The Japanese Doctor: Learning Language Effectively – Choose Your Own Goal
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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.
The easiest way to measure how effective education is is test scores. When students score high on tests it not only makes teachers look good, but schools overall will be more likely to get government funding with higher test scores. Traditionally tests are the easiest way to measure the abilities of a student, but are they effective when learning a language?
Take the case of Japanese, and for simplicity’s sake we’ll refer to the main test administered by the Japanese government, the JLPT or Japanese Language Proficiency Test. It’s actually a great and simple goal to work towards, passing the JLPT. The benefits are numerous…
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Job: Openings at Asia Pacific University
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Via the Oita JETs Yahoo group:
APU (www.apu.ac.jp) is currently recruiting native English speakers as translators/ interpreters, who can start this Fall (ie. asap). They are hiring for the following types of positions:
1. Technical/Administrative translator/interpreter – Most likely working in the Administration Office and translating University Regulations and contracts, etc. This position is for those with strong translation ability,
who are able to compose technical documents & business letters, etc.
2. Student Advising – Provide advice to students in both English and Japanese. Counseling students regarding topics which range from student credits, Thesis screening, and graduation assessments to dealing with life in Japan, Student Clubs, etc.
3. Alumni Association -I think this is a new position, but I am guessing that you are recruiting APU alumni to join the association… and other various networking duties using English and Japanese.
If interested please contact Emiko (former Fukuoka CIR, now working under position 2 above) at eoo61761@apu.ac.jp or 080-6431-9683.
Benefit-wise, the position pays the same as JET, but with a bonus, so in the end the yearly income is a bit more. I think you’ll get moving expenses paid, 21 days nenkyu and summer/winter holiday, health insurance, pension… basically it’s the same as JET, but the pay is slightly better. Working hours are 9-5:30.
Applications are here:
http://www.apu.ac.jp/administration/modules/opportunities/content/keiyakusenmonE.doc
Please don’t hesitate to contact Emiko if you need any help or have any concerns. The Administration Office is notorious for poor service when it comes to HR, so she’ll do what she can to help move things along.
On the July 22 episode of “I Survived a Japanese Gameshow,” the contestants have been sent to sumo houses to where they’ll work as cooks and cleaners. What’s not clear is why they keep blurring over the wrestler’s oshiris, even from the side! It’s not like anything’s hanging out. And they’ve been showing full butts on network tv ever since “NYPD Blue.” Can anyone explain what’s with the blurring in this instance?
Jobs: English School in Matsuyama
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Via the Ehime JET Yahoo group:
Amic English School in Matsuyama has two job openings that they need to fill. The contract starts September 1st, but successful applicants will need to do a week long training/orientation course before this. If you are interested please contact Ms Tamai on 09043320703.
Japan America Society Roundup 7.22.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, co-editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of various Japan America societies
The Berkeley Kite Festival — The JSNC is co-sponsoring this year’s kite festival, featuring multi-line competitions of the Bay Area Sport Kite League, as well as other events and competitions such as candy drops and rokkaku battles. Visitors also can enjoy the giant creature kite show of the Berkeley Kite Wranglers. Highlighting this year’s festival is a delegation from the Sode-cho Kite-Flying Society of Hamamatsu, Japan. Their traditional “Machijirushi” kites are indigenous to Hamamatsu and are made from fine paper and bamboo. This is a chance to meet Japan’s master kite builders and learn about their centuries-old traditional kite designs.
- Date: July 25 and 26
- Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Place: Cesar E. Chavez Park at the Berkeley Marina
- For more information: http://www.highlinekites.com/Berkeley_Kite_Festival
- Sushi Workshop — Learn all the basic tricks and techniques of making your own sushi. You’ll learn about basic sauces and stocks, how to make sushi rice, how to handle each sushi fish and ingredients for preparation, how to make rolls and how to slice a fish to make sashimi. The cost is $30 per person with all ingredients and materials included, but you should bring your own knife. The reservation deadline is July 23. To make a reservation, email Eriko at JASGA-Events (at) jasga (dot) org.
- Date: Sunday, July 26
- Time: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- Place: Triangle Club House, 4700 Guadalupe St., Austin
- For more information, click here.
Riverbats Baseball Game in Louisville — Nothing like baseball to connect Japanese and Americans. Throw back a cold one and cheer on the Riverbats against Indianapolis. Free for JASK members.
- Date: Tuesday, August 18
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Place: Louisville Slugger Stadium
- For more information, click here.
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
Job: Entry level sales admin for Japanese electric manuf co. (Bannockburn, IL)
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Via JETAA Chicago:
Electric Manufacturing Company is looking for Entry Level Sales Administrator
Industry: Electric parts manufacturing
Location: Bannockburn, IL
Salary: $ 30 -34k (Temp to Fulltime)
Job Description: Electric Manufacturing Company is looking for Entry Level Sales Administrator.
Customer Relations Process orders and provides support to customers and distributors in regards to order status, pricing and delivery. The customer service representative acts to bridge communication between customers, outside representatives and Shindengen sales managers. The sales administrator, work closely with the warehouse to ensure prompt and efficient shipments to guarantee customer satisfaction.
Buyer Planner – Buyer works with sales, administration and operations to ensure products and services are received so work flows are not interrupted and customer deadlines are met. This position reports to the Senior National Sales Manager.
Contact: Maiko Ninagawa(蜷川麻衣子), Interesse international inc., Chicago Office, 5600 North River Road, Suite 800, Rosemont, IL 60018, Tel: 847-993-3006, Fax: 847-993-3008, E-mail: maiko@iiicareer.com, HP: www.iiicareer.com
Thanks to Bryan Reynolds (Ibaraki-ken, 2006-08) of JAPANiCAN.com for sharing the following translation/writing position for the JTB Group’s English language site, JAPANiCAN.com. Interested applicants should send a resume and Japanese rirekisho by email to japanican01@jtb.jp.
