Via JET alum Jessica Cork of the Japanese Consulate in Atlanta. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields. She is also the former vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
*Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.
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Job Position: Seeking volunteers for JapanFest (Georgia)
Job Details:
The Japan-America Society of Georgia, The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia, and the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta are seeking volunteers for JapanFest Weekend, an Atlanta-based festival celebrating Japanese culture. JapanFest Weekend will be held on September 17 and 18, 2011, at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, GA from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday.
JapanFest will feature taiko drum concerts and dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, cultural workshops including tea ceremony, kimono, and calligraphy, children’s games, Japanese food & beer garden, bonsai trees, and contemporary and traditional music.
More than 18,000 visitors attend JapanFest annually. Approximately 300 volunteers help in several areas including ticketing, arranging children’s activities, and safety. Volunteers receive a JapanFest T-shirt and free access to the festival.
How to Apply:
To sign up, visit www.japanfest.org or contact Jessica Cork at cork@cgjapanatlanta.org or 404-926-3020. You must be over 18 years of age to volunteer.
Monkey Majik JET alum rocker and Ambassador Fried deliver Canadian beef to Tagajo, Miyagi
Celebrity, Earthquake Tsunami, Japan Local, JETs in the News, Notable JET Alums, Volunteer 
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Thanks to JETAA Ottawa President Lisa Malin for sharing this:
Brief English summary of Japanese article below:
Canada’s Ambassador to Japan Jonathan T. Fried delivered a load of Canadian beef to Tagajo City, Miyagi Prefecture along with Maynard Plant (Aomori-ken, 1997-2000) and one other member of Monkey Majik (a four-person Canadian-Japanese band based in Sendai and Tagajo). The beef was served atop locally grown Hitomebore rice to make steeki-don for 1,000 people living in shelters in Tagajo. The Ambassador’s aim was to help residents get their strength back after everything they’ve been through, and it appears to have been the first meat many had enjoyed for quite awhile.
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(Japanese article)
宮城〕
| カナダ牛でステーキ丼 駐日大使ら炊き出し 多賀城
カナダ牛のステーキで元気になってもらおうと、駐日カナダ大使と音楽グループ「ＭＯＮＫＥＹ ＭＡＪＩＫ」のメンバーらが２日、多賀城市内２か所の避難所でステーキ丼の炊き出しを行った。 同グループはカナダ人と日本人の４人組。仙台市を拠点に活動しているが、デビュー前は多賀城市が活動の中心だった。 震災後は各地でボランティア活動を続けながら、カナダ大使館に支援を呼びかけると、４月にはジョナサン・フリード大使が多賀城市に避難物資を届け、今回の支援を約束した。 大使館は「力のつく温かいものを食べてもらいたい」と、県産米「ひとめぼれ」の上にカナダ牛を豪快に盛りつけた １０００食分のステーキ丼を用意。避難所が置かれた市文化センターと市総合体育館では、フリード大使が「お元気ですか」と声をかけながら、被災者にステー キ丼を手渡した。 ２歳の長男とステーキをほおばった同市桜木、無職佐藤深雪さん（３３）は「肉を食べたのは本当に久しぶり。柔らかくておいしかった」と顔をほころばせた。 （2011年6月3日 読売新聞） |
JETAA USA seeks Web Content Editor (volunteer)
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Via JETAA USA:
JETAA USA is looking for an enthusiastic volunteer web content editor to help on some short and long term-projects.
With the roll-out of the new JETAA USA website at last year’s National Conference, our goal is to improve the website so that it becomes a central hub and resource which will serve all US Chapters.
Our wish list is:
● Migrate any information from other online platforms we have previously used, organize it, and make it available on the US website; in a sense- creating a virtual file cabinet for storing resources and documents.
● Create ideas for installing new resource sections, and improvements on what we’ve currently got established (such as a current national projects section and conference section).
We expect the bulk of the workload to be in the next 3 months as we jump start this, upload content, push forward with the JETAA USA Earthquake Fund and bracket the National Conference. After that time period, we anticipate the workload to decrease to ongoing maintenance, occasional projects and helping Country Representatives (CRs) to trouble shoot any potential issues with the website on an “as needed” basis. We would like this position to be an integrated part of the JETAA USA national team.
The workload of this position will vary depending on the time of year and the level of experience of the web editor. Although this is a volunteer position we would like someone who is willing to dedicate their time and be accountable for project completion. The US CRs will work with the web editor at a pace that is comfortable and reasonable, but also impactful.
We are looking for an applicant who:
● Has experience troubleshooting and responding to organizational needs and has previously managed content.
● Knowledge of WordPress, HTML, CSS, and/ or Java is a plus!
