WIT Life #187: Norwegian Wood
Events, Film, Translating/Interpreting, WIT Life, Writers 
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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 I attended the Japan Society’s member screening of Norwegian Wood, the film version of this Haruki Murakami novel. I haven’t read the book, but the movie was quite moving. It takes place in the late 1960’s with student riots as a backdrop. It is a love story centering on the university student Toru Watanabe, who is torn between his first love from his hometown, Naoko, and a new women he meets at school, Midori. His relationship with Naoko is complicated as their mutual best friend (and Naoko’s boyfriend) committed suicide when they were in high school. They share this bond, but it is also the source of Naoko’s mental instability. Midori is a bit of a brighter character, though her life has been overshadowed by family members’ untimely deaths. The film is quite tender in its exploration of these relationships and the direction Toru’s future will take.
The movie was made in 2010 by the French-Vietnamese director Anh Hung Tran, who was on hand at the screening along with Rinko Kikuchi who plays Naoko (pictured above with Kenichi Matsuyama who plays Toru). They offered some behind the scenes stories, such as how Read More
December edition of “AJET Connect” now online
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A really terrific December edition of AJET Connect online magazine is now available for viewing at:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/AJET/AJET+Connect+DEC+2011.pdf
JET News Roundup 12.16.11
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By Filmore Ha (Ibaraki-ken, 2006-08). Filmore continues to live and work in the Greater Tokyo Area and is webmaster for JETAA Tokyo, however he is looking for new opportunities in the U.S. or Canada.
We’re back this friday with another JET News Roundup.
- JETAA USA Funded Project in Rikuzentakata
$25,000 of funds raised through the JETAA USA Earthquake Fund were granted to Empowerment Through Participation and Change, an organization based in Iwate which operates in education. - Even a Native Speaker Stops sometimes.
JET Alum Kevin Stein has written an interesting article on Scribed about how to help beginning Japanese learners get used to English. - JETAA USA Event
JETAA Usa is having a karaoke on January 31th, for more details please visite therir website? - JETAA New Jersey Subchapter Bonenkai
The JETAA New Jersey Subchapter recently had their bonenkai and has posted pictures up on their facebook. If you’re a JET alumni living in New Jersey, please check them out!
Grant made in honor of Taylor Anderson to strengthen Japan Studies at Randolph Macon College
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R-MC RECEIVES GRANT IN HONOR OF TAYLOR ANDERSON ’08
http://www.rmc.edu/News/11-12-13%20-%20Taylor%20Anderson.Japan%20Foundation.aspx
Randolph-Macon College has received a grant from The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP) to strengthen Japanese Studies, a part of the college’s Asian Studies program, in memory of R-MC alumna Taylor Anderson ’08. Anderson perished during the March 2011 earthquake & tsunami that devastated parts of Japan.
“We are pleased to receive this generous support from The Japan Foundation,” said Randolph-Macon President Robert R. Lindgren. “This grant will help us increase our students’ awareness and appreciation of Japanese culture and will aid the college in laying the groundwork for a lifetime of engagement and exchange with our Japanese neighbors.”
The Japanese Foundation grant, entitled “Honoring the Life, Work, and Good Spirit of Taylor Anderson – Enhancing Japanese Studies at Randolph-Macon College,” will help Randolph-Macon reach its goal of increasing course offerings in Japanese language and culture. The college received $100,000 for this academic year with the anticipation of receiving additional funds during the five year duration of the grant, which will allow for faculty travel to Japan to develop broader course offerings and establish student travel courses to Japan.
R-MC’s Asian Studies Progam will also develop and offer a spring workshop and curriculum website for Virginia elementary, middle, and high school teachers of history, geography, world language, and literature. This seminar workshop will be led by R-MC Professor Todd Munson and provide teachers the opportunity to engage in the study, analysis and discussion of topics related to Japanese history, geography, and culture. It will provide ten hours of instruction and will convene on the Randolph-Macon campus beginning in spring 2012.
The Japan Foundation grant will also support the following Randolph-Macon initiatives in the current academic year:
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Taylor Anderson, who had a lifelong love of Japan, graduated from Randolph-Macon College in 2008 with a Bachelor’s degree inInternational Studies and minors in Asian Studies and Political Science. She joined The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program and was assigned to teach in Ishinomaki, Japan. The JET program is one of the world’s largest exchange programs and is aimed at developing strong international relationships between Japan and other nations.
