Life After the B.O.E.: Outside of Class
Cartoon/Illustration 
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Life After the B.O.E. is a comic series about the JET experience by David Namisato (Aomori-ken, 2002-2004), a professional illustrator currently living in Toronto.
Visit David’s website at www.namisato.org.
Justin’s Japan: New York’s Blue Note Benefit for Japan concerts to stage two-night support stand
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- The Blue Note Jazz Benefit for Japan concerts will be held at New York’s Highline Ballroom April 18-19. (Blue Note New York)
By JQ magazine’s Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his page here to subscribe for free alerts on newly published stories.
Japan has always been there for jazz. Now, jazz is giving back.
The Blue Note New York will host a harmonious benefit at Manhattan’s Highline Ballroom for two consecutive nights beginning Monday (April 18), with all of the ticket proceeds to be donated to the Japan Relief and Recovery Fund spearheaded by Direct Relief.
The event is being organized by talent buyer Seiko Kinoshita, who has worked at Blue Note New York since 1996. “As the details of the disaster unfolded, I felt sad and frustrated that I couldn’t do much to help, being so far away from my home country,” said the Fukuoka native. “Having worked in the jazz industry for most of my adult life, I decided to organize a benefit concert and was very encouraged by the willingness of the artists, as well as their agents and managers, to support the event. I believe that every little bit helps, and I want the Japanese people to know that New Yorkers and the jazz community care deeply about them and their country and want to do what they can to help.”
For the last 23 years, Blue Note has maintained clubs in multiple Japanese cities, with current establishments in Tokyo and Nagoya. Ron Carter, the distinguished jazz bassist who will be among the all-star musicians at Highline on April 19, wrote of his concerns and appreciation for the Japanese people: “We share the grief of the enormous loss of life and displacement of the Japanese people. I will pray for Japan’s fast recovery and will do everything in my power to help. The Japanese jazz fan is the most important supporter of my music, and I am always grateful for the years Japan has stood by my side.”
Click here for the complete story.
Surviving in Japan: 7 Words to Know When You Have a Cold (in Japan)
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Ashley Thompson is "Surviving in Japan: without much Japanese."
Posted by Ashley Thompson (Shizuoka-ken, 2008-2010) of Surviving in Japan: without much Japanese and Lifelines columnist for The Japan Times.
Here are some essential Japanese words you might want to know if you come down with a cold in Japan.
I tend to stick to more natural remedies when possible, but when the symptoms are bad enough, I head for the drugs (medicine). Although, and some of you may already know about this, eastern medicine, or kanpou, is used in Japan.
So where do you find cold medicine? The best places to look are your local daily goods store and/or local pharmacy – called 薬屋 (くすりや, kusuri ya) or 薬局 (やっきょく, yakkyoku). 薬 (くすり, kusuri) means drugs/medicine. Now, let’s look at some of the most common cold symptoms and the corresponding Japanese so you know what to look for (or ask for) when seeking out cold medicine in Japan.
JET Prefecture Round-Up 04.11.11
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Emily Lemmon, (Hyogo-ken, Shiso-shi, 2009-present), PSG volunteer, organizer of Hyogo-ken’s PEPY Ride, and editor of the Hyogo Times, gives a little taste of what JETs are doing around Japan. To submit items for future JET Prefecture Round-up posts, e-mail Emily at jetinfogather [at] gmail.com.
National Relief Efforts
- AJET has set up a care package program for JETs to help their fellows affected by the disaster.
- JETs are now being encouraged to Can Up for Japan as the next step: anytime JETs attend a JET event, they are to bring a food item or other materials.
- This month’s JET Effect focuses on a few different JETs’ responses to the disaster.
Events by Region
Shikoku Region
Ehime
- Silly Sports Hanami was April 9th, in which JETs enjoyed the blossoms and collected blankets for Tohoku.
- Ehime’s PEPY Ride will now be for Tohoku! Ehime JETs cycle the Shiminami Kaido to raise funds for tsunami and earthquake victims.
Kochi
- Beer/Sake Baseball Opening Day was April 2nd, and a great time was had by all.
- “Traffic Light” Mixer for JETs and locals was April 9th!
- Tosa Salsa Lesson from 2 to 4 was on April 9th as well.
- Kavita Peterson will be giving a presentation on Culture Shock for JETs on April 15th.
- The Tosa-ben musical will be performed by Kochi ALTs in the local dialect on April 16th, 17th, 23rd, and 24th in different places around the prefecture.
Kansai Region
Kyoto
- 5 to Survive Kyoto run was April 10th!
