Jun 6

AJET June 2011 Newsletter Highlights

Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising Comments Off on AJET June 2011 Newsletter Highlights

Message from the Out-going Chair

Hi Everyone,

My term as AJET Chair is coming to an end on June 15th. This year National AJET has made great strides in improving the JET Programme. In December 2010 a report was given about the Tokyo Orientations, and in light of the discussions, some Tokyo Orientation workshops will be revamped to meet the ongoing needs of JETs. On May 23rd and 24th we had an opinion exchange meeting with CLAIR, MOFA, MEXT and MIC, where we presented reports about Mental Health in the JET Programme and The 2012 Teaching English in English in SHS policy. Both of the conversations were very fruitful and we are looking forward to what will come out of the conversations.
I am confident that the 2011-2012 council will do a great job and will fairly represent all of the JETs. If you have any questions or comments you can always contact the 2011-2012 Chair, Matt Cook, at chair@….
Regards,

Caroline Ideus
2010-2011 National AJET Chair

Message from the In-Coming Chair

Hello, JETs!

I’m Matthew Cook and I’m very happy to introduce myself as the Chair of AJET for the new year!
This year, we plan on helping you improve your JET experience by offering you brand new resources, such as lesson plans, more opportunities for events and networking, and promoting what JET is to Japanese communities. This year, I want to show the entire country who we are, what we do, and the differences JETs can make. How can we do this? By putting a face on JET. Let’s show them who we are. Who you are.
Looking forward to this great year with all of you!

Matthew Cook
National AJET Chair 2011-2012

What’s AJET been up to?

Wondering what National AJET’s been up to recently? We’ve been…

Having a productive dialogue with CLAIR, the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications about the 2013 MEXT English Policy, the mental health resources available to JETs and AJET’s goals for the future. Watch ajet.net for more the full reports and a summary of the Opinion Exchange Meeting.
Getting ready for the new 2011-2012 National AJET Council to take over.

Taylor Anderson and Monty Dickson JET Community Tribute

AJET are collecting letters/postcards from the community for an online tribute to two devoted and sorely missed JETs – Taylor Anderson and Monty Dickson. Please visithttp://najettribute.blogspot.com/ to read the current post cards received.

Letters/cards can be anonymous or signed, and messages will be uploaded without editing. If you would be interested in sending messages, hopes, thoughts or wishes to either Taylor or Monty, their friends, family or the JET community at large, please send your cards or letters to Apt. 111, Haitsu Poronia, Katase 44-28-1, Katsuyama-shi, Fukui-ken, 911-0811.

Tohoku Disaster Relief

How Have You Contributed to the Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Efforts?
Send pictures with English descriptions/stories to webmaster@… and it will be published on AJET Press. Pictures can be submitted anonymously or be attributed, according to the author’s preference.

Hope Letters: Sharing hope from overseas to Japan
Hope Letters has received more than 3,000 letters of hope and support from people around the world since March 11th, 2011.

Hope Letters invites you to be a spokesperson of hope by bringing these letters, written by students for students, into your classrooms, staff rooms or common areas. You can also organize a language lesson or activity around the letters. Visit http://www.hopeletters.org
Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=119256111482369

The Crane Campaign
The Crane Campaign was created immediately following the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan on 11 March 2011 by two British ex-ALTs from the JET Programme (1993-1995 Shizuoka-ken) and a web designer who wanted to involve local school children in the UK in raising awareness for the plight of the Japanese victims.

All the details about what to do and how to join The Crane Campaign are provided on the website, www.theCraneCampaign.com. There is also a Facebook site for providing feedback and photos and we invite you all to come and follow us on twitter (@cranecampaign).

PEPY (Protect the Earth, Protect Yourself) Tours: Adventurous Living, Responsible Giving

Want the challenge and excitement of crossing a country using your own power? The annual PEPY Ride is entering its 7th year and it promises to be as exciting as ever! This cycling adventure offers participants the opportunity to traverse Cambodia on two wheels, all the while learning about and supporting community development projects and locally run non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Each year the ride provides unparalleled opportunities to build a mobile community that will inspire its participants to learn about themselves and the role they play in the world, while raising funds and awareness to fight global poverty.


