JJETAA Newsletter 2014-15

Volume 8

March 2014– February 2015

JJETAA NEWS MESSAGE FROM THE AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN TO JAMAICA Inside this issue: Message from the Ambassador

1

The President’s Message

2-3

Picnic by the Poui

3-4

A Reflection of my time in Japan

5-7

Introducing Kenji Tobita

7

Sort it Out!

8

Extraordinary Experiences

9

Ikebana in Jamaica

9

The Year in Review in Pictures

10

Calendar of Events 2015-16  Beach Clean-up Activity (September)

 Activity to mark the 15th Anniversary of the JET Programme (October/November)

 Japan Awareness Workshop (February)

 Annual General Meeting (March)

On behalf of the Government and the people of Japan, it is a great pleasure to commend the Jamaica JET Alumni Association (JJETAA) for your remarkable achievements in 2014.

Last year was a very special time in the history of JapanJamaica relationship, having celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations and Friendship as well as Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year 2014. The Embassy of Japan in Jamaica continues to strengthen Japan-Jamaica relationship through activities including the commemorative events such as Japan Festival, in which more than 5,000 persons participated and enjoyed. I applaud you for the instrumental role you have played in making this very special year a huge success.

In 2014, JJETAA and its members undertook several initiatives to promote Japan to the Jamaican people. You have become exemplary goodwill ambassadors by presenting the Japanese culture. You assisted in the selection and orientation of new Japanese Exchange Teachers (JETs) for Japan, relieving their numer-

ous worries. You also promoted Japanese culture of “Hanami” by a “Picnic at the Poui”. From the environmental education perspective, you conducted the beach

Ambassador Yasuo Takase clean-up activity, and “Garbage Disposal and Recycling Project,” promoting environmental protection through a bottle drive at the Kensington Primary School.

Through these initiatives, I have seen the growth in the increased awareness of Japan in primary and tertiary institutions in Jamaica. I hope that this will continue as your membership grows.

I am certain that there were challenges such as conflict of your busy work schedule or

family obligations and finding time for preparations of these projects. I am grateful to you for bringing up your strength, determination and expertise to continue sharing your experiences in Japan with Jamaicans.

Since the JET Programme was introduced in Jamaica in 2000, over 200 Jamaicans have participated. Many of you have immersed yourselves in the Japanese culture and were able to find similarities while coping with the differences as well. You have also expanded your network among international friends, visited a variety of places which broadened your understanding of cultural diversity and grew professionally.

I was excited to hear that with such experiences, many of you are more confident, tolerant and open-minded.

Unfortunately, this is the last message since this is the end of my tour of duty in Jamaica.

However, I’ll continue working on promoting our friendship with Jamaican JETs in Japan.

My heartfelt appreciation and best wishes for continued success to you all.

This newsletter is made possible through the kind support of the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR)

JJETAA NEWS

The President’s Message

Sheril Morgan President, Jamaica JET Alumni Association (JJETAA)

Roxanne Seaton-Chambers Vice President

Marsha Dennie Treasurer

Nadya Forbes Public Relations Officer (PRO)

Maria Mutidjo Secretary

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Sauna Maragh Treasurer (Understudy)

Dana-Leigh Anderson PRO (Understudy)

Sheena Jarrett Secretary (Understudy)

Last year was truly a tremendous year for the Jamaica JET Alumni Association!

The year th marked the 50 year of diplomatic relations between Jamaica and Japan, and on many occasions the Association partnered with the Embassy of Japan as they staged a plethora of activities to mark this milestone.

The Association’s major projects to mark the occasion was the Garbage Sorting and Recycling Project “Sort it Out!”, which was implemented at Kensington Primary School, and a beach clean-up activity at Forum Beach, both of which are located in Portmore, St. Catherine.

Through these activities, the Association continued to fulfil its mandate of fostering cultural awareness and exchanges at the grassroots level.

The Garbage Sorting and Recycling Project was launched with an Environmental Awareness Session at Kensington

Primary School on 19th September. The objective of the project was to promote recycling practices through the sorting of plastic bottles and paper in the classroom.

