By John McGee (Nagano-ken, 2004-05) for JQ magazine. John is the Tampa Regional Representative for the Florida JET Alumni Association, and the founder of Tampa Natsu Matsuri, a free annual event organized by local residents with an interest in Japan.
The balmy breeze blew in through the screened doors of our house, floating the sheer curtains in soft billows. Late May in southern Nagano is damp…it’s always damp on the wet side of the Alps. But being from Florida, this was comfortable weather.
My good friend was visiting from America. He’d made quite a stir in our sleepy town striding around with his seemingly angry Native American scowl way up there brushing two meters, from which nearly a meter of black tresses flowed down like raven waterfalls.
We were watching the shadows slip up the mountains across from our home when the phone rang. It was our friend Sayaka. “The fireflies are here!” she said excitedly. “Want to come see them?”
Sure we would. If they were as big as other Japanese bugs, this could be a great sight. She told us where to meet her, so we carefully folded my wife, my three-year-old son, our giant Indian friend Bass, short for Sebastian, and myself into our Toppo and sputtered down our ski jump of a street to the main road.
We soon pulled up to the intersection where Sayaka was waiting. This miniaturized beauty stood out in our town every bit as much as Bass. She was dressed to kill as always, standing next to her shiny new Cube. Her family owned a ryokan and she had been all over the world. She quickly waved us to get going and we followed her down out of our crevice of a valley into the wider spot where a smaller river joined the local Kiso River, forming a rare broad flat spot.
This area was checkered with small rice fields and ancient farm houses. As we neared the junction of the rivers I started to see quite a few cars. I was a bit surprised, but that quickly turned into open-mouthed shock as we saw that there was not one available place to pull off the road for nearly a kilometer! Lightning bugs were apparently a big attraction in this sleepy town. Sayaka spotted a driveway open at a farmhouse and told us she’d ask if we could park there. “That’ll never work,” I thought, but of course this was Japan, so in a moment we were parked in the best spot on the field.
We stepped out into a dusky green sward dotted with families. Children hopping here and there. Some had jars. Others had nets. Some just walked along with heads back and mouths agape. Against the black silhouettes of the steep mountains there were literally thousands upon thousands of small bright lights flashing as high up as I could see. In answer, the rice and grasses along the river were twinkling like Christmas lights.
Job: JET alum English teachers needed in Japan
Jobs 
Comments Off on Job: JET alum English teachers needed in Japan
Thanks to jet alum Kia Cheleen For passing this on.
Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
____________________________________________________________
Position: Teacher
Posted by: (NPO) Japanese Language Research Institute
Type: N/A
Location: Japan
Salary: N/A
Start date: N/A
Overview:
An Eikai-wa school in Japan is specifically looking for JETs or JET alumni to teach English lessons on the specific dates below in the areas designated.
================================================================================== Read More
Job: Female TV Reporter fluent in Japanese (NY)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Female TV Reporter fluent in Japanese (NY)
Thanks to JET alum Stacy Smith for putting Nakamura-san in touch with JETwit to share this unique JET-relevant job listing. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
____________________________________________________________
Position: Young Female American TV Reporter
Posted by: TV Tokyo
Type: N/A
Location: New York
Salary: N/A
Start date: N/A
Overview:
Young energetic New Yorker female fluent in Japanese language as reports will be in Japanese. Does not have to be knowledgeable in economy. Read More
Job: Translator at Nintendo of America
Jobs, Translating/Interpreting Comments Off on Job: Translator at Nintendo of America
Thanks to Osaka JET Jon LeFlore for passing on this job listing. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
____________________________________________________________
Position: Translator
Posted by: Nintendo of America
Type: Full-time with full benefits
Location: Redmond, WA
Salary:
Start date: N/A Read More
Job: Postings from Idealist.org 7.11.12
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Via Idealist.org. Posted by Geneva Marie (Niigata-ken 2008-09) Geneva is a contributor to both JETwit and JETAANY. Geneva is on a continuous (epic) search for Japanese-related jobs in the United States. Hire me! :-)
Web Producer
Posted by: Japan Society
Type: Full-time
Location: New York, NY
Salary: Competitive
Application Deadline:August 17th, 2012
The Japan Society is seeking a Web Producer to support web and e-communications efforts across multiple programs and departments. Must possess a 4-year degree in a related field, or the equivalent combination of relevant education and work experience, and a minimum of 3 years work experience in related positions.
