Translation: Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize for the Translation of Japanese Literature
Contest, Translating/Interpreting 
Comments Off on Translation: Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize for the Translation of Japanese Literature
Via Kia Cheleen (CIR, Aichi-ken 1996-98, ALT 1998-1999) of the Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture at Columbia University:
Call for submission for the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize for the Translation of Japanese Literature
We are currently accepting applications for Japanese to English translation of literary works for the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize for the Translation of Japanese Literature.
The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize has long set a standard of excellence in its field, playing a central and enduring role in enhancing the quality, quantity, and scope of Japanese literary works that receive translation into the English language. Annually, it awards the Prize to the best translation of a book- length modern work or a classical work, which is selected by the translators themselves.
The 2011 Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize application deadline is Thursday, October 28, 2010.
For submission guidelines and the application form, please click here: http://www.keenecenter.org/content/view/58/76/
Translation: First Annual William F. Sibley Memorial Translation Prize
Contest, Translating/Interpreting Comments Off on Translation: First Annual William F. Sibley Memorial Translation Prize
Via JETAA Chicago October Webletter:
Call for Submissions: First Annual William F. Sibley Memorial Translation Prize
To honor their late colleague William F. Sibley, The Department of East Asian Languages & Civilizations and the Committee on Japanese Studies of the Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Chicago have established the William F. Sibley Memorial Translation Prize in Japanese Literature and Literary Studies. The competition will be held annually and judged by members of the Committee on Japanese Studies.
In keeping with William Sibley’s lifelong devotion to translation and to the place of literature in the classroom, up to three awards of $2500 each will be given for the translation from Japanese into English of a work of fiction, poetry, or drama (including screenplays), or scholarship in literary studies, broadly understood. To encourage classroom use and comparative research, winning entries will be published on the Center for East Asian Studies website (http://ceas.uchicago.edu).
Submissions should be on the scale of short story rather than novel, on the one hand, but a body of poetry rather than single poems, on the other. Essays, reportage, and criticism are all genres for consideration. Retranslations of works previously translated, especially of premodern literature, may also be submitted. Translations of manga and anime will not be accepted, but scholarly essays about these genres will be considered. Translations of subtitles, no; scenarios, yes. Co-translations are acceptable.
Each entry should not exceed a length of 15,000 words and should be accompanied by an introduction of no more than 1,000 words presenting the significance of the work in Japan and its potential life in English. The rationale for retranslation should be separately addressed. Entries should be for unpublished works only. The committee will not consider more than one submission per person per year.
The deadline for the first competition is December 1, 2010.
Application materials should include:
A cover letter with the applicant’s full name, mailing address, email, and phone number.
Introduction (1,000 words or less)
A single printed version of both the English translation and the Japanese original, as well as a digital copy of each, preferably in .pdf format.
If applicable, a rationale for retranslation of previously translated works.
If applicable, proof of permission to translate. It is the responsibility of the applicant to secure permission from copyright holders for any works not in the public domain.
Send materials to:
Chair, Selection Committee, Sibley Memorial Translation Prize
Committee on Japanese Studies
5835 S. Kimbark Ave.
Judd Hall 302
Chicago, IL 60637
For additional information about William F. Sibley and his work, we encourage you to visit the William F. Sibley Memorial Symposium website at http://ceas.uchicago.edu/events/Sibley_Memorial_Conference.shtml.
For additional inquiries about the translation prize, contact Sarah Arehart at sarehart@uchicago.edu or 773-702-2715.
Income Based Repayment Helps Law Students, Not the Tuition Bubble
Academic, Advice, Blogs, Career, Graduate School Comments Off on Income Based Repayment Helps Law Students, Not the Tuition Bubble
**********
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.
Newer law students (and graduate and other professional students) can take hope: between fully financing their legal education with Direct Loans & Grad PLUS loans and electing the Income Based Repayment option, legal education isn’t a crippling investment. Find out why it’s not a great solution, and why it certainly won’t reduce law school costs.
Jake Shimabukuro performs at NYC's Highline Ballroom Oct. 25. (Sencame)
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.
Fifth generation Japanese American Jake Shimabukuro has been recording music since the late ’90s. At age 33, he’s earned comparisons to Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis on the ukulele, and will release his latest album, Peace Love Ukulele (Hitchhike) in January. After playing high-profile shows like the Asian American Music Festival in Los Angeles earlier this month for his national tour, the artist answered some questions prior to his upcoming gig at New York’s Highline Ballroom on Oct. 25.
Tell us about Peace Love Ukulele. Do you have a few favorite songs? Why?
