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Participants and alumni facilitators at this year’s Pre-Departure Orientation.
From the JET Desk at the Consulate-General of Japan in Vancouver Text: Steve Chevalier, Culture and Information Assistant at the Consulate-General of Japan in Vancouver The countdown to the JET adventure is on for the participants of the 27th JET Programme, most of whom will leave Canada on the B.C. Day long weekend. In all, 178 participants, 170 ALTs, 8 CIRs, were selected from across Canada. Thirty-eight candidates, 36 ALTs and 2 CIRs, were originally short-listed in Vancouver, however, we have since added two more ALTs and one CIR. One participant has already left for Japan in April, as part of the early departure scheme for which participants can now apply. JETAABC members continue to play an important role in the selection process. Alumni evaluated candidates, as interview panel members, and answered questions and directed candidates to their interview rooms, as reception desk volunteers. Thank you for your efforts and support. In June, JETAABC volunteers provided further assistance with the JET Programme at the Pre-Departure and Teaching English in Japan seminars. The seminars are great way for new JETs to get information from alumni, who have “been there, done that.” Past JET Programme participants have always enjoyed meeting alumni, learning about the upcoming adventure and hearing stories about how “Every Situation is Different.” The PreDeparture Seminar was held on Saturday, June 23 at BCIT’s downtown Vancouver location, while we switched venues on Sunday, June 22 for the Teaching English in Japan Seminar at Simon Fraser University’s Harbour Centre Campus, also in downtown Vancouver.
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Recently, the Consulate General has been involved in a couple youth exchange programs between Canada and Japan. In February and March, a group of 27 students and teachers from West Vancouver Secondary School visited Japan while 25 students and teachers from Ryugasaki Daiichi High School, Ibaraki, visited British Columbia as part of the “Kizuna” (Bond of Friendship) Project, an exchange program for Japan’s recovery after the Great East Japan Earthquake. In May, students from New Westminster Secondary School headed to Japan on the “Youth Exchange Program with North America,” implemented by the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan (NFUAJ) and the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. It is likely more of these exchanges will occur, this year. Our office continues to present and support Japan-related, cultural events around B.C. The year started off with a thunderous Taiko concert by local group Chibi Taiko and Tokara Taiko, from Japan. Always a good a way to hone your Japanese speaking skills, the 25th Annual British Columbia Japanese Speech Contest, saw 33 contestants compete in seven categories. To find out what’s up next, check out the event listings in this newsletter, keep an eye on our website: www.vancouver.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/ index.htm or sign up for email notification of Consulate events: event@vc.mofa.go.jp. There’s always something happening that will help you keep in touch with Japan.
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Letter from the President Welcome to another year of JETAABC’s newsletter! This year we have added five genki members with our ten returning Board of Directors. All of us are ready and eager to organize events for you throughout the year. This is my third year as president and I’m looking forward to another great year. In the last couple of years, JETAABC has been working hard to build ties with the Japanese community. We have had opportunities to showcase our organization at both the Sakura Days Festival and the Powell Street Festival, worked together with the Mokuyokai Society and the Tonari Gumi for events, and had opportunities to meet members from Kiyukai (Vancouver Japanese Business Association) and Konwakai (Japanese Business Association of Vancouver). We are hoping these ties that we are creating with the community will turn into greater opportunities for our members. We still have a lot of work to do and will continue to do so during this upcoming year.
Last year, we had an exciting opportunity to expand our activities to Vancouver Island with the assistance of one of our lovely board members, Alison Brown. She has been enthusiastically organizing several events in Victoria throughout 2012 and is looking forward to another year full of events. We are always looking to expand to other parts of BC/ Yukon as well and will happily provide assistance where we can. If you (or anyone you know) are interested in organizing an event or two, please feel free to contact me. And for all those in the Lower Mainland, we still have a bunch of events planned for the year, so be sure to keep an eye out. We hope to see you at one of our events! Take care Ann Yamashita JETAABC President
2013 JETAABC Board of Directors Ann Yamashita President Shizuoka ALT + CIR, 2002–2005
Wanda Yee Social Media Coordinator Fukui ALT, 2001–2007
Thomas Law Newsletter Coordinator Hokkaido ALT, 2007–2009
Erica Moizumi Secretary Osaka ALT, 2002–2004
Lucky Herath Social / Cultural Coordinator Kagoshima ALT, 2006–2008
Greg Joughin Senior Advisor Ishikawa ALT, 1996–1999
Dinah Linsangan Treasurer Aomori ALT, 2004–2008
Reyn Nakamoto Technical Coordinator Aomori ALT, 2003–2005
Alison Brown Director-at-Large (Van. Island Rep) Iwate ALT, 2005–2008
Jessica Ng Membership Coordinator Kobe ALT, 2010–2012
Christian Butzek Career / Personal Development Gunma ALT, 2005–2007
Dalton Polyvas Director-at-Large Hokkaido 2011–2012
Sabine Sasakura Volunteer Coordinator Hyogo ALT, 2001–2004
Mark Montgomery External Liaison Aomori ALT, 2005–2008
Phil Alma Associate Director Fukuoka ALT, 2001–2003
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Kizuna Project Visits Vancouver Text and photos by Dalton Polyvas
Casual chat between Greg (left) and Bob Schnyder of JETAA Portland. (Photo: Mark Montgomery)
They want him back! Our very own Greg Joughin has been reelected for a second term as JETAA Canada Representative. Congratulations! Greg will communicate information between all seven Canadian chapters and CLAIR, in addition to working with JETAAi. Greg was previously President of JETAABC for a number of years, and currently serves as Senior Advisor on the JETAABC Board of Directors. He offers the “sober second thought” to the Board’s decisions, and puts up with the kohai brats on the Board who never fail to remind him about that one fateful night when he ordered the Love Meat from Japadog.
