Job Opening: Assistant Correspondent, The Mainichi Newspapers NY Bureau

Posted on November 16, 2019 by Paula

The Mainichi Newspapers Career Opportunity
Location: New York
Position: Assistant Correspondent – Full-Time (Part-Time Negotiable)

We are currently looking for an Assistant Correspondent in our New York Bureau to support our correspondents with research into topics involving American society and international relations. In order to identify the most pertinent issues to our readers in Asia, our work in overseas bureaus involves keeping a close eye on local events and providing analysis into region-specific issues. Hence, we require the employees in our New York Bureau to have the ability to dissect complex issues in international politics and current affairs.

Responsibilities
You will assist the bureau chief (and other correspondents) in:

    • Attending and summarising press briefings
    • Background research on news topics (expert viewpoints from academics and thinktanks, finding and organizing statistics, and fact checking information with legislations and other relevant sources)
    • Monitoring latest news related to American society at large and events happening in the nearby region
    • Setting up appointments for interviews
    • Making transcripts of speeches and interviews
    • Miscellaneous tasks pertaining to office management
    • Conducting interviews on the ground (occasionally)

Candidates should be ready to:

  • Develop an understanding of latest issues in American society and international relations
  • Produce thoughtful and meticulous research
  • Engage in forging good media relations with relevant individuals and agencies when required

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field
  • Keen interest in international politics and current affairs
  • Strong analytical skills and resourcefulness
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines and tasks efficiently under heavy pressure
  • Excellent time management skills and sense of urgency when dealing with time-sensitive tasks
  • Fluency in Japanese preferred

Start date: Dec 1 (Negotiable)

To apply, please send your resume to Toshiyuki Sumi, sumi-t@mainichi.co.jp.

More about The Mainichi Newspapers

The Mainichi Newspapers (毎日新聞), founded in 1872, is Japan’s oldest national daily newspaper. We are currently recognized in Japan as one of the leading newspapers, and have garnered a reputation as a provider of unbiased reporting and poignant editorials. Our commitment to excellence in journalism has earned us numerous prestigious awards, including a Pulitzer Prize and more than 20 awards from the Japan Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association, making The Mainichi Newspapers Japan’s most awarded newspaper and the only Japanese news organization to have won a Pulitzer Prize. Mainichi has a nationwide circulation of 2.5 million copies. We are headquartered in Japan and have 24 overseas bureaus, including three in the United States.

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Fun Link Friday: Is Japanese the most difficult language?

Posted on November 15, 2019 by Paula

The Language Nerds blog recently posted an article summarizing reports from The Foreign Service Institute of the US Department of State, categorizing world languages and their difficulty (namely, the amount of time officials have to spend learning them).

The categories were divided into:

Category I Languages: 24-30 weeks (600-750 class hours)
Category II Languages: Approximately 36 weeks (900 class hours)
Category III Languages: Approximately 44 weeks (1100 class hours)
Category IV Languages: 88 weeks (2200 class hours)

Under the Category IV Languages? Arabic, Chinese (Cantonese), Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, and Japanese! These five are listed as 「“Super-hard languages” – Languages which are exceptionally difficult for native English speakers.」

Do you agree? The Language Nerds marked Japanese as “usually more difficult than the languages in the same category,” though I didn’t see any indication of this on the FSI website. Is Japanese the most difficult language out there? We may never know, but it’s fun to think about! 🙂

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OUR Shurijo Shuri Castle Digital Reconstruction

Posted on November 15, 2019 by Paula

As many know by now, Shuri Castle in Okinawa, an important piece of Ryukyu cultural heritage, suffered a devastating fire on October 31st 2019. As ongoing dialogues continue about how and when the reconstruction will take place, over two dozen volunteer researchers, students, and engineers are now pioneering a digital reconstruction project, the OUR Shurijo Shuri Castle Digital Reconstruction みんなの首里城デジタル復元プロジェクト , to preserve the Shuri Castle that was.

The group hopes to use Computer Vision (CV), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and Virtual Reality (VR) based on composites from user-submitted digital media to tackle this problem. Do you have photos or other media of Shuri Castle? If so, visit their website (which is available in English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Thai) to contribute to the project!

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Job Opening: KCJS Postdoctoral Fellowship

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Paula

The Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies is searching for a KCJS Postdoctoral Fellow for the academic year 2020-21, with the possibility of extension. Based at Doshisha University in Kyoto, KCJS is an undergraduate study abroad program governed by a consortium of thirteen American universities and administered by the Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement at Columbia University.

