National AJET’s “Life After JET”: Jabari Smith
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Jabari Smith Climbing Mt. Fuji
National AJET shares former JET participants’ experiences – and a little advice – with current JETs in their new monthly interview, Life After JET. Contact lifeafterjet [at] ajet.net to be featured in future posts.
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This month we will have two special editions of Life After JET. Our first features Jabari Smith, an ALT in Aomori Prefecture from 2007-2009. Jabari now works to “serve as an online source of motivation and positive insight for others” via Twitter (@jabarinspires) and his VLOG.
He is currently competing in the final round of the Paradise Hunter Host Search. You can help Jabari on his way to becoming the host of his own travel series by voting here (early and often) until March 2nd.
Jabari shares how JET helped him “embrace and understand [his own] GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP” (and compelled him to inspire others to do the same), a peek into the competition to be the host of Paradise Hunter, and his best advice for current JETs…
NAJET: What’s the most important thing that you learned while on JET?
Jabari Smith: My experience within the JET Programme opened me up to the dynamic world that we live in and granted me the privilege of gaining firsthand insight on all the uniquely rich culture that is abundant in every nook and crevice of the GLOBE. Prior to living in Japan, I had only ever traveled internationally via cruises. Thus, the JET Programme introduced me to the international stage and all the wonderful opportunities that exist beyond America. During my two years as a JET I traveled to 7 countries and 16 prefectures. The JET Programme made me keenly aware of GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP and my ability to survive and thrive in any corner of the GLOBE.
NAJET: Many JETs struggle with the decision to re-contract or not to re-contract…How did you know it was time to leave JET after two years?
Jabari: I initially only intended to stay in Japan for one year, however within the first few months I knew that one year would be far too short. Thus, the decision to re-contract for a 2nd year was ideal as it gave me the life-changing opportunity to further indulge myself in Japanese culture and the language, as well as build stronger relationships with Japanese natives and members of the JET Community. It also gave me the chance to thoroughly travel throughout Japan and BEYOND! I knew that 2 years was the right amount of time for ME, because there were other goals and passions of mine that I was ready to pursue back stateside. I always say, “One year would’ve been too short, but two years was PERFECT!”
NAJET: Can you tell us a little bit about the history of Jabari Inspires? How exactly did this come about?
Jabari: Jabari Inspires was initially born as my Twitter name (@jabarinspires) when I joined the social networking site in March of 2009. Throughout my 2 years in Japan, and even before, I began to recognize the value of inspiring others and being inspired by others. Friends would always tell me that my life in Japan, various travels, and positive attitude were inspiring. Thus, it felt like the perfect moniker. And perfect it was, as the name slowly morphed into my personal brand. In July of 2010 I launched the “Jabari Inspires…” VLOG as the foundation of my striking out as an entrepreneur and the return to my roots as a public speaker (I competed in Speech & Debate for 9 years). What initially began as me creating 1-2 minute videos in the comfort of my living room quickly evolved into my shooting from various destinations on my travels across the GLOBE. It was via my “Jabari Inspires…” VLOG, and its positive reception, that I realized the viability of merging my passion for inspiration with my passion for exploring the GLOBE.
Click here for the rest of the interview.
Recent news about the fate of the JET Program
JETs in the News, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Uncategorized Comments Off on Recent news about the fate of the JET Program
Some interesting recent news about the fate of the JET Program. As you know, there was a bit of a dust up last year as the Japanese government reviewed all of its spending programs and that included JET. Anyone interested in helping to prove the worth of the program should check out the JET Return on Investment (ROI) page on this jetwit site: https://jetwit.com/wordpress/category/jet-roi/ There is also a continuing online petition to support the continuance of the program: http://www.change.org/petitions/save_the_jet_program Apologies if any of this has been posted on jetwit before!
High-profile JET alumni defend the program:
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110210f3.html
The same article was also published by the Mainichi:
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/features/news/20110205p2g00m0fe017000c.html
The program may not be in imminent danger after all. Here’s a page from a Japanese government web site that indicates that as of November of last year Prime Minister Kan was telling the U.S. that the program would continue (Regardless of his words, there is a continued need to track and publicize the worth of the program!): http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/area/usa/visit/president_1011/exchange.html
The page is in Japanese but there’s a link to a pdf of an English document (the original?) on the right-hand side of the page. Here’s the text of that document (Item number 3 contains Japan’s continued commitment to the JET Program):
> FACT SHEET:
> Strengthening the exchange between Japan and U.S.
