Japan-America Society Round-Up 4.2.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows shines a light on some of the upcoming events and activities of Japan-America Societies across the U.S. …
49th Annual Sakura Matsuri – Saturday, April 4, 11 a.m – 6 p.m. at 12th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Come enjoy the biggest Japanese festival in the world (outside of Japan!). Bonus: it’s free. For more information, see the society’s event listing.
- Acupuncture Lecture and Demonstration – Monday, April 6, 7 p.m. at Casa de Luz, 1701 Toomey Road. The first blind acupuncturist in Texas will share the history of blind acupuncture practitioners in Japan, as well as demonstrate how the Toyohari method is different from other methods of acupuncture. See the society’s e-newsletter for more information.
- Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival – Saturday/Sunday, April 11 & 12 in San Francisco’s Japanese quarter, centered at Post and Buchanan streets. Two hundred thousand people attend this bustling street festival each year. This year, for the first time, Hello Kitty and her entourage will be visiting from Japan’s Puroland. For more information, see the society’s event listing.
- Nichibei Luncheon – Friday, April 17, 12 – 1:30 p.m. at the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, 300 Carew Tower 441 Vine St. Lauren S. Crane, Assistant Professor of Psychology & East Asia Studies at Wittenberg University, will give a presentation titled “Building Japanese-style and American-style Relationships.” The talk will explore the cross-cultural similarities and differences in relationship-building and consider why Americans and Japanese have different relationship styles in the first place. For more information, visit the society’s website.
Does your local Japan-America Society have an upcoming event you’d like to share with others? Let JetWit know by sending an e-mail with the info to Gail Meadows at japansociety (at) jetwit (dot) com.
Even more video from the JET Alumni Author Showcase
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Thanks to Lawrence Brenner (www.lawrencebrenner.com), an online video and content specialist who covers a lot of Roland Kelts’ events, we have even more video from the JET Alumni Author Showcase laid out in nice YouTube video clips:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=E204A157B05C1AEC
Seattle-based Kevin Kajitani (Kyogo-ken, 2006-07) just let us know about his blog, iSpeakJapanese.net, which features current events as well as videos and other tools for learning or improving your Japanese. Kevin, who was featured in the Winter 2009 issue of JQ (JETAA NY Quarterly) Magazine, is the co-founder of Speakit LLC along with his partner Aaron.
As you’ll notice, Kevin and Aaron have a rather unique and creative approach to Japanese language and culture learning.
Zorgamazoo wins 3rd prize at New York Book Show
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Good news to report from Rob Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04), author of the rhyming novel Zorgamazoo:
One reason I travelled to NYC last week was because my book was up for a design award from the Bookbinder’s Guild of New York, presented at the New York Book Show.
…I’m very pleased to announce that Zorgamazoo won 3rd prize in the Young Adult Hardcover category! The book was beaten out by two other impressive entries, Moribito by Nahoko Uehashi, which took 2nd prize, and Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley, which claimed the category.
(Click here to read the rest of Rob’s post)
(Click here to watch a video clip of Rob reading reading a selection from Zorgamazoo at the recent JET Alumni Author Showcase.)
Roland Kelts interviewed by AnimeNewsNetwork’s Chicks-On-Anime
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A good (and long) interview with Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, by Bamboo and Sara (aka Chicks-On-Anime) has been posted on the AnimeNewsNetwork.
J-News Mini-Roundup: The Economic Downturn
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J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, founder of Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com). Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese language learning options.
The Economic Downturn and its Effects: Most Pessimistic to Most Optimistic
4 – NHK: The biggest news on economic glum came from the NHK news station today. Within the financial community the highly anticipated “Tankan Survey” done by the Bank of Japan stated record pessimism amongst company executives. 61% stated their companies were doing poorly, while only 3% stated they were doing well. This measure is the worst it’s been since the survey’s inception, about 30 years ago.
3 – Nikkei: Not to be outdone, the Nikkei then reported that bankruptcies from listed companies in 2008 had reached 45. This is the highest rate of bankruptcies since WWII. To underscore this point, the second worst year of bankruptcies in Japan was 2002, with only 22 bankruptcies.
2 – Asahi: The Asahi ran a headliner this morning about how lay offs and the economic downturn are good for some companies. Reporting from within the headquarters of a recruiting agency that hires part time workers ( a company called あず) executives were rejoicing on how this is their chance to get more recruits for part time work than ever before. They referred to the “フリーター魂” the furi-ta- or “seasonal worker” spirit!
1 – Yomiuri: The headlines at Yomiuri this morning topped the optimism radar. They made no mention of an economic downturn, but instead decided to focus on North Korea. So you’re probably expecting some kind of article regarding missile launches accidently dropping missiles on Japan? Nope, the headliner read: Kim Jong Ill’s thinness is due to dieting, he’s getting thin due to health reasons.”
Enterprise 2.0 technologies in Japanese companies?
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An interesting question was posed on a LinkedIn group called Japan Intercultural Consulting, started by Pernille Rudlin. Feel free to comment below or, on the JIC group page or directly to Pernille if you have insights to share.
