Via the Society for Writers Editors and Translators (SWET) e-mail list. Several workshops/discussions/presentations that seem to be very useful for writers and translators in Japan:
SWET News, April 8, 2009
For details on the following upcoming events, see below:
1) April 21 (Tues)–SWET OPEN FORUM: Wordsmithing in Japan (Tokyo)
2) May 16 (Sat)– WRITING MULTICULTURAL FAMILIES (Tokyo)
3) May 17 (Sun)–SWET KANSAI: THREE POETS IN JAPAN (Kyoto)
4) June 23 (Tues)–WRITING NEWS ON JAPAN with Elaine Lies (Tokyo)
5) July 18 (Sat)–SWET (Kanto) Summer Party – details pending. Read More
Job: Document Review – Houston, Texas
Jobs, Translating/Interpreting 
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JetWit job poster Stephen Palanik (Fukushima Ken, 2004-08) found the following employment opportunity on the Honyaku E <> J Translation List and thought it might be useful to former JETs in the Houston area. Stephen is a translator based in Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka ken, and he will be periodically posting job listings and event information for JET alumni.
Note: The following opportunity is an update to an earlier post on JetWit. The original document review job has been filled in Austin, TX, but the same company is now looking to fill the same job in Houston.
The client is a law firm that has an intellectual property matter that has generated a million documents which are stuffed into 500 boxes in their Houston office. Rather than having someone review the documents page by page at this time, they would like someone fluent in Japanese to thumb through each box and just identify the type of documents. One box may just be invoices, another might be reports, etc.
They have estimated that if it took approximately 30 minutes per box, the project would take about 2 months to complete. Ideally, they would like someone to devote a full time schedule to the project, but they may be open.
They are in a hurry, and would like to hear back from anyone who’s interested as soon as possible.
Interested parties should send an e-mail to Holly Coe.
Unemployment Craze Reshapes Economy 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.
The news stories this morning told of a drastic restructuring of the Japanese economy. All eyes are on the electronics and auto industries, and the effects they have on the job market.
- NHK (Frustrated Voices of the Unemployed) NHK News stated that because of the massive layoffs in the auto and electronics industries, recruitment agencies are getting too many applicants to handle. Hello Work, the recruitment agency created by the Federal Government, had about 20,000 applicants in one day in Fukushima. “I waited 3-4 hours in line to see someone” stated a job-seeker. NHK asked “Did you find any jobs?” “There are no jobs anywhere.”
- Asahi (Companies Lose Applicants, Move to Safer Jobs) One of the most shocking headlines of the day ran by the Asahi was the details of how many auto and electronics industries were losing job applicants. The paradigm was Toyota, which last year was 6th amongst job applicants, and this year dropped to 96th The Asahi claimed the main reason for the switch was applicants wanted to work for industries that had more secure jobs. Guess which industry job applicants preferred? Financial
- NHK (Political Stimulus to Help the Industry) Politicians responded to the turmoil the auto and electronics industries are having with jobs by adding a part in the stimulus package for them. So is the government’s solution to buy up bad debt or mortgage securities? Nope, instead they’ve agreed to give tax incentives for consumers to buy…TV’s. All schools who do not have T.V.’s will get a special tax provision to encourage consumer electronics spending. Regular consumers get a “green credit” for buying flat screen televisions that are “eco friendly”.
Donald Keene Center presents: Royall Tyler – The Honor of Translating the Tale of Genji
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Via Kia Cheleen (CIR, Aichi-ken 1996-98, ALT 1998-1999), Associate Director at the Donald Keene Center on Japanese Culture at Columbia University. To get on their e-mail list for future events, send an e-mail to donald-keene-center at columbia dot edu.
2009 Annual Soshitsu Sen XV Distinguished Lecture on Japanese Culture
“The Honor of Translating the Tale of Genji”
Royall Tyler
6:00 PM, Wednesday, April 22nd
The 2008-2009 academic year marks the one-thousandth anniversary of that remarkable classic of Japanese literature, Murasaki Shikibu’s The Tale of Genji. In order to commemorate the occasion, the Keene Center has invited the renowned Genji scholar and most recent translator of that work into English, Dr. Royall Tyler, to deliver this year’s Soshitsu Sen XV Distinguished Lecture on Japanese Culture.
