************By Makoto Shirai, secretary, Japan-Insights Research Institute (Non-profit organization in Tokyo)

Dear Friends,

Have you visited Izumo, Land of Gods?

Let me introduce an essay from the Japan-Insights archives.

The nineteenth one is on Izumo: Land of Gods, Myths and Metals by Dr. Simon Kaner.

https://topics.japan-insights.jp/Public/pdf/japan-insights_jp/topics/JIN_SwordsBellsDragonsMyths.pdf

Please share this expert’s experience!

Japan-Insights is a nonprofit open database compiled by leading experts in Japanese studies. The posts present a broad range of historical and contemporary topics that encourage visitors to engage with the real Japan through immersive experiences. Follow the Facebook page and website to learn about and share these insights from around the country!”

#japan #japaneseculture #izumo

Thanks to JET alumna, Jessica Cork (CIR, Hiroshima-ken, 1997-2000) for sharing this great project that she is leading as the Chair of the Japan-America Society of Georgia.

The Japan-America Society of Georgia, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia, Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta, and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Atlanta want to construct a traditional Japanese bell tower to house the Carter Center’s “Peace Bell.” The “Japan-Georgia Friendship Bell Tower” will be modeled after the bell tower at Shoganji Temple in Konu, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture where the bell originated in Japan.

During World War II, an ordinance to collect metals was promulgated throughout Japan, and the temple bell from Shoganji Temple in Konu was supplied to the Kure Naval Arsenal. However, before the bell could be turned into bullets, the war ended. Following the war, the bell somehow ended up in England, where it resided for a time with an Englishman, James Taylor. His son, Milos Taylor, discovered the bell in 1958 while sorting through the belongings of his father in England. In 1982, Milos moved to Florida with the bell. In 1985, before returning to England, Milos put the bell up for sale. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta and the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta solicited donations to purchase the bell and presented the bell on behalf of the Japanese community to President and Mrs. Carter to commemorate the construction of The Carter Center and in appreciation for President Carter’s work promoting world peace.

When Hajime Akiyama, a member of the Japanese parliament, visited The Carter Center after the bell was donated, he discovered that the bell was inscribed with the name of Shoganji Temple. So he visited Shoganji to report that their temple bell had been donated to President Carter. Shoganji was very pleased to learn that their temple bell, which they thought had been destroyed in the war, was in fact carefully preserved at The Carter Center as the “Peace Bell,” a symbol of goodwill between Japan and the United States.

This led to President Carter visiting Hiroshima twice, establishing a sister city relationship between Konu, Hiroshima and his hometown in Georgia, and Konu constructing the Jimmy Carter Civic Center, which aims to educate Japanese citizens about peace. 

The website with the incredible story of the bell’s journey to the US and full project description is as follows.

https://www.jasgeorgia.org/Georgia-Japan-Peace-Bell/

The Japan-America Society of Georgia is trying to raise $300,000 to make this dream a reality. We would like to challenge JETAA to raise $25,000 and be recognized as one of the partner organizations (on all press releases, website, plaque etc). 

In order for JETAA members to have their donations recognized as contributions from JETAA, please click on the sponsorship link (not the donate link).

https://www.jasgeorgia.org/event-4464101

Then select register, add email address, and then select “7. Other amount.”  Put in the amount and then check off the JETAA checkbox.

JETAA‎‎‎‏‏‎​ Podcast Beat is a weekly round-up of current JET and JET alumni podcasts and podcast appearances compiled by Emmalee Manes (Toyama-ken, 2016-19)

Do you have a podcast or did you recently appear in a podcast? Help us share it with the community by filling out this form.

Welcome to the JETAA Podcast Beat! I hope the beat will be a great way for everyone to stay updated on JET alumni as well as current JET involvement in podcasts. If you have the chance, please enjoy listening to one of these recent episodes this week!

Weddings「結婚式」with Alexis!

