Greeting from the National AJET Chair

Hello, JETs!

Every spring, it is customary for the Chair to write a letter for the JET community at large. It’s fitting, as we can watch spring blossom and the sakura fall, to think about what this time of year means for us as JETs. 

Some of you are in your first year of the Programme. Your eldest students have graduated, and your teachers are changing for your first time here. It’s a whirlwind of partings and greetings- exciting and new. 

Some of you are more used to this changing of all things, and the partings are evermore bittersweet. Our favorite JTEs, principals, and teacher friends transfer away as students we’ve known for years leave us behind to brave new and bigger things. 

And many are finishing their time on the Programme, be they on their first, second, third, fourth, or fifth year. 

It’s natural to feel mixed or even negative emotions as this contract year comes to a close. But through it all, I hope you all remember that the JET community is strong and vibrant and ready to support you, wherever you’re going next. 

Happy Adventures!

Rachel

A Message of Condolence
It is with great sadness that we must share that JET Alumni Mr. Darcy Belanger (Shizuoka ‘95-97) and Ms. Sarah Auffret (Tokushima ‘07-10) were among those lost in the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash on March 10th. Our hearts are with them and their families.

National AJET Elections 

It’s that time of year again—National AJET Elections are here! The National Council acts as the representative voice of all JET participants and all JETs have a right to choose who they wish to represent them! The National Council works to improve the lives of all JET participants before, during, and after their time in Japan. The National Council hosts events, compiles resources, gets discounts for JETs, and meets with CLAIR and the three ministries on behalf of JETs.

Please take advantage of this opportunity to make your opinion heard. The Election runs from April 15th to April 26th, 2019 at 11:59 PM. You can find more information about council positions and the work AJET does on our website.

AJET Peer Support Group - For JETs; by JETs

Peer Support Group (PSG) is first and foremost a confidential listening service for JETs by JETS. We have a wonderful group of PSG volunteers who are dedicated to helping fellow JETs who are in need of an objective, non-judgmental listener. We pride ourselves in confidentiality, so you can have a safe space to discuss any issues or challenges you are currently facing. 

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

Spring is an especially great time to travel around Japan, but finding lodgings for an affordable price can be a challenge. Enter Tatami Timeshare! Tatami Timeshare (TT) is an exclusive Couchsurfing-like community for JETs and JET alumni. With over 400 currently active members, TT is aimed at those that would like to travel around Japan and internationally by 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. 

If this sounds like a community you would be interested in joining and you are a current or past JET, please fill out this form. You can also find us on Facebook by searching "Tatami Timeshare".

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the admin at: tatami.timeshare@ajet.net

The Art Issue: Now Accepting Submissions!

Attention all artists! Each month Connect magazine brings fresh stories on culture, fashion, entertainment, health, and community from all across Japan. For the upcoming June issue, it’s your turn to contribute! Connect is dedicated to showing the artwork and creativity that expats have to offer and is now accepting submissions for its’ annual Art Issue! Whether you’re a painter or sculptor, using a camera or a computer, Connect wants your creative contributions. Connect is looking to feature a wide variety of art from the expat community in Japan. This includes - but isn’t limited to - artistic photography, illustrations, comics, poems, haikus, music, video, etc.

Guidelines for submission can be found here and questions and concerns can be directed to Connect’s Head of Visual Media, Ashley Hirasuno at Ashley.hirasuno@ajet.net. The final deadline for all submissions is May 7, 2019.

Toyama International Film Festival

Attention filmmakers! Submissions are now open for the Toyama International Film Festival. The event is run by a team of JETs in Toyama prefecture who have a passion for film and a goal to spread film culture and international understanding in our area. Partner with us by sharing your creative work! Also, if you haven't had the chance to visit Toyama, consider joining us for the festival on June 15th. All entries are due by May 15th, 2019.

Please e-mail toyamafilmfest@gmail.com for more information.

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! 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!

