Job: Doc review for attorneys fluent in reading Japanese
Jobs 
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Thanks to Jonathan Golub, Esq. (Saitama-ken, 1996-97) for passing along this opportunity:
PeterSan Legal Temps is seeking admitted attorneys who are fluent in written Japanese for a document review project. Admission to at least one state bar is strongly preferred; attorneys with admission pending will be considered. No non-attorney candidates are being accepted at this time. Please email your resume ASAP to pltresumes@petersan.com.
(Also, a reminder for any JET alum lawyers, law school students, potential law school students or those with any other connection to or interest in law that you’re welcome to join the JETAA Law Group on Facebook.)
J-News Mini-Roundup: [Hayashi Sentenced to Death]
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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.
The year was 1998, in Wakayama-ken. In Japan it was called the “Curry Incident”, where four people were killed eating poisoned curry. Hayashi-san was charged with murder, and had appealed all the way to the Japanese Supreme Court. Today in Japan, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, and sentenced her to death. Each newspaper reported the account differently.
Nikkei Defends the accused The Nikkei focused on the court proceedings, and how under the 3rd Petty Bench of the Supreme Court, all 5 judges ruled unanimously that Hayashi-san was guilty. The Nikkei claims “she insists she’s innocent, and her and her lawyer are applying for a retrial”. The most alarming part of the Nikkei article came at the end, stating “there is actually no direct evidence linking her to the crime. The focus is instead on circumstantial evidence.” This adds new meaning to the Japanese legal philosophy: guilty, until proven innocent.
Yomiuri Condemns the accused The Yomiuri’s headline ran “The Death Penalty has been decided.” It then goes on to describe the event as the “Tragedy that took place in the summer festival”. According to the Yomiuri, in 1998 at an outdoor festival held by the Wakayama City Park Service, someone emptied poison into the curry rice. 4 people died, and 61 people sustained injury from the poisoned rice. If you weren’t feeling bad for the guilty yet, they added that Hayashi-san was a “door to door insurance salesman.”
Asahi Also fights for her innocence The Asahi as well points to the fact that the evidence pointing to Hayashi-san is all circumstantial. It then gives a full account of the appeals process, how the smaller court in Wakayama had given her a guilty sentence, but both her and her lawyer had appealed to the Supreme Court. Although the Supreme Court had ruled that she’s guilty, the Asahi does not give any examples of what the judges ruled, and instead closes their article with the arguments used to defend Hayashi-san. “The expert testimony in regards to arsenic poison cannot be trusted. The witness’s account of seeing Hayashi-san near the curry rice could have easily mistaken her for some other woman. And at any time, other people had access to the curry rice.”
Via Sabrina Carlin on the JETAA Pacific Northwest e-mail list:
For those Yoshida Kyodai fans out there, the Brothers are playing at the Triple Door on May 20th. There are two shows, 7 pm or 9:30. Tickets are $23 or $26 at the door. You can call over the phone for tickets for a small service fee. http://www.tripledoor.com/ The doors open at 5 pm, and they have a full dinner menu available. A few of us Alums are going to the first show. Want to join us?
For those of you who’ve never heard of them:
One more video clip below the fold: Read More
I just found out about another JET alum blog, this one at japandra.blogspot.com by a woman named Sandra (Miyazaki-ken, 1997-99) who worked in media in NY for a few years and now is back n Tokyo still in the media biz.
My favorite line so far is from her post “Do Over” where she attends a Yakult Swallows game and comments:
Maybe you know something about how Japanese baseball fans coordinate and organize. They make honeybees look sloppy.
Definitely a blog worth following.
J-News Mini-Roundup: [The Timing of the Snap Election]
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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.
The Japanese political system is parliamentary democracy. One of the main differences when compared to the American system is politicians can decide to call a “snap election,” in other words they can call to dissolve the parliament and try to realign political alliances to their advantage. The snap election is the general buzz term of the year in Japanese political news, and every Japanese newspaper reports political commentary to try to predict when the snap election will be held.