> for further deepening the Japan-U.S. Alliance
> November, 2010
> Prime Minister Naoto Kan and President Barack Obama met on
> November 13, 2010 in Yokohama. Prime Minister Kan, with the view that
> further enhancement of mutual understanding among wide range of people
> between Japan and the U.S. is necessary for mid and long term deepening
> and development of the Japan-U.S. Alliance,
> 1. announced his new initiatives as follows to further strengthen the
> exchange between Japan and the U.S. aiming at several thousand
> exchanges in 5 years and stated that he would continue his efforts to
> explore other possible effective measures;
> (1) Sending Japanese young teachers and interns to the U.S.
> -Sending young English teachers to the U.S.
> -Sending young Japanese language teachers to the U.S.
> -Sending Japanese students to the U.S. as interns at Japanese language
> courses in the U.S.
> (2) Other programs
>
> -Promoting collaborative education and two-way exchanges among
> universities in Japan and the U.S.
>
> -Supporting immersion Japanese language courses in the U.S.
> -Opening and expanding Japanese language courses and promoting
> Japan Studies in U.S. higher education institutions
>
> -Strategic promotion of international cooperation in the field of
> advanced science & technology and sending young Japanese
> researchers to U.S.
> -Strengthening relationships with U.S. think-tanks
> -Inviting Asian study experts from U.S. to Japan
>
> -Promoting short-visit program for U.S. students
> -Celebrating 2012 Japan-U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial Anniversary
>
> -Delivering Japanese values such as peace and environment through
> Japanese art
> -Holding modern art exhibits at major art museums in the
> U.S.
> 2. expressed his concern over the decline of Japanese students who study
> in the U.S. and stated his intention to further concentrate and work on
> this issue; and
> 3. reaffirmed the importance of the several efforts addressed so far
> between Japan and the U.S, especially JET(The Japan Exchange and
> Teaching) Programme, CULCON (US-Japan Conference on Cultural
> and Educational Exchange) and Fulbright Program, expressed his
> intention that he would positively continue to utilize these efforts,
> concluded that he would continue to explore measures which contribute
> to the strengthening the Japan-U.S. exchange.
Cheers,
Mark Frey
Communications Director
JETAANC
www.jetaanc.org
Calling JETAA Teachers Interested In Student Pen Pal Exchanges (Canada)
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via JETAA Toronto. 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 the following, please let them know you learned of it from JetWit. Thanks.
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Calling JETAA Teachers Interested In Student Pen Pal Exchanges
The Consulate General of Japan would like to start a list of JET alumni who are now working as teachers in hopes of pairing them up with current JET participants in Japan who hope to establish pen pal relationships with students in Canada.
If you are interested in setting up a pen pal relationship, please indicate so in an e-mail with the following details:
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Send to E-mail: access@japancg-toronto.org
Subject Line: JETAA Pen Pals to Japan
Name: First and Last
E-mail:
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Link to JETAA Toronto website:
http://www.jetaatoronto.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57:student-pen-pal-exchanges&catid=6:bulletinboard&Itemid=6
Job: Bilingual (Japanese/English) Office Assistant at Forever 21
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Bilingual (Japanese/English) Office Assistant at Forever 21
via JETAAJOB. 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: Bilingual (Japanese/English) Office Assistant at Forever 21
Job Details:
Essential Functions:
* Maintain and generate daily reports pertaining to daily international store operations for upper management
* Conduct heavy word processing on a daily basis with minimal supervision
* Translate documents from Japanese to English and English to Japanese
* Conduct Business Transactions with international stores and companies
* Create and handle presentations, reports and files
* Maintain constant contact with international district managers, store managers and operations personnel to promote proper communication between all levels of international store operations
* Assist with all functions of opening and closing international stores while collaborating with other departments to ensure proper completion
* Process & Translate invoices and submit to the Accounting Department in a timely manner
Additional Responsibilities:
* Research, review and summarize miscellaneous topics for management
* Assist with administrative support as requested
Knowledge, Skills & Qualifications:
* Native Level fluency in Japanese and English REQUIRED
* At least 1 year of administrative experience REQUIRED
* At least 1-2 years of translating experience REQUIRED
* Knowledge of PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook and formatting
* Able to work in a fast paced environment and multitask
* Excellent grammar and communication skills
* Attention to detail and excellent organizational skills
About Forever 21:
Celebrated for over 25 years by style conscious and trend-savvy shoppers across the globe, Forever 21 has set the fashion industry on fire by showcasing the most current collections, on-trend apparel, and exciting shopping environments.
When you join the Forever 21 family, you will enjoy a fast-paced, exciting work environment with tremendous opportunities for growth. We are committed to challenging fashion boundaries, acting on behalf of our customers, and demonstrating passion in all that we do.
