JET Prefecture Round Up! 12.09.17
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JET Prefecture Round Up is a weekly mosaic of events taking place in the AJET community in Japan. Compiled by Suzanne Bhagan, (Tottori Prefecture).
Are you psyched yet?
When: 15 December
Where: Oita City, Oita Prefecture
Oita AJET welcomes one and all to watch the latest Star Wars flick.
Aomori AJET Skating and Gift Exchange
When: 16 December
Where: Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
Whether you’re a pro or a newbie, join Aomori AJET for some winter fun and holiday cheer. Bring a pressie if you’re interested in the gift exchange.
It’ll be Christmas soon!
When: 16 December
Where: Kurayoshi, Tottori Prefecture
Get in the spirit with Tottori AJET. Bring a gift and money for dinner and drinks!
Ugly Sweater Potluck and White Elephant
When: 16 December
Where: Okinawa, Okinawa Prefecture
Get together with Oki AJET to celebrate with an ugly Christmas sweater party and gift exchange!
Job: Sales Representative and Sales Assistant Roles – Okaya (USA), Inc (IL, IN, GA or NC)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Sales Representative and Sales Assistant Roles
Posted by: Okaya (USA), Inc
Location: Chicago (IL), Indianapolis (IN), Atlanta (GA), or Raleigh-Durham (NC)
Contract: Full-Time
Thanks to JET alum, Amir Bahrami (Fukushima-ken) for the following job listings with his company:
Okaya (USA), Inc. (http://www.okayausa.com), the US subsidiary of Okaya Kouki (http://www.okaya.co.jp/en/index.html), one of Japan’s oldest trading companies is currently looking for candidates to fill Sales Representative and Sales Assistant roles in several of our offices around the United States. Current openings are for our Chicago (IL), Indianapolis (IN), Atlanta (GA), and Raleigh-Durham (NC) branches. Candidates with medium to high Japanese proficiency are preferred (JLPT N1/2/3 or equivalent).
While experience working for or with Japanese companies is a plus, Okaya has previously hired JETs upon return to the US and currently employs 2 former JETs (including myself). Any familiarity to with the Japanese automotive industry, logistics, or accounting is a huge plus. While inside sales positions are available, outside sales representatives will be expected to travel significantly in their local area as we work with a diverse array of clients, supplying sourcing and logistical support for projects in the automotive field as well as other industries.
In the past, Okaya USA has typically used recruiters to make contact with prospective employees, but our current Vice-President would like to take a new approach to hiring this time and work with candidates directly. After resume submission and initial contact, interviews will be available at the 4 offices mentioned above as well as our Lexington, KY branch. Relocation support will be provided for successful candidates if needed.
Compensation will be based on experience and competitive within the industry. Full benefits are included as part of the standard compensation package for all full-time employees.
Please feel free to direct any questions or resume submissions to my work email account: (abahrami@okaya-usa.com) After review, you can be expect to be contacted by HR staff from our headquarters or managers at the local branches. Before submission I will be glad to answer any questions you may have about our company and my experiences here as a fellow JET.
I joined Okaya USA last year after my return from 3 years of teaching in Fukushima-ken and have enjoyed my coworkers and working life immensely. I think that trading companies like Okaya offer returning JETs an excellent opportunity to quickly become involved in Japanese business, make use of their Japanese skills on a daily basis, and grow as a professional.
Job: Tax Accounting Positions – PwC (NY, KY, or OH)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Tax Accounting Positions
Posted by: PwC
Location: Louisville, KY or Cincinnati, OH or New York, NY
Contract: Full-Time
Thanks to JETAA USA Country Representative, Mark Frey (Kumamoto-ken) for the following job opportunities with his company:
PwC is looking to fill two tax accounting positions in our Japanese Business Network in New York and Kentucky/ Ohio.
