Introducing the U.S./Japan Creative Artists’ Program
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Calling all artists – whether you’re a photographer, a puppeteer, a budding troubadour or manga comic, The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts can fund a five-month residency in Japan, through their U.S./Japan Creative Artists’ Program. Applications are due February 1st. Read on for more details:
Here’s the press release:
The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission works cooperatively with the National Endowment for the Arts to sponsor the U.S/Japan Creative Artists’ Program. The program provides support for up to five outstanding contemporary and traditional artists from the United States to spend a five-month residency in Japan to pursue their individual artistic goals. The next deadline for this program is February 1, 2010.
The U.S/Japan Creative Artists’ Program is extremely competitive; applicants should have regional or national recognition and anticipate a highly rigorous review of their work. Artists should also present compelling reasons for wanting to work in Japan.
Selected artists will receive:
• A monthly stipend for living expenses and a housing supplement, as well as an allowance for professional support services
• Up to $6,000 for round trip transportation for the artist, domestic partner and/or dependent children, and a baggage/storage allowance
• A stipend for pre-departure Japanese language study in the United States
Additional information, including guidelines and the application, can be found at http://www.jusfc.gov/creativeartists.asp.
Job: Network Support Engineer (Seattle)
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A downtown Seattle company is looking for a Network Support Engineer II (NSE). Please call Kathy Simmons, senior technical recruiter, at 435-519-6654 to apply.
DUTIES:
- Provides remote technical assistance on client’s products to internal and external customers and client’s partners in Japan.
- Fluency in Japanese required
- Hours are Mon-Thurs in 10 hour shifts
- Salary range is mid $60,000 to low $70,000 a year.
Jobs: Japanese Language Interpreter (Philadelphia)
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Quantum, Inc., a Philadelphia-based multi-lingual interpretation agency is seeking Japanese language interpreters for both medical and court interpretation.
Experience in legal and medical fields, proof of language proficiency and interpreter skills are a plus.
However, we also are willing to train motivated individuals that are new to the field of interpretation.
Please send your resume to info@quantumtranslations.com or fax to 215-627-5570. Or for further information please call 215 627 2251.
JET Alum Liz Sheffield interviews “Love In Translation” author Wendy Nelson Tokunaga
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Author, manuscript consultant and blogger Liz Sheffield (Hokkaio-ken, Sapporo-shi, 1993-95) has a great post on her blog Motherlogue about a new book out titled Midori by Moonlight by Wendy Nelson Tokunaga. Here’s Liz’s explanation of the background:
About a year ago I read Wendy Nelson Tokunaga’s debut novel, Midori by Moonlight. I was thrilled to see that she had a new release out in November — Love In Translation. Both of her books cover topics near and dear to my heart: Japanese culture, the expatriate experience and cross-cultural romance.
Love In Translation intrigued me because the story is told from the perspective of a foreign woman living in Japan, something with which I have personal experience! As I read the book, I had a wonderful sense of being reconnected to my own experiences in Japan — from the visits to a ryokan (Japanese hotel) to eating delicious shu-cream to blunders in communication through a foreign language. I was also reminded of what I learned about myself thanks to the joy and hardship of navigating a culture so different from my own.
In my interview with her at Motherlogue, Wendy offers insight about her experiences in Japan, about publishing two novels and combining her vocal talents with her husband’s musical talents to create an enka song (“Nozomi No Hoshi“) as the soundtrack for Love In Translation. Details about how to request a copy of “Nozomi No Hoshi” on CD, are included in the interview.
- Read the interview with Wendy Nelson Tokunaga, author of “Love in Translation.”
- Read an interview with fellow JET alum Suzanne Kamata about Suzanne’s book Call Me Okaasan: Adventures in Multicultural Mothering.
- Follow Motherlogue here: http://motherlogue.wordpress.com
Japan America Society Roundup 12.17.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, Editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some upcoming events of Japan America Societies…
2010 New Year’s Party — All you can eat sushi rolls and edamame and all you can drink Kirin — what better way to kick off the new year? Register online.
- Date: Wednesday, Jan. 6
- Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
- Place: Sakeya Japanese Restaurant, 1420 Locust St., Philadelphia
- For more information, click here.
- Shinnenkai — Put on some comfy pants and come hungry to this informal potluck party. Bring a dish from home or even just some paper plates or napkins and you’re all set. Reservations required.