“The Youth-Exchange Project with Asia-Oceania and North America (Kizuna Project)” is a project run by the Japanese government with the objective of promoting other countries’ understanding with regards to Japan’s revival efforts in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake. The project invites young people from 41 different countries/regions in Asia-Oceania and North America, allowing them to participate in exchange programs, visit disaster-affected areas and engage in volunteer activities. It also involves sending young people from Japan to target countries/regions. Over 12,000 people are to become part of the exchange through this project.” — Kizuna (http://sv2.jice.org/kizuna/e/what/about/) West Vancouver students recently participated on an exchange to Japan, whereas students from Japan came to visit Vancouver to participate in a series of exchange events and have recently returned home to Japan. Sunday, March 17 (Powell Street Tour) On a bright Sunday afternoon two JETAABC members met the Kizuna students at Nikkei Place. After a savoury obento-lunch and some kyushoku-style conversation students and representatives headed downtown. A tour of historic Powell Street near Oppenheimer Park followed. A representative from Nikkei Place met the group of about 30 (including students, volunteers, and representatives). The tour lasted about one hour. Onlookers had a rare look into the history of Japanese Canadians in Vancouver. Shortly afterward a few group photos were taken and Kizuna students set off on the next leg of their tour. Thursday, March 21 (Kizuna-kai) A fine evening at the Consul General’s residence. Participating students from Vancouver and Japan poured into the venue. After a few speeches from student representatives, a commemorative song was sung by both classes. Refreshments were served. Students quickly took to mingling, and snapping photos of new friends. The atmosphere was jovial. At the close of the evening a group photo was taken. Kizuna students filed onto tour bus and Canadian students and Consular staff waved farewell as the Kizuna group set off on the final leg of their Canadian journey.
Top: Kizuna students tour historic Powell Street. Bottom: Kizuna-kai at the Consul General’s residence.
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More information can be found via an interview provided on the CBC website. One local Vancouver teacher, participant Canadian and Japanese student comment in the radio podcast interview. The link can be found here at: www.cbc.ca/earlyedition/podcast/2013/03/21/ justice-spending-project-kizuna-foncie-fotos
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JETAABC at Sakura Days Text by Thomas Law, Photos by Mark Montgomery JETAABC was back at this year’s Sakura Days festival in April, representing the JET Programme. Throughout the weekend we had a steady stream of people at our booth – people who were interested in JET, and people who were JETs came by to chat with our alumni volunteers who graciously dedicated their free time to answer any questions our visitors had. Our Board member Phil Alma even managed to sustain the volunteers with baked cookies! Much appreciated! The Sakura Days festival is an annual Japanese festival presented by the Japan Fair Association of Vancouver (JFAV) as part of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival with the support of the VanDusen Botanical Garden and the Consulate General of Japan in Vancouver. Visitors to the fair can experience many aspects of Japanese culture, including the delicious food served at food stands, captivating ikebana and calligraphy classes, haiku lessons, origami classes, traditional dance performances, shakuhachi performances, yukata dressing, and a karaoke contest, just to name a few. Don’t miss the festival next year! Better yet, go as a volunteer for JETAABC!
JETAABC Onsen Trip Text by Lydia Leung, Photos by Jessica Ng and Lucky Herath I’ve missed Japanese onsen ever since I left Japan and that was 3 years ago! I thought I would never find something similar or even geographically close to where I was living. When I found out that there was a Korean spa in Coquitlam, I got very excited! Our group tried the salt room, earth room, charcoal room, sauna room, steam room and the jacuzzi. It was a great way to catch up with other JETs and share stories of Japan. If you’re looking to get away for a few hours to relax, you should give the Korean spa a try. Left: Entrance to the Korean spa. Right: Catching up with other JETs over great food.