If you are interested, please send me your tailored resume, cover letter, and home address, and I will submit via our internal referral system, which will give you an advantage over other candidates: mark.frey@pwc.com
- Private Company Service Japanese Business Network Manager; Louisville, KY or Cincinnati, OH
- Private Company Service Japanese Business Network Senior Associate; New York, NY
Knowledge Preferred for each position: Considerable knowledge of the complex tax issues faced by US, non-publically traded entities with extensive operations in Japan. For more information: http://jobs.pwc.com/ListJobs/ByKeyword/japan
— Mark Frey, JETAA USA Country Representative (Kumamoto, 2002-2006)
Justin’s Japan: ‘Nourishing Japan’ Documentary Launches Kickstarter Campaign
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By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Shukan NY Seikatsu. Justin has written about Japanese arts and entertainment for JETAA since 2005. For more of his articles, click here.
For Americans who have lived in Japan, some cultural experiences have a wonderful way of returning with us on the journey home.
Alexis Agliano Sanborn is a Harvard grad who spent two years teaching in rural Shimane Prefecture on the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. As a Japan specialist, writer and filmmaker, her exposure to school lunch in Shimane served as the inspiration for a new project: “Nourishing Japan,” a documentary film currently in development about food education in Japan that aims to change how we look at what we eat.
“My specific goal is to create a documentary about how the food education workforce in Japan is changing the world for good,” Sanborn said. “We’re looking for supporters who believe learning about food is important, and are excited to support the creation of a film which has the power to change the world for the better.”
What’s so special about school lunches in Japan? Simple: The food is made from scratch. A 2013 Washington Post article explains: “Schools in Japan give their students the sort of food they’d get at home—not at a stadium, as in the United States….They’re balanced but hearty, heavy on rice and vegetables, fish and soups, and they haven’t changed much in four decades.”
Next year, Sanborn will return to Japan to begin a second round of filming. On January 5th, the “Nourishing Japan” project will launch a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to help share the project with the world. With more than 160 likes currently on Facebook, the team is looking to double that number in December. For more information and to view the Kickstarter teaser video, visit http://nourishingjapan.com.
JET Prefecture Round Up 12.02.17
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JET Prefecture Round Up is a weekly mosaic of events taking place in the AJET community in Japan. Compiled by Suzanne Bhagan, (Tottori Prefecture).
Become a Samurai Warrior at Sengan-en!
When: 8 – 17 December
Where: Kagoshima, Kagoshima Prefecture
Visit Sengan-en, home of the Shimadzu clan, and become a samurai warrior for a small price! What better way can you create an unforgettable memory of your time in Japan?
Channel your inner warrior.
When: 9 December
Where: Izumo, Shimane Prefecture
Try something different this year and celebrate the season with Shimane AJET at Marine Thalasso’s heated indoor pool!
Light it up!
When: 9 December
Where: Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture
It’s that time of year again! Catch the best holiday illuminations in Shizuoka and enjoy a meal buffet style with Shizuoka AJET.
When: 9 December
Where: Shiga Prefecture
Wear your ugliest Christmas sweater, bring a pressie, and come share in Shiga AJET’s festivities for one night only.
Bonenkai time!
When: 9 December
Where: Beppu, Oita Prefecture
RSVP if you’d like to partake in this annual all you eat and drink event hosted by Oita AJET.
Job: Inside Sales – SUS America, Inc. (Elk Grove Village, IL)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Inside Sales
Posted by: SUS America, Inc.
Location: Elk Grove Village, IL (Chicago)
Contract: Full-Time
Thanks to JET alumna, Julia Mace (Kagawa-ken) for the following job opening with her company:
Details
Coordinate with the Sales Team to write quotes, process purchase orders, confirm inventory, and schedule product shipping. This is a position that requires attention to detail and the ability to follow established procedures. Negotiation skills are also required when scheduling with shipping companies and coordinating deliveries with customers.
About The Company
SUS America, Inc. is a a branch of SUS Corporation, a cornerstone in the automation industry in Japan and Southeast Asia. We provide solutions to factories and work floors to improve ergonomics, safety, and efficiency. The US office was opened in 2015 and is seeking new members who will continue to grow with our company. Wages are competitive and the benefits package is excellent. Visit www.susamericainc.com to learn more about the company.
Application Process
For more information on this position, contact Julia Mace at j-mace@susamericainc.com.
