Mar 10

Foundation Center interview with JET alum James Gannon on Rebuilding After the Great Tohoku Earthquake

Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, Interview/Profile, JETs in the News, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment Comments Off on Foundation Center interview with JET alum James Gannon on Rebuilding After the Great Tohoku Earthquake

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

The below interview appeared in PhilanTopic, the Philanthropy News & Digest blog which is part of The Foundation Center. It’s a really terrific explanation of the situation in Japan from a philanthropy/fundraising/non-profit perspective by Jim Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94), Executive Director of the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA), who has become one of the experts in this field. 

March 09, 2012

James Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94)

One Year Later: Rebuilding After the Great Tōhoku Earthquake

James Gannon is executive director of the Japan Center for International Exchange/USA, which works to strengthen U.S.-Japan cooperation across a range of fields. Recently, Laura Cronin, a regular contributor to PhilanTopic, spoke with Gannon about the progress of rebuilding efforts in the quake- and tsunami-affected Tohoku region of the country.

Philanthropy News Digest: The earthquake and tsunami affected a four hundred-mile region along the northeastern coast of Japan — an area roughly comparable to the BosWash corridor in the United States. What are conditions in the region like now, a year later? And how have people in the affected region, and the country at large, been changed as a result of the disaster?

James Gannon: Even now, some communities are still disposing of rubble, while things appear almost normal in other, less-hard-hit areas. Compared to the scenes of utter devastation we saw a year ago, there has been extraordinary progress. But if you spend any time in these communities, you realize the depth of the wounds. More than three hundred thousand people are still without homes, and that is weakening traditional community ties. Many of the jobs in the fishing industry, agriculture, and small business have not returned, resulting in high unemployment and all the social problems it brings.

Meanwhile, women who lost family members, men who are ashamed that they can no longer support their families, and children traumatized by the disaster are grappling with mental health issues. The stoicism of the people in the Tōhoku region is stunning — even by Japanese standards — but most acknowledge that the road to recovery will be long.

On the other hand,

CLICK HERE to read the full interview on the PhilanTopic blog.

Mar 10

JETAA USA Quarterly Reports

JETAA Chapters Comments Off on JETAA USA Quarterly Reports

Via JETAA USA Country Rep Jessyca Wilcox:

“For those of you who are interested in reading the Quarterly Reports that the Country Reps produce to update you on what’s been going on, you can do so on the jetaausa.com website. Go to, About JETAA >> Quarterly Reports. You can click on the report you are interested in reading. Country Rep Megan Miller has done a nice job summarizing all the JETAA activity at the national level! All three quarters from fiscal year 2011-12 are available and we will be sure to wrap up the year with a Quarter 4 Report as well!”

Mar 10

Job: Several Postings From Idealist.org 3.10.12

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Several Postings From Idealist.org 3.10.12

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. 

http://www.idealist.org/view/job/JwxMPcTGGFsP/

Teach English in Korea

http://www.idealist.org/view/job/Kz9f8Wjxg3cp/

Mar 9

Job: Web/Social Media Marketing Assistant, ASAP! (Manhattan, NY) 03.09.12

Jobs, Uncategorized Job, marketing, media, NY, pasona Comments Off on Job: Web/Social Media Marketing Assistant, ASAP! (Manhattan, NY) 03.09.12

Via Pasona. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
———————————————————————————————————

***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***

Position: Web/Social Media Marketing Assistant

Location: Manhattan , NY
Salary: DOE(Depends on experience)
Hours: 9-5/M-F

Job Description:

– Responsible for strategic sales plans to launch children’s education tools using their website and social media sites, such as Facebook, Twitter.
– Aggregate and interpret market research including interview results, survey data, and website responses
– Analyze materials (e.g. toys, books) to anticipate variances in reactions between Japanese and American audiences
– Translate Japanese and English communication between Japanese headquarters and American business partners

If you are interested in this position, please contact at mtakemura@pasona.com /212-551-9581 Read More

Mar 9

Japan Society Allocates Over Half of Earthquake Relief Fund with 4th Round of Grants

Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, Japan Society Round-up Comments Off on Japan Society Allocates Over Half of Earthquake Relief Fund with 4th Round of Grants

Via Shannon Jowett, Director of Communications for Japan Society of New York:

For Immediate Release

Japan Society Allocates Over Half of Earthquake Relief Fund with 4^th Round of Grants

Projects Support Orphan Care, Evacuee Services, Community Building, Child Welfare and More

New York, NY – Japan Society announced today an additional eight grants totaling $1.6 million from its Japan Earthquake Relief Fund(JERF). This latest announcement brings total allocations from the $12.5 million fund to $7.2 million distributed to 19 organizations representing 25 projects that directly serve people affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011.

