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
Japan America Society Roundup 10.3.09
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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…
Lecture on Japanese Folding Fans — Japanese fans got us all through the miserable Japanese summers, but we should appreciate them for much more than that. They are used in a number of Japanese cultural practices, including Kabuki dance and Noh performances. Japanese fans have, in the past, been a major export from Japan, thought today this accessory to Japanese culture can sometimes be overlooked. During this lecture by Kanji Ishizumi, you can learn about the process of Japanese fan making and its craftsmanship, which have been passed down from generation to generation. The event is free, but places are limited. To reserve a place, e-mail event (at) jpf (dot) org (dot) uk.
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 13
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Place: Japan Foundation, Russell Square House, 10-12 Russell Square, London, WC1B 5EH
- For more information, click here.
Classic Japanese Hair Styling — Keiichi Hanada, one of Kyoto’s most prominent contemporary hair stylists, will introduce classical Japanese coiffures of the 18th and 19th centuries and reveal their enduring beauty. This is a free event. Registration is required.
- Date: Wednesday, Oct. 14
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Place: Showa Boston Institute, 420 Pond St., Boston
- For more information, click here.
Presentation about Japanese employment — Dr. Norma Field of the University of Chicago will give a presentation titled “What’s happening to Japanese workers: What you won’t read in the Wall Street Journal or Business Week.” The perception that nearly all Japanese work for stable, team-oriented, paternalistic employers has been spread by the media over the years, but this is far from reality today. A seismic change has been taking place, with nearly a third of the Japanese labor force now classified as irregularly employed. What is often reported in the Japanese press these days are stories about the “income-gap society” (kakusa shakai), “working poor” (waakingu pua), and more recently, “lost generation” (rosu jene).
- Date: Tuesday, Nov. 10
- Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Place: The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, 3rd floor (Michael Moskow Auditorium), 230 N. LaSalle St., Chicago
- 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.
BAPCPA Man #10 – Bedtime for 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.
Click here to see a larger image 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.
JETAA International Conference Twittered live from Jamaica!
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JETAA Jamaica (ya’ mon, there really is a JET alumni chapter in Jamaica) is hosting this year’s JETAA International Conference today and all weekend. And in a nice use of new media, Ryan Hart, one of JETAA USA’s three country reps, is Twittering live from the conference and doing a great job.
Welcome to the JETAA International Conference!!!
Here’s the feed for all the JETAA conference junkies out there: http://twitter.com/jetaausa
And here’s a sampling of some of the tweets so far (some of which are clearly in my interest to re-post):
Steven H at JETWIT got another special mention in the CLAIR presentation. Steven will be on the next JET Streams too. awesome!32 minutes ago from mobile web
JET Streams newsletter is only being distributed over email and online this yearabout 1 hour ago from web
GIA form deadines are even more important with the new system. Don’t Miss them!about 1 hour ago from web
CLAIR reminded us to save Basic GIA receipts in case of auditabout 1 hour ago from web
After lunch, CLAIR Tokyo is confirming GIA changes JETAA chapters received at the US National Conference.about 1 hour ago from web
Gloria mentioned Steven H spoke as key note at the JETAA Canada National conference. Getting serious kudos in Jamaica. Hope u have an agent!about 2 hours ago from web
The Regional Tech Conference in Portland is creating quite a buzz! Tech is definitely a huge theme for the conference. We are aligned!about 3 hours ago from web
Shree is showcasing USCapters activities with highlights on the JETAANY career forum and author showcaseabout 3 hours ago from web
Roland Kelts to speak at anime event in St. Louis – Sat, 10/3
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Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, will be giving a talk in St. Louis tomorrow as part of the Anime at UMSL event featuring renowned translator of anime and manga, Frederik L. Schodt, as well as a screening of the film PAPRIKA. The event is being run by the University of Missouri at St. Louis’ Center for International Studies.
All you Missouri JET alums out there, make sure to introduce yourself and say hi if you happen to attend.
Click here for full details: http://www.umsl.edu/services/cis/special_projects/ANIME_at_UMSL/anime_at_umsl.html
JET alums in Nevada?
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A recent JET alum gathering in Las Vegas?
Message to JET Alumni in Nevada
Dear JET Alumni,
Our office will be traveling to Las Vegas and Reno to recruit for the 2010 JET Program from October 6-9. If you are free during this time we would like to meet with former JETs to discuss the JET Program, future JET events, and the possibilities of forming sub-chapters in these regions. We also will be available to speak to future JET applicants and/or conduct JET information meetings.
Please contact Peter Weber at jet@cgjsf.org with your availability. Below I have listed my availability:
Las Vegas: Thursday, October 6 (free in the evening); Wednesday, October 7 (busy 10:00am – 3:00pm at UNLV); Thursday, October 8 *(free in the morning and daytime)
Reno: Thursday, October 8 (free in the evening); Friday, October 9 (free throughout the day)
Thank you so much for your time.
Sincerely,
Peter Weber
JET Program Coordinator
Japan Information Center, Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, Attn: JET Program, 50 Fremont Street, Suite 2200, San Francisco, CA 94105; Phone: (415) 356-2462; FAX: (415) 777-0518; www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jet/