“This grant will help to continue strengthening relationships with a country she loved and Randolph-Macon College,” said Anderson’s father, Andy. We are grateful to both the college and the Japan Foundation for so generously supporting this project in her memory and honor.”
JQ Magazine: Book Review – ‘Life After the B.O.E. the Book’
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"This whimsical compilation of cartoons that appeared previously in JETAA publications worldwide is likely to hit the funny bone of both former and current program participants alike."
By Sharona Moskowitz (Fukuoka-ken, 2000-01) for JQ magazine. Sharona works at a literary agency in New York City. She is interested in fresh, new voices in fiction and creative nonfiction.
Flexibility and a sense of humor have long been predictors of a successful JET participant. And with good reason. After all, let’s face it: life in Japan for a gaijin can range from the frustrating to the absurd to the downright hilarious, often within the same day.
The malleable young JET is expected to smile and wear a variety of hats placed upon his or her head in the name of “international exchange.” For most JETs, it’s what happens in between the lines of the job description that makes the experience so meaningful.
Who better to capture the flexible thinking and sheer comedy of the JET experience than a former participant himself? JET alum and professional illustrator David Namisato (Aomori-ken CIR, 2002-04) showcases some of the more memorable aspects in his new book Life After the B.O.E. This whimsical compilation of cartoons that appeared previously in JETAA publications worldwide is likely to hit the funny bone of both former and current program participants alike.
Each cartoon presents a different familiar scenario. There is the moment of sudden awareness when it becomes all too clear to the ALT that he or she is more of an exotic show-and-tell object than a real teacher, a realization that can be disappointing, underwhelming, or just a huge relief, depending on who you ask. Read More
JET alum paper published: “A New Framework for US-Japan Development Cooperation”
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Jim Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94), Executive Director of the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA), has a new paper published as part of JCIE’s “Enhanced Agenda for US-Japan Partnership” paper series titled:
- “A New Framework for US-Japan Development Cooperation“ (PDF) http://www.jcie.org/researchpdfs/USJapanPapers/Gannon.pdf
Click here for other JCIE papers in the series.
Embassy of Japan in the UK Webmagazine (December 2011)
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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’.
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Feature article:
Spotlight on… Captain Minami
Other articles this month:
POSTCARDS FROM JAPAN – A Message from Tohoku Artists
Films at the Embassy of Japan: Always – Sunset on Third Street 2
UK-Japan Music Society 20th Anniversary Christmas Concert
Tohoku students play at Wembley!
Japanese Food: Interview with award-winning chef Asuka Kobayashi
Japanese representatives visit London ahead of the 2012 London Olympics
New Centre for Japanese Studies at the University of East Anglia
Tokyo: “What is the city but the people” by Simon Wright
Supporting Tohoku through volunteering and tourism
Call for submissions for CLAIR’s “JET Streams” publication
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Via CLAIR Tokyo’s Scott Borba (a JET alum himself):
Each year in the Spring, CLAIR publishes JET Streams, an annual newsletter for JET alumni. We will be compiling this newsletter again during the next few months. I am e-mailing today to request article submissions from JET alumni. Article topics are usually about such themes as: your life/experiences after JET, memories/reflections of your time as a JET, connections with the Japanese community in your home country, etc. We ask that you please avoid articles advertising your current company or books you have written, etc. as we cannot publish these.
If any JET alumni are interested in writing an article, please notify me by e-mail by January 10 and I will give you more details regarding article length and content.
Email: jet-aa [at] clair.or.jp
You can view past issues of JET Streams here:
http://jetprogramme.org/e/former/jetstreams.html
Job: Sales Support Representative (Carson, CA)
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Via staffing firm TWI. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London but is interested in hearing about any Japan-related opportunities across the globe.
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***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: Sales Support Representative (Carson, CA)
Job Details:
The duties of the Sales Support Representative involve data entry, logistics, and procurement support. Position provides sales support services and customer support.