Job: Office Manager – The Japan Foundation (New York, NY, USA)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Office Manager
Posted by: The Japan Foundation
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Full-Time
Thanks to Boston’s JET Program Coordinator, Adrian Hatton for passing this along:
http://www.jfny.org/files/doc/2017.11.20_Job%20Announcement.pdf
Job: Spanish-English Bilingual Content and Social Media Specialist – YKK (Marietta, GA, USA)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Spanish-English Bilingual Content and Social Media Specialist
Posted by: YKK
Location: Marietta, GA, USA
Contract: Full-Time
Thanks to Jessica Cork (HIroshima-ken) for the following job listing with her company:
YKK is a Tokyo-based manufacturing company with operations in 71 countries around the world, and is best known for its zippers. YKK Corporation of America is the western hemisphere parent of YKK Corporation’s North and Central America Group, and we are seeking to hire a Spanish-English Bilingual Content and Social Media Specialist.
Please click here to view the job listing.
WIT Life #318: Shuji Terayama
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Written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03), WIT Life is a periodic series about aspects of Japanese culture such as film, food and language. Stacy starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.
Last week I had the opportunity to see some amazing works from legendary avant garde Japanese poet, dramatist, writer, film director, and photographer Shuji Terayama. I hadn’t heard of him before, but many critics view him as one of the most productive and provocative creative artists to come out of Japan. He has also been cited as an influence on various Japanese filmmakers from the 1970s onward. The three films screened were Americans, who are you (アメリカ人あなたは), Laura (ローラ) and The Trial (審判).
A special treat was that Laura included the restaging of Terayama’s 1974 film performance with the original actor, Henrikku Morisaki, who was in attendance. This short film feature female strippers who are berating the audience, when all of a sudden a spectator (Morisaki) enters the film. We saw scenes of him as a young man in this role, being stripped and assaulted by the women. At the end of the film he emerged from behind the screen, this time naked and holding his torn clothes. In an interview post-screening, Morisaki told stories about his work with Terayama over the course of almost 17 years. He described Read More
JETAA Chapter Beats December 2017
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JETAA Chapter Beat is a periodic mosaic of events taking place in the JETAA sphere. Compiled by AJET‘s Director of Alumni Resources Sara-Jane Seery (Kochi Prefecture, 2016- Present).
1) JETAA Pacific North-West
Washi & Washoku
The Pacific Northwest JET Alumni Association with the generous support of the Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Washington are putting on an event to show
how you can bring Japanese culture into your life.Washi and Washoku is here again. Come get your hands dirty and learn how to make Japanese paper, the traditional way. While doing this you can also learn how to make (and eat!) some easy Japanese snacks.
When: Saturday, December 2 at 12 PM – 4 PM PST
Where: Japanese Cultural & Community Center of WA ワ州日本文化会館
1414 S Weller St, Seattle, Washington 98144
2) JETAA Rocky Mountain
Nengajo Making Workshop
The JET Alumni Associaation (JETAARM and the Japan American Society of Colorado (JASC) are proud to present a workshop for making your very own Japanese New Year’s Card. 2018 will be the year of the Dog.
Surprise your friends back in Japan, or give your friends here in the US something unique for New Years. Participants are welcome to come between 130 and 330 to make a card, as long as our supplies last. For the detail oriented, come early to get all that creative energy spent. See you there!
When: Saturday, December 2 at 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM MST
Where: First Baptist Church, 1373 Grant St, Denver, CO 80203
3) JETAA Chicago
‘Bowlnenkai’ aka December Monthly Member Meeting
Come bowl away the past year with JETAA Chicago. We’ll have our regular meeting (possibly at my office, possibly at the Consulate) and then we’ll go bowling. We go to 10 pin on State and Kinzie (near House of Blues). Join us for just the meeting, just the bowling, or both!
When: Monday, December 4 at 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CST
Where: Japan Information Center
737 N Michigan Ave Ste 1000, Chicago, Illinois 60611
4) JETAA South Island
JETAA SI End of Year Dinner
Celebrate the end of 2017 together at JETAASI’s end of year dinner / bounenkai.
When: Thursday, December 7 at 6:30 PM – 8:30pm PM UTC+13
Where: 48 Colombo St, Christchurch, New Zealand 8023
5) JETAA UK
JETAA UK Academic Special Interest Group, UEA Norwich
Applications are open for the next Academic Special Interest Group (SIG) organised by JETAA UK, apply using details below.
