Hello,

To all Incoming and continuing JET participants! I’d like to welcome our newest members to Japan, and to a life-changing experience among its mountains, cities, and shores. Whether in the northernmost of Hokkaido, the ever-warm beaches of Okinawa, or the many prefectures in between, the real strength of the JET Programme lies in our commitment to supporting each other and growing as people and educators. I would like to encourage all of you, new or not, to recommit yourselves to opening up to new experiences and exchanging cultures.

As always, National AJET is here to support you whilst you are in the Programme. We, and I, hope that you will gain the skills and sense of self you need here in Japan to be successful in achieving your dreams. If there’s any way we can further support or assist you, please contact us.

Best of luck,

Rachel Boellstorff

AJET Peer Support Group - For JETs, by JETs

Peer Support Group (PSG) was established in the early 1990s and has continued to grow from one landline phone to an easy-to-access Skype account, providing completely anonymous support to fellow JETs.

PSG is a confidential listening service for JETs by JETs, which prides itself in confidentiality, so you can have a safe space to discuss any issues or challenges you are currently facing. PSG volunteers are dedicated to helping fellow JETs who are in need of an objective, non-judgmental listener or looking for informational resources.

Whether you’ve been battling with cultural fatigue, need to find certain information, or just want someone to listen, we are here for you. PSG operates 365 days of the year from 20:00 until 07:00. We are the only listening service available during those times that has an acute understanding of life as a JET. Please give us a call on 050-5534-5566 or contact us on Skype at AJETPSG. You can also visit our website or Facebook page for more information.

We are here to help you. Know you have our support and understanding.

Tatami Timeshare

Tatami Timeshare (TT) is an exclusive Couchsurfing-like community for JETs and JET alumni. There are currently over 400 active members around Japan and internationally. TT is aimed at those that would like to travel around Japan and different parts of the world while, at the same time, staying with locals in those areas. TT is also aimed at those that would like to offer their homes, knowledge, and experience to travellers coming through their local communities.

Once you decide to join, you will be given access to the private TT Google Map with members’ location pins and contact information, so you can take the next step in contacting people in places you are interested in visiting.

If this sounds like a community you would be interested in joining and you are a current or alumni JET, please fill out this form. 

You can also find us on Facebook by searching "Tatami Timeshare" or contacting tatami.timeshare@ajet.net.

Call for JET Creators

Are you a photographer, writer, video blogger, or content creator in Japan? Would you like to have your website or channel hosted on the National AJET website? We are currently looking for new and current outlets to promote on the JET Resources section of our website. In our experience, JETs make the best resources for JETs and we want to make sure we have the most accurate representation of what the JET community and JET life is like.

If you are interested in sharing your blog or website, please email the Director of Public Relations at taryn.matthews@ajet.net with your:

• Name and Weblink
• Year and Placement on JET
• 100-150 word blurb about your website or channel and what topics you cover (life as a CIR, studying Japanese, teaching advice, etc.)

JET Christian Fellowship Autumn Retreat

Mark your calendars! JET Christian Fellowship (JCF) will be holding their national retreat this Fall! Full of great fellowship, food, and English worship, the 2018 retreat will be held from Friday, November 23rd to Monday, November 25th, at a to be determined location. JCF exists to help Christian participants on the JET program connect with local churches and other Christians living in Japan.

For further announcements and updates, head over to the JET Christian Fellowship Facebook Group or their website.

Asian Pacific Islander AJET

Asian Pacific Islander (API) AJET is looking for new Block and National Representatives! API (Asian Pacific Islanders) is an AJET special interest group created to address issues important to API in Japan. It is a community for those interested and invested in API issues, news, and discussions.

Please look us up on Facebook (API AJET) or shoot us an email at api.ajet@gmail.com if you're interested in API issues or communities and we'll be in contact shortly!

Niigata in the Inaka International Basketball Tournament

Are you a fan of basketball? Interested in getting together with your fellow JETs for a friendly competition? Consider joining the Niigata in the Inaka International Basketball Tournament! Niigata in the Inaka International Basketball (NIIB) is a basketball tournament that takes place biannually in Tokamachi City, Niigata. All basketball ability levels and mixed teams are welcome to join! The tournaments main focus is fun and for every participant, 500 yen is donated to the Niigata chapter of the Japanese Red Cross!

A fantastic event that has seen teams from 8 different prefectures attend, the next tournament will be held Saturday, October 27th, 2018. The deadline to register for the tournament is Friday, October 5th, 2018.