Miller Theater, Columbia University (116th Street and Broadway)
Please go to http://www.columbia.edu/about_columbia/map/miller_theater.html for a campus map
Reservations are required by April 15th. To RSVP for a reservation-only event,
please email dcc2119 at columbia dot edu or send a fax to 212-854-4019. Read More
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 formerEnglish-language writer for Kyodo News. She now works as a media planner in Chelsea and sorely misses all her favorite midtown ramen joints.
Happy hanami season, everyone!
JET alumni Kevin and Aaron seek to educate the masses about Japanese manners on their new blog, iSpeakJapanese. The video covers all the basics that can be a mystery to gaijin, including indoor and outdoor shoes, chopsticks, and tipping as well and a funny tale to boot.
MEF alum Bruce Rutledge, founder of the Chin Music Press in Seattle introduces new members of his staff.
Devon Brown (Tokyo-to, 2002-2004) shares her tips for a hanami picnic this weekend.
Jobs: International Education Programs – via Chronicle of Higher Ed
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Via the Chronicle of Higher Ed’s international program job listings:
4/1/2009
- Western Illinois University (Illinois) : Assistant Director of Study Abroad – Center for International Studies
- Learn more in our Employer Profiles
3/30/2009
- St. John’s University (N.Y.) (New York) : Associate Director of International Admission; Office of Admission (Undergraduate)
- University of Kansas (Kansas) : Director Office of Study Abroad
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (Texas) : Registrar and Director of International Services
Recent publications by JET alum Michael Auslin
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Two recent publications by JET alum Michael Auslin, a professor of Japanese history and politics and currently the Director of Japanese Studies for the American Enterprise Institute in D.C.
The Sick Man of Asia
Posted Date: Monday, April 6, 2009
It might not be possible for Tokyo to maintain the type of global role it has played so far. If that happens, the world may finally understand just how vital that role was. http://www.aei.org/publication29667
Can Japan Thrive–or Survive?
Posted Date: Monday, April 6, 2009
Despite its political sclerosis, economic stagnation, and demographic worries, Japan is a resilient nation that has much to contribute to the world. http://www.aei.org/publication29666
Michael will also be moderating a panel on Tuesday, April 14 at the AEI offices in Washington, D.C. on the topic of “Are Alliances Enough: The Role of the U.S.-Japanese Alliance in Maritime Asia.” The panel is part of an all-day conference titled Protecting the Seas: Maritime Security in the Asia Pacific, America’s Interests, and Asia’s Future.
Job: Japanese Language and Culture Teacher (short-term) – Youth For Understanding (CA)
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Update: The deadline for applying for this position has been extended to April 17.
Apparently, Youth For Understanding has had a good experience hiring JET alums in the past for this position, so they’re looking for JET alums again.
YOUTH FOR UNDERSTANDING USA POSITION DESCRIPTION
Short-Term Position JAPANESE CULTURE AND LANGUAGE TEACHER The Culture and Language Teacher is a paid contract position with YFU, and reports directly to the Site Directors and indirectly to the Assistant Site Director.
Click link for more information and contact info (PDF): http://my.yfu.org/dept/eandt/Orientations/JPDO/Teacher_Position_Description_2009.pdf
Rare Japanese Film Masterpiece “The Human Condition” at Film Forum in NYC
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By translator and writer Jamie Graves (Saitama-Ken 2002-2003)
Periods of great filmmaking seem to flower only under certain conditions, none of which seem to last very long. A relatively stable and industrialized society is needed just to provide the materials and conditions to shoot films, but truly great filmmaking only seems to spring up in the aftermath of huge social upheavals. The images of poverty and brutality in Italian Neo-Realist masterpieces like “The Bicycle Thief” and “Open City” had a jarring immediacy springing out of a society that had been rocked by poverty, a bloody invasion, and an increasingly oppressive regime. America cinema of the 1970s wrestled an increasingly fragmented society of alienated individuals in masterpieces like “Godfather Part II”, “Dog Day Afternoon”, and “Taxi Driver”. Recently places as disparate as Korea and Iran have begun to produce filmmakers whose works crackle and pulse with an immediacy missing from most American filmmaking. Something has been propelling them not just to make movies that can get made, but that they feel must get made.