The KCJS Fellow is expected to engage in their own research and teach one course each semester in Kyoto. Designed in consultation with the resident director and taught entirely in English, the courses can focus on the fellow’s area of specialization, yet should be accessible enough to appeal to undergraduates with a broad range of interests. Course plans should take full advantage of KCJS’s location, preferably encompassing local excursions, hands-on demonstrations, and/or observations. Preference will be given to candidates with the capacity to execute such courses and those who can demonstrate a commitment to delivering engaging, immersive learning experiences that are both rigorous and accessible.

Additional responsibilities include: assisting the resident director with academic planning and semester orientations; mentoring students on academic matters, career planning, and life in Japan; assisting the resident director in reviewing independent study proposals and summer research proposals; supervising independent studies; presenting their research regularly; and contributing to the intellectual and cultural life of the program by occasionally attending curricular and extra-curricular events. These responsibilities and other professional development opportunities provide the Fellow with strong teaching experience and a broad overview into undergraduate global education. The Fellow is also expected to engage in the academic life of Kyoto through involvement in research study groups at Doshisha and other local institutions.

Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in a Japan-related field by the start of the fellowship. It is preferred that the candidate has relevant undergraduate teaching experience, previous experience living or studying in Japan, and Japanese language and cultural fluency.

The term of appointment is from August 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021, with the possibility of an extension to May 2022, pending mutual agreement and the approval of the relevant committee. Benefits include: a ten-month salary of $50,000 or the equivalent; round-trip transportation from the home country to Japan for the Fellow and immediate family members, which may include a spouse/partner and one child under 18 years of age;  reimbursement for research costs up to $5,000; a private office equipped with a desktop computer and printer located on the Doshisha campus alongside the KCJS team; and access to Doshisha’s libraries, archives, and museums.

For more information about the KCJS program, please visit https://global.undergrad.columbia.edu/program/kcjs-semester

Deadline: December 20,2019

For more information: https://columbia.studioabroad.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=10932

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Funding: Robert & Lisa Sainsbury Fellowships, Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures

Posted on November 11, 2019 by Paula

Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures
Robert & Lisa Sainsbury Fellowships

Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Fellowships provide recipients with an opportunity to work in a scholarly environment conducive to completing a publication project. The Fellowships are available to academics who have received a PhD in any area of Japanese culture. Preference will be given to Early Career Researchers working in the fields of visual studies, including but not limited to history of art, cultural heritage, archaeology, architecture, film studies, and digital humanities. During their appointment Fellows are encouraged to contribute to our Third Thursday Lecture Series and to organise a symposium in Norwich. They may also contribute to the Japan Research Centre Seminar Series at SOAS.

Website:     https://sainsbury-institute.org/fellowship-category/robert-and-lisa-sainsbury-fellows/

The closing date for application for the 2020-21 Sainsbury Fellowship is 29 February 2020.

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Job Opening: Associate Program Officer, Grassroots Exchange &Education, JFNY

Posted on November 10, 2019 by Travis

Position: Associate Program Officer, Grassroots Exchange & Education
Institution: Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership
Location: New York, NY
Application Deadline: Dec 2, 2019.

Reposting from Japan Foundation New York website:

The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP), New York seeks an Associate Program Officer who will be responsible for the management of both institutional and other programs in Grassroots Exchange & Education.

Established by the Japanese government in 1972, The Japan Foundation’s mission is to promote international cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and other nations. The Japan Foundation’s activities consist of three major programs: 1) Arts & Cultural Exchange; 2) Japanese-Language Education Overseas; and 3) Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange. The Center for Global Partnership (CGP)was founded within the Foundation in 1991 and seeks to promote exchange and collaboration between Japan and the United States with the goal of fulfilling shared global responsibilities and contributing to improvements in the world’s welfare. For more information, please visit our websites at: www.jfny.org and www.cgp.org.

Description: The Japan Foundation CGP, New York seeks an Associate Program Officer who will be responsible for the management of both institutional and other programs in Grassroots Exchange & Education. Through these programs, The Japan Foundation CGP aims to foster Japan-U.S. grassroots exchange in various ways. This position will report to the Program Director of Grassroots Exchange & Education.

Location: New York, NY

Key Responsibilities:
*Manage institutional grants and other programs in Grassroots Exchange & Education by processing applications from institutions and individuals, maintaining program files and documents using the CGP database, and communicating with prospective applicants, grantees and awardees.

