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Friday, 27 January 2012 11:45 |
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Do you remember what it was like to be a JET? David Namisato can paint you a picture. Literally.
Come and meet the author of the much loved, internationally known comic strip, Life After the B.O.E., now available in book form. This is your chance to schmooze with the author and get yourself a signed copy of his book! There will also be frame-able prints available.
Date: Tuesday, February 7th
Time: 6:30pm to 9:30pm
Location: Goodfellas Gallery, 1266 Queen Street West, just off of Noble Street. Parking and entrance located at the north end of the building. See map.
Cost: Free entry! Book $15.
Contact: Nadine,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Do you remember what it was like to be a JET? David Namisato can paint you a picture. Literally.
Come and meet the author of the much loved, internationally known comic strip, Life After the B.O.E., now available in book form. This is your chance to schmooze with the author and get yourself a signed copy of his book!
Date: Tuesday, February 7th Time: 6:30pm to 9:30pm
Location: Goodfellas Gallery, 1266 Queen Street West, just off of Noble Street. Parking and entrance located at the north end of the building. See map.
Cost: Free entry! Book $15. Special get-your-friend-a-copy event price: 2 for $28, 3 for $40.
Contact: Nadine,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Can't make it to the event? You can purchase the book at amazon.ca (here) or createspace.com (here).
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Friday, 13 January 2012 00:39 |
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Estelle is a current JET, who is making use of her documentary film-making background to help the disaster stricken area of Tohoku. She launched Brighter Than Tomorrow, a fundraising campaign aimed to support the fishing village of Funakoshi. Her aim is to inform the international community of the on-going struggle this village faces post tsunami.
In this interview, Estelle tells us about the current conditions on the ground, the aims of her project, and her path to documentary film-making.
Please click her to read the interview and see more photographs by Estelle.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into documentary film-making.
I had an interest in storytelling as well as humanitarian and social issues for as long as I can remember. My favorite movies when I was young were mostly those based on true stories. After making my very first short doc nearly 8 years ago as part of a Documentary class at Dawson College in Montreal, I realized then the power of the camera, and how it was possible to shed some light on issues and stories that needed to be told. I was inspired by all the positive feedback I had received on my very first documentary project, and it soon became a passion I couldn’t live without. Since then, I’ve had the great opportunity to work and collaborate on a variety of productions—for television, independent projects, etc.—while continuing my studies.
In 2007, I moved to Toronto to pursue my studies in Documentary Media at Ryerson University, mainly because I wanted to change environments, focus on my own independent production for a few years and build a more solid academic background. During that time, I collaborated with young refugees from all over the world producing a radio/sound documentary, and my two-year journey was a truly inspiring and eye-opening one, as I gained a new understanding of not only my role as a documentary practitioner (one beyond being responsible for sharing stories), but also the role of those featured in my projects who choose to voice their experiences and opinions. I then understood documentary as a collaborative effort more than anything else, and as a means of creating positive change within a community—big or small. This had always been at the back of my mind for years, yet it was really in Toronto that I learned how to put everything into practice in order to produce a solid piece of work I knew could have a positive impact on everyone involved—the subjects, the filmmaker, and of course, the audience.
2. For many of us, Japan has been everything from a way to escape the daily grind to a teaching career path to just plain japanophile-ism. What made you decide to go to Japan?
Well, unlike most JETs who come to Japan with at least some kind of knowledge about Japanese culture, I must honestly say I had no idea what I was getting myself into! My Japanese knowledge was quite limited to the blockbuster hit ‘Lost in Translation’ and Yoko Ono’s celebrity status. Upon completing my Masters degree in Toronto, I knew I needed to change my environment once again. I’ve always had an immense passion for traveling, and I had never stepped foot onto Asian land before. I simply wanted to escape to a new place, one drastically different from my own culture, and earn a decent living while seeking new inspiration for a new documentary project. After hearing about a friend’s positive experience on JET, I decided it would be a wise decision, one that would allow me to pursue my two biggest passions: traveling and documentary-making. And, I must say, I wouldn’t change a thing.
3. You've been volunteering with the rebuilding process. Tell us a little more about the current conditions and what still needs to be done.
I can only truly speak for the Ishinomaki area, located about 90 minutes north of Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, as I’ve only traveled to that specific location since last March.
