Aug 7

WIT Life #47: The Times They Are A-Changin’

Article/Journalism, Japan Trends, Translating/Interpreting, WIT Life

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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.

An article from this past Tuesday’s (August 4) Daily Sun newspaper caught my attention as it focused on gaijin. It described how foreigners are increasingly being recognized for the prestigious literature Akutagawa Prize. Last year Chinese writer Yang Yi became the first non-native speaker of Japanese to win, and her comment at the ceremony held at a Tokyo restaurant was, “As a foreigner I have written novels and I am thrilled to have been recognized in this way.” The 44-year-old Yang’s award-winning work titled “Toki ga nijimu asa” (A Morning When Time Blurs) is set during and after China’s democratization movement centering on the 1989 Tiananmen Incident. The book follows a Chinese man who lived through those times and later moved to Japan, still holding on to his ideals.

This year further diversity was added to the proceedings of this 141-year old award when Read More

Aug 7

Job: Language School in Nagano

Jobs

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Via Nagano JET Yahoo group:

Lodestar Language School is seeking a qualified and motivated English Instructor to teach office workers and adults in central part of Nagano prefecture.

-Full time position is available in mid-late October, 2009.
Max. 25 teaching hours/wk + office work, 5 days a week from Monday to Friday
-Pay & Benefits:
1) Min. 250,000 yen/month
2) Furnished private apartment provided at a reasonable rent
3) Company car is available for business usage, if requested.

-Requirements: Read More

Aug 7

Jobs and blog post from the JETAA Student Services Google Group

Jobs

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Via Clara Solomon (Tottori-ken, 1999-2001), founder of the JETAA Student Services Google Group:

First, a blog post about breaking into the field of international education: http://blog.academic-solutions.com/?p=351

Second – jobs at Wellesley, Northeastern, SUNY New Paltz, and University of Texas.

-Clara Read More

Aug 7

Roland Kelts column in Daily Yomiuri on manga program in Switzerland film festival

Blogs, Books, Cartoon/Illustration, Celebrity, Japan Trends, Roland Kelts, Writers

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Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, has a good column in today’s Daily Yomirui titled “Anime with Texas Roots Debuts in Switzerland.”

According to the column:

Manga Impact: The World of Japanese Animation, a special program at the 62nd annual Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland, will include next Friday’s world premiere of the Japanese anime Redline in the city’s historic central square, which can accommodate more than 8,000 viewers.

And Redline is:

a film that piles hybrid upon hybrid–a racing film that blasts into sci-fi apocalypse, as a corrupt alien government seeks to destroy the mortal drivers who dare to compete on their alien planet. The action is relentless, allowing you to catch your breath only in brief interludes, yet the imagery is dense with anatomical grotesqueries–like Lucian Freud on acid, or, if you view Redline as a kind of meta- anime, an anime about the stylized thrills of anime itself, Speed Racer on speed.

If any JetWit readers happen to see Redline–especially if you see it in Switzerland at the film festival–please post a comment and share your thoughts and experience.

Aug 6

Bankruptcy Bill #18 – Pro Bono

Blogs, Cartoon/Illustration, Humor, Translating/Interpreting, Writers

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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.

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.

Aug 5

I Survived Watching “I Survived a Japanese Game Show” 8.5.09

Humor, Japan Trends

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This week after watching a game involving trampolines and contestants wearing gorilla gloves and popping balloons on the ceiling, the two teams are separated into separate days’ activities.

The women’s team appeared on the Zoom In morning show. And the guys’ team had to work for a bento delivery company. Watching them ride around on bikes, making a late delivery to an irate customer after getting lost and then accept payment from an old woman of about $70 in change was actually kind of neat.

The net effect of the show seems to consistently be to make Japan feel a little more real and accessible. Kind of ironic since the gameshow part of the show accomplishes the exact opposite.

Update: Japanese Defense Minister Yuriko Koike is on the show?!

Update: Sticky floors and biting squid heads!?

Update: Cathy wins!!! Bring on the “Omedetou Mob” (same guys as the Sayonara Mob but in white suits.)

Ok, I admit it. I’m hooked just as the show is ending. Great season finale. O-tsukara sama deshita.

Aug 5

Job: Help promote Ishikawa-ken in the U.S.

Jobs

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Via Bremar Associates (Note: This job has still not been filled, so apply if interested.):

We are seeking for an English native speaker who well knows or likes Ishikawa-ken, Japan.

Job description:

＊One year full-time temporary position (starts from the end of September: $14/h)

＊Introduce and promote Ishikawa-ken (Japan) to U.S.A.

＊Assist to create a brochure with information about Ishikawa-ken

＊Promote and organize an event

Please send your resume to Staff@bremar.com . In the subject line, write, “Ishikawa-ken.”