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Update from JETAABC Vancouver Island Text and photos by Alison Brown JETAABC Vancouver Island had its first social of the year on March 15th at board member Alison Brown’s house. We had a lovely potluck to finish off a hard work week for the island alumni. Dishes brought included sushi, seven-layer dip, spinach gomaae, oishii onigiri, lemon bars, and veggie mapo doufu. Regular social attendees included Gil, Kyle, Karen, Suzan, and Keith. Many of you may remember Gil from your JET interview days! We welcomed new alumnus, Katrina Barrie, who recently returned to Canada last year. She brought the veggie mapo doufu, which was amazing, and scarfed down by the hostess. Wine, beer, and more wine was consumed on this lovely evening along with some lively conversation. Any JET alumnus who lives on Vancouver Island and wishes to join the island chapter of JETAABC is more than welcome to do so. Please email me at alison@jetaabc.ca or find me on Facebook under the name Alison Dacia Brown. You can also request to join the Facebook group, JETAABC Vancouver Island.
Want to Learn Japanese? Interested in free Japanese lessons? JETAABC is hoping to run a class during 2013 fall/winter season. If you are JET alumni and are interested, please fill out this brief form to express interest by August 7, 2013. http://goo.gl/dnICH
Needing Volunteers Sempai Program for Powell St Complete! Festival We’ll be at Powell St Festival again this year, on August 3rd (the Festival runs August 3–4). We need one more volunteer for the 4–6pm shift! If you are able to volunteer at our booth on Saturday, August 3rd, please contact president@jetaabc.ca. Otherwise, come by and enjoy the festivities, and please come by the JET/JETAABC kiosk to say hello!
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Last year’s JETAABC Sempai List mentorship program was this year upgraded into an official JETAABC initiative, the JETAABC Sempai Program. Despite a much shorter turnaround time, we were able to use the coodination lessons learned last year and matched more than 44 departing JETs, thanks to a pool of 49 alumni volunteers signed on. Many thanks to the Sempai volunteers! Your support for the JETs is greatly appreciated! More on the analysis of the Program in the next issue of the JETAABC Newsletter.
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BOOM! Now that we’ve got your attention, yes this is how close you can be to some awesome fireworks without swimming onto a platform in the middle of English Bay.
Pre-Order Your Tickets For JETAABC’s 3rd Annual Canadians Baseball BBQ Tabehoudai & Hanabi Event!
Because last year’s Canadians Baseball BBQ Tabehoudai & Hanabi event was SOLD OUT, we’re offering ticket preordering this year. Reserve your tickets now, as we expect tickets to sell out quickly again this year! (If you missed it last year, you missed out on a fireworks show that puts the Festival of Lights to shame. Seriously, Vancouver’s BEST fireworks and also Vancouver’s best kept secret.)
Cost: $37/adult, $25/child (ages 4-12), $0/child (ages 3 and under)
Please join us at this family-friendly event at Scotiabank Field (aka: Nat Bailey Stadium) to cheer on the Vancouver Canadians in our private BBQ picnic section on the field and fill your belly with all-you-can-eat burgers, brats and more! Best of all, there will be a fireworks show at the stadium after the game! This event is open to everyone so spread the word & RSVP soon before all the tickets are gone.
RSVP: As seating is limited, payment is required in advance in order to reserve your spot for this event. Please email socialmedia@jetaabc.ca with: Your name, contact number, and the number of tickets you would like. A confirmation email will be sent once payment has been received. The deadline to RSVP is Friday, August 2nd, 2013 (*Note: Payment must be received by this date).
What: Vancouver Canadians vs Spokane Indians, BBQ Tabehoudai & Hanabi in the Stadium When: Saturday, August 24th (food starts @ 6:00 pm, first pitch @ 7:05 pm) Where: Scotiabank Field – Nat Bailey Stadium (4601 Ontario St, Vancouver)
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*Price includes: entry into our private picnic area, all-youcan-eat BBQ buffet (vegetarian options available), special reserved seating in the Reserved Grandstand area, and fireworks show.
Cheques can be made payable to: JETAABC 349 West Georgia Street PO BOX 2462 Vancouver, BC V6B 3W7 For email payments, please remit the total amount for your ticket(s) to treasurer@jetaabc.ca and respond to the security question when prompted.
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NEWS
Quick News With thanks from Steve Chevalier
Japanese majority party proposes to double the number of JET participants in two years The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan, proposed in late-April 2013 to increase the number of JET participants from currently 4,360 to 10,000 within three years. The party is placing a heavy emphasis on the necessity of improving the level of English education in the country. This is a large change from the past, where the JET Programme is often a target of belt-tightening measures. Source: Japan Times.