Peace Love Ukulele is an album compiled of songs that I hope will bring joy and happiness to listeners near and far. I hope the emotions expressed in the music will connect people and make them realize that we all feel the same things—we just express them differently. I believe music is the greatest gift, and the ukulele is the friendliest way to present that gift to the world. A few favorite tunes on the album include “143,” a song inspired by the pager code 143, which simply means I love you; “Go For Broke,” a song written for the Japanese American veterans who served in World War II; and “Bohemian Rhapsody,” one of my all-time favorite classic rock tunes.
How does this album differ your last studio album?
The new CD, Peace Love Ukulele, is my first independent release. I had a lot of fun putting things together for this album. I really took my time with this one and tried to present the ukulele in ways that were fresh and exciting.
What do you hope people take away from your music?
I hope listeners experience the same joy that I’m experiencing when I’m strumming the ukulele. The ukulele is probably one of the easiest instruments to play. Anyone can pick it up for the first time, learn a couple chords and immediately start strumming songs. It’s so relaxing. I always tell people that playing the ukulele is like an entire yoga session in one strum.
Read the rest of the interview here.
Job: Sushi Chefs (Chicago)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Sushi Chefs (Chicago)
Job posting via Jet alum Bianca Jarvis, Consulate in Chicago. 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.
——————————————————————————————————————
Job Position: Sushi Chefs
Job Details:
Opportunities to work at a new restaurant “Wicker Park Seafood & Sushi” that will be opening in O’Hare airport, Terminal 2.
Contact:
Interested applicants should go to the following website for more details:
http://www.hmshost.com/careers/
Or call:
(777) 619-0050
FoxHound87: Disaster is my middle name…
Blogs Comments Off on FoxHound87: Disaster is my middle name…
Joshua Small is a First Year JET currently living in Ikaruga-cho, Nara-ken and has been chronicling his experience on his blog Snorlax87.
Last Sunday, I attended a seminar about what to do during a Natural Disaster. It was sponsored by the Nara International Foundation: Commemorating the Silk Road Expedition. Yes, I know. It should be called NIFCSRE…but that just isn’t catchy enough. Once the seminar began, we were all broken into 2 large groups. My group went first. We were going to “experience” the 3 major disasters that Japan has to offer: Fires, Earthquakes, and typhoons…
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the post.
Japan America Society Round-up 10.19.10
Japan Society Round-up Comments Off on Japan America Society Round-up 10.19.10
Gail Cetnar Meadows (ALT, Hiroshima-shi 2007-10), co-founder of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of various Japan America Societies…
The Horse in Japan Exhibit Tours – If you love horses and Japan, this program’s for you. Berea College will host a symposium and exhibit with artifacts from the Edo and Meiji periods in Japan, including wood blocks (ukiyo-e), examining the cross-cultural meanings of the horse in society. Tours will be available in English as well as Japanese.
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 30
- Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Place: Frost Building, Room 218, Berea College, Berea, Kentucky
- For more information, click here.
- Japanese Home Style Cooking Class – Learn how to make authentic Japanese food in this hands-on, intimate and practical cooking class. Participants will learn easy recipes that don’t require many special ingredients or tools.
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 24
- Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Place: Ryu of Japan, 11101 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas
- For more information, click here.
JAS of the State of Washington
Green Energy Event – This event, titled “Adding‘$Green¥’ to the Bottom Line”, brings together speakers from four companies all involved in some aspect of green energy. Two of the companies have green energy products at different stages of development, the third is responsible for developing an electric vehicle charging infrastructure in a six-state region, and the fourth represents a consulting firm and will provide a broad overview of green energy in both Japan and the United States. Additionally, there will be a demonstration by Canycom of one of their all-electric utility vehicles before the event.
- Date: Wednesday, Oct. 27
- Time: 5 to 8:30 p.m.
- Place: PACCAR Hall Seattle UW Campus
- For more information, click here.
Do your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Cetnar Meadows the info.
Job: Executive Assistant at Australian Embassay (Tokyo)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Executive Assistant at Australian Embassay (Tokyo)
The Executive section of the Australian Embassy is seeking an Australian citizen who is highly motivated and has proven experience as an Executive Assistant. The position is for a period of 6 to 9 months, starting immediately.
If you have superior organisational skills and the ability to communicate effectively at a senior level please refer to www.employment.australia.or.jp for job description and selection criteria. An English and Japanese CV must be submitted to jobstokyo@dfat.gov.au by 9 a.m. on Monday 25 October 2010.
*A high level of proficiency in Japanese language is a requirement for this position.* Read More
JETs in the News: Shannon Booth
JETs in the News, Uncategorized Comments Off on JETs in the News: Shannon Booth
There’s a nice article in the Block Island Times about JET alum Shannon Booth who taught in Shimoda-shi, Shizuoka-ken, which has a sister city relationship with Newport, Rhode Island. Shannon is now teaching social studies at the Block Island School.
Here’s a link to the article: http://www.blockislandtimes.com/view/full_story/9928738/article-New-Social-Studies-teacher–up-for-the-island-adventure?instance=home_news_2nd_left
Have an example of JETs in the News you’d like to see posted on JetWit? Email jetwit@jetwit.com.
