JETAA New York Board Election Results
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Omedetou gozaimashita to JETAA New York on electing its new Board members!
A little bit of context: JETAA NY became a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit entity not too long ago and as a result is required to have a Board of Directors. The first Board was appointed, so this year was the first year that JETAA NY held elections for some positions on the Board. And here are the results:
Each of the newly elected members will serve a two year term.
New Board Members
- Randall David Cook
- Clara Solomon
- Steven Horowitz
- Kia Cheleen
Reelected Board Members
- Shannan Spisak
- Katrina Barnas
Current Board Members
- Evan Hyman
- Sara Beinert
- Josh Saifer
- Megan Miller
Photos: JET alum Aaron Woolfolk’s 5-week Japan promotional tour for “The Harimaya Bridge”
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JET alum Aaron Woolfolk‘s film The Harimaya Bridge, starring starring Ben Guillory, Saki Takaoka, Misa Shimizu, and Danny Glover, is making its New York debut on Sunday December 6 (with Q&A and cocktail reception to follow) and Sunday December 13 as part of the African Diaspora Film Festival. (See the JetWit post about the upcoming event here for details and ticket info.)
The film had a nationwide theatrical release in Japan beginning in June, and Aaron was involved in a five-week promotional tour in Japan for the film. What is it like for a former JET to go on a five-week promotional tour in Japan? Well, Aaron captured much of it in photographs available on Facebook along with informative and entertaining captions. (FYI, you don’t need to have an account to view the pictures.)
Here’s the link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=124235&id=833564815&l=9d23bf0eb9
And here’s Aaron’s intro commentary on the photos along with a couple samples of what you’ll see:
Five weeks in Japan in May and June of 2009, traveling all around the country doing promotion in the run-up to the June 13th nationwide opening of “The Harimaya Bridge.” Most days were spent doing loads of media interviews and promotional appearances. This here is just a small sampling, as I wasn’t able to come anywhere close to capturing everything with a camera. It was hectic and exhausting…but talking to the media and connecting with audiences only reaffirmed my desire to live my life telling stories via film, television and theater. :-)
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Job: Fashion Institute of Technology – Assistant Director International Programs (NYC)
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Thanks to JET alum Clara Solomon of the JETAA Student Services Group for sharing this listing:
FIT – ASSISTANT DIRECTOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), a college of the State University of New York (SUNY), is the premier educational institution for fashion, design, and related professions. FIT provides an unmatched combination of specialized curricula, an in-depth liberal arts education, and an extraordinary location in the center of New York City.
The Office of International Programs is currently searching for an Assistant Director. The incumbent will be responsible for a broadspectrum of responsibilities, in furtherance of the college’s strategic plan to enhance and strengthen international relationships. You will have the opportunity to plan, organize and coordinate the operations of all study abroad programs, including FIT’s residential programs in Italy, summer and winter study abroad courses as well as reciprocal and non-reciprocal exchange programs working with international partners and institutional stakeholders. In addition, you will be responsible for recruitment and program delivery, operational and administrative support relating to all the department’s programs, including orientation and pre-departure workshops for outgoing students and orientation and program support for incoming students.
To qualify, we desire you will have an earned Master’s Degree and five years of appropriate experience, preferably in higher education study abroad programs. You must possess working knowledge of program development with a demonstrated understanding of verbal, print and digital communications strategies. Experience in student support services and institutional electronic systems; working directly with faculty, staff and students; high organizational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines. Ability to compile and generate detailed academic and financial reports. Must be able to take responsible independent action, compose complex correspondence and conduct research for concurrent projects. Experience with creating and maintaining electronic communication systems, databases and spreadsheet reports. Excellent student and faculty relations skills are essential. Substantial international travel a plus.
If this sounds like the job for you, please access the full job
description and application at http://fitnyc.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=15939
Japan Society (NY) Weekly eNewsletter Nov 16-22
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UPCOMING: Sir Deryck Maughan, the head of KKR’s Global Financial Institutions Group; Chairman and Chairman of KKR Japan, explores issues stemming from the global financial crisis. Register online or send email to register@japansociety.org.
LOCATION FOLLOW JAPAN SOCIETY ON THE WEB Updates on upcoming events will be e-mailed periodically. |
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Roland Kelts radio interview with Tyler Brule of Monocle Magazine on manga and Japanamerica
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Here’s a radio interview Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, did in Tokyo this past weekend with Tyler Brule, founder and editor of the UK-based Monocle magazine, about manga in Japan and overseas, and Japanamerica:
http://www.monocle.com/The-Monocle-Weekly
The Japanamerica segment is introduced at 1:00 and starts at 22:00
J-News Mini-Roundup: Good Economic News from Japan? GDP Growth
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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. 
