************By Makoto Shirai, secretary, Japan-Insights Research Institute (Non-profit organization in Tokyo)

Dear Friends,

Have you thought about the recovery of Tohoku?

Let me introduce an essay from Japan-Insights archives.

The eleventh one is on Beyond2020_nx by Dr. Shun Kanda.

https://topics.japan-insights.jp/Public/pdf/japan-insights_jp/topics/JIN_Beyond2020.pdf

Please share this expert’s experience!

Japan-Insights is a nonprofit open database compiled by leading experts in Japanese studies. The posts present a broad range of historical and contemporary topics that encourage visitors to engage with the real Japan through immersive experiences. Follow the Facebook page and website to learn about and share these insights from around the country!”

#japan #japaneseculture #Tohoku

This week on the Krewe of Japan Podcast…

In the first of many episodes focusing on English teaching in Japan, Doug & Jenn take a look at various types of teaching opportunities, both JET and non-JET avenues. This conversation transitions into an interview with two English professionals based out of Fukushima Prefecture: John Loynes (British former-JET-turned-eikaiwa-entrepreneur) & Bradley Trenery (Australian private school English instructor). John & Bradley share their unique journeys to Japan and offer some interesting insights into working in their respective educational environments, along with some hilarious tales that will permanently etch the Japanese word for “population” in your memory bank.

The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, and Stitcher.  Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!

Anime Takes the Stage: 2.5D Musicals + Beyond

Tuesday, March 30th, 8 PM EDT

About this Event 

What is a 2.5-Dimensional (2.5D) musical?  

It is a stage adaptation from two-dimensional media such as anime, manga and video games. This new genre of Japanese pop culture has gained remarkable popularity in Japan since the debut of Musical: The Prince of Tennis in 2003.  

2.5D culture attempts to recreate the fictional world (2D) in the real world (3D) and is expanding and deepening in Japan. It has manifested itself in different forms such as cosplay, voice actors’ concerts and V-tubers. As a part of the phenomenon, 2.5D musicals have brought anime, manga and video games to the stage and created a whole new cultural practice of theatrical performances.  

Come join the panel discussion with Akiko Sugawa-Shimada, Zihui Amethy Lu, and Mayuko Fujiwara as they introduce the uniqueness of 2.5D musicals using examples such as The Prince of Tennis, Sailor Moon, Narutoand Touken Ranbu.They will be comparing it with other conventional musicals, history of Japanese theatre, as well as discussing where 2.5D musicals fit in the larger scheme of the 2.5D culture and why they are expanding. 

The discussion will be followed by a live Q&A. If you have any questions about the adaptation of anime and manga to the stage, now’s your chance to ask the experts! Please ask your question when you register for the event via Eventbrite. Live commentary will also be enabled on the YouTube stream, so you can participate in the Q&A session on air as well. 

This is a FREE event. Registrants will receive the link to the stream via email. 

[Eventbrite Registration page]  

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ep6anime-takes-the-stage-the-rise-of-25-dimensional-musicals-and-beyond-tickets-143770715079

[Twitter] 

Let's explore 2.5D musicals, a stage adaptation of anime & manga, from academic perspective!

Experts will discuss the uniqueness and the fandom, using examples such as #ThePrinceOfTennis, #SailorMoon, #NARUTO and more!

🎭✨FREE signup here💫🎭https://t.co/klvg3oz8gA

— The Japan Foundation, New York (@JF_NewYork) March 8, 2021

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email

---

Position: Associate (US-Japan Advisory)
Posted by: Brunswick Group
Location: Ideally Washington, D.C., or New York, NY, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Please see below the job sent to us directly from the firm, the Brunswick Group, or apply directly on LinkedIn here. 

Brunswick Group – Associate (US – Asia)

************
JETwit’s JET Alum Movers & Shakers is produced by Ryan Hata (Tottori-ken, 2014-2017), Margie Banin (Kochi-ken, 2005-2007), and Jim Walsh (Fukushima-ken, 2018-2020). Want to be featured next? Submit your information here.