This weekend the focus was on commentary made by the Secretary General of the LDP’s coalition party, the Komeito party. The Komeito party’s important because both the LDP and the Komeito’s policies should be politically in sync. Here’s what the newspapers reported about Komeito’s Secretary General, Kitagawa-san.
Nikkei “The chance for a snap election is when the economy bottoms out” The Nikkei reported that Kitagawa-san said, “The bill for the 2009 budget needs to be passed before we try to do a snap election.” As to exactly when that timing would be, the Nikkei hinted at the commentary made by Kitagawa-san. “In August, we’ll get the numbers for the GDP for April to June. Once we have the feeling that the economy is bottoming out, that is our chance for a snap election.”
Yomiuri “The snap election will be either in August, or afterwards” The Yomiuri reported a slightly different take on the Secretary General’s words…for the rest of this article please visit http://hillslearning.com/blog2.aspx
This past Saturday we held the first-ever JET Alumni Blog Workshop where we invited JET alums to gather and learn how to set up, use and take advantage of blogs. This was my first activity in my new JETAA NY role as Professional Outreach & Development Chair and it turned out to be both productive and a lot of fun.
- The goal was to help JET alums develop skills that will be beneficial in furthering their careers, whether they want to be independent writers, promote their services and abilities or perhaps just be one of the few people in their company who knows how to use blogs effectively (or at all).
- Location: JETAA NY webmaster Lee-Sean Huang‘s apartment building in the Financial District in Lower Manhattan, which has wi-fi in its library. Two JET alums joined: Randall, who had never used a blog before, and Anton, who is familiar with blogs but was seeking structure for his writing energies and was interested in learning some of the techniques for effectively using a blog and increasing traffic. Rather than a formal class-style lecture, we just sat around with our laptops (3 laptops for 4 people), demonstrated the basics of blogs and then looked over Randall’s shoulder as he set up his first-ever blog. With Anton we discussed using RSS feeds to follow other blogs as well as possible writing topics
and ways to contribute to JetWit.com.
- Next JET Alumni Blog Workshop: Probably on a weeknight in the near future, most likely in midtown at a cafe or other space that has wi-fi. Stay tuned for more information. If you’re interested and you have not already been in touch, just send an e-mail to professional at jetaany dot org and I’ll add you to the list.
- Lastly, I encourage other JETAA chapters to try setting up blog workshops as well. In addition to helping JET alums learn new skills, it was also nice to get together, learn about what each of us was doing and exchange info in a constructive way. In the current economy it’s more important than ever for JET alums to help each other out, and this is just one small way among many to do that.
Just found out about another JET alum author out there in the JETAA-sphere…
Suzanne (Borsum) Kamata (Tokushima, 1988-90) is the author of the novel Losing Kei (Leapfrog Press, 2008), a picture book, Playing for Papa (Topka Books, 2008) and the editor of three anthologies – Call Me Okaasan: Adventures in Multicultural Mothering (Wyatt-Mackenzie Publishing, 2009), Love You to Pieces: Creative Writers on Raising a Child with Special Needs (Beacon Press, 2008) and The Broken Bridge: Fiction from Expatriates in Literary Japan (Stone Bridge Press, 1997). Her articles, essays, and short stories have appeared in over 100 publications, and have been nominated for the Pushcart Prize five times. She is also the 2008 recipient of the SCBWI Magazine Merit Award for Fiction. She is currently fiction editor of literarymama.com, and provides manuscript critiques on a freelance basis.
- To learn more about Suzanne you can visit her website at http://www.suzannekamata.com or her blog at http://gaijinmama.wordpress.com (RSS feed here).
- Read an interview with Suzanne Kamata on children’s books and diversity by the blog Kabiliana.
- Go to the Authors/Books section of the JetWit Library to see a complete list of JET alum authors (at least to JetWit’s knowledge).
JETAA Texoma website up and running
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Texoma JETAA Region has just announced the launch of its new website in blog format: www.jetaa9.org
Get the RSS feed here: http://www.jetaa9.org/wpb/?feed=rss2
You can go here to meet the Texoma JETAA officers.
