Mar 6

JET News Roundup 3.6.2012

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By Filmore Ha (Ibaraki-ken, 2006-08).  Filmore continues to live and work in the Greater Tokyo Area as an FAE and is also webmaster for JETAA Tokyo.  He is actively seeking new opportunities in the U.S. or Canada.

• Akita Global Network Newsletter Vol. 5
  Akita Prefecture released their latest news letter on 2/27.  The AGN itself serves as a bridge to keep foreigners who have associated with Akita Prefecture up to date on the latest developments in the prefecture.  The above link will take you two a page with two PDFs, one Eng. and one Jpn.  If you prefer to receive the newsletter directly you will also find instructions to do so on this page.
• JLGC Newsletter #72
  The Japan Local Government Center in NY also released it’s 72nd newsletter last month.  Of note are comments from participants on the 2011 Clair Fellowship Exchange Program, and a report about the JETAA International Meeting and their volunteer trip to Rikuzentakata.
• Japaninfo Flash
  The Consulate of Japan in NY published an issue of it’s Japaninfo Flash newsletter with information on Japan Society events commemorating the 1 year anniversary of the 3.11 Earthquake come up next week.
• Doshinsha MBA Program
  From Terry Vo, JET Program and MEXT Coordinator in Nashville, Doshinsha University in Kyoto is seeking former JETs to join it’s MBA Program.  There are several former JETs on the program already, one is graduating soon, and several more will start in quarter 4 of this year.  In addition there are also scholarship opportunities for those interested in the program.  For more information, check out the link.
• Sake World Newsletter #142
  Are you a Sake lover?  If so, checkout the Sake World Newsletter and be sure to subscribe.  It’s choc full of interesting tidbits about Sake and brewing!
• Win a pair of tickets to Japan via ANA
  This has made the rounds on the net recently, so you may have already seen it.  All Nippon Airways is running a campaign through March 31st where they will award a pair of tickets to Japan by lottery.  To register you simply need to fill out a form so go check it out!
• Texoma JETAA Trivia Night
  The Texas/Oklahoma chapter of JETAA is having their first ever Trivia night at a local Houston pub for anyone in the area who is  interested.  The event is on Wednesday, March 7th from 7pm to 9pm.  For more details check out the link.

Feb 9

JET News Roundup 2.9.2012

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By Filmore Ha (Ibaraki-ken, 2006-08).  Filmore continues to live and work in the Greater Tokyo Area as an FAE and is also webmaster for JETAA Tokyo.  He is actively seeking new opportunities in the U.S. or Canada.

Back today with another roundup of JET related news after a brief hiatus.  This roundup will include items from last month as well so bear with me.

• Paper artist Gannon cut his own niche
  On Jan. 10th the Japan Times posted an article about paper artist Patrick Gannon who’s interest in Japan began when he visited his brother JET alum Jim Gannon who was a JET in Ehime at the time.  This is an awesome example of connections that JETs help create.
• Yiddish to Japanese Dictionary
  Not exactly JET related, however there are many translators in the JET alumni community who could benefit from this great resource.
• NYT Mourning in the age of Facebook
  On Jan. 13th the New York Times posted an article written by JET alum Bruce Feiler (Tottori-ken, 1989-90) where he discusses grieving in a progressively secular world.
• Panel Discussion Disaster Recovery and Human Connections
  From the Sydney JETAA Facebook Group, the Japan Foundation Sydney will be hosting a panel discussion about disaster recovery in Melborne and Sydney on Thursday Feb. 23, 2012 and Friday Feb. 24, 2012 respectively.
• JETAA Singapore
  If you live in or are planning to move to Singapore, check out their chapter of JETAA.  Their latest event is their upcoming Oshaberi Cafe to be held on Feb. 12, 2012.  The deadline was Feb. 6, but maybe they’ll make an exception if you’re really nice!
• Reuters English crisis in Japan
  Posted to Facebook by JET alum Byron Nagy.  The article discusses the relationship between English language skill and jobs in Japan.  Byron is a JETAA Tokyo co-founder and currently serves as it’s Community Committee Rep.

Jan 8

JET News Roundup 1.8.2012

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By Filmore Ha (Ibaraki-ken, 2006-08).  Filmore continues to live and work in the Greater Tokyo Area and is webmaster for JETAA Tokyo, however he is looking for new opportunities in the U.S. or Canada.

Happy New Year!  After a very nice albeit busy Oshougatsu here in Japan, I’m back with the first round up of JET related news for 2012.

• JETAASC Newsletter 12/29/2011
  JETAA Southern California released it’s last newsletter of 2011 on the 29th of December with a summary of the chapter’s annual Bonenkai, info about their upcoming Shinnenkai for anyone who missed out previously, as well as several job listings.
• JETAA Portland Shinnenkai 2012
  Come out and hang with JETAA Portland at their Shinnenkai on January 14th.  Space is limited and the last day to RSVP is Wednesday January 12th so hop to it!
• Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival Songwriting Contest
  2012 marks 100 years since the Mayor of Tokyo presented 3000 cherry blossom trees to Washington D.C., and in celebration this year the city of Nashville, TN is holding a song writing contest in conjunction with their fourth annual Cherry Blossom Festival.  If you’re in the area on March the 24th then definitely go check it out!
• JETAA Tokyo Shinnenkai 2012
  Come out and hang with JETAA Tokyo as we host our 2012 Shinnenkai on January 27th at one of the most loved Mexican restaurants in central Tokyo!