Accomplishment: The Launch of the Krewe of Japan Podcast, sponsored by Japan Society of New Orleans

More Information: Sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans, the Krewe of Japan Podcast launched in February 2021 with Doug as one of its co-hosts. But what is a “krewe”? A krewe is an organization that stages a parade or event during the Carnival season in New Orleans. Much like a Mardi Gras parade with diverse entertainment and an overarching theme, the Krewe of Japan Podcast is about to march right into the podcast library of those in New Orleans and around the globe. Through insightful and entertaining conversations with a variety of experts and professionals (both foreign and native Japanese), Japan enthusiasts, and others in various fields involving Japan, the Krewe of Japan will highlight a broad spectrum of Japanese culture, travel, history, language and much more.

Public Information: Have ideas for an episode, feedback, questions, or just want to share your Japan experiences? Let the Krewe know!

Email: kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com
Twitter: @kreweofjapan
Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast

Posted by Tom Baker (Chiba, 1989-91)

Before the pandemic, Tokyo was famous for its nightlife — and a small but fun part of that was a thriving English-language pub quiz scene. Some of those quizzes are now taking place online via Zoom. One of them is a long-running charity fundraiser for TELL, a mental-health nonprofit that offers counseling, in person or by phone, to people dealing with depression, anxiety or other issues. TELL is best-known for its free, anonymous Lifeline (03-5774-0992). It also offers other services that you can read about at the TELL website.

The next two quizzes are set for April 7 and May 12. Both start at 8 p.m. Japan Time. Players generally participate in teams, but don’t be afraid to show up solo — the host will be happy to add you to an existing team. You can find all the details on these quizzes, and other upcoming events, at https://telljp.com/outreach/events/.

Mark your calendar, and get ready for a fun evening out — on a screen.

March 31, 2021 at 8 PM EDT / Japan Time: April 1, 2021 at 9 AM

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/1816153914492/WN_s3uAB54vTaykEOnmbToJhg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/3803751933045660

Join USJETAA, U.S. JET Alumni Association, and NABEA, National Association for Black Engagement with Asia, for a conversation with author Karen Hill Anton. This event celebrates the publication of Karen’s latest book, The View from Breast Pocket Mountain. It will feature an introduction to the book, Karen reading a book excerpt and a Q&A session. We encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about her experiences and the book to attend. The View From Breast Pocket Mountain just won its first award from the Book Readers Appreciation Group (B.R.A.G.) Medallion. This competitive award for independent authors rated the memoir “Excellent” in all categories.

The View From Breast Pocket Mountain is a unique and previously untold story, a treasure trove of experiences crossing borders and cultures, creating a life, and finding contentment in a far-off country. To those who’ve ever wondered what their lives would be if they’d taken that road without a map, this is the book you need to read. The book gives us a glimpse of a life not designed or even imagined. To find out more visit: https://www.karenhillanton.com/book

Speaker

Karen Hill Anton wrote the popular columns “Crossing Cultures” for The Japan Times and “Another Look” for Chunichi Shimbun. As a consultant and coach, she works in the area of cross-cultural competence. She served on the Internationalization and Society Advisory Council of Prime Ministers Keizō Obuchi and Ryutaro Hashimoto. She is Emerita: Board of Governors, Temple University Japan, Shizuoka Human Rights Association, and the Jun Ashida Educational Foundation.

Karen has been an enthusiastic supporter of the JET Programme since its inception, and spoken to JETs on numerous occasions. Her daughter Mie was a CIR in Mie prefecture (smile), and her son Mario was assigned to Oita prefecture, where he now makes his home. Karen studied Japanese calligraphy for 25 years and attained second-degree mastery. She has taught modern dance and is now a devoted student of Hula. Originally from New York City, she has lived with her husband William Anton in rural Tenryu, Shizuoka prefecture since 1975.

Sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans, the Krewe of Japan Podcast launched a new weekly episodic podcast in February 2021.  But what is a “krewe”? A krewe is an organization that stages a parade or event for the New Orleans Carnival season. Much like a Mardi Gras parade with diverse entertainment and an overarching theme, this Krewe is about to march right into the podcast library of those not only in New Orleans but those around the globe. Through insightful and entertaining conversations with a variety of experts and professionals (both foreign and native Japanese), Japan enthusiasts, and others in various fields involving Japan, the Krewe of Japan Podcast will highlight a broad spectrum of Japanese culture, travel, history, language and much more. Past and soon-to-be-aired guest interviews include (but not limited to):

