Sep 3

Around Japan in 47 curries: Fukushima fire curry

Food & Drink curry, Fukushima, Mt. Bandai, volcano Comments Off on Around Japan in 47 curries: Fukushima fire curry

Tom Baker (Chiba, 1989-91) is writing a 47-part series of posts on his Tokyo Tom Baker blog, in which he samples and comments on curries representing each of Japan’s 47 prefectures. Those covered so far include Kumamoto Prefecture horse meat curry and Gunma Prefecture silk mill curry. Here’s an excerpt from his 17th installment, about two spicy curries from Fukushima Prefecture.

Fukushima Prefecture has a long history of recovering from geological disasters. Some of those disasters can be remembered through local curries.

One such curry commemorates the July 15, 1888, eruption of Mt. Bandai, a volcano near the center of the prefecture. The mountain had been a smooth, Fuji-like cone before it suddenly exploded due to a buildup of underground steam. The blast – which went largely sideways rather than up, similar to the explosion of Mt. St. Helens in the United States a century later – left behind an irregularly shaped mountain with four separate peaks. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the explosion could be heard from a distance of 50 to 100 kilometers, an avalanche of debris buried five towns and 11 villages, and ash fell from the sky along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, about 90 kilometers away. At least 461 people died.

Did I say there’s a curry that commemorates this event? Perhaps I should have said there’s a curry that cashes in on it. The design on the box of “Mt. Bandai Great Eruption Curry” is not exactly reverent. But I bought it in a souvenir shop at the foot of the still-active volcano. The people who live and work in such an area are entitled to a bit of gallows humor, especially more than a century later.

The back of the box includes warnings that children, pregnant women, and those with weak stomachs or high blood pressure should eat this lava-like curry with caution, if at all. So naturally, I was expecting something super-hot…

To read the full post, including a comment on radiation, go here.

Sep 2

Job: Program Assistant – Japan ICU Foundation (New York, NY, USA)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Program Assistant – Japan ICU Foundation (New York, NY, USA)

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

Position: Program Assistant
Posted by: Japan ICU Foundation
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to JETAANY Treasurer, Fernando Rojas for sending the following job opening with his organization:

JICUF is seeking a part time Program Assistant (PA) to help with various organizational and administrative priorities. The Program Assistant will help JICUF’s three full-time staff on an as-needed basis. This may include helping to manage our grants portfolio, scholarship programs, short term international programs, and communications and fundraising efforts.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The PA’s responsibilities will include such tasks as:

• Database management
• Designing and compiling documents
• Processing and filing the mail
• Translation of correspondence/documents
• Copy editing
• Event planning

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree
• Bilingual in English and Japanese
• Knowledge and familiarity with Japanese higher education, especially ICU, a plus
• Proficiency in Google Suite products
• Must be authorized to work in the United States

COMPENSATION

The position is for 18 hours/week and the pay is $16/hour. We are flexible about work hours.

For more information or if you are interested in applying. Please go to the following website: https://www.jicuf.org/employment-opportunities/

Sep 1

JQ Magazine: Manga Review — ‘She and Her Cat’ and ‘Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz — Glory of the Losers’

Article/Journalism, Books, JQ Magazine, Reviews Comments Off on JQ Magazine: Manga Review — ‘She and Her Cat’ and ‘Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz — Glory of the Losers’

“In She and Her Cat, Shinkai does what he does best, using carefully curated imagery to set a somber tone that soothes readers into a quiet, meditative headspace.” (Vertical Comics)

By Preston Hatfield (Yamanashi–ken, 2009-10) for JQ magazine. Preston received a BA in English literature with an emphasis in creative writing and a minor in Japanese at the University of California, Davis. After spending an amazing year on JET in Yamanashi, he spent a year writing and interning with book publishing companies in New York. He currently lives in Cupertino, where he continues to cover local Japan–related stories for JQ.

This season, Vertical Comics releases two notable titles. The first is She and Her Cat, a story by acclaimed animator Makoto Shinkai, the mastermind behind 5 Centimeters Per Second and Your Name. The second is Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz — Glory of the Losers, a multi-volume adventure starring everyone’s favorite fighting mecha. While very different in style, pacing, and subject matter, each title has a lot to offer its readers.

In She and Her Cat, Shinkai does what he does best, using carefully curated imagery to set a somber tone that soothes readers into a quiet, meditative headspace. From there he proceeds to unfold an understated vignette that explores adult depression. This is a timely story, our considering society’s gradual willingness to speak openly about depression and mental health more broadly.

