s p r i n g 2002
Volume 8. Number 1
The JET Quarterly Update The newsletter for the Japan Exchange Teaching Alumni Association of British Columbia
iN THIS ISSUE
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JETAA Canada Conference
Peace Boat coming to Vancouver July 29
JETAA CANADA CONFERENCE by Ryan Butt, President JETAABC 2002 The annual JETAA Conference was held from May 3 rd to 5 th in Winnipeg. JETAABC sent two delegates, Stefan Chobotar Newsletter Editor and myself Ryan Butt President. There were 7 Chapters represented from across Canada: BC, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.
Jet Prep Seminar June 15 & call for volunteers
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Winnipeg’s famous corner of Portage and Main
A definite highlight of the conference was Peter Jordan who hosted the Olympic Living segments during the Nagano and Salt Lake City Olympics. He showed some really funny film clips on living in Japan during the Olympics. Subjects covered included transportation, accommodation, getting tickets etc.
JFest at Nikkei Heritage Centre is May 18-19
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Various Notes Canada Rep Liz Stephens & President Ryan Butt
Events Calendar
About JETAABC
About Us
The conference allowed JETAABC to gain valuable insight into the activities of other alumni chapters. Topics discussed included: membership development, social events, JETAA Canada on the web and other interesting topics. We also delivered a detailed report on our activities for the year including: the prep seminar in June and the re-entry seminar in October. The conference also saw the launch of a new JETAA Canada logo (bottom left-hand side of this page) that will be used across Canada. Our JETAAI representative Liz Stephen also gave a report on her activities during her term as Canada Representative.
Honorary Consul General of Japan in Edmonton
We also gave a report on the progress of the JETAAI Conference that will be held in Vancouver in November. The conference will see over 100 delegates from 45 chapters and 12 countries around the world. Next year JETAABC will be sending another delegation to the 2003 Conference, which will most likely be held in Eastern Canada. More pictures on page 5
Volume 8, Number 1
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Peace Boat Comes to Vancouver by Daniel Vincent, Tokushima 95-98 This June, Peace Boat brings 500 Japanese to Vancouver as part of its Summer 2002 Global Voyage. Vancouver is one of 22 ports of all on the three-month educational peace voyage, which begins and ends in Tokyo, and the passengers will spend their two days taking part in a number of study programmes, cultural exchanges and sightseeing tours.
Peace Boat was founded by a group o f Wa s e d a U n i v e r s i t y s t u d e n t s i n 1983,amid the initial controversy surrounding the whitewashing of Japanese history textbooks, with the aim of fostering international peace and friendship through grassroots exchange and direct experience of those regions which suffered under Japanese military aggression both before and during the Pacific War. Since its initial two-week voyage, which took one hundred and fifty participants around Asia, Peace Boat has grown into one of the most dynamic non-governmental groups in Japan today. Since 1994 it has organised threemonth global voyages on a regular basis, and over 15,000 people from around the world have joined. Focussing mainly on the areas of peace, human rights, the environment and sustainable development, Peace Boat invites guest speakers from the countries the ship visits to give lectures and workshops onboard on a wide range of topics, while encouraging passengers to share their own skills and knowledge in the creation of a fun, varied and energetic three months at sea.
As well as guest speakers’ lectures, Peace Boat has always organised a variety of other educational activities, from dance classes to photography workshops. 2001 saw the launch of Peace Boat’s own English language programme, GET (Global English Training), which allows students to combine onboard classroom study with English-language based tours and homestays in several of the ports of call. Approximately eighty of the five hundred passengers for the summer voyage will be GET students, and Vancouver, where the ship will be berthed on July 29 and 30, is one of five ports where a GET homestay will take place. Peace Boat is currently looking for exchange partners / hosts to for these students.
Spring 2002
Peace Boat has various connections with the JET programme in Japan, and is aware of the valuable work it does in promoting cultural exchange between Japan and participating countries. Peace Boat is also interested in working more with the extensive network of JET alumni and to this end would like to offer members of JETAA in Vancouver the opportunity to get to know the organisation through hosting our GET students during their stay in Vancouver. There will be two GET students per host, and the programme will consist of exploring Vancouver together during the first day of the ship’s visit, and staying at the host’s place that night. The following day students have free time. Further information about Peace Boat can be found at: www.peaceboat.org/english.