(Note: One reader reported a problem with the e-mail address earlier today, but we’ve confirmed that now it’s been fixed.)
Keep reading below the jump for full job description details.
Job: Shiseido – Manager, Business Planning (NYC)
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Thanks to JET alum Kendall Murano (who works for Shiseido) for passing along this job listing (which, fyi, does not require Japanese language ability). If you’re a JET alum, feel free to contact Kendall as a reference or if you have any questions (though bear in mind that she’s not involved in the hiring process):
Shiseido – Manager, Business Planning
Division: BPI / Dept.: Sales Admin / Reports to: Abraham Faddoul – Executive Director, Finance & Sales Operations
Apply to: resumes@sac.shiseido.com
Job Responsibilities include, but not limited to:
- Shipment reporting which includes weekly and monthly shipments. Responsible for understanding the distortions between this year’s results against this year plan and last year’s performance.
- Responsible for orchestrating Field Sales and Retail Sales planning fiscal bonus. Includes the calculation as well as the maintenance of the program.
- Creates and Maintains Account P&L’s.
- Assist the VP in maintaining the Corporate Financial Statements. ( Returns monitoring, Demonstration Reporting, POSM Spending)
- Create and maintain all necessary reports to help Marketing in their strategic planning.
- Responsible for creating co-op and freelance budgets on a seasonal basis and ensure proper field spending.
- Liaise between BPI New York office, BPI Paris office and Shiseido Oakland and Customer Service departments when necessary.
Qualifications:
- PowerPoint, Excel, Microsoft Word, Internet Capabilities.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interface with clients and customers and international staff.
- Ability to work under pressure and fluctuating deadlines.
- Strong knowledge and experience with the fragrance luxury environment and the retail world as a whole.
- Good controlling background.
- Attention to detail and good sense of humor a plus.
Jobs: U of Illinois Asian Educational Media Service – Visiting Coordinator and Visiting Asst. Coordinator
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- Visiting Coordinator of AEMS, and
- Visiting Assistant Coordinator of AEMS.
Current JETs, this is another reason for your students to improve their eigo.
JET alums and Triathalons
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Ganbatte to JET alum Carolyn Okabe who will be partaking in the New York City Triathlon (swim, bike and run) this Sunday, July 26th.
Course Map:
http://www.nyctri.com/Assets/Course+Map+$!2706.pdf Course Written Description: http://www.nyctri.com/Event_Information/Course/Course_Description.htmAny other JET alums out there doing triathalons or did a triathalon in the last 6 months? Let us know by posting in the comments section, or by emailing jetwit [at] jetwit [dot] com.
Job: U.S.-Japan Council – Manager, Los Angeles position opening
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The U.S.-Japan Council is a new non-profit membership organization in Washington, D.C. that promotes U.S.-Japan relations. They currently have a position opening for a Manager in the Los Angeles area.
See the job description below, and please note that they are seeking candidates–especially JET alumni–with native level Japanese, minimum 5 years work experience, and a solid understanding of the Los Angeles Japanese and Japanese-American community networks.
(Don’t forget to let them know you heard about the position on JetWit.) Read More
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.
Today’s news reported on an interesting trend in Japan, that of 便所飯 (benjo meshi) or toilet meals. The segment focused on college students who don’t want to be seen eating alone, and choose to take cover in the bathroom instead. The news crew went into a university to determine the extent of this phenomenon, and did a survey of how many people were found eating alone in the cafeteria within an hour, yielding 11. They interviewed these solo eaters as to why they were by themselves, and one replied that the time she had available to eat didn’t match that of her friends.
Other people who spoke to reporters said that they would rather skip lunch and wait until a later meal when their friends were free rather than face eating alone. However, for some Read More
Zorgamazoo in China too! (sort of)
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Following up on the post about Robert P. Weston’s (Nara-ken, 2002-04) rhyming children’s novel Zorgamazoo being translated into German, it turns out Zorgamazoo is also being translated into Chinese. And by the Chinese translator who did Dr. Seuss!
This, apparently, is not new news. Rob did a post on his Way of the West blog back in November, 2008 unveiling the news. But JetWit didn’t know Rob back then. In fact, JetWit barely existed at the time.
The important thing is that we know now and as a result, so do you.
And to Rob we simply say, “Gong shi, gong shi!” (That’s “omedetou” in Chinese, fyi.)
J-News Mini-Roundup: Japanese Sumo – Asashoryu Continues to Fall
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Asashoryu from the Yomiuri Shinbun
J-News Mini-Roundup 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 language learning options. Their main service is private one on one Japanese language lessons in the NYC area, where the student chooses where and when to have lessons. They’ve also recently expanded to include the Korean and Chinese languages.
Background: Maybe fame is finally catching up with Asashoryu. After seeming to be undefeatable in 2007, he became the first Yokozuna ever to be suspended by the Sumo Association of Japan. Asashoryu claimed he was injured and had to return home, later to find out he had participated in a local soccer game in Mongolia. It took quite a while for Asashoryu to return to competition, and so far he’s lost his aura of being undefeatable. Earlier this year he ended the tournament with 2 losses, while his main competitor Hakuhou was undefeated. The newspapers each reported on the recent Sumo Tournament in Nagoya, and how Asashoryu fairs compared with his competition.
Asahi “Asashoryu Continues to Lose, Hakuhou and Shikona Are Able to Protect their Undefeated Titles”