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 10
- Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
- Place: AT&T Conference Room at the Girl Scout Leadership Center, 811 N. Coker Loop Road, San Antonio
- For more information: http://www.jas-sa.org/shinenkai.htm
Family Fun Day — Enjoy Christmas story telling, candy-cane reindeer making, holiday music and a beautiful holiday flower show during this free event at the Krohn Conservatory.
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 19
- Time: 3:30 p.m.
- Place: Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati
- For more information: http://jasgc.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=11
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
Job: Sales Associate (Atlanta, GA)
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This job listing comes from MRJapanese, a staffing firm based in Nashville, Tenn. focused on jobs in the States for Japanese companies.
We are in need of a Japanese and English speaking Salesperson who is ambitious, friendly, and outgoing. You will begin as a Sales Assistant, and as you hone your skills, you will have the opportunity to move forward into a full Sales role. Come and be a part of our winning team!
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Must be bilingual in Japanese and English – oral and written
• Self-directed and diverse work mentality
• Strong customer service skills and ability to handle concerns in a quick and effective manner
• Any previous Sales experience or proficiency with Accounting software is a plus
• Local/commutable candidates preferred
• Ability to travel for business
HOW TO APPLY: Click here and contact Kiyomi Hamamoto at apply (at) mrjapanese.com
Job: Research and Strategy Manager (NYC)
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This job opening comes from Japanese bilingual job staffing firm MaxJob. They are looking for a manager of research & strategy in the telecommunications industry in New York City. To see this job listing, search F6181 on their site. To see more immediate openings from MaxJob, click here (requires registration).
DUTIES:
- Attend trade shows, decide the theme to discuss with venture companies and manufacturers and make appointments to hold meetings with them.
- Point of contact for maintaining the relationship with venture companies and carriers and for coordinating contracts between carriers and distributors. Window for new business development with venture capitals and other related companies; coordinate forming alliances and handle contracts.
- Research US market, products and service and report to headquarter in Japan.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Excellent communication skill in English is a must.
- Business level proficiency in Japanese is preferred.
HOW TO APPLY: Please email your resume to info @maxjob.com or call 212-949-6660.
Roland Kelts’ Japanamerica reviewed by Fan-to-Pro blog
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Here’s a nice review of Japanamerica (by Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99) on the blog Fan-to-Pro: The Blog of Professional Geekery, which describes itself as “a blog about jobs, career and economics for ambitious fans, progeeks, Otariimen and other members of the Modern Literati.”
http://www.fantopro.com/blog/2009/12/book-review-japanamerica.html
Just in time for the holidays, in case you’re looking for that special gift for that special JET friend or Friend of JET!
Any JET alums in Delaware?
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I stopped by the CLAIR-NY office yesterday (which is the de facto JETAA NY headquarters), and was asked by Taichi Hanzawa (one of the JETAA USA & Canada Liaisons) if I know of any JET alums in Delaware.
I know we have an increasingly active JETAA Philadelphia sub-chapter. But I don’t know of any JET alums by name who live in Delaware.
So, if you are a Delaware-based JET alum, or if you know of any, I’d love to hear from you. Just e-mail Steven at jetwit [at] jetwit [dot] com.
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!
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Chin Music Press, the Seattle-based publisher owned and run by Bruce Rutledge (MEF Program Chiba-ken, 1985-87) is excited to host several reading events this upcoming week in New York and Philadelphia for their newest release, Big in Japan: A Ghost Story. The tour continues this January to Seattle and Vancouver.
The debut novel from Hawaii-based author M. Thomas Gammarino is a deadly funny story of haunted progressive rock composer Brain Tedesco. The book has already received rave reviews; PF Kluge says it’s “seductive and devastating” and Ron Currie Jr. calls Brain “the perfect hero for the Age of Anxiety.”
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Catch Tom at one of these events:
East Coast:
12/16 “I Had It Bad” Reading Series. Happy Ending Lounge, 302 Broome Street, New York, NY, 8pm
12/17 St. Joseph’s University, 5600 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 3pm
12/21 “Asia In The Age of Anxiety” with Xiaoda Xiao. KGB Lit Bar, 85 East Fourth Street, New York, NY, 7pm
12/23 Rocky Sullivan’s, 34 Van Dyke Street, Brooklyn, NY, 7pm
1/2 Chester County Book and Music Co., 975 Paoli Pike, West Chester, PA, 7pm
West Coast:
1/6 Third Place Books Ravenna, 6504 20th Ave NE, Seattle, WA, 7pm
1/7 Sophia Books, 450 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, 6:30pm
1/8 Big in Japan: A Celebration with Pilot Books. Little Red Bistro, 400 Dexter Ave. N, Seattle, WA, 6pm
Big in Japan is designed by JET alum Joshua Powell (Saitama-ken 2005-07). The book is available through the Chin Music Press website with promotional free shipping to the U.S. and Canada or at major booksellers.
