Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03) presents WIT Life, a periodic series about aspects of Japanese culture such as art, film, food and language. Stacy starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she offers some interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.

All you soccer (or should I say football) fans out there have probably been busy watching the World Cup. I don’t follow soccer, but am excited to see how far Japan has gotten and will be cheering Samurai Blue on in their match with Spain tomorrow. It’s also been nice to see Japanese fans receive recognition for their attention to the stadium’s cleanliness. I particularly like this image of the Japanese team’s locker room following their upset victory over Germany (check out the origabmi cranes displayed in the back!).

A segment on this morning’s Japanese news interviewed some of these volunteers, and the reporter seemed to be taken by one response in regard to what motivated them: cleaning is「当たり前」(atarimae, or natural, obvious, reasonable). Another respondent replied that a clean stadium is a reflection of their pure hearts (a familiar Japanese trope). The cleaning crew’s earnestness was not only endearing but an inspiration to fans from other countries, some of whom emulated the Japanese fans after their own teams’ matches.

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Posted by Tom Baker

When the 2022 Japan Writers Conference took place at Tokai University last month, hosted by novelist and JET alum Charles Kowalski, it was the first time for the event to be held in person since before the pandemic. Even so, there were still a few online sessions. Some of the sessions were recorded for posterity. (And you, dear reader, are posterity.)

Below, you can watch screenwriter and UCLA Prof. Steven Wolfson describe some of the elements of a successful screenplay. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. You can see many more at the JWC YouTube channel.

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

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Position: Japanese Teacher
Posted by: Monterey High School
Location: Monterey Peninsula, CA, USA
Contract: Full-time

Thanks to JET alumnus, Gabriel Rebeck (Kagoshima, 2008-2011) for passing along the following job opening:

Monterey High School is hoping to fill this position ASAP. Other former JETs are teaching Japanese in this area. Many of the top minds in Japanese language education in the US are located in Monterey. Lots of opportunities for career growth for individuals passionate about teaching Japanese.

Application Process; The full job description and application can be found at the following link: https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1688525

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

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Position: Various Positions
Posted by: Inside Travel Group
Location: Broomfield, CO, USA
Contract: Full-time

Here are numerous job openings sent directly to us from the company:

Inside Travel Group has openings for new Japan Specialist Travel Consultants, and Senior Japan Specialist Travel Consultants starting in January of 2023. The job descriptions are attached below, as well as a link to the website and details on applying. 

Application Process: For more information and to apply, please view the PDFs below.

Posted by Tom Baker

The sixth annual European Literature Festival in Tokyo will take place Nov. 22-27. It is a multilingual event featuring talks by scholars and writers from Japan and the European Union. Sessions to be presented in English include an appearance at the Aoyama Book Center by Irish poet Paula Meehan and and online discussion with Dutch thinker Rutger Bregman.

For full details, visit https://eulitfest.jp/year2022/en/

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

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Position: Assistant, Economic Section
Posted by: Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Contract: Full-time

Below is a job received directly from the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago:

The Consulate-General of Japan is seeking a highly motivated, team-oriented individual for the position of Assistant for Economic Section.

The Consulate offers group health insurance 80% coverage, paid vacation and sick leave. Working hours are 9:15 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, with lunch time receptionist duty once a month and the occasional weeknight and/or weekend event (paid overtime). Salary is commensurate with experience. The minimum monthly base salary for this position is between $3,400 to $3,600. The Consulate does not withhold federal or other taxes from employee salaries.

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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.

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Position: Inside Travel Group Branch Integrator / Branch Director
Posted by: Inside Travel
Location: Broomfield, CO, USA
Contract: Full-time

Thanks to JET alumnus, John McMillen (Fukui, 2006-2008) for sending us a job opening at his current company:

Are you a business leader who gets excited about delivering exceptional value for customers? Do you excel at motivating teams around a shared passion? Have you felt for yourself the difference that a meaningful travel experience can make in a person’s life? If these questions describe you, keep reading!

About Us

We build vacation experiences people love with our multi-award-winning approach of service-led cultural adventures. This pairs classic sightseeing with unique experiences of local life and culture. In everything we do at Inside Travel Group, we strive to deliver a Quality and Friendly service with Integrity, Determination and Passion using our collective Knowledge. And we’re growing!