As of right now, things are slowly moving forward, yet you must keep in mind that the city itself was among the most affected in all of Miyagi Prefecture. The industrial area was very close to the coastal area, and everything was wiped out. Nothing there has been rebuilt yet—in fact, the government is putting many areas on ‘hold’ for reconstruction, since a lot of the land sunk due to the severity of the tsunami and earthquake. Currently, driving through what use to be the industrial area is like driving through a ghost town. Of course, there has been a lot of cleaning up since last March, and most roads are open, yet to this day, it’s quite discouraging to look around and see so much damage. My driver, a local of Ishinomaki, often gets confused and lost, as she can’t recognize the area anymore. She once drove me to the beach area, where a few volunteers where picking up trash in the sand—broken glass, plastic, wood, small toys, etc. In fact, you can still see mountains of trash every now and then. And when I use the word ‘mountain’, sadly, I literally do mean ‘mountain’.
Fortunately, Ishinomaki has had a lot of attention since the tsunami, and there has been many volunteers working in that specific area. As well, one of the main streets now has a family restaurant, convenient stores, a karaoke and ‘Pachinko’ complex, a gym, and an internet café among other things. The city itself is functioning, which is great, despite the thousands of people that were displaced. Currently, the biggest temporary housing area is located in Ishinomaki, with over 4,000 roofs. It’s far from being the ideal living situation, yet of course it’s much better than being left outside! Especially with the winter that has just commenced—you need to stay warm! But I would say everyone has found a roof—whether it’s with family members, friends, or through temporary housing or shelters.
What I’m most worried about are the many small villages along the coastal area that were completely wiped out and are currently facing the threat of never being rebuilt despite their importance for the fishing business. Many of these small places probably won’t be reconstructed, and although a lot of debris has been removed, there are still lots of rubble, trash, and abandoned, broken homes and buildings everywhere. And as you pass through those villages, you can’t help but think about those who use to live there. Most of them consist of the elderly and cannot afford to rebuild, while those who could have the finances to rebuild can’t do it either because the government won’t allow them to (high risk of mud slide, flooding, etc.). In addition to that, there’s literally nothing left—no supermarket, no post office… absolutely nothing. It’s a little scary for them to move back to a deserted area located 1 or 2 hours away from the closest supermarket.
4. When did you first get the idea of making a documentary about the effects of the disaster? Was it an automatic response to dealing with a disaster this size or an eureka moment?
The idea didn’t really come to mind until I first went up to Miyagi Prefecture last July to volunteer. I didn’t really know what to expect. I had my camera on me, but my primary focus was to provide assistance with whatever needed to be done—digging, building, cooking... anything! I was hoping to capture images to promote volunteerism in Tohoku along the way, without anything concrete in mind. Considering the extent of the damage and the delicate situation, I didn’t feel like imposing my creative endeavors upon anyone. But on my 3rd day there, something sparked inside of me as I unexpectedly ended up in Funakoshi with Chizu, a tsunami survivor whose mother had grown up in this small fishing village.
The place had been completely wiped out. I remember stepping out of the car not knowing what to think. It felt like I was standing on soil that had just been bombed. Only a few houses remained standing amongst dust, dirt, and scattered belongings. I turned to my right, where a two-story house had a boat hanging off the roof. I was both speechless and amazed. But as I walked over to the shore, I was surprised to see a small group of fishermen mounting a few bins of fresh sea urchins onto one of the only few boats that had been restored from the tsunami. I became excited at the thought that this place wasn’t actually fully abandoned—no one was living there anymore, yet these fishermen seemed quite determined to keep their business going despite a lack of resources. They invited us onto the boat, and I jumped right in without hesitation with my camera in hand. As we got further away from shore, part of me felt crushed, melancholic, and empathetic as I looked over to see what was left of this picturesque area. I had so many questions for these fishermen whom I was slowly beginning to admire greatly for their efforts, yet I didn’t want to make them feel uncomfortable. I chose to embrace the moment, and make good use of my camera.
Once I got both my feet back onto the ground, we chatted with the fishermen, as I became curious to know how they were managing to continue their business despite everything that had happened. Their friendly presence and positive spirit gave me a sense of hope, despite the fact that they had not only lost their homes and fishing gear, but also some of their family members. I remember standing in a small cemetery with one of the fishermen who had lost 3 of his family members, including his son and grandson, and my heart just sank as I listened to his words as he tried so hard to hold back his tears. That’s when I knew I was witnessing humanity’s true strength, hope, and courage.
And it was as we drove away from Funakoshi that I began to think this could be a great story, one that should be documented, and one that should not be forgotten. A lot of the times in the media, you don’t necessarily hear about the long-term recovery projects after natural disasters. It’s something I’ve always been curious about… How do these people cope? How long does it take for them to have a sense of normalcy in their life? What kind of long-term support are they provided with? Will Funakoshi ever be rebuilt? How are the fishermen managing despite having lost so much?
