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: Staff Assistant for the Program for Teaching East Asia
Posted by: University of Colorado Boulder
Location: Boulder, CO, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to Christy Go (Higashine, Yamagata, 2014-2016) for passing along the following job opening.

The Program for Teaching East Asia (TEA) at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Center for Asian Studies invites applications for a part-time (50%) Staff Assistant with background in East Asian studies and K-12 education.

TEA is a grant-funded program with the mission of facilitating and enhancing the study of East Asia and international education in K-12 curricula in schools nationwide. TEA conducts research on the state of the field; assesses national, state, and local district needs; and designs, delivers, and evaluates programs to address these needs. TEA programs bridge the gap between scholarly research in the field and the K-12 curriculum. Towards this end, TEA works with diverse groups of Asian studies specialists within and beyond the university, professional organizations, school districts, and teachers. This position reports to the TEA Director and/or project PIs as appropriate, and contributes substantively to TEA’s research, curriculum development, and teacher professional development projects.

The Professional Research Assistant will serve as a TEA staff Assistant, responsible for working with the TEA Director, project PIs, and Asian studies faculty on campus to design, deliver, and assess the impact of professional development programs in Asian Studies for K-12 teacher audiences.

Application Process: For more information and to apply, please click here –  https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/?jobId=68087

Photo credit Sindy Süßengut, Unsplash.com

Dan Lowe is the founder of Boston Intercultural Consulting, LLC, including its Japanese learning arm, japanesecircle.com. The following is part of a five-part series covering the “Big Five Common Enemies” Japanese language learners must confront to maximize their Japanese learning effectiveness: 

1. The Passive Kraken(受け身クラーケン)
2. The Binge Beast(ドカ食いビースト)
3. The Isolation Ghost（孤独ゴースト)
4. The Friction Goblin（摩擦ゴブリン)
5. The Slow-Mo Swamp（スローモー沼).

You’ve met the Passive Kraken. Now it’s time to face its gluttonous cousin: the Binge Beast. This monster coaxes you into weekend study marathons and prolonged midweek droughts.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll catch up on Sunday,” only to abandon Japanese entirely by Tuesday, you’ve already encountered it.

My Brush With the Binge Beast

Early [and sometimes later] in my Japanese journey, I’d regularly binge‑study on Saturdays. I’d blaze through grammar guides, watch hours of content, and cram hundreds of flashcards in one sitting.

I’d finish the day exhausted yet oddly proud. Then I’d feel so scarred from the experience that I’d skip the next three or four days, telling myself the weekend “should count for something.”

It didn’t. By Thursday, most of what I’d “learned” had evaporated.

Research shows this isn’t just my imagination: massed practice (cramming all study into one session) produces short‑lived gains but poor long‑term retention. Even when you hold constant total study time, spacing the same material across several sessions leads to significantly better memory.

Even worse, batching our study into binge days encourages stress and procrastination. In the days leading up to the session, our imaginations feed the task at hand, and what might have been a kitten on Monday is a sabertooth tiger by Saturday.

Spotting the Binge Beast

Symptom #1: “I’ll make up for it later.” You regularly skip midweek study because you plan to compensate with a big session on the weekend.

Symptom #2: Boom‑and‑bust cycles. Some weeks you study ten hours; other weeks, nothing. This practice leads to guilt and burnout.

Symptom #3: Forgetting. Despite long sessions, you find yourself relearning the exact words and grammar because massed practice doesn’t allow information to consolidate into long‑term memory.

Why the Binge Beast Wins

Intensity is seductive. A marathon study session feels productive, and finishing an extended assignment in one sitting gives a temporary sense of accomplishment.

But our brains aren’t wired that way. Memory researchers have known since Ebbinghaus’s 19th‑century experiments that spaced practice, not cramming, leads to durable learning.

When we cram, the material stays in short‑term working memory, which breeds familiarity and lowers attention. Spaced sessions break this familiarity, so each return to the material feels slightly new, prompting you to allocate more attention and encode it more deeply.

Studies on second‑language learners show they remember vocabulary better when they space out repetitions rather than cramming them.

The science is precise: the spacing effect is one of the most robust findings in psychology, with hundreds of studies confirming that long‑term memory improves when you space apart learning events rather than massing them together.

Yet we gravitate toward binge sessions because we underestimate how quickly we forget and overestimate the effectiveness of cramming.