Forever 21 is committed to nurturing your talents and supporting your career goals with our fun work environment, team culture, and core values.
Apply online at:
https://forever21.tms.hrdepartment.com/jobs/1156/Bilingual-Japanese-English-Office-Assistant-in-HQ-Corporate-Office
Job: 3rd Shift HR Specialist (Bilingual Eng / Japanese) (IL)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: 3rd Shift HR Specialist (Bilingual Eng / Japanese) (IL)
via Jet alumn Bianca Jarvis (CIR Kyoto-shi, 2002-05). 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: 3rd Shift HR Specialist (Bilingual Eng / Japanese) Lincolnshire, IL
Job Details:
The HR Specialist role is intended to be an extension our client’s Human Resources department. The scope of Workforce Management services with this client includes workforce administration, workforce relations, compensation.
HR Specialists will spend the majority (approximately 60-70%) of their time directly servicing employees, managers, Human Capital Managers/Generalists, and various third party contacts via phones & email communication. HR Specialists will spend time working through various HR and benefits issues such as leave administration, exit interviews, and compensation. Additional activities may include employee follow up, resolving escalated issues, or compiling reports for Human Capital Managers/Generalists. The remaining amount of their time will be spent leveraging their skills as a team resource, functioning as an informal team leader, and partnering with client team management to assist and improve service delivery.
Requirements:
How to apply:
Please contact Lyndsi Weise, Resource Manager at LWeise@issintegrity.com
Japanese primary school teachers unhappy with new English teaching role?
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Thanks to JET alum Conrad Chafee for sharing this article from the Daily Yomiuri (2/16/11):
“60% of Schoolteachers Irked by English Classes”
“More than 60 percent of primary school teachers feel teaching English is a burden, according to a survey that also suggests many educators are ill-prepared for the April start of English as a compulsory subject for fifth- and sixth-graders. Benesse Corp., a correspondence education and publishing company, surveyed head teachers in charge of school administration and fifth- and sixth-grade homeroom teachers from 8,000 public primary schools in July and August. About 4,700 teachers gave valid responses.
According to the survey, 62.1 percent of homeroom teachers, who teach all or most of the subjects at primary schools, said they felt teaching English was a burden. About 72.9 percent said they believe it would be better to have teachers who specialize in teaching English to instruct students.”
See the full article at: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110215005684.htm
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.
Job: Part Time Assistant to GM, Fujisankei (Los Angeles)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Part Time Assistant to GM, Fujisankei (Los Angeles)
via JETAAJOB. 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: Part Time Assistant to GM, Fujisankei (Los Angeles)
Job Details:
Fujisankei Communications International (FCI) seeks a part-time assistant to the general manager. Duties include office managing and translating (mostly from Japanese to English). Ideal candidate is fluent in both English and Japanese, and have no trouble writing a business letter/document in English. Experience in a Japanese work environment is a plus. This is a part-time position (4 hours/day, 5 days/week.) $13-14 hourly pay, depending on experience.
How to apply:
Please send resume and cover letter to Audrey@fci-la.com
In the cover letter, briefly describe any experience you’ve had in Japanese cultural environments.
No calls, please.
Job: Job Listings via JETAA Torronto
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Job Listings via JETAA Torronto
via JETAA Toronto. 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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Job Position: Opportunity With Sustainalytics
Thanks to JETAABC for passing along this job posting that could be great for a JETAA member! Sustainalytics is hiring a Junior Analyst with Japanese language skills forone of its offices in Amsterdam, Boston, Frankfurt or Toronto. About Sustainalytics Sustainalytics is a global leader in sustainability research and analysis, serving investors and financial institutions around the world. Our international perspective is strengthened by nearly 20 years of local experience and expertise in the Responsible Investment (RI) and Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) markets. Sustainalytics strives to provide consistently high-quality solutions and to remain responsive to the current and future needs of our clients. Headquartered in Amsterdam and with more than 80 employees globally, the firm operates as Jantzi-Sustainalytics in North America with local offices in Boston, Frankfurt, Madrid and Toronto.
Job Position: Japanese Researcher Seeking Participants
Hello, I’m a Japanese student studying linguistics at McGill University. I am looking for research participants, who are native English speakers but can speak Japanese very fluently, and have lived in Japan for more than 1 year. Ideally subjects would be Japanese-Language Proficiency Test 1st grade holders. The experiment takes up to 90 minutes with compensation of 20 dollars. I have been desperately looking for participants in Montreal since last September, but it is very hard to find them. I’m planning to do the experiment in January, 2011 and am happy to come to Toronto or the GTA. I can also go to Japan if participants are in Japan. I really appreciate any help you could give me. Please see this PDF file for more details on the research. Best wishes, Tokiko Okuma (PhD student at McGill University/Osaka University) Email: tokiko.okuma@mail.mcgill.ca
Job Position: Position Available For Sales/Marketing Rep.