About the Role

We are actively seeking a Branch Director to provide the leadership, drive, and coordination that the branch needs to become a high-performing unit that achieves its profit and growth targets; to connect the branch to the global ITG vision and mission; and to make a positive impact on its people and community. You’ll be part of a fun, friendly team of employees, all of whom share a passion for our destinations, a belief in our brands, and a strong collective sense of values and purpose. Our work culture is supportive, creative, and dedicated.

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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.

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Position: Educational Events and Programs Planner
Posted by: Stanford University
Location: Stanford, CA, USA
Contract: Full-time

Thanks to JET alumna, Jennifer Hwang (Shizuoka-ken, 2008-2012) for sharing the following opening on her team:

The Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education (VPGE) is a dynamic and fast-paced team that delivers programs to Stanford’s 9,000+ graduate students and 3,000+ postdoctoral scholars. We work collaboratively across the university with schools and other vice provost areas to enhance the graduate educational experience. VPGE supports programs, administration, and service to the university community and graduate students in five portfolio areas: fellowships and funding, professional development, diversity and inclusion, interdisciplinary learning, and academic guidance. VPGE is searching for a skilled events professional for our team.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice Provost for Graduate Education, you will plan and execute events, programs, and workshops for our Graduate Professional Development portfolio, the Stanford Graduate Summer Institute, and fellowship programs. You will play a key role in coordinating logistics such as registration and attendee tracking, presentation and materials support, and evaluations. 

In support of the university’s flexible work initiative, this position may be eligible to be “hybrid,” working both from home and the Stanford main campus with the expectation of being onsite three to five days per week.

Application Process: For more information and to apply, please click this link — https://careersearch.stanford.edu/jobs/educational-events-and-programs-planner-19430

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

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Position: Program Specialist
Posted by: IES Abroad
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Contract: Full-time

Here’s a job received directly from the organization:

The Program Specialist is primarily responsible for maintaining relationships with host institutions within an assigned portfolio, and for managing detailed program information for global use across the organization.

This role also responsible for coordinating student admissions processes with the Global Enrollment Management team, and for creating and delivering relevant pre- departure orientation content for programs taking place at those universities.

Application Process: For more information and to apply, please click this link – https://iesabroad.applicantpro.com/jobs/2635767.html

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

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Position: Anticipated Japanese Long-Term Substitute Teacher
Posted by: Lower Merion School District
Location: Ardmore, PA, USA
Contract: Full-time

Here’s a job passed along to us:

Lower Merion School District – Anticipated Japanese Long-Term Substitute Teacher (tedk12.com)

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

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Position: Manager, Institutional Giving
Posted by: Enactus
Location: Remote
Contract: Full-time

Thanks to JET alumna, Kyle Munn (Shiga-ken, 2006 – 2010) for passing along the following job opportunity. While this isn’t Kyle’s job listing, she knows the CEO and it’s a fantastic group:

As a 46-year-old global organization with operations in 35 countries, Enactus engages #NextGen entrepreneurial leaders to use innovation and business principles to create a better, more sustainable world. Our global network is particularly committed to developing leaders with the mindsets and skills to help achieve the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in diverse contexts. Each year, Enactus educates tens of thousands of students on 2,000 campuses, across 35 countries.  Through our curriculum, students annually launch 3,000 entrepreneurial projects focused on creating positive social or environmental impact.  In 2021, those projects reached 11.6 million people. 

The Enactus fundraising team is responsible for revenue generation for Enactus global, Enactus United States and supports the 30+ countries of the Enactus network. The three-fundraiser team works remotely from the United States. The team is engaged in raising philanthropic support from individual, foundation, corporate and government sources. The 2022 revenue goal is $6 million, a 21% increase from 2021. The team is focused on diversifying Enactus revenue from what has been a focus on corporate support. Institutional giving is a key part of Enactus’ future. 

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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.

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Position: Assistant Director of Educational Events and Programs
Posted by: Stanford University
Location: Stanford, CA, USA
Contract: Full-time

Thanks to JET alumna, Jennifer Hwang (Shizuoka-ken, 2008-2012) for sharing the following opening on her team:

My office is looking to hire an Assistant Director of Educational Events and Programs. This is a great opportunity to manage graduate events and programs at one of the top universities in the country.

Application Process: Apply through Stanford’s application system: https://careersearch.stanford.edu/jobs/assistnt-director-of-educational-events-and-programs-19329

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.

The Japan-centric events of the month ahead promise to be as rich and full as autumn itself—brisk and colorful, with a dash of unpredictability.