http://www.idealist.org/view/job/Hj4ZTS7dJzMD/
Fukushima group releases the latest “akabeko” tees to support local charities
Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, Japan Local, Volunteer Comments Off on Fukushima group releases the latest “akabeko” tees to support local charities
*********** Via Eyes 4 Fukushima
For T-Shirt orders (international and w/in Japan), please visit http://e4f.fujet.net/shoppingcart/
All procceds will go towards Fukushima charities which are actively promoting rebuilding efforts after the March 11th earthquake, tsunami and power plant disaster.
Fukushima JETs recently launched a local initiative – Eyes for Fukushima (E4F). Quick blurb from their website: It aims to promote grass roots internationalization in Fukushima Prefecture with devotion to improving the lives of people affected by the March 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster through events and fundraising. Eyes for Fukushima seeks to foster ties between Japanese citizens and JET participants at the person-to-person level.
Japan Society (NY) Allocates Additional $2.1 Million with 5th Round of Earthquake Relief Grants
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Via Shannon Jowett, Director of Communications for Japan Society in New York:
“With recovery and rebuilding expected to take 10 years or more, Japan Society announced the fifth round of grants from the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, focusing on economic and community revitalization and mental health services. Full details below.”
Japan Society Allocates Additional $2.1 Million with 5th Round of Earthquake Relief Grants
New York, NY – Japan Society announced this week the fifth round of grants from the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund (JERF), supporting eight organizations, seven of which are first-time grantees. With additional grants totaling $2,131,000, this latest announcement brings total allocations from the $12.9 million fund to $9.4 million distributed to 27 organizations representing 34 grants that directly serve people affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011.
“While progress has been made sixteen months after Japan’s triple disasters, the work is far from over,” said Japan Society President, Motoatsu Sakurai upon the announcement. “As the hard work of recovery and the complex process of rebuilding moves forward, we continue to put emphasis on areas where we see great need and where we think our support can have long-term impact: mental health services and economic and community revitalization projects.”
Sakurai told Reuters in a profile of the Society’s relief work earlier this year that focus should be on local entrepreneurship and lasting sustainable projects. “It is very, very evident in Japan this recovery process will continue for more than 10 years,” he said.
The latest grant recipients are: Read More
JapanLocal: Shimane JET Welcome Video
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Shimane JET Joshua Del Pino recently put out this video titled “Shimane JET Welcome Video,” an excellent introduction to the prefecture for JETs as well as non-JETs.
For more information about life as a JET Programme participant in Shimane Prefecture, please check out the following link: http://www.shimaneajet.com/
Job: Program Officer, Lecture Programs – Japan Society (NYC)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Program Officer, Lecture Programs – Japan Society (NYC)
Thanks to JET alum Christy Jones of Japan Society for sharing this new opening at Japan Society in NYC.
Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
____________________________________________________________
Position: Program Officer, Lecture Programs
Posted by: Japan Society
Type: Full-time
Location: New York
Salary: N/A
Start date: N/A
Overview:
The Program Officer plans, executes, and manages lecture programs, conferences and symposia on themes relating to existing Japan Society projects, performances and current trends of Japanese culture, including but not limited to, design, architecture, food, literature, and social issues. Read More
Job: Japanese Language Tester
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Japanese Language Tester
Thanks to JET alum Regina Durr for this listing, which is for native Japanese speakers.
Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
____________________________________________________________
Position: Japanese Language Tester
Posted by: VMC Consulting
Type: Full-time
Location: San Mateo, CA
Salary: Competitive
Start date: Immediately Read More
Job: Consulate General of Japan – General Affairs Staff (NYC)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Consulate General of Japan – General Affairs Staff (NYC)
Thanks to Jack Chan for sharing this opening at the Consulate created by his upcoming departure. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
____________________________________________________________
Position: General Affairs Staff Employee
Posted by: Consulate General of Japan
Type: Full-time
Location: New York
Salary: Will be determined under Consulate regulations
Start date: Mid August 2012
Overview:
Work consists of assisting with consular duties including but not limited to reception duties and corresponding/negotiation work with vendors. Read More
Job: Postings from Idealist.org 7.9.12
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Postings from Idealist.org 7.9.12
Via Idealist.org. Posted by Geneva Marie (Niigata-ken 2008-09) Geneva is a contributor to both JETwit and JETAANY. Geneva is on a continuous (epic) search for Japanese-related jobs in the United States. Hire me! :-)
Grants Writer and Manager Policy Education
Posted by: Asia Society
Type: Full-time
Location: New York, NY
Salary: Competitive
Start Date: Not Specified
Asia Society seeks a Grants Writer and Manager Policy & Education for support on all fundraising activities regarding grants from foundations and government agencies, especially in the areas of Asia Society’spolicy institute and education. Graduate degree and 4-5 years fundraising experience, including proposal writing, prospect identification and research preferred.
http://www.idealist.org/view/job/5z2Gf444FtW4/
Justin’s Japan: Week One of JAPAN CUTS 2012 Serves Up ‘Love Strikes!’, Adult Anime
Article/Journalism, Film, Justin's Japan Comments Off on Justin’s Japan: Week One of JAPAN CUTS 2012 Serves Up ‘Love Strikes!’, Adult Anime
‘Love Strikes!’ has its U.S. premiere at New York’s Japan Society July 14. (© 2011 TOHO CO.,LTD. / TV TOKYO CORPORATION / DENTSU INC. / KODANSHA Ltd. / Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. / Office Crescendo Inc. / PARCO CO., LTD. / Yahoo Japan Corporation / TV OSAKA CORPORATION / TV AICHI CORPORATION)
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his Japanese culture page here for related stories.
From July 12-28, Japan Society ushers in its sixth consecutive year of JAPAN CUTS: The New York Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema. Bigger than ever, JAPAN CUTS 2012 boasts the most feature films in the festival’s history: 37 full-length and 2 shorts, encompassing blockbusters, high-concept art house titles, mature anime, audacious documentaries, delirious rom-coms and a splatter of J-horror/gore genre busters. Running alongside the New York Asian Film Festival (June 29-July 15), which co-presents 12 films from July 12-15, JAPAN CUTS 2012’s selections sport the unyielding artistry and out-of-control eccentricity that define modern Japanese cinema.
“This year’s expanded and expansive edition of JAPAN CUTS reflects our (slightly maniacal) ambition to be the ultimate platform for Japanese cinema in North America—in the world perhaps?” says Japan Society’s chief film programmer and festival curator Samuel Jamier. “In this respect, the explosive, purposefully off-balance mix of dark-themed hard-core actioners, blockbusters, hit comedies, nano-budget indie titles and philosophical art house pieces emphasizes the wild diversity of the production in the archipelago, as well as its incredible resilience, despite the rise of its East Asian neighbors and the current severe economic conditions. We might not be solving the epistemological conundrum that is Japanese and world cinema (or event zombie apocalypse), but we’re giving it a good try.”
Upcoming events include the sold out Striking Love! JAPAN CUTS Opening Party following the July 14 screening of Love Strikes!, with an introduction and Q&A with star actress Masami Nagasawa (this year’s recipient of NYAFF’s Rising Star Asia Award) and an introduction and Q&A with Monsters Club director Toshiaki Toyoda for the July 15 screening.
For this week’s list of films, click here.
JQ Magazine: JQ&A with Darryl Wharton-Rigby on ‘Don Doko Don: The Yamakiya Taiko Drum Club Project’
Article/Journalism, Film, Interview/Profile, JQ Magazine Comments Off on JQ Magazine: JQ&A with Darryl Wharton-Rigby on ‘Don Doko Don: The Yamakiya Taiko Drum Club Project’
“This story is about the resiliency of community; how a community comes together in times of crisis. It’s a story about our shared human experience. It’s in some ways my own story, as my family still lives in Fukushima as well.”