“As we approach the one-year anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan, we are pleased with the swift allocations and immediate use of the funds for people in need,” said Motoatsu Sakurai, President of Japan Society. “Over half of the money we’ve received has now been allocated. Moving forward, we will continue to look for opportunities to fund effective projects, including those that serve rebuilding and economic recovery in the region.”

The latest round of allocations supports six new grantees and two previous grantees. Projects range from orphan care, evacuee services and healthcare for people still living in temporary housing, to education workshops throughout Tohoku, promoting creative arts from the region, building a community center, and summer camps for children in Fukushima, which continues to cope with its nuclear crisis.

The organizations receiving grants are:

Read More

Mar 9

Job: Program Assistant 03.09.12

Jobs, Uncategorized assistant, Japan Society, Job, NY Comments Off on Job: Program Assistant 03.09.12

Thanks to JET alum Christy Jones of Japan Society (NY) for sharing. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
———————————————————————————————————————————————
Position: Program Assistant

Posted by: Japan Society
Type: Full-time
Location: NY
Salary: NA
Start Date: NA
Link:  www.japansociety.org

Responsibilities:

The Program Assistant will work with the Corporate and Lecture Program Officers on managing logistical and administrative aspects of approximately two to three programs per month. He/she will assist in planning, executing, and managing cultural lectures, symposia, and community outreach activities, and interact with leaders and distinguished speakers in the academic and business community, as well as thousands of corporate members.

To Apply: Email your letter of interest and resume to Jane Fenton, Director of Human Resources, at – jobs@japansociety.org. Read More

Mar 9

Job: Assistant Editor/ Translator 03.09.12

Jobs, Uncategorized editor, film, Job, NY, translator Comments Off on Job: Assistant Editor/ Translator 03.09.12

Thanks to JET alum Kia Cheleen for passing this along. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
————————————————————————————————————

Position: Japanese Speaking Assistant Editor/ Translator

Posted by: Ex Lion Tamer
Type: Full-time
Location: Chelsea, Manhattan
Start Date: As soon as possible
Link: www.cutieandtheboxer.com

Responsibilities:

Mar 9

Embassy of Japan in the UK Webmagazine (March 2012)

Article/Journalism, Cultural Outreach, Earthquake Tsunami, Events, Film Comments Off on Embassy of Japan in the UK Webmagazine (March 2012)

Embassy of Japan in the UK Webmagazine round-up. Posted by JET alum and current editor of the webmagazine, Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). To subscribe to the Embassy of Japan’s monthly webmagazine, email webmagazine@ld.mofa.go.jp with the subject ‘subscribe’.

——————————————————————————————————————————–

Embassy of Japan in the UK Webmagazine: March 2012

Ambassador’s blog
One year on

Featured article
ONE YEAR ON: SCENES OF RECONSTRUCTION & PICTURES DRAWN BY THE CHILDREN OF TOHOKU

Other articles:
Events around the country as the UK remembers “One year on…”
The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom
One year on: A JET perspective
Films at the Embassy: Bloom in the Moonlight
Films at the Embassy: Tohoku Special Film Show
JAPAN-UK Events Calendar

Mar 8

ESL To Go: Nashville’s First ESL Mobile Classroom

Fundraising noteworth Comments Off on ESL To Go: Nashville’s First ESL Mobile Classroom

By Filmore Ha (Ibaraki-ken, 2006-08).  Filmore continues to live and work in the Greater Tokyo Area as an FAE and is also webmaster for JETAA Tokyo.  He is actively seeking new opportunities in the U.S. or Canada.

Thanks to Terry Vo, JET Program and MEXT Coordinator in Nashville, for sharing this awesome initiative by JET alum Leah Hashinger at the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute.

ESL To Go is Nashville’s first ESL mobile classroom. ESL To Go is a community-driven project designed to take English classes to refugees in the communities where they live. They are currently trying to raise $25,000 in order to purchase the ESL To Go truck which will enable them to provide mobile English lessons to refugees that are unable to attend ESL class due to lack of suitable transportation.

Sounds like a fantastic idea to me! You can learn more about the project and make a contribution to this fantastic idea from their project page over at CrowdRise.

Mar 8

Job: Director of Global Programs 03.08.12

Jobs director, Japan Society, Job, new york Comments Off on Job: Director of Global Programs 03.08.12

Mar 7

Job: Administrative Assistant for Bank (Manhattan, NY) 03.07.12

Jobs administrative assistant, bank, NY Comments Off on Job: Administrative Assistant for Bank (Manhattan, NY) 03.07.12

Via Pasona. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).