AB OUT THIS NEWSLETTER: ABOUT The Jet Quarterly Update is a newsletter that provides current information about JET Alumni Activities & Japanese Cultural Events in the province of British Columbia. Got an idea for an article or want to post an announcement contact the editor via email: newsletter.bc@ jetaa.ca
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JETAABC WANTS YOU! For the 2002 JET Prep Seminar It’s that time of year again when newly selected JETs prepare to embark on their journey to live and work in Japan. As alumni, you remember the months prior to departure as busy and hectic while you made your preparations. Goodbye parties, shopping sprees and farewell to friends and loved ones, were among the activities, not the least of which was attending the invaluable JET Prep Seminar.
When: Saturda Saturdayy June 15, 2002 9 - 8 pm Where: Canadian College of English Language 1477 P ender S tree t.) V ancouv er Pender Stree treett ( at Nicola S St.) Vancouv ancouver er,, BC ACTION REQUIRED:
The JETAABC Committee is calling for Volunteers to make the seminar a success in
the following areas.
SPEAKERS:
Contact....S wsle tt er .bc@je taa.ca or 604.709.452 7 tto o vvolunt olunt eer Contact....Stt efan at ne newsle wslett tter er.bc@je .bc@jetaa.ca 604.709.4527 olunteer
Main speakers for these topics still needed:
!
“The Japanese Education System & Team Teaching”
Mini-seminar speakers for these topics:
! ! !
Packing and Shipping Married/Family JET Alternative Lifestyle JET
O THER POSITIONS:
! ! !
Travel in Japan Travel Outside of Japan Parent’s Seminar
Contact....Kristin at secre tar y.bc@je taa.ca or 604.730.8 426 secretar .bc@jetaa.ca 604.730.8426
!" ROOM SETUP/TEAR DOWN VOLUNTEERS "!" LUNCH VOLUNTEERS ! AFTER RECEPTION VOLUNTEERS """""!" MINI-SEMINAR TIMERS
PRE-DEP ARTURE HANDBOOK CONTRIBUT ORS: PRE-DEPARTURE CONTRIBUTORS:
Contact Julian at
assistantne wsle tt er .bc@je taa.ca assistantnewsle wslett tter er.bc@je .bc@jetaa.ca Time to sharpen up your pencils and share your thoughts and suggestions about life in Japan with those about to setsail. Topics to match the Pre-Departure seminar sessions PLUS:
!" Computing in Japan !" Japanese education system !" Information for CIRS
!" Jiko Shokai !" Team teaching
and anything else you, yes you, think will be helpful. Submission deadline is June 10, 2002
Volume 8, Number 1
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Featured Japanese Cultural Event:
Spring 2002
Satur da Saturda dayy Ma Mayy 18-1 18-19, 9, 2002
by Joshu Coward
The National Nikkei Heritage Centre Society (NNHCS) is pleased to announce the debut of J-FEST, a weekend celebration of Japanese youth and pop culture, which will take place on May 18-19, 2002 as part of the NNHCS’ participation in Asian Heritage Month. J-FEST is a two-day weekend festival aimed at promoting interest in Japanese through Japanese popular culture and through the enjoyment of intercultural activities. J-FEST opens on Saturday, May 18, with the start of J-FEST Matsuri, an adult-oriented evening festival featuring local Asian-inspired crafts, activities, cuisine and an indoor beer garden. Presentations will include Japanese Taiko drumming, martial arts exhibitions, Hip Hop and Break Dancing and musical performances. The floor will be open after 10:00pm for dancing, featuring DJ Don Chow.
National Nikkei Heritage Centre
Sunday, May 19 will feature festivities themed around the popular Japanese Anime art form. In partnership with the Vancouver Japanese Animation Society (VJAS), J-FEST Anime will present an all-day series of Anime film presentations for adults, highlighting the richness of Anime art and culture. Exhibition booths featuring anime art and books and Asian cuisine will be present. Families are encouraged to attend this fun and exciting event, as there is a children’s anime room for kids between 6 and 12 years old. Tickets for the May 18 evening event are $10 if purchased before April 18, and $15 at the door. This fee includes admission for May 19 as well. Tickets for the May 19 all-day festivities are $5 for adults, and $3 for VJAS members or children between 6 and 12 years old. Proceeds for both events will go to support the programs and special event held at the National Nikkei Heritage Centre.