“By contrast, Glory of the Losers delivers action, explosions, and braggadocio.” (Vertical Comics)

Shinkai’s protagonist, Miyu, is a sympathetic introvert who has a hard time asking for or accepting help from others, and she is also her own antagonist, a fact that will likely resonate with readers who have battled depression. One unique feature about this story, which is also at times strained, is that it is told from the perspective of the protagonist’s cat, Chobi. While some readers may feel that Shinkai could have done more with this story, it is nonetheless well told and tactfully, intelligently handled.

By contrast, Glory of the Losers delivers action, explosions, and braggadocio. Based on creator Yoshiyuki Tomino’s classic 1970s giant robot series, the story follows a common trope: In a post-apocalyptic world, humans have broken off into different factions to colonize other planets. But when a central military agency begins annexing free colonies, a small resistance rises in the name of freedom to end their tyranny. This is an enjoyable underdog story that may have particular appeal to middle and high school students.

For more information, visit www.vertical-inc.com.

Aug 27

2017 Japan Writers Conference coming up

Events, Networking, Notable JET Alums, Writers Holly Thompson, Japan writers conference, Susan Laura Sullivan, Suzanne Kamata, Todd Jay Leopnard, writing Comments Off on 2017 Japan Writers Conference coming up

Posted by Tom Baker (Chiba, 1989-91).

The Japan Writers Conference is a free annual event for English-language writers, held in a different part of Japan each year. In 2017, it will take place in Tokyo at the Ekoda Campus of Nihon University College of Art on Oct. 8-9, the last two days of a Japanese holiday weekend.

There will be will be about 30 presentations by published writers of fiction, poetry, memoir, travel writing and more. Several of those writers are former JETs.

JET alumnae Susan Laura Sullivan and Suzanne Kamata, for example, will give a joint presentation on editing anthologies. Sullivan is the editor of the forthcoming anthology “Women of a Certain Age,” while Kamata’s published anthologies include “Call Me Okaa-san” and “The Broken Bridge.”

Kamata will also give a presentation together with Ann Tashi Slater on creative nonfiction.

.

JET alum and textbook author Todd Jay Leonard, whose many titles include “American Traditions,” will give a lecture on “The Ever-Changing Publishing Industry,” in which he will discuss traditional versus print-on-demand publishing, followed by a Q&A session.

Poet and novelist Holly Thompson, who first came to Japan in connection with the pre-JET MEF program, will present “Writing Picture Books: Nonfiction Opportunities.” Her published works include “The Wakame Gatherers.”

For details on those and the other presentations, visit www.japanwritersconference.org or follow @JapanWritersCon on Twitter.

The Japan Writers Conference, now in its 11th year, is completely volunteer-run, and admission is free.

Aug 25

Job: Program Assistant – Brookings Institute (Washington, D.C.)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Program Assistant – Brookings Institute (Washington, D.C.)

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

Position: Program Assistant, Global Economy and Development Program
Posted by: Brookings Institute
Location: Washington, D.C.
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to former JETAANY President Yvonne Thurman-Doğruer, who works for the Brookings Institute as Director of Administration in the Global Economy and Development, for sharing this excellent opening in her department.

*************

Program Assistant

Global Economy and Development Program

https://careers-brookings.icims.com/jobs/1539/program-assistant/job

All applications must be submitted online at www.Brookings.edu

Aug 25

Job: Assistant Producer – Fujisankei Communications International Inc (New York, USA)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Assistant Producer – Fujisankei Communications International Inc (New York, USA)

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

Position: Assistant Producer (TV News/FNN Department)
Posted by: Fujisankei Communications International Inc.
Location: New York, USA (No Visa Support)
Contract: Full-Time

Here’s a job received directly from the company:

SUMMARY

To research and cover news taking place in North, Central, and South America that would be of interest to the Japanese viewers living in Japan. The position will require research on current events, develop ideas for news segments (“kikaku”), and on-site coverage. The ideal candidate will speak native-level English, conversational Japanese, and have 3-5 years of relevant experience or background. The candidate must be able to adapt their lifestyle to the news cycle, and travel frequently.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Keep up with current events in both Americas and Japan by scouring news media and researching wide range of sources. Present topics that may be of interest to the Japanese viewers, whether the news involve Japanese individuals, has an effect on Japan, or topics that are similar to events taking place in Japan. Report news from location, which could be anywhere in the North, Central, or South America. Arrange business trip, including flight, lodging, rides, and interviews.

Other Skills

Speak native-level English, conversational Japanese. Strong commitment to the news lifestyle. Thrives in a team-oriented environment. Strong organizational, communication, and research skills. Reliable and punctual. Ability to use hand-held camera a plus.