• Matt Alt, accomplished writer/translator/localizer based out of Tokyo who wrote the book Pure Invention
• MattVsJapan, a popular YouTube language show host who has his own Japanese learning methodology called Refold
• Shoko & Bon Koizumi, the great-grandson of the esteemed 19^th century literary figure Lafcadio Hearn (Japanese name: Koizumi Yakumo)
• Andrew Freund, director of USA Sumo
• Dr. Samantha Perez, history professor at Southeastern Louisiana University and coordinator of the Matsue-New Orleans Sister City Exchange Program
• Saeko Yatsuka-Jensen, a Japanese professor from Tulane University
• A joint conversation on English teaching opportunities in Japan with John Loynes (former JET, privately-owned Eikaiwa entrepreneur) & Bradley Trenery (Private English Instructor)

This week’s episode (dropping tomorrow, March 12) will feature an interview with a couple JET Program alumni, Wesley Julian and Dan Martin. Wesley and Dan produced the fantastic documentary about the global community’s response to the Great East Japan Earthquake called Tohoku Tomo and its “follow-up” docuseries highlighting all that Tohoku has to offer called The 113 Project. They shared a behind-the-scenes look into the making of Tohoku Tomo and The 113 Project, their insights and experiences with Japan both before and after the tragic day of March 11, 2011, and how you can still help Tohoku with its recovery.

The Krewe of Japan Podcast can be found on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, and Stitcher.  Missing your platform? Have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel).

Friday, March 19, 2021, 3:30 pm (US / HST)
Friday, March 19, 2021, 5:30 pm (US / PST)
Friday, March 19, 2021, 8:30 pm (US / EST)
Saturday, March 20, 2021, 9:30 am (JAPAN / JST)
Language: English & Japanese

How do we begin again? 10 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake and in the midst of a global pandemic, learn how Oakland-based artists marksearch (Sue Mark + Bruce Douglas) and Tokyo-based artists Hiroyuki Abe and Natsuka Endo creatively approach community-engaged art when it is not safe to gather. Join a participatory conversation about their new work 旅はすみか/ Journey Itself Home, a memorial to the Tohoku region. Launching with the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, these interactive sound monuments feature the voices of young adult 3.11 survivors. Honomi Ijima, environmental scientist and cultural translator for the artist team joins. Miho Walsh, former Executive Director, Asian Cultural Council, facilitates this dynamic round table.

This event is hosted by Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission (JUSFC) in collaboration with East West Center and International House of Japan.

English: https://www.nichibei-artists.org/en/report/933

Japanese: https://www.nichibei-artists.org/report/931

Posted by Tom Baker (Chiba 1989-91)

The 15th annual Japan Writers Conference will be held in October this year. The organizers are now looking for writers, editors and publishers to give presentations on the art, craft and business of writing. If you are a writer, now is a good time to think about taking part.

The conference is a free event, held in English. It covers publishable writing of all types: poetry, fiction, journalism, memoir, translation and more.

Past presenters have included best-selling thriller author Barry Eisler, Edgar-winning mystery novelist Naomi Hirahara and “Slumdog Millionaire” creator Vikas Swarup. There have also been presentations by many JET writers over the years, including poets Warren Decker and Michael Frazier, novelists Percival Constantine and Benjamin Martin, journalists Elaine Lies and Tom Baker, textbook author Todd Jay Leonard, and writing renaissance woman Suzanne Kamata. This year’s event will be cohosted by JET alum and novelist Charles Kowalski, together with nonfiction writer Joan Bailey.

Here are the official details:

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The 2021 Japan Writers Conference will be at Tokai University, Shonan Campus in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, on Saturday, October 16th and Sunday, October 17th, 2020. Hiratsuka is on Sagami Bay, not far from Odawara. As in the past, the conference will be free and open to all who wish to attend. Please mark your calendars and plan to join in. As the COVID-19 pandemic is still with us, there is a possibility we’ll have to move online again this year, or it may be a hybrid, with some sessions held live, some online.

All published writers, translators, editors, agents and publishers are welcome to submit presentation proposals for the 2021 Japan Writers Conference. The deadline for your proposal is Tuesday, June 1, 2021.