This was based on a sim-

ilar practice carried out in lunchrooms in schools across Japan. The day’s program was enthusiastically received by grade four students, teachers and the Principal, Mrs. Carlene McCalla-Francis.

The school was gifted

with recycling bins for the grade four classrooms and super stacks for storing PET bottles.

On hand to participate in this noteworthy event

were representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Embassy of Japan (EOJ), the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA), as well as members of the Association.

Following on the heels of the successful start of the project, the Association continued its theme of caring for the environment and increasing environmental awareness through a beach clean-up effort at Forum Beach the following day. The cleanup effort was part of a larger initiative - the International Coastal Cleanup Day activities. A mixed group of volunteers participated in the activity including persons from the EOJ, Kensington Primary, UWI and UTech Japanese clubs and JJETAA members.

Our ‘Picnic by the Pouii’ has become a staple among our annual cont’d on page 3

Volume 8

The President’s Message (cont’d) cont’d from page 3

events and this time around it proved to be fun-filled and entertaining as was anticipated.

Members, Affiliates and friends gathered at one of the poui trees planted by the Association at the Hope Gardens to socialize, play games and dinereminiscent of the ‘Ohanami’ parties held during spring in Japan.

The game of charades proved to be most exciting as team “Samurai Warriors” emerged victors over team “Kamikaze” in a wellfought match.

The Association partnered with the EOJ on a number of initiatives including the Japan Festival or ‘Nihon Matsuri’, which was the Embassy’s main event for the year.

Members were on hand

to man booths, assist behind the scenes and participate as Masters of

Ceremony for the live show. It was a historic event as persons came out in droves to witness Jamaican and Japanese cultures at their best.

Other EOJ events in which JJETAA participated included the Japanese Calendar Exhibition, the

2015 JET screening and interviews, the Japanese Speech Contest, among others.

Although we are a small chapter, we are undoubtedly a vibrant one and our achievements could only be realized though the voluntary efforts of dedicated members who continue to model volunteerism at its best. We are indeed a bridge that connects both cultures and we hope that through our continued efforts, the bonds of friendship between both countries will continue to grow. It is with great enthusiasm that we look towards next year’s initiatives and continued cooperation with our stakeholders.

I look forward to another great year and wish you all the best in your endeavours.

Picnic by the Poui Buoyed by the successful staging of a Jamaicanstyled hanami experience in 2013, the Alumni Association held its 2nd Annual Picnic by the Poui at Hope Gardens on Saturday, 1st November 2014.

Some 24 persons turned out for the event. The happy band of picnic-ers Page 3

included Jamaican JET Alumni members, representatives of the Embassy of Japan and Japanese associations in Jamaica, members of the UWI and UTech Japanese Clubs and other friends of the JJETAA. Following a welcome by the President of the Association, Sheril Morgan, greetings were

brought from the Embassy of Japan by Mr. Hiromoto Oyama, First Secretary, who was delighted to be visiting Hope Gardens for the first time. Noting the young, but clearly thriving poui tree planted by the JJETAA some three years ago, Mr. Oyama suggested that the tree was symbolic of the relationship between cont’d on page 4

Sheril Morgan in one of the VIP lounges at Nihon Matsuri

虎穴に入らずんば虎 子を得ず。 (Koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu) Literally: If you do not enter the tiger's cave, you will not catch its cub.

Meaning: Nothing ventured, nothing gained - Japanese Proverb

Hiromoto Oyama providing entertainment at the Picnic by the Poui

JJETAA NEWS

Picnic by the Poui (cont’d) cont’d from page 4

team members who raced against the clock to transform themselves into various shapes and even animals, had everyone in stitches! The Samurai Warriors emerged victorious from a wellfought challenge, celebrating their triumph with a victory dance and hilarious re-enactments of the best performances, many meritorious of an Oscar Award!

Making friends by the poui

Japan and Jamaica which continued to grow more and more with each passing day. He reminded the group that just as the poui tree needed to be watered and nurtured, so too should we continue to nurture the bonds of friendship which have been forged between our two countries. In this vein, he thanked the JJETAA for its role in strengthening Jamaica-Japan relations through its various activities.

Rieko Nagase of the Jamaica Japan Society also shared some thoughts with the group, focusing on the meaning and symbolism of hanami in Japan.

