Job: News Assistant/Receptionist at the Asahi Shimbun (NYC)
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Via JET alum Beth Hillman (Hyogo-Ken, 2002-04) who is finishing up her job at the Asahi Shimbun:
News Assistant / Receptionist
Asahi Shimbun, New York bureau
The Asahi Shimbun, a major Japanese newspaper, has an opening for a news assistant / receptionist in its New York bureau located in Times Square.
Job Description: The assistant will be required to perform two separate duties: news assistant and receptionist.
Oh (JETAA) Canada!
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I just had a great time in Toronto this past weekend (May 29-31) where I had the honour (Americans: please note spelling) of being invited to be the keynote speaker for the JETAA Canada National Conference.
Here’s what I have to report:
- I think the speech went well and resonated with the chapter reps, especially on the themes of creating structures and motivation to get more JET alums to self-identify and view themselves as part of the JET alumni community. (Full text of speech available here.)
- Several people told me they were familiar with JetWit but didn’t really get what it was all about and how it could be helpful until they heard me talk about it and provide the background and context.
- People seem to be much nicer in Canada. From the hostess at the trendy Panorama bar where we gathered the first night even to the personal search I had to go through at airport security. (Did I mention that my suitcase was already on the baggage carousel by the time I got to the baggage claim area upon arrival? First time ever in my life that’s happened.)
- JETAA Toronto did a fantastic job of hosting, thanks to the hard work of Conference Organizer Amy Schindler, JETAA Canada Country Rep Gloria Ma, JETAA Toronto Co-chairs Natalie Bey and Glen Morales, Website & Communications Chair Darryl Young, Website Support (and professional illustrator) David Namisato, Treasurer Sonia Cheng and many others.
- A number of chapters, especially in the less populated areas of Canada, are struggling with ways to keep their membership lists above a certain level (which they need for continued financial support from CLAIR) due to some evolving new requirements on who can be counted as a member. (So if you’re a JET alum in, e.g., Saskatchewan, and not on a chapter list, please get in touch with your chapter!)
- The main street in Toronto is called Bloor Street, which sounds funny if you keep saying it over and over.
- JETAA Toronto recently hosted a successful event featuring the work of JET alumni artists. A great idea to try and replicate in other chapters. Actually, it would be really nice if someone wanted to start a Facebook or Google group for JET alumni artists. If you do this, get in touch and I’ll help get the word out. There are a lot of good ones out there.
- I learned of two more JET alumni academics/authors: Alison Gabriele (linguistics) and Karen Healey (literature). (Thanks to linguistics grad student and JETAA Montreal chapter rep Moti Lieberman for sharing the info. Moti, by the way, also offered to write a piece for JetWit on where to go in Montreal to get your “Japan fix.” Part of the idea is that any JET alums planning on moving to Montreal will stumble on the article and then know to get in touch with the JETAA chapter there. If anyone else wants to write a “Japan fix” piece for wherever you are, please feel free to get in touch. It would be great to have a whole series of these.)
- I had a wonderful informal walking tour of Toronto with Robert Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04), author of Zorgamazoo (which just won an E.B. White Honour given to the 4 best “read-aloud” books).
All of which is to say, if you’re ever invited to attend the JETAA Canada National Conference, by all means take them up on it.
And lastly, thanks to everyone from Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Ottawa and elsewhere for your hospitality and for allowing me to join the conference. It was a terrific experience and is already leading to more cross-chapter collaboration and communication.
-Steven
J-News Mini-Roundup: Tragic Accident in Yokohama Kills 3
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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.
Remember what it was like to first get your license? It’s both exciting and nerve racking to be driving around on your own free will. This is probably what the 18 year old university student was thinking last night as he was driving through the streets of Yokohoma.
Unfortunately, he did not think to check the light as he was heading for the intersection. As he went through the red light, his car was side swiped by another, and pushed up onto the sidewalk. Waiting on the sidewalk were three female pedestrians…
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
Jobs: International Education Programs (Chronicle of Higher Ed)
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Via the Chronicle of Higher Education’s international education programs job listings:
5/27/2009
- St. George’s University (New York) : Manager of Overseas Recruitment
5/25/2009
- Frostburg State University (Maryland) : Director of the Center for International Education
- Union College (N.Y.) (New York) : Director of International Programs
Via JETAA:
Full time Kindergarten Teaching Position opening in Sapporo.
This position offers a competitive salary, and great paid vacation time. In addition to a cooperative working environment, successful candidates will have the opportunity to teach their own class of kindergarten aged children in the schools unique English immersion program. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys teaching younger children, and is also creative, flexible, and has lots of energy. This is a fabulous opportunity for the right candidate.
Those interested in the position please contact Aimee at: allgroups1234[at]yahoo[dot]com
Position will be available from July or late June.
JETAA DC seeks Newsletter Editor
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Via JETAA DC:
According to former JETAA DC Newsletter Coordinator Abby McBain, who is now the JET Liaison at the Consulate General of Japan in Miami, the JETAA Newsletter Coordinator position is still open.
She notes that it’s a particularly great opportunity for anyone looking for a way to use or improve their desktop publishing skills. [Ed. note: As the former JETAA NY Newsletter Editor, I can vouch for this.] Abby mentions that she had a lot of fun designing and putting together the Spring issue of The Sakura Times, and it was very helpful to be able to show a mock-up fo the issue when she interviewed for her current position at the Consulate. She said she was told after getting the job as JET coordinator that the interviewers were particularly impressed with the newsletter and it was definitely a factor in her being chosen.
Tsumari, serving as a newsletter editor is a great way to build a portfolio of your work and demonstrate your skills.
The returnee newsletter issue for JETAA DC needs to be compiled soon. It would be great if someone can step up to to take on the full reins and keep the newsletter going.