Essential Physical Requirements

Able to work irregular hours to accommodate developing news; ability to work overtime and weekends on a short notice; be willing to travel frequently. The job may require candidates to travel to inhospitable areas, such as aftermath of natural disasters.

Please email cover letter and resume to maria.meyer@fci-ny.com

Aug 25

Job: Program Advisor – IES Abroad (Indiana, USA)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Program Advisor – IES Abroad (Indiana, USA)

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

Position: Program Advisor
Posted by: IES Abroad
Location: Indianapolis, IN, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to JET alum Mya Fisher (Kanagawa-ken) for the following job listing:

Program Advisor – Japanese Language Skills Required

Read More

Aug 20

Job: ESL/English Teacher – Japanese Children’s Society Inc. and R/Lingo Learning Center (New Jersey, USA)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: ESL/English Teacher – Japanese Children’s Society Inc. and R/Lingo Learning Center (New Jersey, USA)

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

Position: ESL/English Teacher
Posted by: Japanese Children’s Society Inc. and R/Lingo Learning Center
Location: Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, USA and Fort Lee, New Jersey, USA
Contract: Part-Time

Here’s a job received directly from the company:

Position: ESL/English teacher (PreK-6th Grade)

School Name and Job Locations:

1. Japanese Children’s Society Inc.: Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
2. R/Lingo Learning Center: Fort Lee, New Jersey

Schedule:

• Monday to Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  or 3:40 to 7:30 p.m
• Friday: 8:20 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Employment Status: Part-time

Benefit Eligible: Yes, if you can work more than 30 hours per week

Degree Level: Native English Speakers + BA (+ K-12 teacher certificate/TESOL + Teaching exp. are preferred)

Compensation: At least $30.00/hour *We pay transportation cost.

Start Date: September 2017

*Please send your RESUME to nakagawa.nyikuei@gmail.com or call 201-947-4707.

Aug 20

Job: African Peacebuilding Network Communications/Editorial Assistant – The Social Science Research Council (Brooklyn, NY, USA)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: African Peacebuilding Network Communications/Editorial Assistant – The Social Science Research Council (Brooklyn, NY, USA)

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

Position: African Peacebuilding Network Communications/Editorial Assistant
Posted by: The Social Science Research Council (SSRC)
Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Here’s a job as a communications/editorial assistant:

Summary

The SSRC invites applications for the position of a Communications/Editorial Assistant to work closely with the African Peacebuilding Network on a broad range of editorial and communication-related activities.

Description

Aug 18

Job: News Assistant/Staff Reporter – The Asahi Shimbun (San Francisco, CA)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: News Assistant/Staff Reporter – The Asahi Shimbun (San Francisco, CA)

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

Position: News Assistant/Staff Reporter
Posted by: The Asahi Shimbun
Location: San Francisco, CA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to JETAA USA Country Rep Mark Frey for sending over the following job opportunity:

News Assistant/Staff Reporter position

Company: The Asahi Shimbun
Position: News Assistant / Staff Reporter
Job Status: Full-time
Location: San Francisco, CA
Salary: $42,000 to $43,200 a year (Depending on Qualifications)

The Asahi Shimbun newspaper is seeking a skilled and highly motivated News Assistant/Staff reporter for its new San Francisco office. The position will directly report to the Bureau Chief. Founded in 1879, The Asahi Shimbun is widely recognized as Japan’s leading and most respected national daily newspaper. It has a circulation of nearly six million copies per day, and is read by a wide segment of the Japanese public.  The newspaper is particularly influential among Japan’s government officials, policymakers, and academics.  It also reaches an English-speaking audience through its English language website. Its North American bureaus are located in Washington, D.C., New York and San Francisco.

Read More

Aug 11

JQ Magazine: Nippon in New York — Bob James, Liberty City Anime Con, PLAY NYC

Art, Article/Journalism Comments Off on JQ Magazine: Nippon in New York — Bob James, Liberty City Anime Con, PLAY NYC

By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe–shi, 2001-02). Justin has written about Japanese arts and entertainment for JETAA since 2005. For more of his articles, click here.

In the dog days of summer, it’s best to escape the heat in a place that’s cozy and cool. For those into Japan-related cultural events, this month offers a diverse selection of film premieres and live music—all in the comfort of indoor air conditioning.

This month’s highlights include:

Courtesy of Bluenotejazz.com

Aug. 15-20, 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Bob James feat. special guests

Blue Note Jazz Club, 131 West Third Street

$20, $35

The career of multi-Grammy winner Bob James is long, varied and continues to evolve at every turn as he continues to captivate audiences throughout the world for more than 50 years, 58 albums, and innumerable awards. While James is recognized as one of the progenitors of smooth jazz, his music has also had a profound effect on the history of hip-hop, having been sampled frequently since the early days of the genre. A longtime star in Japan, he has recorded a piano duet album with Keiko Matsui, and worked with Seiko Matsuda as a guest vocalist on “Put Our Hearts Together,” written by James and his daughter Hilary in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. Joining Bob and his special guests for the week’s sets are trumpeter Randy Brecker on Aug. 16.