How to Slay the Binge Beast: Build a Non‑Zero Daily Habit

Think of beating the Binge Beast like training for a marathon: consistent daily runs beat occasional all‑night sprints.

1. Set a “Minimum Effective Dose.” Decide on a daily minimum: three, five, or ten minutes; that’s so small you can’t skip it. The goal is not to do as much as possible but to avoid doing nothing.
2. Schedule Micro‑Sessions. Break your study into mini‑blocks across the day (e.g., morning flashcards, lunchtime grammar, evening conversation). Research shows that spreading sessions even a day apart improves retention.
3. Stack and Trigger. Attach your Japanese habit to an existing routine. For example, review two flashcards right after brushing your teeth or listen to a podcast while making coffee. The easier it is to start, the less the beast can tempt you to delay.

Consistency need not be perfect. If you miss a day, get back on track the next. What matters is that binge sessions become the exception, not the rule.

Mini‑Quest: This Week’s Challenge

1. Set your daily minimum time (5–10 minutes) for the next seven days.
2. Break it into two or three short sessions if you can: morning, afternoon, and evening.
3. At the end of each day, jot down one new word or phrase you learned and post it in a journal, or in the free Wins & Learnings space on japanesecircle.com.

Remember: consistency beats intensity when intensity isn’t consistent. Let’s starve the Binge Beast together and build habits that last!

Next time, we’ll challenge Japanese Learning Enemy #3: The Isolation Ghost（孤独ゴースト).

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: JET Program USA, Temporary Processing Staff
Posted by: Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C.
Location: Washington, D.C., USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C. for passing along the following job opening.

The JET Program Office at the Embassy of Japan is seeking Processing Staff for the 2026 JET Application processing season. Processing staff will have the opportunity to learn more about the JET Program from an administrative perspective. This is a temporary position from November 5, 2025 (Wednesday) to December 19, 2025 (Friday) with the possibility of some flexibility in start and end dates. This is an in-person position based out of our office at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C.

Deadline:
Applicants are strongly encouraged to send their materials as soon as possible and before the priority deadline of Friday, October 24, 2025, at 5:00PM Eastern Time. For applications who submit materials by October 24 and are accepted past the first stage, phone interviews will be offered between Tuesday, October 28 to Wednesday, October 29. For those who do not meet the priority deadline, the final deadline is Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at 5:00PM Eastern Time.

sparrosd@gmail.com

Dan Lowe is the founder of Boston Intercultural Consulting, LLC, including its Japanese learning arm, japanesecircle.com. The following is part of a five-part series covering the “Big Five Common Enemies” Japanese language learners must confront to maximize their Japanese learning effectiveness: 

1. The Passive Kraken(受け身クラーケン)
2. The Binge Beast(ドカ食いビースト)
3. The Isolation Ghost（孤独ゴースト)
4. The Friction Goblin（摩擦ゴブリン)
5. The Slow-Mo Swamp（スローモー沼).

Sailing in Dangerous Waters

I remember sitting at my desk in October 2020, feeling defeated. The world had shut down months earlier, and I had just hit a six‑month Japanese learning streak with my Anki flashcards.

I should have felt proud, but I couldn’t tell you what I’d studied that morning, and day after day of clicking the space bar had become an empty habit. Six months at 30 minutes a day. How much time had I wasted?

It turns out I was losing to the Passive Kraken, the monster that convinces you that passive study is “good enough.”

Spotting the Passive Kraken

Symptom #1: You can recite the days of your streak, but can’t recall yesterday’s learning concepts without peeking.

Symptom #2: “Study” looks like mindlessly flipping flashcards or Duolingo with no output.

Symptom #3: You dread doing anything beyond your comfort zone, because repeating the familiar feels like progress.

I realized I wasn’t learning Japanese; I was perfecting a routine. Consistency is essential, but only if what you repeat actually stretches you.

Why the Kraken Wins

Passive learning feels safe, much like sailing in familiar waters close to the coast. Input is addictive because it tricks you into believing you’re moving forward without the risk of making mistakes. There’s no embarrassment, no fumbling through a sentence.

Unfortunately, you’re not building any fundamental skills. As long as we keep the Kraken happy with easy tasks, it will lull us into stagnation.

How to Fight Back (10‑Minute Active Learning Workout)

Think of active learning like a workout, whether that be for health or to battle krakens: warm up, heavy lifting, cool down. You don’t need to move to Japan or re-enroll in university to make it effective.