5. Tell us about the direction you're taking with the documentary. What are your main themes?
My focus is on Funakoshi, because it’s such a small village, and I think there is so much happening there with the fishermen and the community that I feel needs to be documented. I’m traveling there once a month from Hiroshima, where I currently reside, to film what’s going on and capture the ongoing struggle and progress that’s taking place. A reconstruction plan for the village has been developed with the help of a volunteer organization based in Kyoto, yet it could take months or perhaps even years for it to be approved by the government. In the meantime, the fishermen are continuing their business, with very limited resources. The idea is to continue to travel there over the next year, and document what is happening, to provide viewers with a personal, intimate and in-depth look at members of this small Japanese community as they attempt to rebuild their lives despite the grand toll of destruction that surrounds them. How are the fishermen dealing with the many unexpected obstacles? Will their port be reconstructed? Will they be able to return to a fully thriving village one day? How are they managing to bring food to the table each day with so little business? Through these daily struggles, I hope viewers will come to understand true meanings of motivation, hope and determination against such extreme adversity.
6. What do you hope to achieve in completing this project?
For the community of Funakoshi, I simply want their story to be told to the world so that they can be remembered. The extent of the damage that the tsunami produced last March 11th is beyond inconceivable, and their stories and testimonies need to be passed on from generation to the next, and to different communities around the world. And what’s great about this project is the amount of support I am receiving from the local community of Funakoshi, particularly the fishermen. They really want this documentary to happen, and that in itself takes a lot of pressure off my shoulders! As a documentary maker, you need to establish a strong relationship with your subject, and make sure that you’re both on the same page. You want your project to benefit them in the long run as well! That’s very important. In addition to that, I’m also hoping that this documentary will help pressure the government in accepting their reconstruction plan... the more exposure and attention given to Funakoshi, the better!
7. You are currently holding a fundraising campaign. What stage are you at with the documentary? And what supplies do you still need?
I’m currently still in production, and will be for the next 12 months, approximately. Of course, because this is an independent project, budget is real tight! In terms of expenses, all of the contributions from the fund raising campaign will definitely facilitate my job by providing extra HD cards, external hard drives, and transportation costs as well! Afterwards, the film will go into post-production, and a lot of money will be needed for color correction, encoding, and sound mastering among other things.
8. When can we expect to see the finished project?
I plan on filming until the end of 2012, and have it completed by the summer of 2013 at the very latest. It will be sent to various international documentary film festivals around the globe. As well, a limited amount of DVDs will be distributed to all those who have made a contribution to the fund raising campaign.
9. Many people would salivate out of pure joy at the thought of being a documentary film-maker/ humanitarian in Japan. Any advice for the aspiring film-maker out there?
First, this may sound cliché, but make sure you are passionate about your project from the very beginning. My second piece of advice would be not to worry so much about the end result—especially when you first begin a project. Just follow your instincts! … And that’s the beauty of documentary—there’s no need to plan everything in advance; you can allow yourself to be spontaneous and just let things unravel before your eyes. Sometimes that’s when you get to capture amazing moments on camera. As well, don’t wait for something or someone for you to make your film happen. You can’t always rely on other people to get things done—you have to be the one that makes things happen. Be a leader, and I promise you that others will follow in your footstep and give you the support you need if you are passionate, determined, and able to adopt an empathetic and positive attitude. Lastly, don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. Take risks. If you believe in your project strongly enough, the risks won’t matter to you.
Estelle is a current JET, who is making use of her documentary film-making background to help the disaster stricken area of Tohoku. She launched Brighter Than Tomorrow, a fundraising campaign aimed to support the fishing village of Funakoshi. Her wish is to inform the international community of the on-going struggle this village faces post tsunami.
In this interview, Estelle tells us about the current conditions on the ground, the aims of her project, and her path to documentary film-making.
Q. Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into documentary film-making.
I had an interest in storytelling as well as humanitarian and social issues for as long as I can remember. After making my very first short doc as part of a Documentary class at Dawson College in Montreal, I realized then the power of the camera, and how it was possible to shed some light on issues and stories that needed to be told. I was inspired by all the positive feedback I had received, and it soon became a passion I couldn’t live without. Since then, I’ve had the great opportunity to work and collaborate on a variety of productions—for television, independent projects, etc.—while continuing my studies. In 2007, I moved to Toronto to pursue my studies in Documentary Media at Ryerson University. During that time, I collaborated with young refugees from all over the world, producing a radio/sound documentary. I then understood documentary as a collaborative effort more than anything else, and as a means of creating positive change within a community—big or small.
Q. For many of us, Japan has been everything from a way to escape the daily grind to a teaching career path to just plain japanophile-ism. What made you decide to go to Japan?
