“Does Japan Still Need 23-year old Exchange Program?”<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jetwit.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/APMonicaStevenShree.jpg\" "\\"APMonicaStevenShree\\"")
<\/a>This is the title of a recent article<\/a> by AP reporter Tomoko Hosaka, which has been picked up by:<\/p>\n\n- Japan Times<\/strong><\/em> – 8\/11\/2010 – “Budget cutters target JET: ‘Amakudari’ excess or 23-year success in soft foreign policy?” – http:\/\/search.japantimes.co.jp\/cgi-bin\/nn20100811f1.html<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- The Washington Post<\/em> (http:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-dyn\/content\/article\/2010\/07\/29\/AR2010072900233_2.html<\/a>)<\/strong><\/li>\n
- LA Times <\/em> <\/strong>-“With slow growth, Japan might cut exchange program that countered anti-Japanese feeling in US” – http:\/\/www.latimes.com\/news\/nationworld\/world\/wire\/sns-ap-as-japan-foreign-teachers,0,3428970.story<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- The Atlanta Journal Constitution <\/em>(http:\/\/www.ajc.com\/news\/nation-world\/does-japan-still-need-580832.html<\/a>)<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Fox News (just so you know the story is fair and balanced)- http:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/world\/2010\/07\/29\/slow-growth-japan-cut-exchange-program-countered-anti-japanese-feeling\/<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- The Canadian Press via Google – http:\/\/www.google.com\/hostednews\/canadianpress\/article\/ALeqM5icJiKrICsxyBe0EUSj6rZyl5vCYQ<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Business Week<\/em> – http:\/\/www.businessweek.com\/ap\/financialnews\/D9H8IK580.htm<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- GulfNews.com<\/em> – “Teaching scheme learns bitter lesson:\u00a0 Spending cuts haunt cultural exchange program” <\/strong>(an overly fatalistic headline considering the edited version of the original article they used) – http:\/\/gulfnews.com\/news\/world\/other-world\/teaching-scheme-learns-bitter-lesson-1.661393<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The article includes quotes from Jim Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94)<\/strong> and Anthony Bianchi<\/a> (Aichi-ken, 1987-89)<\/strong> as well as a reference to JetWit’s role and a few photos of me (in my JETAA NY “Nihongo wakaru yo!” t-shirt) along with JETAA NY Vice-President Monica Yuki<\/strong> and JETAA USA Country Representative Shree Kurlekar<\/strong> (one of three US Country Reps).<\/p>\nWhile the article, I think, does more harm than good for JET and JETAA, I believe there are many points and examples not included in the article that could easily counter the non-specific criticisms also cited in the article.\u00a0 In other words, the case for how JET and JETAA have (and continue to) provide a very significant return on investment (ROI) to Japan is not difficult to make.\u00a0 It’s just a matter of gathering the examples and making everyone aware of them.<\/p>\n
Below are just a few examples based on my own experience, research and conversations.\u00a0 Please feel free to post additional examples in the comments section:<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 A significant number of JET alums are now firmly ensconced in political, policy, business, academic, media and other positions in governments, think tanks, universities, Japan-America societies, Japanese companies, etc.\u00a0 This population is only growing larger, more influential and, as a result, more valuable to Japan.\u00a0 To cut this off at the roots in order to save a few yen would not make good policy or business sense.<\/p>\n
\n- Three JET alums have run for Congress this year:\n
\n- Dan Seals<\/strong><\/a> (Democrat, Illinois) is running for Mark Kirk’s<\/strong> old seat.<\/li>\n
- Rob Cornilles<\/strong><\/a> (Republican, Oregon).<\/li>\n
- David Boling<\/strong><\/a> (Democrat, Arkansas), who lost in the primary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Anthony Bianchi<\/strong> is has been serving for several years as a city councilman in Inuyama-shi, Aichi-ken.<\/li>\n
- Professor Michael Auslin<\/strong><\/a> is the Asia expert at the American Enterprise Institute in D.C.<\/li>\n
- Roland Kelts<\/strong><\/a> wrote Japanamerica<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, which has contributed to the manga boom in the U.S., and is a professor at Tokyo University and a columnist for The Daily Yomiuri<\/em><\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Aaron Woolfolk<\/strong><\/a> wrote, directed and produced the film The Harimaya Bridge<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, which features Danny Glover, was produced in Shikoku and is based in part on Aaron’s JET experience.<\/li>\n
- George Rose<\/strong><\/a> was the interpreter for Hideki Matsui<\/strong> when the New York Yankees<\/strong> won the World Series (the only JET alum with a World Series Ring!)\u00a0 George is now a consultant serving as the Pacific Rim Advisor to the Yankees as well as Staff Advisor to the Yomiuri Giants<\/strong> and the Yomiuri Shimbun<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 He was also one of the first JETAA NY Presidents.<\/li>\n