Emmalee and Alexis talk about differences in wedding culture between the American North and South and between the US and Japan. Emmalee shares about a wedding she went to that she was not invited to and Alexis shares about how she became interested in watching wedding videos on Youtube.

インスタ: @yoppareikaiwa

Alexisのインスタ: @alexis_eikaiwa

是非、インスタでメッセージをください〜

What’s New in the Legal News: Kanye Tweets His Contract

The USLawEssentials What’s New in the Legal News podcast series continues with slightly less new news – – as Stephen Horowitz introduces to Daniel Edelson a story regarding Kanye West tweeting his music contract. Stephen and Daniel discuss contract drafting and what US attorneys mean by “plain English”. We also discuss why learning plain English is different from learning legal English. In addition, Stephen and Daniel talk about a podcast series we like, Contract Teardown – – where experts share insights on contracts, including Kanye’s contract.

You can find the article Stephen introduces here: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/kanye-west-tweets-pages-universal-173350381.html

Fading Heat

In this very vegetal episode, author John Forti joins Alexis and Kit to discuss his new book “The Heirloom Gardener.” Our co-hosts take a look at the bounty of the late summer vegetable garden, and admire a beautiful visitor to the garden: the dragonfly.

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Female Boarding Assistant
Posted by: Keio Academy of New York
Location: Purchase, NY, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Here’s a job sent to us from a JET alumna:

Immediate Appointment
Minimum compensation: $25000 plus free private accommodation 

Keio Academy of New York invites applications from university graduates or students soon to graduate with an interest in limited teaching training in their major discipline (Art, English, Japanese, Mathematics, Music, Science or Social Science) in this co-educational boarding school directly linked to Keio University in Tokyo. These are training posts tenable for up to three years.

An interest in Japanese culture is expected: a knowledge of the Japanese language, though not required, will be an advantage. Readiness to participate in the Academy’s co-curricular program is essential.

Read More

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Program Specialist
Posted by: Study Abroad Foundation
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Here’s a job received directly from the organization that works with visiting, non-degree students attending Japanese university to study abroad for a semester, academic year, or summer.

Application Process: For more information and to apply, please click here.

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Assistant to the Consul-General & Consular Assistant
Posted by: Japanese Consulate in Chicago
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to JET alumna, Victoria Nugent (Shizuoka-ken, 2009-2011) for passing along the following two positions at the Japanese Consulate in Chicago:

Assistant to the Consul-General (Applications due 8/26): https://www.chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100222596.pdf

And Consular Assistant (Applications due 9/3): https://www.chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100210020.pdf

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Digital Marketing Manager
Posted by: Ashinaga
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to JET alumna Jennifer Butler (Shizuoka-ken, 2001-2004) for passing along the following information with her organization, Ashinaga:

We have another exciting opening at Ashinaga – this time for a Digital Marketing Manager. 

*Also, there are very specific language requirements indicated in the job description. However, I have been asked to encourage applicants who have the required Marketing skills to make sure they still apply even if they aren’t 100% matching the language requirements as exceptional candidates will still be considered! 

(Again, I was specifically requested by our HR to share this position with the JET community! )

Application Process: The deadline to apply is Friday, August 27 (Japan Time)! Please see the below job description or the Japanese job ad.

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

---

Position: Toddler/Preschool Teacher
Posted by: Circle of Boston Nursery School
Location: Watertown, MA, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Attached is a listing passed along to us by a JET alumna.

Application Process: Interested candidates should apply via email. Please send a cover letter and resume to <HR@circleofboston.org>.

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Manufacturing Automation Engineer (Japanese Automotive Supplier)
Posted by: American MSC
Location: Troy, Michigan
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to JET alumnus, Brian Peters (Shiga-ken, 2000-2003) for passing along another job opening with his company: 

Introduction:

We are a Japanese company that supplies parts to the automotive sector. Our parent company is in Utsunomiya, Tochigi and we have facilities in Troy, Michigan, Aguascalientes, Mexico and Wuxi, China. JET alumni, MEXT alumni, and college graduates are welcome to apply.