Warm‑up (3–5 min): Do a bit of passive input: flip through a few flashcards, read a short article, or listen to a song. Get your brain in “Japanese mode.”

Heavy lifting (4–5 min): Without looking back at the material, open a blank document and record everything you can recall. Shadow a sentence out loud, jot down new words in a sentence, or summarize what you read. It will feel uncomfortable. That’s the point.

Cool‑down (1–2 min): Share your notes in a community space like a language circle or with a study buddy. Saying it out loud or posting it turns recall into real use. If you’re looking for a safe place to post, japanesecircle.com has a designated space explicitly for this purpose.

For tricky concepts, attach them to an emotional memory: the embarrassment of mispronouncing a word in front of a native speaker or the joy of understanding a lyric. Emotional hooks make memories stick.

Mini‑Quest: Today’s Challenge

1. Do your usual passive study for five minutes.
2. Immediately afterwards, recall everything you can. Speak or write, no peeking.
3. Share your recall (or a summary of it) with someone else. A quick community post on japanesecircle.com, a voice memo to a friend, or even talking to yourself in the mirror counts!

P.S. In my next post, I’ll introduce the Binge Beast (ドカ食いビースト), the monster that pushes weekend marathons and weekday droughts. Stay tuned!

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James McKnight (Gunma-ken, 2001-03) recently published Life, Love & Baseball in Japan, the third book in his series in which he shares stories of life as a JET and his experiences as a devoted Hanshin Tigers fan.

Here’s a synopsis in James’ own words:

“Basically, I went to Japan on vacation in 2000 and met some fervent Hanshin Tigers fans when I dared to enter the Koshien left field bleachers on my own for a Giants v. Tigers game. Of course the Tigers lost to the Hideki Matsui-led Giants, but the experience left a deep impression on me since I had always been a fan of underdog teams like the Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners. I kept in touch with the fans I met that night and eventually moved to Japan in 2001 to work as a JET ALT. Unfortunately, I was placed in Gunma-ken, not Kansai as I requested, so I was far from Koshien. This did not deter me and I reunited with my friends and became a member of the ouendan they led. I ended up living in Gunma for 12 years and followed the Tigers at home and away games the entire time I lived there.” 

“Upon moving back to the U.S., I felt my experiences with my Tigers friends changed my life so much that I wanted to share my stories with other baseball fans and people interested in Japanese culture/education. My first book, “Yellow & Black Fever,” was published on Amazon in 2020, followed by “Bad Foreigner,” in 2021. The first book was translated into Japanese and separated into two short versions in 2022 & 2023.”

“My most recent book, “Life, Love & Baseball in Japan -The Final Chapter,” follows my experiences from 2006-2013 following the Tigers as well as life events like starting a family in Japan and learning how to adapt to being a full-time English teacher (not an ALT) in a college-prep school.”

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: Homeroom Teacher (VIA Global Community Fellowship)
Posted by: Futaba Elementary School (supported by VIA Programs)
Location: Fukuoka City, Fukuoka, Japan
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to Melissa Golden (Hokkaido, 2007-2012) for passing along the following job opening.

VIA (viaprograms.org) is currently accepting applications for our 1-year Global Community Fellowships in Asia. We offer placements with educational and community-based organizations in Thailand, Indonesia, and we are excited to announce a new post at Futaba Elementary School in Fukuoka, Japan.

ABOUT GCF: The Global Community Fellowship is a 13+ month program for recent university graduates and starting as well as experienced professionals. Fellows work at NGOs, schools, universities, and social enterprises across Asia to support community development, capacity-building, and education. By working directly with communities, Fellows get hands-on experience learning how organizations in Asia are using creative and innovative methods to address critical social challenges.

sparrosd@gmail.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: Study Abroad Advisor
Posted by: Kansas State University
Location: Manhattan, KS, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to Savannah Maynard (Nara, 2022-2025) for passing along the following job opening.

The Study Abroad Advisor provides guidance and outstanding professional service to students before, during, and after their educational experience abroad. The Advisor informs students, parents, faculty, and staff about various study, internship, service, and research opportunities abroad, and coordinates with relevant academic and administrative offices. The Advisor also assists with coordinating program and application processes and participates in campus recruitment and promotion, as well as participant selection.

The Study Abroad Advisor works with overseas partners to obtain information regarding application processes, course selection, arrival information, accommodation, and other relevant information. Some national and international travel is expected.