Jun 6

Sake World e-Newsletter by John Gauntner (June 2011)

Celebrity, Cultural Outreach, Food & Drink, Notable JET Alums, Writers Comments Off on Sake World e-Newsletter by John Gauntner (June 2011)

The June 2011 issue of the Sake World e-newsletter by JET alum and the leading non-Japanese sake expert in the world, John Gauntner (a.k.a. “The Sake Guy”), is now available online.

Go to John’s Sake World website for more information as well:  www.sake-world.com


Jun 6

Job: Japan-America Society Corporation Job Fair in Bellevue, Tuesday 6/7

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Japan-America Society Corporation Job Fair in Bellevue, Tuesday 6/7

via Pacific Northwest JETAA. 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, translation, or other fields. She is also the former vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.

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

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Not your mother’s job fair!

Come to Bellevue City Hall on Tuesday, June 7 to meet Japan-America Society Corporate Member Representatives to learn what they seek when hiring employees to work in their international departments with responsibilities for the Asian market, especially Japan.

Read More


Jun 5

Japan Local: JET blog on Aomori sightseeing

Blogs, Japan Local, Local Government, Return on JET-vestment, Travel/Tourism, Writers Comments Off on Japan Local: JET blog on Aomori sightseeing

Here’s a really nice JET blog on sight seeing in the Tsugaru region of Aomori by Aomori JETs Emma Sayers, Mike Moses and Kelly Isom: 

Let’s Go Tsugaru:  http://letsgotsugaru.blogspot.com.

*If you’re aware of any other JET blogs about sightseeing and tourism in Japan, please let us know at jetwit [at] jetwit.com.  Yoroshiku.


Jun 2

Local Japan: Prefecture Tourism Links

Japan Local, Local Government, Return on JET-vestment, Travel/Tourism, Uncategorized Comments Off on Local Japan: Prefecture Tourism Links

 

Here are the results of the “Local Japan Prefecture Tourism Websites Project.”

Reminder: One of the purposes of the project is to help increase the “Return on JET-vestment” for Japan by helping to promote tourism to Japan, especially to more local and regional areas.  JETwit also intends to use this list so it can hyperlink to prefectures when mentioned in future JETwit posts.  (e.g., “Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, Kariya-shi, 1992-94)”)

How you can help further:

  • Build the list: If you’re aware of any additional links that might be helpful–e.g., a blog (especially by JETs) or sites for a region or a city or a town–feel free to post in the comments section or e-mail to jetwit [at] jetwit.com and I’ll add them to the appropriate section.
  • Tell readers one reason why someone should visit your (former) region/prefecture/city

*Note:  Where prefectures didn’t have their own tourism website or English language info guide, I’ve used the Japan National Tourist Organization’s (JNTO) reference page for that prefecture.

Regional  Tourism Sites:

Prefecture Tourism Sites

Aichi

Akita

Aomori

Chiba

Read More


Jun 2

Job: CSI seeks bilingual location support professional (Nagoya)

Jobs, Translating/Interpreting Comments Off on Job: CSI seeks bilingual location support professional (Nagoya)

Via JET alum Roy Harrison of the JETAA Bluegrass subchapter:

Another job listing from CSI, a JET alum-run company based in Kentucky. (See previousJETwit post about CSI.)

Bilingual Location Support Professional

We’re looking for a full-time bilingual location service professional with a great attitude, in-depth knowledge of office procedures, dogged persistence, expert communication skills, and the utmost discretion. From Japanese language instruction to supporting ex-pats living in the Nagoya/Toyota area, our ideal candidate will be committed to doing whatever it takes to make sure clients are successful abroad. As a facilitator of efficient and productive communication, you should be able to work both independently and as part of a team.