JET Alum contributes to shoreline clean up Fellow JET alum Danielle Durant was interviewed by the BBC recently in a report on the tsunami clean up effort on the BC west coast. A former Fukushima JET, she sees an educational value in the work she is doing, “I’m just hoping that I can, you know, send it [debris that has washed up onto Canadian shores] back to my village and town and they can inform the kids of how big the footprint of this thing is. The video report can be seen at www.bbc.co.uk/ news/world-us-canada-22487285
The video wall at the Visit Japan site.
Promoting Japan Through Video The Japan Tourism Agency has recently renewed its Visit Japan site (www.visitjapan.com) with a wall of short video clips that delves into various parts of Japanese life. 170 videos are available for viewing.
Is Japan Cool? All Nippon Airways (ANA) has built a website where they invite visitors to vote on which parts of Japan are “cool”. The topics range from kawaii culture and cosplay to food, traditional architecture, and many more. There is also an incredibly cute and hilarious interview with Musubimaru (left), the mascot of Miyagi Prefecture, under the Kawaii section. www.ana-cooljapan.com
Gunkanjima, now on Google Street View Hashima Island, nicknamed “Gunkanjima” (Battleship Island), was an industrial mining town on a small island that was completely abandoned back in the 1970s. It has a cult following among fans of ruin photography. It was even the inspiration behind the villain’s private island in the latest James Bond movie, Skyfall. Recently Google was permitted onto the island to document the area using its portable Street View cameras. Now you can also tour the desolate Gunkanjima right from the comfort of your home. Simply type in “Hashima” into Google Maps, and drag the Street View icon onto the island to active Street View mode to explore.
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FEATURE
From Kabul to Vancouver New Consul-General of Japan in Vancouver previously served as Chef de Mission in Kabul, Afghanistan. Text and Photos by Thomas Law, with background research from Vancouver Shinpo
Consul-General Seiji Okada
This January saw the arrival of a new Consul-General of Japan in Vancouver. Mr. Seiji Okada is a veteran diplomat with over 30 years’ experience, having been stationed around the world in countries such as Canada, the United States, Korea, Bahrain, and Kenya. Before his arrival in Vancouver, he was the Chef de Mission for two years in Kabul, Afghanistan. Mr. Okada studied at Meiji University, Tokyo University, and the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University. He was also present in Ottawa when the JET Programme was first introduced in Canada, and oversaw the preparation of the first generation of Canadian JETs. JETAABC had a conversation with him earlier this spring about the early days of the JET Programme. “The JET Programme started back in 1986, and I was based in Ottawa when we facilitated the first generation of Canadian JETs from there,” he told us. “We had many
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issues to solve back then. There was a push for better English teaching in Japanese schools, but the difficulty was in the differences in opinion with the Ministry of Education about how things are run, and especially on the role of the Japanese English teachers. With the JET Programme, we had native English speakers working alongside Japanese teachers who themselves learned English as a second language. It was difficult to strike the right balance - we wanted the students to respect their teacher as much as their ALTs when they teach together. The JET Programme was very important for English education. The majority of students have six years of English education, but the problem was that there was no chance to use the English. In contrast, developing nations in Africa get to use English more often because it is usually linked to aid and assistance. Though I think the situation is changing. There is an increasing need for it in the private
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The Consulate-General office (rightmost black tower) in picturesque Coal Harbour.
sector, and more English language skill is needed as a result of globalization.” In addition to helping pioneer the first generation of JETs from Canada, he was also somewhat of a pioneer himself, as the first contingent of Japanese diplomats to study in Canada. “After one to two years in the foreign service,” he explained, “we have to go abroad to study, based on the language we chose to study. For English students, that would mean the United States or the UK, but when it was my turn to go abroad, it was also the first year they started offering placements in Canada and Australia, and I was encouraged by my supervisors to go study in Canada.” Mr. Okada enrolled at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA) at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada’s leading school of international affairs, a short distance across town from the Japanese Embassy. I asked him why we don’t tend to see that many Japanese people working in the diplomatic field. “I think there is a misconception there,” he corrected me. “The career is actually very popular. Many people are interested in working abroad, but it is very competitive to enter this field.”