Courtesy of Renireni.com

Aug. 18-20, various times

Liberty City Anime Con

New York Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway

$40-$60

The best three-day anime convention in New York City returns for its third year and features over 100 events and panels, three days of cosplay, game tournaments and anime screenings, concerts, balls and dances. This year’s special guests include Tyler Walker, Heather Walker, Chuck Huber, Aaron Roberts, Brittany Lauda, Matt Shipman, Ian Rubin, Dokudel, Michael A. Zekas, Marcus Stimac, and Reni Mimura!

Courtesy of Zaczingermusic.com

Aug. 19-20, starts 10:00 a.m.

Play NYC

Terminal 5, 610 West 56th Street

$25

PLAY NYC is New York’s first and only dedicated games convention. The weekend will feature three floors of playable games for all consoles, PC, virtual reality and mobile devices from studios large and small and developers old and new. Games will include indie projects with some larger triple A titles. Get access to some of the biggest games coming later this year and discover many you’ve never even heard of. PLAY NYC celebrates every facet of gaming in a way that only the Big Apple can by uniting players, developers and industry pros at a games event like no other. Special guest speakers include multi-instrumentalist Zac Zinger of Japanese traditional/jazz fusion project KAI. Read More

Aug 9

WIT Life #315: Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema

Events, Film, Translating/Interpreting, Uncategorized, WIT Life, Writers Comments Off on WIT Life #315: Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema

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 the inaugural Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema began, and I’ve had the chance to catch a lot of great films at the two main venues of Kew Gardens Cinema and Queens Museum. Today they screened Persona Non Grata (杉原千畝 スギハラチウネ, 2015), a film about Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara (“Japanese Schindler”) who served as a consul in Lithuania from 1939-40 and saved the lives of thousands of Jewish refugees by issuing over 2000 transit visas to Japan. He famously continuing to sign visas even as his train pulled away from the station, and is estimated to have saved over 6,000 lives from the Nazis who invaded Lithuania in 1941. However, his diplomatic career was ruined because he had defied instructions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs not to issue the visas. Sugihara didn’t know if they had made any difference until being found years later by someone he had helped. He is now considered a hero in Japan, and those he saved have more than 40,000 descendants.

The film stars the phenomenal Toshiaki Karasawa as Sugihara and the always stellar Read More

Aug 9

Job: Administrative Associate – Showa Boston Institute of Language & Culture (Jamaica Plain, MA)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Administrative Associate – Showa Boston Institute of Language & Culture (Jamaica Plain, MA)

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

Position: Administrative Associate
Posted by: Showa Boston Institute of Language & Culture
Location: Jamaica Plain, MA
Contract: Full-Time

Here’s a job via JETAASC:

Showa Boston Institute of Language & Culture

Job Description

Position: Administrative Associate

Reports to: Director of Student Services

Employment Status: Regular Full-Time

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Schedule:  9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Prepared by: Human Resources

BACKGROUND

Aug 3

Job: Program Coordinator (JET Program) – Consulate General of Japan (Los Angeles, CA, USA)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Program Coordinator (JET Program) – Consulate General of Japan (Los Angeles, CA, USA)

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

Position: JET Program – Program Coordinator
Posted by: Consulate General of Japan, Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Here’s a job sent directly from the Consulate General of Japan, Los Angeles:

POSITION AVAILABLE: Program Coordinator (JET Program) Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC), Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles

About the Job: Program coordination and administrative duties in the field of public diplomacy: the JET Program, event management, and general public outreach. The program coordinator reports to the Director of the JICC.

Duties:

• Coordinate all aspects of JET Program: recruitment, inquiries, selection, orientations, departure, etc.
• Plan and execute events independently and on a team: draft invitations and guest lists, create and maintain event logistics sheet, track RSVPs, budgeting, lead on-site coordination.
• Respond to public inquiries on public diplomacy issues.
• Assist in JICC administrative duties as required.

Read More

Aug 1

Job: Business Account Executive – Nippon Shokken U.S.A. Inc. (West Sacramento, CA, USA)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Business Account Executive – Nippon Shokken U.S.A. Inc. (West Sacramento, CA, USA)

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

Position: Business Account Executive
Posted by: Nippon Shokken U.S.A. Inc.
Location: West Sacramento, CA, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Here’s another job sent from the Japan Local Government Center:

Read More