- Countless JET alums are working for Japanese companies supporting their ability to do business with the rest of the world.\u00a0 Legions of JETs have become translators and interpreters further facilitating Japan’s ability to communicate with the rest of the world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
And I’m just scratching the surface of examples.\u00a0 Additionally, it’s worth being aware of the many more accomplishments to come from JETs in the next generation.\u00a0 The JET Programme essentially takes many of the best and brightest minds from the U.S. and other countries and gets them thinking about, working for and feeling connected to Japan.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0 Numerous Japanese students have gone on to international studies and other accomplishments as a result of their interaction with JETs.\u00a0 These former students may likely comprise the next generation of English speakers in Japan.\u00a0 This is something not measured in test scores.<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0 JET Alumni chapters may be the most cost effective public relations arm Japan hope to have.\u00a0 A review of JETAA Chapter Beat<\/strong><\/a> posts on JetWit gives a quick sense of just some of the grassroots cultural outreach that JET alumni do on behalf of Japan.\u00a0 And they do it because they care about Japan and appreciate their JET experience.\u00a0 There’s no amount you could pay to a PR firm to generate this kind of positive, sustained visibility and outreach.\u00a0 In fact, JET alums devote thousands of volunteer hours (often at the expense of their “real” jobs) to supporting JETAA activities.\u00a0 Not just the administration and organization of chapter activities, but volunteering in various ways such as for New York de Volunteer<\/strong><\/a>, for the Japanese Restaurant Association Japanese Food Festival<\/strong><\/a> in Los Angeles and for numerous “Japan Days” and festivals in cities and towns throughout the U.S. and other countries.<\/p>\n4.\u00a0 With over 52,000 JET alums in the world (and more every year), JET alumni serve as a sort of substitute ex-pat population for Japan.\u00a0 Something Japan lacks in comparison to other countries.\u00a0 Case in point:\u00a0 After 9\/11 when U.S. visa restrictions grew stricter, Japanese staffing companies found it harder to find eligible Japanese people to fill positions in the U.S. offices of Japanese companies.\u00a0 As a result, they sought JET alums, who generally speak at least some Japanese if they’re not fluent, and are much more familiar with Japanese culture and workplaces.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/a>This is the title of a recent article<\/a> by AP reporter Tomoko Hosaka, which has been picked up by:<\/p>\n- \n
- Japan Times<\/strong><\/em> – 8\/11\/2010 – “Budget cutters target JET: ‘Amakudari’ excess or 23-year success in soft foreign policy?” – http:\/\/search.japantimes.co.jp\/cgi-bin\/nn20100811f1.html<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- The Washington Post<\/em> (http:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-dyn\/content\/article\/2010\/07\/29\/AR2010072900233_2.html<\/a>)<\/strong><\/li>\n
- LA Times <\/em> <\/strong>-“With slow growth, Japan might cut exchange program that countered anti-Japanese feeling in US” – http:\/\/www.latimes.com\/news\/nationworld\/world\/wire\/sns-ap-as-japan-foreign-teachers,0,3428970.story<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- The Atlanta Journal Constitution <\/em>(http:\/\/www.ajc.com\/news\/nation-world\/does-japan-still-need-580832.html<\/a>)<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Fox News (just so you know the story is fair and balanced)- http:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/world\/2010\/07\/29\/slow-growth-japan-cut-exchange-program-countered-anti-japanese-feeling\/<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- The Canadian Press via Google – http:\/\/www.google.com\/hostednews\/canadianpress\/article\/ALeqM5icJiKrICsxyBe0EUSj6rZyl5vCYQ<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Business Week<\/em> – http:\/\/www.businessweek.com\/ap\/financialnews\/D9H8IK580.htm<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- GulfNews.com<\/em> – “Teaching scheme learns bitter lesson:\u00a0 Spending cuts haunt cultural exchange program” <\/strong>(an overly fatalistic headline considering the edited version of the original article they used) – http:\/\/gulfnews.com\/news\/world\/other-world\/teaching-scheme-learns-bitter-lesson-1.661393<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The article includes quotes from Jim Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94)<\/strong> and Anthony Bianchi<\/a> (Aichi-ken, 1987-89)<\/strong> as well as a reference to JetWit’s role and a few photos of me (in my JETAA NY “Nihongo wakaru yo!” t-shirt) along with JETAA NY Vice-President Monica Yuki<\/strong> and JETAA USA Country Representative Shree Kurlekar<\/strong> (one of three US Country Reps).<\/p>\n
While the article, I think, does more harm than good for JET and JETAA, I believe there are many points and examples not included in the article that could easily counter the non-specific criticisms also cited in the article.\u00a0 In other words, the case for how JET and JETAA have (and continue to) provide a very significant return on investment (ROI) to Japan is not difficult to make.\u00a0 It’s just a matter of gathering the examples and making everyone aware of them.<\/p>\n