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The fame of JET is very good. There is no need to change the system drastically. When I asked him what attracted him to this line of work, he told me that when he was young, he wanted to work abroad, but options were limited then. Working abroad meant either the diplomatic field or trading. “I’ve spent 30 years in the foreign services -- 10 years on work dealing with economic policy, 10 years on international security, and 10 years on economic development in developing countries. I have no preference or favourites at all among these fields, all of these areas are important for Japan.” Arguably, JET participants are often interested in international relations work. I asked for his suggestions to those who are interested about the best way to enter the field. “I had no idea what ‘diplomatic work’ was when I was young,” he offered. “Nowadays, there are many fields and organizations available for this kind of work. There are international business firms, and many developmental
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FEATURE
agencies such as JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency). There are many choices. Again, I don’t have a particular preference, but there are many more choices out there now for international work.” With the Abe government recently announcing its intention to double the number of JET participants in three years, I asked Mr. Okada what the feeling in the government is regarding the JET Programme. “JET is an established program,” he said. “The fame of JET is very good. There is no need to change the system drastically. If there is feedback from JET participants and alumni, suggestions are most welcome.” One of the biggest concerns among JET alumni after they have finished their contracts is that they feel like they have collected a large amount of Japanese knowledge, with nowhere to use it anymore. Employment options in Japan are often limited to teaching work, and over here it is very difficult to get hired in a Japanese company. Mr. Okada acknowledges this feeling, but reminds us that the purpose of JET is not necessarily to get Japan-related jobs, though there are now more business opportunities in Japan with the improving economy. “The purpose of JET is to teach real English to Japanese people and to promote internationalization. Secondly, we need people who know Japan well -- wherever they go, we want them to use that knowledge. For example, the Consul-General of United States in Vancouver used to study in Japan, and her deputy was a JET. This wider network for us is very important.” Being as well-travelled as he is, I asked Mr. Okada whether there were any misconceptions of Japan in the places he has been. He believes there isn’t much in terms of misconceptions when it comes to Canada, because “there are many Japanese-Canadians, and more exchange of information. We share similar values and political systems.” There is more of a gap in a country such as Kenya, as he found out when he was invited to give a speech during a visit to the tribe that US President Obama’s father used to belong to. “The local communities had no idea what kind of country Japan is. They only know many of their cars and appliances are from Japan. The tribe was pleasantly surprised at how my name (Okada) sounded like theirs (Obama). For many people there, that speech was their first experience interacting with a Japanese person.” Having spent more than a decade in developing countries, and the previous two years in war-torn Afghanistan, Mr. Okada is enjoying the change of scenery, getting a chance to enjoy his hobbies of outdoor sports such as
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I enjoy the rain [in Vancouver]. Maybe ask me that question again in a year!” sea kayaking, skiing, and cycling. “How can I complain after 2-3 years in Afghanistan? I have no complaints!” he laughed. “Afghanistan was a very dry country, so no problem, I enjoy the rain [in Vancouver]. Maybe ask me that question again in a year!” In addition to a major change in location, Mr. Okada’s work focus has also switched from development aid to nurturing a fragile economic recovery in Japan, and he plans to accomplish that by increasing Japan’s cooperation with Canada, starting with its support of tsunami debris cleanup and in the support of energy exports. “Because of economic stagnation [in Japan], there hasn’t been much investment, but now the situation is changing -- the economic indicators are showing more improvement. The Japanese government has introduced a CAD$10 billion investment loan guarantee to create incentive in BC gas development. Canada has a big energy supply. 25% of Japan’s energy comes from nuclear power. Since 3/11 (the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami), all but two plants have been shut down, and we don’t know when they will resume. The economy is becoming active, there is strong expectation and confidence from private sector, and it’s good, but replacing that energy (that 25%) is important. Alternative sources need to be found soon. Canada has a big energy supply and a stable economy. Japan is importing more than it exports. It needs to strengthen its relationship to Canada.” In closing, Mr. Okada offers a message to JET alumni: “The purpose of the JET Programme is teaching English skills to Japanese students. More importantly is the follow-up work. It is a great asset to us. We have a strong network of Canadians. We can utilize that human network. We can do many things together. It is not a one-shot program. Since my work with the first generation of Canadian JETs, every year after that we have had someone who experiences Japan anew. It is a great asset. If there are any activities, let us know, we would like to work with you. That is very important to us.” JETAABC would like to thank Consul-General Okada for his time, and Dr Satomi Yoshino and Steve Chevalier for their assistance in making this interview possible.
