JETs volunteer in Ishinomaki with British Chamber of Commerce in Japan effort
Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, Photography, Volunteer 
Comments Off on JETs volunteer in Ishinomaki with British Chamber of Commerce in Japan effort
Thanks to Andy Anderson (father of Taylor Anderson) for sharing a link to the photos (below) of JETs and others volunteering with the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan’s (BCCJ) efforts in Ishinomaki, where Taylor served as a JET.
Photos aren’t tagged, but two of the JETs pictured are Jane Suh and Kat Sheu in photos 69, 70 and 72. Also apparently the people in photo #40 are JETs.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.255169677832666.81687.200831479933153&type=1
Here’s text accompanying the photos from the BCCJ:
“From July 15-18 we travelled back to Ishinomaki, this time to support Peaceboat’s recovery activities as well as follow up with key contacts we met in June. We also had the opportunity to meet a politician from Miyagi Prefecture and the Japanese Ambassador to the USA.”
“Standing as a complement to larger relief and recovery organisations, the BCCJ will continue to work with the people of Tohoku to build an ever-expanding open network of supporters that will allow us to boost the rejuvenation of north eastern Japan.”
JETAA Sydney Trivia Night raises $650 for disaster relief
Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, JETAA Chapters Comments Off on JETAA Sydney Trivia Night raises $650 for disaster relief
Via the JETAA Sydney Facebook group:
“Sydney JETAA members and friends have raised $650 at our trivia night at the Parkview Hotel – all to be donated to the Japan Red Cross tsunami appeal. Thanks to all for a great night!”
JETAA Northern California helps community group with fundraising efforts
Cultural Outreach, Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, JETAA Chapters, JETs in the News, Return on JET-vestment, Volunteer Comments Off on JETAA Northern California helps community group with fundraising efforts
******************
Thanks to Mike Shu, JETAA USA Country Representative and JETAA Northern California member, for forwarding this great article from the Nichi Bei online magazine titled “Helping Northern Japan Recover: A community effort raises $3.5 million for disaster-hit areas” about the Japan Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCNC) and its fund raising efforts which have generated $3.5 million for disaster relief in Japan.
It’s worth noting that JETAA Northern California members were involved with the JCCNC’s fund-raising efforts as volunteers and that a JET alum is actually on their fund staff. Additionally, the article includes quotes from a JET–Miyagi CIR Takeno (Chiyo) Suzuki.
Here’s the link to the article: http://www.nichibei.org/2011/07/helping-northern-japan-recover-a-community-effort-raises-3-5-million-for-disaster-hit-regions/
Tampa Natsumatsuri a success thank to JETAA Florida’s Tampa subchapter
Cultural Outreach, Events, JETAA Chapters, Return on JET-vestment, Volunteer Comments Off on Tampa Natsumatsuri a success thank to JETAA Florida’s Tampa subchapter
Via the JETAA Tampa (aka Tampa Kumi) email list:
“We made it through another year of Tampa Natsumatsuri. We had over 300 people attend. It was the biggest event we’ve done yet. A huge thank you to everyone who participated. You truly make this event happen. Also thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the event. And lastly, the biggest thanks to the coordination committee who helped me tremendously this year! It would not have been possible to do an event this big alone. And these people gave significant portions of their time and personal resources to coordinate everything that went on.”
Tampa JET alumni are also known for their Tampa Tsudoi, a monthly “nihongo-dake” gathering at a Panera where JET alums and other Japanese-speaking members of the community (both American and Japanese) gather for Japanese practice and friendship.
Challenges facing the US-Japan Earthquake Relief Response
Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, JETAA Chapters, Return on JET-vestment Comments Off on Challenges facing the US-Japan Earthquake Relief Response
I had the privilege yesterday of being invited by Jim Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94), Executive Director of the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA), to attend a unique information and idea exchange titled “Funding Meeting: US-Japan Cooperation on Supporting the Japan Disaster Response.”
The gathering, organized by JCIE/USA and the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (New York), was held in a meeting room at the Institute of International Education in Midtown Manhattan, consisted of representatives from about 40 to 50 organizations involved in raising funds to support relief efforts for Japan.
It began with presentations from key representatives from Japanese civil society–Yoshifumi Tajiri of the Japan NPO Center and Japan Civil Network for Disaster Relief in East Japan (JCN), Yoichiro Abe of the Central Community Chest of Japan (CCCJ) and the Joint Committee for Coordinating and Supporting Voluntary Disaster Relief Activities, Tae Namba of the Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) and Tomoko Wakabayashi of the Association for Corporate Support of the Arts (Japan).