Application Process: For more information and to apply, please click here –  https://forumea.mcjobboard.net/jobs/202430

BBy 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. 

As the summer days fade into fall colors, the weeks ahead are shaping up with these exciting events, ready to be enjoyed all through Halloween.

This month’s highlights include:

Wednesday, October 8, 7:00 p.m.

100 Meters Premiere with Director Kenji Iwaisawa

Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street

$20-$26

East Coast premiere! 100 Meters follows Togashi, a track star who is born to run. As a kid, he is naturally gifted and wins every 100-meter race without effort. But in sixth grade, he meets Komiya, a transfer student who is full of determination but lacks technique. In teaching him, Togashi gives Komiya a new purpose: to win no matter what. Years pass by, and Togashi and Komiya meet again as rivals on the track and reveal their true selves. Helmed by director Kenji Iwaisawa, who quickly rose to prominence for his debut film, ON-GAKU: Our Sound, 100 Meters is a heart-pounding adaptation of the beloved manga by Uoto. The film is written by Yasuyuki Muto (Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway, Tokyo Revengers), with a score by Hiroaki Tsutsumi (Jujutsu Kaisen, Tokyo Revengers, Dr. Stone).

Oct. 9-12

New York Comic Con

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, 429 Eleventh Avenue

$90 (daily), $280 (4-day pass)

Breaking attendance records each year, the East Coast’s biggest gathering for fans of comics, film, anime and manga returns with its biggest roster of Hollywood talent to date, featuring exclusive screenings, gaming, cosplay photo ops, and more! Enjoy interactive panels and content from brands like Viz, Atsuko and Bandai Namco, and check out exclusive booths and artists alley to pick up con-exclusive merch and pre-release titles. Special anime-related events presented by Crunchyroll this year include Ghosts, Aliens, and Supernatural Shenanigans! Starring the English Voice Cast of DAN DA DAN, Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill Season 2 – Special Premiere Screening, and TRIGUN STARGAZE Special Premiere ft. Author Yasuhiro Nightow! Also check out signings by The Legend of Zelda manga duo Akira Himekawa, and Scholastic’s Graphix works including Unico: Awakening and The Baby-Sitters Club!

Wednesday, October 8, 7:00 p.m.

Author Talk: Jake Adelstein and The Devil Takes Bitcoin

Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street

$20-$25

Japan Society is honored to welcome bestselling author Jake Adelstein for a special talk and signing in celebration of the release of his newest book,The Devil Takes Bitcoin: Cryptocurrency Crimes and the Japanese Connection. From the author of Tokyo Vice comes the wild, true story of cyber-era commerce, crime, cold-hard cash, and one of the greatest heists in history. The Devil Takes Bitcoin tells the true story of the humble-to-hot commodity, from the former geek website that launched the boom to an inside world of absent-minded CEOs, hucksters, hackers, cybercrooks, drug dealers, corrupt federal agents, evangelical libertarians, and clueless techies. Attendees of this talk and signing will be able to purchase copies of The Devil Takes Bitcoin, Tokyo Vice, and Adelstein’s other books at the event or bring books from home for a signing session following the author’s talk.

Read More

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: Economic Affairs Analyst
Posted by: Consulate-General of Japan in Houston
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to Matthew Klein (Niigata-ken, Nagaoka-shi, 2014-2019) for passing along the following job opening.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
○Set appointments and arrange meetings for diplomatic officials.
○Participate in and assist with hosting various events.
(Please note that (1) this includes but is not limited to tasks like, coordinating business lunches or dinners, preparing invitations and name cards, preparing guest lists of invitees to the Consulate-General’s receptions, working as an assistant staffer at political, economic and PR/cultural events held outside the Consulate, taking notes during conferences or panel discussions, working in close cooperation with the secretary to the Consul General, and that (2) the employee may be instructed to assist with events and projects that do not directly fall under the responsibilities of the political/economic section, but instead fall under the responsibilities of other sections, if such events and projects carry significant importance to the functioning of the Consulate-General as a whole.)

sparrosd@gmail.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: Exchange Program Coordinator
Posted by: Institute of Global Exchange
Location: Torrance, CA, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to Amery Castro (Yamagata Prefecture, 2024-2025) for passing along the following job opening.

Who We Are
Institute of Global Exchange (IGE) is a cultural exchange organization that provides students and young professionals from other countries with internship and training experience in the United States.

