Oct 21

Event: Suzanne Kamata to present Educational Workshop for Families of Children with Learning Differences (Tokyo)

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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:

TELL Exceptional Parenting Program: Educational Workshop for Families of Children with Learning Differences/Diverse Needs by Tokyo English Life Child and Family Services

We welcome you to our Writing workshop: Parenting kids with special needs presented by Suzanne Kamata, writer, poet, and mother.

Suzanne will give a presentation on Reading and Writing Our Special Children. She will discuss the importance of writing about children with special needs and share examples of literature current and past about parenting children with special needs. She will also conduct brief writing exercises, which may be used in journaling, or creative writing for pleasure or publication.

Friday, November 13, 2009
Registration: 2:30pm to 2:45pm; Workshop: 2:45pm to 4:15pm; Information sharing: 4:15pm to 5:00pm
Admission: Donations accepted
RSVP to tellparentgroup@hotmail.com
Location: Minami Aoyama Conference Room next to TELL office
Address: 5-4-22 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062 Phone: 03-3498-0231

Suzanne Kamata was born and raised in Grand Haven, Michigan. After graduating from the University of South Carolina with a degree in English, she came to Japan in 1988 on the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program.  During her second year in Japan, she met the man who would become her husband and has lived in Tokushima Prefecture ever since. She now lives with her husband and ten-year old twins in Aizumi and teaches part-time at Naruto Educational University.

Suzanne is also the author of a novel, Losing Kei (Leapfrog Press, 2008), editor of several anthologies, among them Love You to Pieces: Creative Writers on Raising a Child with Special Needs (Beacon Press, 2008) and Call Me Okaasan:  Adventures in Multicultural Mothering (Wyatt-Mackenzie Publishing, 2009), and fiction editor of literarymama.com.

If you would like to have more information on the Exceptional Parenting Program or would like to attend the workshops, please contact Birgit Zorb-Serizawa at tellparentgroup@hotmail.com.

Oct 20

JETAA Chapter Beat 10.20.09

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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.

JETAA Minnesota

• MN JETAA Karaoke Night – Saturday, October 24th, 8:00 at 2nd Floor of the Korea Restaurant. Spend the night singing and laughing with friends at MN JETAA.
• Welcome Back Dinner – Saturday, November 7th, 7:00 at Obento-ya. Don’t miss this chance for some good food and even better conversations with old friends.

JETAA British Columbia

• JLPT Proctors Needed – Capilano University is seeking Proctors for the 2009 JLPT on Sunday, December 6th. Orientation is held on November 29th, contact the University to apply.
• Vancouver Island JET Alumni Subchapter Meet and Greet  Night – Friday, October 23rd, 8:00 at the Beagle Pub in Cook Street Village. This new subchapter of JETAABC is looking to connect with local members in an effort to connect and get the ball rolling on new events for the future.

JETAA New York

• Oktoberfest Happy Hour – Wednesday, October 21st, 6:00 at 39 Grove Street. Go German at this month’s festive happy hour.
• Bear Mountain Hiking Trip – Sunday, October 25th, 10:00 at scenic Bear Mountain. Spend the day outside among the trees and the changing leaves, followed by a German Festival including bratwurst, beer, music and crafts.

JETAA Chicago

• JETAA Chicago Meeting – Friday, October 30th, 6:00 at Noon O’Kabab. JETAA Chicago will be holding officer elections so if you’re interesting in being part of JETAA’s future or just curious, stop on by.
• Spooky Zoo Volunteer Event – Saturday, October 24th, 10:00 to 2:00 at the Lincoln Park Zoo. JETAA Chicago is volunteering at this year’s Halloween celebration, organizing events, handing out treats and helping visitors.

JETAA Southern California

• “The Harimaya Bridge” Movie Night(s) – Saturday, October 24th at 7:30 and Monday, October 26th at 7:15, JETAASC will be checking out Aaron Wookfolk’s feature film entitled, “The Harimaya Bridge” at the San Diego Asian Film Festival.
• Meishi Exchange – November 4th, 6:30 to 9:00 at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott. Join in for JETAASC’s annual Meishi Exchange, an excellent opportunity to meet friends and network.
• Volunteer at the JRA Food Festival – Sunday, November 15th, 9:00 to 5:00 at the Kyoto Grand Hotel in Little Tokyo. The Japanese Restaurant Association is holding its annual Food Festival and is looking for volunteers to help out selling tickets, checking ID and serving food among other duties. Help out and share in the fun.