Two discussion panels followed. The first was titled “Challenges and Concerns of US Funders and Partners.” Moderated by Jim Gannon, it included presentations by Irene Hirano, President of the US-Japan Council, Betty Borden, Director of Policy Projects for Japan Society (NY), Scott Sugiura of Give2Asia and Mari Kuraishi of GlobalGiving Foundation. The second panel was titled “Strengthening US-Japan Collaboration for Recovery” and was moderated by Japan Society of Boston President Peter Grilli with presentations by Noboru Hayase of Osaka Volunteer Action Center and Jim Gannon of JCIE/USA. Many others participated in the subsequent discussions and exchange of information and ideas.
Key Takeaways:
A couple key takeaways from a JET Alumni perspective were:
1. Figuring out effective ways to support the relief efforts in Japan is tricky stuff. It’s not a straightforward task to simply provide grants and financial support. Among other reasons, Japan apparently does not have as strong or established of a “civil society” as we’re used to having in the U.S. i.e., There is not a large non-profit sector. And there is not as much organizational experience seeking and applying for and reporting on grants and donations. To paraphrase one attendee, no one was knocking on their door seeking grants in the way people did following disasters in Haiti and elsewhere.
Language and cultural barriers were also cited. As was the fact that for many small NPOs and other organizations that have stepped in to do good work, they don’t have the bandwidth to focus on grant seeking and reporting requirements. Or if they do, it comes at the detriment of doing the work that needs to be done.
The other major challenge cited was the expansive geographic scale of the disaster.
Additionally, several attendees commented that one of the areas where significant assistance is needed (among many needs) is mental health. Depression and suicide rates are high in the affected region, particularly among working age males trying to support their families in a dire employment environment. (Read this letter from Japan Society of Boston President Peter Grilli, who recently traveled to Japan, for additional information and perspective.)
2. Progress is being made. For all the challenges, it sounds like organizations were figuring things out and gaining experience as they moved forward, and there was a lot of discussion about information sharing and providing additional forms of support in ways that would aide the process.
3. JET Alumni are involved in a variety of ways. There were five other JET alumni in attendance, including Jim Gannon, Paige Cottingham-Streater (Japan-US Friendship Commission), Renay Loper (Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership), Bhaird Campbell (Japan Society of Boston), Jonathan Schwab (Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York) and Jennifer Quiambao (Asian Cultural Council). Additionally, a several other attendees said that they had JET alumni working in their offices when I mentioned my connection with the JET Alumni Association.
Thanks again to Jim for giving me, and in essence the JET Alumni Association in the U.S., a seat at this very significant table. And a reminder that the relief and rebuilding effort continues and that, as with our JET experience, patience and persistence yields great growth over time.
JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi talks Hatsune Miku on FCI's "Today's Eye" segment. (Courtesy Fujisankei Communications International)
JQ magazine editor/Japanese Culture Examiner Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) was recently interviewed by Fujisankei (FCI) News on Japan’s virtual pop idol Hatsune Miku for their “Today’s Eye” segment broadcast this week on Japanese TV!
Miku is the star of Toyota’s summer Corolla ad campaign in the U.S., and earlier this month performed to massive crowds at L.A.’s Nokia Theatre and the San Diego Comic-Con! Check out the video here or click on the image for Justin’s comments.
Direct link: www.fujisankei.com/video_library/event/hatsunemiku.html
Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, writing and translation.
——————————————————————————————————————————–
Over four months have passed since the The Great East Japan Earthquake and coverage of the relief efforts is rarely featured in the news here in the UK. However, as we know the recovery process is far from over. Raising awareness is vital to encourage the continuing support and help for those in the affected region.
Angus Miyaji, founder of the charity Seven Beach Aid, has worked with photographer Christina Aiton to bring a charity photo exhibition titled ‘Yet I Still Dare to Hope‘ to Hyper Japan 2011. The exhibition explores hope and rebuilding in the wake of the Japan earthquake.
“This exhibition offers a unique insight into the lives of 14 normal people from a small Japanese town, offering a chance for people living in the UK to get to know these people who were living a modest life until their lives were turned upside down. This exhibit is not about sorrow, but about hope. It’s about rebuilding. It’s about the future.”
