JETAA Chicago Fall 2009 Newsletter
JETAA Chapters, Uncategorized, Writers 
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JETAA Chicago Newsletter Editor Elizabeth Friedman (Shimane-ken, 2003-04) has put out the the JETAA Chicago Fall 2009 Newsletter (PDF). Have a look-and-see at what’s going on in Chicago’s JET-world:
http://www.chicago.jetalumni.net/newsletter/2009_Fall_Newsletter.pdf
- Letter from the President
- JETAA National Conference (hosted by Chicago)
- Photos from the JETAA National Conference
- Green Teaist Tea Tasting
- Japan America Society of Chicago Events
- Volunteer Opportunity
Two “translating” events at the Donald Keene Center at Columbia University
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Via Kia Cheleen (CIR, Aichi-ken 1996-98, ALT 1998-1999), Assistant Director at the Donald Keene Center on Japanese Culture at Columbia University. To get on their e-mail list for future events, send an e-mail to donald-keene-center at columbia dot edu.
1. “Translation and its Postcolonial Discontents: Controversy over Toma Seita’s Reading of Kim Soun’s Japanese Translation of Korean Poetry in Postwar Japan”
October 14th, 2009 (Wednesday) 5:30-7:00 PM; Serk-bae Suh (University of California-Irvine); Location: 403 Kent Hall, Columbia University (116th St. and Amsterdam Avenue) http://www.keenecenter.org/content/view/100/126/#oct14
2. “What Will Be Almost Permanently Lost in Translation? A Cognitive Linguistic View”
November 5th, 2009 (Thursday) 4:00-5:30 PM; Seiichi Makino (Princeton University); Location: 569 Lerner Hall, Columbia University (114th St. and Broadway) http://www.keenecenter.org/content/view/100/126/#nov
Kabuki in San Francisco for $10-$20!?!
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Thanks to JETAA Northern California Co-President Rod McLeod for sharing the following:
This rare and special event introduces audiences to the history of kabuki, featuring an informative lecture and exquisite performance of the classical, stylized Japanese theatre form. Celebrated kabuki actors Kyozo Nakamura and Matanosuke Nakamura lead a 14-member troupe from the world-renowned Shochiku Co.
Actors
- Kyozo Nakamura
- Matanosuke Nakamura
Musicians
- Ichishiro Yoshimura: Classical Japanese vocal ensemble
- Ishinosuke Yoshimura: Classical Japanese vocal ensemble
- Shoen Kineya: Shamisen
- Rokujiro Kineya: Shamisen
- Dentaro Tanaka: Japanese flute
- Tashu Mochizuki: Japanese standing drum
- Takijuro Mochizuki: Japanese shoulder drum
Presented by the College of Creative Arts and College of Humanities at San Francisco State University, General Consulate of Japan and Japan Foundation.
Press coverage
Hokubei Mainichi, Oct. 17, 2009
Just found out about another JET alum writer:
Popp, Laura (Mie-ken, 2008-Present)
- Laura is a current JET who writes fantasy and science fiction for children and young adults, and is an occasional playwright/film maker.
- Here’s one of her short stories titled “In theShadow Realm” – http://www.viatouch.com/learn/Storystation/Stories/in_shadow_realm.jsp
- Here’s a documentary she made in Malawi (on YouTube): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApdQpfi4i7E
- To read about her amazing adventures all over Japan, check out her her blog: laurajanepopp.livejournal.com
For info on all the known writers in the JET-o-sphere (known to JetWit), check out the Authors/Books section of the JetWit Library.
JetWit BlogBeat 10.11.09 by Crystal Wong
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JetWit Blog Beat by Crystal Wong (Iwate-ken, 2002-04) is a recurring item featuring posts from the blogs of various JET alumni. Crystal is a former English-language writer for Kyodo News. She is now working as a freelance strategist and writer in New York and relishes her constant hunt for the best cheap(ish) eats in the city.
Happy October, everyone. It’s been awhile, so let’s take a look and make sure you have a chance to catch up on some posts you might’ve missed in September:
Interesting post from Suzanne Kamata (Tokushima-ken, 1988-90) over at Gaijin Mama about her son’s Japanese education – this should be enlightening for former JETs since we’ve had a chance to work on the other side of the teaching equation, but likely never had a chance to interact with parents.
Over at Chin Music Press, exciting things are happening as they get set to ship their latest publication. The book will literally be hot off the presses shortly, so be sure to check back for updates!
James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06) visits his teen fans at the Schaumburg Library, and it looks like some funny stuff went down.
We also covered JET alum Janice Momoko Chow (Saitama, 2005-2006) here a few posts back, and wanted to make sure that you all knew about her recent blog move to this site.
Finally, if you’re looking for a culinary reason to celebrate autumn while conveniently warding off any pesky autumn germs all at the same time, Elizabeth White (Toyama-ken, 1995-98) has the recipe for you. Looks delicious! 
WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/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 togethe
r with her own observations.
Time.com featured an interesting article today about how ANA is encouraging its customers to utilize restroom facilities before coming on board in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint. With lighter loads, planes would have reduced fuel consumption and therefore less impact on the environment. A great idea in theory, but as the article mentioned questionable as to how successful it will be in practice. Also, interestingly enough the pre-flight announcement with the request is only in Japanese, so those who do not speak the language might not know what is being asked.