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Thursday, 12 January 2012 21:01 |
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The JET Alumni Association of Toronto is one of the largest and most active chapters in Canada and the world. Coming up in January, we will be holding our Annual General Meeting, at which the year's activities and events are reviewed and the 2012 executive will be chosen.
Our Executive Committee objectives are as follows:
1. To work closely with the Consulate-General of Japan in Toronto to support its initiatives,
2.To liaise with Japan-related organizations in Toronto, and
3.To promote the growth and success of the JET Programme.
Being part of the Executive Committee is a great opportunity to work with an excellent volunteer group who work to make a difference. We’re sending a shout-out to those interested in joining an energetic group of people!
Date: Saturday, January 28th
Time: 5pm
Location: Spring Rolls, Yonge & Dundas in the Atrium on Bay
Cost: Free to join for JETAA members
NOTE: Those interested in joining the exec please be prepared to deliver a SHORT PLATFORM speech as part of the voting process.
After the AGM, we will enjoy the rest of the night with our long awaited Shinnenkai to kick off the New Year! So, come on out and show your support!
RSVP: Chris,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The positions available are:
Secretary
Events Coordinator
Website Coordinator
Communications Coordinator
Membership Coordinator
Sports Coordinator
Conference Organizer
Treasurer Support
Events Support
Website/Communications Support
Membership Support
Conference Organizer Support
Here are some details about the various positions and the responsibilities of each:
Secretary (One-Year Term):
• Records the minutes of the executive meetings; and
• Distributes them to executive members in a timely fashion.
Events Coordinator (One-Year Term):
• Responsible for organizing and overseeing JETAA Toronto events, including the development of new events;
• Co-ordinates - with the assistance of appointed committee member - monthly events aimed at bringing together Alumni;
• Compiles and submits activity reports to the Executive on a monthly basis;
• Develops promotional material for various events coordinates distribution of information with the Website and Communications people; and
• Liaises with the Japanese Visitors Association (JAVA) to promote JETAA Toronto events.
Website Coordinator (One-Year Term) *Position under review:
• Maintains the website as a vital tool for the JETAA Toronto community on a regular basis;
• Manages the website’s content management system based on Joomla/WordPress, constantly updating information;
• Coordinates with Communications and Events to ensure proper information is delivered to the website in a timely fashion;
• Provides technical knowledge to the rest of the Executive.
Communications Coordinator (One-Year Term) *Position under review:
• Designs and produces JETAA Toronto’s electronic newsletter 10 times a year;
• Solicits articles and information from Alumni for use in the newsletters;
• Coordinates with Website Coordinator and Events Coordinator to ensure accurate and timely information is provided to Alumni;
• Ensures newsletter is being forwarded to the most up-to-date membership list available;
• Provides advice on new technology to help streamline newsletter and website flow of information.
Membership Coordinator (One-Year Term):
• Regularly updates the membership list;
• Ensures updated information is collected at all events;
• Provides updates to Chair/Co-Chairs to ensure updated email list is created;
• Assists JETAA Toronto in establishing subchapter development across southern Ontario,
providing support where needed;
• Coordinates with Communications to develop new ways attract members.
Sports Coordinator (One-Year Term):
• Manages and leads seasonal recreational sports including the booking of venues, permits, and necessary equipment;
• Communicates and coordinates with participants;
• Liaises with various leagues to discover potential tournament opportunities; and
• Discusses with Communications and Website Coordinator to advertise team openings and events.
Conference Organizer (One-Year Term):
• Coordinates Pre-Departure Orientation, Re-Entry Seminar, and Networking/Career events;
• Responsible for coordinating JETAA Canada’s National Conference (if applicable);
• Enlists volunteers from Executive and membership for each event/conference; and
• Provides Communications and Website Coordinator with information to be added to newsletter/ website.
Community Liaison Coordinator (One-Year Term):
• Communicates and represents JETAA Toronto with other Japan focused community organizations;
• Coordinates any events that involve other organizations;
• Reports to the executive on relevant community news; and
• Provides Communications and Website Coordinator with information to be added to newsletter/ website.
Committee Members/Support (all committee member positions are One-Year commitments):
Committee members are responsible for helping out the executive members. They act as support to help the executive members fulfill their monthly duties and represent JETAA Toronto in the community and at monthly events.
Committee members are needed to assist the following positions:
• Treasurer Support
• Events Support
• Website Support
• Membership Support
• Conference Organizer Support
The JET Alumni Association of Toronto is one of the largest and most active chapters in Canada and the world. Coming up in January, we will be holding our Annual General Meeting, at which the year's activities and events are reviewed and the 2012 executive will be chosen.
