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Happy Summer!
Hello and Happy August JET Community! 暑いですね！
Summer is in full swing and we are right in the midst of saying farewell to our leaving JETs and welcoming new JET participants into the fold. This is a great time to reflect on the value and work of the JET community and the amazing opportunities available to JET participants.
National AJET is here to serve you, the JET Community, from Sapporo to Naha, and everwhere in between. And while we can’t guarantee we have all of the answers, we will always be here to support you along the way to finding them! 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.
So, get out there! Explore! Make a few mistakes! Have some fun! がんばろう！
National AJET
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Small Acts of Kindness to Make a Big Impact:
Call for Recorder Donation
”The Call for Recorder Donation” program, directed by Dr. Yamamoto, has been a partner with AJET’s volunteer initiative since late 2017. 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.
Former AJET Director of Volunteering, Jessie Zhou, recently took part in the Call for Recorder Donations with her school in Tokyo. Coordinating with the school’s Interact Club leaders, announcements and flyers were made. The members from the club would have shifts to collect recorders in the morning before homeroom began with Jessie and an Interact Club supervisor. Many students were happy to contribute donations and the initiative acted as a great conversation within the school community. At the end, almost 20 recorders were collected and sent to Dr. Yamamoto to await shipment to the Philippines.
As JET participants 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 teachers and students in a meaningful way. In the interest of efficiency and cost-effectiveness we’re also looking for enthusiastic JETs willing to serve as coordinators, collecting recorders locally and sending them in bulk. If this interests you, please get involved in this small act of charity to make a big difference for the education of children from the Philippines! To learn more about the program please check out the Organization Facebook page or
the announcement on the AJET website.
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JET Christian Fellowship
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 and 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.
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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. 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, please fill out this form. If you have any further questions, you can find us on Facebook at "Tatami Timeshare" or by contacting tatami.timeshare@ajet.net.
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Kawakuji Animal Rescue
Jayc Stojanovic, a fourth year ALT in Ibaraki prefecture, has spent her time in Japan serving her JET community as a PA, Social Coordinator and currently acts as President of her local AJET chapter (Ibaraki AJET). Now, Jayc is taking this passion for giving back on a wider scale, by creating and managing the Kawakuji Animal Rescue:
During my time on JET I have been active in my community and have started a neonatal kitten nursery. The purpose of a kitten nursery is to save some of the 90 percent of kittens who are euthanized because they are too small and/or sick for adoption. Life for neonatal kittens can be pretty touch-and-go at times, and often requires round the clock care for their first month of life. They must be fed every two hours from a bottle (or syringe, if they are tiny), they have to be helped to use the bathroom, they cannot regulate their own body temperature and require incubation, and often require different medications multiple times a day.
This experience has made me feel extremely close to my community. As I work 8:30-4, I sometimes have to bring especially sick or small kittens to work with me! My coworkers have been AMAZING about helping save tiny lives. Most of the time, kittens can sleep in an empty room (such as an office or music room) and I can care for them between classes. The Ibaraki JET community has also been an incredible source of support; whether by designing logos, helping to translate at vet appointments, donating food, toys or money for vet appointments, or even taking care of some cats themselves!
I have had a blast getting to better know ALTs I hadn’t connected with recently, whilst out trying to catch little babies in need, or sitting in veterinary waiting rooms. Even my neighbors love to come to the sliding doors of my bedroom to check on how the babies are growing, and chat about animal activism and what we can do to help save these vulnerable lives. This experience has given me such joy and appreciation for the Ibaraki JET community, my students and coworkers, as well as the community I live in!
If you’re interested in cute kittens, learning more, or want to help support, check out Kawakuji Animal Rescue on Facebook!
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JET Christian Fellowship
JET Christian Fellowship (JCF) held its Spring retreat during Golden Week this year from April 27th-30th. Roughly 20 Christias from inside and outside of Japan met atop Mt. Rokko near Kobe for a time of praise, prayer, God’s Word, fellowship, encouragement, and fun. The weekend's theme was "The Great Commission" and how to live that out in local communities in Japan. Through Chelsey Beal’s messages on Matthew 28:16-20, attendees focused on how Matthew 28 is also a promise that can be made to disciples because all authority on heaven and earth has been given to Christ and He is with us always. Other activities included small group sessions, cooking together, bonfires, attending local churches on Sunday, and free time exploring Kobe and
Mt. Rokko. It was a great time to connect with Christians around Japan, while seeing old friends and making new ones.
In the words of Samuel, a 2nd year JET from Shiga, “I was blessed to find a church in my current city of Omihachiman with an atmosphere similar to my church back home, but the church is primarily elders with few youth. The JCF retreat was a blessing because it rekindled my faith with a different kind of fellowship that I feel was necessary. It really was helpful to have an all-English fellowship and the time to spend with people in the same position.”