Interview with Japanese indie rockers The Suzan
Article/Journalism, Interview/Profile, Music Comments Off on Interview with Japanese indie rockers The Suzan
Golden Week For The Poco Poco Beat hits stores Oct. 26. (Fool's Gold/Downtown Records)
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.
The Suzan is a quartet of Japanese indie rock gals who call New York their home. Bounding between gigs in their native Tokyo and NYC, they’re now prepping a new album, Golden Week for the Poco Poco Beat. I caught up with the group (Saori, vocals and guitars; Rie, guitars and keyboards; Ikue, bass; NICO, drums) in advance of the band’s area shows this week for NickyDigital.com’s CMJ Showcase and Pitchfork.com’s #Offline Festival.
How did The Suzan form?
The Suzuki sisters, Rie and Saori, began making tracks in 2003. After they sent their demos to a Japanese indie label and that label released their songs, the owner of the label told them to organize the band to play shows. Then NICO and Ikue joined.
What does your name refer to?
It is the sisters’ nickname.
The band’s music is an eclectic mix of Western styles. Who are your biggest influences?
The Beatles and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Earlier this month we’ve had famous Japanese groups like X Japan, Vamps and Puffy AmiYumi playing New York. Did you and your friends get to see any of these shows? What are your feelings about the warm reception these artists have received in the States?
Ikue: Me and my friends didn’t see these shows. I think what they are doing is a good way to show Japan’s recent musical culture (Visuals, animation, etc.). Their ways to approach this are different from ours, though.
At the same time, it’s been difficult for any Asian band to achieve mainstream success here. What are The Suzan’s goals as a group?
NICO: I don’t believe THE SUZAN is an Asian band. We are a worldwide band that was just born in Asia.
Saori: I think it’s difficult to achieve mainstream success for Asian people. But we can do it! This is our goal.
Read the rest of the interview here.
Job: Purchaser/Assistant Buyer at Korin (NY)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Purchaser/Assistant Buyer at Korin (NY)
Job posting via Jet alum Tara Hohenberger. 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.
——————————————————————————————————————
Job Position: Purchaser/Assistant Buyer
Job Details:
Immediate and exciting opportunity for a purchaser with experience in importing from Asia to assist in buying, shipping and receiving unique product assortment for high volume wholesale/retail operation. Only candidates with strong understanding of retail language and fluency in both spoken and written English and Japanese will be considered. Passion for Japanese cuisine and the culinary industry a huge plus, product assortment includes Japanese knives, kitchen equipment, and tableware lines. As a purchaser you will work closely with our sales team, web team and buyer to facilitate importing Japanese products and grow the business.
Great benefits including health insurance, 401k and profit sharing plan, sick/personal/vacation days, and excellent sales incentive plan.
Job Experience:
Contact:
Email resume, cover letter and salary requirements to careers at korin dot com.
Fax to: Attn: Operations, 212-587-7027
JETAA Chapter Beat 10.18.10
JETAA Chapter Beat, JETAA Chapters Comments Off on JETAA Chapter Beat 10.18.10
Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.
- Tea Ceremony Workshop – Sunday, October 24th, 1:00 at the Furemi-an Tea Room in Vancouver. Learn the basics of attending an authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony.
- Career Seminar – Thursday, October 28th, 5:30 at MacMillan Bloedel Room, at the YMCA of Vancouver. Get back into the job market with a little help from JET alumni.
- South Bay Nomikai Happy Hour – Thursday, October 21st, 6:15 at Tied House Brewery in Mountain View. Happy Hour is happening in South Bay, so stop on by for a drink or a chat with friends this Thursday.
- East Bay Nomikai Happy Hour – Thursday, October 21st, 6:00 at Ippuku in Berkeley. This month’s event will be held at the new izakaya, Ippuku, featuring a full shochu and sake bar, yakitori and more.
- Make Your Own Sushi Session – Monday, October 25th, 6:00 to 9:00 at Coo Izakaya. Learn the ins and outs of proper sushi construction with a Japanese chef.
JETAA Music City
- Nihongo Dake Potluck – Monday, October 25th at 7:00. Grab your favorite dish or drink and join in for a fun night of food and friends.
- Imoni and Curry “Kai” – Sunday, November 14th, 1:00 to 4:00 in Centennial Park Event Shelter. Welcome the fall weather with some hot food and check out Music City JETAA’s imoni and curry party.
- KaiWA – Thursday 21st, 5:30 at 43 Below. Practice Japanese with old friends and some tasty snacks.
- Careers Seminar – Tuesday, October 26th, 6:00 at UWA Social Sciences Lecture Room. Get a head start on finding a new job at this year’s career seminar. Delegates from CLAIR Tokyo will be in attendance, so do not forget your resume and business cards.