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No festivity being complete without a bit of music, Hiromoto Oyama and

Kenji Tobita and other Japanese participants enhanced the festivities with soothing renditions of Japanese songs, with the accompaniment of a guitar and koto.

Appetites sated thanks to an ample gastronomic spread, the group was energized and ready to take on a rousing and riotous game of Charades.

Opposing teams, "Kamikaze" and "Samurai Warriors" engaged in a spirited faceoff, each side eager to demonstrate its skill at guessing the non-verbal depictions by their teammates of a range of items and themes. The imaginative and creative gestures and contortions of enthusiastic

The laughter and camaraderie were suitably topped off with delicious desserts, and as dusk fell, the merriment was brought to a close with a poignant and timely rendition of Bob Marley's "One Love". Indeed, there was a spirit of "one love" in the air as two cultures co-mingled and as two peoples laughed, played, celebrated and sang together with "one heart".

And on that most fitting note of unity, we bid our "likkle-but-tallawah" poui tree sayonara, promising to return again next year when no doubt both our wellnurtured tree and our Jamaica-Japan bonds of friendship will have grown even bigger and stronger.

Contributed by Janet Crick JJETAA Member

Volume 8

A Reflection of my Time in Japan It all began years ago in my parents’ living room. My brothers and I were into Super Sentai, Dragon Ball Z and the other voiced-over popular anime movies. I did not know at that time that those countless hours watching ninjas performing mind-blowing somersaults with the ever present cherry blossom in the background had sowed the seeds of my interest in Japan.

Growing up in Kingston it was difficult to tell the difference between Japanese and Chinese ethnic groups but as I became more interested in history and ancient civilizations the hunger to travel began to gnaw at my being. I started to watch countless documentaries on Japan. These documentaries led me to respect their resourcefulness.

The Japanese are well known for their world leading companies that excel in technology and industry. But the Toyotas, Sonys and Mitsubishis are only a tip of the iceberg of the marvels of Japan. With a history of thousands of years, Japan, an archipelago, has always been able to be affected by the outside world while maintaining its soul. I remember wondering how is it that such a small country was able to recover so quickly after the devastation that was the Second World War. Page 5

My curiosity was only heightened when I was able to make friends with a few Japanese who came to the land of reggae. They were always courteous and despite our language difference I was able to discern a love for work, and a deep respect of oneself in my interaction with them. As time went by, they eventually went back to their land of the rising sun, life went on and unfortunately we were not able to maintain contact.

Nevertheless, there was always a desire to go and see the culture and the people.

I wanted answers to the questions that I had.

Thankfully I shared this Kenji Tobita providing entertainment at desire with the Picnic by the Poui close friends as only a few months later, one such friend told me of the JET Programme. According to my friend, the JET Programme allowed university graduates from English speaking countries to teach English in Japan. This description evoked mixed feelings throughout my body, because even though I had already attained my first degree from the University of the West Indies, I knew nothing about teaching. I never saw myself as patient, tolerant and resourceful. And I didn’t know how to speak Japanese. However, I was very excited because here, right before me, was a chance to have my questions answered. I could go, meet and cont’d on page 6

Matthew Palmer JJETAA Member

“With a history of thousands of years, Japan, an archipelago, has always been able to be affected by the outside world while maintaining its soul.”

The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme, is aimed at promoting grassroots international exchange between Japan and other nations.

The Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) administers the JET Programme in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and local government organisations.

JJETAA NEWS

A Reflection of my Time in Japan (cont’d) cont’d from page 5

interact with the Japanese way of life.

“The Japanese are very hardworking, punctual and truly professional”

Matthew Palmer on the job in Japan

“If time is allotted for building and maintaining a great relationship with our customers, one can clearly see the benefits that can be gained ”

Eventually I went for the interview at the Japanese Embassy and I remember being told that it was very competitive to gain a placement as many applicants were already qualified teachers. Armed with my strong desire to go to Japan, I was able to rise to the challenge and convince the interviewees – all six of them—that I should be selected to go to Japan, even though I was not a qualified teacher.

