WIT Life #72: Base blues
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WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 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.
Quick follow-up to my last post re. the Okinawa base debate. An editorial in yesterday’s NYT discusses the importance of a meeting that will take place this week between the Obama administration and two visiting Japanese senior officials. The article urges both countries to not let this contentious issue get in the way of their valuable alliance. It will be interesting to see what emerges from these security talks.
Also check out Roger Cohen’s editorial in today’s Times which talks about the imagined results of a future America (circa 2040) that has withdrawn from world affairs (or been supplanted by China in this role). He discusses the frightening ramifications in regard to Japan and the Asian region in the middle of the article. Happy reading!
Job: Bilingual Japanese Marketing Assistant (New York)
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Lloyd Staffing is looking for a full-time bilingual marketing assistant for a New York City firm.
DUTIES:
- Provide administrative support to Marketing Department of Downtown NYC firm, reporting to VP of Marketing.
- Candidate will get involved in client relations having direct contact with clients.
- Will assist with prospect lists, database work, marketing reports, planning events, purchasing supplies, and more.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ideal candidate will have proficiency in Word and Excel.
- Must be proficient in communicating in both English and Japanese languages.
- Must be able to speak, read and write in both languages.
- 1-3 years administrative experience.
For immediate consideration, please call Barbara Cohen Farber, Executive Director at 631-777-7600 ext 778. Or email your resume to bcohenfarber@ lloydstaffing. com
Japan America Society Roundup 1.28.10
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, Editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America Societies…
Japanese Table Manners 101 — Quick quiz! Can you answer these true or false questions about Japanese table manners? 1.) When your soup bowl is hot, it is a good idea to squeeze it to help open the lid.
2.) When someone offers you sake during a meal, it is good manners to put your sake cup down on the table to allow him/her to pour it for you.
3.) When eating a whole fish, you should carefully turn it over to eat the other side. Not sure of the answers? Then this free Japanese culture salon could be for you.
- Date: Monday, Feb. 1
- Time: 7 to 8:30 p.m.
- Place: Casa de Luz, 1701 Toomey Road, Austin
- For more information, click here.
- U.S. Immigration Basics and Hot Topics — This seminar will cover the latest in U.S. immigration law, updates, and other employment issues related to hiring and retaining foreign workers.
- Date: Friday, Feb. 12
- Time: 2:30 to 5 p.m.
- Place: Ice Miller LLP, Conference Room 29A/B, One America Building – 29th Floor, One American Square, Indianapolis
- For more information, click here.
Whale Watch Cruise — Join JASSC for the annual migration of the Pacific Grey Whales as they make their 12,000 mile journey along the North American coast. There will be narration in English and Japanese.
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 28
- Time: Registration at 9:30 a.m., departure at 10 a.m., return to harbor at 12:30 p.m.
- Place: Long Beach Marina Sport Fishing (Seaport Village in Alamitos Bay), 180 Marina Drive, Long Beach
- For more information, click here.
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
Job: Administrative Assistant at International Access Corporation (DC)
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International Access Corporation is looking for an Administrative Assistant in Washington D.C.
DUTIES:
- Support position with a Japanese transportation association.
- Requires excellent English communication and writing skills
- Some Japanese language or cultural exposure to Japan is desirable.
- Planning Washington D.C. seminars and study groups as well as general office support.
- Word, Excel required; PowerPoint, Quicken desired
- Bilingual English/Japanese
- Salary Range: $37,000
HOW TO APPLY:
Please send resume WITH COVER LETTER to Elizabeth McCarthy – mccarthy@iacdc.com
Position includes FULL health insurance, dental and life insurance, 401(k) and proftsharing plan, generous vacation and holidays. Stimulating international office in downtown D.C. near two Metro stops.
Job: Japanese/English bilingual General Manager (Chicago)
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This job opportunity comes from the Chicago Craigslist, from the JET Alumni Association of Chicago.