We are a small company with familiar atmosphere.  Accessible and Open-door policy with Top Management. No micro-mangers here. Looking for self-motivated, self-learning, honest, and results-oriented individuals. Excellent opportunities for growth in the company.

Job Description:

We are searching for candidates who can help us reach our goals of improving productivity and throughput through the use of automation.

Read More

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Programs Coordinator
Posted by: Yale University
Location: New Haven, CT, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Here’s a job received directly from The Council on East Asian Studies:

The Council on East Asian Studies at Yale University is currently seeking applicants for the position of Programs Coordinator: https://bit.ly/67061BR

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Fellowship Opportunities
Posted by: Pickering and Rangel Fellowships
Location: Redmond, WA, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to Manuel Peralta (who works at the U.S. Consulate in Osaka) for passing along the below Fellowship opportunities for U.S. citizens. 

Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program

Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program

JETAA‎‎‎‏‏‎​ Podcast Beat is a weekly round-up of current JET and JET alumni podcasts and podcast appearances compiled by Emmalee Manes (Toyama-ken, 2016-19)

Do you have a podcast or did you recently appear in a podcast? Help us share it with the community by filling out this form.

Welcome to the JETAA Podcast Beat! I hope the beat will be a great way for everyone to stay updated on JET alumni as well as current JET involvement in podcasts. If you have the chance, please enjoy listening to one of these recent episodes this week!

Anime「アニメ」with Kazuki!

Emmalee and Kazuki (from KK Talking) talk about the anime they’ve watched recently, how they came to like anime, and differences in anime culture in Japan, the US, and Canada. 

インスタ: @yoppareikaiwa

Dynamic Law Firm Leadership With Client-Centric Insight

I spoke with Raymond Millien, the new CEO of Harness, Dickey & Pierce, an intellectual property boutique with four offices and headquarters in suburban Detroit. We discussed how in-house experience can help law firm leaders, techniques for understanding and connecting with clients in a remote environment, changing client expectations, and how law firms with a specific focus can maintain their competitive advantage in a shifting legal landscape.

ReStart: Taking Collective Action with Educators Alex Robins & Annie Larson

In this special ReStart episode of Design Future Live, Alex Robins and Annie Larson, part-time design educators at The New School and union representatives from the ACT-UAW Local 7902, speak to host Lee-Sean Huang about the challenges and opportunities faced by part time design educators and the power of collective action.

The ReStart from AIGA is a new content series that helps the design community move forward from COVID by posing salient questions and providing practical strategies

Watch the video version of this interview: https://www.aiga.org/inspiration/talks/alex-robins-annie-larson-challenges-and-opportunities-faced-by-part-time-design

ACT-UAW Local 7902, the union for NYU adjuncts and New School part-time faculty, student workers, and health service employees: https://actuaw.org/index.html

JETAA‎‎‎‏‏‎​ Podcast Beat is a weekly round-up of current JET and JET alumni podcasts and podcast appearances compiled by Emmalee Manes (Toyama-ken, 2016-19)

Do you have a podcast or did you recently appear in a podcast? Help us share it with the community by filling out this form.

Welcome to the JETAA Podcast Beat! I hope the beat will be a great way for everyone to stay updated on JET alumni as well as current JET involvement in podcasts. If you have the chance, please enjoy listening to one of these recent episodes this week!

Music in New Orleans & Nashville「ニューオリンズとナッシュビルの音楽」with Willie!

Emmalee and Willie (Miyagi-ken, 2017-18) talk about what makes New Orleans special, Willie’s experiences with music in Japan, and compare the music cultures and New Orleans and Nashville.

インスタ: @yoppareikaiwa

Willie: Japan Times, Antigravity, Japan in Nashville Instagram Story

是非、インスタでメッセージをください〜

聞いてくれてありがとうございます！

Educating the Public About the Law And Earning More Than Five Million Followers in the Process

I spoke with Mike Mandell, a lawyer with Mandell Law in California, who educates the public about the law through social media. We discussed how he produces content for YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, his process for selecting topics for his videos, the message he conveys to consumers, and how he sees the use of content-driven social media tools for lawyers evolving.

