Job: Network Support Engineer w J/E fluency (Seattle, WA)
Jobs 
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The following job listing was posted on the JETAA Pacific Northwest yahoogroup:
Do you know any Network Support Engineer with Japanese and English fluency that may potentially be interested in a full-time position in Seattle, WA? The company is willing to relocate candidates from anywhere in the US. If you do, please have the candidate contact me directly at asiharath [at] kforce [dot] com.
Thanks!
Anousinh Siharath
Position Summary
Full-time
Seattle, WA
Network Support Engineer
The Network Support Engineer II (NSE) provides remote technical assistance on our products to internal and external customers and our partners in Japan. Read More
BAPCPA Man #14 – Happy Thanksgiving from BAPCPA Man!
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BAPCPA Man and Bankruptcy Bill are cartoons created by Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94) and Gideon Kendall. For more cartoons, original bankruptcy haiku and even a bankruptcy country song, go to bankruptcybill.us.
Do you work in bankruptcy or restructuring? Now you can join the JET Alumni Restructuring & Bankruptcy Group on LinkedIn.
(Click image above to see larger version.)
Additionally, if anyone would like to take a stab at translating the cartoon into Japanese for JetWit’s Japanese fans out there, feel free to post in the comments section of this post. Some cultural explanation might be helpful as well, given that Japanese bankruptcy laws are very different than the U.S.
Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows is Editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View and a regular JetWit contributor who writes the Japan America Society Roundup.
This Thanksgiving I’d like to share with you a story about an experience that one Hiroshima JET was very grateful to have during his time in Japan. This story made headlines in Japanese newspapers in Hiroshima and Niigata prefectures in the summer of 2008, and now we’ve published it in the Wide Island View. My eyes well up every time I read it! I believe that this is one extraordinary example of a JET reaching out and connecting with the Japanese community. So without further ado, let’s begin…
By Aaron Sponseller
As I exited Nagaoka Station, I had no idea what would happen over the course of the next several hours. After taking an all-night bus trip from Hiroshima to Tokyo and then hopping on a train for another couple hours to reach this city in Niigata Prefecture, my wife, Tomoko, and I were tired yet enthusiastic to see how this day I had long-awaited would turn out.
We had come to Nagaoka to finish something that was long overdue. My grandfather served in the United States Army for the entire duration of World War II. In the spring of 1945, in the Philippines, he came into possession of a Japanese war flag.
When enemy soldiers were captured, they were stripped of all their gear and military issued clothing. It was not unusual for their captors to take these objects and keep them as souvenirs. Allied soldiers would take Nazi paraphernalia back to their home countries in the European Theatre; they did the same thing with Japanese paraphernalia in the Pacific. Japanese swords, katana, were prized as souvenirs. However, getting a sword back to the U.S. may have proven difficult, so many soldiers looked for smaller or more easily smuggled items. Less conspicuous items. One of the most common items to smuggle home was a Japanese flag.
Before heading to war, most Japanese soldiers took part in a ceremony of some kind that marked their departure. These ceremonies were typically held at Shinto shrines around Japan, with each ceremony marking the departure of several soldiers. During the ceremony, most soldiers were presented with a medium-sized Japanese flag (just the traditional white flag with a red “sun” in the middle). The flags were usually written on, however. The top of the flag read 「武運長久」(pronounced bu-un cho-kyu). This translates to something along the lines of “continued luck in battle.” The flag would also have the name of the soldier on it in large characters, as well as the name of the person at the ceremony who presented that flag to the soldier. The presenter was typically someone important to the soldier such as a boss or a good friend. Around the red sun were the hand-written names of the soldier’s friends or family or otherwise important people. The soldiers carried these flags with them throughout the war as reminders of who they were fighting for.
So, in the spring of 1945, in the Philippines, my grandfather found himself in possession of one such flag. Another soldier had quite a few flags and just gave one to my grandfather. Before I moved to Japan, my grandfather told me “I’ve wanted, for some time, to try to return the flag to the family to which it belongs. But I have no idea how you go about doing anything like that.”
Click here for the rest of the article…
WITvid #3: “Thanksgiving Party In Japan”
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WITvid is a periodic series by Peter Weber (Saitama-ken 2004-07), the JET Program Coordinator in San Francisco.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving here is a video posted by malavi21 explaining a little about the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Thanksgiving in Japan – Celebrating and Enjoying the Holiday
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The JAPANESE 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 Japanese and Chinese language learning options.
Thanksgiving is one of those holidays you’d expect to be an American only holiday. After all, according to our elementary school education it celebrates American pilgrims and Native Americans coming together to celebrate, eat, and give thanks. Why would a country like Japan, whose history starts 1,000 years before America, celebrate Thanksgiving?
Surprisingly, Japan does celebrate Thanksgiving. Not surprisingly, the official holiday, called Thanksgiving Labor Day, was started after the American Occupation in 1948. Thanksgiving in Japan is an opportunity for unions and other workers to celebrate their hard worked days of labor through parades, parties, and well an actual day off.