(JetWit Note: Please also indicate if you heard about the job via JetWit.)

Aug 5

JetWit Blog Beat 8.5.09 by Crystal Wong

Blogs, Food & Drink, Writers

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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 a freelance writer and digital strategist in New York and relishes her constant hunt for the best cheap(ish) eats in the city.

Interesting post from Dave Jacobson over at Chin Music Press about the continuing lack of interest in Japan as a news story from mainstream media, despite it being the world’s second largest economy. Dave points out that this is a great opportunity for the smaller companies and bloggers who continue to produce great content on Japan. We here over at Blog Beat would be interested to hear your thoughts on this trend – Have you noticed this as well? What does it mean for Japan?

JET alum Toby Weymiller reports on the progress on his new house from Hokkaido – how extremely cool to track the construction of a new home!

Also, check out a new addition to our blogroll – adventure writer Elizabeth White (Toyama-ken, 1995-98), lives in San Luis Obispo County and her new blog is well worth reading as it details all the delicious delights of life in paradise (and its challenges, of course) with great writing and photos.

Aug 5

Job: Country Manager for United Planet, Japan

Jobs, Uncategorized

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Via the Hokkaido JETs Yahoo group:

United Planet (UP) is a leading international non-profit organization based in Boston devoted to fostering cross-cultural understanding and addressing shared challenges to unite the world in a community beyond borders. As featured on CNN, United Planet conducts creative local, online, and international initiatives to build global community.

United Planet is searching for a Japan-based Country Manager in Tokyo, Saitama, or Chiba to help United Planet further develop our program in Japan and expand our partnerships with NGOs and universities.
This highly competitive position requires a compassionate, globally minded, hard-working individual with strong communications, leadership, and organization skills. United Planet currently receives international volunteers into Japan for 1-12 weeks to support a variety of community service projects, while immersing in the Japanese culture. United Planet plans to develop an outgoing program to recruit Japanese volunteers to serve in countries around the world, including the United States. United Planet also seeks to develop Ambassador Clubs at schools and communities in Japan.

As a vital United Planet team member, the Country Manager will: Read More

Aug 5

Job: ALT opening in Obihiro, Hokkaido

Jobs

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Via the Hokkaido JETs Yahoo group:

The City of Obihiro Board of Education is seeking applications for one junior high school Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) position. As a city employee, the primary duties of the ALT are to assist junior high school teachers in English language instruction. In addition to the primary duties, the ALT will also assist elementary school teachers with the Foreign Language Instruction Program, assist city employees and members for the public with English related activities and other related duties assigned by the supervisor. The initial contract period runs from September 1st, 2009 to March 31st, 2010, with annual renewal options from that point.

Work hours are 8:50 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a one hour break period for a seven-hour work day. Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays are off.

The monthly salary is 300,000 yen.

Qualifications: Read More

Aug 5

Job: Part-time English teacher (Tokyo)

Jobs

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Thanks to Kai Kadoich (Fukushima-ken, 2006-08) for passing this along:

Teacher wanted for kids and adults on Saturdays in Bunkyo Ward. Job is with a small editing company/English school, with a unique, computer-based teaching method. More teaching hours and editing/translation work available for the right person in the future if things work out.

Please apply with resume and brief cover letter.

Requirements: Native English speaker, Japanese conversational ability, Basic computer skills, Proper visa

Contact: jacob [at] english-live [dot] com

Aug 5

JETAA Chapter Beat 8.5.09

JETAA Chapter Beat, JETAA Chapters

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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 Northern California

English Discussion Group “on Japan” – Thursday, August 6th, 3:00 at the San Francisco Downtown Metreon Food Court. The topic of this month’s meeting is “What you are is what you eat,” covering ideas on diet, organic food, vegetarianism, etc.
Happy Hour – Thursday, August 6th, 4:00 at Double Decker. Enjoy wings, drafts and good conversation with JETAANC this Thursday.
Japanese Discussion Group “Taboo” – Saturday, August 15th, 3:00 at a location yet to be determined. The topic of this month’s discussion is “The Month of World War II.” Part II of this discussion will continue next week with “The Atomic Bomb in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.” Join in for this interesting discussion.
JLPT 1 Kyuu Prep Course – September 16th through November 18th, every Wednesday night from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Japanese American Association of Northern California. Sign up ends soon, so don’t miss it if you’re planning to take the test in December.

JETAA Pacific Northwest

Summer Picnic – Saturday, August 8th, 1:00 at the Mercer Island Luther Burbank Park. Semi-potluck(burgers and hot dogs provided) with prizes, puppet shows and games. Don’t miss it.

JETAA D.C.

Happy Hour – Tuesday, August 11th, 5:30 at Galaxy Hut. Stop by, have a drink and a few laughs with JETAADC.

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