JETAA D.C.

• Izakaya Pub Quiz Night – Wednesday, October 21st, 6:00 at O-Sushi. Put that intellect to the test with a night of questions, drinks and your friends at JETAADC.
• Career Night and Welcome Back Reception – Tuesday, October 27th, 6:15 t the Old Ambassador’s Residence. Reunite with old friends and former JETs while getting a leg up on career opportunities and connections.

JETAA Canberra

• O-Shaberikai – Wednesday, November 4th, 5:30 at the Holy Grail in Civic. Join in and meet Japanese people living in Canberra and other locals interested in Japan.

JETAA Northern California

• Shobu Cup Round III: Dodgeball – Sunday, October 25th, 11:00 to 3:00 at Golden Gate Park. The Japan Society of Northern California and the JETAA Northern California chapter are facing off for a friendly round of dodgeball. Potluck BBQ follows the game, so don’t miss it.

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.

Oct 20

New York – Tokyo Music Night 5

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Oct 20

Roland Kelts article in Adbusters: Private Worlds

Article/Journalism, Blogs, Books, Celebrity, Roland Kelts, Writers Comments Off on Roland Kelts article in Adbusters: Private Worlds

Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, has a good article out in Adbusters magazine.

Private Worlds:  Lives spent lurking too long in the shadows of the virtual

https://www.adbusters.org/magazine/86/private-worlds.html

Also, Roland is traveling to Korea soon to do give some talks there.  If you’re a JET alum living in Korea and you go, make sure to go up and introduce yourself and invite him out for some sho-chu.

Oct 19

Japan Society (NY) Weekly e-Newsletter Oct 19-25

Japan Society Round-up Comments Off on Japan Society (NY) Weekly e-Newsletter Oct 19-25

October 19 – 25, 2009 at Japan Society SERIZAWA KEISUKE (1895-1984) Seashells, 1963. Kimono, stencil-dyed silk gauze, 62 3/4 x 51 1/8 in. Shizuoka City Serizawa Keisuke Art Museum. EXHIBITION Serizawa: Master of Japanese Textile Design Now Open Living National Treasure Serizawa Keisuke (18951984) used stencil-dyeing techniques to create irresistible works of art that range from screens and kimonos to book covers and magazine designs. View an image gallery from the exhibition Gallery hours: Tuesday through Thursday 11 am – 6 pm Friday 11 am – 9 pm Saturday & Sunday 11 am – 5 pm Exhibition Lecture Tuesday, October 27 6:30 PM Textile scholars Terry Satsuki Milhaupt and Amanda Mayer Stinchecum discuss different facets of Serizawa Keisuke’s creative career. CORPORATE PROGRAM Financial Reporting Reliability & Transparency: Activities of FASB & the ASBJ during the Financial Crisis Tuesday, October 20 12 PM Chairmen Robert Herz of FASB and Ikuo Nishikawa of ASBJ join to discuss recent and current U.S. and Japanese accounting standard setting activities relating to reporting issues emanating from the financial crisis and international convergence of accounting standards. LECTURE Sword & Serenity – Enshu Style Tea Ceremony and Kenjutsu Demonstration Thursday, October 22 6:30 PM Right Photo © Vernon Church. This program will bring together one of the highest practices of samurai culture through a demonstration and discussion of the tea ceremony and the swordsmanship. Buy Tickets Online or call the Japan Society Box Office at (212) 715-1258, Mon. – Fri. 11 am – 6 pm, Weekends 11 am – 5 pm. FAMILY PROGRAM Celebratory Rituals for Children: Shichigosan (7-5-3) Ceremony Saturday, October 24 10 AM & 2 PM Sunday, October 25 10 AM & 2 PM Celebrate and appreciate the growth and good health of children ages 3, 5 and 7 through the Shinto ritual of Shichigosan (“seven-five-three” in Japanese). Registration for participation is closed. Observation seats are available. Please email jseducation@japansociety.org or call (212)715-1275 for more information. LOCATION Unless otherwise noted, all programs are held at Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street, New York, NY 10017 (at First Avenue). FOLLOW JAPAN SOCIETY ON THE WEB Updates on upcoming events will be e-mailed periodically.

