Hello! I’m Kelly – RSS feed fiend and fellow former Iwate ALT (indeed, just like the Blog Beat’s own Crystal Wong!). Fret not, Crystal has not forsaken the JET blogosphere. There are just so many blogs to keep up with that I have offered to lend her a hand on occasion.
Now to get on to the goods – more new blogs than you can shake a stick at!
* A favorite blog of mine and one that I personally recommended for the blog roll is Japandra. This little treasure-trove of a blog is brought to you by Sandra, a NY expat and JET alum currently living in Tokyo, who has keen eye for those little irregular hilarities which sneak into the Japanese landscape. What are you waiting for? That fuzzy natsukashii “Haha, only in Japan!” feeling is just a click away…
* Sean Sakamoto of I’d Rather Be in Japan lives it up in the wild and wondrous beauty of Gifu. In one of his most recent posts he brings the forest to us in an excellent home-made video series on how to harvest, prepare, and enjoy eating…bamboo!
* Next up is Jason’s Adventures in Rural Japan (aka Shimane). Although Jason is currently packing up to return to the U.S., his blog is a great place to peruse his selection of the past year’s omoshiroi Japanese YouTube videos.
* Are you a prospective JET itching to find more information about the JET teaching experience in rural areas? If so (or even if not!), check out Mel’s Adventures in Japan.
* Take some time to enjoy the comedic writing style of Steve Rogers, a lover of all things list-worthy (he even writes lists… about lists!), who does very well keeping his sense of humor while enduring Northern Tohoku Exposure.
* D. Freeman – photographer, web guru, and writer – takes his readers on a myriad of viral-worthy adventures. Check his site to find out what is the What-What on the interweb today.
* Finally, we would like to introduce another successful JET writer Christy Burne (Hyogo-ken) who has just been given the first Frances Lincoln Diverse Voices book award, an award that aims to celebrate cultural diversity in children’s literature. Her book, Takeshita Demons, will be published next year and is based on the adventures of a Japanese schoolgirl named Miku. Be sure to keep up with all the exciting developments for Christy!
Job: Resident Director, Japan Center for Michigan Universities (Shiga-ken, Japan)
Jobs 
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This nifty job listing was shared by Nina Morgenlander, a longtime Friend of JET who works in the field of international education programs:
RESIDENT DIRECTOR, JAPAN CENTER FOR MICHIGAN UNIVERSITIES (JCMU) Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Japan
The Resident Director is responsible for managing and administering JCMU academic programs, day-to-day operations of the Center, including the budget and supervising students, staff, and faculty. Other duties include teaching a Japanese Culture and Society course, representing the JCMU consortium in public functions, and maintaining communications with MSU and relevant Japanese and American associates. Read More
J-News Mini-Roundup: Death Threats on Wikipedia, in Japan
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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.
Scene from "The Grudge"
Background: Japan is a perfect example of how the internet’s reach has gone global. One way to measure popularity of the internet is how many websites have been translated to other languages besides English, and Japanese has no shortage of translations in cyberspace. The internet in Japan has become a popular tool for commerce and social networking.
However, Japan is relatively new to abuses of the internet. Although sometimes incidents such as the Akihabara hit and run (06/08) were written about on blogs before the event took place, big websites such as Wikipedia have not seen abuse yet from users. The newspapers each had their own take on the “Wikipedia Incident”, the first documented arrest for abusing the Wikipedia website in Japan.
Asahi “3 Boys Charged with Writing Death Threat Articles”
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
Job: Senior Campaigners/Strategists-International Movement Team for Purpose Campaigns (NYC or elsewhere)
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(Internships also available)
Is there anyone out there in the JETAA-sphere facing financial difficulties, considering bankruptcy, worrying about foreclosure?
If so, feel free to e-mail your questions to me at jetwit [at] jetwit [dot] com.
I’m no longer a practicing bankruptcy lawyer, but I work in the bankruptcy world (see, e.g., the Bankruptcy Bill cartoon) and figured I could at least try to help out and get answers to any questions JET alums and Friends of JET out there might have. I might even be able to recommend a good lawyer for you, depending where you live.
I’ll keep all of your information confidential. However, if you give me permission, I would like to anonymously post your question and the eventual response on JetWit for the benefit of other readers.
Lastly, for your entertainment, here’s a post about an engaging blog titled “Love in the Time of Foreclosure” by a writer who is going through foreclosure with her husband. In a lot of ways, it’s more about love than about foreclosure, and kind of captures the zeitgeist of the times in which we’re living.