JET alum artist Laurel Lukaszewski featured in Washington Post article
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Artist Laurel Lukaszewski (Kagoshima-ken, 1990-92) is featured in a nice article “Ceramics That Go Beyond Cups and Bowls” in Friday’s Washington Post. The article focuses on how unique it is for an artist to be working with clay these days, particularly since it has nothing to do with bowls, cups and dishes.
Laurel has an upcoming show titled “A Fine Line” opening Thursday, April 23, in D.C. Together with Noelle K. Tan she will be showing her sculpture and Noelle Tan will have her altered photographs and prints.
A Fine Line
Works by Noelle K. Tan and Laurel Lukaszewski
505 9th Street, NW Lobby
Washington, DC
(near the Archives and Gallery Place/Chinatown metro stations)
Opening Reception and Artist Talk: Thursday, April 23, 2009, 5:30 – 7:00 pm
The show runs April 23 through early July 2009 and is open weekdays 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
For more information, please visit: http://project4gallery.com/invitations/afineline/index.html
For more information on Laurel and her work, go to www.laurellukaszewski.com.
This article from today’s NY Times puts a positive spin on job searching in the current economic climate, pointing out how the lack of traditional Wall St. jobs for business school grads has in a sense given many of them “permission” to pursue other jobs, such as teaching, managing a jazz club, applying for the foreign service or going to rabbinical school when they might otherwise have felt pressured to go for a high-paying, high-status Wall Street job.
Dakedo, if you read between the lines, what this means is a more competitive job market for everyone including JET alums. Now, when you apply for the foreign service or Teach for America or anything else, you’re competing against MBA students and other highly-qualified people for these positions.
Sore de, it’s more important than ever to take a proactive approach to the notion of career and job search. The ground is shifting underneath us, which is scary, but also means there are new opportunities. It’s no longer enough to think of jobs as familiar fixed categories for which you send your resume and wait for a company or organization to “give” you a job. This is the time to look around, figure out what needs are out there and create your own job and your own value, especially given the tools available out there to everyone such as blogs, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Etsy.com, eBay and many others. While you may or may not succeed in creating your own job or business, going through the process will open doors, teach you new skills, give you more confidence and be more likely over time to lead to new opportunities and new jobs.
In other words, we all now have permission to take risks. Ganbatte kudasai!
Job: Volunteer Positions in British Columbia
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JetWit job poster Stephen Palanik (Fukushima Ken, 2004-08) learned of the following volunteer opportunities through the JETAABC website and thought they might be of interest to former JETs in British Columbia. Stephen is a translator based in Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka Ken, and he periodically posts job listings and event information for JET alumni.
The Powell Street Festival
The Powell Street Festival is an annual celebration of Japanese Canadian arts, culture and heritage that features something for everyone: dance, music, film and video, visual arts, martial arts demos, amateur sumo tournament, craft vendors, traditional displays, and of course, tons of scrumptious Japanese food.
Both seasonal and year-round volunteer positions are available. Interested parties should visit the festival’s website for more information and the application procedure.
Tonari Gumi
In 1973, Tonari Gumi was founded to provide assistance to Japanese speaking seniors in Vancouver’s downtown eastside. Many of the services that were offered over twenty-five years ago are still offered today to the pioneering seniors of this community. As well, Tonari Gumi has evolved to adapt to the growing needs of an aging Nisei population, the ongoing needs of the Issei community, and the emerging needs of younger generations including temporary residents.
Volunteer activities include lunch programs for seniors, transportation, language assistance, and special events. Interested parties should visit the group’s website for more information and application contact details.
Job: United Nations University Internship (Tokyo)
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JetWit job poster Stephen Palanik (Fukushima Ken, 2004-08) learned of the following internship available at United Nations University through the JETAABC website and thought it might be of interest to former JETs still living in Japan. Stephen is a translator based in Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka Ken, and he periodically posts job listings and event information for JET alumni.
The United Nations University’s Media Studio builds interactive content and video documentaries that engage, entertain and educate, as part of the UNU OnLine Learning initiative. This includes a burgeoning web magazine called Our World 2.0 that explores the interactions between our daily lives and the complex and pressing issues of climate change, oil dependency, and food security. The Media Studio seeks interns who would like to contribute in a number of capacities, including helping to develop a contact network, a list of potential Our World 2.0 sponsors and partners, applying for grants from foundations, web marketing, etc. Those interested in research and writing would also have the opportunity to propose articles to the editorial team.
