TED JETs: Amelia Hagen asks, “What if Everyone’s Wrong?”
Notable JET Alums, TED JETs, Video 
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Posted by Tom Baker
JETs tend to be interesting people. After all, every one of them has relocated to a different country at least once. It’s not surprising that many of them have also had other interesting experiences, some of which lead to insights that they end up sharing in TED talks.
This is part of an occasional series on current or former JETs who have given TED talks. Here is JET alum Amelia Hagen speaking about getting uncomfortable to find tolerance.
Job: Administrative Assistant – The Harris Firm (Tokyo, Japan)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Job Title: Administrative Assistant
Posted by: The Harris Firm
Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Contract: Part-Time
Here’s a job received directly from the law firm:
Job Description:
Part-time law administrative positions for native and near-native English speakers that are dependable, results-oriented, problem-solving, work independently, and are good written and oral communicators.
Tasks Include:
- Office administration,
- Preparation of application documents
- Sending and filing correspondences
- Communicating with and invoicing clients
- Arranging appointments
Application Process: To apply, send resume and cover letter as two PDF attachments to careers@harrisfirm.net
Job: International Search Quality Operations Analyst – Indeed (Austin, TX, USA)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Job Title: International Search Quality Operations Analyst – Japan
Posted by: Indeed
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Contract: Full-Time
Thanks to Zandra Gilmore (Tokushima-ken) for the following job opportunity with her company:
Tom Baker to discuss book reviewing at Japan Writers Conference
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Posted by Tom Baker
The Japan Writers Conference, a free annual event that invariably attracts at least a few JETs, will be held at Otaru University of Commerce on Oct. 13 and 14. One of the JETs giving presentations this year will be Tom Baker (who wrote this post, along with a recent Japan News article previewing the event). Here’s the official description of his presentation:
Anatomy of a Book Review
Short lecture with Q&A
“Anatomy of a Book Review” will explain how a book review is structured and what elements it should include. The key is to not merely indulge in one’s own reaction to a book, but to focus on being an informative and trustworthy guide for other readers.
A book review is like a book in miniature. It must grab the reader’s attention at the beginning, hold their interest through the middle, and leave them feeling satisfied to have spent their time on it by the end. But what goes into each of those parts and how do you put them together?
“Anatomy of a Book Review” will pin several reviews to the dissecting table to look at what parts they include and what function those parts serve. Vital organs include a catchy lead, facts about the author, and at least a sketch of the context in which the book appears.
Reviews of fiction and nonfiction will be compared. For any type of book, reviewers of course want to express their opinions. This presentation will focus on doing so in a way that fulfills the reviewer’s mission to be a concretely helpful guide for other readers.
Tom Baker has written and published about 300 book reviews over the past 20 years. He edited the Books page of The Daily Yomiuri, which is now The Japan News, where he edits the Bound to Please column. He was the ACCJ Journal’s book columnist for two years.
Job: Television News Videographer – Tokyo Broadcasting System (Washington, DC)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Job Title: Television News Videographer
Posted by: Tokyo Broadcasting System, Washington DC Bureau
Location: Washington, DC
Contract: Full-Time
Here’s a JET-relevant job passed along to us:
We are seeking an entry level full-time videographer to work for Tokyo Broadcasting System’s Washington DC Bureau. The main duties of the videographer will includes production of live and recorded news events, editing of video for air transmission, setting up live-shots, and performing technical administrative tasks in support of the bureau and staff.
Please note: Candidates must currently reside in the United States (Work visa support provided)
Qualifications:
- Advanced Japanese, Conversational English
- Strong interest in video production
- Must maintain a valid driver’s license
- Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
- Flexibility, resourcefulness and able to work in teams
- Able to carry at least 10kg of equipment
- Strong computer skills and proficient in Microsoft office
Job: Diplomatic Assistant – Embassy of Japan (Washington, DC)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Job Title: Diplomatic Assistant
Posted by: Embassy of Japan
Location: Washington, DC
Contract: Full-Time
The Embassy of Japan is seeking a highly motivated, team-oriented individual for the position of Diplomatic Assitant. This individual is primarily responsible for managing the schedules and activities of diplomats in the Political Section. Please see below for a detailed listing of responsibilities.
