1. JOB OPPORTUNITY

There is an opening at the Information and Culture Section of the Consulate-General of Japan in Perth, located in West Perth. Applications are open until Friday 18 May 2012.
Details are here. It would be good to get some more ex-JETs into the CG so, if in doubt, apply!

2. WINTER CULTURAL TOUR

We will be holding our annual winter bus cultural & culinary tour in the Swan Valley on Saturday 30 June 2012. More details will be confirmed, but pencil it in for now!
This is always well attended and lots of fun. It’s open to members and non-members alike.

3. ASIANITE

Our friends from Japanite are going continental with Asian Night this Friday 11 May at the Deen.
Details are on the attached flyer – check it out!

4. kaiWA

kaiWA is still going strong, every second Thursday from 530 til late at 43 Below (corner Hay and Barrack Streets).
Practise your Japanese, make friends, have fun! Details are on our website and lovingperth.com.

Thanks all! Let us know if there is any info you would like us to circulate.

Nick John
President
JETAAWA
Mobile: +61 4 0808 3131
president@jetaawa.com

Hi all.

1. MEET THE AMBASSADOR
Next Tuesday, 24 April 2012 (day before Anzac Day) from 1800-2000, we are honoured to welcome Japanese Ambassador Sato to Perth in a casual atmosphere at the Hyogo Prefectural Government Cultural Centre in City Beach.
Drinks, sausage sizzle and snacks are provided. Attendance is $10 to cover expenses. Dress is smart casual.
Many thanks to AJSWA for organising this great opportunity to meet Ambassador Sato. We would love to introduce the Ambassador to our members and give him an idea of JETAAWA’s ambit of activities.
Details are on the attached pdf.
RSVPs are essential and must be received to president@jetaawa.com by Friday 20 April 2012. This one is for JETAAWA members and guests only – sorry!

2. JAPAN: KINGDOM OF CHARACTERS exhibition (see attached)

From 17 April – 3 May 2012, Central Institute of Technology’s Gallery Central hosts this exhibition of anime and manga characters that have triggered worldwide crazes from the 1950s to the 2000s. Details are as attached.

3. DOCUMENTARY: ASHES TO HONEY

Ashes to Honey looks at the on-going struggle of a small fishing community on the island of Iwaishima to stop the power industry from building a nuclear power plant in their neighbourhood. These people have spent decades fighting to protect their marine environment and their simple way of life; staging demonstrations and obstructions while continuing their fishing, rice and seaweed harvesting; and also attempting organic food sustainability. Film Maker, Hitomi Kamanaka, also looks at Sweden’s deregulated power market and sustainable energy alternatives.

Ashes to Honey is screening is for one night only in Perth on Friday 20th April at The Bodhi Tree, Cnr Oxford St & Scarborough Beach Road, Mt Hawthorn. Arrive by 6:15pm for 6:30 start. The duration of the event is from 6:30 to 9:30pm. Bookings are essential, as there only 80 seats available at the venue. $10 per person. http://www.trybooking.com/BHQW For more information, please go to the website for the event:http://www.bodhitree.net.au/events/ashes-to-honey Enquiries - 08 9444 9884

This documentary deserves wide viewing. There will be an opportunity for discussion afterwards, with guest speakers Robin Chapple (Greens MP),Akiko Stockton (from Fukushima), and a representative of WA Nuclear Free Alliance. There will also be a brief bracket of music by Anne Norman(shakuhachi) and Sanshi (didjeridoo).

4. JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI (starts in May)

JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI is a quiet yet enthralling documentary that chronicles the life of Jiro Ono, the most famous sushi chef in Tokyo. For most of his 85 years, Jiro has been perfecting the art of making sushi. He works from sunrise to well beyond sunset to taste every piece of fish; meticulously train his employees; and carefully mould and finesse the impeccable presentation of each sushi creation. Although his restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro only seats ten diners, it is a phenomenon in Tokyo that has won the prestigious 3-Star Michelin review, making him the oldest Michelin chef alive. JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI chronicles Jiro’s life as both an unparalleled success in the culinary world, and as a loving yet complicated father of two.