If interested, please contact Abby at ASAP.
WITLife #41: Drugs for all!
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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.
Starting today in Japan, as a result of loosening of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, consumers will be able to purchase nonprescription drugs at convenience stores and supermarkets. With this deregulation, conbini and supermarket chain operators will be allowed to sell most nonprescription products such as cold and stomach medicine at outlets staffed with registered sales clerks.
Currently, consumers can only buy nonprescription products at drug stores where pharmacists are in attendance, but the legal change will allow consumers to buy such drugs at conbini around the clock. A conbini operator senior official said that Read More
J-News Mini-Roundup: Economic Woes Plague 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.
The U.S. economic news hasn’t been that bad, lately. Just last week was released some of the most promising consumer confidence numbers since the recession began, and the stock market has been slightly gaining over a period of time. In fact minus the effects of the Swine Flu, and some people might say the U.S. economy is showing signs of recovery.
Not so in Japan. The effects of the recession that have already taken hold have been exacerbated by…
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
WIT Life #40: One Coin Deals
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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.
One of Japan’s recent innovations for battling the ongoing recession is providing consumers with products or services that can be paid
for with just one coin (the phrase ワンコイン that refers to this phenomenon has been getting a lot of traction lately). Today there was a feature focusing on 500 yen (or one coin) health related services and how they are boosting business for many establishments.
One location profiled was a place where you can get various health factors evaluated. Here they provide a “one coin menu” which offers Read More
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: SMAP is one of the most popular boy bands in Japan. Anyone that’s been to Japan and done Karaoke will probably tell you about their songs. Just turn on the TV and you’ll see the very popular Smap Smap variety show. According to Wikipedia SMAP leader Nakai was the highest tax payer of any entertainer in Japan in 2003.
In late April of this year, SMAP member Tsuyoshi Kusanagi was arrested for indecent exposure in a public park. He was found not guilty by authorities, and is scheduled today to return back to showbiz on the show Smap Smap. The Japanese newspapers each had their own account of the Smap member’s return.
Yomiuri He’s Back As Popular Than Ever This summary of the article basically sums up Yomiuri’s reporting of the return of Tsuyoshi Kusanagi. They quote him by saying “I’m happy to have my job and start from square one. I apologize for any inconvenience caused to my band members, and I also thank the fans for all their encouraging words.” The “encouraging words”, according to Yomiuri, were about 45,000 letters sent by fans during his one month absence. Yomiuri paints a picture of Tsuyoshi both as popular as ever, and also as busy as ever. After his debut on Smap Smap tonight Tsuyoshi then is scheduled to appear on “Waratemoii” the following day.
Asahi He Has Risen and Reformed The Asahi fails to mention the massive fan mail and rigorous schedule of Tsuoyoshi and instead…
(Click HERE to read the rest of the post)
Job: Accounting and General Affairs for a Trading Company (NYC)
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Via Max Consulting:
Industry: Trading (Import/Export)
Title: Accounting and General Affairs
Job Description: Accounting and General Affairs Staff in a trading company.
JetWit link on official JET Programme site
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A.J., the official mascot of JetWit (designed by Zi Mei (Saitama-ken, 2002-05))
Big news: Just learned that JetWit.com has been added to the JET Programme website’s Links page in the “After JET” section. http://jetprogramme.org/e/links/index.html#after
Needless to say, A.J. is beside himself with shiawase.
Event: Tokyo Authors and Illustrators Networking Night
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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 Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators presents
SCBWI Tokyo Authors & Illustrators Networking Night
Time: Thursday, June 11, 2009, 7:00 pm onward
Place: The Pink Cow, Villa Moderuna B1, 1-3-18 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0002 (Tel. 03-3406-5597 www.thepinkcow.com)
Fee: Entry is free to SCBWI members and non-members. Drinks and food are charged individually.
RSVP: RSVP to info@scbwi.jp by June 9.
This event will be in English and Japanese.
Come and join fellow writers, illustrators and publishing professionals at the fourth annual SCBWI Authors & Illustrators Networking Night at The Pink Cow in Shibuya. SCBWI members and non-members are welcome. Mix and mingle, talk shop or just get to know each other. Feel free to bring along copies of your books, portfolios and other materials to share. Great Pink Cow food and drinks available to order at the bar! Please see www.thepinkcow.com for a map.
For more info: info@scbwi.jp / www.scbwi.jp
J-News Mini-Roundup: Aso and Hatoyama Face Off
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Scene from the movie "Faceoff"
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: Earlier in the year Mr. Ozawa, the leader of the main opposition party in Japan called The Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ, resigned. Although Mr. Ozawa of the DPJ didn’t directly admit it, his resignation was probably influenced by the Nishimatsu Construction scandal, where his secretary was accused of embezzling money. Since the DPJ has elected a new leader, Mr. Hatoyama, to lead them into battle over the snap election that is highly rumored to take place this summer. The first confrontation between Prime Minister Aso and Representative Hatoyama took place last night on the floor of the Diet. Each newspaper took sides.
Asahi “Hatoyama is a Man of the People” The opening paragraph of a political article gives the background, and the second paragraph tells who the newspaper thinks was victorious. The Asahi, reporting on the commentary about “Money and Politics”, quoted Hatoyama in their second paragraph: “While Prime Minister Aso’s power is bureaucratic, the DPJ is a party where we derive our power from the national populace, the local citizen, and the everyday average person.” The Asahi doesn’t even mention Aso’s response until their third paragraph, where they claim “his response was abstract, and commented about the financial crisis and the North Korean problem.”
Nikkei “The Prime Minister Calls for Responsibility” While the Asahi focused on the articulate words of Hatoyama and his criticisms of bureaucratic power