The very first meeting of the JETAA UK SIG took place in December 2016 at the School for East Asian Studies (SEAS) at Sheffield University organised by JET alumni Dr Peter Matanle (Senior Lecturer and Director of Research & Innovation at SEAS) and Sharleen Estampador (PhD student at SEAS). 20 JET alumni academics attended representing universities from all over the UK, Ireland, Germany & Holland.
Japan Local Government Centre (CLAIR) London, and the Japanese Embassy (tentative) will again also attend, having spoken last year about how they value JETAA in the UK warmly and welcome the development of the SIG and offered their support for the future of the group. This year, staff from CLAIR HQ in Tokyo also plan to attend.
When: Friday, December 8 at 10 AM – 4:30 PM UTC
Where: University of East Anglia (UEA)
University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, NR4 7TJ Norwich
6) JETAA NSW
JETAA NSW End of Year Celebration
Come along and join JET NSW Alumni Association and our new returnees as we celebrate the end of another year!
For the very first time ever we will be offering AN OPEN BAR for 2 hours!! as well as delicious canapes, great company and your chance to win a variety of great lucky door prizes!
Where: Friday, December 8 at 7 PM UTC+11
When: Pyrmont Point Hotel
59 Harris Street, Pyrmont, New South Wales, Australia 2009
7) JETAA UK
JETAA London Christmas KFC and Markets
Get into the festive spirit by the bucket-loads with the JETAA London Chapter this December!
We kick off our lovely Sunday afternoon with the Japanese Christmas tradition of tucking into a “Kentucky Christmas Dinner”. Once our bellies are full of chicken and cheer, we will head over the beautiful and iconic Tower Bridge to the Christmas Market across the river. Here there will be stalls where you can purchase your Christmas prezzies, food stalls if you’re looking for a tasty dessert, and plenty of decoration and sights (with Tower Bridge as the back-drop!) if you just want to take in the atmosphere. The markets are mostly outdoors so wrap up warm!
Meet at KFC (across the road and to the right of Tower Hill station) at 12pm.clock
When: Sunday, December 10 at 12 PM – 3 PM UTC
Where: Tower Hill, London, EC3N 4, United Kingdom
8) JETAA Texoma
December Book Club – Our Land Was A Forest: An Ainu Memoir
Next we will visit Japan with a memoir by Shigeru Kayano, the first Ainu to be member of the Japanese Diet. The book discusses Shigeru’s struggles to straddle both worlds and to preserve Ainu traditions. clock
When: Sunday, December 10 at 1 PM CST
9) JETAANY
So you wanna start a business?
*We previously held this talk in-person, and are happy to now offer it as a webinar!
Join JET Alumni Lee Uehara and Alex Varney for a conversation about starting a business, digital marketing/PR fundamentals, useful (and often free) online tools, and general things to keep in mind when bringing a product or service to life and marketing it.
Lee is a serial entrepreneur with a string of businesses under her belt, and Alex provides PR, digital marketing, and event management services at an integrated digital marketing/communications firm. Both look forward to sharing their knowledge and experience with attendees in the process of starting/marketing a new business, or attendees simply looking to learn more about the strategies, processes, and digital tools available to entrepreneurs today.
Date: Tuesday, December 12th
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:15 pm
Location: Zoom Info Webinar (Participation Link Forthcoming)
Cost: Free!
There will be time for Q&A.
10) JETAA Heartland
Fa Ra Ra Ra Ramen
Time to get festive in the yummiest of ways!
Join us for a holiday get together celebrating good company and delicious ramen! We will be exploring ramen restaurants and tasting our way through KC’s favourite ramen hotspots.
This is a fun and relaxed event, you are welcome to join or leave at any time. It’s also an open event, so grab a friend/partner/family/person and expose them to the best of Japan. Then they too can understand the wonder which had our students rioting in jubilation when it graced our school lunches.
Hope to see you all there!
When: Saturday, December 16 at 5 PM CST
Where: Bōru Ramen
500 W 75th St, Kansas City, Missouri 64114
The JET Program was founded in 1987 as a program that fostered ties between Japan and four other nations. Today, the program has evolved to include participants from more than 40 countries around the world, with activities ranging from English-teaching to sports exchanges.