Enterprise 2.0 technologies in Japanese companies
Does anyone know of a Japanese (or if not, other multinational) company that is successfully using Enterprise 2.0 technologies for internal communications – in other words Web 2.0 technology such as social networking, blogs, wikis, used inside corporations? I’m particularly interested in any usage going across national boundaries.
JETAA DC Book Club to read “An Artist of the Floating World”
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Via JETAA DC:
Hi Everyone,
JETAADC’s very own book club – with the working name of JBook – is up and running. This month we’ll be reading An Artist of the Floating
World Kazuo Ishiguro. We’ll meet on Monday, April 20 at 6:30pm at the Penn Teaism (in the downstairs area). New members are welcome! Just RSVP a little ahead of time so we know how many tables to push together.
Happy Reading,
-Dan
JETAA Chapter Beat 4.1.09
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Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community…
- Happy Hour – Friday, April 3rd, 6:00 at Wann Izakaya. Start the weekend right with drinks, takoyaki and friends at PNW JETAA.
- April Monthly Meeting – Monday, April 6th, 6:00 at Panama Cafe. Come see the inner workings of PNW JETAA and find out about what’s going and what opportunities are out there for eager volunteers.
- Mini Hanami – Wednesday, April 1st, 5:30 at the tidal basin. Have a seat under the cherry blossoms and relax with friends at JETAADC.
- Quiz Night Write Up! – The quiz night, held jontly with UWA JAPSSOC, was bigger and better than 07/08, with just under 100 competitors in attendance over 12 teams. We look forward to an even larger turnout next year — JETAA Western Australia
- Annual General Meeting Write Up! – [AGM] was held to a subdued turnout but was a great chance to catch up and confirm the committee for next year, which will be: President Nick John, Vice President & Treasurer Adam Reynolds, Secretary Dave Millin, Social Rep Emma Wilson, Media Rep Karen le Blanc, Promos Rep Tegan Chubb, General Members Luke Eaton, Karen Carter, and Nat Garmony — JETAA Western Australia
- Sakura Sunday – April 5th, 11:00 to 4:00 at the Horticulture Center in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. Join JETAANY as well as the Philadelphia and New Jersey Subchapters at the Philadelphia Cherry Blossom Festival. Live music, hanami, dance, and a plethora of other Japanese related events and activities.
- JETAA Job Fair – Saturday, April 4th, 12:00 to 5:00 at the Japan Information Center. Mark your calendars for this important chance to network with Chicago Japanese businesses.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- JETAANC Hanami – Sunday, April 5th, 11:00 to 3:00 at Golden Gate Park, Speedway Meadow. Join JETAANC under the cherry trees for some fun and sun.
- 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.
Saw this on the JETAA Pacific Northwest yahoogroup list and thought it was worth sharing. I’m sure there are plenty of other JET alum actors/performers out there, so feel free to share any upcoming performances via e-mail to jetwit at jetwit dot com and perhaps we can do a periodic update of what various folks are up to.
Just wanted to pass this on from Nate Maddox (Kagawa-ken 2003-2005), and (disclaimer!) good friend of mine. I saw The Underpants on Sunday, and I’ll vouch for the hilarity. All the characters are absurd, and there are some killer lines.
Yes, there are underpants in this play. No, they are not Nate’s. (And no, you probably don’t want to bring kids under 14.) But I highly recommend it, especially if you’d like to see Nate prance about in a ridiculous hat and cape.
Please go enjoy The Underpants!
-Sandra
———– (more info below) Read More
NY-based JET alum Carol Elk was in D.C. on Tuesday to see the cherry blossoms and was kind enough to share some of her hanami photos.
Job: Internet Marketing Coordinator at Outdoor Research – Seattle, WA
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Via the Pacific Northwest JETAA yahoo group:
Hello,
We have a new opening in marketing for an Internet Marketing Coordinator. This is a full-time exempt position with full benefits. This person will assist in the creation, production, implementation, and analysis of web marketing initiatives. A complete job description may be found on the OR website.
Please send resume and cover letter to jobs at outdoorresearch dot com
Thank you!
Suzanne Ekler, PHR
HR Administrator
Outdoor Research
News: 84-year old Japanese woman foils 22-year-old burglar in Fukuoka
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Thanks to Kirsten Phillips (Niigata-ken, 2005-08) for sharing proof of what JET alums already know: obaasans are not to be F*&%$ed with:
Program Coordinator – Consulate General of Japan in Miami
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Via the JETAA Northern California jobs yahoogroup:
Program Coordinator
Description:
The Japan Information and Culture Department of the Consulate General of Japan in Miami has an opening for a program coordinator. This is a full-time contract position. The ideal candidate will be fast-paced, results oriented, creative and flexible. Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills in team planning, public speaking and presenting are required.
Job: Customer Service Representative – Chicago
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Via JETAA Chicago:
Customer Service Representative
Job Description –
The customer service representative acts to bridge communication between customers, outside representatives and sales managers. He or she will process orders and provide support to customers and distributors regarding order status, pricing and delivery. The customer service representative works closely with the purchasing department and the warehouse to ensure prompt and efficient shipments, guaranteeing customer satisfaction.
