Japan America Society Roundup 9.05.09
Japan Society Round-up 
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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…
Japan Robot Night — Not only is Japan on the cutting edge of the robotics industry, but it even manages to make its robots so kawaii! One example is PARO, a baby seal robot that interacts with people and makes them feel emotionally attached. PARO is part of a new track of Japanese robotics that has taken off — service robots assisting humans. You’ll have a chance to see this therapy robot for yourself at this event, which will feature a lecture by Dr. Takanori Shibata, inventor of PARO. The program also will include a presentation on service robotics trends in Japan. The event is free and open to the public.
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 15
- Time: 5:30 to 8 p.m.
- Place: University of Missouri-St. Louis, Millennium Student Center, Century Room C, One University Boulevard, St. Louis
- For more information: http://www.us-japan.org/jasstl/images/Japan_Robot_Night.pdf
- 13th Annual Grand Taiko Concert — Witness the grace of an authentic Japanese classical dance master and the acrobatics of beautiful aerial silk performers at this annual taiko drum performance. Admission is free.
- Date: Sept. 18-19
- Time: 7:30 to 9:45 p.m.
- Place: Miller Outdoor Theatre, Hermann Park, Houston
- For more information: http://www.ilovetaiko.org/
Japan America Kite Festival — Go fly a kite! Bring your own to this event, or purchase one from the variety of kites available for sale. Enjoy international kites of all sizes and colors, and don’t miss the huge 50-foot by 100-foot kites on display. There will be a Rokaku kite battles, stunt kite demonstrations, kite “ballet” and precision synchronized kite team performances.
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 4
- Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Place: Seal Beach Pier, (North side of the Pier), Seal Beach, CA 90740
- For more information: http://www.jas-socal.org/jas/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=2&tabid=3#13th
- Life for Foreign Workers in Japan — If you’ve wondered what life is like for non-Japanese blue-collar workers in Japan, check out this presentation by Dr. Harumi Befu, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Stanford University. Dr. Befu will present his current research on foreign workers’ lives in Japan — the support they receive as well as the challenges they face. This event is free and open to the public.
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 17
- Time: 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Place: Union Bank Hospitality Room, 22 Peace Plaza, Miyako Mall, San Francisco
- For more information: http://japansocietyofnortherncalifornia.myshopify.com/products/foreign-workers-in-japan
Japanese Fall Festival — Enjoy stage events including karate, taiko, iado and kendo, as well as plenty of food booths, games and cultural demonstrations.
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 20
- Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Place: Dallas Japanese Association, South Side Parking Lot, 4100 Alpha Rd., Dallas
- For more information: http://jasdfw.org/downloads/ffest.pdf
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
JETAA Northern California 2009 Career and Networking Forum – Sept 27
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JETAA Northern California and the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco present:
The 2009 Career & Networking Forum
Sunday, September 27, 2009 – 1:00-5:00 p.m. – Kabuki Hotel
The Career & Networking Forum (CNF) co-sponsored by the JET Alumni Association of Northern California (JETAANC) and the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, will take place on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at the Kabuki Hotel (www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/sanfrancisco/kabuki) at 1650 Post Street in San Francisco from 1:00-5:00 pm (registration begins at 12:30).
The event will include industry-related breakout sessions and a keynote address, as well as a networking session where attendees can meet representatives from various organizations, and discuss resumes and job hunting techniques with alumni. This event is FREE for all JET Alumni and $10 for Friends of JET (FOJ).
For all veteran alumni this is a great opportunity for you make some career contacts, catch up with old friends, and help recently-returned JETs. Through the industry-related breakout sessions, we are providing an opportunity for older alumni to help mentor newly returned JETs and JETs looking to transition into another career.
Following CNF the Consul General of Japan in San Francisco, Yasumasa Nagamine will be hosting a reception for recently-returned JETs at the Kabuki Hotel. We would like to invite all JET Alumni attending CNF to this reception to help welcome back JET participants.
Please RSVP through the CNF registration link, also found below.
Tentative Schedule of Events:
- 12:30-1:00: Registration
- 1:00-1:10: Opening remarks
- 1:10-1:40: Keynote
- 1:40-2:45: Breakout sessions by industry
- 2:45-3:00: Break
- 3:00-5:00: Networking Session
- 5:00-7:00: Welcome Back Reception
>> Keynote Address: Timothy Morey, (CIR, Aomori City 1996 – 99) UC Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA, Senior Business Architect at Wipro Technologies. Focusing on the tools that can help you take action to realize your career aspirations.