Oct 19

“Two Authors Send Readers on Mysterious Journeys Through Japan:”Chin Music Press Book Reading at Capitola Book Café- Oct 20 (Santa Cruz, CA)

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Chin Music Press, the Seattle-based publisher owned and run by Bruce Rutledge (MEF Program Chiba-ken, 1985-87) is headed to Northern California as author Todd Shimoda reads from his latest novel, Oh! A mystery of mono no aware, at the Capitola Book Café (1475 41st Avenue in Capitola) on Tuesday, October 20th at 7:30pm. Shimoda joins anthropologist and writer Liza Dalby, who will be reading from Hidden Buddhas: A Novel of Karma and Chaos. This event is free to the public.

The Capitola Book Café hosts Shimoda and Dalby under the title of “Mysterious Journeys Through Japan” with discussion of their usage of Japan as a setting for emotional paths towards moments of enlightenment. Here’s a blurb about both books from the event webpage:

Oh! by Todd Shimoda was selected as an NPR Summer Reading pick and combines visual artistry with patient and brilliant storytelling. Zack Hara is a technical writer trudging through life in LA until he leaves everything to travel to Japan. There, searching for an emotional life, Zack becomes entwined with a tragic poet, a sensual but disillusioned woman, and young people form suicide clubs— all propelling him down a dangerous path. “A triumphant kick in the pants for anyone who doubts the future of paper-and-ink books.” — Lucia Silva

Liza Dalby returns to Book Café with a novel that Arthur Golden, author of Memoirs of A Geisha, describes as “…(her) best work yet; with its fascinating story of characters caught up in a world they themselves don’t understand.” Hidden Buddhas explores the karmic connections between Japanese fashion, pilgrimage, dying honeybees, murder by blowfish, and the Buddhist apocalypse. Something of a Buddhist Da Vinci Code, Dalby’s stunning new novel travels to the unknown corners of Japan and through time to expose a mystery you will never forget!

Check out previous JetWit posts about Bruce Rutledge here and a Japan Times review of Oh! here.

On a related note, Bruce is joined at Chin Music Press by two other JET alums: designer Joshua Powell (Saitama-ken, 2005-07) and PR intern Jessica Sattell (Fukuoka-ken, 2007-08).

Oct 19

Job: Japan-America Society of San Antonio seeks part-time Exec Dir (TX)

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Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, Editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shared the following job listing:

The Japan-America Society of San Antonio (JASSA) is seeking a part-time Executive Director that has strong ties to the San Antonio community with a passion for the Japanese culture.

Desired qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or related field
• Minimum of two-years experience in non-profit sector
• Preferred experiences in fundraising, grant-writing, and membership & volunteer recruitment

For all questions related to the position and/or to submit a cover letter and resume, please contact at: edsearch@jas-sa.org

Oct 19

Japan America Society Roundup 10.19.09

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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 Central Ohio

• Political and Economic Outlook of Japan — Hear leading experts discuss economic and political issues facing Japan today. Among the speakers will be Minister Hajime Hayashi, Minister for Economic Affairs, Embassy of Japan, and Peter Kelly, President of the National Association of Japan-America Societies.
  • Date: Thursday, Oct. 29
  • Time: 3 p.m.
  • Place: The Ohio State University Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road, Columbus
  • For more information: http://jasco.osu.edu/

JAS of Dallas/Fort Worth

• Fall Festival in the Japanese Garden — Bring the whole family to admire the colorful fall foliage as well as traditional Japanese dance, music, martial arts demonstrations, paper making and tea ceremonies.
  • Date: Oct. 24-25
  • Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Place: Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth
  • For more information: http://www.fwbg.org/calendar.php#2

JAS of the State of Washington

• Globally Successful: US-Japan Business Strategies— This round-table event, featuring a panel of four speakers representing Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Boeing, Nippon Suisan and Starbucks, will compare and contrast the global strategies of U.S. and Japanese firms from the aerospace, retail, food and financial services industries, as well as the similarities in strategies across their different target markets. Click here to register. The registration deadline is Oct. 23.
  • Date: Thursday, Oct. 29
  • Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
  • Place: Douglas Forum, Bank of America Executive Education Center, Seattle UW Campus.
  • For more information: http://www.us-japan.org/jassw/

Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.

Oct 16

Job: Part-time Freelance Visual Designer (Web)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Part-time Freelance Visual Designer (Web)

Thanks to Lee-Sean Huang (Oita-ken, 2003-06) for sharing this job opportunity.  (FYI, Lee-Sean is the webmaster for both JETAA NY is doing part-time work. and for JetWit.) The opportunity is with a start-up for which Lee-Sean is currently doing part-time work.