The Embassy offers group health insurance coverage, paid vacation and sick leave. Working hours are 9:00 am – 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday, with lunch time receptionist duty once a month and the occasional weeknight and/or weekend event (paid overtime). Salary is commensurate with experience. The minimum monthly base salary for this position is $3,000 USD.
Please note: Candidates must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S. green card holder. Screening will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Only successful candidates will be contacted. Successful candidates will be requested to submit their background check information.
Job: Processing Archivist – University of Colorado Boulder Libraries (Boulder, CO, USA)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Job Title: Processing Archivist
Posted by: University of Colorado Boulder Libraries
Location: Boulder, CO, USA
Contract: Full-Time
Thanks to JETAA Rocky Mountain president, Adam Lisbon (Hyogo-ken) for the following job opening at his university:
Processing Archivist
The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) Libraries invites applications from collaborative and innovative candidates for the position of Processing Archivist, a non-tenure-stream faculty position in the University Libraries’ Special Collections, Archives & Preservation Department. The University of Colorado Boulder Archives was established in 1918 and holds internationally renowned manuscript, photograph, records and media collections relating to the history of the University of Colorado Boulder, the state of Colorado, the Rocky Mountain West, and transnational subjects.
The Processing Archivist reports to the Head of Archives and works in a highly-collaborative team environment. The individual is responsible for: establishing priorities for efficiently processing the backlog of legacy collection and new acquisitions; performing arrangement, description, and physical processing of collections; creating of finding aids in ArchivesSpace; assessing preservation and conservation issues; overseeing the management of the Atomic West and the National Snow and Ice Data Center collections; working with the Head of Archives and donors on new acquisitions of archival collections; managing student workers and interns for the Archives Unit; providing primary source instruction; providing regular reference services; and coordinating outreach. This position will cultivate and advocate for an environment of diversity and inclusion based on the position’s responsibilities.
This is a renewable, non-tenure-track faculty position. Successful candidates will be expected to engage in research and professional service activities.
TED JETs: Chris Broad on being a vlogger (a word he hates)
Notable JET Alums, TED JETs, Video Comments Off on TED JETs: Chris Broad on being a vlogger (a word he hates)
Posted by Tom Baker
JETs tend to be interesting people. After all, every one of them has relocated to a different country at least once. It’s not surprising that many of them have also had other interesting experiences, some of which lead to insights that they end up sharing in TED talks.
This is part of an occasional series on current or former JETs who have given TED talks. Here is JET alum Chris Broad talking about his experience of becoming a YouTube star:
Job: Camp English Teacher – Nissin Travel Service (Yamanashi, Japan)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Job Title: Camp English Teacher
Posted by: Nissin Travel Service
Location: Yamanashi, Japan
Contract: Full-Time
Here’s a one-time job received directly from Maika Kuroiwa working at Nissin Travel Service:
Dear everyone,
I am Maika KUROIWA, working for a travel agency in Tokyo, Nissin Travel Service. (HP: https://www.nissin-trvl.co.jp/ )
My team is specialized for managing educational tours, and since 2016, as one of our tours, we are managing and conducting 3 days of “English Camp” for 8th graders (about a hundred students). This “English Camp” is the school’s program aiming to improve students’ English skills, During this camp, students spend their time in a hotel for 3 days(2 nights) near the Lake Saiko, Yamanashi, and the school invite around 10 native English speakers. Students learn English through some activities, classes, interacting with native English speakers and so on.
If you are interested in becoming a teacher in this camp, and available on following days, could you please help us for conducting this program?
Holly Thompson to speak about picture books at Japan Writers Conference
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Posted by Tom Baker
The Japan Writers Conference, a free annual event that invariably attracts at least a few JETs, will be held at Otaru University of Commerce on Oct. 13 and 14. One of the JETs giving presentations this year will be poet and novelist Holly Thompson, who first came to Japan in connection with the pre-JET MEF program. She will present “Half the Story: Writing for the Picture Book Market.” Here’s the official description of her presentation:
Short Lecture, Exercises and Q&A
Picture book writing is a particular art. Writers of picture book manuscripts must write for page turns and create opportunities for the illustrator—writing just enough to offer possibilities. This session introduces the craft of writing picture books for current English-language picture book markets.