>> Breakout sessions by industry
Hear from alumni who been there and done that. Get your questions answered from alumni who have all landed new jobs in a variety of fields.
>> Networking Session
What is the power of networking? Find out at this two hour-long session where you will have the opportunity to meet with Bay Area companies and organizations, and fellow alumni engaged in a variety of fields. Alumni will also be available to review your resume and help you showcase yourself and the skills you honed during your years on JET. You will not want to miss this opportunity to get a jump start on your career search!
**Be sure to bring an UPDATED resume and business cards (if you have them).
**Professional attire is required.
If you are interested in attending please register online by Monday, September 21, 2009. Space is limited so register now!
CNF Registration Link: https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dG9BSHhvRkpFSXZwbkJJeGc0Sm1DQ2c6MA.
***If your company or organization is interested in hosting a table during the Networking Session please contact cnf@jetaanc.org for more information***
Internship with JET alum Michael Auslin at American Enterprise Institute
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Hot of the JETAA DC yahoogroup, a really great JET-appropriate opportunity for JET alum academic and international relations types. FYI, JET alum Michael Auslin is a professor of Japanese history and politics and currently the Director of Japanese Studies for the American Enterprise Institute in D.C. See past JetWit posts about Michael Auslin here.
Japanese Studies:
An intern in this department will work under Resident Scholar Michael Auslin, head of AEI’s Japan Studies Program. Dr. Auslin is currently focusing on Japanese strategic thinking and security doctrine, as well as Asian maritime security issues.
Tasks include: researching, in Japanese and English, topics in Japan’s national security, maritime security issues, and Asia’s strategic security environment. The intern will also conduct research in support of publications and assist in the organization of AEI conferences and panel discussions. The ideal candidate for this position will have an interest in Japanese and Asian security affairs and reading ability in Japanese language.
All applications must be submitted online at www.aei.org/internships.
All applications must include a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript, and short writing sample.
AEI internships are available to advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent graduates. A minimum of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale is required. However, most successful candidates have at least a 3.5 GPA.
This internship is one of fifty offered by the American Enterprise Institute every semester. AEI’s internship program has repeatedly been named one of the top 100 internships in the nation. The work assigned to interns is highly substantive, consisting largely of academic research, conference attendance, and various other tasks in support of their particular department. Additionally, AEI internships offer a wealth of academically enriching opportunities, including access to our conferences and events; a series of policy lectures and career talks available exclusively to interns; and frequent intern happenings, informal gatherings providing the chance to interact with AEI’s prestigious staff.
If you have any questions, please contact Leslie.Forgach@ aei.org
Learning Japanese Conversation, as Familiar as Sony
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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. Their main service is private one on one language lessons in the NYC area.
Japan is both a thrilling and exotic, yet familiar culture. When people hear “Japan” they think of a faraway country in the East, with Kimono’s, Anime, and Samurai. Although Japan has these culturally different aspects that make it seem exotic, they also have household names such as Sushi, Nintendo, Toyota, Panasonic, etc. Learning the Japanese language also at first might seem exotic. The grammar structure is actually quite different than English, and learning the characters and vocabulary for conversation also might seem like a daunting task. However once a student acquires some basic grammatical patterns the Japanese language can also become familiar, well almost as familiar as Sony!
Before explaining the basics of Japanese conversation a disclaimer will need to be added to this article. First of all it is not recommended to…
(CLICK HERE to read the rest of the article)
Roland Kelts reviews “Tears in the Darkness” for BOOKFORUM
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Just found out that Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, has a review of “Tears in the Darkness,” a capacious, brilliantly narrated account of the Bataan Death March in World War II, featuring interviews with Japanese, American and Filipino veterans/survivors — in this month’s issue of BOOKFORUM. Inhumanity, with novelistic intimacy…
Read the review here: http://www.bookforum.com/inprint/016_03/4339
JetWit job poster Stephen Palanik (Fukushima Ken, 2004-08) learned of the following employment opportunity through the Ontario Public Service Career website, and thought it might be of interest to former Canadian JETs in the Tokyo area. Stephen is a translator based in Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka Ken, and he periodically posts job listings and event information for JET alumni.
With offices in Canadian Embassies in Europe, Asia and North America, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade’s International Marketing Centres are headed by people familiar with the needs of their particular market—and the business advantages Ontario can offer it. The Ministry is also an important resource for local economic development offices interested in attracting foreign investment or finding export markets.