Below are just a few examples based on my own experience, research and conversations.\u00a0 Please feel free to post additional examples in the comments section:<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 A significant number of JET alums are now firmly ensconced in political, policy, business, academic, media and other positions in governments, think tanks, universities, Japan-America societies, Japanese companies, etc.\u00a0 This population is only growing larger, more influential and, as a result, more valuable to Japan.\u00a0 To cut this off at the roots in order to save a few yen would not make good policy or business sense.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Three JET alums have run for Congress this year:\n
- \n
- Dan Seals<\/strong><\/a> (Democrat, Illinois) is running for Mark Kirk’s<\/strong> old seat.<\/li>\n
- Rob Cornilles<\/strong><\/a> (Republican, Oregon).<\/li>\n
- David Boling<\/strong><\/a> (Democrat, Arkansas), who lost in the primary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Anthony Bianchi<\/strong> is has been serving for several years as a city councilman in Inuyama-shi, Aichi-ken.<\/li>\n
- Professor Michael Auslin<\/strong><\/a> is the Asia expert at the American Enterprise Institute in D.C.<\/li>\n
- Roland Kelts<\/strong><\/a> wrote Japanamerica<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, which has contributed to the manga boom in the U.S., and is a professor at Tokyo University and a columnist for The Daily Yomiuri<\/em><\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Aaron Woolfolk<\/strong><\/a> wrote, directed and produced the film The Harimaya Bridge<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, which features Danny Glover, was produced in Shikoku and is based in part on Aaron’s JET experience.<\/li>\n
- George Rose<\/strong><\/a> was the interpreter for Hideki Matsui<\/strong> when the New York Yankees<\/strong> won the World Series (the only JET alum with a World Series Ring!)\u00a0 George is now a consultant serving as the Pacific Rim Advisor to the Yankees as well as Staff Advisor to the Yomiuri Giants<\/strong> and the Yomiuri Shimbun<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 He was also one of the first JETAA NY Presidents.<\/li>\n
- Countless JET alums are working for Japanese companies supporting their ability to do business with the rest of the world.\u00a0 Legions of JETs have become translators and interpreters further facilitating Japan’s ability to communicate with the rest of the world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
And I’m just scratching the surface of examples.\u00a0 Additionally, it’s worth being aware of the many more accomplishments to come from JETs in the next generation.\u00a0 The JET Programme essentially takes many of the best and brightest minds from the U.S. and other countries and gets them thinking about, working for and feeling connected to Japan.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0 Numerous Japanese students have gone on to international studies and other accomplishments as a result of their interaction with JETs.\u00a0 These former students may likely comprise the next generation of English speakers in Japan.\u00a0 This is something not measured in test scores.<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0 JET Alumni chapters may be the most cost effective public relations arm Japan hope to have.\u00a0 A review of JETAA Chapter Beat<\/strong><\/a> posts on JetWit gives a quick sense of just some of the grassroots cultural outreach that JET alumni do on behalf of Japan.\u00a0 And they do it because they care about Japan and appreciate their JET experience.\u00a0 There’s no amount you could pay to a PR firm to generate this kind of positive, sustained visibility and outreach.\u00a0 In fact, JET alums devote thousands of volunteer hours (often at the expense of their “real” jobs) to supporting JETAA activities.\u00a0 Not just the administration and organization of chapter activities, but volunteering in various ways such as for New York de Volunteer<\/strong><\/a>, for the Japanese Restaurant Association Japanese Food Festival<\/strong><\/a> in Los Angeles and for numerous “Japan Days” and festivals in cities and towns throughout the U.S. and other countries.<\/p>\n
4.\u00a0 With over 52,000 JET alums in the world (and more every year), JET alumni serve as a sort of substitute ex-pat population for Japan.\u00a0 Something Japan lacks in comparison to other countries.\u00a0 Case in point:\u00a0 After 9\/11 when U.S. visa restrictions grew stricter, Japanese staffing companies found it harder to find eligible Japanese people to fill positions in the U.S. offices of Japanese companies.\u00a0 As a result, they sought JET alums, who generally speak at least some Japanese if they’re not fluent, and are much more familiar with Japanese culture and workplaces.<\/p>\n
\n
- Rob Cornilles<\/strong><\/a> (Republican, Oregon).<\/li>\n
- Dan Seals<\/strong><\/a> (Democrat, Illinois) is running for Mark Kirk’s<\/strong> old seat.<\/li>\n
- The Washington Post<\/em> (http:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-dyn\/content\/article\/2010\/07\/29\/AR2010072900233_2.html<\/a>)<\/strong><\/li>\n