By Nichole L. Knight (Shiga-ken, 2007-09) for JQ magazine. Originally from Waterbury, Connecticut, Nichole became active with the JET Alumni Association of New York even before moving to the city. Since returning from Japan, she’s played with the University of Connecticut Taiko Team, and trained with Soh Daiko, the East Coast’s oldest taiko group.
Darryl Wharton-Rigby (Fukushima-ken, 2005-07) is a playwright, poet, professor and filmmaker, who hails from Baltimore, Maryland. He has written for NBC, MTV, and BET. He lectures for Morgan State University’s Screenwriting and Animation Program, and is in the process of writing three books. Married with three children, he splits his time between Baltimore, Los Angeles, and Japan.
From 2005 to 2007, while teaching English in Kawamata-machi in Fukushima Prefecture through the JET Program, Wharton-Rigby was introduced to the talented members of the Yamakiya Taiko Club, a local community group which he would soon join. He began filming their story in 2006, but was inspired to continue after the group was misplaced in the aftermath of the 2011 tsunami and ensuing Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear Power Plant area evacuations.
Of the documentary, now titled Don Doko Don: The Yamakiya Taiko Drum Club Project, Wharton-Rigby says, “…[T]his very well may be my most ambitious project. I never imagined my journey would bring me to [a] project with such an international scope and [is] profoundly personal on so many levels.” As the film’s writer, director and producer, he has unveiled an ambitious Kickstarter campaign to fund the project that closes July 11. In this exclusive interview, JQ caught up with Wharton-Rigby to discuss the origins of the film, the significance of Yamakiya on its devastated community, and the troupe’s international highlights so far.
Tell us a little about the Yamakiya Taiko Club and how you first came to know about it.
When I was a JET in Kawamata, I had to go to the Yamakiya District high in the mountains to teach at the elementary, junior high, and kindergarten schools. I met Megumi Endo, who was a school worker and head of the group at Yamakiya Elementary School. She invited me to play taiko drums with the Yamakiya Taiko Club and I was hooked. I loved the sound and power of the drums. There are three teams: Kodama, the beginning students; Suzaku, the intermediate students; and Yamazaru, the experienced members. I practiced with the younger members of Kodoma.
What inspired you to start making a documentary about them?
I started shooting footage of the group after breaking my finger. I couldn’t play the drums, but I still wanted to remain connected to the group. My background prior to JET was in film, so, I pulled out my camera and started shooting footage of the group. I would shoot rehearsals, performances, meetings, and on bus trips. I even followed around Genki Endo, who is the leader of the group. Megumi-san mentioned that it would be great to have a documentary about the group. I agreed. She came up with the title Don Doko Don—it’s the basic sound of the taiko beat. Over the years, I had compiled more than 80 hours of footage and when I would return to Japan, I would make sure to visit Yamakiya and I would bring along my camera and shoot more footage.
Why is it important to share this story with the world?
When I learned that Yamakiya was going to be evacuated because of high levels of radiation after the events of March 11, 2011, it broke my heart. I could not fathom this was really happening to a community and people I adored. Then I found out that despite the circumstances, the group was still practicing and performing together. I knew there was a story to be told. This story is about the resiliency of community; how a community comes together in times of crisis. It’s a story about our shared human experience. It’s in some ways my own story, as my family still lives in Fukushima as well.
WIT Life #207: This week’s NYT Japanese baseball articles
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WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
This week’s NYT offered two interesting articles about baseball, one about a Japanese player in the U.S. and one about a Venezuelan player in Japan.
The first focuses on Yankees pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, who shares his story of how abusive treatment at the hands of coaches and teammates while growing up in Japan molded him into the player he is today. I had heard about things like getting hit on the backside with bats (ketsu batto) and some of the other torturous treatment coaches inflict on their players from Japanese friends of mine who played baseball as youngsters, but I didn’t know the extent of some of the abuse. What Kuroda had to endure would surely be prosecutable today, but at the time it was tacitly endorsed, even by his mother.
Another article in today’s sports section talks a
bout Yokohama BayStars outfielder Alex Ramirez (aka “Rami-chan”) and his recent attaininment of Read More