You’ll need a hands-on understanding of Nagoya/Toyota in order to provide the highest quality assistance.  Some experience in negotiating real estate terms in Japan is beneficial.  You need to be proficient in typical office software packages, have proven strong organizational skills, and be enthusiastic about working across cultural boundaries. The successful candidate will be working in a fast-paced environment with a varied workload, so we need a quick learner and great communicator who works well under pressure while being able to discern the forest from the trees.

If you’re a consummate professional with a passion for communication and a love of challenges, come join our successful team. Send a cover letter and résumé to hr@csi-ky.com.

Consultant Solutions, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will provide training and a support network. We will also consider relocation and/or visa support for the right candidate.


Jun 2

JETAA USA seeks Web Content Editor (volunteer)

JETAA Chapters, Jobs, Volunteer, Writers Comments Off on JETAA USA seeks Web Content Editor (volunteer)

Via JETAA USA:

JETAA USA is looking for an enthusiastic volunteer web content editor to help on some short and long term-projects.

With the roll-out of the new JETAA USA website at last year’s National Conference, our goal is to improve the website so that it becomes a central hub and resource which will serve all US Chapters.

Our wish list is:

●      Migrate any information from other online platforms we have previously used, organize it, and make it available on the US website; in a sense- creating a virtual file cabinet for storing resources and documents.

●      Create ideas for installing new resource sections, and improvements on what we’ve currently got established (such as a current national projects section and conference section).

We expect the bulk of the workload to be in the next 3 months as we jump start this, upload content, push forward with the JETAA USA Earthquake Fund and bracket the National Conference. After that time period, we anticipate the workload to decrease to ongoing maintenance, occasional projects and helping Country Representatives (CRs) to trouble shoot any potential issues with the website on an “as needed” basis. We would like this position to be an integrated part of the JETAA USA national team.

The workload of this position will vary depending on the time of year and the level of experience of the web editor. Although this is a volunteer position we would like someone who is willing to dedicate their time and be accountable for project completion. The US CRs will work with the web editor at a pace that is comfortable and reasonable, but also impactful.

We are looking for an applicant who:

●      Has experience troubleshooting and responding to organizational needs and has previously managed content.

●      Knowledge of WordPress, HTML, CSS, and/ or Java is a plus!

●      Has a proven track record and experience with web related projects.

●      Experience working with JET affiliated organizations (i.e. JETAA, AJET) is beneficial.

●      Is a JET Program alumnus.

If you’re interested, please contact any (or all) of us with a brief description of your experience and desire to be a part of the team. Thank you!

  • us1.jetaausa@gmail.com (Mike Shu)
  • us2.jetaausa@gmail.com (Megan Miller-Yoo)
  • us3.jetaausa@gmail.com (Jessyca Wilcox)

Jun 2

WIT Life #170: Super Cool Biz

Earthquake Tsunami, Translating/Interpreting, WIT Life, Writers Comments Off on WIT Life #170: Super Cool Biz

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.

Newspaper articles from this week have highlighted Japan’s handling of energy challenges in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami, and subsequently damaged nuclear power plants.  The first from the Wall Street Journal talks about the development of a new summer style called “Super Cool Biz” in response to a government decree to conserve electricity (節電 or setsuden) by 15%, or setting workplace temperatures to 82 degrees!

This new effort builds on the previous “cool biz” campaign, but takes it a step further by Read More


Jun 1

Shimane JETs Raise Over $21,000 USD for Tohoku Disaster Relief

Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, Japan Local, Return on JET-vestment, Volunteer Comments Off on Shimane JETs Raise Over $21,000 USD for Tohoku Disaster Relief

From the JETAA USA website originally posted by JETAA USA Country Rep Jessyca Wilcox:

Shimane JETs Raise Over $21,000 USD for Tohoku Disaster Relief

Shimane AJET gathered their local ALTs, CIRs and Japanese community members to join together for a charity hike. On May 15th over 60 ALTs and CIRs and 50 Japanese people took part in a sponsored “Charity Hike.”