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An Anime Pilgrimage Text and Photos by Thomas Law All movie images copyright Studio Ghibli and GKIDS When people ask me which Studio Ghibli movie my favourite is, I usually say Princess Mononoke, the kind of majestic epic that makes me look mature and sophisticated. Actually, my favourite is Whisper of the Heart. It’s particularly hard to admit it, especially when the title sounds like a movie you’d find Meryl Streep or a Notebook-era Ryan Gosling in. Mimi o Sumaseba, as the movie is called in Japanese, translates to “if you listen carefully”. It was based on a 1989 manga of the same name, and talks about two junior high students — Seiji, a talented violinist who dreams of being a violin maker, and Shizuku, a booklover and budding writer who is unsure what she wants to do in her future. The highlight of the movie lies in the dream worlds that Shizuku creates when she decides to write a book to challenge herself, just as Seiji challenged himself by going to Italy to study violin-making. Though it’s not mentioned in the movie, the town Shizuku lives in is actually based on Tama New Town, a suburban residential district about an hour away from central Tokyo. (Tama New Town is also the setting for another Studio Ghibli movie, Pom Poko.) With a bit of planning and some awesome walking shoes for this surprisingly hilly area, it’s worth a short half-day-trip the next time you’re in Tokyo. Though be warned that since it is a residential town, there aren’t specific tourist hotspots to visit (imagine a foreigner making a trip to Port Moody, and you’ll understand what I mean!). For those of you who are just as mesmerized as I was by the dream scenes in the movie, they were painted by artist Naohisa Inoue, based on the dream world he created, Iblard. Check out the galleries in his website at http://iblard.com.
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I based my trip on this Mimi o Sumaseba website: www.asahi-net.or.jp/~hn7y-mur/ mimisuma/index.htm. The information is getting old, and certain landmarks aren’t as accurate anymore. Whisper of the Heart is playing at The Cinematheque in Vancouver on July 28, 30-31 as part of an encore Studio Ghibli festival.
Overnight Convention Takes Anime and the Culture of Japan to New Heights Text by Anime Revolution Fans from coast to coast will get a chance to meet some of the most prestigious voice talents that both Japan and North America have to offer. Organizers expect more than 8000 attendees at Anime Revolution’s three-day convention scheduled August 16–18th 2013, at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. The overnight sensation known as Anime Revolution appears out of nowhere and quickly becomes Vancouver’s LARGEST Japanese Anime Convention. The event features over 100,000 sq ft of vendors, panels, tournaments, performances, artists, and industry professionals. There’ll be something to fascinate, amaze,
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entice, and enjoy for people of all ages. Anime Revolution shatters the records of many Fan-Run conventions in the western hemisphere, drawing in attendees from over 175 different cities across the globe. President Ngo of Anime Revolution states, “When it comes to Anime and Japan, we (Anime Revolution) have to bet big to win big; After all, we’re starting a revolution”.
Founded in 2011, Anime Revolution Events Inc.’s mission is to celebrate the culture of Japan and connect people through this shared passion. Anyone can attend Anime Revolution and enjoy an environment for the young and young at heart. Anime Revolution Events Inc., is a privately held company and is headquartered in Vancouver BC Canada.
Highly prolific Japanese voice actor Jouji Nakata attends a Canadian convention for the very first time and states, “Anime Revolution is awesome!” Continuing their core goals, Anime Revolution promises to deliver more Japanese guests, more Japanese culture, and more fun each year.
JETAABC will be representing the JET Programme at AR this year. Come volunteer (see Events page) or just come by! For more info on AR, please visit: www.animerevolution.ca.
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Otousan By Bryan Chau My dad is a pretty awesome guy. Born and raised in Fiji (When most people think of Fiji, I bet not a lot of them think of Chinese people!) and then immigrated to Canada to raise a family on greasy-spoon restaurant gigs and later a lumber mill union job. In the early 80’s, he grew his hair long, wore flannel shirts, Orange Tab Levi’s and cowboy boots and that along with his natural dark complexion, he blended in quite well with the Aboriginal Canadians when he fished in Stanley Park. He was a hardworking, stoic man and very spartan with his words. At the airport, when I told him I was going to leave for Japan and I wasn’t sure when I’ll come home, he shook my hand and said, “You know you can always come back anytime you want.” They weren’t words of wisdom or even, encouragement but of fatherly reassurance. I remember my first few months in Japan; Everything was like an endless dream. Grocery shopping was a 2 hour affair (Trying to figure what a smiling cow was doing on a can of tuna was always interesting and time consuming). I must admit though, from the day I arrived to the day I left, there were many people in my little town that were always looking out for me and helping me at every turn and one of those lovely people was my Otousan, my Japanese Dad, Makoto Watanabe. Makoto along with his wife, Etsuko, were respected veteran elementary school teachers. They had 3 beautiful daughters (My sisters): Rei, the oldest; Aya, the middle; and little Fumi, the youngest. In my first year, I had the pleasure of teaching with Makoto at one elementary school and Etsuko at another. At most, they were one or two visits to their respective classes a year but it was always fun to teach side by side with Makoto. He was an energetic and funny man who always wanted the best for his students, be it in Japanese or English.
I told him I was going to leave for Japan and I wasn’t sure when I’ll come home, he shook my hand and said, “You know you can always come back anytime you want.” 14
Top: Makoto & Etsuko with 2 daughters. Bottom: My 3 sisters.