SALES/ MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE – North Toronto $35K/yr + Benefits A Japanese company just north of Toronto requires a Sales Representative to provide customer support and market products to new and existing clients. It is a great opportunity to grow with this well established organization! Drivers license required. For this role or for more info on other Japan related opportunities, please contact: Eika Sato esato@pasona.com (Ph) 416-867-1162 www.pasona.com
Job: IT/ITS researcher at Japanese IT Research Company (NY)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: IT/ITS researcher at Japanese IT Research Company (NY)
via Quick USA. 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: IT/ITS researcher
Job Details:
We are currently seeking contract IT/ITS researcher, expected starting date will be April 1, 2011, who can contribute his/her researching experience as well as IT/ITS knowledge and introduce new IT technology/ devices to the automotive industry.
*Must have 3-4 years of research experience,
*Business experience in product management, business planning and/or strategic marketing,
*High level of written and oral presentation ability as well as negotiation skills,
*Good planning, time management, decision-making and organization skills are required,
*IT industry experience—experience related to mobile communications, devices and networks, satellite, energy and/or automotive industries, engage in extensive research activities in technological and business model areas, ability to convey analysis to stakeholders, analysis stemming from efficient collection of relevant data, ability to capture fresh ideas within the IT industry and suggest theses new idea, ability and keen interest in developing our industry IT network.
Location: Manhattan, NY
Position: IT/ITS researcher
Starting date: April 1, 2011
Salary:$60K-65K DOE
How to apply:
Contact Mayuko Ozawa
Recruiting Consultant
Quick USA, Inc.
551 Fifth Ave. Suite 620 New York, NY 10176
Direct: 212.692.0063 Cell: 917.608.7029
Main: 212.692.0850 Fax: 212.692.0853
Email: ozawa@919usa.com
www.919usa.com
Job: Regulatory Affairs at Japanese Manufacturing Company (CT)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Regulatory Affairs at Japanese Manufacturing Company (CT)
via Quick USA. 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: Regulatory Affairs
Job Details:
An established Japanese company is currently seeking for a regulatory affairs who will prepare and submit documents for product registration with FDA, monitoring regulatory activities in America, managing product samples, and other assigned tasks. Japanese language skill is not required but a big plus. Must have related experiences and/or chemical related background. This is Temp to Hire position.
Location: Darien, CT
Starting date: ASAP
Salary:$50K-65K DOE
How to apply:
Contact Mayuko Ozawa
Recruiting Consultant
Quick USA, Inc.
551 Fifth Ave. Suite 620 New York, NY 10176
Direct: 212.692.0063 Cell: 917.608.7029
Main: 212.692.0850 Fax: 212.692.0853
Email: ozawa@919usa.com
www.919usa.com
Japan Local: Yadoriki Village in the Kanagawa mountains
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“Japan Local“ is a new feature intended to share the small town Japan experience with potential visitors and tourists. If you have videos or photos or writing about your town, please feel free to submit to jetwit [at] jetwit.com.
Thanks to JETAA Tokyo President Byron Nagy for sharing this video titled “Experience Yadoriki in Under a Minute,” made by a Friend of JET (or a “JET in spirit” to borrow Byron’s phrasing):
Justin’s Japan: Q&A with Yuki Chikudate of Asobi Seksu
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Asobi Seksu singer/keyboardist Yuki Chikudate. (Polyvinyl Record Co.)
By
JQ magazine’s Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his pages here to subscribe for free alerts on newly published stories.
Formed in New York City in 2001, the band Asobi Seksu and its core members Yuki Chikudate (vocals, keyboards) and James Hanna (guitar) cut their teeth in the indie shoegaze and dream pop scene as it graduated from a dense, textured guitar-based sound to a more abstract, atmospheric approach.
Fluorescence, the band’s fourth and latest studio album, hits stores today (Feb. 15). I caught up with Chikudate prior to the band’s sold out show at New York’s Mercury Lounge later this week for this exclusive interview.
What kind of goals did you and James have recording Fluorescence?
We knew that we were interested in making an album that better captured what we sound like live. We wanted it to be colorful.
How did you approach the recording compared to your other albums?
The approach was to let go and have fun. I think we felt a lot more relaxed this time—it was summer.
Do you have any other special plans for promoting the album in addition to touring?
Hoping to play some festivals this year—outdoor shows are the best!