Angus Miyaji – Seven Beach Aid
Alongside the sushi, cool gizmos and crazy cosplay outfits, visitors to this year’s Hyper Japan event will be able to see and respond to the stories of ordinary Japanese families from the tsunami-affected town of Shichigahama, through an intimate collection of photographs taken by local resident Christina Aiton.
Yet I Still Dare to Hope explores how 14 families in the northeastern Japanese town of Shichigahama, one of the areas hit hardest by the March 11 tsunami, are rebuilding their lives after the destruction.
Visitors will be able to leave messages of support that will be shared directly with the townspeople, encouraging those that have been directly affected and letting them know that they are not alone in the face of such a difficult time. There will also be able opportunity to donate and purchase charity goods for the benefit of residents of Shichigahama and Miyagi Prefecture.
Yet I Still Dare To Hope uses still photography accompanied by narratives from each survivor and features items from the disaster-hit area in order to convey the terrifying truth of humankind’s fragile existence, while exploring the subject of hope as the community begins the process of rebuilding their lives from the tragedy.
The exhibition has been organised by disaster relief organisations:
Tohoku Earthquake Relief Project London
(http://terp-london.co.uk/)
Seven Beach Aid
(http://sevenbeachaid.org/en-GB/)
Donations:
We are so thankful for all the generous support we are receiving towards this Photo Exhibition. The exhibition is entirely funded by donations. The expenses for the exhibition include the cost of printing photos & mounting, renting exhibition supplies, printing promotional leaflets, posters & booklets, postage of having items from the Japan sent to the UK etc). We are a couple hundred pounds away from our target and would appreciate any financial contribution if you would like to support us!
For individuals (credit / debit card, paypal)
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=SLHLVZWQM75BE
Company Sponsors (credit / debit card, paypal)
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=9M6ATGB3EXENJ
For more details about visiting the exhibition at Hyper Japan 2011:
http://www.hyperjapan.co.uk/
Via Scarlett Orork. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London and is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields.
———————————————————————————————————————————-
***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: ESL Tutors needed for Japanese learners on Skype
Job Details:
My name is Scarlett and I live in Wilmington, NC. I own a small business that is growing quite rapidly called Hello English.us. I give English conversation classes to people in Japan on Skype. Currently, I have around 230 students. I have about 15 current tutors but it is not near enough. I have over 700 classes that are prepaid.
I am in need of teachers or tutors who would like to earn extra money. One of my teachers has just been accepted into the JET program. He found it invaluable to work here in a small way to prepare for what was coming in Japan. I also think that this might be very helpful for Jet Alumni’s re-acclimating themselves to America.
Here is more information about the positions: http://www.onlineeikaiwa.jp/eslteachers.html
I am looking for in excess of 40 more teachers/tutors.
Job: Abe Fellowship and Abe Fellowship for Journalists
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Abe Fellowship and Abe Fellowship for Journalists
Via JET alum Fernando Rojas who is the Fellowship Assistant for the Abe Fellowship at SSR. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London and is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields.
———————————————————————————————————————————-
***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: Abe Fellowship and Abe Fellowship for Journalists
Job Details:
The Social Science Research Council (SSRC), the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP), and the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) announce the annual Abe Fellowship competition. The Abe Fellowship is designed to encourage international multidisciplinary research on topics of pressing global concern. The Abe Fellowship Program seeks to foster the development of a new generation of researchers who are interested in policy-relevant topics of long-range importance and who are willing to become key members of a bilateral and global research network built around such topics.
Read More
Job: Associate Director of International Program Programs (Chicago)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Associate Director of International Program Programs (Chicago)
Via JET alum Kat Barnas. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London and is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields.
———————————————————————————————————————————-
***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: Associate Director of International Program Programs
Job Details:
The Associate Director of International Programs is responsible for administering international programs and opportunities offered through Chicago Booth. This position involves significant student contact, marketing and recruiting student participation, advising students on program options and promoting other international opportunities as appropriate.
Read More
WIT Life #176: 悪人
Events, Film, Translating/Interpreting, Uncategorized, WIT Life, Writers Comments Off on WIT Life #176: 悪人
WITLife 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.
First off a huge OMEDETOU to the Japanese women’s soccer team for winning the World Cup over the weekend! I watched the game with the Japanese delegation I have just begun interpreting for, and needless to say it made our night. The victory has been a nice boost of encouragement for the country, and is something all of its citizens can take pride in.