From the beginning, Makoto took to the idea of always inviting me over to his home in a small neighbouring village called Katsuyama. He and Etsuko would make a nice home cook meal and I always felt welcomed like one of the family as we sat around the table and ate. After dinner, Makoto would either pull out a chessboard and ask me to teach him how to play better (I wasn’t really good at all but I tried) or a electronic dictionary to pick my brain about something that was beyond the realm of our vocabulary. He is always very curious and he would ask for my opinion about things going on in the world. I may never have the right answer (or even an answer, at all) but it did not seem to matter to him. A cigarette would dangle off his hand as he and I would have long conversations about school politics to the state of present Japan versus prewar. He was never condescending or patronizing and he always valued my opinion even when we didn’t agree. In my final year, Katsuyama and 2 other smaller villages merged with my town to form a larger municipality as it was the current political trend in Japan. With the increased
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acreage and population of this merger, it brought with it more responsibilities for me as I now had more schools added to my schedule. To be honest, this influx of new schools and duties was one of the main reasons I decided not to renew my contract. I didn’t make a decision then but it loomed in my mind heavily. But also with this merger came one thing that I was looking forward to doing and that was to teach my three favourite sisters as Rei and Aya were both attending Katsuyama Junior High and Fumi was in Katsuyama Elementary. Makoto knew how the new schedule was wearing me thin. Like many times before, he gives me a call one day and invites me over for dinner — It was nothing special he said, it was just a get together for some nabe. We all sat around like a family and ate and talked like we always do. Because I now taught at their schools, the three girls would gossip about their schoolmates and the teachers. After dinner, Makoto and I had our usual conversation but this time there was no chessboard or electronic dictionary.
I confided in Makoto about my decision to leave Japan. He sat there in his “thinking” pose with his legs tucked underneath, his hands half-crossed with a short cigarette hanging off his right hand and his head hung off to the side. He offered many suggestions and phone calls he can make to alleviate my situation but in the end, he knew my time was up in Japan. A solemness filled the room much like the cigarette smoke and we exchanged a sad, almost defeated, glance at each other. We talked some more of career opportunities that may avail themselves to me when I returned home to Vancouver. And he reminded me not to throw away my time here in Japan and to utilize all that I have experienced and learned to excel in a new venture back in Canada. As he walked me to the door, he placed his hand on my shoulder, and said to me in Japanese, “You know you can always come back anytime you want.” In Japanese or English, those were familiar and reassuring words from a father to a son.
Medama Sensei: A Closer Look At Miki Dezaki Text by and photos from Amelia Hagen for AJET Connect Magazine Earlier in the year, there was much discussion in the ESL teaching community in Japan over one teacher’s attempt to educate his class about discrimination in Japan. The ensuing firestorm was not only controversial, but also revealed certain topics that were often glossed over in everyday Japanese life. (www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ worldviews/wp/2013/02/22/american-teacher-in-japanunder-fire-for-lessons-on-japans-history-of-discrimination/) Amelia Hagen from AJET Connect Magazine had a conversation with the man at the center of this story, Miki Dezaki. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me and share your thoughts with the greater JET community. When and where were you previously a JET? From 2007 to 2012. I was a JET in Yamanashi for three years and then transferred to Itoman in Okinawa for two years. What have you been up to since finishing your time on the JET Programme? I am planning on becoming a Buddhist monk in a forest monastery.
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Miki Dezaki in his YouTube video.
Your Medama Sensei YouTube videos, “Sh*t Japanese Students Say in Japan” and “Sh*t Japanese Girls Say,” were very popular within the JET community. What inspired you to create these? Two things inspired me. First, I bet my friend that I could make a video go viral. I love videos and editing in general and thought I could do a good job. I laugh so much at what my students say and do, and I knew it just wasn’t just my school. Second, making the comedy video was the best way to get viewers. I made the YouTube channel so that I could later approach serious issues like discrimination in Japan.