If you have any questions regarding the Fall tournament, please check the event page or contact The Commissioners via email. For more information and future updates, head to the NIIB Facebook page and give them a like!

Ongoing AJET Volunteer Partnership: Call for Recorder Donation

As part of AJETs volunteer initiative, we are partnered with `The Call for Recorder Donation` project. Directed by Dr. Yamamoto, this project provides donated recorders to schools in the Philippines for children to receive a music education. In Japan, almost all elementary age students are fortunate enough to be able to learn how to play the recorder but, after graduation these instruments are no longer used. Therefore, in the もったいない spirit, by gifting these instruments to Dr. Yamamoto’s organisation they will once again be used and enjoyed.

This partnership has been a success due to the efforts of JETs across Japan. AJET Block 4 Representative Kizzy Bannier recently took part in the Call for Recorder Donations with her own school in Tokyo. Announcements were made and flyers were printed, which acted as great conversation starters within the school community. Many students were happy to contribute donations and at the end of the event a package was sent to Dr. Yamamoto to await shipment to the Philippines.

As JETs with close connections to schools across the country, this continues to be a great chance to not only help others in need, but a valuable opportunity for us to engage with our teachers and students in a meaningful way.

To learn more about the program please check out the Organization Facebook page or the announcement on the AJET website.

Volunteer in your Community on Behalf of AJET

As JET Programme participants, we are in a unique position to give something back to Japan and to greatly impact the local areas in which we live. Spending time working with others towards a collective societal or environmental goal is an immensely satisfying and rewarding experience that can provide a huge sense of accomplishment, as well as personal and professional benefits.

No matter your placement in Japan, your first port of call should be the National AJET volunteering database. Our ever-expanding database contains masses of organizations and volunteer associations throughout Japan (arranged by block to make things even easier for you)! To keep up to date with volunteer events and opportunities, join our Facebook page!

Some volunteering opportunities available now:

Southwestern Japan Flood Relief

Our hearts are with all those affected by the recent disasters in Southwestern Japan. If you are looking to contribute to easing the suffering of the victims, please see this resource page from JETAA International that includes a list of different organizations accepting donations for relief efforts.

JET Programme Voices

Have you had unique experiences on the JET Programme that you want to share with the world? Would you like to use your writing to highlight the charm and appeal of your community?

All current and former JET participants are invited to contribute to JET Programme Voices, a journalism project designed to publicise the activities of JET participants through storytelling. Articles are selected by CLAIR and published by the Yomiuri Shimbun of the English language publication, The Japan News.

For more information please see the guidelines on the JET Programme website.

2020 Tokyo Olympics

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games are large-scale and important international events for Japan. Each of these events will require tens of thousands of volunteers to make a reality.

As JETs are a valuable resource with high-level communication skills and an understanding of international comradery, this is an ideal opportunity for those interested in sport, culture, and volunteering. The recruitment period will be open from mid-September to early-December of 2018. Those interested in getting involved can check the volunteering page for more information.

TELL Tokyo Tower Climb

Take a step forward for change! TELL is AJET’s second official Community Partner since March 2018 and they are aiming to take their Lifeline service 24/7 by 2019. TELL is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing world-class, effective support and counselling services to Japan’s international community as well as helping to address the country’s growing mental health care needs. Like our JET-run Peer Support Group (PSG), TELL offers an invaluable, free support lifeline for the international community in Japan.

On September 9th, TELL is partnering with one of Tokyo’s most iconic structures again to offer an exciting challenge that ranks with endurance events at some of the world’s most famous buildings and towers (e.g Empire State Building, Eiffel Tower, Sears Tower)—the TELL Tower Climb. September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day and over this weekend, people all around the world will be walking, marching or running to “take a step” to remove stigmas around mental health. 
 

Fundraising support will help train phone counsellors, launch and grow TELL’s online chat service and expand their volunteer base and support services all over Japan. The cost of registration is ¥4000 and each entry includes an event towel, completion certificate, and Tokyo Tower Ticket to be used at a later date. Even if you can't take part in the TELL Tokyo Tower Climb, you can still help by sponsoring one of the climbers or donating to the event directly at CROWDRISE - their online fundraising platform. For more information on the event, please see the official website.

If you’re looking for volunteers for your own project or are aware of a volunteering opportunity or similar event anywhere in Japan, please email the Director of Volunteering at jessie.zhou@ajet.net to spread the word. Happy volunteering!