Reading about this endeavor got me thinking about how my own attitude toward the environment and my habits subsequently changed as a result of my time living in Japan. I remember one of the first things that surprised me Read More
Job: Japan Youth Venture Director for Ashoka (Japan)
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Thanks to JET alum Goran Seletkovit for sharing the below job opening:
WANTED: JAPAN Youth Venture Director
Ashoka (www.ashoka.org) is the world’s largest association of social entrepreneurs — men and women who are creating new institutions and system-changing solutions for the world’s most urgent social problems. Since 1980, Ashoka has pioneered the field of social entrepreneurship, electing and connecting more than 2,000 individuals with system-changing ideas in over 70 countries.
Ashoka’s Youth Initiative has harnessed the innovations and efforts of Ashoka’s social entrepreneurs in the field of youth development to create the Youth Venture program that is building a movement of young social entrepreneurs. (See www.youthventure.org) Ashoka believes that young people globally are key to Ashoka’s overall vision of developing a productive, innovative and engaged civil society. By investing in and building a movement of young social “Venturers” around the world, Ashoka aims to change fundamentally the role of young people in society and to foster in young people the motivation, skills and opportunities to become leaders and social change makers.
THE OPPORTUNITY:
- Spread and adaptation of Ashoka’s Youth Venture program within Japan
- Program management, including operationalizing, budgeting, monitoring and evaluating the youth social entrepreneurship program
- Development and ongoing relationship management of corporate and social sector partners
- Capacity building of partner organizations’ program coordinators/facilitators
- Fundraising and strategic planning for program sustainability
- Marketing and market research
Bankruptcy Bill #20 – Fantasy Bankruptcy
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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.
(Click here to see larger version of the cartoon.)
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.
Event: The World of Children’s Book Publishing with Alvina Ling (Yokohama)
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Author Suzanne Kamata (Tokushima-ken, 1988-90) who also serves as the Publicity Assistant for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, shared the following, which she mentioned is, “a great opportunity for writers in Japan to meet one of the top editors in the world of children’s books.”
The World of Children’s Book Publishing
with
Alvina Ling, Senior Editor
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Saturday, November 14, 2009, 10:30 am – 5:00 pm
Manuscript critiques 8:30-10:00 a.m.
Place: Yokohama International School, Middle Building Cafeteria, Yokohama
For access information and maps, visit www.yis.ac.jp
Fee: Advance Registration 4,000 yen SCBWI members; 7,000 yen nonmembers (contact info@scbwi.jp by November 5)
At the Door 5,000 yen SCBWI members; 8,000 yen nonmembers
Reservations: Required! Contact info@scbwi.jp to reserve your place.
This event will be in English.
SCHEDULE
************ Read More
Sake World e-Newsletter by John Gauntner (October 2009)
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The October 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:
The Boyz of Nada
Did You Know? Sake Day
SCHEDULED AND CONFIRMED: Guided Sakagura Tours
NEW! Sake Professional Courses in Las Vegas and Japan
Learn More About Sake eBooks
Odds-n-Ends
Additional links:
Sake World Website
More About Us
Archive
Subscribe
Job: Manager at Urban Assets (NYC)
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An interesting job opportunity passed along by Steven’s sister-in-law! See direct message below:
I’m excited to announce the launch of our search for a Manager to join the Urban Assets team!
We are looking for a passionate, committed, and proactive professional ready to dive in and support all facets of the design and execution of the new phase of the Urban Assets Initiative. The Manager will report directly to me and will be based out of our new(!) New York City office at the Blue Ridge Foundation.
Job: Bilingual Customer Service Rep. (Iowa)
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Via the Japan America Society of Iowa:
Job Area: Customer Service
Business Area: Health
Location: Clive, Iowa
Career Category: Recent College Graduate
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Date Posted: 09/30/2009
Close Date: 10/30/2009
Responsibilities:
Respond to claim and benefit telephone inquiries from customers, providers, marketing arms, and other insurance companies. Read More
JapanInfo eNewsletter September 2009
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The September 2009 edition of JapanInfo is now available online. JapanInfo is published by the Consulate General of Japan in New York/Japan Information Center and is a great source of info for Japan-related things going on in New York and the surrounding area.
Highlights include:
- PM Hatoyama in NY
- PM Hatoyama in Pittsburgh
- Japanese Elementary Schools: More than Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic
- From the Ambassador’s Desk
- Art of the Samurai at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- And plenty of things to do and see on the Events Calendar.
Event: JETAA Sydney Returnees Networking and Careers Night – Oct 30
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Via Michelle Fox of JETAA Sydney:
Returnees Networking & Careers Night: “Jump into life after JET”
Looking for a job, or a change of career? Come to our Networking and Careers night for JET Returnees, or any jobseekers in Sydney.
When: October 30, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: The Japan Foundation
Keynote speaker – Paul Burgess, Author of Natural Born Success as shown on Today Tonight.
JETAA International Conference in Jamaica – Twitter Update 10.3.09
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Here’s another update from the JETAA International Conference in Jamaica this weekend. Thanks to one Ryan Hart, one of JETAA USA’s three country reps, for continuing to Twitter live from the conference.
Here’s the link to the feed if you want it: http://twitter.com/jetaausa
And here’s a sampling of the latest tweets:
Web presence discussion from Paul D.about 1 hour ago from mobile web
Day 2- begins! Everyone is excited to get a lot done today!about 1 hour ago from mobile web
The dinner at the amabassador’s residence was beautiful. Ambassador Yamaguchi played a duet with his wife. Mononokehime.about 1 hour ago from mobile web
Thanks to @enfu for all of the great art donated for the conference. We are doing a raffle to win to support @roomtoread.about 15 hours ago from mobile web
We are all wrapped up for day oabout 16 hours ago from mobile web
Discussing the JETAA support of Room to Read.about 18 hours ago from mobile web
Had a busy afternoon of small group discussion on career support, events/activities, community participation, educational supportabout 18 hours ago from mobile web