JCF’s fall retreat will be held from November 2nd-4th, 2019. Don’t miss this chance for a spiritually rejuvenating weekend with other Christians. For more details or questions, please contact us at jcfretreat@gmail.com. Hope to see you there!
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Come Hang with Shiga AJET
Shiga AJET loves to hold events around the beautiful Lake Biwa. There are some annual events that will be held for both new incoming and continuing JETs as well. All of their events are posted on the Shiga AJET Facebook page, so feel free to request to become an honorary member of the Children of the Lake! Some of the events that they are proud to share include the upcoming Lake Biwa Fireworks located in Otsu, Shiga to be held on the 8th of August.
If you are in any of the neighboring areas and can attend it is highly recommended. Some Shiga AJET members will reserve good spots early on so that everyone can have a good time with a great view. All information, including event updates, can be found by joining the Shiga AJET Facebook page.
The next big upcoming event is the annual Lake Biwa Bike Trip! The trip will take a total of 2 days to cycle around Lake Biwa. Shiga AJET has a pension booked and will just need participants' info for bicycle rentals if you are interested in joining. The event will take place from 9:00 on Saturday, September 14th and conclude at 17:00 on Sunday, September 15th.
Even if you aren’t in the Kansai region or close to Shiga, please join the Facebook page if you like to travel a lot and happen to come nearby. Shiga AJET is here to help and support everyone in the JET community, no matter the prefecture!
Thanks for reading and hope to see you soon!
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ALT Soccer Tournament
Imagine the scene... Blessed blue skies*, verdant forested peaks, crisp mountain air. A cuckoo’s call echoes back from steep alpine pastures; a deer in rut, barks at its opponent; and an irate voice yells, ‘Oi, ref!’ Welcome to Sugadaira-Kogen. Welcome to the ALT Soccer Tournament. Run for JETs, by ex-JETs, the tournament has a 20-year history and was selected as the AJET Sporting Event of the Year in 2009.
Held biannually in Spring and Autumn at Sugadaira-Kogen, a ski resort in central Nagano Prefecture, the tournament is two days long, boasts beautiful grass pitches, a pub quiz, a BBQ and a mad-crazy-all-night-discoathon on Saturday night. Whether you fancy yourself as the next Cristiano Ronaldo, simply enjoy a kickabout, or have never even seen a ball-shaped object before, this is le tournais for you.
In previous years the tournament enjoyed massive success with over twenty men’s teams and 12 girls’, with teams coming from as far and wide as Hokkaido, Tottori and Canada. Recent years have seen a drop in numbers due to young people being layabouts, ne’er-do-wells and Pokemon Go! addicts. Let’s try and reverse the tide this Autumn with a smashing big tourney.
For more information head over to the ALT Soccer Tournament Facebook page or send questions to altsoccertournament@gmail.com.
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*Disclaimer: we are not wizards and cannot control the weather.
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Leavers: Don't Forget to Join Your Local JETAA Chapter!
USJETAA invites returning JETs to sign up as a free member of USJETAA to take advantage of alumni benefits. Join here!
Membership is open to all alumni of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program(me) and Monbusho English Fellows. Sign up to be included in our online alumni directory with benefits such as opportunities to connect with other JET alumni from your prefecture or in your field as peers or mentors, eligibility to speak at a USJETAA conference or event, and eligibility to serve on the Board of Directors and other ad hoc committees.
The United States Japan Exchange & Teaching Programme Alumni Association (USJETAA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that furthers the U.S.-Japan relationship by supporting individual JET alumni, JETAA chapters in the United States, and potential JET participants. It supports JETAA chapter leaders with programming, membership recruitment, chapter management, professional development, and fundraising. USJETAA also partners with various organizations to support programming and grant funding for current American JETs in Japan and JET alumni in the United States.
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Volunteer in your Community on Behalf of AJET
For those looking to get involved with their local community, why not consider volunteering? As participants of the JET Programme, we are in a unique position to give something back to Japan and to truly impact the local areas in which we live. Spending time working with others towards a greater, 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 where you are placed 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 goings on, 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, email the Director of Volunteering, Natasha Taliferro, to spread the word.
Happy volunteering!
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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.
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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? In our experience, JETs make the best resources for JETs and National AJET is currently looking for new outlets to best represent daily life in the JET community.
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 Outlet Link
· 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.)
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This month in AJET Connect Magazine…
Created entirely by the English-speaking community in Japan, AJET Connect Magazine strives to share valuable information about what the ex-pat community is doing, loving, and thinking about each month. The current issue spotlights Tokyo Orientation and has heaps of advice, tips, and observations from experienced JET participants to help ease the transition of settling into life in Japan, in an easy to understand ‘Top 5’ format. Check it out today!
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