The Japan Cuts film festival at Japan Society is going strong in its second and final week, and in my next few entries I hope to discuss some of the great movies I’ve been seeing. But today I’d like to talk about another interesting film that made its New York premiere when it was screened last week as part of the Nippon Eiga series sponsored by ANA. It was 悪人 (Akunin) or Villain, and featured the two amazing actors Satoshi Tsumabuki (as the villain) and Eri Fukatsu (as the woman who falls in love with him). It was directed by Sang-il Lee who also made Hula Girls, another movie that was screened as part of ANA’s series a few years back.
Fukatsu received the Best Actress award at the Montreal World Film Festival last year for playing this role, a worthy performance. She and Tsumabuki always have great chemistry (I loved them in Read More
A New York Times article today titled “Radiation-Tainted Beef Spreads Through Japan’s Markets” paints a worrisome picture of the radiation situation in Japan. Or does it?
It’s hard for JET alums outside of Japan to know what to think all the time. I suppose it’s just as hard for JETs in Japan to know what to think. But you guys have to actually do–or not do–something about it. So I thought it might be helpful to get a sense of how much or little the radiation issue is affecting the lives of JETs (and JET alums) in Japan.
How are JETs in Japan reacting? Are you worried? Is the NY Times article too alarmist? Are you changing eating and travel behaviors in any way?
Please share any thoughts in the comments section, or e-mail them to jetwit [at] jetwit.com if you prefer to post anonymously.
Thanks.
Ishinomaki 2.0
Earthquake Tsunami Comments Off on Ishinomaki 2.0
Via the Japan Earthquake Disaster Relief Idea Exchange Facebook group started by Atlanta-based JET Emily Duncan. My Japanese isn’t good enough to quickly figure out the gist of it or even who created it. But it seemed compelling enough to merit sharing. Please feel free to post any comments or thoughts about the site for the benefit of other readers.
Fundraising: JETAA Sydney Trivia Night Fundraiser for Japan
Earthquake Tsunami, Events, Fundraising, JETAA Chapters Comments Off on Fundraising: JETAA Sydney Trivia Night Fundraiser for Japan
JETAA Trivia and Fundraiser for Japan
Come along this Saturday night to the 2011 JETAA trivia night. Bring you friends, meet new people and test your knowledge of all things Japanese and Australian as you compete for a range of great prizes.
This year’s trivia night will be an extra special event, with all proceeds raised on the night being donated to the Red Cross (Japan) Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami Appeal.
Time: 6:30pm, Saturday 23 July
(Questions commence at 7pm sharp so arrive by 6:30pm to get your team organised!)
Place: Parkview Hotel, 178-180 Mitchell Road, Alexandria
(The closest station is Erskineville, and there is lots of parking near the venue)
Entry: $20 per person (Includes catering and you can purchase drinks at the bar)
Please RSVP by Thursday via the Sydney JETAA Facebook group or email sydney@jetalumni.org so we can confirm numbers for catering.
Thanks to Matt Gillam of CLAIR NY for forwarding this on.
ペットボトルのボートで琵琶湖を横断したダスティ・ウイットマンさん（右）とロキシィ・ボロウスカさん＝大津市今堅田３丁目の真野浜
Apparently two Shiga JETs covered the two kilometers between Moriyama and Otsu in a little over an hour to raise approximately300,000 yen. Based on the katakana, I believe their names are Dusty Wittman and Roxy Borowska. (Thanks to Katie Jardine for the name correction!)
2011年7月16日21時46分
ペットボトル船で琵琶湖横断 震災孤児への募金呼びかけ
東日本大震災で親を失った震災孤児への募金を呼びかけようと、滋賀県内の高校に勤務する外国語指導助手（ＡＬＴ）の２人が１６日、ペットボトル８１５本を使った長さ約２メートルのボートで琵琶湖を横断した。
挑戦したのは米国出身のダスティ・ウイットマンさん（３０）と英国出身のロキシィ・ボロウスカさん（２６）。守山市から対岸の大津市まで約２キロを １時間 余りで横断した。米国では募金を求める「本気度」をパフォーマンスで示すことが多いといい、ＡＬＴの仲間や高校生らとペットボトルを集めて準備。２人は 「大好きな日本の子どものため、思いを行動で示したかった」と話す。
２人は３日から募金サイト（http://ilovenihon.com/）などで義援金を募り、国内外から約３０万円が寄せられているという。ボロウスカさんは「地元の人も一緒に盛り上げてくれてうれしかった。今後も支援を訴えていきたい」と話す。