To Apply: Please respond to design (/at/) purposecampaigns (/dot/) com with a cover letter, resume, link to your portfolio, and rate requirements.

Part Time Freelance Visual Designer (Web)

We are looking to hire a part time visual designer on a project-based freelance retainer basis to complement our small interdisciplinary team of strategists, designers, and programmers. A more permanent role may be considered as our relationship develops. Telecommuting is a possibility, but you must be able to available to attend meetings in our Union Square office two to three times a week. Read More

Oct 16

WIT Life #52: Manifesto Woes

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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 together with her own observations.

The Manifesto is the imposing name of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)’s platform for its new government, one that promises to “put people’s lives first.”  In order to accomplish this, its five pledges are the end of wasteful spending, childrearing and education, pension and medical care, regional sovereignty and employment and the economy.  Although great in theory, new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is realizing that these goals are easier to state than actually carry out.  Japanese ministries and agencies asked to spend a record 95.04 trillion yen ($1 trillion) next fiscal year, risking expansion of the world’s largest public debt.

This creates the issue of whether the DPJ can fulfill its election pledges without worsening an already significant debt burden.  In response to this, Fujisankai carried out Read More

Oct 16

JQ seeks writers for Winter issue – Story ideas below

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Special message from JQ Editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02):

Hope everyone’s enjoying the start of fall (a link to JQ’s current issue is below in case you haven’t seen it yet, thanks always for your contributions and ideas). I’ve added some new story ideas since our quarterly meeting in September, so in case you haven’t signed up or would like to see what else is out there, below are the story ideas I’ve rounded up from other JETs and contributors along with my own ideas that you can pick for the winter issue to be published in January. De wa…

Deadlines are as follows:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5: Registering a story assignment with me at magazine@jetaany.org, or pitching an idea of your own for approval. All suggestions are welcome. We’ve been picking up more new writers with each issue, and I encourage all first-timers whether you consider yourself a seasoned writer or not.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3: Deadline for submitting a final draft of your story. It’s earlier than usual because I’m planning on doing some traveling and want to have a lot to work with before the holidays. Extensions will be granted on a case-by-case basis, less so for new writers.

I would also greatly appreciate added assistance for the following:

AD SALES CALLS: Although JQ has now switched to paid annual subscriptions for our hard copy mailing list, we’re still continuing to sell ad space. I’ve already blasted out our new issue and rates to everyone on my list, but I’ve since learned the hard way that they never get back to me this way, since it’s easier to delete an e-mail than to dodge a phone call.  So, I’m asking for volunteers to help me make calls to those who have previously advertised with us in the past two years (about 30 names).  If you’re really confident, I’ll give you some other accounts that I’m trying to hook. Know any businesses that you’d like to see in our pages or on the site? That works, too.

COPY EDITING/PROOFREADING: The trial run for this with our new issue was a huge success, so I’m bringing it back. This is for serious bookworms only! If you’re capable of spotting the teensiest, tiniest, itty-bittiest flubs in grammar, spelling, punctuation and design inconsistencies in print, you would be INVALUABLE to me in the layout process. Applicants will be provided with a test–I’m not kidding!

Below are the story ideas.

Thanks for reading and providing your support, and e-mail me with any other questions/comments. Read More

Oct 16

JQ Magazine’s “Fall Classic Rock” Issue Now Available Online!

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Page 3……..Letter From the Editor / Letter From the Treasurer
Page 4……..Nippon News Blotter / CJ’s Wedding
Page 5……..Comings & Goings / JETAA National Conference in Chicago
Page 6……..JETAANY Annual Softball Tournament
Page 7……..Working the Written Word by Alexei Esikoff
Page 8……..Nihonjin in New York – Featuring JETRO’s Maya Eiki-Law by Joe Marucheck
Page 8……..Actor Jun Kim Talks heavenly BENTO by Adren Hart
Page 9……..Americans on Fuji: Talking with Author Sara Backer by Veronika Ruff
Page 10……International Visitor Leadership Program Interpreting by Stacy Smith