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The National Nikkei Heritage Centre Society’s mission is to create an exciting environment that honours our pioneers, unites our community, and inspires future generations to achieve excellence in Canadian society. Nikkei Place provides Japanese Canadians with a place to come together as a community, to preserve and share our heritage, and to serve as a focal point for Japanese Canadian unity and culture. J-FEST is a festival devoted to promoting interest in Japan through popular culture and the promotion of intercultural activities. J-FEST Matsuri! is an indoor festival featuring an evening of intercultural performances, exhibitor displays, DJ and dancing, food and drink in a Japanese street festival environment. Meet young professionals, students and new immigrants interested in Japan and intercultural activities (no minors please). J-FEST Anime! is a festival People will learn about Japanese popular culture through presentations of Anime (animation), Manga (comics), Music and other special events (all ages).
Get JFest tickets and more information here:
J-FEST Matsuri! Date: Saturday, May 18 Time: 6:30 PM to 1:00 AM Location: National Nikkei Heritage Centre 100 - 6688 Southoaks Cres Burnaby, BC V5E 4M7
J-FEST Matsuri Joshu Coward National Nikkei Heritage Centre Tel: (604) 777 7000 Fax: (604) 777-7001 Email: jjoshu@NikkeiPlace.org Web: www.nikkeiplace.org
Admission: $10 advance tickets (on or before April 18) $15 after April 18 Tickets available in limited quantities at the door. Group rates available.
J-FEST Anime Edmund Yee Vancouver Japanese Animation Society Tel: (604) 306 1067 Email: jfestvancouver@yahoo.ca
Photos from JETAA Canada Conference in Winnipeg
Manitoba’s Answer to Canadian’s Identity in Japan
Fubuki Daiko gives an exciting performance at Fort Gibraltar
President & Newsletter editor represented BC at the Japanese Cultural Centre
J-FEST Anime! Date: Sunday, May 19 Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Location: National Nikkei Heritage Centre Admission: $5 Adults $3 High school students with a valid student id $3 Children ages 6-12 $3 Anime club members with a valid membership card $3 with J-FEST Matsuri ticket stub Free for children 5 and under.
Volume 8, Number 1
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Spring 2002
VARIOUS NOTES news from the consulate
by Steve Chevalier Assistant to the Consul, Cultural Affairs The Consulate of Japan
Recruitment and selection for the 2002-2003 JET Programme was a success again this year. Many JET Alumni were involved in speaking at our recruitment information sessions in the fall and ensuring our interviews went smoothly this past February. Thank you again to all who helped out. This year’s short-listed candidates are currently waiting for placement with contracting organizations. We will have two groups departing again this year at the end of July. We hope to see many of you at the pre-departure orientation in June.
by Elizabeth Marty Fukushima 1994-97
okanagan alumni activities
Since moving to the Okanagan (Winfield to be exact), I have got involved with the Kelowna Kasugai Sister City Association. The coolest thing I got to do with the association was act as a interpreter for 5 days when a delegation of Japanese gardeners came to work on Kelowna’s Kasugai Gardens. The next project I am working on with the association is similar to the Japan in a Suitcase project the alumni have started in the Lower Mainland. We are trying to get a progam and volunteers together to visit grade six classrooms in the Central Okanagan. I hope any alumni living in the Okanagan will contact me if they are interested in helping out with this project or want to get together for an Okanagan Pub Nite. Also, to the Lower Mainland alumni, use the Tatami Time Share concept and come to the sunny Okanagan for a weekend of skiing now or beaching in the summer. Contact Elizabeth Marty at eamarty@canada.com
“jet streams” contributors
north of quesnel by Marta Tejero Ishikawa-ken 95-98
As you all know, the spring/summer edition of the JET Streams newsletter is currently in production. We are looking for articles containing information on the activities of various chapters, reverse culture shock, maintaining links to Japan, job hunting, and anything else related to the JET Programme or JETAA. Deadline is May 17, 2002 Please send all articles in text or MS word format to a-mochizuki@clair.or.jp
I’m in Prince George and I was just wondering. It would be nice to start something up here if there were some alumni besides myself. There are two Japanese restaurants in PG, and there’s fabulous hiking etc. Contact Marta at mtejero@yahoo.com
birth
Mr. & Mrs. Glen Allen are pleased to announce the birth of their son born at Victoria General Hospital on Friday, December 14, 2001 at 5:42pm after a mere 14 hours of labour. Welcome to the world Jonathan Locke Allen, Esq.!