Economic news seems to be getting better. In the U.S. the Dow seems to be making a healthy recovery, and newscasters are talking about when the economy will recover, not how long it will recess. GDP growth was also positive for the U.S. this past quarter.
Following the good news in America, Japan also released positive GDP figures this morning. Each newspaper had a different take on the event.
Yomiuri “GDP grows by…”
Click here for the rest of the article, including other Japanese language and culture articles
Japan America Society Roundup 11.14.09
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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…
9th Annual Bonenkai — Forget 2009’s economic troubles with an evening of drinking and Japanese cuisine at the Krohn Conservatory, where you can enjoy the Cincinnati Park’s 2010 Butterfly Show, starring the butterflies of Japan.
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 10
- Time: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Place: Cincinnati Krohn Conservatory, 950 Eden Park Dr., Cincinnati
- For more information: http://jasgc.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=1
- Shiatsu Workshop — Does the holiday season stress you out? Here’s a way to decompress. Masako Wada, a licensed acupuncturist and shiatsu therapist in Austin, will instruct participants in how to give Shiatsu massages for relaxation. She also will teach techniques for applying acupuncture without hurting yourself.
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 13
- Time: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- Place: Triangle Square Club House, 4600 Guadalupe St., Austin
- For more information, click here.
21st Annual Origami Workshop — Learn the art of origami, Japanese paper folding, from paper cranes to an advanced decorative box and even an origami wreath. Admission and materials are free.
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 6
- Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
- Place: Two World Trade Center (Mezzanine Level), S.W. First Ave. between Salmon and Taylor streets, Portland
- 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: International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) Program Officer – India, Japan, Korea, Thailand
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Thanks to Pam Kavalam (Shiga-ken, 2007-09) for sharing the below job listing, which she found on the SECUSSA listserv, an email list for study abroad professionals.
Job Opening for ISEP Program Officer–India, Japan, Korea, Thailand
Under the general supervision of the Regional Director of Asia Programs, the Program Officer administers student exchanges with and study abroad programs at designated ISEP member institutions in India, Japan, Korea, and Thailand; serves as principal liaison with institutions in these countries; handles all applications to and from institutions in these countries and provides student support services before departure and while students are in the program.
Salary: Mid $30,000’s
Application Deadline: Applications received until job is filled. Review of applications begins November 20.
Starting Date: December 14, 2009 Read More
WIT Life #56: Talk Like Singing
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WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Translator/Interpreter/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 20 00-03). Recently she’s been watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own obser
vations.
Last night I attended the world premiere of Talk Like Singing, the first-ever original Japanese musical to premiere in the U.S. I had high hopes for this production due to the involvement of several big names in Japan. The star of the show, Shingo Katori, is a member of the ubiquitous boy band SMAP, and though he is less well-known than heartthrob Kimutaku or recently headline-making Kusanagi he holds his own thanks to his eccentricity. Back in my JET days, he adopted the persona of “Shingo Mama,” and sang of his cooking skills, eating breakfast together and properly greeting everyone with a genki “oha!” This abbreviation for ohayou or “good morning” and its accompanying hand motion became all the rage at the workplace and beyond.
This song was composed by Yasuharu Konishi, who is in charge of the show’s music and musical direction. He was Read More
I just got an invite to Google Wave and started playing around with it. And I noticed that one feature is a simultaneous translator they call Rosy Etta. The concept is that it translates in real time as you type an email or chat with someone. (Email and chat are actually kind of fused together in Google Wave which is part of the big picture concept.) Essentially, this means that you can theoretically have a conversation in English over email with someone else who speaks no English.
The relevant question to JetWit readers: How effective and accurate is Rosy Etta for English-Japanese? Have any JetWit readers had a chance to try it out?
A second question: What implications, if any, are there for professional translators? (or JETs for that matter)
Share your thoughts and experiences so far in the comments section. And if you’re on Google Wave, feel free to start a “wave” with me as well at stevenwaseda [/atto/] googlewave [/dotto/] com.
Lastly, here’s a video about Rosy Etta where you get to see it work with a very basic example:
JETAA Pittsburgh subchapter ganbatte!
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Just received a subarashii email from Smitha Prasadh (Tokushima-ken, 2005-07) who is part of an effort to revitalize JET alum activities in Pittsburgh-shi (which is officially part of the JETAA New York chapter). JetWit wants to say good luck to “yins guys” (that’s Pittsburgh-ben, fyi :-) and keep us updated on how everything is going.
A small but determined group of us in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA are attempting to jump-start the JETAA – New York sub-chapter here. We’re located kind of in the middle of a rough triangle composed of New York, Washington DC, and Detroit (all of which are at 200-400 miles away), and would like to restart the subchapter to establish a local JETAA presence, form ties with the Japanese community, and spread awareness of the JET Programme.