Japan America Society Roundup 4.18.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows shines a light on some of the upcoming events of various Japan America Societies…
The Rad Smith Program in Japanese Art – The JS of Boston and the Museum of Fine Arts present a program called “Passion in Porcelain: The Ceramic Genius of Sueharu Fukami.” Fukami has been called “Japan’s Greatest Ceramic Artist.” His large sculptural works have transformed the ancient technique of porcelain. Fukami, whose works are featured in the museum’s current exhibit “Celebrating Kyoto,” will discuss his methods of creating ceramic pieces. This program is presented in connection with the 50th anniversary celebration of the Kyoto-Boston Sister City relationship.
- Date: Wednesday, April 22
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Place: Remis Auditorium in the Museum of Fine Arts
- For tickets and more information: http://www.mfa.org/calendar/event.asp?eventkey=36902&date=4/22/2009
Web Seminar – The JS of New York will host a seminar by Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa titled “The Way Out of Economic and Financial Crisis: Lessons and Actions.” Shirakawa will address the current global economic crisis and offer lessons from Japan’s recent experience.
- Date: Thursday, April 23
- Time: 1 p.m.
- For more information: http://www.japansociety.org/event_detail?eid=3bbad4d2
- Rakugo Comedy Performance – Rakugo is a Japanese style of comedy in which a seated performer presents a monologue ending with skillfully delivered punch lines called “ochi.” Sanyutei Kyouraku is a well-known Rakugo storyteller. He will perform with English translation so non-Japanese speakers can enjoy this traditional Japanese entertainment as well. Seats are limited. Tickets are $30 for JASGP members.
- Date: Friday, April 24
- Time: Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; Performance starts at 7 p.m.
- Place: Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia
- For tickets and more information: http://jagphilly.org/rakugo.html
The Races at Churchill Downs – Enjoy thoroughbred racing and lunch. Two Jockey Club suites have been reserved for JASK members throughout the afternoon thanks to corporate sponsors. Tickets are free but a reservation is required. Registration can be done online at http://jask.org/events.
- Date: Thursday, May 14
- Time: Noon to 2 p.m.
- Place: Churchill Downs
- For more information: http://jask.org/Content/Documents/Document.ashx?DocId=45875
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
WIT Life #35: Hero Worship
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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.
A recent survey of Japanese young men regarding which famous figure they would want to become resulted in Ichiro Suzuki,
Ryoma Sakamoto and Ryo Ishikawa for the top 3. The person in the #1 slot is the most recognizable, especially now that he just broke the Japanese record for most career hits with his 3086th in yesterday’s game against the Angels (though the Mariners ultimately went on to lose). In the stands to witness this feat was Ichiro’s bat maker (perhaps craftsman is a more appropriate term) of the past 15 years. He was thrilled to be part of the historical moment, and expressed his desire that the next record he wants Ichiro to break is for 4000 hits. A matsuri mood pervaded Japan in celebrating Ichiro’s feat, and in honor of his accomplishment one store created Read More
Via the Consulate General’s post on the JETAA British Columbia yahoogroup:
2010 MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Research Studies Scholarship
Guidelines and application forms for the 2010 MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Research Scholarship are now available. The scholarship is open to university graduates, born on or after April 2, 1975 who wish to study at a university in Japan as research students.
The deadline to apply for the scholarship is May 14, 2009.
The scholarship documents can be accessed through the Consulate General of Japan in Vancouver’s website at http://www.vancouve r.ca.emb- japan.go. jp/en/culture/ mext.htm
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 604.684.5868, ext. 391 or by Email at culturalcentre [at] consuljpnvan [dot] com.
Sincerely,
Steve Chevalier
Assistant to the Consul, Cultural Affairs
************ ********* ********* ********* ******
The Consulate General of Japan in Vancouver
800-1177 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 2K9
www.vancouver.ca.emb-japan.go.jp