Our Executive Committee objectives are as follows:
1. To work closely with the Consulate-General of Japan in Toronto to support its initiatives,
2.To liaise with Japan-related organizations in Toronto, and
3.To promote the growth and success of the JET Programme.
Being part of the Executive Committee is a great opportunity to work with an excellent volunteer group who work to make a difference. We’re sending a shout-out to those interested in joining an energetic group of people!
Date: Saturday, January 28th
Time: 5pm
Location: Spring Rolls, Yonge & Dundas in the Atrium on Bay
Cost: Free to join for JETAA members
NOTE: Those interested in joining the exec please be prepared to deliver a SHORT PLATFORM speech as part of the voting process.
After the AGM, we will enjoy the rest of the night with our long awaited Shinnenkai to kick off the New Year! So, come on out and show your support!
RSVP: Chris,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The positions available are:
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Thursday, 29 December 2011 17:19 |
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JOB POSTING
Position: JET Programme Assistant Coordinator (Winter 2012)
Position Type: Full Time – Temporary (for approximately 6-7 weeks)
Location: Japan Information Centre, Consulate General of Japan
Application Deadline: Friday, January 13
th
2012. – 4:00 pm
Start Date: Monday, January 23
rd
2012 (To be confirmed)
End Date: Thursday, March 8
th
2012 (To be confirmed)
Please note that while the Japan Information Centre appreciates the efforts of all applicants, only those selected for an
interview will be contacted.
Position Description:
The JET Programme Assistant Coordinator will provide assistance in the winter selection process of the JET Programme.
Responsibilities:
• responding to telephone, e-mail, post and in-person inquiries from potential JET candidates;
• helping maintain accurate data using MS Access/MS Excel; preparing and creating form letters in MS Word;
• helping to create and maintain interview schedules in MS Excel
• assist with logistics of JET Programme interview (scheduling, materials, on site coordination)
• maintain strict confidentiality
• liaising with organisations and institutions regarding the JET Programme;
• occasionally fielding general telephone inquiries to the Japan Information Centre about Japan
• on occasion, she/he may also be asked to assist with work on tasks beyond JET Programme
Required Experience & Skills:
• Experience and strong performance record working as an ALT or CIR on the JET Programme
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access), Microsoft e-mail and Internet applications (Outlook and
Internet Explorer) and Windows 2000 & XP
• Excellent written and spoken English language skills
• Proven administrative, research and organizational capacities
Workplace:
The Japan Information Centre is located at the Consulate General of Japan (Suite 3300 Royal Trust Tower, 77 King St. West)
inside the TD Centre in Toronto Ontario. Home to the JET Programme and other Japanese government-sponsored culture and
education efforts for the province of Ontario, it is a relatively small office, and requires staff able to work well independently and
in collaboration with others in both supervised and unsupervised situations.
Hours & Compensation:
The full-time temporary position starting from approximately Monday, January 23
rd
2012 (To be confirmed)
- Thursday, March 8
th
2012 (To be confirmed), Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Pay is hourly at approximately
$15.00 per hour, 8 hours a day for approximately 6-7 weeks. Due to the JIC or Consulate events schedule, there may be cases
where the JET Assistant is asked to work evenings or weekends.
To apply:
Interested applicants should submit a covering letter and resume by fax at (416) 363-6074 or email at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
by 4:00 pm on Friday, January 13
th
2012.
Please write JET PROGRAMME ASSISTANT COORDINATOR APPLICANT on the fax cover sheet or e-mail header, respectively.
Interviews will be arranged for a date immediately following this deadline (most likely Jan 16
th
-19
th
). The position will commence
shortly thereafter.
Position: JET Programme Assistant Coordinator (Winter 2012)
Position Type: Full Time – Temporary (for approximately 6-7 weeks)
Location: Japan Information Centre, Consulate General of Japan
Application Deadline: Friday, January 13th, 2012. – 4:00 pm
Start Date: Monday, January 23rd, 2012 (To be confirmed)
End Date: Thursday, March 8th, 2012 (To be confirmed)
Please note that while the Japan Information Centre appreciates the efforts of all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
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Thursday, 08 December 2011 22:49 |
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Did you know that David Namisato first started his comic strip, Life After the B.O.E, for the JETAA Toronto Newsletter? His widely popular comic, which has been taken up by multiple sites, is now available in book form. We catch up with David and talk about his time on JET, work as an illustrator, and future goals.
To start at the beginning, what inspired you to go to Japan?