Situated in the Canadian Embassy, a unique three-year opportunity exists with the Ministry to represent Ontario in Tokyo, Japan. Bring your strong knowledge of global economic development and trade issues to promote and project Ontario’s image for business opportunities.
In this high profile role, you will: assist in determining priorities, objectives and strategies for trade, investment and general business relations with Japan; propose to the ministry annual programming for Japan and implement as approved; network with media; provide advice to senior government and business leaders; provide high-quality intelligence on Japan; work with various ministries, levels of government, private-sector companies and organizations, and academic institutions.
Event: “Building A Successful Career – Jump Start Your Future!” (Tokyo)
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JetWit job poster Stephen Palanik (Fukushima Ken, 2004-08) learned of the following career workshop being held by CareerCross, and thought it might be of interest to former JETs in the Tokyo area. Stephen is a translator based in Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka Ken, and he periodically posts job listings and event information for JET alumni.
CareerCross is holding a special career development seminar, in Japanese, called “Building A Successful Career – Jump Start Your Future!” on September 9 (Wed) at Spazio 2 in Ebisu.
Best selling author, Ms. Kyoko Yukawa, along with award-winning career advisor, Tetsuya Sakabe will give a rare seminar open to the public on strategies for taking control of your career and future.
Learn how to better your communication skills, build your network, brand yourself and be one of those that are “in demand.” If your career seems stalled, this is where you are going to learn how to revitalize it.
Any JET alums planning to attend the NAFSA Regional Conference Nov. 2-5?
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Pam Kavalam (Shiga Prefecture, ’07-’09) is planning on attending the NAFSA Regional Conference (http://www.region10.nafsa.org/Region%20X%20New/Conferences_Workshops/conf2009/index.htm) in Springfield, MA from November 2-5 and would like to connect to other JET alums who are interested in going.
NAFSA (www.nafsa.org) is the professional association for international higher education administration.
If you’re interested in, or already working inm study abroad, international student advising and recruitment or international education in general, this is the conference for you. It’s a great way to network within the Boston and New York areas, learn more about the field, and attend workshops that you can put on your resume.
Contact Pam for details about registration, transportation, hotel information, volunteering and costs.
Job: ESL teachers for Saudi Arabia Universities
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This is via HCC News Today
International Training Consulting Group (ITCG) is seeking qualified faculty candidates who would like to teach college-level courses in English as second language.
ESL teachers are needed for two public Saudi Arabia Universities, King Addul-Aziz University in Jeddah and Tibaah University in Al Madeenah, starting September 26, 2009.
ITCG is seeking 40 Male teachers and 30 Female teachers in Al Madeenah and 40 Female teachers and 35 Male teachers in Jeddah, with great opportunities for spouses. They require U.S. citizens and native English speakers only.
The contract includes 5 to 6 days a week with a maximum of 30 hours and options of earning extra hours in tutoring; furnished accommodation with basic utilities, plus local transportation provided from residence to work and back; and health insurance covered by employer.
ITCG will provide an airline ticket from country of residence to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) at the beginning of the contract, and a return ticket to country of residence at the end of the contract.
This is a twelve month contract with one month holiday included. The KSA entry visa will be provided by employer. The contract is for one year and can be renewed upon the acceptance of both parties. Salary range is negotiable. Saudi Arabia is a tax free country.
Requirements:
1. Bachelor Degree in English or similar with at least 1-3 years of experience or Master Degree.
2. Any of the following Certification courses will be a plus: ESL, TESL, ESOL,
TESOL, EFL, TEFL, CELTA, DELTA.
3. Middle East experience will be a great plus.
Interested candidates are advised to apply with their CV/Resume in MS-Word format and a scanned copy of their academic transcripts and ESL-related certificates.
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Email requested documents and inquiries to: Deanna.Teel@hccs.edu or call 713.718.5873.