As an American living in Japan though it wasn’t easy to celebrate the holiday…
Click here for the rest of the article, including other Japanese language and culture articles
Job: Program Coordinator – Study Abroad Foundation (Indianapolis, IN)
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Via the JETAA JOBS yahoogroup:
Position Announcement: Program Coordinator – Study Abroad Foundation (SAF) www.studyabroadfoundation.org
Reports To: Vice President
Application Deadline: December 15, 2009
The Program Coordinator will facilitate the enrollment of undergraduate study abroad students from Japan, Korea, Mainland China and Taiwan at SAF affiliated/host universities and colleges in the US and Canada, UK and Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Responsibilities include processing applications, liaising with SAF overseas offices and affiliated host universities, creating relevant program materials, responding to student questions, and the provision of personal, cultural, academic, and emergency advice and assistance for the duration of participants study abroad experience.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities to Include:
• Work closely with the SAF offices overseas (Beijing, Seoul, Shanghai, Taichung, Tokyo) sharing information and promptly responding to inquiries regarding student placement, acceptance criteria, application deadlines, etc.
• Screen, review and submit applications to SAF host universities Read More
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 her own observations.
As we get ready to prepare our turkeys, stuff ourselves silly and max out on football, yesterday Japan celebrated their own day of appreciation with 勤労感謝の日(kinrou kansha no hi) or Labor Thanksgiving Day. More than anything else this gave Japanese citizens a three day weekend to relax and enjoy. The keyword for how this long weekend was spent was 「安・近・感」 (an/kin/kan), meaning “cheap, close and feeling.” The first two words are self-explanatory, and the last one refers to the experience, such as getting a sense of the season.
For Tokyoites, this meant to going to places like Read More
J-News Mini-Roundup: Poison Blowfish: A Deadly Dinner in Japan Puts 11 in the Hospital
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J-News Mini-Roundup 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 Japanese and Chinese language learning options.
Background: Sushi is a delicacy in Japan, and probably the most famous Japanese food in America. Whenever anyone hears sushi, they think of raw fish, and how adventurous (and healthy) it must be to eat fish uncooked. No one ever thinks it might be dangerous.
The one exception to this is blowfish. To anyone who’s ever lived in Japan or thought about going there, blowfish is famous for its borderline poisonous properties. All restaurants that carry blowfish need special chefs to prepare the fish just right, and if it’s not prepared correctly it can potentially be poisonous. Everyone tries blowfish because of the potential danger and of course unique taste, but no expects to actually…
Click here for the rest of the article, including other Japanese language and culture articles
NYTimes: I.B.M. working on n.Fluent translation project
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Apparently I.B.M. is making progress on a fairly revolutionary translation project called n.Fluent. They’re taking advantage of their international employee base to “teach” a system that has the capacity to learn. See the article in the New York Times:
A Translator Tool with a Human Touch: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/23/technology/23link.html?th&emc=th
Any translators out there have an opinion or perspective to share? How does this compare to Google’s Rosy Etta (see previous JetWit post on Rosy Etta)?
Job: Project Coordinator – Mobility International USA
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The following job opportunity is via the JETAA Jobs yahoogroup:
PROJECT COORDINATOR – NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE ON DISABILITY AND EXCHANGE
Position description
Writing/Editing Skills
* Research, write and update new informational resources such as disability-specific tip sheets or online journals
* Solicit, interview, write or edit exchange alumni stories, blogs, featured person pieces, and podcasts for publications, websites, journals, newsletters and other resources
* Write sections of the NCDE quarterly report and monthly E-News
* Content and copy editing for peer review, including articles, conference proposals, resources, alumni stories, newsletters and correspondence Read More
Roland Kelts Daily Yomiuri column: Soft power evolution from Perry’s day to Obama’s
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http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/arts/20091120TDY13001.htm
FYI, images below are 1) Commodore Perry’s bow, 2) Obama’s bow and 3) Political commentary from Perry’s day.
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Japan America Society Roundup 11.21.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, Editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America Societies…
JAS of Greater Detroit and Windsor
Holiday Celebration and Wishlist Auction — Spend an evening toasting the season with society members at the elegant Meadow Brook Hall, the “Dodge” family mansion. Meadow Brook is one of America’s castles. It is the fourth largest historic house museum in the U.S., and is renowned for its superb craftsmanship, architectural detailing and grand scale.
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 16
- Time: 6:30 to 10 p.m.
- Place: Meadow Brook Hall, Adams Road Entrance – Oakland University, 2200 N. Squirrel Road, Rochester, Michigan
- For more information: http://us-japan-canada.org/en/events/default.aspx?eventid=11
Hokusai’s Summit: Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji — Take a special tour of Katsushika Hokusai’s famed series the Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji, on exhibition for a limited time at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Hokusai is best known for his work in ukiyo-e (pictures of the floating world), known as woodblock prints in the West. His most famous and influential print is The Great Wave off Kanagawa, one of the prints included in this series.