Our client, Japanese Media company seeks a Japanese/English bilingual General Manager. This position will be responsible for entire operation of the publishing weekly community paper and supervise both sales/marketing and editing department including sales forecast, budgeting, sales report, HR, General Affairs, liaison with the President, etc. Management experience must. Experience in publishing industry strongly preferred but not must.
Please forward your resume and cover letter in an MS Word format to apply (to this e-mail address). We will review your application and will get back to qualified candidates to set up a preliminary interview with our recruiter in charge of this position. We are a recruiting company currently working for one of our client companies mentioned above. Please understand that we do not pass resumes to the hiring company without this process, and we take this process seriously. Look forward to your application.
* Location: North Chicagoland
* Compensation: Up to 50K(DOE)
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Joshikai SF: A new meet-up for Japanese women and women connected to Japan
女子力アップ！「女子会サンフランシスコ」
Next meeting: Thursday, 2/11
For February’s Joshikai, the author of Shortchanged: A Japanese Women’s Guide to International Romance（www.sonsuru-japan.com), Mieko Mochizuki Swartz will give advice about international relationships and romance, addressing differences in communication styles and cultural expectations. The talk will be followed by time for networking, chatting and drinking.
(See full details below)
JetWit Note: Apparently the first event they held was wonderful–they had about 35 women in attendance, with a good mix of Japanese and American women including a number of JET alums!
About Joshikai SF
Are you a Japanese woman or a woman with an interest in Japan? Maybe you just moved here from Tokyo this summer and want to make new friends… Maybe you taught English in Osaka a few years ago and want to revive your rusty Japanese… Whether you are a native Japanese woman or an American (or other nationality) woman with an interest in Japan, Joshikai may be for you!
女子による女子のための女子限定ネットワークイベント「女子会サンフランシスコ」を始動しました。女子同士ならではのよさ、赤裸々な本音トークなどを楽しんで、一緒に女子力アップを目指しませんか？
We are creating a community of Japanese women and women with an interest in Japan, gathering for a monthly meet-up to make friends, share stories and learn from each other. On the second Thursday of each month, we’ll meet at a location that is chic, reasonably priced, and conveniently located (near a BART station and other public transportation) for an evening of drinks and girl talk, where our members can connect and relax over a cocktail.
Why women only? We want to create a relaxed atmosphere, with the opportunity to speak freely and connect with each other in a supportive environment.
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Here is the information about our February event (in Japanese then English): Read More
JETAA Chapter Beat 1.27.10
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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.
- Happy Hour – Friday, January 29th, 6:00 at Fleming’s. Join NEJETAA for their first happy hour of the new year this Friday.
- Career Workshop – Wednesday, February 17th NEJETAA will be holding it’s career workshop for JET alumni. This year’s theme is, “Marketing Yourself in a Tough Economy,” so come on out and get a leg up on that new career. Location and times to be announced.
- Eugene Subchapter Event – Friday, January 29th, 7:00 at Sakura Japanese Restaurant. Spend the evening out with the JETAA Eugene Subchapter group this Friday night.
- Technology Regional Conference – January 29th through the 31st at the Mark Spencer Hotel. JETAA Portland is hosting a regional conference on “Technology and Implementation” to discuss technology and how it can benefit all JETAA Chapters around the world.
- J-Lunch – Friday, February 5th, 12:00 at Thai Kingdom. Come share your love of Japan over lunch with others in the DC area.
- Happy Hour – Tuesday, February 16th, 5:30 at the Hawk and Dove. Get together and share some laughs with the group in DC.
- JBook Meeting – Monday, February 22nd, 6:30 at a location yet to be determined. This month’s selection will be “The Makioka Sisters” by Junichiro Tanizaki.
- Kaiwa – Thursday, January 28th, 5:30 at 43 Below. Practice your Japanese with old friends and some tasty snacks.
- Family Okonomiyaki BBQ – Sunday, February 21st, 11:30 at Synergy Parkland in Kings Park. Free BBQ and soft drinks in the park, as well as dessert and watermelon provided by the Consulate General. Spend the day outdoors and catch up with old friends.
- Japanese Conversation Club – Thursday, January 28th, 6:30 to 8:30 at 1424 Weller St. JCCCW is extending a special invitation to JETAA members who are interested in a conversation get together.
