The 2014 Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme
The Government of Japan is calling for applications from young South Africans who would like to spend at least one year in Japan as Assistant Language Instructors (ALTs) under a highly successful international exchange programme for university graduates. Applications should be returned to the Embassy of Japan in Pretoria: Embassy of Japan JET Programme 259 Baines Street Groenkloof Pretoria 0181 Telephone: 012 452 1607 General Information The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme seeks to enhance internationalisation in Japan by promoting mutual understanding between the people of Japan and those of other nations. The Programme aims to enhance foreign language education, and promote international exchange at the local level through the fostering of ties between Japanese youth and foreign youth alike. The objectives of the Programme are being achieved by offering JET Programme participants (hereinafter, participants) the opportunity to serve in local authorities as well as public and private elementary, junior high and senior high schools in Japan. The Programme is implemented by local authorities and other organisations (hereinafter, contracting organisations) of Japan in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (hereinafter, CLAIR). The JET Programme started in 1987 with cooperation from participating country governments. In 2013, there were 4,372 participants in the Programme from 40 countries. As the JET Programme has achieved an excellent reputation over the last 27 years, it is of great importance that this reputation be maintained. Participants are invited to Japan as representatives of their countries. As such, they are expected to be responsible in all their activities, especially those concerning the promotion of mutual understanding between nations. It is therefore desirable that participants be adaptable, mentally and physically capable of performing the job duties and have a deep interest in Japan. Generally, participants are appointed by a contracting organisation for a one-year period. The cost of transportation from the participant’s origin to Japan, as well as remuneration, will be funded by the tax payers of Japan via the contracting organisation where the participant is appointed. Because participants serve as civil servants of their contracting organisations, they are required to uphold behaviour befitting civil servants. Withdrawal from the Programme after receipt of placement or early termination of appointment should be avoided as it causes many problems for contracting organisations, in addition to severely impacting the administration of the Programme itself. Position and duties Participants engaged in language instruction. ALTs are placed mainly in local boards of education or publicly run elementary, junior high and senior high schools. Participants who are...
Japan reveals first Robot child – CREEPY
I had to watch the YouTube Child robot “C2” video twice to believe that humans are that close to inventing robotic versions of themselves *shivers* – it’s a must see – but don’t watch it if you’re prone to Chucky nightmares. Creepy indeed. Thanks to Aquoibon for the heads up…watch C2 here below. Freaky. [youtube]PrQkuMNmaqk[/youtube] Read all about it at http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=1877: A child-sized android with flexible joints and soft skin developed by the Japan Science and Technology Agency was unveiled Friday at Osaka University, where the agency’s research and development team is based. The 1.3-meter-tall, 33 kilogram humanoid robot has optical, auditory and tactile sensors. Fifty-one actuators inside its body run on compressed air and enable the robot to make complex movements smoothly. About 200 tactile sensors are embedded in the robot’s gray skin, which is made of silicon and other materials. The robot can react to its surroundings by blinking and altering its facial expressions. The robot, which has the physical ability of a 1- or 2-year-old toddler, can turn over and stand up with...
TOKYO FASHION – Alternative is the norm.
In the first of our features on Tokyo, Editorista tells us how she experienced the fashion and youth culture: So I’m back, jetlagged and luggageless – but I’m bubbling over with awesome stories from my sejour…The best way for me to explain what I experienced in Tokyo is to put it down as it went through my head – as a constant comparison to how we live here in South Africa and Joburg in particular. I can’t help it, I’m fascinated by how some places are so quirky and how they work so well – I believe that our emerging economy and developing country has a lot it can learn from others who lead the way. Don’t forget that Japan was devastated in the Second World War and that they have rebuilt their society since then… Their real period of urbanisation and social change and reinvention came about in the mid 60s and 70’s – only 20 years after the war and atomic bombs. We’re on year 12 of our journey – interesting comparison to start with… Anyway – I digress… As you may or may not know, Editorista set off for a week to Tokyo searching for trends and generally finding out what it is that makes Tokyo peeps rock as much as they do. “I was totally overwhelmed, inspired and humbled by the Japanese people and the glowing, pulsing, moving city of Tokyo and I encourage anybody who’s vaguely interested in the East to start saving now! Forget the usual suspects when it comes to travelling and make sure to head on to Japan! Even though I’ve never been to the US and I probably stand corrected, I imagine New York must pale in comparison to this futuristic streamlined metropolis that is TOKYO or Edo as it used to be known. It’s futuristic, organised, clean, mind-boggling and endless. Go GO HAMBANI!” (PS: I’m sorry the site was a little boring and ‘under-updated’ in my absence but I promise that the next few stories of our TOKYO feature will more then make up for it. Ncesi.) First up, FASHION and the YOUTH CULTURE. Wow. There’s definitely lots of similarities and coherence between the originality and creativity of Tokyo youth and Jozi youth and I often found myself feeling right ekasi. But there are lots of differences as well. For one, the unemployment level in Japan has reached a shocking “5%” which everyone is up in arms about. Hah Hah. Try our stats for size. This means that most of the youth are employed and therefore have disposable income and a guaranteed job no matter what their education or background – so they get to live it up and spend money on getting creative and trendy...
GOLDFISH in Japan and Dubai
You lucky fish. You know it’s Editorista’s dream to go to Tokyo…Guess she’ll have to keep living it vicariously through fabulous superstars like Goldfish. Pass the news on to all your friends in Dubai and Japan that the GOLDFISH boys are on their way and ready to entertain! MoshiMoshi! Cape Town based Jazzy House duo Goldfish are making steady in roads into the international … scene. With a visit to the UK and France under their belts earlier this year, they have now been invited to perform in Dubai and Japan. “Word is getting around out there obviously,” remarked David Poole with a grin, “And we are only too happy to oblige! This is what all bands dream of happening, so we are stoked to have the opportunity to play in foreign countries and spread the word about our music. Hopefully it going to lead to more of the same as well as bigger and better things!” The duo will be playing in Dubai in November, and Tokyo in December. This is all happening in the midst of the success of their debut album, “Caught In The Loop” and the pre-production work for the bands second album. “Its true that we are busy starting to get the second album together,” remarked Dom Peters, the other half of the duo, “But when opportunities like these come knocking, you lock the studio door behind you and you go and play! Playing overseas is a huge priority for us, as the 1st Album is starting to make real in-roads overseas now. We believe Caught in the Loop deserves our full attention before we release the next album, so the real work is only just beginning&the world is a big place – and we’ll show them a thing or two about how South African bands party!” Goldfish is a totally independent band that has released their music themselves, with a distribution deal in South Africa through Kurse Music and an international publishing and distribution deal through Black Mango Music in London. The successes they are achieving both at home and abroad are down to nothing less than the band’s own hard work, a total commitment to quality and massive self-belief. The Details of the Shows: Dubai: Date: 034 November Venue: Terrace Bar, Park Hyatt Hotel, Dubai Line-up: Goldfish performs 2 sundowner sets on 3rd & 4th November @ The Terrace Bar, Park Hyatt Hotel, Dubai& Cover: FREE Time: 17:00pm sundowner set Japan: Date: 5 December Chivas Regal event Tokyo (invite only) Date: 7 December Chivas Regal event Osaka (invite only) Date 8 December Venue: La Fabrique (www.lafabrique.jp or http://www.myspace.com/lafabriquetokyo http://www.myspace.com/goldfishlive http://www.goldfishlive.com/ Open to...
We will be back!