Writing is only half the story in picture books–images and text interact to tell the story together. So how do we write text without saying too much? Where in our writing should we step aside for the illustrator? And how do we compress stories for the strict count of 32 pages? How can we skill up to craft manuscripts that appeal to editors and art directors for their illustration possibility? This session will explore the anatomy of the picture book as it pertains to writers and offer guidelines for crafting fresh, marketable picture book manuscripts. We’ll examine sample picture books—fiction, nonfiction, poetry—and try some interactive exercises. We will address the current English-language picture book markets and share the gaps, openings and opportunities for writers to get a foot in the door.
Holly Thompson is author of the picture books Twilight Chant; One Wave at a Time, The Wakame Gatherers: verse novels Falling into the Dragon’s Mouth, Orchards, The Language Inside; and the novel Ash. She writes poetry, fiction and nonfiction, is SCBWI Japan Regional Advisor, and teaches at Yokohama City University.
Suzanne Kamata to introduce “Best Asian Short Stories” at Japan Writers Conference
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Posted by Tom Baker
The Japan Writers Conference, a free annual event that invariably attracts at least a few JETs, will be held at Otaru University of Commerce on Oct. 13 and 14. One of the JETs giving presentations this year will be Suzanne Kamata, whose story “Monchan” appears in the “The Best Asian Short Stories 2017” anthology. Suzanne will be giving two presentations. Here’s the official description of one of them:
Panel discussion w/ Q & A
Kitaab Publisher Zafar Anjum and contributor Suzanne Kamata will discuss The Best Asian Short Stories 2017 anthology. Anjum will also talk about other anthologies in the works and publishing opportunities for Japan-based writers and translators in Singapore.
Zafar Anjum, who heads the independent Singapore publishing house Kitaab International, and contributor Suzanne Kamata, will introduce The Best Asian Short Stories 2017 anthology. In addition to the anthology series, Kitaab has published novels, short story collections and stories for children. Anjum will also discuss his vision for Kitaab and publishing opportunities for Japan-based writers and translators. There will be a question and answer period.
Zafar Anjum is a writer, publisher, and filmmaker who lives and works in Singapore. His books include Kafka in Ayodhya and Other Short Stories (Kitaab International, 2015), Iqbal: The Life of a Poet Philosopher and Politician (Random House India, 2014), and The Singapore Decalogue (Red Wheelbarrow, 2012). He is the founder-editor of Kitaab, an online journal and publishing company that promotes Asian writing in English.
Suzanne Kamata is the author or editor of ten published books including, most recently Screaming Divas (Simon Pulse, 2014), The Mermaids of Lake Michigan (Wyatt-Mackenzie Publishing, 2017) and A Girls’ Guide to the Islands (Gemma Open Door, 2017). Her story “Mon-chan” was selected for inclusion in The Best Asian Short Stories 2017 anthology. She is an Associate Professor at Naruto College of Education.
TED JETs: Amelia Hagen on the value of starting conversations
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Posted by Tom Baker
JETs tend to be interesting people. After all, every one of them has relocated to a different country at least once. It’s not surprising that many of them have also had other interesting experiences, some of which lead to insights that they end up sharing in TED talks.
This is part of an occasional series on current or former JETs who have given TED talks. Here is JET alum Amelia Hagen (Fukuoka-ken, 2008-13) speaking about what she has learned from starting face-to-face conversations during her international travels.
JQ Magazine: Film Review — ‘Kusama: Infinity’
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“Clocking in at just 78 minutes, this documentary from director Heather Lenz is deceptively compact. Within its swift running time, viewers will be regaled with how Kusama overcame impossible odds to become the top-selling female artist in the world.” (Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures)
By Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03) for JQ magazine. Stacy is a professional Japanese writer/interpreter/translator. She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations in the periodic series WITLife.
I’ve always been an admirer from afar of Yayoi Kusama’s polka dotted and pumpkin themed artwork, but I have never waited hours in line to see it, as many New Yorkers did when her mirrored “Infinity Room” made it to the city last year. This lack of intimate knowledge regarding her work might be why I found the new film Kusama: Infinity about this amazing 89-year-old artist to be so revelatory. Clocking in at just 78 minutes, this documentary from director Heather Lenz is deceptively compact. Within its swift running time, viewers will be regaled with how Kusama overcame impossible odds to become the top-selling female artist in the world.