- Shakuhachi Workshop – Saturday, February 6th, 1:00 to 4:00 at the Renfrew Park Community Centre. Mr. Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos will be performing a musical workshop on the Shakuhachi, a traditional Japanese bamboo flute. Participants will learn how to play and will receive their very own hand carved flute made by Mr. Ramos himself.
- Come-and-Try Gateball Day – Sunday, January 31st, 3:30 at the Canberra Croquet Club. JETAA Canberra is hosting its annual Come-and-Try Gateball afternoon. Come try your hand at this little-known Japanese sport.
- O-Shaberikai – Wednesday, February 3rd, 5:30 at the Holy Grail in Civic. Join in and meet Japanese people living in Canberra and other locals interested in Japan.
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.
C-DOC: Learn Chinese NYC – Basics for Pronounciation and the Four Tones
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The Chinese Doctor is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com).
Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Chinese, Japanese and Korean language learning options. Their main service is private one on one language lessons in the NYC area.
Congratulations on choosing to learn the new buzz language in New York City, Chinese. When learning Chinese it’s important to first learn the pronunciation of the language. Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language, with 4 tones that can change and distinguish the meaning of words. It’s important to become familiar with the tones in the beginning, mastering the tones will take time and energy with a trained teacher. Don’t worry though, Cantonese has 7 tones, and Vietnamese has 9 tones, so comparatively learning Mandarin should seem quite easy!
When learning Mandarin we’ll use the word “ma.” Ma can mean four different things, depending on which tone you pronounce it with. Without further ado, here’s the tones you’ll use when pronouncing Mandarin…
Click here for the rest of the article, including other Chinese language and culture articles
Job: Program Associate at the Asian Cultural Council (NYC)
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The Asian Cultural Council is looking for a Program Associate to start immediately. The foundation was established thirty years ago to promote cultural exchange between the United States and Asian countries through individual artistic grants and local programs. Fluency in an Asian language and a graduate degree are preferred, but not required. Compensation is $35,000-$40,000 per year plus full benefits including medical, dental, vision and transit. A 401K plan will begin after six months of employment.
DUTIES:
• Manages online application process, sending out applications, processing completed applications, (letters of references, grant notification letters, etc.)
• Supports Program Officers in New York on all aspects of day-to-day program activities
• Arranges individual overall program plans that will enable grantees to meet their goals and develop in their careers, including arranging meetings, residencies, and travel etc.
• Creates and manages grantee budgets and tracks overall program budget
• Works closely with Manager of Grantee Programs to handle grantee logistical plans, including apartment set up, local travel, setting up of bank accounts, visas etc.
• Works with program staff to evaluate applications, meet applicants, correspond with references, make funding recommendations and write grant notification letters
• Writes reports recommending candidates for fellowships for review by ACC Board of Trustees
• Maintains grantee entries in the ACC database; assists in generating declination and postponement letters, lists, reports, etc.
• Regularly attends performances/exhibitions
QUALIFICATIONS:
• At least three years of arts administration, programming, and/or related experience
• Professional experience working with artists from Asia, travel and/or work in Asia
• Excellent writing/verbal communication skills, computer skills (both PC and Mac platforms)
• Familiarity with data base systems (Filemaker Pro, GIFTS, etc.)
• Work experience in cultural exchange and non-profit organizations a plus
• Spoken fluency and written proficiency in an Asian language a plus
• Graduate degree preferred
HOW TO APPLY: Please send cover letter and resume to opportunitiesataccandtmu@accny.org. We will contact applicants whom we wish to interview. Please no phone calls.
This job listing comes from idealist.org, a website for non-profit, educational and other community-related employment information.
Posted by Machiko Yasuda, a senior at UCLA and Friend of JET.
“Make your own bento!” by Fuji Catering in NYC
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Of late, we’ve been ordering bentos for JETAA New York Exec meetings from Fuji Catering. (It’s the one all the Japanese companies use in NYC, so you know it’s the honmono!)