My time in Japan has proven the need for such a programme. I found that the many Japanese people with whom I interacted knew very little about Jamaica. Most people thought it was in Africa and most still were surprised that our official language is English and not Spanish. However, almost all knew of Bob Marley – if not his philosophy, they all seemed to have heard the name before. In that regard, I believe my time in Japan was a success. I taught about reggae music, our thriving tourist industry, and our warm people.

Working in Japan taught me that the secret to Japan’s success is its business people and the group mentality of its citizens. The Japanese work force is very hardworking, punctual

and truly professional.

In Japan, the customer is seen as a “god” and always treated as being right. Too often customers in Jamaica are not shown the value and respect that they deserve. The Japanese often work for more than 8 hours a day as they seek to improve efficiency and maintain good relations with their customers. This however, is not always ideal as it may cause societal problems - namely a work force that is overworked and stressed and a reduction in time for family life. Nevertheless, if time is allocated for building and maintaining a great relationship with our customers, one can clearly see the benefits that can be gained. I believe we should take a page from the book of our fellow islanders and strive to be more professional. This would mean that we would be punctual for our meetings whether for work and or play, and our customers would know that they were highly appreciated.

As any teacher can attest, to teach is to learn. I have learnt so much about Jamaica, Japan and most importantly, myself, while in Japan. To be sure, I know now that I too can be patient and tolerant. I too can be hardworking and punctual. I too can look out for what is best for my family, friends and country.

Matthew Palmer was an ALT in Hiroshima from 2007 to 2010.

Annual General Meeting 2014 The JJETAA Annual General Meeting was held on 29 March at the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites in Kingston. It was a productive meeting with 23 participants including our Affiliate Members. A special presentation was made to Shawn Aarons, Past President of JJETAA, for his outstanding contribution of the development of the Association.

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Volume 8

Introducing Kenji Tobita Kenji Tobita is the Resident Representative for the Jamaica Office of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). He is from Tokyo, capital of Japan. He has been living in Kingston with his wife since October 2014. We will allow him to tell you more about himself.

Q: What do you like most about living in Jamaica?

A: I like tropical fruits such as mangos, pineapples and oranges.

I love Blue Mountain coffee, too.

Q: What are your favourite Jamaican food?

A: Jerk Chicken Q: What is your favourite Jamaican place? Why? A: Negril. Because it is beautiful, calm and peaceful.

Q: Have you had any challenges adjusting to life in Jamaica? If yes, what challenges have you experienced?

A: I can’t walk and jog around in Kingston due to security reasons. I feel a sense of tightness.

Q: What is your favourite day of the week? Why? A: Saturday, because there still is one more off day (Sunday) left.

ing. Studying English and playing Okinawan Sansin (Musical Instrument)

Q: How do spend your free time?

A: Playing tennis, shopping and driv-

Hajimemashite! Dozo Yoroshiku Onegai shimasu!

Extraordinary Experiences If I met him now, I could immediately recognize him as a JET participant. This is because I am currently assessing future JET participants through my work at the Japanese Embassy.

However, at that time I did not know what the JET Program was.

loudly, sometimes hanging out a balcony. I still remember my excitement and enthusiasm. One of the great things the JET Program provides to students is the “extraordinary experience” of being able to speak in English with a JET teacher.

My JET teacher in high school came from Australia. My hometown Nagoya is sister city to Sydney so my municipality specifically desired Australian JETs (Jamaica had not yet joined the JET Program). He did not teach my class but I was very interested in interacting with him, so I would seek him out and speak to him. If he were far away, I shouted a greeting

Apart from big cities like Tokyo and settled areas for Nikkeijin (Japanese ancestral communities), most Japanese families rarely interact with non-Japanese.

The Japanese government currently mandates English education for fifth and sixth grade students, yet in most public schools there aren’t any native English teachers in residence. Native English speakers often only exist to students through English

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educational media. Therefore, Japanese students greatly benefit from JET Program participants by allowing them to communicate with native English speakers and exposing them to different cultures. I would like to thank JJETAA for the excitement you provided Japanese students and myself, which represents “extraordinary experiences” in our lives.

