JetWit Diary 12.03.10
JetWit Diary, Return on JET-vestment, Uncategorized 
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JetWit Diary is a new feature by Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94), founder and publisher of JetWit. Steven is available on a consulting basis to assist organizations with any membership building, social media consulting, creative communications and writing needs.
JET and the Local Government Challenge
In light of recent information about Aichi’s decision to forgo prefectural JETs and awareness that, in contrast, Hyogo and Kobe seem to be very supportive of JET, and after a suggestion by JETAANY President-to-be Monica Yuki that perhaps it would make sense to focus our energies on the the prefectures that are the most JET-friendly, I thought it would be a good idea to figure out statistically which prefectures or contracting organizations are making the most use of JETs.
To that end, further below (after the “Read More” break) is a list of the contracting organizations with the most JET ALTs. (FYI, a “contracting organization” is a prefecture, city, board of education, etc. that allocates budget towards hiring JETs.)
In the meantime, I think it would also be very helpful to get a sense of why some contracting organizations continue to support and hire JETs while others do not. So I’d like to request that any JETs and JET alums out there (especially CIRs) get in touch if you have any perspectives based on conversations or other interactions.
- Email responses to: jetwit [at] jetwit.com
Generally speaking, of course, I’m well aware that tight budgets have a lot to do with the attrition. But it might be helpful to dig a little deeper and know why JET is prioritized above or below other budget items. Also, what factors might cause a contracting organization to change the way it views or prioritizes JET? And perhaps any ways that some prefectures may have found to extract more value (short and long term) from having JETs that helps justify the expenditures. e.g., Perhaps some prefectures have found successful ways to incorporate JETs into strong sister city relationships that continue to benefit the prefecture/city over time.
On a related note, thanks to conversations with knowledgeable JET alums, I now understand a bit more about how the relationship among budgets, the JET Program and dispatch companies such as Interac. The central government used to provide a certain amount of funds to the local governments to hire JETs. Now, as I understand it, the funds may be used to hire ALTs. This means that the local governments can (and increasingly seem to) choose to hire ALTs via a dispatch company rather than JETs. (There’s a whole separate issue on the legality of public schools hiring contract employees via dispatch companies, about which I know very little, but I don’t think it makes sense from a JETAA perspective to focus on that.)
JetWit is starting to get more and more job listings. That’s because
- We don’t charge to post job listings and circulate them to the JetWit Jobs Google group (because I never want to create barriers to JETs and JET alum access to job opportunities); and
- We’ve gotten a few more U.S.-based Japanese staffing companies to see the light, i.e., that if they’re not posting their JET-relevant jobs on JetWit, they’re missing a huge opportunity. (Though I do encourage them to make a contribution if they’re happy with the results and want to make sure that JetWit continues to exist for their benefit.)
If you know any staffing companies with JET-relevant job listings, tell them to email jetwit [at] jetwit.com and we’ll get them out to the community.
That’s all for this edition of JetWit Diary. Have a Happy Chanukah and enjoy your bounenkais.
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu,
Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94)
Brooklyn, NY
jetwit [at] jetwit.com
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Thoughts on Human Capital Contracts
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Matt Leichter (matt [dot] leichter [at] gmail [dot] com) (Saitama-ken 2003-05) is a renegade attorney who plays by his own rules. He operates a think tank of one, The Law School Tuition Bubble, where he archives, chronicles, and analyzes the rising cost and declining value of legal education in the United States. He also maintains the “Bankruptcy Legal Topics,” and, “Bankruptcy Billables,” sections for Steven Horowitz’s Bankruptcy Bill. For further reading regarding JETs and the law, he recommends JETs with J.D.s.
So you’re tired of hearing about student debt. Well, so am I. You may’ve heard of investing in student equity. Wait, you haven’t? They’re called “Human Capital Contracts”—an investor (or the government) pays for your education in exchange for 10% of your income for ten years. No one else has ever tried something like this. I sat down and thought out what I think of them.
JETAANY Logo Contest – open to all
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Via JETAANY:
Calling all graphic designers, artists, and creative types!
We are looking for people to enter their designs for a new logo to be featured on JETAANY’s website, announcements, marketing materials, letterhead, business cards, etc. Your logo will be the visual cornerstone of our rebranding effort. You’ll win some prize money and some recognition, so what’s keeping you from entering?!
Prize:
In addition with providing JETAANY with a visual calling card, you will have the logo of a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to add to a design portfolio, and the winner will also receive $100 as a small token of our appreciation.