This episode of Asia on Air celebrates 30 years of the JET program by interviewing three former JETs:
- Joy Champaloux, Associate Program Officer at Sasakawa USA and President of the JET Alumni Association of Washington, D.C.;
- Bill Clifford, CEO and President of the World Affairs Councils of America and Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University; and
- Hayley Aron, Administrative and Program Assistant at the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation.
Listen in for host Brian Graf’s discussion with our accomplished guests on their experiences in Japan as JETs and how these experiences have shaped their careers and encouraged them to support U.S.-Japan relations.
Host and Creator: Brian Graf
Guests: Bill Clifford, Hayley Aron, and Joy Champaloux
Producer and Engineer: Graham Dietz
Music by HitsLab and Moby Gratis
Asia on Air is a new Sasakawa USA podcast committed to analysis of the latest news in U.S.-Asia relations. Through the lens of the U.S.-Japan relationship, each episode features expert opinions on a variety of subjects ranging from security and foreign policy to economics and culture. Click here to listen to Asia on Air’s SoundCloud channel.
Job: Global Marketing Analyst – Nishimuraya Corp (Hyogo-ken, Japan)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Global Marketing Analyst
Posted by: Nishimuraya Corp
Location: Kinosaki Onsen, Toyooka-shi, Hyogo-ken, Japan
Contract: Full-Time
Thanks to Colin Fukai (Hyogo-ken) for the following job opening:
Language: Mandarin Chinese (native level) / English (business level) / Japanese (business level)
Technical: Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word) proficiency
Desired Age Range: 20 ~ 35
Description: Nishimuraya Corp operates two ryokan in Kinosaki Onsen, Hyogo Prefecture – a quaint, traditional onsen town rated by Lonely Planet as the best onsen town in Japan. Nishimuraya Honkan is a member of Relais & Châteaux and also rated as best onsen ryokan in Japan by Lonely Planet. Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei is a modern ryokan with a variety of room types, facilities, and dining options. Nishimuraya is seeking a self-motivated candidate to serve and assist in expanding its growing base of overseas guests. Experience in travel/lodging industry is helpful but not required. Training and housing support available. The ideal candidate should be internationally-oriented with a keen interest in Japanese culture, and proficient in Mandarin Chinese (both oral & written) with business-level abilities in English & Japanese. This is a unique opportunity to gain rich experience in the travel/lodging industry as well as exercise & expand your language skills!
Work Activities (including but not limited to):
- Online & telephone reservations (Mandarin Chinese/English)
- Front desk duties – check-in & check-out (Mandarin Chinese/English)
- Promoting to & managing relationships with inbound travel agencies (Mandarin Chinese / English)
- Other duties & activities relating to supporting guest’s stay & reservations (Mandarin Chinese / English)
- Participating in training & meetings with regard to work duties (Japanese)
Application Process: Please visit the website (http://www.nishimuraya.ne.jp/global/)
JET Prefecture Round Up 23.11.17
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By Suzanne Bhagan (Tottori Prefecture)
Tuck in!
When: 26 November
Where: Matsue, Shimane Prefecture
Even though Thanksgiving is technically over, that’s no reason not to keep the celebrations going this weekend!
Let’s make sasadango!
When: 2 December
Where: Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture
Join Niigata AJET to learn how to make Niigata’s favorite treat, sasadango, from mugwort-flavored mochi, red beans, and bamboo leaves!
All you can eat crab? Sign me up!
All You Can Eat Crab & Onsen Bus Trip!
When: 2 December
Where: Kumihama, Kyoto Prefecture
Sign up for an all you can eat crab buffet, hot springs, and Amanohashidate on a one-day-only trip!
Get lit in Chichibu!
Block 3 AJET Event: Mitsumine Shrine and Yomatsuri
When: 3 December
Where: Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture
Celebrate Chichibu City’s annual festival, Yomatsuri, where dozens of enormous portable shrines are marched through the city after a spectacular fireworks display.