● Has a proven track record and experience with web related projects.
● Experience working with JET affiliated organizations (i.e. JETAA, AJET) is beneficial.
● Is a JET Program alumnus.
If you’re interested, please contact any (or all) of us with a brief description of your experience and desire to be a part of the team. Thank you!
- us1.jetaausa@gmail.com (Mike Shu)
- us2.jetaausa@gmail.com (Megan Miller-Yoo)
- us3.jetaausa@gmail.com (Jessyca Wilcox)
Shimane JETs Raise Over $21,000 USD for Tohoku Disaster Relief
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From the JETAA USA website originally posted by JETAA USA Country Rep Jessyca Wilcox:
Shimane JETs Raise Over $21,000 USD for Tohoku Disaster Relief
Shimane AJET gathered their local ALTs, CIRs and Japanese community members to join together for a charity hike. On May 15th over 60 ALTs and CIRs and 50 Japanese people took part in a sponsored “Charity Hike.”
The hike took place on Shimane’s highest mountain: Mt. Sanbe in Oda City, Shimane. It was attended by people from 14 countries: America, Ireland, France, England, Jamaica, Canada, Scotland, Kenya, China, Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
In the weeks leading up the event particpants raised $21,023 USD (¥1,715,338) from local and international donations (via the internet). At the summit of Mt. Sanbe, the participants held a photo opportunity and called out a strong message of support for the people of Tohoku and Japan from the international community. Please see the photograph below.
In the week after the event, the money was transferred to the Japanese Red Cross (70%) and “SMILE and Dreams: Tohoku Kids Project” (30%).
Lauren Hale, a Shimane JET from Denver, CO said, “Japan has been such a great home to us all and we were so glad that we could be a part of the relief effort. We raised over twice the amount that we had originally hoped for!”
Check out the project website for video coverage and photos: www.sanbehike.com
*Shimane JET alums (and anyone else), please don’t hesitate to post words of support for the terrific work of Shimane AJET and all involved in the comments section below.
Earthquake Recovery News 05.31.11
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Hello, everyone! My name is Emily Duncan (Hyogo-ken, 2005-2008). Currently I live in Atlanta, Georgia and I oversee the Facebook discussion group “Japan Earthquake Disaster Relief Idea Exchange.”
Originally my friend Mellissa Takeuchi (also a former Hyogo-ken ALT) and I established this group to discuss ideas which could help Japan in the aftermath of the March 11th earthquake. In the beginning this was fairly helpful, but as time went on it became increasingly obvious that the recovery story in Japan would not stay on the front pages of newspapers and websites so I decided to share news stories that I thought would be of interest to our discussion group. My hope is that these stories will inspire other people to get involved.
Originally I was at a loss as to how I would start this series of posts for JETwit. But as yesterday was Memorial Day I thought it would be best to acknowledge the hard work of the American military during Operation Tomodachi. All branches of the American military – Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines worked together to help the region affected by the earthquake and tsunami. (See more here with a nice slideshow here).
I was really proud of the initial response and would love to have one of those patches!
via JETAA UK. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields. She is also the former vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
*Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.
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Job Position: Volunteers needed for Japan Matsuri (London, UK)
Job Details:
A number of Volunteers and Interns are required for Japan Matsuri 2011, which will take place on 18th September in London.
Period: From NOW up to 18/08/2011(Sun)
Venue: London
Language Skill required: English or Japanese (* depending on the roles)
If you join us as a volunteer we can give you:
Japan Relief: “It Won’t Be Long Now” song and video by JET alum Shun Endo and The Liquid Now
Cultural Outreach, Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, Music, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Video, Volunteer Comments Off on Japan Relief: “It Won’t Be Long Now” song and video by JET alum Shun Endo and The Liquid Now
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JET alum Shun Endo (Ibaraki Prefecture, 1998-2001) (Treasurer and Webmaster for JETAA Pacific Northwest and creator instantnoodlescomics.com) and his band The Liquid Now have released a music video titled “It Won’t Be Long Now“ intended to draw attention to and help fundraise for Japan relief efforts.
From Shun Endo and The Liquid Now:
IT WON’T BE LONG is about overcoming the tsunami and earthquake in Northern Japan. It was a chance for us to really reflect on their struggle, and beyond. To us, the Japanese festivals encompass the beauty of the culture. We’ve experienced nothing like it. It is a time of strong community, tradition, abandon, and joy. We hope the areas affected will heal enough to enjoy themselves once again soon.
All band sales will be donated, so just donate directly to the Seattlejapanrelief.org who work with Red Cross and Peacewinds.