It really wasn’t inspiration. I was in the process of quitting animation school, and didn’t want to pursue a career in art anymore, so I was looking for something to switch to that would make use of my non-art skills. The JET CIR position seemed like a good fit.
Let’s say someone creates a shiny time machine and you’re transported back to your first day in Japan. It’s 2002, you’re a fresh-faced CIR but you have all the experience that allowed you to create Life After the BOE. Anything you would do differently?
I’d elbow my way to the front of the line at the Tokyo Orientation welcome reception buffet line. I was at the back, and by the time I reached the food, all the meat was gone.
Seriously though, I think I would take more risks, go on more adventures, and get involved more in the local community.
What first drew you to making comics?
As a kid, it was the only thing I wanted to do. I guess it was because I enjoyed reading comics that I wanted to make my own.
You first started the comic strip for our very own JETAA Toronto Newsletter, how long before you began to get requests from other JET-related groups to use it?
I honestly cannot remember. It’s a blur, but I think it took a year or two.
What made you decide on creating the book?
I had no plans for a book, but Lynn Miyauchi, JET Coordinator in Seattle convinced me of the benefits of having an actual book that could be given to people.
The book is a compilation of the strips collected over the years. Can we expect to also see some new ones?
There are a number of new comics in the book. I hope they will be well-received like the ones on the website.
What’s your favourite strip and why?
If I had to pick only one, it would be “Reasons” (It’s just titled “The End” on the website, but in the book, it’s not the last comic, so it uses its original title) It’s not a funny comic, but I think it captures our transformation during our time in Japan; from seeing Japan as a cool place with cool technology and culture, to seeing Japan as a second home filled with friends.
Does all your material come from personal experience?
I’d say it 50-50. Half are my experiences, half are from the experience of my JET friends and colleagues.
As an artist, what else is on your plate at the moment?
I still do the occasional magazine job, and I have a Japanese-language comic called “Mark to Minna” (Mark and the Gang) in Torja, a free Japanese-language magazine in Toronto. I also provide illustrations for the romantic comedy serial “Moshikano” (Imaginary Girlfriend) which also appears in Torja. You can read Torja online for free at torja.ca
In terms of future plans, what’s your ideal project?
To have a major publisher publish one of my graphic novel ideas.
Any advice for aspiring Japanophile artists out there?
Put something together and share it with the world. It’s so easy to do now with the internet and social media.
We know what you’re thinking – great holiday gift, right? Want to give Life After the B.O.E to your JET friends? Click here for amazon and here for
Are you an aspiring artist? Want to meet the author? We’ll be hosting a book launch in mid-January. More info to come!
Did you know that David Namisato first started his comic strip, Life After the B.O.E, for the JETAA Toronto Newsletter? His widely popular comic, which has been taken up by multiple sites, is now available in book form. We catch up with David and talk about his time on JET, work as an illustrator, and future goals.
Q: To start at the beginning, what inspired you to go to Japan?
A: It really wasn’t inspiration. I was in the process of quitting animation school, and didn’t want to pursue a career in art anymore, so I was looking for something to switch to that would make use of my non-art skills. The JET CIR position seemed like a good fit.
Q: Let’s say someone creates a shiny time machine and you’re transported back to your first day in Japan. It’s 2002, you’re a fresh-faced CIR but you have all the experience that allowed you to create Life After the BOE. Anything you would do differently?
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Thursday, 08 December 2011 22:19 |
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On December 2nd, 2011, JETAA Toronto hosted a Speaker Series event at the Japan Foundation which focused around a panel of individuals that have experienced the disaster and its aftermath first hand.
JETAA was fortunate enough to have a total panel of 6 individuals, 2 of them joined us live via Skype from Japan.
Shaney Crawford, who joined live via Skype, currently organizes a team on the ground to provide assistance from digging mud, organizing events for affected community members to helping out in food kitchens.
Jay Ishida, who also joined us via Skype, has been a JET participant for the past 3 years and is involved in ongoing fundraisers and on-site volunteer work. This holiday season, he will be hosting a Christmas party at an orphanage for the children who were affected by the disaster.
Amber Hildebrandt is a journalist who was sent back to Japan to cover the disaster for the CBC. She shared her experience of the difficulty of attempting travel to the effected region as the disaster unfolded.
Tanya Gardecky was selected as a past JET by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to revisit her former schools and community. She stressed the overwhelming lack of progress made in rebuilding the island communities off the coast of Tohoku.
Sandy Gibson is a former JET who experienced some of the effects of the disaster first hand before returning to Toronto. He shared his experience and photographs.
James Ahn is a former US Marine who was stationed in Japan during the time of the disaster and was part of the rescue missions. He shared photographs of his mission.
