e-newsletter
An Open Letter In Praise of the JET Program
I have always been a great admirer of the JET program. It achieves so many worthwhile objectives simultaneously, and its impact seems to be long-lasting. It helps Japanese children learn English, it opens up the horizons of Japanese people and governments away from the big cities, and it creates and nurtures a growing number of “Japan fans” in Australia and the other countries which send their best young people to participate in the program.
Why, I have wondered, can we not have an Australian version? I know many others have asked the same question, but the answer is always that it’s just too hard. Somebody needs to be in control, and somebody (that is, some branch of government) would need to budget for it. With such diverse objectives, an Australian JET program would not fall neatly into anyone’s existing area of responsibility. Achieving the necessary cooperation between the Commonwealth and the States, finding a mechanism for getting city and shire councils on board, and overcoming the professional caution of teachers and their unions, would be a big order that so far no one has been willing to accept.
Similar difficulties must have confronted the people who decided Japan needed the JET program. Presumably the Foreign Ministry is interested in developing a pro-Japan cohort in important foreign countries. Teaching foreign languages to children is the job of the education authorities. And injecting some internationalism at the local level in Japan is a matter of interest for local governments. But despite the potential for inter-agency division and bureaucratic protectionism, JET was born, and has thrived. It is a tribute to the leadership of those (not known to me) who designed and implemented it.
Apparently the JET program is under a cloud. Japanese public finances are in a grave condition, and the razor has to be taken to wasteful government expenditure. The Japanese people know this, and have shown their understanding in national elections. It is their money, and they are the ones who will decide what it is essential to keep, and what must go.
I hope that the JET program does not “go”. It is all a matter of priorities – Japanese priorities, not mine. The National Federation of Australia-Japan Societies is not organised to take political positions, and above all recognises that it is not in possession of all the facts, nor enfranchised to participate in debate about the priorities of the Japanese people. We do, however, see things in Australia that appear relevant, and that may not be getting the attention they deserve from policy makers in Japan. Those things are the understanding of Japan, and the depth of commitment to Japan, shown by so many repatriated JET participants.
For several years, in my current position and formerly as President of the Australia-Japan Society of NSW, I have had contact with JET program participants. I have often met new participants on the eve of their departure, and I meet them after they return, through the JET Alumnae Association. The favourable and lasting effect of their Japanese experiences is remarkable and almost universal. The selection process ensures that the participants are of high calibre, exactly the kind of long-term friends Japan needs in Australia in an age when economic links are no longer turbo-charging the bilateral relationship. They will become influential as they mature and their careers develop, and it is almost certain that, thank to their JET backgrounds, they will remain strongly sympathetic to Japan.
This is a national asset which the Japanese Government and people should appraise highly.
I obtained the input of the members of the Federation’s National Committee before writing this letter, and I believe what I have written fairly reflects their views. However, the wording and emphases are entirely my own responsibility.
Leigh McClintock
President
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Conference 2010
The Fifth Conference of the National Federation of Australia-Japan Societies will be held in Canberra on the
16th-17th October 2010.
This biennial conference is a great opportunity to network and to meet others engaged in promoting friendship and exchange between Australia and Japan. The 2010 conference is also an opportunity to learn of exciting new networks that are emerging between Australia and Japan and of the web-based tools that are making communication across borders easier than ever before.
Presentations will specifically deal with using the internet and website to maintain relationships with organisations in Japan. New professional, cultural and artistic networks will be presented along with the way in which they have been developed and maintained. Everyone involved in Australia-Japan networking will gain from this focus.
The 2010 Conference Registration Form is now available for download here.
A brochure for the Conference can be downloaded here.
The Japanese language information for the Conference has also been posted online here.
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Upcoming Events - selected State Society events around Australia
AJS NSW
Wednesday 11 August
Japan's Food Manga 'Oishinbo'
Million-seller manga writer Tetsu Kariya talks about his work
Japan's manga are famous around the world and one of the most well-known in Japan is the Oishinbo series, created by Tetsu Kariya. Oishinbo (the title combines the Japanese word for delicious,oishii, and the word for someone who loves to eat, kuishinbo) is focused on Japanese food and has been published since 1983 in Japanese and since 2009 in English translation. It was also made into a TV series. The storyline concerns the adventures of culinary journalist Shiro Yamaoka and his partner (and later wife) Yuko Kurita.
Mr. Kariya will introduce his philosophy of manga and Japanese food.
There will be time for questions, followed by networking over drinks.
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December 2010
Japanese Language Proficiency Test
The JLPT was created in 1984. The JLPT is conducted both in Japan and overseas primarily for the assessment and accreditation of non-native speakers of Japanese. Inside Japan the test is conducted by Japan Educational Exchanges and Services, and outside Japan by the Japan Foundation.
For further information, please contact the Japanese Language Department on Sydney 02 8239 0077 or jlpt@jpf.org.au.
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Twenty-Eighth Australia-Japan Relations Essay Contest 2010
Entries are now open for this year’s Australia-Japan Relations Essay Contest.The contest encourages Australian students to develop a better understanding of Japan and the issues facing the Australia-Japan relationship.
The contest is open to students enrolled in Australian secondary schools, both public and private, including 7th Year primary schools in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.
Divisions:
Year 7-8: Junior A Division
Year 9-10: Junior B Division
Year 11-12: Senior Division
Applications Close: Friday, 10th September, 2010
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Australia-Japan Foundation Grant Program
The Australia-Japan Foundation invites applications for amounts up to $15,000 only for projects in 2010-11 which support its objectives to:
- increase understanding in Japan of shared interests with Australia;
- increase understanding in Australia of the importance of Japan to Australia as an economic and strategic partner; and
- increase recognition in Japan of Australian excellence and expertise.
In 2010-11 funding priority will be given to projects which seek to strengthen Australia's relationship with Japan through professional exchanges, media visits and joint activities in science and technology, youth affairs and the not-for-profit sector. It will also focus on projects of relevance to the bilateral trade relationship, in particular, the Australia-Japan Free Trade Agreement negotiations, and to the evolving strategic relationship between our two countries.
Activities must commence between 30 November 2010 and 30 June 2011 and be completed by 30 September 2011.
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Upcoming Japan-related Events - around Australia
Melbourne
8th- 23rd Oct 2010
Melbourne International Arts Festival
Melbourne Festival is one of Australia's flagship international arts festivals and one of the major multi-arts festivals of the world, in terms of quality of work, innovation of vision, and scale and breadth of program.
Each Festival brings an unparalleled feast of dance, theatre, music, visual arts, multimedia and outdoor events from renowned and upcoming Australian and International companies and artists to Melbourne.
Japanese performances include multidisciplinary artist Hiroaki Umeda , a choreographer, dancer, sound artist and lighting designer whose work is minimal and radical, subtle and violent, and ... much in touch with his contemporary Japanese roots.
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Adelaide
17th Sep - 2 Oct 2010
Oz Asia Festival - Adelaide
The OzAsia Festival an annual celebration of our diverse multicultural society.
It is now the nation’s pre-eminent platform for Australian/Asian dialogue and collaboration in the performing arts. The OzAsia Festival promotes cultural understanding and tolerance through creative collaboration. OzAsia is for families, communities, and anyone curious about the contemporary Asian aesthetic.
view other Japan-related Events around Australia
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National Federation of Australia-Japan Societies
PO Box R937,
ROYAL EXCHANGE NSW 1225
info@austjapanfed.org.au