However, after always choosing from the pre-set menu of bento options for a given day, I just noticed that they have a rather fun “make your own bento” option–with visuals!
Here’s the link, so make your own bento and order away: http://www.fuji-catering.com/Questionnaire/index.html
And while you’d think this would only be for New Yorkers out there, I have to think it would be a half-decent substitute for all the JET alums out there in Idaho, Mississippi and elsewhere who are at least a 3-day drive from the nearest bento but could use a dose of natsukashii.
Job: Creative Technologist at New Media Strategy Start-Up (NYC)
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This opportunity comes from Lee-Sean Huang, the JETAA NY (and JetWit) webmaster.
Purpose – a New York based company that builds cutting-edge social and political movements – is looking for a talented, entrepreneurial, and creative technology lead to join our rapidly growing team. Purpose partners with organizations and brands to build real movements that mobilize millions. We work with some of the world’s biggest brands, the most exciting new players in the green economy and the best-known forces for global social change.
Purpose is a home for movement entrepreneurship. Our principals have co-founded the world’s largest online political community and the Australian political movement that now has more members than all that country’s political parties put together.
We’re also working on building mass consumer movements that help high-impact green products and services get to scale quickly.
We’re building a multi-disciplinary team of movement-makers drawn from political organizing, business, brand strategy and behavioral economics.
Demonstrated interest in building a technology team in an operating environment such as a start-up or an agency is a key asset for this role. Purpose is a young and rapidly growing company and we’re looking for someone who is excited about developing a technology team, refining our technology offering, integrating it with the rest of the business, recruiting talented and innovative developers and designers and developing and managing budgets for complex projects.
The Creative Technologist at Purpose will be responsible for website and software development for anywhere from 1-3 projects and will also play an over-arching role of management of the technology department and interacting with the movement strategy and user experience teams. This involves specifying technical requirements, researching and determining the information architecture of any given functionality, locating contractors and managing the outsourcing of projects where necessary, maintaining the technical timeline and budget, active development, and working with other technology leads as needed to assist on projects outside your purview.
DUTIES:
- Work with the CEO and other members of the senior management team to refine Purpose\’s technology offering and its role within the business.
- Direct and manage development for custom functionality and design on given campaigning tools and platforms.
- Assist in defining project scope, goals and deliverables.
- Estimate the resources and participants needed to achieve project goals.
- Determine and assess need for additional staff and/or consultants and make the appropriate recruitments if necessary during project cycle.
- Develop and manage technical project budgets as needed
- Set and continually manage project expectations with team members and other stakeholders.
- Delegate tasks and responsibilities to appropriate staff.
- Recruit and cultivate talented developers on our full-time and contract staff
- Proactively manage changes in project scope, identify potential crises, and devise contingency plans.
- Create development best practices and tools for project execution.
- Active development as needed on any given project.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Technology/Computer Science/website development or related field.
- Minimum 3 years work as a developer, Project Lead, or CTO.
- Working knowledge of PHP, MySQL, CSS, and the LAMP stack.
- Extensive experience with the Drupal Content Management System.
- Preferred
- Javascript, specifically JQuery.
- Systems Administration, Debian/Redhat/*nix.
- Entrepreneurial or Startup experience.
- Agency experience.
- Demonstrated interest in progressive politics or causes or just a passion for social change.
- Experience using and innovative thinking about using popular social media tools If you’re interested in finding out more, please send a short CV and brief cover note, as well as three URL’s of sites you have worked on, with a description of your specific role in developing the site to jobe. Pay will be competitive and based on experience. We have a strong preference for candidates based in New York City or willing to relocate, but if you think you might be a strong fit, we’d like to hear from you anyway.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit short cover letter and resume to jobs@purpose.com
Job: Program Manager at the Japan-America Society (Seattle)
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The Japan-America Society of the State of Washington, headquartered in Seattle, is looking for a full-time program manager to coordinate events and update their communiques. Bilingual Japanese skills are not required, but at least speaking is preferred. Act fast, because applications are due by February 12th.