Job: Bilingual Marketing & Sales Senior Associate – PwC (East Coast, Multiple Locations)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Bilingual Marketing & Sales Senior Associate
Posted by: PwC
Location: East Coast, Multiple Locations
Contract: Full-Time
Thanks to JETAA USA Country Representative, Mark Frey (Kumamoto-ken) for the following job opening with his company:
Job Opportunity – Bilingual Marketing & Sales Senior Associate, PwC
A good opportunity for someone who is bilingual in Japanese and English has opened up at my company, PwC. It is a good entry-level job or good for someone trying to transition into Marketing & Sales. Even if you do not have all of the listed qualifications, I encourage you to apply, as the bilingual qualification is most important and the firm will train you in the other skills. It’s a great firm with good values and culture.
If you are interested, please send me your resume and cover letter and I will give you an internal referral, which will give you an advantage over other candidates. — Mark Frey, JETAA USA Country Representative, mark.frey@jetaausa.com
Job description: http://jobs.pwc.com/ShowJob/Id/876427/M-S-NYM-%E2%80%8BINBOUNDS-%E2%80%8B-Client-Strategy%C2%A0-%E2%80%8BSenior-Associate/
JQ Magazine: Book Review — New from Tuttle (Fall 2017)
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Tuttle Publishing
By Rashaad Jorden (Yamagata–ken, 2008-10) for JQ magazine. A former head of the JETAA Philadelphia Sub–Chapter, Rashaad is a graduate of Leeds Beckett University with a master’s degree in responsible tourism management. For more on his life abroad and enthusiasm for taiko drumming, visit his blog at www.gettingpounded.wordpress.com.
Tuttle Publishing has released a selection of four books touching on subjects such as otaku culture, language/cultural tips for travelers, Japanese history, and inspiration for prospective visitors to Japan.
Many people have probably developed an interest in Japan through a deep affection for anime and manga (among other things). And with Tokyo being the obvious center of Japanese pop culture, this guide created by Gianni Simone serves as the perfect tool for otaku freaks to find heaven.
Tuttle Publishing
Tokyo Geek’s Guide basically resembles a travel guide as it contains tidbits about where to explore otaku culture (such as bookshops, stores, events and even eateries—anime-themed ones are abundant in Tokyo). But you don’t have to be planning a trip to the capital to benefit from the book, though. Simone includes plenty of information pertaining to the history of manga, anime and video games in Japan.
Japanese for Travelers Phrasebook & Dictionary
At first glance, Scott Rutherford’s creation seems like a carbon copy of any other resource geared toward helping travelers avoid or limit communication miscues. And certainly, the book lists the standard customary helpful phrases for visitors to Japan trying to navigate the local hotels, airports, restaurants, etc.
But Japanese for Travelers provides plenty of useful advice about conducting good Japanese etiquette (e.g., what to do when invited to someone’s house) and culture (the section devoted to Japanese naming culture is interesting). Although the guide doesn’t intend to be the most thorough tool for language learners, it does include an English-Japanese glossary and numerous grammatical tips. And perhaps most importantly in this technologically reliant time, Rutherford dedicates a chapter to advising readers about how not to get tripped up by technology in Japan.
Tuttle Publishing
To many, the title of Jonathan Clements’s work would seem to be an absolute impossibility. Indeed, he uses that word in the preface to describe his task in telling a story that spans “millions of years.” But Clements settles on “specific moments of transformation” in eleven chapters that address periods of Japanese history ranging from the legend behind Japan’s formation to the “lost decades” that saw the country face a dwindling population and struggling economy.
While the information Clements provides at some points may be overwhelming, A Brief History of Japan does come to life through the collection of images appearing in the middle of the book (such as depictions of prominent figures and photos of landmarks).
Many, if not most, travel guides will feature an endless parade of “what to do and see” recommendations, and Rob Goss’s work is no different in a sense. But unlike some editions of Lonely Planet and Fodor’s, it’s clear when opening up Japan: Traveler’s Companion for the first time that the book will be anything but dry.
Tuttle Publishing
The subtitle appearing on its cover is “Japan’s most famous sights from Okinawa to Hokkaido,” but the inclusion of popular tourist destinations isn’t the reason to pick up the book. Amazingly beautiful colorful photos of the country’s most famous places will leave you speechless, and Goss includes helpful information for potential visitors about facets of Japanese life such as matsuri, cutting edge technology, and tradition.
For more information, visit www.tuttlepublishing.com.
For more JQ magazine book reviews, click here.