Interview with Clara Solomon

Welcome to another episode of the USLawEssentials Law & Language Podcast as we continue our series of interviews with multilingual attorneys and other professionals related to the legal field. In this episode, Stephen Horowitz interviews Clara Solomon.  Clara is the Director of Counseling & Career Development at the renowned New York University School of Law.

Clara shares her experiences living abroad – – including her experience studying abroad in Japan when she was just 15 years old – – and how this led to her current position counseling attorneys as they embark on new careers after law school. Clara’s international experiences enable her to provide a unique and sensitive perspective on the challenges for international students interested in legal work in the United States.

Robert Whiting Part 2: “Tokyo Junkie” Baseball Stories and more

Part 2 of my interview with author Robert Whiting about his recent best selling memoir “Tokyo Junkie” 60 years of bright lights, back alleys, and baseball. In this episode, Bob tells great stories about colorful foreign players and well-known Japanese baseball stars. Part 2, we talk mostly about the baseball stories from his memoir, but also get into the important story of how writing his first book “The Chrysanthemum and the Bat” completely changed his life. Together with episode #1 this is another important and rare opportunity to hear the history and evolution of Tokyo, from one Olympics in 1964 to the the current Tokyo 2020 games as lived and experienced by a true story teller, Robert Whiting.

Date and time
Tue, August 31, 2021
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM EDT

About this event 

For the tenth episode of our JFNY pop culture series, we will take a closer look at Godzilla, the worldwide pop culture icon, and the longest-running film franchise in world history! 

Starting in 1954 with the Japanese release of Ishiro Honda’s Gojira, the franchise has since released 36 films made in Japan and in Hollywood, with new titles still being made today. Godzilla sparked the Kaiju (monster) genre, and its fandom has reached all generations and has spread all over the world.  

What were some of the cultural contexts in which Godzilla was created? What does Godzilla mean to Japanese people? How was it exported to the world, and what led Godzilla to become the “King of Monsters?”  

Come join our panel discussion with five Godzilla experts from both the U.S. and Japan: Bill Tsutsui, Takayuki Tatsumi, Norman England, Meghan Mettler and Steve Ryfle as they explore the history of Godzilla and discuss its universal appeal.  

Poll: 

★ What is your favorite title from Godzilla series? ★  

Please let us know what your favorite title is on the Eventbrite page when you register! We will announce the results of the poll during the event, and discuss it with the panelists. 

Q&A: 

The discussion will be followed by a live Q&A. Along with answering the poll, now is your chance to ask the experts your questions about Godzilla! Please ask your question when you register. Live commentary will also be enabled on the YouTube stream, so you can participate in the Q&A session live as well. 

This is a FREE event. Registrants will receive the link to the stream via email. 

We look forward to seeing you there! 

Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ep10-godzilla-a-pioneer-of-global-pop-culture-tickets-163917051313 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JF_NewYork/status/1420398650702843904?s=20 

************By Makoto Shirai, secretary, Japan-Insights Research Institute (Non-profit organization in Tokyo)

Dear Friends,

Have you experienced Japanese cuisine in Toyama?

Let me introduce an essay from the Japan-Insights archives.

The eighteenth one is on Japanese Food Artisans by Ms. Susan Ellicott.

https://topics.japan-insights.jp/Public/pdf/japan-insights_jp/topics/JIN_TraditionalFoodArtisans.pdf

Please share this expert’s experience!

Japan-Insights is a nonprofit open database compiled by leading experts in Japanese studies. The posts present a broad range of historical and contemporary topics that encourage visitors to engage with the real Japan through immersive experiences. Follow the Facebook page and website to learn about and share these insights from around the country!”

#japan #japaneseculture #toyama