Born into a dysfunctional family in Matsumoto City in northern Nagano Prefecture, Kusama grew up during World War II. Her father was unfaithful and her mother’s reaction to this was to become angry and violent, even destroying Kusama’s artwork which she began creating at age 10 (The film suggests that this trauma is behind the maniacal energy that Kusama channels into her creations). Interestingly enough, her mother agreed to let her attend art school on the condition that she attend finishing school as well, but Kusama never set foot in the latter.
I had known that she spent time in New York, but the story of how she got here was fascinating. Kusama respected Georgia O’Keefe, and sent her a letter along with some of her works. After receiving a reply, in 1958 Kusama came to New York on a wing and a prayer. Before she left Japan she burned most of her early works, promising to make better ones in the future. During her time here she met legendary artists like Andy Warhol and Donald Judd, the former of whom she was distraught to later find had stolen her work. Kusama got caught up in the spirit of the 1960s counterculture and was involved in many “happenings,” such as body painting festivals and anti-war demonstrations. She even crashed the Venice Biennale exhibition in 1966 with an installation of 1,500 mirror balls on the lawn outside the pavilion, clad in a red leotard amongst them. Despite the double punch of sexism and racism that Kusama faced, she managed to make a name for herself.
WIT Life #328: Making Japanese History at the U.S. Open
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Written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03), WIT Life is a periodic series about aspects of Japanese culture such as film, food and language. Stacy starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.
Being an avid tennis fan, I was thrilled when my clients asked me if I wanted to join them at the U.S. Open women’s semifinals last night. I was especially excited because not only would I get to see Serena during her “Don’t call it a comeback” tour, but I would get to see Japanese rising tennis superstar Naomi Osaka play live for the first time. Naomi set a personal record by reaching her first Grand Slam quarterfinal here, and she and Kei Nishikori together made history by becoming the first Japanese duo to reach the semifinals of the same Grand Slam tournament. The last time Japanese players advanced into the later rounds simultaneously was back in 1996, when Shuzo Matsuoka and Kimiko Date reached their respective quarterfinals at Wimbledon (Shuzo incidentally was Kei’s coach in Japan when he was 12).
Coincidentally enough, Naomi Osaka (大坂なおみ) was born in the same city as her last name (大阪) to a Japanese mother and a Haitian father. When she was 3, they moved to the U.S. with her and her older sister Mari, also a tennis player, but for the sake of their tennis careers their father made the savvy decision that they would represent Japan. It’s refreshing that despite not being fluent in Japanese and not being purely Japanese, she has a huge backing in Japan. At the match last night, a Haitian group was sitting behind us and enthusiastically calling out her name at regular intervals. We ended up chatting and one guy explained that Haitian fans want to claim her as their own, and that they get frustrated when she is described as only “Japanese” as opposed to “Haitian-Japanese.”
She and opponent Sloane Stephens slugged it out with their amazingly powerful ground strokes, some rallies going as long as 18 points. In her post-match comments, when asked why she was able to continuously hold serve despite Sloane’s 13 break chances, Naomi said, Read More
Job: Economic Division Staff – Consulate General of Japan in New York (New York, NY, USA)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Job Title: Economic Division Staff
Posted by: Consulate General of Japan in New York
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Full-Time
Here’s a job received directly from the Consulate General of Japan in New York. Unfortunately, a visa sponsorship is unavailable:
The Consulate General of Japan in New York is currently seeking to hire an employee for the Economic Division Staff. The deadline for all job applications is September 30, 2018.
Work hours: Monday through Friday, 9:15am – 5:45pm (Lunch Break 12:30pm – 1:30pm)
Responsibilities:
- Communicating and supporting relationships with government and corporate contacts
- Daily Economic and business research
- Responding to telephone and e-mail inquiries from the general public related to matters under the jurisdiction of the Economic Division
- Various administrative duties
- Other duties as deemed necessary
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Excellent writing, research, communication and organizational skills
- Knowledge of and interest in economic relations between Japan and the U.S.
- A commitment to promoting Japan-U.S. relations
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Ideal Candidate:
- Has a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Economics, International Relations or Public Affairs
- Can manage multiple projects simultaneously and adjust priorities as necessary
- Is highly cooperative with other staff members
- Is deadline-oriented and possesses great reporting skills
Application Process: To apply, please submit your resume with a cover letter to: kyujin2@ny.mofa.go.jp. Only short-listed candidates who pass the first screening will be notified of the date for the interview.