The hike took place on Shimane’s highest mountain: Mt. Sanbe in Oda City, Shimane. It was attended by people from 14 countries: America, Ireland, France, England, Jamaica, Canada, Scotland, Kenya, China, Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

In the weeks leading up the event particpants raised $21,023 USD (¥1,715,338) from local and international donations (via the internet). At the summit of Mt. Sanbe, the participants held a photo opportunity and called out a strong message of support for the people of Tohoku and Japan from the international community. Please see the photograph below.

In the week after the event, the money was transferred to the Japanese Red Cross (70%) and “SMILE and Dreams: Tohoku Kids Project” (30%).

Lauren Hale, a Shimane JET from Denver, CO said, “Japan has been such a great home to us all and we were so glad that we could be a part of the relief effort.  We raised over twice the amount that we had originally hoped for!”

Check out the project website for video coverage and photos: www.sanbehike.com

*Shimane JET alums (and anyone else), please don’t hesitate to post words of support for the terrific work of Shimane AJET and all involved in the comments section below.


Jun 1

JETs with J.D.s >> A Guide to Picking a Law School

Uncategorized , , Comments Off on JETs with J.D.s >> A Guide to Picking a Law School

Andrew R. McCarthy (Akita-ken, 2005-08) is a recent law graduate from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and is packing up his bags for Houston, Texas .  He currently runs the blog JETs with J.D.s, an information source for current JET alumni law students and prospective law students for career paths and approaches within the current legal market.  For those considering law school and trying to comprehend the costs and the risks of such an endeavor, he also recommends The Law School Tuition Bubble.

“You’d think that with the rigors of getting through undergrad, studying for and taking the LSAT, and making sure you perfect your law school applications, picking the law school of your dreams should be the easy part. It isn’t. The advice provided below isn’t the only way to go about picking your law school, but hopefully it will show you where your priorities should be.”

The post, in full, is available here.


Jun 1

Japan Times: U.S. students invited in memory of JET victims

Earthquake Tsunami, Japan Trends, JETs in the News, Local Government Comments Off on Japan Times: U.S. students invited in memory of JET victims

Via Japan Times/Kyodo News Service, June 1, 2011:

U.S. students invited in memory of JET victims

Kyodo

Japan will invite 32 U.S. high school students who are studying Japanese to take part in a program in July to study the language and culture in memory of two American teachers killed in the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto, during a speech at a symposium in Tokyo on Monday, referred to the program intended to nurture people who will serve as a bridge between Japan and the United States in the future.

The program is in commemoration of Taylor Anderson, 24, and Montgomery Dickson, 26, who were taking part in the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program.

Anderson of Virginia was found dead in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, and Dickson of Alaska was found dead in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture.

According to the government-linked Japan Foundation, the organizer of the program, the 32 students selected from about 250 applicants in the United States will attend Japanese-language lessons, take part in cultural events, including a drum performance and wearing kimono, and have exchanges with high school students in Osaka.

They will stay at the homes of the Osaka high school students during the two-week program. It will run for five years starting this year, the Japan Foundation said.

 


Jun 1

Surviving in Japan: 40+5 more ways to survive the rainy season

Advice, Blogs, Japan Local, Writers Comments Off on Surviving in Japan: 40+5 more ways to survive the rainy season

Posted by Ashley Thompson (Shizuoka-ken, 2008-2010) of Surviving in Japan: without much Japanese and Lifelines columnist for The Japan Times.

Bleak, gray, rainy season, or 梅雨

The rainy season (梅雨, つゆ) has arrived.

Apparently beginning 12 days earlier than last year in central Japan, according to tenki.jp, and also earlier than normal in southern Japan as well. Though it doesn’t feel all that humid yet. I typically associate the rainy season with tropical jungle-like humidity that makes you feel like you’re living in a sauna.

Don’t be fooled though – it will likely sneak up on us before we know it. For now, my pregnant self will enjoy the moderate temperatures and bearable humidity levels.

Oh, and for those who may not know, it doesn’t actually rain constantly during the rainy season in Japan – it will either spontaneously downpour or sometimes rain for a while in variations between sprinkling and heavier rain, with some breaks here and there.