Job: Change.org seeks online organizer (NY, SF or DC)
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Shared with JetWit by JETAA NY Webmaster Lee-Sean Huang (2003-06) (Please do not contact Lee-Sean to apply for this job.):
Change.org is Hiring an Online Organizer
http://jobs.change.org/view/PWutSUyzgW
Want to help run advocacy campaigns on behalf of dozens of issues in collaboration with 500,000 activists and 4,000 organizations?
Change.org is hiring a full-time online organizer to help create, manage, and promote advocacy campaigns for its 20 causes. The online organizer will:
1. Work directly with Change.org’s growing team of bloggers to identify opportunities for creating effective grassroots campaigns on a daily basis;
2. Serve as the point of contact with Change.org’s thousands of nonprofit partners to improve their campaigns;
3. Maintain a pulse on the most popular and effective campaigns across the web to feature on Change.org, and;
4. Raise awareness about particularly newsworthy campaigns through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
The online strategist will also work with Change.org’s executive team to craft overall site strategy and oversee several major upcoming projects to be announced in the fall.
Applicants should have experience with strategizing and executing online advocacy campaigns, an interest in social media, and an excitement about working in a small, fast-growing organization. We welcome applicants of all ages – from young online organizers eager for more responsibility to seasoned veterans looking to oversee a diverse array of campaigns.
The position can be held in San Francisco, New York or Washington, DC. Pay is competitive.
To apply, send a brief introduction about your experience and a resume and/or Linkedin profile to organizer[at]change[dot]org.
WIT Life #43: ひったくり
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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.
Japan’s status as a crime free haven is being further tarnished by an increase in a kind of petty thievery known as ひったくり (hittakuri) or bag snatching. The culprits make their moves while on motorbikes, bicycles or even on foot, and many times their distracted victims do not notice them until it is too late. According to a policeman, as they are often arrested holding little or no money of their own, it is thought that these crimes are committed out of economic need.
Hittakuri has a comparatively low arrest rate, primarily because Read More
Job: Nippon TV news intern (NY)
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A nice job listing sent directly to JetWit from Nippon TV:
Nippon TV (NTV), Japan’s oldest TV network has openings for enthusiastic news interns at New York News Bureau. The responsibility for the position is to assist our reporters in creating daily news stories, breaking news and longer feature stories to our Japanese audience. The ideal candidate would be fluent English speaker (Native/Business level) and conversational in Japanese, have great interests in news and be able to work long-term, more than 3 months. We don’t assist in any visa support. Interested candidates should send their English and Japanese resume to contact@ntvic.com.
Japan Fix: South Carolina
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Note: This is the second in what JetWit hopes will grow into a series of “Japan Fix” articles. How do you get your Japan fix wherever you live? Write it down and send it to JetWit for the entertainment and benefit of the JET alum community.
Japan Fix: South Carolina
By Daniel J. Stone (Saitama-ken, 2004-07), JETAA South Carolina Subchapter Rep
After spending seven years In San Diego and Los Angeles followed by three years in the metro Tokyo area, the decision to return to my hometown of Greenville, South Carolina with my wife who hails from Tokyo was a bit naïve when I look back to when we first returned to “America’s Bible Belt” in 2007.
Despite the geographic location, demographics and the overall facts that South Carolina is a small and rural state, one can get their “Japan Fix”, if they know where to look.
CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS
The International Center of the Upstate (ICU), located at the Greenville City Hall building, is a non-profit organization devoted to promoting cross-cultural understanding among local and international residents of Upstate South Carolina. It was here where my wife and I went to learn of where to go and what to do in the area’s international community. One of the first things I did was volunteer at ICU’s English conversation group where a group of Japanese spouses attended the weekly session.
Another group which was helpful was the Japan America Association of South Carolina based in Greenville. Through this group I was able to network with Japanese expatriates working at various companies in the area and like-minded Americans.
Lastly, there is the good ‘ol JETAA group based in Atlanta. It was through here that I met other JET alums in the area.
GROCERY & FOOD SHOPPING
The Tanpopo, aka “Dandelion”, located at the corner of Pelham Road and Highway 14 is a Read More
JETAA Chapter Beat 6.17.09
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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.
- Pre-Departure Seminar – Saturday, June 27th, 8:00 to 5:00 at Almansor Court. The 2009 JET participants are gearing up for their adventure to Japan, and JETAASC is leading the way with this orientation weekend. Workshops include: Financial Matters, First Time Teachers, Advice on Moving, Japanese Etiquette for Beginners and Jr./Sr. HIgh School.
- Wilson Park BBQ – Saturday, July 11th, 12:00 at Wilson Park in Torrance. Spend a summer day outside with JETs, family and JET alumni.
- JET Pre-Departure Reception – July 31st in Detroit. JETAA and the new batch of 2009 JET Participants are getting together before the day of departure arrives for some guidance, laughter and memories.