This month’s highlights include:

Oct. 30-31, Nov. 1-2

Spirited Away

Various locations/prices

The final film selected for this year’s Studio Ghibli Fest! Winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, Hayao Miyazaki’s wondrous fantasy adventure is a dazzling masterpiece from one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animation. Chihiro’s family is moving to a new house, but when they stop on the way to explore an abandoned village, her parents undergo a mysterious transformation and Chihiro is whisked into a world of fantastical spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba. Overflowing with imaginative creatures and thrilling storytelling, Spirited Away became a beloved hit worldwide, and is one the most critically acclaimed films of all time. The October 30 and November 1 screenings are dubbed in English, and the October 31 and November 2 screenings are presented in Japanese with English subtitles.

Opens Nov. 3

One Piece Film: Red

Various locations; for Village East by Angelika Screenings, click here

$8-$16

The spotlight shines on the 15th feature film of Eiichiro Oda’s enduring manga and anime smash, which is a massive box office hit (already in the top 10 highest grossing films released in Japan since its debut last August)! Luffy and his crew are about to attend an eagerly awaited music festival. The most popular singer in the world, Uta, will take the stage for the first time. The one who is none other than the daughter of the legendary pirate Shanks Le Roux will reveal the exceptional power of her voice which could well change the world… Presented in both Japanese with English subtitles and English dubbed options.

Thursday, Nov. 10, 6:30 p.m.

Behind-the-Scenes of My Neighbour Totoro

Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street

$20, $16 members

Puppet artist extraordinaire Basil Twist sits down to talk about his creative role in Joe Hisaishi and the Royal Shakespeare Company’s staging of the beloved Studio Ghibli animated feature film My Neighbour Totoro in collaboration with Improbable and Nippon TV. Twist is known for surprising audiences with his infinite creativity, from 88 magical Japanese screen doors (Dogugaeshi) and dancing fabrics in an onstage water tank (Symphonie Fantastique) to a gigantic rock creature in his most recent work (Book of Mountains & Seas). In this event, Twist will share backstage images and describe the process of creating real-life versions of the film’s fantastical creatures for the live staging of Totoro at London’s Barbican this fall. A special 35mm presentation of the original film will be screened at Japan Society on Friday, Nov. 4 at 7:00 p.m.; click here for tickets.

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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.

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Position: Marketing Coordinator and Special Projects
Posted by: Nichi Bei Foundation
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Contract: Full-time

Here’s a job received directly from the organization:

HOURS: 32 hours per week; must be available some evenings and weekends for events and meetings

LOCATION: On-site, 1832 Buchanan Street, Suite 207, San Francisco Japantown

COMPENSATION: Commensurate with experience, includes health, dental, vision and 401(k) plan after probationary period.

WHO WE ARE: The Nichi Bei Foundation is an innovative educational and charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping the Japanese American community connected, informed and empowered – primarily through a community newspaper (Nichi Bei Weekly) and Website (www.nichibei.org) as well as educational programming. Publications include:

• Nichi Bei Weekly (Japanese American community newspaper)
• Nichibei.org
• San Francisco Japantown Map and Directory
• Japanese American Community Resource Guide (www.nichibei.org/community-resource-guide)

Educational programming includes:

• Films of Remembrance, a showcase of films on the Japanese American wartime incarceration (www.filmsofremembrance.org)
• Nikkei Angel Island Pilgrimage, to the site of the former Immigration Station (www.nichibei.org/angel-island-pilgrimage)
• Wakamatsu Pilgrimage, to the site of the first large settlement of Japanese in America (www.nichibei.org/wakamatsu-pilgrimage)
• Atomic Bomb Commemoration (www.nichibei.org/virtual-remembrance)

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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.

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Position: Assistant Correspondent
Posted by: Kyodo News America, Inc.
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Contract: Full-time

Here’s a job received directly from the organization:

Kyodo News America, Inc.’s Assistant Correspondent -Kyodo News America, Inc. (KNA) is a subsidiary of Kyodo News, which is the largest Japanese news wire with an international presence and an Asian audience. We are seeking a person with a strong interest in a career in journalism. We are offering an entry-level working experience to assist correspondents of our Los Angeles Bureau to cover events in the US of interest to our audience.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• Researching and conducting interviews on topics ranging from US and International politics, social affairs, and the entertainment industry.
• Managing relations with news sources to help correspondents who speak English as a second language.
• Arranging interviews with city/state officials and experts for correspondents. Occasionally conducting interviews by him/herself.
• As a secondary task, we encourage our assistants to write their own news stories in English which are distributed globally through our foreign language news service.

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