Jiro’s incomparable work ethic is the driving force behind JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI, but the heart of this film is how that ambition has influenced his sons’ lives as well. Eldest son Yoshikazu is the heir apparent to the sushi empire, but Jiro is not ready to retire or to relinquish any of his responsibilities. With a famous father guiding and critiquing every decision, Yoshikazu is unable to reach his fullest potential. However, he is proud to learn from a true sushi master, thus revealing the inner struggle of how a dutiful son shows reverence to his father yet control over his own domain.

JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI explores the passion required to run and maintain a legendary sushi restaurant, and one son’s journey to eventually take his father’s place at the head of the culinary dynasty.

5. kaiWA
Don’t forget, kaiWA also continues each 2nd Thursday including this one, 19 April 2012.
43 Below (corner of Hay and Barrack streets), 1730-late. Gold coin donation.

Cheers!

Nick John
President
JETAAWA
Mobile: +61 4 0808 3131
president@jetaawa.com

1. OKONOMIYAKI FAMILY BBQ

Mark down Sunday 18 March 2012 in your diaries, because that is when we are holding our annual okonomiyaki BBQ at Kings Park. As always, attendance is free of charge but you need to RSVP, by 12 March 2012. We will be providing okonomiyaki (of course) as well as snags and softies. There will also be our usual series of games (suika-wari, cricket, three-legged race etc.)

The venue this year is also different. Instead of being in the Synergy Parkland, we are now just off Fraser Avenue (the main drag), just before the #37 bus stop: map.

We will be kicking off officially at 11:00. Kids, families and non-members are very very welcome and will have a great time!

2. QUIZ NIGHT

We are holding our JETAAWA-JapSSoc quiz night again, this year in the evening (time TBC – likely 630 or 7, running until around 930-10) of Thursday 22 March 2012 at UWA Tavern as always. As those who have been before will know, it is great fun and there are always plenty of prizes to go round even if you don’t win the quiz itself! Tables are of 8, but you don’t need a full table to come along. We will make sure you make new friends on the night!

Please RSVP ASAP if you are keen so we can make sure you sit with your friends or otherwise get a good team! The final cutoff is Monday 19 March 2012.

Entry is $10 (pay at the door). Food is included, and drinks are available from the bar. All profits go to Red Cross Japan for disaster relief in NE Japan. Last year we raised over $4000, and we’re hoping to get a good showing again in 2012!

This is an 18+ event and is open to members and non-members alike!

3. AGM

Our AGM this year is on Friday 30 March 2012 from 5:30 for 6:00 at 43 Below, on the corner of Hay and Barrack streets, Perth.

Refreshments will be provided.

The AGM involves a wrap of our year followed by election of the new committee. Then the good times roll!

As always, all positions are open for nomination. The positions and descriptions are:

• President: pretty self-explanatory
• Vice-President: ditto
• Treasurer: keeps the accounts, reimburses members
• Secretary: records minutes, arranges meetings
• Social Rep: organises and advertises events
• Media Rep: organises newsletters
• Employment Rep: organises careers events
• Webmaster: maintains website
• Promos Rep: organises promotional material and JET info sessions
• General Member: contributes wherever possible

In reality, everyone does a little bit of everything on the JETAAWA committee. We love having lots of General Members, who aren’t necessarily tied down to any position (even though everyone just helps one another anyway) but still contribute to event organisation and other matters whenever they have the capacity.

Being on the committee in any capacity allows you to stay involved with and continue contributing to and benefiting from Japan and the WA-Japan community. Not only that: you will also get invites to swanky functions!

We welcome new members to the committee. If you would like to nominate or renominate, please reply by Monday 26 March 2012. If you would like to attend the AGM but don’t want to necessarily nominate, the same applies! We hope to see you all there. This one is for members only.

4. HYOGO CULTURAL CENTRE ANNIVERSARY

On Saturday, March 17 2012, the Hyogo Cultural Centre is celebrating its 20th birthday!  From the response so far from both Members and the general community, it is promising to be a great get together.  There will be music and dancing, plenty of food and you can BYO drinks.  This will be an adults only event due to the presence of alcohol.