It is widely acknowledged that Japanese cinema of the 1950s and 1960s popped with this sort of immediacy. Some mysterious confluence of a permissive studio system open to experimentation, a public hungry for rich, complex films and a generation of filmmakers with ambitious visions for cinema Read More
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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.
Having recently returned from a trip to Japan, during my time there I was reminded of the cultural differences large and s
mall that exist between our two nations. Some were simple things I forgot, such as the sometimes lack of paper towels and dryers in the restrooms and the need to carry around a small towel to dry your hands. Other issues were more deeply integrated into the cultural psyche, such as the surprise that friends expressed when I told them about pregnancy/motherhood here in the States. I happened to visit many pregnant friends and new mothers, and they get to enjoy a long stay in the hospital after giving birth. Also, for working mothers the amount of time you can take off in Japan before returning to the workplace is quite generous (for some cases such as civil servants a year compared to the typical three months here), although I think the tendency for women not to return to work after having a baby is more common than here in the States.
Anyway, the news this morning profiled a story that fits into the larger cultural difference category. According to the report, actor Shunta Nakamura (31), the son of actor Masatoshi Nakamura (58) and actress Junko Igarashi (56), was arrested this weekend for Read More
JETAA Chapter Beat 4.7.09
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Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community…
- AJS Pitch and Putt Golf Day – Saturday, April 18th, 2:00 at Canberra International Golf Centre. Tee off with AJS and JETAA Canberra for a day of family fun.
- O-Shaberikai – Wednesday, April 29th, 5:30 at the Holy Grail in Civic. Join in and meet Japanese people living in Canberra and other locals interested in Japan.
- Panel Discussion – Tuesday, April 14th, 9:00 A.M. at the Wohlstetter Conference Center, AEI offices. JET alum Michael Auslin, Director of Japan Studies for the American Enterprise Institute, will be moderating a panel discussion on the topic of “Are Alliances Enough: The Role of the U.S. – Japanese Alliance in Maritime Asia.” This discussion is only part of an all day event titled “Protecting the Seas: Maritime Security in the Asia Pacific, America’s Interests, and Asia’s Future.”
- JBook Book Club – Monday, April 20th, 6:30 at the Penn Quarter Teaism. This month’s book is “An Artist of the Floating World” by Kazuo Ishiguro. Come share your thoughts and impressions with JBook.
- Star in the Eye Poetry Reading – Tuesday, April 7th, 5:30 at Barnes and Noble on 1 E. Jackson. Former ALT James Shea will be giving a poetry reading from his book “Star in the Eye.”
- JETAA Meeting – Monday, April 13th, 6:00 at Hema’s Kitchen. Sit in and find out more about the Chicago JETAA community.
- James Kennedy “The Order of the Odd-Fish” Book Reading and Signings – James Kennedy will be promoting his book, “The Order of the Odd-Fish” at three upcoming events within the Chicago area. Saturday, April 22nd, 2:00 at Borders bookstore, Wednesday, April 22nd, 4:00 at the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library, and Tuesday, April 28th, 7:30 at the Hopleaf. Do not miss this chance to meet James and hear excerpts from his delightful book.
- JET Alum Writers Needed – The Sushi and Sake Magazine is looking for JET Alumni to share their experiences in writing to teach others about Japan. In particular, topics on cuisine, language, geographic regions and business structure are being sought, but anyone can contribute.
- Second Weekend Social JETAASC Rock Wall Climbing Event – Saturday, April 11th, 3:30 at Beach City Rocks. JETAASC will be spending the day on the wall, followed by a little Korean BBQ.