Hyogo
- Hanami at Akashi Castle Park on April 9th called for donations of towels for the Tohoku efforts.
Tohoku Region
Aomori
- Some Aormori JETs are helping with a free lunch offered at the Aomori City Shimin Center on Saturday, April 16th to gather water, apples, rice, toilet paper and others to take to Fukushima prefecture.
Multi-Regional
- ALT Soccer Tournament – West Japan Tournament to be held in Awaji, May 22-23rd. East Japan Tournament to be held June 4th-5th.
Foreign correspondents start “No. 1 Shimbun” to cover Tohoku disaster
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Thanks to JET alum Emily Metzgar, Assistant Professor at Indiana University’s School of Journalism, for sharing the link to the new publication No. 1 Shimbun, published by leading foreign correspondents in Japan.
CLICK HERE for the April 2011 Special Issue.
WIT Life #162: Japan Tobacco
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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.
My interpreting travels currently take me to Raleigh, NC, once home to a thriving tobacco industry. However, in addition to formerly being a center for textiles and furniture, those days are gone and different sectors have risen to take their place. As the group I am working with is studying economic revital
ization, yesterday we visited the American Tobacco Historic District, once home to America’s largest tobacco plant. It has been converted into a multi-functional area which maintains the character of the historic buildings, while at the same time incorporating modern aspects to create a vibrant community of businesses and restaurants (We got to visit the headquarters of Burt’s Bees which is housed there!).
In an interesting incidence of convergence, before heading to the district I read an article in the WSJ about how Japan’s disaster has affected its tobacco industry. It highlights how Read More
Job: Webmaster/Office Manager at JICC (Washington DC)
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via Susan Laszewski (Saitama, 2005-08) who now works at the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the 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: Webmaster/Office Manager at JICC (Washington DC)
Job Details:
The *Webmaster/Office Manager* position at the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan has recently opened up for someone with Japan-related experience and strong computer skills.
Read More
Job: JETAA UK – Job Vacancies
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via JETAA UK. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
*Note: If you apply for any of these positions, please let them know you learned of it from JetWit. Thanks.
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Several new Job listings from JETAA UK. You must be signed up to view the posts.
(a) Operations/Maintenance Engineer (b) Electrical Engineer
http://www.jetaa.org.uk/jobs/a-operationsmaintenance-engineer-b-electrical-engineer/
Secretary/Administrator
http://www.jetaa.org.uk/jobs/a-secretaryadministrator/
Head Chef
http://www.jetaa.org.uk/jobs/head-chef/
Sales Manager (Brussels)
http://www.jetaa.org.uk/jobs/sales-manager-2/
Job: Bi-lingual Clerk Opening at Consulate General of Japan (Seattle)
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via PNW JETAA. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the 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: Bi-lingual Clerk Opening at Consulate General of Japan (Seattle)
Job Description:
The Consulate-General of Japan is now accepting applications for a position in the Culture & Information Section. Applicants must be must have native-level fluency in Japanese & English as well as web as well as basic computer skills.
See link for full details: http://www.seattle.us.emb-japan.go.jp/japanese/whatsnew/2011/Clerk_j.htm
Job: Job Listings from JETAANC
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via JETAA NC. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
*Note: If you apply for any of these positions, please let them know you learned of it from JetWit. Thanks.
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1. Administrative Assistant (Hayward California) Salary $12-13/hour
2. Logistics Sales Account Executive (South San Francisco)
3. Logistics Export Agent (South San Francisco)
4. Logistics Customer Service (South San Francisco)
Read More
Job: Global Business Researcher (Washington DC)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Global Business Researcher (Washington DC)
via Justin Manger (Gunma-ken, 2001-03). Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the 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: Global Business Researcher (Washington DC)
Job Details:
Job: English Teacher, Hokkaido
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via Leah Timberlake. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the 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: English Teacher, Hokkaido
Job Description:
The YWCA in Hakodate is looking to fill an English teaching position by the end of the month.
Justin’s Japan: One month after the Tohoku Earthquake, New York offers more Japan benefit events
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Catch the Rock 4 Japan benefit concert at Brooklyn Bowl on April 12. (Cathyland & Packrat Planet)
By JQ magazine’s Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his page here to subscribe for free alerts on newly published stories.
The massive aftershocks reported in Japan earlier today symbolized the island nation’s continued appreciation of support from around the world one month after the Tohoku Earthquake. Here are some of this week’s benefit and lecture events in New York.