One thing we would like to share with you is that this birthday party will also provide you with an opportunity to farewell Mr Akio Kawanabe and his wife, Mrs Michiko Kawanabe, who will returning to Japan at the end of March.  Mr Kawanabe will be replaced by a new Hyogo Government representative as Director in early April.  I would be grateful if you could extend our new Director the same warm welcome you have always offered Mr Kawanabe.

Mr and Mrs Kawanabe will be very much missed as they have been so enthusiastically involved in all aspects of Hyogo Cultural Centre and our various activities.  They know many of you personally and have thoroughly enjoyed the last three years in Perth.  Some of you may not be aware that this is actually their third term in Perth as Mr. Kawanabe was once a Consul at the Consulate-General of Japan and he was also the very first Director of Hyogo Cultural Centre from 1992 – 1995 when we were located in QV1.

Please do consider coming along on March 17 not only to celebrate the Centre’s birthday, but also to make the evening as special as possible for Mr and Mrs Kawanabe.  We would love to make this event a wonderful, lasting memory for them.

Download the event flyer:

20th Birthday Celebrations Invitation Flyer (PDF)

5. NEWSLETTER

We are gearing up to prepare an official sparkly, glossy (digital) newsletter for 2012. We would love contributions from current and former JETs – it can be anything: Japan-related movie/book/music reviews, photos or montages, cultural contributions, short stories/info about festivals/days/events/buildings/temples/art etc, Japan travel reviews. You name it, we’ll print it (editorial discretion reserved)!

I’m sure we can also find some vouchers or other prizes for the best submissions! Send your submissions tomedia@jetaawa.com by 2 April 2012 to be in the running!

6. DOSHISHA UNIVERSITY

We have received the following information from Doshisha University in Kyoto.

Greetings from Kyoto, Japan.

My name is Dr. Andrew Staples and I am an associate professor at Doshisha Business School, Kyoto, Japan. I am writing to you as a JET alumnus (Fukuoka, 1996-1999) and AJET Group Associate Member to pass on details of significant funding opportunities that may be of interest to any of your members considering enrolling on an MBA program in Japan (please see below).

I am keen to develop opportunities for JET alumni and very much hope that you will be able to pass this on to your membership. Our first JET alumnus (Shiga 2006-9) will be graduating this year with others mid-way through the program or starting in September 2012. I will be promoting the program at the upcoming Conference for returning JETS in March and our ad can be found in the latest AJET Connect Magazine.  I hope you would take a moment to look through our webpage.

Many thanks in advance for your kind assistance.

With best wishes,

Andrew Staples, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Doshisha Business School
Doshisha University
Karasuma-Imadegawa
Kamigyo-ku
Kyoto 602-8580
Japan

astaples@mail.doshisha.ac.jp
http://gmba.doshisha.ac.jp/

Discover the Doshisha Global MBA – Designed for the 21st century

• Build your own program from courses in General Business Management or our innovative focus areas: Business in Asia, Green Business, and Culture and Creativity.
• Gain a global perspective through an international student body, overseas study options, and classes taught by experts from around the world.
• Scholarships available for all international students.
• Career opportunities in Japan and with Japanese companies seeking global talent.
• A strong focus on the Social Responsibility of business.
• Opportunities to learn Japanese and take classes in our sister Japanese MBA program.
• Looking to advance your career, and help make the world a better place? Come and join us at Doshisha Business School.

The University

Doshisha University is widely recognized as one of Japan’s top comprehensive universities, with 15 Faculties and Centers and 15 Graduate Schools. Founded in 1875, it has a distinguished history of education based on the founder’s philosophy of education guided by conscience. Doshisha is one of the top four prestigious private universities in the Kansai (Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto) region, and is one of 13 universities selected by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology for the Global 30 Project for Establishing Core Universities for Internationalization. Doshisha Business School’s English-language Global MBA is a flagship program for the university’s Global 30 participation.

The Business School

Doshisha Business School was established in 2004 to provide Japanese-language MBA education for working managers and executives in the Kansai region. In line with the school’s internationalization strategy, the English-language Global MBA Program was launched in 2009.