Page 11……JQ&A with New York Anime Festival’s Peter Tatara by Justin Tedaldi

Page 13……Anvil with Sacha Gervasi:  The JQ Interview: by Justin Tedaldi

Page 14……What We Did This Summer – Photos

Page 15……Theatre Review: A Recipe for heavenly BENTO by Adren Hart

Page 16……Film Review: Hayao Miyazaki’s Ponyo by Lyle Sylvander

Page 17……Book Corner: The China Lover by David Kowalsky

Page 18……Ace Frehley: Back in the New York Groove by Justin Tedaldi

Page 20……New York Anime Festival Photos

Page 21……Film Review: The Cove by Elizabeth Wanic

Page 21……Book Corner: Japanese Kitchen Knives / Food Carving by Yukari Sakamoto

Page 23……Top 12 List / Life After the B.O.E. / Sponsors Index

Oct 16

Japan Association of Translators Manhattan mixer – Oct 30

Career, Events, Networking, Translating/Interpreting Comments Off on Japan Association of Translators Manhattan mixer – Oct 30

Professional translator Terry Gallagher shared another good event for translators with JetWit, this one via the honyaku Google Group:

As part of its ongoing efforts to develop an international presence, foster new talent, and connect with peer organizations, the Japan Association of Translators (JAT) will be sponsoring a mixer in Manhattan on Friday, October 30, 2009, for veteran and aspiring translators/interpreters alike. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to network, find out more about JAT, and socialize with other translators/interpreters in the big city….Non-members are most welcome. Cash bar, with partial subsidy from JAT.
WHEN: Friday, October 30
Starting: 10:30 PM (after the traditional Friday night JLD dinner
[http://groups.google.com/group/honyaku/browse_thread/thread/c153d891486ac1c8])
Ending: During ATA’s Annual Conference (?)
[https://www.atanet.org/conf/2009/sessionschedule.php#5]
WHERE: Press Box (932 Second Ave., between 49th and 50th Streets)
[http://www.thepressboxnyc.com/index2.html]
Signup (by 10/26; and for last-minute notices/updates):
http://jat.org/2009/10/16/jat-new-york-mixer-oct-30-2009/

Feel free to pass the word on, and hope to see you there!

ニューヨークでJATネットワークパーティを実施します。 会員・非会員を問わず、翻訳に興味のある方ならどなたでもご参加いただけます。 翻訳未経験者の方にとってはベテラン翻訳者と交流する絶好の機会です。
日時: １０月３０日（金） 10:30pm～
場所: The Press Box (http://www.thepressboxnyc.com/index2.html)
参加費: 一部JATが負担。追加分はキャッシュバー。
参加希望者は、１０月２６日（月） までに
[http://jat.org/2009/10/16/jat-new-york-mixer-oct-30-2009/]
へご予約お願いいたします。

Oct 15

American Translators Association Annual Conference in NYC Oct 30

Career, Events, Networking, Translating/Interpreting, Uncategorized Comments Off on American Translators Association Annual Conference in NYC Oct 30

Professional translator Terry Gallagher shared the following with JetWit:

The American Translators Association holds its annual conference in NYC at the end of this month. It includes a dinner for the Japanese language division, which will be on Friday, Oct. 30 at IL Punto Ristorante, 507 Ninth Ave.

Contact person is Mina Seat, minaseat [/at/] gmail [/dot/] com  More info here:  https://www.atanet.org/conf/2009/

Cost is $53. It might be late to sign up, but it was an open invitation, and you might still be able to talk your way in. There will be lots and lots of working translators/interpreters there, and you might be able to pick up a bunch of new ideas.

Oct 15

Job: Official Car Driver/Clerk at Consulate-General of Japan (Seattle)

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Via JETAA Pacific Northwest:

The Consulate-General of Japan is seeking an Official Car Driver/Clerk.
The ideal candidate is both an excellent driver and good communicator.

 Requirements:

• Clean Driving Record (No serious Offense)
• Fluency in English and knowledge of Japanese language
• Familiarity with the Roads in the Northwest Area
• Must be a US Citizen or a US Greencard Holder

Benefits Include:

• Health Insurance Plan
• Paid Vacation
• Overtime Pay (Set amount)

Regular Work Hours: M-F  09:00 to 17:00

To apply, please submit the following:

Mail or Email the documents by October 20 above to: 
Consulate-General of Japan
(Attn. Yukio Motoe)
601 Union Street, Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98101

Email: japanseattle[at]cgjapansea[dot]org

Please send your Resume by mail or Email ONLY. No drop Off, Fax and/or Phone Call is allowed. Selected applicants will be NOTIFIED by Phone.

For full job description, please click HERE.