Monday, April 11, 2:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Crisis Relief Exhibition
Featuring artist talk “Dialogue with Mariko Mori and Ingo Günther” moderated by Reiko Tomii and live performances
Gallery 61, New York Institute of Technology, 16 West 61st Street. 11th floor
Donations welcome
Just one month ago, the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and aftermath rocked the nation of Japan. The death toll is still climbing, with over 10,000 people who lost their lives, and almost 20,000 people reported missing. Over 300,000 people lost their homes and are now living without adequate food and water. Millions of people are living with anxiety and fear of being exposed to the dangers of raising radioactive levels. And their struggles are far from over.
We Are One features artwork donated by Japanese artists living in New York to support the people in Japan. Their mission is to raise money to help with the relief efforts of the Japan earthquake and nuclear crisis, spread awareness of what has happened, and what we can do among the international community. On display are donations from approximately 100 professional Japanese artists living in New York in painting, drawing, mixed media, prints, and photography. All donated artwork will be sold at a reasonable price of $100-$200. All proceeds will go to Japan Society’s “Japan Earthquake Relief Fund.”
Tuesday, April 12, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
iNFiNiTY cooperation cross-cultural mass choir performance
Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Center, Lower Auditorium
34 West 134th Street(Between Lenox and Fifth Avenues)
Donations welcome
“Don’t Give Up” is a song written by the American gospel composer Danny Eason. It was recorded by Eason in Japan in 2010 with Japanese blind artist Kohshi with the Japanese choir Gospel Now Japan. For this special charity rehearsal event managed by NY Hallelujah Company LLC, you can join the choir for Japan and sing with the group, raising your voice for Japan and encouraging its people. All voices and all musicians are welcome, prior to an upcoming performance in May with Eason.
According to the Japanese Red Cross, over $223,000,000 in donations were received in just one week from Japan’s friends overseas and from corporations. Over 20,000 people have been rescued by the Japanese Ministry of Defense and they are trying to save even more lives. Over 10,000 lives have been lost, but the number of victims will continue to rise with an additional 18,000 people unaccounted for, and 240,000 people have been forced to leave their homes to stay in temporary shelters. To participate, contact project leader Ms. Kyoko Uchiki at NYHCLLC[at]gmail.com or (212) 996-4302. For additional information, visit www.myspace.com/dont-give-up.
Tuesday, April 12, 8:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
Featuring The Orion Experience
Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Ave.(between N 11th & N 12th Streets)
$10 suggested donation, 18+ only.
The critics are raving about The Orion Experience’s upcoming EP NYC Girl. USA Today says it “recalls ’70s-era Electric Light Orchestra,” while Time Out New York exclaims “The Orion Experience…impresses with its buoyant, hooky tunes, making awesome use of a coed tag-team vocal approach on a new EP.” The band also recently released their song “Nippon Ga Dai Suki (Japan We Love You)” for the first time in the U.S., with all proceeds from purchases via CDBaby and iTunes going to The Jewish Federations of North America’s Japan Relief Fund.
For a complete listing, click here.
JETAA Hanami Update 04.11.11
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A couple updates from hanami celebrations around the JET alumni community:
- JETAA DC participated in Washington, D.C.’s Cherry Blossom Festival. Click here for NHK written and video coverage, which includes an interview at the end with JETAADC Board Member Sarah Lyons (Kagoshima 2007-2009).
- JETAA Music City President Terry Vo, returned to her home state of Arkansas as a Cherry Blossom Princess for their cherry blossom festival and won Miss Congeniality! More to come on that.
Japan Volunteers
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Via the Japan Earthquake Disaster Relief Idea Exchange Facebook page, which I believe was originally set up by JET alum Emily Duncan:
Here’s a link to a blog/website called Japan Volunteers (japanvolunteers.wordpress.com) that seems to have good info and perspectives on volunteering in various ways in connection with everything going on in Japan. Here’s an excerpt:
Your services are needed
I have put out a call to several disaster relief NGOs I know to see what their needs are. Many groups are asking for volunteers in limited numbers.
I know many of you want to volunteer but money (see donation pages) and daily use items (see the materials page) are still needed. Please do not just get in a car and drive north.
I have recently heard that in some places in Tohoku there are too many people showing up clogging roads and using up limited resourced. We all can do something to help but we do not all need to go up there to make a difference.
I have many emails every day from people who want to do something – people from all over the world who want to come to Japan. I am sorry but you will not find that answer here on this site. Right now is not the time to just hop on a plane and come to help with the relief efforts. When the rebuilding starts 1000s of volunteers will be needed. that should take anywhere from 3 to 10 years.