————————————————————————————————————
***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***

*** Job Position: Administrative Assistant (Manhattan, NY)Salary: 30-35K; Working Hour: 9-5/M-F; Job Description: General administrative duties such as answering calls, welcoming visitors, filing, sending documents via vendors, placing orders for office supplies, and so on.*** If you are interested in this position, please contact at mtakemura@pasona.com./212-551-9581.***

http://www.pasona.com/Detail.aspx?JobOrderNum=NY+127353

Mar 7

Job Post from Idealist.org 03.07.12

Jobs, Uncategorized Asia Foundation, CA, communications, Job, san francisco Add Comment (2)

Via idealist.org. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
————————————————————————————————————
Position: Communications Assistant

Posted by: The Asia Foundation

Type: Full-time
Location: San Francisco
Salary:  N/A
Start Date: N/A

 http://www.idealist.org/view/job/wh7T8ZnK8Pw4/

Responsibilities:
The Communications Assistant supports the Global Communications team in raising the visibility of The Asia Foundation in theU.S.and internationally by executing public relations strategies, with a particular focus on supporting media relations and social media. The ideal candidate will be highly organized and detail-oriented, possess an intuitive approach to their work load, and an overall creative thinker who will welcome an opportunity to grow professionally in the fields of public relations and international development. The Communications Assistant must be a self-starter, have a voracious appetite for news and information, take initiative, be mission-driven, and savvy in the latest online tools and software. This position reports to the Assistant Director and supports the team with media outreach, social media, measurement and reporting, and general administrative duties. *** Application deadline: March 15, 2012 ***

Mar 7

Job: Posting from Idealist.org 03.07.12

Jobs, Uncategorized Asia Society, Job, new york, producer Comments Off on Job: Posting from Idealist.org 03.07.12

Via idealist.org. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
————————————————————————————————————
Position: Producer,  Asiasociety.org

Posted by: Asia Society
Type: Full-time
Location: New York
Salary:  39K – 48K annual
Start Date:

http://www.idealist.org/view/job/ZFsjKt67d4FP/

Responsibilities:
Asia Society, a prestigious, global, educational and cultural non-profit seeks a Producer, Asiasociety.org, to maintain and produce content. The ideal candidate will have a creative passion for promoting the work and mission of the Asia Society in the digital space as part of a wider online and communications strategy.

Mar 7

JCIE Special Report: US Giving in Response to Japan’s March 11 Disaster Tops $630 Million

Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, Return on JET-vestment Comments Off on JCIE Special Report: US Giving in Response to Japan’s March 11 Disaster Tops $630 Million

Thanks to  Jim Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94), Executive Director of the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA), for sharing his organization’s special report, which notes the grassroot efforts of JETAA USA among others.

“JCIE Special Report:  US Giving in Response to Japan’s March 11 Disaster Tops $630 Million”

“A JCIE survey of hundreds of American and Japanese organizations estimates that Americans have donated $630.2 million to aid victims of Japan’s massive March 2011 earthquake. This ranks as the largest US philanthropic outpouring ever for a disaster in another developed nation and the third most generous American charitable response in history for any overseas disaster.”

Click here to read the full the report:  http://www.jcie.org/311recovery/usgiving.html

Download Report (PDF)

Mar 7

Return to Tohoku: Fukushima Update 03.07.12 by Brent Stirling

Earthquake Tsunami, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Travel/Tourism, Writers Comments Off on Return to Tohoku: Fukushima Update 03.07.12 by Brent Stirling

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

Here’s another  Fukushima update from JET alum Brent Stirling, one of the 20 Tohoku region JET alumni selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to return to their town to both engage in volunteer efforts and also help document and share what’s going on there.

Click here to read other Return To Tohoku updates on JETwit.  You can also check the JETAA USA website post (“JET Alums Return to Tohoku”) for additional information. 

Fukushima

By Brent Stirling (Fukushima-ken, Fukushima-shi, 2006-10)

It’s been almost a year since the Great East Japan Earthquake and almost six months since I returned to Fukushima and this will be the first thing I have posted about it since my week long adventure into the place I called home for so long.

I have agonized over the writing of this for months now.  While in Fukushima, I learned, saw and felt so many new things.  The main feeling I came away with after having been there was one of inspiration.  The people in Fukushima, foreigners and Japanese, were all so very inspirational.  The vigor that they put into the community there and how they defend and care for Fukushima and it’s reputation was nothing short of remarkable.

I’ll be honest, while I did go back to Fukushima on the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ dime, my main motivation for going back wasn’t …..

CLICK HERE to read the full post