Our goal is to establish Doshisha Business School as a center of excellence for business education and research in three areas that are especially relevant to the needs and business environment of the 21st century: Business in Asia, Green Business, and Culture and Creativity. Consistent with our university’s long tradition of “education guided by conscience,” we also aim to make DBS Japan’s leading business school in emphasis on corporate social responsibility. By producing socially responsible business leaders, we seek to contribute to the socio-economic development of 21st-century Asia.

Our location in Kansai places us in one of Japan’s two major business regions and gives us access to companies in both traditional industries (including Kyoto culture-related businesses) and modern ones (including Panasonic, Nintendo, Kyocera, Omron, P&G Japan).

The Program

Doshisha’s Global MBA is a two-year, full-time MBA program designed for those who are looking to advance their career and to have a positive impact on the world we live in.

Global MBA Program features include:

Build your own program in general Business Management or one of our innovative focus areas: Business in Asia, Green Business, and Culture and Creativity

• An international student body
• An emphasis on social responsibility
• Preparation for career opportunities in Japan and abroad
• Tuition scholarship available to all international students
• A fantastic location

Entry is in September with applications accepted between December and May.

Full details about the application process can be found here:

http://gmba.doshisha.ac.jp/admissions-and-scholarships

The Faculty

Doshisha’s Global MBA Program faculty is made up of active researchers with extensive experience in both business and the classroom. Visiting professors from top international business schools offer specialized courses and provide a global perspective. Small class size encourages close interaction between faculty and students, creating a unique and friendly learning environment.

We also boast a capable and hard-working office staff who are dedicated to helping students smoothly deal with administrative matters. Learn more about our faculty here: http://gmba.doshisha.ac.jp/about-us/people

Entry Requirements

To join our program, applicants should have:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized college or university
• A satisfactory GMAT score
• Certificate of proficiency in the English language (where necessary),
• e.g.: TOEIC – 760 or above, TOEFL – 83 or above (internet), 560 or above (paper), 220 or above (computer), IELTS – 6.0 or above, Cambridge Examination – FCE or above.
• A minimum of two years’ full-time work experience

(Please contact us directly if you do not satisfy these requirements.)

Full details are available in our applications pack available here:
http://gmba.doshisha.ac.jp/admissions-and-scholarships/how-to-apply

Application Procedure

Preliminary application

If you are interested in applying for the program but would like to consult with us first, we invite you to submit a preliminary application. Our admissions team will put you in touch with one of our professors who will review your application and get back to you within five working days. Simply complete the Preliminary Application form and return it to ji-gmba@mail.doshisha.ac.jp.

No fee is required for the preliminary application.

We also ask that you submit a GMAT score (if you have already taken the test) and evidence of English language ability (for non-native speakers).

Formal application

Please complete the application form and return it to us via email.

Supporting documentation should be sent by post along with the application fee. Please make sure to get all documentation to us by the advertised dates. Full details about the application process can be found in the 2012 applications guide available here:

http://gmba.doshisha.ac.jp/admissions-and-scholarships/how-to-apply

Application fee
The non-refundable application fee is 15,000 yen (approx. US$200) for non-Japanese applicants and 35,000 yen for Japanese applicants.

Screening of documents
Our admissions committee will fully review your application form and supporting documentation on receipt. Applicants who successfully pass this screening stage will be called for interview.

Interviews
Interviews are an important part of the applications process and an opportunity for us to assess your motivation, communication skills, and suitability for the Global MBA.

Applicants residing in Japan will be invited to a face-to-face interview while overseas applicants will be interviewed via Skype.

Admissions decision
Following the interview, a final decision will be made on your application by the GMBA Admissions Committee and you will be notified of our decision shortly thereafter.

Offer and enrollment
Successful applicants will receive an offer letter and are required to pay a non-refundable deposit of 280,000 yen. Once you have accepted your place and paid the deposit, you will then need to complete registration procedures (including immigration procedures for overseas applicants) to secure your place.

Tuition and Fees

The total fee for the Global MBA is 2,928,000 yen, but Reduced-tuition

Scholarships available to all international students reduce the tution fees by:

• 30% (for 40% of 2012 entering students),
• 50% (for 30% of 2012 entering students), or
• 100% (for 30% of 2012 entering students)

Full details of tuition and living costs can be found here:

http://gmba.doshisha.ac.jp/admissions-and-scholarships/education-costs

Financial Aid

Scholarships are available for all international students!