JET Christian Fellowship Annual Spring Retreat 

JET Christian Fellowship (JCF) will hold its annual spring retreat during Golden Week in Kobe from April 27th to 30th. Come join ALTs and other Christians from around Japan on Mt. Rokko for a time of fun, fellowship, praise, prayer, and time in God’s word. With a guest speaker, small groups, and testimony time, this is a great chance to see what God has been doing in Japan and in the lives of the Christians here. Come enjoy making new friends and seeing old ones, exploring Kobe and Mt. Rokko, relaxing at the retreat venue, and cooking western comfort foods. As you gather with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, may you be spiritually refreshed and encouraged. In the words of Megan, a frequent retreat attendee, 

“JCF Retreats are always fun and memorable experiences for me. I’m currently the only foreigner at my church so I don’t often get to learn and worship in English. It can feel a bit isolating at times. That’s one of the reasons the retreats mean so much to me. It’s wonderful to be able to fellowship and worship together with other English speakers who are in roughly the same situation. It’s definitely a refreshing time, spiritually and culturally. The friends I’ve made at these retreats are true friends who will stay in my heart for years to come.”

For information about registration, or other questions, please email us at jcfretreat@gmail.com.

National AJET LINE Stickers

National AJET's first set of LINE stickers are available now! The eight sticker set features National AJET's official mascot, Tsuru-chan--a red-crowned crane that represents AJET's mission to nurture and cultivate the JET programme and its' participants. Add a little character to your LINE chats with this collection, available in the LINE sticker shop for ¥120!

JET Programme Voices

Have you had a unique experience 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.

June Sports Tournaments

Feeling encouraged by the nice Spring weather? If so, June has two great opportunities to get sporty with your fellow JETs! The first weekend of June sees the Spring return of the ALT Soccer Tournament. The tournament will be held June 1st and 2nd, 2019 in Sugadaira Kogen, Nagano prefecture. Please see the Facebook page for details and updates.

The following weekend is all about basketball! The Niigata in the Inaka International Basketball Tournament will be held on Saturday, June 8th, 2019 in Niigata prefecture. Follow the Facebook page for more information. Enjoy!

AJET Resource Database

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

Don’t see something you need? Have a great resource, guide or lesson plan you think would help others? Write the Director of Professional and Educational Development at jordan.deshong@ajet.net and let us know what resources you would like to see on the site.

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
·    A 100-150 word blurb about your website or channel and what topics you cover (life as a CIR, studying Japanese, teaching advice, etc.)

We look forward to seeing your work!

THIS MONTH IN AJET CONNECT MAGAZINE…

For Connect’s April issue, Angela Hinck recently interviewed Rodney Gottula, a former JET Program participant and author of the new children’s book Double, Not Half. The book explores the Japanese term ‘hafu’ and the experiences of interracial children finding their identity. Enjoy some excerpts from the interview below:

Were you aware of the term “half” and did you often hear it when you were in Japan?

I’d never heard the term “half” in Yanagida Village because we were all just straight up gaijin, so it wasn’t really until I moved to Kobe with my children that I became familiar with the term in any meaningful way, and, to be honest, I’d never really heard it used in an intentionally derogatory fashion, but it brought to mind the way that unnecessary qualifiers unconsciously belittle the people with whom they’re attached. The book is partially a message to those who claim that learning a second language or learning about another culture will somehow negatively impact native language ability or loosen one’s own cultural roots. I can’t speak for the entire country, but I know that if Montana required all students to learn Spanish, the way that all Japanese students must learn English, there would be tremendous pushback— partially driven by legitimate concerns, but also some pushback fueled by racism and ignorance. So, my hope was that the simple message of a children’s book could help all of us to adjust the lens with which we view our world and perhaps stretch our arms a little wider in terms of who we seek to embrace.

What overlap do you see between American and Japanese culture when it comes to mixed-race children in schools and the struggles they face?

I think mixed-race children in Japan probably stand out more than do mixed-race children in most parts of the United States, but the struggles they may or may not face are most likely more strongly related to the community in which they reside. When I asked my son if he ever gets any flak for being Japanese, he told me that his friends tease him about being Chinese, that they don’t know the difference, and that it didn’t really matter because he gave them flak for a variety of different things as well. So, I supposed it depends a lot on how teasing and labeling are received. I mention in the foreword to Double! Not Half. that I’m not advocating for “double” to replace “half” as a new label; it’s also why the characters joke about being “triple” or “quadruple”. The point is to try and see people as they would like to be seen, to treat them as they would like to be treated. Some hafu reject the term “double” and feel it’s stupid.

To read more, check out the April issue of AJET Connect Magazine!

Interested in AJET partnerships? Head to our website today!