Kizuna Across Cultures: Global Classmates

Are you a High School ALT looking for further ways to engage your students in active learning? Do you want to provide your students with an opportunity to communicate in English with teens from abroad? Kizuna Across Cultures (KAC) has just the program you’re looking for—Global Classmates! Global Classmates is a grant-covered (yes, free!) 6-month virtual cultural and language exchange program that pairs a class of high school students in Japan learning English with a class of high school students in the U.S. learning Japanese! KAC was co-founded by former JETs and their Japanese friends and is supported by officials at the Ministry of Education and funded in part by the U.S. Embassy, Tokyo.

For an application, fill out this inquiry form and KAC will then email you an application once they become available in mid-January, along with more information (in Japanese) that you can forward to your JTE. Ultimately JTEs must complete and submit the application.

You can learn more about KAC and the Global Classmates program on their website and stay updated via the Kizuna Across Cultures (KAC) Facebook and Twitter pages. If you have any questions about the program or application process, please contact Shanti Shoji (’02-’04 Kagawa JET) at japan@kacultures.org.

JETAA KenJETkai Program

Are you a recent JET Alumnus looking for ways to stay connected to your home prefecture? Make sure to join your KenJETkai group on Facebook! Created and facilitated by JETAA-I (JET Programme Alumni Association International), the KenJetKai program focuses on connecting JET alumni with their home prefectures to continue fostering cultural exchange after JETs return to their home countries.

KenJetKai groups have worked to help flooding relief efforts, hosted JET Programme 30th anniversary events, and continue to work to better relationships between JETs and their home prefectures in a variety of ways.

Even after leaving Japan, JETs can always feel connected to their home-away-from-home! To get connected JETs can go to the KenJETkai Facebook page to find their Prefecture listed under “Groups". The main page also acts as a great place for resources, tips, and ideas on how to foster this cultural exchange! 

AJET Resource Database

The AJET Resource Database is an ongoing project to help JET participants have greater access to a variety of teaching resources,  JET-made lesson plans, Japanese language tips, textbook accompaniment, academic articles, after-JET preparation support, and more! Whether you’re looking to update your resume, write a new one in Japanese, or are just having a hard time getting back into the swing of lesson planning, there’s something here for you!

Don’t see what you're looking for? Have a great resource, guide or lesson plan you think would help others? Let us know what resources you would like to see on the site by writing the Director of Professional and Educational Development at jordan.deshong@ajet.net.

JALT 44th Annual International Conference

Interested in further developing your language teaching skills? Want to expand your collection of educational materials? The Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT) will be holding the 2018 annual conference at the Shizuoka Convention & Arts Center in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka from Friday, November 23rd, 2018 to Monday, November 26th, 2018. This 2018 conference theme of “Diversity and Inclusion” will ask the question, “How can we be more inclusive?” and provide a platform for new ideas and previously unheard voices to be heard. JALT aims to address the concerns of teachers, learners, and leaders and show how “inclusion” provides a place from which multiplicity of thought and action can flourish.

In the words of former JET Leslie, "Attending the JALT International Conference was a fantastic opportunity to connect with professionals and groups who have a vested interest in the future of English education in Japan as well as to engage in dialogue regarding the experiences and needs of JET Programme participants in light of recent and future changes taking place in the field.”
 

For more information on the conference and registration details, please see their website. To learn more about how AJET supports JETs with professional and educational development, please contact the Director of Professional and Educational Development at jordan.deshong@ajet.net.

Interested in AJET partnerships? 

Head to our website today!

This month in AJET Connect Magazine…

The most recent issue of Connect covered everything from shopping advice to Shinjuku nightlife, as well as great articles about the USJETAA Microgrant and how to get involved in your local community! An excerpt from a recent article on Studying Japanese, by Kyoto JET Amanda Muller: “First order of business if you want to learn Japanese is learning hiragana and katakana, the two syllabaries of the Japanese language. Unfortunately, learning these characters requires pure memorization (and you have to learn two characters per phoneme!), but there are a number of ways to learn and practice using the internet or apps on your phone.

For me, the best way to learn hiragana and katakana was simply write and rewrite the characters until I knew them. However, after learning the characters, you’ll need to practice. You can use flashcards (or a flashcard app like Anki, which we’ll talk more about later), and Duolingo’s hiragana course, but there are also many gamified ways to review online, like the Hiragana Quiz website, and Hiragana drag and Drop, both of which are also available for katakana practice.”

Check out Issue #73 of Connect Magazine to read more about using Language Learning apps for Japanese study, as well as some great features on combatting Culture Shock and travelling in Japan. Interested in showcasing your writing skills or know someone that might want to? Head over to ajet.net to get started!