In the last couple of weeks, we’ve gotten official permission from JETAANY and established affiliations with the Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania and the Asian Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh, and we’re currently in the process of choosing officers and getting the word out. (We’ll be putting up a website in the near future, too.) At the moment, we know we’ll be hosting a Nihongo Dake dinner (date/time/location TBA) and quarterly events/meetups.
Like other JETAA chapters, we’re open to all JET alums, prospective applicants, and any friends of the JET Programme. We’re based in western PA, but people in neighboring areas who are also too far from their regional JETAA chapters to participate actively (eastern Ohio, West Virginia, etc.) are welcome to join us.
Any interested parties can send an e-mail to pittsburghrep [/at/] jetaany [/dot/] org.
Smitha Prasadh (Tokushima-ken, 2005-07)
Note: JetWit just checked out Smitha’s website (http://skprasadh.com) and realized that Smitha also does sugoi design work (graphic and web), illustrations and photography.
Sake World e-Newsletter by John Gauntner (November 2009)
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The November 2009 issue of the Sake World E-mail Newsletter by JET alum and leading sake expert John Gauntner (aka “The Sake Guy”) is now available online. In this issue:
It Just Gets Worse
Did You Know? Rice Harvest Timiing
Guided Sakagura Tours
Sake and Pottery Seminar
Sake Professional Courses in Japan
Learn More About Sake through eBooks
Odds-n-Ends
Additional links:
Sake World Website
More About Us
Archive
Japanese company job fair: It is time to hunt job for your bright future!
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The following job fair information was received directly from Yuko Takahashi:
Company job fair / job info session in NEW YORK
It is time to hunt job for your bright future! Before the Boston career forums, it is essential to obtain as much information and preparations as possible to get a job you want!
This is great news that Works Applications Inc. is conducting a job seminar in NYC before the Boston Career Forums! It is a great opportunity to advance your company research and get to know the company before the career forums!
【Presenting Company】
Works Applications Inc.
The company developed ERP package for Japanese major companies, which was believed to be impossible. It has No.1 share of the system in Japan!
For more information about the company, please visit: Read More
Why Learn Japanese?
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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). 
This is a certainly a question that is asked of both myself, and of Hills Learning. Japanese in the 80’s was what Chinese is today, a language that is learned for business, political, and most importantly future expectations. If a language is perceived to become more prominent, people will try to learn it. Chinese is seen as a language that might even take over English in prominence, so people are desperate to learn it. Potential students for Japanese these days, so people tell me, are manga and anime fans.
While manga and anime fans certainly have an interest in Japanese culture, I would say still today schools, businesses, and individuals are still legitimately interested in learning Japanese. The majority of our own students are not manga and anime fans…
(CLICK HERE to read the rest of the article)
4 Jobs: Japanese language/cultural instructors and J-E translator/interpreters (Georgetown, KY and Nagoya)
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The following four (4) job openings are via Kentucky-based JET alum Zach Graham (ALT, Niigata 1999-2000) of Consultant Solutions, Inc. Zack says his company’s current staff is comprised of nearly 50% JET alumni and is looking to add 5-6 new positions over the next several months.
1. Japanese/English Language and Cultural Instructor
We’re looking for a part-time Japanese/English language and cultural instructor to train busy executives. In this position, you’ll be expected to wear the dual hats of Japanese and English teacher. Not only will you teach Japanese language classes to American corporate expats on assignment in Japan, but you’ll also be responsible for all levels of English conversation classes, all while facilitating understanding and helping your students communicate across cultural borders. Additional duties as necessary.
The ideal candidate is an experienced teacher who enjoys working with people of varied backgrounds, has some knowledge of manufacturing environments, and believes that mutual understanding is the first step to mutual success. The instructor will work closely with our client contacts to develop and implement a flexible curriculum that focuses on cultural fluency and effective verbal and non-verbal communication. A high level of Japanese fluency is required for this position (JLPT 1 or equivalent).
If you’re a hard worker with strong interpersonal skills, an outgoing personality, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to ensure the success of your students, send a cover letter and résumé to hr@csi-ky.com.
Position is in Nagoya, Japan.
Consultant Solutions, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will provide training and a support network. We will also consider relocation and/or visa support for the right candidate.
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2. English Language and Cultural Instructor
We’re looking for a part-time English language and cultural instructor to train busy executives. In this position, you’ll work primarily in our Georgetown Classroom and teaching offsite at student locations such as manufacturing facilities and corporate boardrooms, where you will facilitate understanding while also helping your students communicate across cultural borders. Read More