Overview
We are seeking a highly organized and motivated Coordinator to join our team. A J-1 Intern Program Coordinator oversees the implementation of the J-1 visa internship programs, acting as a liaison between the host company and the exchange visitor to ensure program compliance and success. Responsibilities include guiding participants through the application and visa processes, monitoring their progress, facilitating cultural exchange, and ensuring they meet federal regulations and host company objectives for their practical, temporary training in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Guide participants through the application and visa processes, monitoring their progress, facilitating cultural exchange, and ensuring they meet federal regulations and host company objectives for their practical, temporary training in the US
• Create and manage essential documents, monitor participant compliance with J-1 visa regulations and program policies through written reports, and address any issues or concerns

sparrosd@gmail.com

This is the first contribution from Cameron Cayer (Yamagata-ken, 2023-25). Originally from Rhode Island, then university in Washington, DC, he is currently taking the “long way home” through East, Southeast, and South Asia. Currently reporting from Flores, Indonesia.

Note: Here is a new Google Form for anyone who would like to submit their own response after reading this article, or for anyone who would like to share a reaction to this article.

The year 2025 has been one of major upheaval and change. There have been significant shifts in many US policies, massive government restructuring, and wide-ranging budget cuts budget changes. How have these changes impacted JETs and JET alumni? Earlier this year, JETwit reached out to the JET alumni community to conduct a survey to ask former JETs how, if at all, they have been affected. Nearly 100 JET alumni responded, and below is a summary of themes and some quotes from the responses.

The data undoubtedly reveals that U.S. federal budget cuts and policy shifts have created a climate of widespread anxiety and uncertainty among current and former JET Program participants. While the immediate effects vary, a clear pattern of professional and personal instability has emerged from the community’s responses.

Direct Professional Impact: Layoffs and Lost Opportunities

For many, the policy changes have resulted in direct job losses and a stalled career trajectory.

• Several federal contractors and government employees reported being laid off due to canceled contracts and the defunding of entire departments. One respondent noted, “All of our U.S. government partners have been fired or furloughed.”
• Non-profits and international organizations are also heavily impacted. One individual stated, “My agency has had grants canceled by our funders and our clients have had to cancel contracts with my team because their grants were rescinded.” This has led to staff restructures and layoffs.
• Academia and education have not been spared. Cuts to federal grants (e.g., NIH) have led to hiring freezes, rescinded job offers, and budget cuts. An art teacher expressed concern that their job would be eliminated, as “the arts are always the first to go when there’s a funding shortfall.”
• Opportunities for advanced education and career development have been significantly reduced. Several key international education programs, including Fulbright and the Critical Language Scholarship, have been halted or defunded. One person shared, “I have lost 2 internship opportunities this spring.”

Widespread Personal and Economic Disruption

Beyond professional impacts, survey responses indicated a potentiallyheavy personal toll on the JET community.

• There is a pervasive fear of a looming recession. One former JET who now owns a small business remarked, “The future is quite uncertain and my clientele are generally fearful and often ask if my prices will increase.” 
• Many are reconsidering their plans to return to the U.S. One respondent said, “I’m not going to be able to return to the US this year after all because I simply can’t get a job in the US.” Another person, still on JET, feels “trapped” but also grateful for their stable position in Japan.
• The stress of the political climate is a major concern. Individuals are experiencing increased anxiety. As one person put it, “The rhetoric of the current administration is rotten to the core.”

Impacts on Marginalized Communities

For some, the policy changes and political rhetoric are not just a matter of professional worry but a fundamental concern for their safety and well-being.

• Attacks on DEI initiatives and anti-immigrant rhetoric have created a climate of fear. A transgender person said, “I feel I have an added pressure to stay [in Japan] longer to stay safer and be able to access my hormones”.
• Many feel that their rights and safety are at risk. One respondent, a first-generation immigrant, shared their fear “of going back since I’m not sure what the current administration will do to me as a 1st generation immigrant who came to America as a child.”

Waiting and Seeing

It’s worth noting that some respondents indicated no direct effect as of the time of their response.

A Note of Optimism

Not all views were negative. Some respondents expressed a positive outlook on the policy changes.

• One individual felt that the government was “addressing the most basic, foundational matters relevant to every American” for the first time in their life. This person was happy with the new administration’s focus on reducing “bloated bureaucracy” and addressing the national debt.
• Another respondent expressed relief that there is now a “focus on economic growth again” to ensure job security and a reasonable cost of living.
• An individual who owns a business helping people relocate to Japan has seen a “huge spike in interest” from people looking to “go back to Japan,” which they found satisfying.
• One respondent noted that if the administration follows through on its promise to remove the foreign-earned income tax, it would be “extraordinary and the first time a president has enacted legislation that would immediately benefit my life.” 