Dec 25

JET News Roundup 12.26.2011

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By Filmore Ha (Ibaraki-ken, 2006-08).  Filmore continues to live and work in the Greater Tokyo Area and is webmaster for JETAA Tokyo, however he is looking for new opportunities in the U.S. or Canada.

Hope everyone had a great X-mas holiday!

• New Years Volunteering OP w/ JETAA Portland
  2011 is coming to an end and 2012 is right around the corner.  Those lucky enough to have experienced a traditional New Years in Japan know what that means, it’s time for Osechi Ryori!  JETAA Portland is looking for volunteers to help prepare this year’s jubako (three layered food box) on Dec. 30-31, check the link above for more details if you’re interested and are in the area!
• JETAANC FALL 2011 Newsletter
  JETAANC released its fall edition of it’s news letter Pacific Bridge, and chock full of interesting content! Check it out for ideas about how to celebrate “Japan in Your Neighborhood!”
• JET Alum quoted in the Daily Yomiuri
  JET alum Michael Auslin is quoted in this Dec. 22nd article about regime change in Pyongyang.

  Washington should also tell Beijing that any move on China’s part to take advantage of the transition so as to leave it in an enhanced position on the peninsula would harm U.S.-China relations and result in a further bulking up of the U.S. military in the Asia-Pacific region.

• Videos, JET Program featured on KTSF-26 Oct. 9th 2011
  Via Peter Weber, JET Coordinator at the Consulate of Japan in San Francisco.  The JET Program was featured on KTSF-26’s Japanese American Journal program.  The videos, now available on YouTube, are embedded below.

Dec 9

JET News Roundup 12.09.11

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By Filmore Ha (Ibaraki-ken, 2006-08), a graduate of Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas. Filmore continues to live and work in the Greater Tokyo Area and is webmaster for JETAA Tokyo.

UPDATE: Added an additional news item.

Good evening from Saitama! I’d had several things circulate my way recently so here we are with another Jet News Roundup.

1. PR Event for Food Produced in Fukushima Prefecture (Japanese)
   JET alum Greg Beck posted a story to  JETAANY’s Facebook wall about a PR event held in New York to promote food produced in Fukushima Prefecture.  Due to the accident and ongoing issues at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, sales of Fukushima-ken produced food stuffs has decreased considerably.  Over 200 people were invited to the event and among the foods presented were roast beef prepared with salt produced in Fukushima and Fukushima produced sake, among others.
2. AJET Announces TEFL Scholarship Winners
   Via JETAAUSA, on Nov. 29th AJET announced this year’s TEFL Scholarship winners from its AJET Outstanding Educator’s Program.  This year’s winners are Emily Johnson and Meredith Smith. Congratulations to both accomplished teachers.

   Both winners demonstrated outstanding activities not only in teaching, but in spreading the values of the JET program and internationalization in their communities.

3. Remembering a Very Different Dec. 7th
   JET Alum Graham Shelby written an essay for the Courier Journal recounting his experience in Japan and how it affected his perspective on Pearl Harbor and its legacy.  The essay is a wonderful read and I’m sure that many past and current JETs can connect with it on many levels, so go give it a read!
4. Welcome Back Reception in Portland for Oregonian JETs 
   On Nov. 17th the Consulate General of Japan in Portland held a welcome back reception for returning Oregon JETs.
5. Anime USA Charity Auction Raises Over $3000
   This year Anime USA raised over $3000 through its annual charity auction benefiting the Taylor Anderson ’04 Memorial Gift Fund.

Dec 5

JET News Roundup 12.05.11

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By Filmore Ha (Ibaraki-ken, 2006-08), a graduate of Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas. Filmore continues to live and work in the Greater Tokyo Area and is webmaster for JETAA Tokyo.

JET has made headlines quite a bit over the past several weeks, so today we’re going to do a roundup in the first ever JET News Roundup!

1. Japan to offer donations to alma maters of U.S. Jet disaster victims
   The Japan Foundation stated it will be offering US $100,000 annually over five years to the alma maters of Taylor Anderson and Montgomery Dickson.  In addition, the foundation is working with each school on projects in memory of both victims.
2. Japan shows world it is safe with help of JET teachers
   Current JETs such as Sean Dowty (featured in this article) as well as former JETs as are seen as crucial in rebuilding world wide trust in Japan as a safe destination for tourists.
3. On Nov. 24th the Asahi Shinbun released a short article about former CIR William McMichael who now works at Fukushima University and his efforts to recruit international students here.  The article is in Japanese, so get out your dictionaries! asahi-shinbun-william-mcmichael-jet-news
4. Woman pitches in for Japanese tsunami relief
   Canadian community website YorkRegion.com posted an article about former Shiogama ALT Tanya Gardecky who went door to door raising funds for tsunami relief following news of the 3/11 disaster.
5. TV Japan posted a video prior to Thanksgiving highlighting the JET Welcome Back Reception in New York.  The video, which is in Japanese, is can be accessed via the TV Japan video archive.
6. Mockridge returns to visit quake-, tsunami-ravaged Japan
   Bay Area Mercury News posted a great article about Alan Mockridge, a former ALT from the UK, highlighting his activities in disaster relief following the 3/11 disaster, as well as the events leading up to his return to Iwate Prefecture to visit his former school.  This article is a great example of the relationships and special ties that result from participation on JET.