DUTIES
- Programming – The Program Manager is responsible for the Society’s business, public affairs, and cultural programs. Programs include lectures, discussion groups, seminars, lunch programs, and fundraising events. In coordination with the Executive Director, the Program Manager contacts potential speakers and co-sponsoring organizations. S/he negotiates contracts with the management of lecture halls, hotels, and other venues; coordinates publicity and media efforts; and supervises staff and interns on the day of the event.
- Weekly Events Bulletin and Communications – Organizes and sends the Society’s weekly events bulletin via e-mail. Designing and producing other announcements and publications (such as special event invitations) is also required.
- Website – Updating the upcoming events page, calendar page and the JYPG (Japan Young Professionals Group) page are among the main website responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Qualified candidates must have a four-year college degree, relevant work experience, and a general understanding of U.S.-Japan affairs.
- Spoken Japanese ability preferred.
- Must be eligible to work legally in the United States.
- The work demands excellent writing skills, high attention to detail and the ability to handle multiple tasks at once.
- Familiarity with databases, familiarity with U.S.-Japan business and trade issues, and experience living, working, or traveling in Japan are all desirable qualifications for the position.
- Knowledge of web design and HTML is a plus but is not required.
HOW TO APPLY:
- Send cover letter, resume and the names and contact information of three references by 5 pm, February 12th to: Mark Smith msmith@jassw.org
- If selected for an interview, you must be available in our office the week of Feb 22-26, and available to start work on March 1st.
WIT Life #71: 日米関係？日中関係？どちらを優先するか？
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WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 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.
This Sunday’s Times carried an interesting article about the shifting nature of the respective relationships between Japan and the US (日米関係 (Nichibei kankei)) and Japan and China (日中関係 (Nicchuu kankei)), and the seeming diplomatic displacement of the former by the latter. As an example, it discusses the tension regarding the Futenma U.S. Marine base issue when Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates went to Japan last fall, in contrast to the red carpet treatment that a Japanese delegation to China received two months later. It is said that within the current government there is frustration with the U.S.’s “occupation mentality,” the Obama administration’s high-handed attitude in the heated dispute over the relocation of this base.
Not only are there ripples in the formerly smooth-sailing Japan-U.S. relationship, but there is a Read More
Japan Society (NY) Weekly e-Newsletter 1.25-1.30.10
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Job: Full-Time Bilingual ESL Teacher in Private School (CT)
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The Greenwich Japanese School is looking for a full-time bilingual ESL teacher. The 1st through 9th graders at the small private school, located in Greenwich, Connecticut, are mostly Japanese expatriates who speak it as a first language. The only class taught in English is the English as a Second Language class.
Salary: Commensurate with experience (salary range $40,000-$42,500); full fringe benefit package
Percent Time: 100% (Full-time)
Start Date: This position has a start date of April 5th2010
DUTIES:
- Design, plan and conduct courses in English as a Second Language to elementary students.
- Design, plan and conduct English grammar courses (to be taught in Japanese) in accordance with the Japanese school curriculum to junior students.
- Design the course structure by selecting the materials to be used in the course and the subject matter to be taught in the course within the framework of the established ESL and Japanese curriculum guidelines.
- Plan and teach 20 classroom hours per week
- Evaluate student work in the courses taught and assign grades.
- Attend meetings (staff, level, skill area and professional development).
- Serve on program committees.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- EDUCATION – Japanese Government English teaching certification, M.A. in Linguistics/TESOL or equivalent combination of related education and experience.
- EXPERIENCE – Bi-lingual fluency (Japanese / English) at native or near-native proficiency. Previous English grammar teaching experience in Japanese public or private junior high school. Demonstrated excellence in teaching. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Proficiency in computer software applications. Must be US citizen or green card holder.
- Previous ESL teaching experience in an English speaking country.
HOW TO APPLY: Please send resume, cover letter, and three professional references available upon request via email (preferred) or mail to: Jennie Farnell
Email: farnell.gwjs@gmail.com
Greenwich Japanese School
15 The Ridgeway
Greenwich, CT 06831
Website: www.gwjs.org