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EVENTS CALENDAR Past Events Mar Marcc h - Bowling and Pub Night on March 1rst was well attended and a lot of fun. Thanks to Suzette for organizing.
April - Language Exchange at Shabusen April 24 was a huge success. We decided to change languages every 15 minutes. Everyone enjoyed themselves and there were many requests to hold another Exchange Dinner/Meeting soon . Suzette Bradford Social Events Coordinator Cow at Zenkoji Temple Nagano-shi 1998
From the Editor
May May 3-5
JET AA Canadian Conf erence in JETAA Conference Winnipeg, two committee members to attend
May 18-19
JFes JFestt at Nikkei Heritage Centre, see page 4 of this newsletter for details
May 26
JETAABC MAY SOCIAL EVENT Kits Beach Picnic / Speaker’s Meeting sle tt er .bc@je Contact Stefan new newsle slett tter er.bc@je .bc@jett aa.ca for details
Wow...where has the time gone? We are well on our way in 2002 and as the newly elected newsletter editor I would first like to acknowledge my sempai Matt Fedoruk for his outstanding work on the newsletter these past two years. Thank you for your patient support! This edition of the newsletter features contributions from JETs throughout the province. For future editions, I would like to ask Alumni to submit anything related to JET and Japan that they wish publicized. This newsletter is for you and can be a valuable tool to make connections with other JETs in BC. Ideas I have for the coming year:
! Arts
Contributors for music, film, other creative media
! Regional Reports - Interior, Island ! Photo of the Month - Contribute your pho-
June June 15
JET Prepar ation Seminar Preparation - volunteers needed...look for details on page 3 and in an email soon
tos of Japan and they’ll be featured in the newsletter
! JET Alumni profile - remember the Smile of the Day? Thanks Stefan (newsletter.bc@jetaa.ca)
July & August July 27 July 29 Aug 3
Group 1 JETs Depart Peace Boat Comes to Vancouver Group 2 JETs Depart
Thank you Contributors Daniel Vincent, Joshu Coward, Steve Chevalier, Elizabeth Marty, Marta Tejero, Suzette Bradford
2002-2003 Steering Committee President - Ryan Butt (h) 604.775.5590 (e) president.bc@jetaa.ca
Past President - Elizabeth Stephen (h) 604.738.336 (e) pastpresident.bc@jetaa.ca
Secretary - Kristin Olson (h) 604.730.8426 (e) secretary.bc@jetaa.ca
Treasurer - Matthew Fedoruk (e) treasurer.bc@jetaa.ca
Newsletter Editor - Stefan Chobotar 1756 East 11th Avenue Vancouver BC V5N 1Z1 (h) 604.709.4527 (e) newsletter.bc@jetaa.ca
Assistant Newsletter Editor - Julian Rendell (e) assistantnewsletter.bc@jetaa.ca
Programs and Events Director - Suzette Bradford (e) events.bc@jetaa.ca
Membership - Nancy Pajeska (e) membership.bc@jetaa.ca
Island Representative - Alida Abbott (e) island.bc@jetaa.ca
Chapter and JETAA Canadian Representative Elizabeth Stephen (h) 604.738.3360 (e) pastpresident.bc@jetaa.ca
Consulate General of Japan Contacts 900 - 1177 West Hastings Street Vancouver BC V6E 2K9 (t) 604.684.5868 (f) 604.684.6939
Mr. Hideaki Kawai
- koho@consuljpnvan.com
Ms. Ellie Nakano - telephone ext. 240 (e) programs@consuljpnvan.com
Questions or comments? info.bc@jetaa.ca
What is this organization called JETAABC? So, you’ve signed up for JETAABC, now what? Luckily, you’ve signed on with one of the most active and organized JET Alumni associations in Canada. This is a rough list of what we do: ! Produce a newsletter every three months. ! Sponsor a pub night each month. ! Join the Mokuyokai on a hike each month. ! Organize an orientation seminar for new JETs in May. ! Organize a re-entry and career prep seminar in November. ! Sponsor two roundtable discussions a year. ! Hold major gatherings in September, January, and June. ! Send a delegate to the JETAA international conference. ! Help produce the Cross Canada newsletter once per year. ! Keep a website up to date
CONTACT INFO: JETAABC Bentall Centre PO BOX 48121 Vancouver, BC V7X 1N8 WEB ADDRESS http://bc.jetaa.ca WEBMASTER: