Welcome Spring!

As the weather gradually gets warmer, join your fellow JET alums and Japan-loving friends for yakiniku and karaoke, watch live Japanese music, or visit a traveling photo exhibit.

White Day BBQ & Karaoke – THIS Saturday!

There’s a very special holiday coming up, and JETAA would like to celebrate it with you. St. Patrick’s Day? No, why White Day of course! One month after Valentines’ Day, March 14th, is the day in Japan for men to give gifts (typically white chocolate or marshmallows) to their counterparts to show appreciation for the Valentine’s Day gifts given that year.

Come celebrate White Day at San Soo Gab San , a delicious Korean-style yakiniku restaurant in Lincoln Square. After dinner, we will go to karaoke at Karaoke Restaurant.

THIS Saturday, March 10th
Yakiniku: 6:30 PM, San Soo Gab San (5247 N Western Ave)
Karaoke: 9:00 PM, Karaoke Restaurant (6248 N California Ave)

The cost is $25 for dinner and $10 for karaoke (does not include beverages). Please pre-register here.

Looking forward to celebrating with you!

One Year Later…

Below are events and initiative in commemoration of the Tohoku disasters.

What March 11 Means To Me:  Join the Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Chicago on March 10-11 for a two-day symposium featuring five public intellectuals and activists from Japan, each speaking about the personal and social impact of last year’s earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster. For more information and a detailed schedule, visit their website.

Kizuna: The Bonds of Emotion – Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Photography Exhibit: Chicago Sister Cities International is currently developing an exhibit of photographs chronicling the devastation and recovery efforts from The Nikkei, the leading Japanese business newspaper. These photos will be on display March 12-16 at the Illinois Thompson Center (100 E. Randolph) and March 21-31 at Block 37 (180 N. State). Both exhibits are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Naomi Hattori at nhattori@chicagosistercities.com

Japan Moving Forward Lecture: On Thursday, March 15, at 6pm, Mr. Tatsuhiro Shindo, Executive Director of JETRO Chicago, will discuss how Japan is moving forward, the economic impact of the disaster, and the most recent recovery efforts. The program is free, but advance registration is required. To reserve your seat, please email Satoko Ogi at ogi@jaschicago.org or call 312-263-3049 by 9am this Tuesday, March 13.

Photohoku Initiative: Photohoku is a project which aims to provide families in the Tohoku region a chance to re-start their family photo albums that have been destroyed by the earthquake/tsunami disaster of March 11, 2011. If you or someone you know has a digital camera (and charger) that is no longer being used, please consider donating it to PHOTOHOKU. Learn more at www.photohoku.org.

JETAA Chicago Remembrance

We are currently working to plan our own Earthquake Remembrance event. If you would like to be involved, please contact Elizabeth Gordon at outreach@jetaachicago.com.

Indoor Volleyball – New Season!

The new season for indoor volleyball is rapidly approaching! This season, we’re upping our game to Level B. We’d love to have new faces join the JET Setters!

Games are at St. Andrews Gym, 1697 West Addison, Chicago, IL, with the new season starting in late March. It only requires a one-time fee of $30. Those interested should email Dan Martin at social@jetaachicago.com.

Bingo at Heiwa Terrace

Come volunteer your time to read bingo numbers and meet those staying at the community. It’s really fun and everyone there is always so pleased to see us! It will be on Thursday, March 22 at 7pm. Email Tom Osugi at tosugi@gmail.com with questions.

Heiwa Terrace
920 West Lawrence Avenue # 1
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 989-7333

Japan in Chicago Events

Japan Nite at Double Door: Musical Madness from Japan: Come to Double Door on Sunday, March 18, at 8pm for a night of Japanese music featured at SXSW music festival, including Nokies!, Kao=S, and ZZZ’s. Tickets are $10. Find out more and purchase your ticket here.

Japan Festival and Sakura Tree Planting: The Chicago Botanic Gardens will be holding its annual Japanese Garden Weekend on March 24-25. This year’s event will feature a sakura tree planting ceremony in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the 1912 gift of cherry blossom trees from Japan to the United States. The Garden will also be holding an event entitled Resilience: Lessons from Japan, bringing together taiko, dance, and lectures in honor of the one-year anniversary of the tragedy in Japan. For more information visit www.chicagobotanic.org.

Rikyuki – Memorial Tea Gathering: On Sunday, March 25, from 2:00-4:00pm, the Urasenke Chicago Association with the Consulate General of Japan will host a special tea gathering to honor the life of Sen Rikyu (1522-1591), one of the most influential and innovative tea masters in the history of Chado. This event will be held at the Japan Information Center (737 N. Michigan, Suite 1000). Following the presentation of Hirakagetsu, all guests will be served Rikyu manju.

Japanese getting rusty?

Multilingual Chicago is hosting a Japanese Bilingual Boot Camp.

When: Sunday, April 15th, 10am-5pm
Where: Multilingual Chicago, 2934 N. Milwaukee Ave, Suite C
Cost: $150 per student or $225 for two students together.
Why: 1-day language immersion intensive in Japanese

Find out more information, check out their website (www.multilingualchicago.com) or contact Jennifer Yang at jennifer@mlchicago.com.

Japanese Speech Contest at JIC
Looking to improve your listening skills in Japanese? You can, while you cheer on the brave souls competing in the Japanese speech contest at the Japan Information Center on Saturday, March 24, 9:30am – 4:30pm. One of the most enjoyable and feel-good Japan related events around. See more details at the Consulate General of Japan website here.

April Executive Board Meeting

All JETAA members are welcome to attend our monthly Executive Board meetings. The next one will be held at the JETRO office (1 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL) on Wednesday, April 4th, 6:30 – 8:00. Dinner is provided to all who attend.

Stay Up to Date on JETAA events

For those who use Google Calendars, you can import the JETAA calendar into your calendar by going to this link:
http://jetaachicago.com/event-calendar and click “+ Google Calendar” button at the bottom.

Job Opportunities

Atlanta Consulate General Job Opening

The Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta is seeking a Special Assistant to the Consul General.

The incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties:
·         Coordinate communication between the Consulate General and U.S. federal, state, county and city leaders.
·         Research, analyze, and report on political trends, developments, and elections in the five state consular district of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
·         Research, draft, and edit public remarks to be delivered by the Consul General.
·         Assist in the planning and execution of special events.
·         Serve as moderator of public events.

The incumbent should have a bachelor’s degree, strong writing skills, and knowledge of the political situation in the Southeast United States. While Japanese language skills are not mandatory, a background in Japanese culture and language would be beneficial.

Interested applicants should send their cover letter, resume, and two writing samples to seimu@aa.mofa.go.jp by March 31, 2012. No phone calls please.

Sales Representative

Responsible for developing new customers for existing products as well as maintaining existing customers. Lesion between US operations and Japan parent organization for various issues. Review and approval of quotations. Budget and sales policy design and management.

Education / Experience:
Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful performance of above responsibilities. Typical qualification would be equivalent to:
·         Bachelor degree in Engineering or Science
·         Experience in sales and marketing is a plus.
·         Bilingual-Japanese/ English (read, write, speak) preferred.

Knowledge:
Working knowledge of products and industry; current office procedures; business math and advanced business English. Must be PC literate and familiar with MS Office.

Please submit a resume and cover letter to:
Mitsubishi Materials U.S.A. Corporation
Attention: Human Resources
11250 Slater Avenue
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
tlfili@mmus.com
(714) 352-6187

JETwit.com

Check out the latest in JET alumni news and job postings at JETwit.com, the de facto alumni magazine, career center, publicist, and communication channel for the JET alumni community of over 55,000 worldwide.

Heard of any good ones?

E-mail Shannon Copp at secretary@jetaachicago.com with any job opportunities to have them published in the monthly webletter.

In This Issue

• Welcome Spring!
• White Day BBQ & Karaoke – THIS Saturday!
• One Year Later…
• JETAA Chicago Remembrance
• Indoor Volleyball – New Season!
• Bingo at Heiwa Terrace
• Japan in Chicago Events
• Japanese getting rusty?
• April Executive Board Meeting
• Stay Up to Date on JETAA events

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