How to Enter:
Please send your designs to Janelle (secretary [at] jetaany.org) by November 30, 2010 December 31, 2010. The contest has been extended to allow as many entries as possible! You may enter as many designs as you like. Participants do not have to be JET Alumni or affiliated with the JET Program. To increase your chances of winning, please be sure to send in a high resolution graphic, preferably in .png/.gif/.jpg form.
Judging:
Winners will be selected by a vote, pending Board approval. The winning entry will become property of the JET Alumni Association of New York.
Need some inspiration? Check out the logos from other JET Alumni Associations from around the United States!
The first instalment of JetWit Fashion Beat is brought to you 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.
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Looking for unique Japanese omiyage? Need ideas for witty Christmas presents? I have found your solution! Look no further than T-shitsu.com.
After 3 years of meticulous planning, designing and market research by a motley crew of friends living in Kanazawa City, T-shitsu.com finally opened their doors to the gaijin community at large earlier this year. The shirts have been steadily gaining in popularity with both the current JET and JET Alum communities due to their fun designs.
The idea behind T-shitsu is to develop a range of witty designs for foreigners to set them apart from their peers in Japan. From the website:
One of us received a shirt as a present many moons ago which has the words ‘I’m Huge in Japan’ emblazoned on it and we all noticed that whenever that shirt was aired, people would comment on it. Every single time.
We searched the web for more shirts along the same vein and were frustrated to see that the options out there are slim to none. The shirts we did find…well… let’s just say “Baka Gai-jin” isn’t the best phrase to have on your chest as a foreigner in Japan!
In addition to serving the current gaijin clan, I think these shirts make a great gift for anyone who has experienced life as a foreigner in Japan, and Japanophiles in general around the globe.
The word “shitsu” means “quality” in Japanese, and the shirts are certainly of a high standard. All designs are available in a wide range of men’s and women’s sizes, and quick home and overseas delivery is possible.
Do also check out the Facebook page for regular updates, t-shirt competitions and general “gai-jin” related chat from the T-shitsu crew. They are always on the look out for new designs so if you have a good idea for a shirt – don’t hesitate contact them!
Last but not least, if you do purchase a shirt from our friends over at T-shitsu.com, please mention that you heard about them from JetWit. Thanks and happy shopping!
Have a suggestion for a future JetWit Fashion Beat post? E-mail dipika [at] jetwit.com.
Job: Japanese Global Scholars Coordinator (The University of Oregon)
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via Jet alum Kia Cheleen. 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: Japanese Global Scholars Coordinator
Center for Applied Second Language Studies (CASLS), The University of Oregon
Job Details:
The Japanese Global Scholars Coordinator will be responsible for recruiting students, managing budgets, creating communications materials, and working with various units on and off campus to develop and implement the Japanese Global Scholars Program. The appointment will be within the Center for Applied Second Language Studies (CASLS), but effective communication and collaboration with the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures (EALL) will be essential.
For more details, click “Read More”
Job: Showroom Sales Associate (Temporary Assignment with a Possibility to Become Direct-Hire)
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via Actus Consulting. 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: Showroom Sales Associate
(Temporary Assignment with a Possibility to Become Direct-Hire)
Job Details:
The company designs, manufactures and sells subsidiary materials for clothes (value-added trimmings for textile products), and they have been expanding their business in the world. The overall purpose of this job is to attend to both the retailer and wholesaler.
Job responsibilities include:
Candidate must to contribute to the team effort, maintain professional and technical knowledge
Salary is $13/hr. (*NOT NEGOTIABLE).
Business hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-5:00pm.
Qualifications:
Contact:
To apply for this position, e-mail me your resume and cover letter as an MS Word attachment to Sayaka Takeda at stakeda@actus-usa.com.
Job: Marketing Coordinator for Japanese Electric Parts Manufacturing Company
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Marketing Coordinator for Japanese Electric Parts Manufacturing Company
from Jet alum Sam Lederer via DCM Creations (a Japanese staffing agency). 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: Marketing Coordinator for Japanese electric parts manufacturing company
(Sales & Marketing division)
Job Details:
Requirements:
Location: Orange County, CA
Position Status: Regular/Fulltime
Salary: Depend on Experience
Contact:
For details on how to apply, please contact Ken Izutsu at ken@dcmcreations.com
Job: Import/Export Clerk for Japanese Freight Forwarding Company
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Import/Export Clerk for Japanese Freight Forwarding Company
from Jet alum Sam Lederer via DCM Creations (a Japanese staffing agency). 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: Import/Export Clerk for Japanese Freight Forwarding Company
(Ocean Import/Export division)
Job Details:
Requirements:
Location: New York, NY (Manhattan)
Position Status: Regular/Fulltime
Salary: Depends on experience
Contact:
For details on how to apply, please contact Ken Izutsu at ken@dcmcreations.com
Job: Documentation Clerk for Japanese Freight Forwarding Company
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Documentation Clerk for Japanese Freight Forwarding Company
from Jet alum Sam Lederer via DCM Creations (a Japanese staffing agency). 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: Documentation Clerk for Japanese Freight Forwarding Company
(Corporate Sales & Marketing/Ocean Planning & development division)
Job Details:
Requirements:
Location: Torrace, CA
Position Status: Temp to Hire
Salary: Depends on experience ($12.00~$17.00)
Contact:
For details on how to apply, please contact Ken Izutsu at ken@dcmcreations.com
Job: Tour Coordinator (Torrance, CA)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Tour Coordinator (Torrance, CA)
from Jet alum Sam Lederer via DCM Creations (a Japanese staffing agency). 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: Tour Coordinator (Meeting & Incentive, Sales Department), Torrance, CA
Job Details:
This position is responsible for handling tour arrangements and sales activities for group business. This includes customer service and account maintenance. Overtime and business trips may be required.
For more details click “Read more”.
Any JET alums in Hong Kong?
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If you’re a JET alum who is living or has lived in Hong Kong, please get in touch via email at jetwit [at] jetwit.com.
A fellow alum who recently signed up for the JET Alum China/Chinese Connection group on LinkedIn had asked me about Hong Kong, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to find out if there are any JET alums out there with a Hong Kong connection.
Justin’s Japan: Interview with ‘Tonoharu’ Cartoonist/JET Alum Lars Martinson
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- JET alum and ‘Tonoharu’ creator Lars Martinson. (Illustration by Lars Martinson)
By JQ magazine’s Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his NY Japanese Culture page here to subscribe for free alerts on newly published stories.
Minnesota-based cartoonist Lars Martinson went to Japan in 2003 to teach English on the JET Program, an exchange initiative sponsored by the Japanese government. During his three-year stay in rural Fukuoka, he was inspired to break ground on an ambitiously stylized four-part graphic novel named Tonoharu (Pliant Press) based on the trials and tribulations of living in Japan. Part Two was released in November, and I caught up with the artist to discuss the series so far and Japanese life through an expat’s eyes.
How would you describe the differences in Tonoharu: Part Two compared to the previous book? Did you do anything different in terms of storytelling or approach?
With each volume I’ve tried to explore different facets of living abroad. The first book focuses on the sense of loneliness and isolation that occurs after the “honeymoon period” of cultural acclimation ends. The second book deals with the relationships that develop, both with members of the native population and with other expats.
My approach to storytelling has gotten more deliberate as I’ve gone along. For Tonoharu: Part One, I started by writing “Page 1, Scene 1” at the top of a piece of paper and launching into a detailed script before I had a clear sense of what direction I wanted the story to go in. Diving straight into minutiae like that is like working on the interior design of a house that hasn’t been built yet; you should know how big the windows are before you pick out the curtains. So for Part Two—and now Part Three—I’ve given much more thought to the structure of the story, and made sure I was happy with the big picture before I got too wrapped up in details and nuance.
Tell us about your experiences on the JET Program. What made you choose to apply, and what was your overall take on the three years that you were there for?
When I was 16, I lived with a host family in Nagoya for a summer vacation exchange. The experience inspired a lifelong interest in international travel. I’d go on to live in Thailand and Norway for a year apiece as an exchange student, and visit a dozen or so other countries as a tourist. After I graduated from college, I wanted to try working abroad, and also wanted to return to Japan. A friend of mine introduced me to the JET Program, and I knew immediately that it was right for me. And sure enough, my three years in the JET Program were among the best I’ve ever had.
All JET participants hit high and low points while in Japan. What were some of yours?
My elementary school classes were among the most satisfying experiences. I planned all the lessons pretty much single-handedly, so once I got the hang of it, it was gratifying to see how excited the kids were about learning English, and how much they retained.
One of the more frustrating aspects of the experience, at least in the beginning, was the language barrier. It’s hard to form meaningful friendships when you can’t—y’know—talk to people. So it was always sad when I wanted to befriend someone and they clearly wanted to befriend me, but the logistics of not being able to communicate effectively got in the way.
Last summer, it was announced that the JET Program is facing sweeping budget cuts that may endanger its future. What’s your take on the value of the program in today in Japan and in the participants’ home countries?
I suppose with the economy being what it is, some cuts are probably inevitable. But I really hope they don’t gut the JET Program. My life has been enhanced beyond measure by having the opportunity to interact with foreign cultures, and I hope Japanese students will continue to be given the same opportunity. It’s hard to quantify the benefits of the JET Program, but that doesn’t really make them any less real or important.
What kind of feedback on the books have your received from JETs and those associated with the Japanese community?
I’ve tried to make the book accessible to readers regardless of their background, but it goes without saying that those who are familiar with Japan or the JET Program are able to appreciate it on a different level. JETs tend to pick up on all these little details in the books that other readers breeze pass without notice. I remember a JET alum commenting on a scene in Part One where the main character wears a fancy suit to his first day on the job, but since it’s summer vacation everyone else in the teacher’s room is wearing ratty gym clothes. It’s little things like that that you’d only consciously notice if you’d been in that situation yourself.
Click here for the rest of the interview.
Job: Researcher for Japanese NPO
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via Actus Consulting. 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: Researcher for Japanese NPO
Job Details:
Main job responsibility is to conduct research and prepare reports on particular topics such as politics, economics, specific industrial, and public policies.
Salary: $36.4K+ Possible Bonus+ Benefits
Business hours: 9am-5pm , Mon-Fri.
Requirements:
Contact:
Sayaka Takeda
e-mail: stakeda@actus-usa.com
tel: 212-575-7840
Please forward your resume and cover letter as an MS Word attachment to apply. Make sure to specify in your cover letter to what position you are applying. We will review each application and get back to qualified candidates to have a preliminary interview with our recruiter. Please understand we are a staffing agency currently searching for successful candidates for the positions mentioned above at one of our client companies. We look forward to your application.
Job: JET for JTEs
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Stephanie Boegeman (ALT, Akita-ken, 2006-09) gets her kicks from finding fun crazy ways to see the world and getting paid to do it. She is constantly in search of job, internship, and travel ideas to add to her site Playing With Hire, in the hopes that more JET alumni and like-minded souls join her in her quest to find creative, inspiring, and unique ways to make ends meet.
Japanese citizens with a college degree and a good command of the English language can land a sweet job teaching American kids about Japanese culture. Sound familiar? If you know of any wonderful folks in the inaka who fit this description, pass on the good word about the Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI). Applications are being accepted through *Jan 7th*. More details about the job are here.
Japan Fix: Request for submissions (plus a bit of perspective)
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This post brought to you by Gail Cetnar Meadows (Hiroshima-shi, 2007-10), co-founder of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View. In an effort to revive the “Japan Fix“ posts, I’d like to share a recent discovery to help you find a little piece of Japan close to home.
How do you get your Japan fix wherever you live? Write it down and send it to me at gail [at] jetwit.com for the entertainment and benefit of the JET alum community.
Having called Hiroshima home for three years, my husband and I knew we’d miss our old neighborhood haunts when we returned to the U.S., especially our favorite okonomiyaki joint. There, our weekly visits made us such familiar faces that the cooks greeted us by name when we walked in and we even had our own stools at the bar a la Norm from Cheers. I didn’t hold out any hope of finding an okonomiyaki-ya back in the sticks of Ohio, but now that we’ve relocated, the search is on.
Whether or not I find it, though, I at least know that there are a number of stores in our area that carry a decent selection of Japanese goods, which means I can always cook our favorite Japanese dishes at home. While searching for the local Japanese markets around our new town, I stumbled upon a blog post on my favorite Japanese cooking blog, JustHungry.com. The author of this blog had compiled a wonderful reader-contributed list of Japanese groceries and stores across the U.S. The list is categorized by state, so you can just scroll through to find something close to you. Thanks to her I’ve discovered a selection of Japanese food items in a grocery store just a short hop from my house, where I found my latest Japan fix: a shelf bearing at least half a dozen flavors of ラムネ. Ah, natsukashii!!
How do you get your Japan fix where you live? Send it to me at gail [at] jetwit.com and I’ll post it on JetWit!