For a digital copy of the song, visit www.theliquidnow.com and/or email theliquidnow@gmail.com
Thank you for listening. 日本の皆さん、頑張りましょう。
The Liquid Now are a band from Seattle that is influenced by British music and Japanese culture. www.theliquidnow.com
(we hope people don’t mind us using their online photos as this is for a good cause, and we will donate anything that comes our way.)
Smile Kids Japan’s Mike Maher-King speaks at TEDxTokyo
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Mike Maher-King (Fukui), founder of Smile Kids Japan, recently spoke at TEDxTokyo: Entering the Unknown on Saturday, May 21 at Miraikan Tokyo.
Here are the English and Japanese videos of Mike’s talk which is titled “Against All Odds” in which he talks about Smile Kids Japan, how he came to start it, how the JET experience and community factored in and SKJ’s involvement in earthquake relief efforts.
Earthquake Relief: Seattle Japan Relief Weekly Highlights for May 23-29th
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Via Pacific Northwest JETAA:
Check out Seattle Japan Relief Weekly Highlights for May 23-29th!
We are looking for volunteers to help out with a June 11th classical concert at UW to fundraise for Japan relief efforts! Interested in being an usher or registration volunteer? Please contact seattlejapanrelief [at] hyogobcc.org.
Domo ne,
Erin Erickson
CIR, Akita 2001-2004
Volunteer, Seattle Japan Relief.org
Japan Times: JET teacher aids school rebuilding
Blogs, Cultural Outreach, Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, Japan Local, JETs in the News, Local Government, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Volunteer, Writers Comments Off on Japan Times: JET teacher aids school rebuilding
“My name is Andras Molnar, an English teacher from Yamamoto Town in Japan, a place recently devastated by the earthquake and tsunami. I am trying to raise funds for the reconstruction of the schools in my town, as well as buying school supplies and uniforms for children who lost everything in the tsunami.”
U.S. teacher aids school rebuilding
SENDAI — An American English teacher at a middle school in Miyagi Prefecture has set up funds to solicit donations for rebuilding elementary schools damaged by the tsunami following the March 11 earthquake.
Pennsylvania native Andras Molnar, 25, said that although he is leaving the prefecture’s town of Yamamoto in August when his teaching contract ends, he is “hoping to stay connected” with the town through the fund.
Molnar said he became interested in Japan through “anime” such as “Gundam” and spent a year in the country as a high school student and again while at university. He came to Yamamoto, a coastal town of around 16,000, in August 2009.
He said he got along well with locals through a drum circle and surfing, a hobby of his.
“Everyone is very open, kind and I like them a lot,” he said in Japanese.
After the town was engulfed by the tsunami, he stayed at the junior high school for a week, busily checking the whereabouts of his students and doing what he could at evacuation sites, he said.
He then moved to Tokyo for around one month at the suggestion of his parents and friends.
But after getting email from friends in Yamamoto inquiring about him, he wondered why he was not giving his best when all the people in the town were doing their utmost, he said.
Molnar said it was this that prompted him to return to his apartment in Yamamoto.
“It was really good that I returned,” he said. “I feel encouraged by the children.”
He set up relief funds in Japan and the United States to help rebuild two elementary schools where buildings were devastated by the tsunami, and is soliciting donations through his blog.
Volunteer: JETwit seeks help tracking JET disaster relief efforts
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I know there a slew of JETs and alums involved in a variety of volunteer efforts in Japan right now. And I don’t have time to capture and post on JETwit about it.
For example:
- A JET named Paul Yoo in Akita helped organize something called The Fruit Tree Project to bring fresh fruit to affected areas and posted information about that and other volunteer efforts on a website I believe he set up called volunteerAKITA.
- Mike Maher-King (Fukui) of Smile Kids Japan has been doing all kinds of things with orphanages and delivery of supplies and connecting people and groups who are trying to help in various ways.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. These are just two examples I happen to be aware of.
Would someone out there be interested in doing occasional posts on JETwit that simply list recent efforts, activities and updates along with links to the source of the information? Sort of a JET Volunteer Round-up?
Familiarity using WordPress preferred but not absolutely necessary.
Contact Steven at jetwit [at] jetwit.com if interested.
Thanks and yoroshiku.
Smile Kids Japan’s Mike Maher-King to speak at TEDxTokyo
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Mike Maher-King (Fukui), founder of Smile Kids Japan, will be one of the speakers at TEDxTokyo: Entering the Unknown on Saturday, May 21 at Miraikan Tokyo.