Read More
Job: Marketing Writer (WA)
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Via JET alum Ashley Greenidge. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London but is interested in hearing about any Japan-related opportunities across the globe.
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***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: Marketing Writer (WA)
Job Details:
OpenText’s Fax and Document Distribution Group, the world’s leading fax solution provider, is hiring a marketing writer to join its customer marketing team located in Bellevue, WA. This position requires a creative and organized writer to produce effective written communication to be used for e-mail campaigns, online ads, web sites, blogs, social media, press releases, brochures, sales training, letters, and other marketing initiatives. As the marketing writer, you will be coordinating with Customer Marketing, Partner Marketing, Product Marketing and Sales. The ideal candidate will have experience writing for technology companies and will be able to manage multiple projects at once. Attention to detail is a must.
Read More
Job: Senior Accountant/Financial Analyst at Aderans America Holdings
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Via JETAA Southern Cal’s John Ellis-Guardiola. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London but is interested in hearing about any Japan-related opportunities across the globe.
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***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: Senior Accountant/Financial Analyst at Aderans America Holdings
Job Details:
Aderans America Holdings, a Beverly Hills based company, is seeking a Senior Accountant/Financial Analyst for an immediate opening.
Responsibilities include: compiling summary financial and statistical reports on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis for AAH (including subsidiaries) for our Japanese parent company; analyzing statistical and financial data on a periodic basis; assisting in preparation of financial statements; aiding in quarterly reviews and year end audit; and assisting Vice President of Finance when necessary.
Read More
Job: News Assistant/Business Reporter for The Asahi Shimbun (NY)
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Via The Asahi Shimbun. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London but is interested in hearing about any Japan-related opportunities across the globe.
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***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: News Assistant/Business Reporter for The Asahi Shimbun (NY)
Job Details:
Company: The Asahi ShimbunPosition: News Assistant / Business
ReporterLocation: New York, NY
Job Status: Full-time
Salary: $33,000 to $36,000
Read More
Job: Payroll Specialist at Nikkei Concerns – Apply by 12/16/11
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Via Pacific Northwest JETAA in Seattle. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London but is interested in hearing about any Japan-related opportunities across the globe.
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***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: Payroll Specialist at Nikkei Concerns – Apply by 12/16/11
Job Details:
Nikkei Concerns, a non-profit elder-care organization primarily serving the Japanese-American and Asian-American Communities in the Greater Seattle area, is seeking qualified applicants for their Payroll Specialist vacancy.
The position’s responsibilities will include accurately processing bi weekly payroll for 275+ employees consisting of full-time, part-time, on-call in a 24/7 operation; preparing quarterly payroll tax report including the 941, and labor and industries; maintaining the payroll check register including monthly bank reconciliation, initiating transfer of funds, and posting payroll transactions.
Read More
Job: Postings from Idealist.org
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Via idealist.org. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London but is interested in hearing about any Japan-related opportunities across the globe.
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***Note: If you apply for any of these positions, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Assistant Director of Admission – Paris Campus Recruitment, Outreach & Student Services
Posted by: The New School
Location: New York, New York, United States
http://www.idealist.org/view/job/gNKCPtk3DNcp/
Travel Operations Coordinator – Insight Cuba
Posted by: Cross-Cultural Solutions
Location: New Rochelle, New York, United States
http://www.idealist.org/view/job/mZ8dd75sghmD/
Read More
Latest Japan Relief Grants Support Child Welfare, Mental Healthcare, Economic Revitalization
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Via Shannon Jowett, Director of Communications at Japan Society.
The third round of disbursals from Japan Society’s Japan Earthquake Relief Fund support projects ranging from mental healthcare and child welfare (especially orphan care), to local economic revitalization and regional entrepreneurship.
With New Grants Towards Economic Revitalization, Mental Healthcare and Child Welfare, Japan Society Earthquake Relief Fund Allocation Reaches $5.6 Million
New York, NY — Japan Society today announced it has earmarked an additional $2.5 million from its Japan Earthquake Relief Fund to seven Japanese, American and international NGOs working on economic revitalization, mental healthcare and child welfare. This latest announcement brings total allocations from the $12.1 million fund to $5.6 million distributed to 13 organizations representing 17 projects. Read More
