with Humana video games, talk to a fitness expert from Bob Roncker’s Running Spot for training advice, and receive spirit-lifting reflexology massage while learning about other ways to relax and rejuvenate your spirit.
- Date: Thursday, July 30
- Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- Place: Humana Building, 640 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati
- For more information: http://www.jasgc.org/501club.html
Boat building presentation — JSB invites members to attend a talk and slide presentation by Douglas Brooks, who has apprenticed with four different boat builders in Japan since 1996. He will share his experiences with different crafts drawn from over a dozen trips to Japan. Brooks is a boat builder, writer and researcher who builds traditional wooden boats for museums and private clients. In 2003, he published his first book, The Tub Boats of Sado Island: A Japanese Craftsman’s Methods.
- Date: Wednesday, July 22
- Time: None listed
- Place: The Carpenter’s Boat Shop, 440 Old County Road, Pemaquid, Maine
- For more information: http://www.carpentersboatshop.org/
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
J-News Mini-Roundup: The LDP Political SHOCK: Defeat in Chiba
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J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com).
Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese language learning options. Their main service is private one on one Japanese language lessons in the NYC area, where the student chooses where and when to have lessons.
Prime Minister Aso, from the Yomiuri Shinbun
Background: The ruling party of Japan and the party of Prime Minister Aso, the LDP (Liberal Democratic Party), is showing signs of cracking. A usual LDP stronghold, Chiba Prefecture, today announced that the recommended candidate from the LDP and Komeito coalition lost a preliminary election for governor. This paves this way for the opposition party, the DPJ (Democratic Party of Japan), to take the governor’s seat.
This election comes in the background of the bigger national snap election, which the Prime Minister could announce at any time. The snap election can be called in the Japanese parliamentary system by the Prime Minister to redistribute power, ideally to his own party. However the signs lately are showing the opposition party gaining, and the Prime Minister losing. The papers this morning each reported something different about the LDP’s losing popularity.
Asahi “We have come from behind. This shows our real strength…”
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
A Night Out with Fukuoka IT
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Professional translator Joel Dechant (CIR Kagoshima-ken, 2001-04) is now guest blogging for Fukuoka Now
In my search for a local freelancer community, a friend of mine introduced me to a group called Fukuoka IT. I’ll be the first to admit that I am no codejammer, but I am interested in web tools and IT as they relate to the field of translation. Not to mention, I am always game for meeting new people, so I got in touch with Mark Cowan, a self-confessed Java lover and the fearless leader of Fukuoka IT.
Mark, a native Canadian and long-time Fukuoka resident, started the Fukuoka IT Google group 2 years ago as a way for foreign IT specialists in the Fukuoka area to get together and share ideas. In the beginning meetings were often comprised of Mark and one or two other brave souls, but he persisted. Membership grew by word of mouth and eventually the group decided to expand its network by inviting Japanese techies into the fray. With mailing list membership now at 50, the Fukuoka IT group saw a record 18 members turn up for June’s meeting held at the Chuo Civic Center. Each month, members set a different topic and conduct presentations or engage in coding competitions. The aim is to share ideas and build professional networks.
Continue reading ‘A Night Out with Fukuoka IT’
JETAA Chapter Beat 7.1.09
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Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.
- 2009 JET Programme Pre-Departure Reception – Friday, July 17th, 6:00 at the Consulate General’s residence. Catch up with old friends and bid the newbies a fond farewell at this year’s reception. Space is limited so make your plans soon.
- Unofficial Pre-Departure Reception – Friday, July 10th, 6:00 at Jun Restaurant. In case you can’t make the official reception, why not join JETAAWA to see off the new crop of JET participants and share your experiences.
- O-Shaberikai – Wednesday, July 1st, 5:30 at the Holy Grail in Civic. Join in and meet Japanese people living in Canberra and other locals interested in Japan.
- Movie Night: Tampopo – Friday, July 31st, 7:00 at Narrabundah. JETAA Canberra will be screening Itami Juzo’s classic film “Tampopo” with pizza and popcorn.
- Tampa Natsu Matsuri – Saturday, July 11th, 9:00 to 11:00. Celebrate the summer Japan-style with Japanese food, games and even a yukata/jinbei clothing contest.
- Tampa Subchapter Tsudoi – Friday, July 3rd, 7:00 at Panera Bread in the Brandon Mall. The Tampa Subchapter will be hosting their monthly Tsudoi, an informal time for anyone interested in Japanese and Japanese culture.
- Chinatown/International District Summer Festival Call for Volunteers – Saturday July 11th and Sunday July 12th this year’s Seattle Chinatown/International Summer Festival will be held and PNWJETAA is looking for volunteers. Help your community, spend the day outside and get a free T-shirt.
- July Meeting – Wednesday, July 1st, 6:30 at the Convention Center Atrium. Join in and become an active voice in the JETAA community.
- July Happy Hour – Friday, July 10th, 6:00 at Wann Izakaya in Belltown. Start the weekend right with good friends and a cold drink.