Contributed by Mieko Araki. Mieko has been living in Jamaica since October 2013. She is from Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture

Meiko Araki Researcher/Advisor Embassy of Japan

“One of the great things the JET Program provides to students is the “extraordinary experience” of being able to speak in English with a JET teacher.”

JJETAA NEWS

Sort it Out!

“Sorting it Out” at Kensington Primary

Picking up garbage at Forum Beach

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2014 marked the 50th Year of diplomatic relations between Jamaica and Japan, prompting our Alumni Association to give serious consideration to a commemorative activity that would give due honour to such a significant landmark in our relations.

Recognizing Japan’s significant contribution both at the national and international levels to promoting a clean and sustainable environment, it was unanimously agreed that a project that was environmental in scope would be the most appropriate activity. Thus was born “Sort It Out” – a garbage sorting and recyling project, which was launched at the Kensington Primary School in Greater Portmore, St. Catherine on September 19, 2014 with the support of the Embassy of Japan, the National Environment Protection Agency, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and the Ministry of Education.

In an engaging and interactive session, the JJETAA oriented students and teachers on Japan’s model recycling system, which has been incorporated in the home, the classroom and in the workplace, making recycling a way of life throughout the Japa-

nese society. The JJETAA introduced the teachers and students to an ingrained Japanese tradition of sorting disposable containers used at lunch time in schools, and in that context, presented the school’s Grade Four sanitation monitors with ten bins to facilitate the separation of plastic beverage bottles and paper in the classroom. Arrangements were also made for the sorted garbage to be collected by Jamaica Recycles. The school was also presented with super sacks and two wheeled plastic dumpsters to facilitate the collection of papers by the recycling company. The initiative of sorting inside the classroom complemented the school’s existing system of PET bottle recycling.

The Association and Kensington Primary School have enjoyed a long-

standing and collaborative relationship, and it was therefore fitting that this institution - whose grounds and plant are already a beautiful representation of environmental awareness – was chosen as the benefactor for this inaugural activity.

The sorting project is the first in what is expected to be replicated by the Association, which is committed to making its contribution to the protection of the environment.

Beach Clean-up The following day found JJETAA members, affiliate members, representatives of the Embassy of Japan, friends of the Association, and teachers and students of Kensington Primary School at the Forum Beach in St. Catherine as cont’d on page 9

Volume 8

Beach Clean-up (cont’d) cont’d from page 8

they played their part in a series of island-wide activities marking International Coastal Clean-up Day. The collective efforts culminated in the collection of some 23 bags of garbage which had littered the once beautiful

Forum shoreline.

It was a time well-spent and the Association looks forward to continuing to play its part in sorting out and cleaning up our environment.

Contributed by Sauna Maragh and Janet Crick

Pictorial Highlights 1

2

3

4

1. Guardian Group/UHWI 5K Night Run, June 2014 2. JET Orientation Session, June 2014 3. Visit of Japanese Naval Vessels, July 2014 4. Bonenkai, December 2014 Page 9

Ikebana in Jamaica Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. Ikebana is more than simply putting flowers in a container. It is a disciplined art form in which the arrangement is a living thing in which nature and humanity are brought together. It is steeped in the philosophy of developing closeness with nature.

You are invited to learn this beautiful Japanese art form.

Jamaica has been recognized since 1973 as having a local chapter of Ikebana International - St Andrew Chapter. There are three schools of Ikebana in Jamaica: Ohara, Sogetsu and Ichiyo.

Contact Information: Ohara: LC Monteith - 927-4553 Sogetsu: Joy Jones - 944-2929 Ichiyo: Paulette Latibeaudiere - 999-0194

Meeting Date & Time: Third Saturday of each month (except in August ) at 4pm Meeting Venue: Hotel Four Seasons, Ruthven Road, Kingston

About the Jamaica JET Alumni Association (JJETAA) The Jamaica Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme Alumni Association (JJETAA) was established in 2002. Individuals who have completed at least one year in the JET Programme are automatically recognized as Full Members of JJETAA.

Individuals who have worked in the education sector in Japan, have studied in Japan, or any person, club or society who/which has an affiliation with Japan and/or with Japanese culture and who/which expresses a genuine interest to share in the Association’s activities are eligible to join the Association as Associate (or Affiliate) Members.

Objectives of JJETAA

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