For many, the experience of living abroad has even reshaped their perspective on what “home” truly means. As one respondent said, “It’s a country that I no longer recognize, leaving me feeling like an expat with no true ‘home.'” And as mentioned above, others are seriously considering staying in Japan, as they feel unsafe or unsure about returning to the U.S.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this survey! 

Comments or reactions to this article? Want to tell us how you’re doing or how 2025 has affected you? Please feel free to submit your comments through this Google Form. We plan to do a follow up article in the coming months that will include new responses. 

Melinda Kaneko (Saitama, 2011–2016) is a Digital Marketing and Content Localization Specialist who has been working with Kyoya Dye Works for two years. (By the way, if you would like to take part in a giveaway for some of their hand-dyed indigo fabrics, check out their website here.)

I was drawn to the JET Program to completely break out of my comfort zone and experience Japanese culture and language from an immersed perspective—not just from the anime and J-dramas I watched in college. Life in Japan was a constant adventure, and a humbling one at that. When communicating with my students and coworkers, what I wanted to say was not always what I ended up saying, and not always how I was heard. The reality of life through the lens of language and cultural differences challenged everything I thought I knew.

While navigating these challenges, I was fortunate to have an incredible support system within my Board of Education and among my fellow ALTs. We formed a tight-knit community, exploring the country, going to festivals, learning the art of tea ceremony, joining local cooking clubs, and even conquering Mt. Fuji—everyone needs to try it once, right?

The Universal Question

I struggled with the universal question every JET faces: what to do after the program ends? After five years, all I knew was that I didn’t want to leave. From the poetic “Engrish” on shop signs to the 1,000 sakura trees in my local park, to a Japanese family that would become my in-laws two years later—Japan had woven itself into my life in countless ways.

The easiest path would have been to continue teaching, but I yearned for a new challenge. I scrambled to find a creative job that would let me explore more of Japan, where I could speak English and Japanese, and that would allow me to grow and develop both personally and professionally.

Unexpected Career Path

At the very last minute, I stumbled upon my current company: a Japanese marketing agency that helped other Japanese businesses promote their products and services overseas. It was perfect. Our clients sell things that are uniquely Japanese, using traditional techniques that have been handed down for generations, ranging from hair products and shibui clothing to carpentry tools and washoku.

The proofreading skills I gained as a former ALT and graphic design skills I picked up for the AJET Connect Magazine were immediately useful. I quickly expanded them to include translation, SEO, copywriting, project management, and conducting user interviews for a variety of clients. It was the perfect fit—I could stay in Japan, be with the people I loved, and develop a completely new skill set.

Connecting with Culture Behind the Scenes

While my days as an ALT are over, my work still lets me live and breathe Japanese culture every day. My role as a translator and localization specialist is a continuation of the cultural ambassadorship we were all tasked with on JET. Just as I had to simplify and break down my experiences for my family back home who had never been to Japan, I now do the same for the brands I work with. Localization goes beyond direct translation—it’s about finding the perfect English phrases to capture the artisans’ spirit, passion, and rich history, making it all resonate with a global audience.

The most rewarding aspect of my job is the opportunity to connect directly with the customers themselves. During market research calls, I’ve had genuine conversations, especially with fellow JET alumni. We always get a little excited, briefly sharing stories and memories from our time in Japan. I’ve heard so many stories from people who feel a real connection to these pieces. One alum told me their Sappakama felt like a link to his past; the comfortable shape and shibui designs reminded him of time spent in traditional ryokan while on JET, enjoying the hot springs. Hearing him describe how a piece of clothing helps him stay connected to Japan makes my work feel less like a job and more like a way to help our community. It’s been so comforting to meet others who, like me, still long to stay connected to Japan.

There’s something incredibly satisfying about sharing traditional Japanese crafts and products with the world. In these businesses—both large and small—there’s a sense of thoughtfulness for the end-user that you just don’t find in today’s fast-paced consumer culture. For example, some companies use older looms that take longer to weave fabric but result in pieces that last for decades and develop character over time. The hand-dyeing techniques Kyoya uses mean the indigo color won’t wash away as easily and has a truly unique pattern. Every step of the manufacturing process has a reason, every technique has a history, and every pattern carries a meaning. It feels good to help these businesses expand their outreach and connect with people who appreciate that same depth and lasting quality.

A Lifelong Commitment

When I first moved here, I saw my time as an adventure. But now that my kids are being raised here, Japan is home. My connection to the country has evolved from a temporary one to a lifelong commitment. This has made me think a lot about building bridges, not just for myself, but for my children. I want them to form deep, local connections here while also staying connected to the world abroad.

I’ve realized that’s the same kind of two-way connection I seek for the companies I work with. It’s not about them broadcasting their message at people; it’s about listening to their customers, sharing their stories, and making them feel like a part of the brand’s journey. That’s the kind of long-term relationship that truly matters.

Posted by: Margie Banin (Kochi-ken, 2005–2007), a former CIR with a love of the written word. Currently she connects others to Japan through translating, writing, and editing texts on Japan. Margie also manages the JETwit Bluesky account, serves as the JETwit Volunteer Coordinator and a JETwit jobs-list welcomer, and engages in various other JETwit outreach activities.

A number of books over the years have been written about the JET (and non-JET) teaching experience in Japan. JET alum Marshall Hughes (Tochigi-ken, 1990–1991; Ibaraki-ken, 1992–1995) has recently added to this genre with Rural Reflections: What 11 Years in Provincial Japan Taught Me. After his four-year JET experience, Hughes taught from 1996 to 2001 in Mitsukaido-shi, Ibaraki-ken, and for 25 years in Japan overall before retiring to Chiba in 2024.

Hughes’ book differs from others in that his book spans eleven years in four cities. He writes familiar stories of the typical ups and downs that all JETs had, but also gets personal with stories of student tragedies and other less-than-glamorous aspects of the JET, and Japan, life. Overall, the book takes a real look at sometimes hard-to-believe experiences with humor and interesting cultural/historical points tossed in.

Hughes says that when he became a JET in the early 1990s, foreigners in his area were “something to gawk at, follow around town on bicycles, and at times to consider less than human.” Still, his love for Japan never faded. In 2013, he returned for a visit to his first city, Yaita-shi in Tochigi-ken, and as he was walking back to his car from the main school where he had taught, he started crying. “A flood of memories came back to me of just how pure-hearted the people were there. Before I went to Yaita, I didn’t know any place on earth where people had such pure hearts.”

For former JETS, especially those from the early years of the program or who lived in rural areas, the book is a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Of Hughes’ book, author Evan Powell wrote, “In Rural Reflections, Hughes takes us with him on a journey into a rural Japanese culture with which most Americans are unfamiliar. Through his experiences as an English teacher in Japanese schools he encounters cultural differences that are at times charming, puzzling, and occasionally disturbing to typical American sensibilities. He provides us a unique window into a fascinating Japanese culture that we might not otherwise come to appreciate and experience. An utterly charming and engaging read!”

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: Resolution Editor/Drafter
Posted by: Legislative Reference Bureau, Illinois General Assembly
Location: Springfield, Illinois, USA (onsite only)
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to Laurel Williams (Nagasaki-ken, 2011-2016) for passing along the following job opening.

The Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) is a non-partisan legislative support services agency of the Illinois General Assembly with primary responsibility for providing assistance to General Assembly members in the preparation of bills, amendments, resolutions, and other legislative documents.

Persons who serve in editorial and drafting positions with the Resolution Team of the LRB predominantly focus on the preparation and review of resolutions, which may be congratulatory or memorial in nature or may address specific substantive concerns of General Assembly members. However, an Editor/Drafter also performs other duties, including providing proofreading and writing support for attorney groups as needed.

sparrosd@gmail.com

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Posted by: Margie Banin (Kochi, 2005-2007), a former CIR with a love of the written word. Currently she connects others to Japan through translating, writing, and editing texts on Japan. Margie also manages the JETwit Bluesky account, serves as the JETwit Volunteer Coordinator and a JETwit jobs-list welcomer, and engages in various other JETwit outreach activities.

Recently the Japan Society of Boston profiled JETwit founder Steven Horowitz in their “Meet JET Alumni” series. Learn about Steven’s experiences as an early JET program participant 1992-1994 in Kariya-shi, Aichi-ken, in his interview with JSB.

Read the full interview here:

https://www.japansocietyboston.org/post/steven-horowitz-aichi-1992-1994