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This just in from Feiler, Bruce (Tottori-ken, 1989-90), author of the original JET book Learning to Bow as well as a number of other best sellers such as Walking the Bible, Abraham, and Where God Was Born:
| A Note From Bruce Feiler
On October 6th, my new book America’s Prophet: Moses and the American Story arrives in bookstores. It describes a year I traveled through American history, from the pilgrims to the founding fathers, Cecil B. DeMille‘s garage to the Oval Office, looking at Moses’s influence on the American story. You can read more about the book here. I’ve also completely redesigned www.brucefeiler.com. It contains some cool new videos, a list of the cities I’m visiting this fall, a blog, including a new series “This Week in Moses,” and, of course, a way to email me directly. I’ve also set up a Facebook page, and I hope you’ll friend me there. Plus, you can follow me on Twitter. I hope you enjoy the book, and thanks for your continued support. Please let me know what you think. Yours, |
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Vote for ‘Herbivores’ on Food2
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Hi, it’s your Jetwit webmaster Lee-Sean Huang (Oita-ken ’03-’06) here. I have a quick favor to ask you all.
“Herbivores,” the stop-motion animation video that I made with my friend Elizabeth Fuller last year has made it to the top 10 semifinals of the First Annual Food2 Summer Challenge. We desperately need your votes to help us win the grand prize. Please vote for us here. You need to sign in to vote, but you can log in using your Facebook or MySpace account. It only takes a minute.
Thanks so much for your help!
Event: Storyboards and Picture Book Dumies for Good Bookmaking (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:
Storyboards and Picture Book Dummies for Good Bookmaking
with Author/Illustrator Naomi Kojima
Time: Saturday, September 12, 2009, 9:45-11:45 a.m.
Place: Tokyo Women’s Plaza, Conference Room 1
5-53-67 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (by the Children’s Castle and United Nations University)
For a map see www.scbwi.jp/ map.htm
Fee: SCBWI members 1,000 yen; nonmembers 1,500 yen
Reservations Required: Contact info@scbwi.jp by Sept. 10 to reserve your space
Materials to bring: pencils, scissors, tape or glue
This event will be in English and Japanese.
Putting together the storyboard and book dummy is a necessary process and the foundation for good bookmaking. It enables illustrators and authors to see their work more clearly, and to find clues for editing and arranging text and illustration. In this hands-on workshop we will take a pre-selected story and turn it into a 32-page picture book dummy. A preliminary talk will address the basics for preparing storyboards and book dummies: dividing text for placement on pages, creating visual flow and pacing of text and pictures, as well as basic layout and design. But the primary focus of the workshop will be on the actual making of the dummy. Illustration skills are not necessary; both writers and illustrators are welcome. Story text and paper will be provided.
Naomi Kojima is an author and illustrator of picture books. Born in Japan, she spent her childhood years in the U.S. and studied sculpture at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. Kojima’s first two picture books, Mr. and Mrs. Thief and The Flying Grandmother were published in New York soon after she joined a Massachusetts SCBWI chapter. Since then, her books have been published in the U.S. and Japan, and translated into French, Swedish, and Indonesian. Her picture books include The Alphabet Picture Book (Kaisei-sha) and Singing Shijimi Clams (Kane Miller).
BAPCPA Man #6 – Unemployment, median income and the means test
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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.
Does anyone in the JetWit-a-sphere have any connections with administrations or faculty at any Japanese universities?
I ask because I know that there’s been a trend of Japanese universities trying to attract foreign students to study on their campuses. I think the reason is related to the declining population in Japan but I’m not sure.
Regardless, it seems to me that perhaps some of them would be interested in advertising on JetWit. JetWit has recently been getting over 400 hits per day and is used not just by JET alums all around the world but also by current JETs who are interested in getting a sense of what comes after JET. Simply put, there’s no other way to reach this many JETs and JET alums this efficiently.
So if anyone can put me in touch with appropriate people at some of these universities, or better yet, make them aware of JetWit and get them interested in sponsoring the site in some way, then that kind of help would be greatly appreciated.
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu,
Steven (Aichi-ken, 1992-94)
Job: Senior Manager of Development (Mumbai, India)
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Via Asia Society:
Location: Asia Society India Centre, Mumbai
Position: Senior Manager of Development
Purpose:
The Senior Manager of Development works directly with the Executive Director and Board to establish and execute the strategic direction and overall management of fundraising initiatives, both corporate and individual, including planning annual and long-range strategic plans. Responsibilities include: budgeting, monitoring, implementation of development, membership, marketing, managing development interns and volunteers, and coordinating special events. Working in this capacity requires experience in strategic planning, donor cultivation and stewardship, public relations, audience development, and event planning. Successful candidates must be at ease in cross-cultural settings, comfortable working with board members and senior level executive officers, able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people, and able to implement events that strengthen relationships between the peoples of Asia and the US. The Senior Manager also represents the organization at philanthropic-related programs, meetings, and networking events.