In an intensely emotional evening, each of the panellists shared their personal stories. Much of the discussion centered around relief efforts and the current situation on the ground.
A live taping of the event will be shortly posted to this site. Please check back soon!
On December 2nd, 2011, JETAA Toronto hosted a Speaker Series event at the Japan Foundation which focused around a panel of individuals that have experienced the disaster and its aftermath first hand.
JETAA was fortunate enough to have a total panel of 6 individuals, 2 of them joined us live via Skype from Japan.
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Thursday, 08 December 2011 21:22 |
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As another year comes to a close, a new crop of JETs have returned to Toronto and were welcomed home with open arms at the JETAA Toronto 2011 Career and Re-entry Conference on November 12th. The Japan Foundation once again hosted one of the year’s most important events, and a diverse range of speakers helped ease the re-integration process for new returnees.
Twelve participants came out on that Saturday morning and met with JETAA Toronto members, networked, listened to interesting presentations and had a delicious bento that must have made a few of them natsukashii. In total, 6 presenters participated in the conference and provided tips and tricks on how to re-integrate into the community, develop new goals and plan for a career. Topics that were covered were:
• Toronto’s Japanese Community – how to maintain links to Japan and how to learn of Japanese events in the city
• Pursuing Change and Goal Setting – how to set goals and plan for success in the future
• Reverse Culture Shock – coping with re-integrating into Canadian culture
• Volunteering Your Way Into a job – learning how to get your foot in the door of your chosen career by volunteering
• Beginners’ Financial Planning – financial advice from a financial planner
• Top Ten Errors When Applying For Jobs – common mistakes when applying for jobs and how to avoid them as well as resume writing tips
• Interview Skills – learning how to wow interviewers and avoid common pitfalls during the interview process
All in all, it was a jam-packed day filled with exchanging memories and experiences, walking down memory lane, meeting new people and preparing for a new future. After participating in a group soji (including a rousing classical piece playing in the background), the group headed over the Gabby’s for a well deserved nijikai.
It was a great “Okaerinasai” to the new JETAA members. We look forward to seeing those of you who came out that day, and those we have yet to meet, at future JETAA Toronto events.
As another year comes to a close, a new crop of JETs have returned to Toronto and were welcomed home with open arms at the JETAA Toronto 2011 Career and Re-entry Conference on November 12th. The Japan Foundation once again hosted one of the year’s most important events, and a diverse range of speakers helped ease the re-integration process for new returnees.
Twelve participants came out on that Saturday morning and met with JETAA Toronto members, networked, listened to interesting presentations and had a delicious bento that must have made a few of them natsukashii.
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Thursday, 08 December 2011 20:58 |
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This year's meeting was made possible by funding from the Centre for Global Partnership and was supported by MOFA and CLAIR Tokyo. The official meeting took place Friday October 21st and Saturday October 22nd at the CLAIR Head Office in Tokyo. This was then followed by an volunteer excursion from Sunday October 23rd to Monday October 24th to the Tohoku Region, specifically Rikuzentakata, where several JETAAi representatives joined current JET Programme participants in the Tohoku region to volunteer in the ongoing cleanup efforts in Rikuzentakata, where the late Montgomery (Monty) Dickson was stationed as a JET. It was very important for JETAAi to find a way to give back in a very real way, that wasn’t just money or an item on an agenda, and by going directly to the affected area to aid in the aftermath clean-up.
I was unfortunately unable to attend the volunteer trip as I had to catch a red-eye back to Canada for the work conference I was coordinating.
Aims and Objectives of this year's conference were:
Develop strategies and blueprints for a 3 year action plan for building closer ties with Japan and Japan related organizations
To serve as a forum for intellectual discussions on the future of grassroots and cultural exchange activities to be spear headed by JETAA chapters globally
To showcase examples of projects/efforts completed by country chapters (New Zealand, U.K, South Africa, U.S.A) are contributing to the recovery of Japan
Develop strategies to increase the visibility of JET and JETAAi across the world.
Communicate value of JET and JETAA to members, community, Japan and the media
Increase our online footprint and revamp the JETAAi website (Current AJET Webmaster, Andrew Cook to assist)
To serve as a forum for intellectual dialogue to contribute to the
recovery of Japan
To engage in a planned event to contribute to the recovery of Japan
Other activities included:
JETAAi working with AJET to gather names of returning JETS from the Returners' Conferences and better promotion of JETAA.