- JET Returner’s Mixer – Saturday, October 23rd, 6:00 at Tsunami. Welcome back the returning JETs in style this weekend and join in for some karaoke afterwards.
- Career Panel 2010 – Wednesday, November 3rd, 6:00 at the Mark Spencer Hotel. Make connections and get advice on how to find that dream job at this year’s Career Panel. Do not miss this invaluable networking opportunity.
- Career and Networking Night – Friday, October 22nd, 6:00 at the Japan Foundation Chifley Plaza in Sydney. Get together with fellow JET alumni and members in the Japanese community and get started on a new career. Recruiters and university representatives will be on hand to lend their advice, so don’t forget your resume.
- Oktoberfest Happy Hour – Wednesday, October 20th, 6:00 at Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten. Head down to the Lower East side for some German food, biers and fun this October.
- Hiking on Bear Mountain – Sunday, October 24th, 9:00 meetup in Manhattan(details TBA). Get out on the mountain for the annual hike in Bear Mountain. Hike up in the morning for lunch at the top, then come back down to feast on beer and sausage at the Oktoberfest held at the mountain’s base.
- Heart of Florida Asian Festival – Sunday, October 24th, 3:00 at the Historic Thomas Center. Meet up JETAA Florida for a day of Asian-themed fun at this year’s festival, with dinner to follow.
- Happy Hour with Asian Going Out Group – Thursday, October 21st, 6:00 at the Modern Lounge. The 20s & 30s Asian Going Out Group is hosting the new young Asian professionals happy hour for anyone wanting to support the Asian community.
- JBook – Monday, October 25th, 6:30 at Teaism in Penn Quarter. JBook, JETAADC’s own book club, will be meeting this month to discuss Haruki Murakami’s piece, “The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.”
What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.
Japan to expand JET Programme eligibility to Pacific Island states?
Uncategorized Comments Off on Japan to expand JET Programme eligibility to Pacific Island states?
Thanks to JETAANY President Megan Miller for sharing a recent Kyodo News International article titled “Japan, Pacific Island states to boost ties, cooperate on climate“ which mentioned that Japan has discussed the possibility of opening up the JET Programme to residents of the Pacific Island states:
“The two sides also agreed to examine the possibility of expanding eligibility for the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program to Pacific island states as a way of boosting people-to-people exchanges. The program aimed at improving Japanese students’ foreign language skills has accepted participants from 36 countries.”
The recent Pacific Islands Forum consisted of Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
The below article appeared in the Summer 2010 Issue of the JLGC Newsletter.
“JET Program, JET Alumni Association Vital to the Future of U.S.-Japan Relations”
by Matthew Gillam, Senior Researcher and Chizuko Kawamura, Assistant Director, Japan Local Government Center (aka CLAIR-New York)
JETAA New York hosted the JETAA USA National Conference from August 12 to 15, with 42 representatives from 18 of the 19 US chapters (except Alaska) and the three US Country Representatives participating.
Since a review of CLAIR’s overseas offices and the JET Program was conducted by the Government Revitalization Unit in May, and support for JETAA was among the activities under administrative review by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in June and July, this year’s conference was focused much more than usual on explaining the role of the JET Program and JETAA in efforts to improve the English language ability of the Japanese and to promote international exchange in Japan.
The first main session on this topic took place on the morning of Friday, August 13. Mr. Yasuhisa Kawamura, the director of the Japan Information Center at the Consulate General of Japan in New York, explained the position of the Ministry after their recent review. During his talk he emphasized that the Ministry understands the importance of JETAA’s vital role in the US-Japan relationship and will continue supporting the alumni. However, this support will be strictly limited to activities and events which enable former JETs to be diplomatic assets for Japan, or which improve the quality of future JETs. He concluded his remarks with his “Three Cs” for future relations, “Confidence, Caution and Cooperation”, and asked for pragmatism rather than excessive optimism or pessimism in dealing with the current situation. As to CLAIR’s position, Mr. Matthew Gillam explained CLAIR’s current situation and future support for JETAA, saying that the continuing fiscal difficulties facing local governments make it difficult for CLAIR to promise to maintain current funding levels in the coming years. He concluded by saying it is very important that we gain the support of local governments for JETAA activities. These presentations were followed by a lengthy discussion by attendees on ways to address the issues raised in various criticisms of JET and JETAA in Japan.
The other main session was Read More
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.
Many readers probably caught yesterday’s NYT cover story with the headline “Japan Goes from Dynamic to Disheartened.” This article (“Coping with Decline”) is the first in a series called The Great Deflation which will “examine the effects on Japanese society of two decades of economic stagnation and declining prices.” Throughout the article all those quoted mention a “lack of vigor/vitality” (I assume this was a translation of 元気がない (genki ga nai)). Read More