For book reviews and more information, visit Big in Japan’s website. Check out previous JetWit posts about Bruce Rutledge and Chin Music Press here.
Travel Opportunity: The New Perspectives: Japan
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Shelly Namiki of the Laurasian Institution in Seattle, WA wants to let JET alums know:
We have still have space available for our summer travel program, New Perspectives: Japan. Since JET alumni are familiar with Japan and have experience working with children, we thought this could be a great opportunity for those who are available this summer. There’s more information at www.newperspectivesprogram.org. Contact Shelly with any questions at snamiki [/at/] laurasian [/dot/] org.
Groups: Joshikai San Francisco – A new meet-up for Japanese women and women connected to Japan
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The following is posted at the request of San Francisco-based JET alum Beth Hillman, who has come up with a great idea for a group:
女子力アップ！「女子会サンフランシスコ」決起集会
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. We’ll also have a monthly guest speaker or theme, so that we can share knowledge and empower each other.
You can visit our Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=199208063212&ref=nf
We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at: @joshikaisf
Meeting: Joshikai San Francisco: The Japan-Connected Women’s Group
Goal: To relax, have a drink and make connections with other women who are Japanese or interested in Japan
Date: Thursday, January 14th (the second Thursday of each month)
Time: 6 pm – 8:30 pm. Come and leave any time — and enjoy happy hour specials for the entire event!
Location: Amber India Restaurant, 25 Yerba Buena Lane, San Francisco, 94103
/www.amber-india.com/SanFrancisco/
日時：１月14日木曜日午後６時-８時半
場所：Amber India Restaurant(ご好意により、イベント中はドリンク&アペタイザーがハッピーアワーの価格です。Tejiさんナマステ！）
WIT Life #62: Otaku analysis
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WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Translator/Interpreter/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). Recently she’s been watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with h
er own observations.
Thanks to Rochelle Kopp at Japan Intercultural Consulting, I was alerted to an article posted to the website Boing Boing by Lisa Katayama, writer and commentator on modern Japanese society. In a previous post this summer, I had discussed Katayama’s New York Times magazine article about the subcategory of otaku men and women who indulge in real relationships with imaginary characters. This time around she focuses on not taking the weirdness of Japan too seriously. As an example, she cites the strange story last month of a Japanese man wedding an anime game character which received much attention.
This morning I was surprised to find the topic of otaku also taken up by Read More
Job: Translator/Linguist-Japanese at Rotary Club (Evanston, IL)
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Via JETAA Chicago’s Webletter:
Translator/Linguist-Japanese at Rotary Club (Evanston, IL)
REQUIREMENTS:
* Undergrad degree from an accredited college, university, schl of translation or commensurate experience.
* Distinct writing and oral ability in own language and English for quality and integrity of source texts.
* Strong analytical and research skills.
* Localization issues and cross-cultural awareness.
* Ability to use tools and reference sources efficiently and profitably, including on-line resources.
* Time management skills and ability to organize work effectively.
* Ability to work independently and demonstrate capacity to work as part of a professional team.
* Ability to handle a variety of assignments, balance priorities, and meet deadlines essential.
* Intellectual curiosity to keep abreast, through reading and other means, with new developments,
shifts in emphasis, newly acquired connotations, and use of native language.
* Good interpersonal skills for contact with originators, RI membership, and leadership.
* Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
* Some supervisory experience a plus. Read More
Job: Associate Manager Policy and Research – Korea and Japan (DC)
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The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S.-Korea Business Council are looking for an Associate Manager of Policy and Research in Washington D.C.
HOW TO APPLY: Click here to apply online.
DUTIES:
- Organize and support visits and missions to Korea and Japan
- Prepare promotional materials and reports on Japan, Korea, and the U.S.-Korea FTA
- Conduct political and economic research and perform analysis
- Draft policy proposals
- Write briefing and position papers, speeches, press releases, articles, and letters
- Develop communications and outreach strategies
- Maintain Web sites and networking communication sites and blogs
- Maintain database; organize luncheons, seminars, and discussion meetings between senior-level U.S. and Korean government officials, business figures, and council members