I read that you grew up in Southern California and attended a school for children of Japanese expatriates who planned to return home after several years abroad. Was this your first brush with Japanese culture outside the home, and how do you think the experience influenced your view of Japan or the way this aspect of its society operates?
I was born in Japan, so no, it wasn’t my first experience with Japanese culture outside my home. My view of Japan was that all my family was there. Sometimes I wished that it wasn’t so far away. As a kid, the strict disciplinary nature of Japanese school sucked!
Click here for the rest of the interview.
FoxHound87: Hokkaido Part 2
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Joshua Small is a First Year JET currently living in Ikaruga-cho, Nara-ken and has been chronicling his experience on his blog Snorlax87.
I woke up, dawned my heat tech long underwear, and boarded the shuttle bus bound for Hanazono. I was going to ski for the first time.
I arrived at the resort and checked in with the rental counter. They pulled my reservation and started outfitting me for skis, pants, pole, and shoes. The staff at Hanazono is largely Australian. They must come to Japan seasonally on visas. They were very polite which made the whole process easy. When I walk in ski boots, I look hilarious. In ski boots, I walk heel to toe, but really exaggerated. Someone might have thought I had polio if it wasn’t for the fact that other skiers looked just as stupid.
My volunteer Hokkaido JET instructor was supposed to meet me on the mountain at 10. He didn’t arrive until about 11:30. While I was waiting, one of the other JETs was kind enough to give me some lessons in skiing. I went down the first hill (it leads to the ski lift) several times really easily. I was picking up skiing quickly. My “instructor” kept reminding me that I SHOULD have fallen by now. I hadn’t. When the Hokkaido instructor finally arrived, I was stunned. He was wearing the costume of Hokkaido’s mascot: Marimokkori, the marimo with a huge boner…
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the post.
http://snorlax87.blogspot.com/
National AJET’s “Life After JET”: Vanessa Villalobos
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Vanessa at the JETAA stall at the Japan Matsuri in London.
National AJET shares former JET participants’ experiences – and a little advice – with current JETs in their new monthly interview, Life After JET. Contact lifeafterjet [at] ajet.net to be featured in future posts.
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This month, Life After JET profiles former Tochigi ALT, Vanessa Villalobos. After completing JET and obtaining a CELTA qualification, Vanessa moved to Peru where she taught for 15 months. She then returned to the UK to train as a secondary school level English teacher at King’s College London, earning a Postgraduate Certificate of Education.
However, instead of starting a more conventional career in education, she started her own business. She “now works to connect the UK and Japan in London with her two companies – IsshoniLondon.co.uk, which provides tutoring services, and JapaneseLondon.com, which is a central hub for all Japan-related happenings in London.” In addition, she is involved in JETAA London, serving as the Communications Officer and organizer of the Creative Entrepreneurs’ Group.
Vanessa shared with us a little bit about her experience on JET and since, plus advice for budding bloggers, entrepreneurs, or any JET trying to figure out what comes next…
NAJET: First, can you tell me a little bit about your experience on the JET Programme? It looks like you were an ALT in Tochigi from 2000-2003 — Any highlights or projects that you’re really proud of?
Vanessa Villalobos: Being a ‘one-shot’ ALT meant that I had quite an exhilarating life; cycling around Tochigi-shi with my bike baskets over-brimming with games, flashcards, worksheets, etc. I was based in the BOE along with two other ALT colleagues. We took it in turn to visit all the junior high schools and elementary schools in the area. Like so many ALTs I found elementary school teaching an absolute delight – if absolutely exhausting!
In the BOE, we also designed the English curriculum and materials for 15 elementary schools. It was so satisfying to be responsible for the syllabus right from first ideas to classroom delivery.
NAJET: Before becoming an ALT, did you know that you’d still be working with Japanese/UK relations even years after leaving JET?
Vanessa: No! But I have always been fascinated by communication, language, and international relations so I am thrilled that JET gave me chance to develop my skills and interest.
NAJET: Why did you first decide to start your blog, Isshoni London?
Vanessa: I experimented with blogging in Japan, and then wrote a successful year-long travelogue in Peru, but after coming back to the UK in 2005 I felt at a bit of a loss and stopped writing. I still really missed Japan and started to look for Japan-related things, events and communities in London. Much to my excitement, I found a wide range of information and opportunities. Even so, I kept missing out on things because that information was so spread out. I searched on the internet, collected little snippets from newspapers and magazines, grabbed brochures, scribbled down info from tube posters, and realised the gap in the market for a ‘one-stop-shop’ website where you could go to find out everything about Japan-related stuff in London.
‘Isshoni London’ is the name of my English-Japanese language tutoring company, and the blog was attached to it to provide extra information.