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Based on a discrimination-themed lesson you did last summer and posted in February, your “Racism in Japan” video instantly drew controversy. Did you originally plan to post this on YouTube? When I did the lesson, I had no idea. To create the video, I knew I had to be very sensitive on the subject. I didn’t get the idea until I came back to America and thought about it for four to five months. The class and the video are two very different things. The video centers around the examples I gave of racism while I actually only talk about the examples for three minutes out of the 50 minute class. The class was more about how to recognize discrimination within yourself, society, and culture and how to get rid of it. Can you discuss your process for creating this lesson in the first place? I showed them the video, “Eye of the Storm, in which a teacher does an experiment in an elementary school class to teach that discrimination is wrong. I then asked them to relate to this as Okinawans, explained how they’re grandparents went through the same thing, and described how discriminatory thinking develops. I showed clips of TV shows and news of how these biases are formed. I talked about discrimination in general, and even went into bullying in Japan. How did you go about planning/preparing with fellow Japanese Teachers of English? I already had quite a bit of respect from my JTEs and they let me do anything I wanted. I proposed the idea and they said, “Let’s try it.” After a highly successful initial lesson, it spread and I taught this lesson to over 1,000 students. How did you choose examples for the class and the video? Many people said I should use Ainu examples but I didn’t want to use examples people already knew. I wanted to bring the issue closer to my students. I used the Okinawa
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example to emphasize that they were discriminated against, too. What did you hope to achieve in posting the “Racism in Japan” video on YouTube? I was hoping to get the same reaction that I got from my students. Their thinking was, “Oh my God, this does exist in Japan and it’s time to talk about it.” Not talking about it doesn’t stop the problem. If we can recognize we have these discriminatory thoughts, that’s the first step. I have been getting some great responses from Japanese as well. They usually only respond in English because they don’t want to be attacked by the right-wingers. One girl was only responding in English at first but after I encouraged her to write in Japanese, she posted a video in Japanese on the subject. I feel happy that some people are willing to put themselves out there. I posted the Okinawa Times article [that followed the video] on the Facebook Page I made for my students and they have been super supportive. I remember my kyotosensei surprised me by coming into the class that day in July and said the class should be taught to every
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RSVPs for Nat Bailey BBQ are due! Please see p.7 for more info.
Powell St Festival
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teacher and student. That’s what gave me the confidence to put it on YouTube. Since posting the video, a different kyotosensei at my old school has been giving me a hard time. It’s disappointing. He doesn’t know what went on before and is trying to censor me. What else have you experienced since posting the “Racism in Japan” video? Regarding the Japanese community, it’s hard to say. A lot of what I get on the internet is coming from the right wing so I’m curious about to see what the Japanese community really thinks. I also want to know what Chinese, Koreans, and burakumin think. One friend of mine has a Japanese Chinese friend who said my video made her feel empowered. On the flip side, I was actually concerned about the expats here. They can be so critical of those who complain about Japan. Everyone wants to talk about this issue; it’s I like opened up the valve and blew the top of this pressure cooker. I saw that The Washington Post picked up your story surrounding the video’s apparent controversy. How did the reporter hear about this issue? He saw my post about it on Reddit and contacted me immediately. He even wrote the article that day and told me it’s been his most successful article. You later posted a second video titled, “Racism in Japan Part 2,” detailing the censorship, threats, and comments you’ve received from right-wingers. What’s been the primary reaction to this? After I announced that I wasn’t going to take down the first video, one critic messaged me and said, “I respect you a lot. I think you’re very brave. I understand your argument.” I think a lot of Japanese people who are arguing with me don’t understand the things I’m saying. They’re not criticizing. I’ve received death threats and they are still
looking for information on me. They are now saying on Channel Sakura, their right-winger network, that Yoshi, a South Korean Japanese with whom I did a podcast on this topic, is actually a North Korean spy. Recently, another critic created a Twitter account with the sole purpose of harassing me. Do you envision teaching or working in Japan again? I don’t know. If I did, it would be privately. Did your JET experience contribute to creating the lesson on discrimination? If yes, how so? Absolutely. I came to understand racism and discrimination much more through the JET experience. I felt inspired - like I had to do this. Do you have any advice for JETs facing discrimination within their own classrooms? Do you think your lesson could be a model lesson for other ALTs in the future? The best thing is to become friends with the people who are ignorant about you and try to educate them. I’d be very sensitive as to how to you do the lesson. Don’t make it sound like you’re criticizing Japan at all. Focus more on discrimination, how it’s created, and how to solve it, instead of how bad it is. Give the kids a reason to connect with the topic. Show them that it’s not just in other parts of the world. Once again, thank you very much for your time. Amelia Hagen is a fifth-year ALT in the home of Ayumi Hamasaki, also known as Fukuoka Prefecture. She usually serves as the AJET Connect Travel Editor but felt inclined to highlight this JET alum’s extraordinary work and passion. You can still follow her on Twitter via @jetset_ amelia as she tweets her travels. She can also be reached at ameliahagen@gmail.com.
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JETAABC will be representing the JET Programme at the Anime Revolution convention to promote the JET Programme. For information on volunteering hours, please visit: https://docs.google.com/ forms/d/1_11a_dBzfTLUHMu5p9TU9O1iNVDE1RZlI0BR8LM-5o/ viewform
Help us figure out whether we should run Japanese classes or not! Please check out the poll by Augst 7. http:// goo.gl/dnICH
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