Sharing suggestions for the JET Programme to members of CLAIR and MOFA (from our individual countries' 2011 National Conference)
Sharing about our chapters' fundraising efforts - country specific - in small group discussions
Discussing options for re-establishing the connection with alumni & their former BOEs
Revamping the JETAA-I membership and further international chapter development
Collecting children's books for the Taylor Anderson Bunkos (Reading Centre) - for children and families in the affected regions
Stay tuned for a full report which will be available on jetaatoronto.ca in mid December. For more information regarding chapters across Canada, visit, jetaacanada.ca. For more information regarding JETAA International, visit jetalumni.org.
The following report was written by our country representative, Jamiena Shah.
This year's meeting was made possible by funding from the Centre for Global Partnership and was supported by MOFA and CLAIR Tokyo. The official meeting took place Friday October 21st and Saturday October 22nd at the CLAIR Head Office in Tokyo.
The meeting was followed by a volunteer 2-day excursion to the Tohoku Region. Several JETAAi representatives joined current JET Programme participants of the Tohoku region to volunteer in the ongoing cleanup efforts in Rikuzentakata, where the late Montgomery (Monty) Dickson was stationed as a JET. It was important for JETAAi to find a way to give back in a real way, that wasn’t just money or an item on an agenda, and by going directly to the affected area to aid in the aftermath clean-up.
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Thursday, 08 December 2011 20:40 |
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Background: The Great East Japan Earthquake was an unprecedented disaster from which it will take the Japanese people decades to fully recover. Among the many victims of this disaster was JET Programme participant Taylor Anderson. Taylor’s tragic death shook the JET community and the lives of the many people she had come to know in Ishinomaki. However, not wanting to let the bond between Taylor and Ishinomaki fade away, Taylor’s family have taken it upon themselves to directly assist with Ishinomaki’s recovery in a variety of ways, including raising funds for the benefit of the community. Since beginning this fundraising, Andy Anderson, Taylor’s father, has consistently looked for new, creative ways to make significant differences at the grassroots level. Andy contacted the Miyagi Association of JET (MAJET) to discuss how JET participants could assist in this recovery effort, and how they could be empowered to do so. Through this discussion, MAJET and Andy Anderson have established the “Miyagi-Sendai JET Micro Grant Program”
Goals
1. To honor the memory of Taylor Anderson
2. To provide financial support to enhance the projects/activities of Miyagi/Sendai JET program participants.
3. To support foreign language education in the schools in which JET participants are employed as well as the communities in which they live.
4. To support activities aimed at enriching the awareness and understanding of foreign cultures whether these activities occur in the classroom or in JET participants’ communities.
To put it simply, we want to provide JETs in our area (as it was worst hit and is starting to enter the recovery period) with minimal financing (2,000-10,000 yen) to "go the extra mile" and do more to fulfill the goals of the JET Program. Many people have great ideas, but we cannot pay out of our pockets all the time :(
We currently have the money, but there likely would be many alumni out there who would jump at the chance to donate to help JETs to do good.
Any donation will:
1) Empower JETs to be their best, without having to pay out of pocket
2) Provide funding to enrich an activity meant for the benefit of people affected by the earthquake/tsunami
3) If there are funds left over, everything will be directly contributed to the prefectural earthquake relief fund. We will be listing every project undertaken on our website, plus pictures of the results, to allow any donators to directly see the results of this project
To donate or participate, please email Eunice at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The Great East Japan Earthquake was an unprecedented disaster from which it will take the Japanese people decades to fully recover. Among the many victims of this disaster was JET Programme participant Taylor Anderson. Taylor’s tragic death shook the JET community and the lives of the many people she had come to know in Ishinomaki.
However, not wanting to let the bond between Taylor and Ishinomaki fade away, Taylor’s family have taken it upon themselves to directly assist with Ishinomaki’s recovery in a variety of ways, including raising funds for the benefit of the community.
Since beginning this fundraising, Andy Anderson, Taylor’s father, has consistently looked for new, creative ways to make significant differences at the grassroots level. Andy contacted the Miyagi Association of JET (MAJET) to discuss how JET participants could assist in this recovery effort, and how they could be empowered to do so. Through this discussion, MAJET and Andy Anderson have established the “Miyagi-Sendai JET Micro Grant Program”.
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Wednesday, 30 November 2011 21:34 |
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Brighter Than Tomorrow is a fundraising campaign launched by documentary maker Estelle Hebert in partnership with Chizu Ishikawa, in response to her several visits to Miyagi Prefecture following the Great Eastern Japan earthquake. Estelle Hebert is a Toronto JET currently in Japan.
The campaign aims to support the local community of Funakoshi, a fishing village that was completely washed away by the tsunami last March 11th, by assisting to provide the local fishermen with much-needed fishing gear/equipment including storage space (refrigerators) and out boat motors.
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