All 2012 entry international students are eligible for a discount of between 30% and 100% on their tuition fees.

• A 100% tuition fee reduction (available to 30% of international applicants) means that the total fees payable for the two-year degree are 720,000 yen.
• A 50% tuition fee reduction (available to 30% of international applicants) means that the total fees payable for the two-year degree are 1,824,000 yen.
• A 30% tuition fee reduction (available to 40% of international applicants) means that the total fees payable for the two-year degree are 2,265,000 yen.

In addition, we are pleased to be able to offer several scholarship and funding opportunities to promising Global MBA applicants, including the prestigious MEXT scholarship funded by the Japanese government.

Scholarships are allocated to each round of applications. If you are seeking financial support we advise you to apply early, as some funding opportunities may not be available later in the application period.

Assessment and selection is based on past academic and professional performance and/or on financial need. For full details and the latest news on scholarships please visit:

http://gmba.doshisha.ac.jp/admissions-and-scholarships/scholarships

Location

A safe, exciting, and fascinating country and one fully integrated into the dynamic Asian economy, Japan is an excellent place to study for your MBA. Doshisha Business School is located in the ancient capital of Kyoto, which lies at the heart of the broader Kansai economy.

Kyoto – ancient capital and modern city

Home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, Kyoto is the city of choice for innovators, academics, and all those wishing to surround themselves with a fascinating balance of the past, present, and future. While traditional Kyoto draws tourists from all over the globe to its temples and gardens, modern Kyoto offers everything that the resident or visitor could desire: exciting shopping districts, a safe and fun night life, a variety of natural and spiritual pursuits and institutions, and access to Japan’s international hub cities of Osaka and Kobe. The “Kansai” region of Japan (centered around Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe) offers a multicultural environment with China-towns, Korea-towns, and a huge range of cultural and entertainment events.

Kansai – a global business hub

With the largest number of manufacturers in the country, Kansai is regarded as the industrial heart of Japan and is deeply connected with the broader Asian economy. Many leading Japanese companies, including Nintendo, Panasonic, Kawasaki, Itochu, Sharp, Daihatsu, Daikin, Kyocera and Omron, were established or are headquartered in the region, and Doshisha Business School maintains strong relationships with local industry. With cutting-edge research institutes and dozens of universities, Kansai is a major R&D center, boasting a large number of high-tech science parks and next-generation industrial clusters. One third of global lithium-ion battery production, for instance, is based in Kansai, and the region’s firms hold a 70% share of the domestic market for solar cells. Many leading multinationals, including AstraZeneca, Bayer Healthcare, P&G, Haier, Recaro and Nestle, have also chosen Kansai as their Japan headquarters.

Accommodation

At Doshisha, you will find that the university provides a wide range of student support to help you settle into your new life in Japan. Finding the right place to live is essential for making the most of your time studying and living in Kyoto. We will be happy to introduce you to housing agencies who can provide you with a list of accommodation options to match your budget and lifestyle.

Student Life

The Global MBA student body brings together a diverse group of people from all over the world, with various academic and professional backgrounds and a broad range of life experience. Our students have access to a comprehensive support service including career advice, counseling, and advice on living in Kyoto including help with immigration and accommodation issues.

Global MBA student comments

Kat Toussaint, USA (JET Alumnus):
Having already lived and worked in Japan for several years, I wanted to continue to build on that foundation in a graduate program that understood that international means more than abroad. Doshisha has proved to be the perfect school for gaining a truly international education. With a student body representing 20 countries from 6 continents and professors from all over the geographic and academic world, DBS has afforded me opportunities to learn more than I ever dreamed.

Tirelo Moepswa, Botswana:
The diverse nationalities at DBS make studying here an intriguing and unique experience. One gets views from multiple perspectives. The program has a rich global approach, but it also enlightens one on the pitfalls of unsustainable business practices a good learning experience for aspiring global managers. My first year here has equipped me with the ability to look at international business more critically and be more analytical in my views on global issues. The constant interaction with both students and faculty makes the learning process a very enjoyable one.

Eddy Joe Reber, Peru/Switzerland:
I chose DBS for its location, comfortable atmosphere, and special programs. Having lived in Osaka and Tokyo, I thought that Kyoto would be an excellent place to combine studies and experience a new city. Lectures in the Global MBA program are held in small groups, which encourage students to participate and interact with others from different countries. The world is changing, and we have to learn how to do business without damaging our　environment. The Global MBA offers courses in Green Business where we learn green technologies and methods to bring sustainability back to our planet.

The Japanese School in Perth has informed us that they are looking for an ESL teacher to start March/April, when the new Japanese school year starts. The school is in City Beach. The main requirements, in order of importance, are:

1) ESL qualification
2) Good Japanese (not necessarily fluent, and not necessarily specialised, but good enough in a practical sense to roughly interpret between local and Japanese teachers if required)
3) WA teaching qualification

If you are interested, please contact the JSP at info@japaneseschool.wa.edu.au and let them know “Ken sent me”. Just kidding, let them know you are an ex-JET and JETAAWA told you about the position.
Please let us know if you are thinking of applying but not sure if you satisfy enough of 1, 2 and 3, and we’ll point you in the right direction.

2. Hiroba

Each month the Consulate-General emails out Hiroba, an informational e-zine. There are always lots of neat events and photos featured (including us!) and other general info. If you’d like to subscribe, please visit http://www.perth.au.emb-japan.go.jp/hiroba.htm. Thanks!

3. School festival recap

Thanks again to those who participated in our gyoza stall at the Cha-cha-charity event at the Japanese School in November. We donated all our profits, making us the highest donor of all the stalls. In total, the event apparently raised an amazing $30,522.65!

4. Fukushima!

We haven’t forgotten that there are still a lot of people doing it hard in northern Japan, especially now that it’s winter. Fukushima JETs have been selling tshirts to raise funds for the disaster relief efforts. They are ‘i Akabeko Fukushima shirts’, the akabeko being the symbol of aizu, and Fukushima. More info about (and orders for) the tshirts are here http://fukushimatshirt.blogspot.com/p/english.html

5. Upcoming events

Over Feb-March we will likely have an okonomiyaki family BBQ, the official returnees’ reception at the CG, our mega quiz night with JAPSSOC and the AGM. Stay tuned or email us for details!

6. kaiWA

kaiWA is on on break today, 26 January, but is back for February on Thursday 9 and 23, as always from 530-late at 43 Below, corner of Hay and Barrack. Come along and meet new people and try out your rusty Japanese/English!

7. Theatre

For the culture vultures:
The White Divers of Broome

By Hilary Bell

WORLD PREMIERE!

28 January – 16 February 2012

In the boom times of 1912 Broome, Sydney Pigott is a wealthy pearling master looking for a way around the White Australia Policy, anxious to keep his cheap Asian workers – and his high profits.

Webber, Sanders and Beasily are the cream of the British Navy deep sea divers. Hired by Pigott, they arrive in Broome naïvely convinced they’ll prove their skills when they hit the hazardous seas and collect the precious mother-of-pearl. But desperate Asian crews, shadowy alliances and the ruthless environment of Broome are against the white divers from the beginning.

From the brothels to the ballrooms to the deep seas, it’s a cutthroat world and trust is hard to find.

Inspired by the book of the same name by John Bailey, The White Divers of Broome is a celebration of boom time Broome and its exotic clash of cultures. Be captivated by a stirring account of greed, betrayal, loyalty and survival that resonates through the years.

This production also includes all scenes between the Japanese characters Nishi (played by Yutaka Izumihara) and Yukiko (played by Miyuki Lotz) to be spoken in Japanese with English sub-titles.

Venue: Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre of WA

Director: Kate Cherry

Featuring: Caitlin Beresford-Ord, Nick Candy, Adriane Daff, Kylie Farmer [Kaarljilba Kaardn], Michelle Fornasier, Stuart Halusz, Sean Hawkins, Yutaka Izumihara, Miyuki Lotz, Greg McNeill, Kenneth Moraleda, Jo Morris, Tom O’Sullivan, Ian Toyne

Tickets: Standard $69.50 / Concession $54.50 / Previews $52.50 / Family Package $158 / Groups 8+ $53.50 (plus 1 free ticket for every 10 tickets purchased) / Students $29.50

Warning: Some coarse language and adult themes.

Thanks all!

Nick John
President
JETAAWA
Mobile: +61 4 0808 3131
president@jetaawa.com

1. TOHOKU FUNDRAISING

JETAAWA operated a stall cooking and selling gyoza at the Cha-cha-charity event at the Japanese School in Perth on 27 November 2011, replacing the usual JSP bunkasai. From early morning until mid-afternoon, volunteers worked hard to serve an ever-increasing queue of ravenous customers. The result? A total, after expenses, of almost $700 was donated to the Japanese Red Cross via Niji-no-kai. That was the largest donation from any single stall.

Thanks to everyone who put in the hard yards to make the stall possible.

2. JOB OPPORTUNITY

We have been advised that a large Japanese trading company is seeking to fill a Document Controller position which includes secretarial duties. JET participants are officially “highly regarded”. The position is up on SEEK, which explains:

Great career opportunity in a resource related company

• Perth CBD location
• Available from next year
• Japanese language skill needed

A major diversified company in resources industry based in Perth is currently seeking to employ a Document Controller / Secreatry.  This is an exciting opportunity to join a high profile and dynamic natural resource related company.

The key responsibilities may include, but will not be limited to, the following:

• Management of project documents, internal documents, and formal correspondence;
• Maintain electronic and hard copy filing system, retrieve documents from filing system;
• Assisting with the production of presentations and documents using various media;
• Assist administration of office expense, budget and create and update routine report for office expense;
• Coordinate detailed schedule (including accommodation, transportation etc) for visitors to Perth in relation to client’s business;

To be successful in this position you will have a minimum of 2 – 3 years demonstrated experience in similar role and be able to read Japanese. Those who experienced JET program are highly regarded. If you meet the aforementioned criteria and possess numerical accuracy and exceptional business acumen, please send your resume to perth@ssaust.com.au.  Your interest will be treated with strict confidentiality.

3. ARRIETTY TICKETS

Madman Entertainment are releasing the film ARRIETTY on 12 January, 2012. It is from Studio Ghibli – creators of other animated masterpieces ‘Spirited Away’, ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ and ‘Ponyo’. The film opens January 12 and here in Perth it will be screening at Luna Leederville, Luna SX, Hoyts Carousel and Event Cinemas Innaloo.

The official blurb is:

ARRIETTY
In cinemas 12 January | Madman Entertainment

This is a story of a family of ‘little’ people.
Beneath the floorboards of a sprawling mansion set in a magical, overgrown garden in the suburbs of Tokyo, tiny 14-year-old Arrietty lives with her equally tiny parents. The house is occupied by two old ladies, who are absolutely unaware of the existence of their miniature tenants. Arrietty and her family live by ‘borrowing”. Everything they have, they borrow or make from the things they have borrowed. Essentials like gas, water and food. Tables, chairs, cooking utensils. And treats – a sugar cube here, a scrap of material there. But only a little each time, so the ladies do not notice. A 12-year-old boy, Sho, moves into the mansion while he waits for urgent medical treatment in the city. Arrietty’s parents have always warned her: “Never let humans see you”. Once seen, little people always have to move on. But the adventurous Arrietty doesn’t listen, and Sho discovers her.

The two begin to confide in each other and, before long, a friendship begins to blossom…

Trailer link
http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/14864/arrietty

We have been fortunate to receive some family (admit 4) passes to see Arrietty. If you’d like one, please send us (president@jetaawa.com) your name, placement and years on JET, and a short (no more than 100-word) blurb on how you stay connected to Japanese culture – which you can interpret as you like! The catch? We get to run your responses in the annual newsletter. We’ll contact winners with further details on collecting your prize! Good luck! Entries close 31 December 2011.

4. kaiWA

The final kaiWA for 2011 is on 15 December 2011 from 17:30 at 43 Below as always. We will let you know 2012 dates as soon as they are set.

Merry Xbox!

All photos © JETAAWA