- Date: Friday, Dec. 18
- Time: 10:30 a.m. to noon
- Place: Honolulu Academy of Arts, 900 S. Beretania St., Honolulu
- For more information: http://www.jashawaii.org/pdfdocs/Events20091117_3.pdf
The Aftermath corporate program — Sir Deryck Maughan, head of KKR’s Global Financial Institutions Group and Chairman of KKR Japan, will discuss economic and geo-political implications of the global financial crisis.
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 2
- Time: 8 to 9:30 a.m.
- Place: Japan Society, 333 E. 47th St., New York, New York 10017
- For more information: http://www.japansociety.org/event_detail?eid=4edef7fa
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
WIT Life #57: Teleworking in Japan
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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 her own observations.
My only time traveling one-on-one as an interpreter for the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program was a year ago with a female entrepreneur from Hokkaido named Yuri Tazawa. No one epitomizes the “Yes We Can” spirit more than Yuri, so it was appropriate that we were able to celebrate Obama’s victory together while in DC. She began a company in a town called Kitami 11 years ago after being raised in Nara, going to university in Tokyo, and starting a family. You might wonder what kind of business one could have being located so far away from a metropolis, but Yuri heads a company called Y’s Staff (taking the Y from her name as well as being a homonym with “wise”).
Y’s has offices in both Hokkaido and Nara, but its actual structure is virtual. Through her company, Yuri is a promoter of teleworking. This concept is often confused with telemarketing, but is essentially the idea of doing work in a place other than a fixed office. This could be your home, the local Starbucks or any other location. Yuri also advocates Read More
JETAA Chapter Beat 11.20.09
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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.
- O-Shaberikai – Wednesday, December 2nd, 5:30 at the Holy Grail in Civic. Join in and meet Japanese people living in Canberra and other locals interested in Japan.
- Cherry Picking Trip – Sunday, December 6th in Young, New South Wales. Spend the day in the country, stopping in the small town of Young for lunch and cherry picking. Cost is free except for any cherries you want to take home.
- Western Michigan Subchapter Get Together – Friday, November 20th, 7:00 at Harper’s Bar & Grill. Calling all folks in Western Michigan for this JETAA Great Lakes Subchapter event tonight! Meet the new officers and get together with friends old and new.
- San Diego Subchapter Yokohama Sister City Holiday Party – Sunday, December 13th, 11:30 at the Bahia Resort Hotel. The San Diego Yokohama Sister City Society is putting on a holiday party, so join JET San Diego and share in the upcoming festivities.
- Nihongo Dake Dinner – Saturday, November 21st, 6:00 in Cerritos. Eat, drink and brush up on your Japanese with the return of the JETAASC Nihongo Dake Dinner.
- Thanksgiving Sunday Hike – Sunday, November 29th, 10:00 on the “Rain Forest Trail.” Work off those holiday pounds with some time outdoors with JETAASC, weather permitting.
- JETAA SC Bounenkai – Saturday, December 12th. Details coming soon, stay tuned.
- 2009 Bounenkai – Friday, December 4th, 6:30 at Kaname. Buffet style dining, Wii karaoke, and good friends–what better way to send off 2009 and welcome in 2010.
- 2009 Bounenkai and Quarterly Meeting – Thursday, December 3rd, 6:30 at the Cha-an Tea House. Join JETAA New York in marking the close of 2009. A small welcoming for the newly elected members to the Board of directors and farewells for the outgoing members will also take place.
- Book Club Meeting – Tuesday, December 8th, 7:00. This month’s discussion centers around Yoko Ogawa’s “The Diving Pool.” Don’t forget to bring some discussion questions for the group.
- 2009 Bounenkai – Saturday, December 5th, 6:00 at Bush Garden. Get together with old friends and bid farewell to 2009. Karaoke to follow the event, so don’t miss out.
- “Japan Through Our Eyes,” JETAA DC Photo Exhibit – Thursday, December 3rd, 6:30 at the Embassy of Japan’s Japan Information & Culture Center. Experience Japan and the JET Programme again through pictures taken and submitted by former JET participants. Stop by Thursday for an opening lecture and reception.
- JBook Meeting – Monday, December 14th, 6:30. This month’s book club meeting will focus on Jake Adelstein’s book “Tokyo Vice: An American Reported on the Police Beat in Japan,” an interesting look at organized crime in Tokyo in the 1990s. Start reading now.
- JETAA Chicago Social – December 5th, 6:30 at Tokyo Marina. Come out and join the Chicago JETs for some sushi, nabe and other Japanese cuisine followed by a night of karaoke.
What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just email Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.
WITvid #2: “ALT in Japan”
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WITvid is a periodic series by Peter Weber (Saitama-ken 2004-07), the JET Program Coordinator in San Francisco.
This video was brought to my attention by Rhea Young, JET Program Coordinator at the Consulate General of Japan in Detroit.
This piece (posted by draginboll) was featured on Japanese television about the treatment of some Assistant Language Teachers in Japan. Although I feel some of the views are biased and extreme (especially the references to the JET Program) it is very interesting. It just goes to show, ” Every Situation Is Different (ESID)” does not only apply to the JET Program.