Here’s some background on Mike from the TEDxTokyo website which does a nice job summarizing some of the good work he’s been doing since the Tohoku Earthquake/Tsunami:
Mike Maher-King
Network Organizer, Fundraiser and CatalystChanneling good intentions is tougher than it looks, but Michael Maher King seems to possess the knack. The young British founder and CEO of Smile Kids Japan—which has now joined Living Dreams—was a teacher in Fukui when his wife informed him that some of their students were orphans. In May 2008, they started up Smile Kids to lend their time, skills and care to Fukui’s orphanages.
The March 11 Tohoku disaster broadened the group’s focus and ambitions. Working alongside the Living Dreams NPO, Michael is now taking their network concept to 18 orphanages in Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima through the Smiles and Dreams: Tohoku Kids’ Project. They plan to set up regular fun and interactive volunteer visits, distribute donated items, and spark long-term projects that cover everything from computers to mentoring to scholarships. Michael hopes to go nationwide and help Japan’s other orphans shape their own destinies.
And here’s the event description from the TEDxTokyo website:
Join us
The entire event will be streamed live here on:
- May 21st from 9am JST
- May 20th from 8pm EDT
Join us for all of the talks as they happen, and exclusive backstage interviews.
On Saturday May 21st from 9am JST (Friday May 20th from 8pm EDT) the curtain will rise on our third annual event, Entering the Unknown, which is set to be bigger and better than ever as we bring together an even wider range of speakers and participants to share ideas and inspiration.
In the wake of the devastating March 11th earthquake and subsequent tsunami & radiation menace, we abruptly altered our focus to explore practical and inventive ways of rebuilding and renewing Japan, and uplifting the spirits of its people.
Over 30 speakers and 300 participants will be joining us at Tokyo’s iconic Miraikan, with thousands more around the world watching on the day via our bilingual live streams, whilst taking part through our social media channels.
We invite you to be a part of this special event – put the date in your diary, follow our latest updates on Twitter, and join us here live from Tokyo on the day as we Enter the Unknown.
“Arigatou, America” ad runs in Washington Times
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Posted by Justin Manger to the JETAA DC yahoogroup:
Yesterday, in the May 10th edition of the Washington Times, there was a full page ad on the back of the first section. Below a sketched image of a firm handshake one simple word is written: Arigato.
This is one way the Japanese community, through the WA Project<http://www.facebook .com/WA.project>, is saying thank you to America and Americans for their support and help as Japan recovers from the tsunami that devastated the northeastern part of the country on March 11th. This of course includes a thank you for JETAADC’s help.
Take a look at the powerful image and message from a powerful grassroots project.
For background on the WA Project, read the Japanese press release<http://www.cepex. org/wp-content/ uploads/2011/ 05/WA-Project- Press-Release- Final-CEPEX- header-Japanese. pdf> and the English press release<http://www.cepex. org/wp-content/ uploads/2011/ 05/WA-Project- Press-Release- Final-CEPEX- header-English. pdf>
The project was also picked up by NHK (video): http://www3. nhk.or.jp/ news/html/ 20110511/ t10015809311000. html
東日本大震災を受けてアメリカの人たちから寄せられたさまざまな支援に対する感謝の気持ちを伝えようと、アメリカに住む日本人の有志らが、現地の新聞の紙面に大きな文字で「ＡＲＩＧＡＴＯ（ありがとう）」などと書いたメッセージを載せました。
Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA) Update 04.28.11
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The Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA) has been an excellent source of updates via the earthquake section of its website as well as its Facebook page. The kind of info you’re likely not getting from CNN or network news. Notably, JET alum James Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94) is the Executive Director of JCIE/USA’s New York office. Here’s the latest update:
4/28 Update: http://www.jcie.org/earthquakeupdate.html
* Peace Winds Japan helps chambers of commerce to get up and running as an important recovery step.
* Another PWJ initiative, the free “Compassion Bus”, takes evacuees to supermarkets in Ofunato and others.
* Association for Aid and Relief also offers transportation services to those on the Oshika Peninsula, which sustained enormous damage to its roads.
4/26-27 Update: http://www.jcie.org/earthquakeupdate.html
* The Japan Association for Refugees (JAR) began offering legal consultations; evacuees have many concerns from lost family, businesses and even the mortgages on homes that were swept away.
* NICCO experts find that functioning batteries from cars that were destroyed can be used to power LED lights, which can then be hooked up to solar panels for all day use.
JETAA Florida to provide volunteers for South Florida events this weekend
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Thanks to JETAA Florida President Bahia Simons-Lane (Gunma-ken) for sharing the following:
JETAA Florida is providing volunteers for two events in South Florida this weekend:
1. Japan Culture Day at Florida International University
2. Miami Reggae Festival for Japan Relief in Coconut Grove
See Bahia’s blog for full details.