Please send your proposals via this page on the JWC website: http://japanwritersconference.org/submit-proposal/

We especially encourage proposals from new submitters. One of our strengths has been variety, and the best way to foster variety is to have new presenters each year.

When planning your JWC proposal, keep your audience in mind. Your listeners will be writers and others (translators, editors, publishers, and agents) concerned with creating publishable writing. While teaching, literary studies and private self-expression are all worthy activities, they are not the focus of this conference.

Standard conference sessions are fifty minutes long, but if you have something longer in mind, please let us know and we will accommodate if possible.

To submit a proposal for a conference presentation, send the following information, using the form here to submit: http://japanwritersconference.org/submit-proposal/

1. Your name (or names)
2. Title of presentation (20 words or less)
3. Type of presentation (short lecture with Q&A, craft workshop, panel discussion, reading with Q&A, etc.)
4. Genre (Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction, Translation, Instructional, Career)
5. Short summary (50 words or less)
6. Abstract (150 words or less)
7. Personal and professional biography (50 words or less. Mention your publications, as this will be part of the Conference program)
8. Your publications (Need not be complete, but give names of journals and genre for short pieces; title, publisher and date for books; venues and dates for plays, and so on)
9. Are you available on both days?
10. Any special needs?
11. Contact information (email address, telephone number) These remain confidential. Please include everyone who will be part of the presentation.

If you are unable to use the website form, or
have questions concerning your idea or the conference in general, you may use this email address: japanwritersconference@gmail.com

************By Makoto Shirai, secretary, Japan-Insights Research Institute (Non-profit organization in Tokyo)

Dear Friends,

Have you met story tellers in Tohoku?

Let me introduce an essay from Japan-Insights archives.

The tenth one is on Kataribe: 2011.3.11-Future by Mr. Goto and Mr. Onodera.

https://doc.japan-insights.jp/pdf/JIN_TOPIC_20200228161825.pdf

Please share this expert’s experience!

Japan-Insights is a nonprofit open database compiled by leading experts in Japanese studies. The posts present a broad range of historical and contemporary topics that encourage visitors to engage with the real Japan through immersive experiences. Follow the Facebook page and website to learn about and share these insights from around the country!”

#japan #japaneseculture #Tohoku

Meet the students, staff, and faculty from all over the world that make up our community, and find out how a degree from the Institute can give your career plans a meaningful boost. Attend program meetings, sit in on a class and participate in panel discussions. Learn more and sign up today!

10 years have passed since the March 11. 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake. CLAIR NY will be hosting online screenings of documentary films about this disaster, along with panel discussions and other events. Many of these films are by or about JET Program participants, and all deal with various aspects of JET and other foreign support for Japan, sister city and exchange relationships, and recovery efforts in Tohoku.

Date
March 5, through March 11, 2021
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) each day

There are real-time live-streamed film screenings and Live Q&A sessions with the directors each night. We have three panel discussions about “Sister City Relationships”, “Japanese Food Culture and Health” and “The Future of Tohoku”. You can also access each film anytime from March 5th at 7 PM to March 14th at 9 PM (EST).

*Panel discussions will be held in English. It’s open to the public. Feel free to join with your friends.

Register here (Free):
https://watch.eventive.org/ff311tohoku

We will keep you updated through our FB page.
https://www.facebook.com/Footprints-Footsteps-311-and-the-Future-of-Tohoku-103744258354561/

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email

---

Position: Various Positions
Posted by: National Peace Corps Association
Location: Various Locations
Contract: Full-Time

Here’s a job passed along to us by a JET alum who wishes to remain anonymous:

The National Peace Corps Association is hiring for the following positions among many: Director of Development (new position); Associate Editor (new position); Finance Director (new position); Digital Content Manager (vacant). 

Application Process: More details here – https://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/jobs?current_page=1&sort_type=featured_recent&filter=%

Passing along info about short-term, low-cost creative workshops for adults of any age, sponsored by Wilkes University, a low-residency MFA program:

Enjoy inexpensive non-credit 5-6 week creative writing workshops in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and screenwriting. Workshops are open to adults of any age or education level and are conveniently held online via Zoom.

A highlight of the series is a weekend session on screenwriting, presented by Wilkes creative writing faculty member and screenwriter of Tigerland Ross Klavan.

https://wilkes.edu/writingworkshops