Before coming to Japan, being from Seattle (U.S.), I rarely, if ever, used an umbrella. In fact, it’s usually quite easy to tell the difference between locals and tourists in Seattle for this very reason. (Everyone thinks it rains there all the time, but it doesn’t – it’s just cloudy most of the year).

So I came to Japan with no umbrella, figuring I could just buy one somewhere easily (but in no hurry). Except that my friend and I got caught in the rain on our second day here. Not Seattle drizzle we were familiar with. A downpour. Sheets of rain.

As we were outside with no cover, we were instantly soaked (as if we’d fallen into a pool or something), and spent the next 10 minutes or so running from building cover to building cover to the nearest convenience store to buy an umbrella. (With bystanders laughing at us good-naturedly, of course).

Of course, by the time we bought the umbrella and walked out of the store, the rain stopped. That’s Japan for you. Everyone gave us strange looks when we entered the hotel again, dripping all over the floor. Lesson learned: During the rainy season, Always. Carry. An umbrella.

So, in honor of the arrival of this year’s rainy season, I pull from the archives:

40 tips to survive the rainy season in Japan

There are also some good suggestions in the comments, so be sure to read those as well!

And of course, a few more to add:

41. Forget number 4 on the previous list – with all the energy conservation we should be doing, go out instead and share the A/C instead of using it at home. (Although with the temps the way they are right now there really isn’t much of a need for A/C…) — CLICK HERE to read the rest of the post.


Jun 1

Earthquake Recovery News 05.31.11

Earthquake Tsunami, Return on JET-vestment, Uncategorized, Volunteer Comments Off on Earthquake Recovery News 05.31.11

Hello, everyone! My name is Emily Duncan (Hyogo-ken, 2005-2008). Currently I live in Atlanta, Georgia and I oversee the Facebook discussion group “Japan Earthquake Disaster Relief Idea Exchange.”

Originally my friend Mellissa Takeuchi (also a former Hyogo-ken ALT) and I established this group to discuss ideas which could help Japan in the aftermath of the March 11th earthquake. In the beginning this was fairly helpful, but as time went on it became increasingly obvious that the recovery story in Japan would not stay on the front pages of newspapers and websites so I decided to share news stories that I thought would be of interest to our discussion group. My hope is that these stories will inspire other people to get involved.

Originally I was at a loss as to how I would start this series of posts for JETwit. But as yesterday was Memorial Day I thought it would be best to acknowledge the hard work of the American military during Operation Tomodachi. All branches of the American military – Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines worked together to help the region affected by the earthquake and tsunami. (See more here with a nice slideshow here).

I was really proud of the initial response and would love to have one of those patches!


May 31

Job: Preschool, Kindergarden, Elementary School Teachers (Sierra Leone)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Preschool, Kindergarden, Elementary School Teachers (Sierra Leone)

via Pacific Northwest JETAA. 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, translation, or other fields. She is also the former vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.

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

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Job Position: Preschool, Kindergarden, Elementary School Teachers (Sierra Leone)

Job Details:

The American school in Freetown is seeking qualified pre-school, kindergarten and 1/2 Grade teachers immediately. Beautiful and safe country, world-class beaches, wonderful school community. Certification is a plus, experience can substitute.

Read More


May 31

Job: Volunteers Needed for Japan Matsuri (London, UK)

Jobs, Volunteer Comments Off on Job: Volunteers Needed for Japan Matsuri (London, UK)

via JETAA UK. 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, translation, or other fields. She is also the former vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.

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

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Job Position: Volunteers needed for Japan Matsuri (London, UK)

Job Details:

A number of Volunteers and Interns are required for Japan Matsuri 2011, which will take place on 18th September in London.

Period: From NOW up to 18/08/2011(Sun)
Venue: London
Language Skill required: English or Japanese (* depending on the roles)

If you join us as a volunteer we can give you:

  • No salary
  • Certificate/Reference/Achievement issued by the Japan Matsuri Ltd, upon your request
  • The chance to experience Japan-related event which has attracted tens of thousands of visitors

    • Read More


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