- Nihongo Dake – Sunday, April 26th, 2:00 at a location yet to be determined. Brush up on your Japanese skills and join in on a day of conversation, food and JETAA.
JETAA Texoma
- Japan Festival Mikoshi Bearers Needed – April 25th and 26th in Hermann Park, Houston. JETAA and the Consulate of Japan are looking for volunteers to help out at this year’s Japan Festival carrying the mikoshi(portable shrine) that they are building. Help out or just stop by JETAA Texoma’s booth and say hi.
- Japanese Colligraphy: Language and Cultural Experience Workshop – Wednesday, April 8th, 6:15 at the Japan Society Conference Room. Spend the day learning about Shodo, the art of writing kanji and kana characters with an ink-dipped brush led by Mr. Hideo Murakana.
- Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival – April 11, 12, 18 & 19th at the San Francisco Japantown. Two weekends of Japanese culture and food. It’s the 42nd year of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, including a lively street fair with food, arts and crafts and a children’s village.
- JETAANC Oakland A’s Game – Saturday, April 25th, 1:00 at McAfee Coliseum. JETAANC and the Japan Society are co-hosting a day at the ballpark. Oakland takes on Tampa Bay, so come out and root for the home team with friends and JETAA.
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.
Robert Weston’s (Nara-ken, 2002-04) rhyming novel Zorgamazoo has just received another honor. Below is the post by Rob on his blog wayofthewest.wordpress.com:
Unbelievable. My little black book simply won’t stop slapping me in the face with the most pleasant of surprises.
GET THIS: Zorgamazoo is on the shortlist for the 2009 E.B. White Read Aloud Award. And here’s what I have to say about it:
EEEEEEEEEEGAD!
(ahem. )
Now then. What this means: E.B. White, as I’m certain you already know, is the author of Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little (he’s also the eponymous “White” of Strunk and White’s Elements of Style).
Co-working links
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The following links are from the article on co-working by freelance translator Joel Dechant (CIR Fukuoka-ken, 2001-04).
- Coworking Google Group http://groups.google.com/group/coworking
- I’m Outta Here E-Book http://www.imouttaherethebook.com/
- Coworking Wiki http://coworking.pbwiki.com/
- Web Worker Daily –http://webworkerdaily.com/
- Independents Hall, Philly –http://www.indyhall.org
- CoLab Tokyo –http://co-lab.jp/about/index.html
- Jelly –http://www.workatjelly.com
Joel Dechant (CIR Fukuoka-ken, 2001-04), freelance translator based in Fukuoka, has been exploring the “co-working” trend. If interested in discussing with him, click on his name to contact him via LinkedIn or post a comment below to share your thoughts or perspectives.
After 3 years on JET I worked at a private Japanese university as a translator for 3 years. It was essentially a JET-type job: translate, interpret, assist foreign students and/or plan programs for 3 years and then you’re out. After their stints were up, some of my other colleagues went home or elsewhere in Japan to work in universities, government agencies or in the private sector, but I-on the other hand-decided to stay.
“What about my contract?” you ask. Well, my employer and I struck a deal. They needed someone who knew the university and who could translate and interpret well, and I wanted to stay in the area. By virtue of being placed in the position that bore the biggest share of translation and interpreting work, I was able to hone my skills well enough to confidently say, “Hey, I can do this!” So we wrote a new contract in which they would outsource their work to me. With the stroke of a pen, I was self-employed.
It was like a dream come true. How many times had I Read More
JETAA Chicago Newsletter – Spring 2009
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Elizabeth Friedman (Shimane-ken, 2003-04) just put out her first issue as new editor of the JETAA Chicago Spring 2009 Newsletter (PDF). Have a look-and-see at what’s going on in Chicago’s JET-world:
- Letter from the Editor
- Photos from Shinnenkai and Ski Trip
- Guide to buying Japanese food in Chicago
- Spotlight on local JET alum writer: James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of The Order of Odd-fish
- Poet and JET alum James Shea Book Event
- Japan America Society of Chicago Spring Events