- Ask JET Brownbag Lunch – June 21st, 12:00 to 2:00 at Golden Gate Park Arboretum. 2009 JET Participants are welcomed to this informal get together to ask questions and learn about the JET experience by JET alumni. Don’t miss this great chance to learn and share.
- Pre-Departure Volunteers Needed for Workshops – As the 2009 group of JET Participants prepare to leave, JETAANC is looking for volunteers for a Japanese Cross Culture Workshop and a Q&A for New JETs Workshop.
- Natsu Matsuri Summer Picnic – Sunday, June 28th, 11:00 to 3:00 at Golden Gate Park Speedway Meadow. New JET participants, JET Alumni and friends are getting together for a casual ad fun day outside with good food and company.
- 2009 JET Q&A Session and Nijikai – Sunday June 27th following the weekend orientation activities PNWJETAA will be hosting a special pizza dinner and Q&A session for new JET Participants. Afterwards will be a Nijikai at the Elephant and Castle.
- Walk for Rice – Saturday, June 20th, 8:00 to 12:30 at Seward Park. Join PNWJETAA in a free 2.5 mile fun run and walk-a-thon to benefit the Asian Counseling and Referral Sevice Food Bank.
- JETAADC Volunteer Event – Sunday, June 28th, 11:30 to 1:30 at Loaves and Fishes in Columbia Heights. This years JETAA Volunteer Event will be preparing and serving hot lunches for 200 people in need at Loaves and Fishes. Lend a hand and spend the day giving back.
- NOVA Brewfest – Saturday, June 27th at the Morven Park in Leesburg, VA. JETAADC is getting together at this years Northern Virginia Summer Brewfest “Celebration of American Beer.” More details soon.
- Shaitsu Clinic and Workshop – Friday, July 10th, 6:00 at the YWCA Hotel. The Canadian College of Shiatsu Therapy and JETAABC are hosting an event to learn more about the shiatsu experience. Learn about it firsthand and let the stress melt away.
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.
JETAA Chicago Newsletter request for articles
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Via JETAA Chicago and it’s wonderful newsletter editor, Elizabeth Friedman (Shimane-ken, 2003-04):
Dear Chicago JET alums,
My name is Elizabeth Friedman and I am the editor of the Chicago JETAA Newsletter.
I would like to invite all JET alums to submit articles for the summer edition. I have listed some ideas for submissions, but feel free to send in whatever you feel would be appropriate to include in a JETAA newsletter.
- The deadline for submissions is June, 26th.
- Please send your articles to me at jetaachinewsletter@ gmail.com.
- Submissions can include:
–Comic strips
–Restaurant reviews
–Japanese cultural activities in Chicago (music, movies, theater, art exhibits, etc…) reviews or thoughts on
–Announcements about JET alumni (marriages, graduations, jobs, etc…)
–Short stories (maybe a series–one page per issue),poetry, visual art, etc… done by JET alums that was inspired by Japanese culture
–Reflections on returning home from your JET experience
Feel free to contact me at jetaachinewslette r@ gmail.com if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Friedman (Shimane-ken, 2003-04)
J-News Mini-Roundup: Nature Attacks! – in Japan
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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.
Background: Living in Japan one of the things you notice is how different your natural surroundings are. Coming from the east coast of the U.S., I was not used to Earthquakes waking me up at 4 in the morning. Or just turn on a nature show and you’ll hear about the Zumebachi, the vicious bees that are a couple inches long and supposedly have some poison associated with their sting.
The collection of articles today tries to capture the different threats from nature that are experienced in Japan. The newspapers each focused on a different phenomenon; some strange, some more common.
Asahi “Tadpoles Fall from the Sky…”
(CLICK HERE for the rest of the article, that includes Japanese News Summaries)
Another good post from Greg at TheDigitalists.com, this one on why Twitter and Facebook are effective for small businesses, but not yet for large companies. And what they might want to do about it.
http://thedigitalists.com/2009/06/12/social-networks-missed-opportunity/#comment-205
(Also references the really yummy Salted Caramel Pretzel ice cream at General Greene’s in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn.)
Wide Island View: The latest from Hiroshima JET-land
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Gail Cetnar Meadows says there are some great new stories now posted on the Wide Island View… Takarazuka theater, Traveling to South Korea, Nikujaga recipe. Check it out!
The Wide Island View is the kakkouii online newsletter for AJET Hiroshima-ken, started by current JETs Gail Cetnar Meadows and Joshua Zimmerman.
Roland Kelts column on conversation with Haruki Murakami
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Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, has a short “JapanamericanEyes” column posted on Trannet.co.jp titled “Surfacing with Strength: Haruki Murakami at 60.”