- Next Book Club Selection: Yakuza Moon – JETAANC’s book club will be discussing Yakuza Moon: Memoirs of a Gangster’s Daughter by Shoko Tendo at its next meeting(date and time TBA). Start reading now so you can join in on the discussion.
- July San Francisco Nomikai – Thursday, July 2nd, 6:00 at the Jade Bar. Check out this month’s happy hour. New JETs leaving in August are invited to join and ease some of that pre-departured tension.
- July Happy Hour – Wednesday, July 15th, 5:30 in the courtyard of Hotel Monaco/Poste. Relax after a hot day with a cool drink and JETAADC.
What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just email Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.
J-News Mini-Roundup: Bizarre Robberies Strike Japan
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J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com). Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese language learning options.
Background: One of the biggest culture shocks for most foreigners who have lived in Japan is leaving the safety of the country. People that have lived there will tell stories of how you can forget your wallet in a café for hours, and then return to find both the wallet and the money intact. Guns are also illegal, so living there people feel a higher sense of security both from petty and violent crimes.
However there is crime in Japan, and although sporadic as it may be, most of the crimes I can remember are either quite bizarre or shockingly violent. Some examples are the Akihabara hit and run where a laid off disgruntled worker decided to randomly try to run over 4 or 5 people in Akihabara in the morning. There are also cases of overworked salarymen coming home and killing their whole family.
The newspapers this morning in their headlines all had reported robberies, and interestingly enough each newspaper had reported a different incident.
Asahi “Couple Charged w/ Stealing 2.6 million yen ($26k) from Pachinko…”
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
Japan Info Newsletter – June 2009
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The June 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:
- 45,000 New Yorkers Flock to JAPAN DAY @ CENTRAL PARK 2009
- Ambassador Nishimiya Visits West Virginia
- It’s Easy to Visit Japan : Visa and Quarantine Checks
- Going Global? JETRO Can Help
- The World Heritage Sites in Japan: Spiritual Heart of Kumano and Ancient Pilgrimage Routes
- From the Ambasador’s Desk
- And plenty of things to do and see on the Events Calendar.
J-News Mini-Roundup: Corporate Japan Comes Under Attack
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J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com).
Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese language learning options. Their main service is private one on one Japanese language lessons in the NYC area, where the student chooses where and when to have lessons. They’ve also recently expanded to include the Korean and Chinese languages.
Background: The business news today is full of negative headlines for corporations, such as: the necessity to let people go, the difficulty of being in the red, fear of bankruptcy, sales at record lows, etc. Reading the American news it feels as if America is the country being most affected by the Recession. After all, the credit crisis developed from bad sub prime loans mainly being held by U.S. banks, insurance companies, and other unfortunate entities.
Image from "The Nikkei"
Reading the headlines from Corporate Japan today, however, the dismal economic world seems like a small one. Each newspaper reported a different aspect of Corporate Japan that was getting embattled by the current economic crisis.
Yomiuri “Japan Made 40% Less Cars…”
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
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Miguel Gervais (Saitama-ken, Fukaya City, 2000-03) founded and runs the M.L.C.英会話 (eikaiwa) school in Fukaya City, Saitama-ken which currently teaches approximately 45-50 students. He is originally from Canada and was kind enough to write this article in response to a JetWit request to share his career experience.
Any other JET alums interested in sharing their own career advice, experience and perspectives are encouraged to e-mail your article idea to Steven at jetwit [at] jetwit [dot] com.
Having a Job is Irresponsible
My friend Jack is a fine, upstanding person and a great teacher. He’s been in Japan for untold years, had a job that he liked well enough and is blessed with a wonderful family. Unfortunately, the college that had hired him for the past 10 years or so suddenly refused to renew his yearly contract. In their magnanimity, they told him this one month before he was due to start the new school year. Obviously, this was much too late to find another job.
Jack is a great teacher. He is a valuable asset… and yet he is now unemployed and in rather desperate straits. But things could have been even worse… he could have been forced to leave Japan, just like untold numbers of other teachers after the NOVA debacle. Luckily, he is on a spousal visa and was spared this final humiliation.
Don’t let this happen to you! Life-time employment has never been in the cards for foreign teachers in Japan. Unless you are Read More
Jobs: International Education Programs (Chronicle of Higher Ed.)
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Via the Chronicle of Higher Education’s international education programs job listing:
6/22/2009
- Ball State University (Indiana) : Director of International Student Recruitment and Admissions, Rinker Center for International Programs
- Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge (Louisiana) : Coordinator 2 (Grants), Office of International Programs
- St. John’s University (N.Y.) (New York) : Associate Director of International Admission (R2758); Office of Admission (Undergraduate)
- Stephen F. Austin State University (Texas) : Director, Office of International Programs
- U.S. Department of State () : Deputy Director of Fulbright Program, Turkey
- University of Maryland University College () : Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
- University of Maryland University College () : Regional Managers
J-News Mini-Roundup: “Talent” Governor, Candidate for Congressman?
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PLEASE CLICK THE DOCTOR for Japanese Lesson Signup
J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com).
Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese language learning options. Their main service is private one on one Japanese language lessons in the NYC area, where the student chooses where and when to have lessons. They’ve also recently expanded to include the Korean and Chinese languages.
Today’s Article:
Background: One of the most amusing parts of Japanese politics is the willingness for politicians to get involved in comedy shows. Although this might sound familiar in terms of American politicians joining Saturday Night Live, David Letterman, or Obama at Jay Leno, the Japanese air tons of comedy and game shows everyday, most of which do not have the star quality of a light night talk show. It is here where the “Talent” Governor, Hideo Higashikokubaru, appears so much that the average viewer wouldn’t recognize him as a governor.
A former comedian turned politician, Higashikokubaru-san uses the television to increase his popularity and discuss his political life. Today he was encouraged to be a candidate for the Diet by Koga-san, the head of the electoral commission. Each newspaper reported a different take on the event…
Asahi “Higashikokubaru: If I were a candidate…” The Asahi reported more detailed commentary…
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
Job: Purchasing Assistant at Major Japanese Telecommunication Company (NYC)
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Via Actus Consulting:
Title: Purchasing Assistant at Major Japanese Telecommunication Company
Location: Midtown, Manhattan
Starting Date: July 13th
Job Description:
- Equipment Purchase
-Equipment Purchase Administration- Place an order to vendors according to Purchase Plan Form in a timely manner.
-Maintain the order status and feed back to sales rep. or the concerned accordingly.
-Keep records for other process like acceptance and account payable.
********** Read More
Job: Retail Manager and Store Clerk Positions Available (Torrance, CA)
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Via JETAA Southern California:
Position: Retail Manager
Company Name: Interplace Inc.
City: Torrance
Job responsibilities and qualifications:
- Manage a retail store of sports related products.
- Japanese language skill is a plus.
- Must have great communication skill.
- Must be interested in sports.
Description: Full-time(including weekends)/permanent position with benefits. The salary is apex $13/hr.
How to apply: Please send WORD formatted resume to fumi[at]interplace-agency[dot]com.
Job: Secretary to Senior Diplomats of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the UN (NYC)
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Via JETAA New York:
The Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations is seeking a Secretary to senior diplomats at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
1. Manage appointment schedules and prepare daily and weekly schedule for senior diplomats
2. Respond to telephone calls, both incoming and outgoing, with efficiency and professional etiquette
3. Coordinate logistics/protocol for conferences, meetings, briefings, receptions, and other official functions
4. Draft and prepare letters and diplomatic correspondence
5. Prepare and mail invitation cards for official functions
6. Prepare and mail greeting cards for senior diplomats
7. Prepare table cards and tray cards for luncheons and dinners
8. Research topics related to the United Nations and Japan as required by the Mission staff members
9. Update and develop contact information including the bio of VIPs as well as invitation list databases
10. Receive and sort incoming mail
11. Assist the official functions as a receptionist
12. Receive guests and serve tea
13. Respond to inquiries
14. Give oral or written briefings to senior diplomats dependent on the situation
15. Receive dictation from senior diplomats, take accurate and quick notes, and keep records or write up summaries as required Read More
Job: Sales Representative for Sysco Foods (Ventura, CA)
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Via JETAASC:
Sysco is the largest foodservice distributor in the U.S. It’s Ventura location is seeking an outside Sales Representatives in the San Fernando Valley. Sales Representatives are responsible for performing various sales, customer service, and credit activities, including but not limited to the following:
Sales Activities:
- Increase existing accounts sales through the presentation of products, ideas, uses, and applications of products to meet sales and profit objectives.
- Develops new accounts through analysis, personal and telephone contacts, and other sales techniques.
Customer Service:
- Updates customer on a continuous basis about new products, services, and pricing information to enhance customer satisfaction.
- Provides service to existing accounts by resolving any customer issues and concerns.
Credit Activities:
- Provides customers with company credit terms and manage credit conditions to maximize sales opportunities as well as maintain receivables levels.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Must be bilingual English and Japanese.
- Sales experience required, food sales experience a plus.
- Proficient in basic computer skills (Windows, MS office, Outlook).
- High School diploma required.
- Must be able to work independently.
Compensation depending on experience. Excellent benefits.
Please email resume to hrm[at]ventura[dot]sysco[dot]com.
J-News Mini-Roundup: Death Threats on Wikipedia, in Japan
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J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com). Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese language learning options.
Scene from "The Grudge"
Background: Japan is a perfect example of how the internet’s reach has gone global. One way to measure popularity of the internet is how many websites have been translated to other languages besides English, and Japanese has no shortage of translations in cyberspace. The internet in Japan has become a popular tool for commerce and social networking.
However, Japan is relatively new to abuses of the internet. Although sometimes incidents such as the Akihabara hit and run (06/08) were written about on blogs before the event took place, big websites such as Wikipedia have not seen abuse yet from users. The newspapers each had their own take on the “Wikipedia Incident”, the first documented arrest for abusing the Wikipedia website in Japan.
Asahi “3 Boys Charged with Writing Death Threat Articles”