*Coordinate logistics for in-house meetings as well as events with collaborators, grantees and etc. by planning venues, catering, transportation, audio/visual equipment, materials, etc.

*Create program materials and publications (e.g. newsletters, flyers, and webpages) and assist in proofreading of English documents.

*Support marketing and public relations functions by managing web and social media presence.

*Conduct outreach activities and site visits throughout the U.S. as a representative of The Japan Foundation.

*Collaborate and correspond with program staff at The Japan Foundation Tokyo Headquarters.

*Perform other duties and additional responsibilities as directed.

Required Qualifications:
*Bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree or equivalent work experience preferred.
*Legal authorization to work in the United States.
*Native oral and written English communication skills.
*Willingness and ability to travel and attend occasional weekend events (travel is approx. several weeks/year.)

A strong candidate will also possess:
*Superior written and verbal communication skills
*Excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to multi-task.
*Experience with and/or interest in international cultural exchange
*Experience with grant management and/or familiarity with institutions of higher education
*Familiarity with Japan and Japanese language ability
*Proficiency in Microsoft Office software (experience with application management software preferred)

Salary and Benefits: Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage, paid vacation and sick leave, etc.

Job Commencement: January 6, 2020(or as soon as possible)

To apply: Please email a cover letter, resume, two letters of reference and a one-page writing sample in English to job-opening@jfny.org

Deadline: December 2, 2019 at 10:00AM (U.S. Eastern Standard Time). Qualified candidates will be invited for an interview.

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Call for Applications: IUC Japanese Language Programs

Posted on November 9, 2019 by Paula

The Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies is currently accepting applications for 2020-21! Please visit their website for more information about programs and scholarship opportunities in the 10-Month Program and The Nippon Foundation Fellows Program for graduate students!

http://iucjapan.stanford.edu/programs

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PhD positions in Munich, “Radical Utopian Communities”

Posted on November 7, 2019 by Travis

The research group “Radical Utopian Communities: Global Histories from the Margins, 1900-1950” invites applications for two (2) doctoral positions (TV-L E13, 65%) to join the team on 1 April 2020 or at an early date thereafter. The research project is funded by the VolkswagenStiftung as part of the Freigeist-Fellowship program. The group will be integrated in the Department of History at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) and closely affiliated with the Munich Centre for Global History. A master’s degree (M.A.) or equivalent in History or related discipline in the humanities and social sciences such as Anthropology, Area Studies, Culture Studies, Political Science, Religious Studies etc with a significant historical focus is required by the time of appointment. Preference will be given to applicants with a training in global and/or extra-European history, including language proficiency in non-European languages (and relevant to the doctoral thesis). International academic experience (study, research, conferences etc.) is an advantage. Moreover, applicants should demonstrate ability in archival and/or fieldwork, commitment to teamwork, and reliability to meet deadlines.

“Radical Utopian Communities” analyzes communal projects in the first half of the twentieth century. The project aims at writing a decentered global history that unearths marginalized histories with new archival evidence and innovative historical narration. It investigates communes in various places, including but not limited to case studies in Asia, Africa and the Americas. The communities are showcases for the high degree of mobility and entanglement in the early twentieth century. Yet the project critically engages with the image of borderless mobility and ideals of communal harmony. And it focusses people and communities who too often fall through the cracks of mainstream historiography and who provide unexpected angles to look at the modern world and its make-up from the margins.

Each of the two doctoral positions are offered for the duration of three years. Budget for archival/fieldwork travels, conferences etc. is available. Doctoral candidates will be integrated into a young, dynamic, and internationally well-connected research environment. Over the course of three years, candidates are recommended to gain teaching experience at LMU.

Applications must include:
1) cover letter,
2) CV,
3) doctoral thesis proposal related to the research project “Radical Utopian Communities” (no longer than 3,000 words, including references),
4) writing sample (preferably in English),
5) diplomas/certificates, and 6) names and contact information of at least two academic referees.
Please submit all documents in a single PDF to robert.kramm@lrz.uni-muenchen.de by 31 December 2019.

We especially seek applications from qualified individuals with disabilities and welcome applications from women.

For further information and questions regarding the positions and the research project please contact the principal investigator Dr. Robert Kramm (rkramm@hku.hk).

Interviews are scheduled for mid/late January and conducted either in person in Munich or via Skype.

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Sanford H. Taylor Postdoctoral Fellowship at Cornell

Posted on November 5, 2019 by Travis

*Position: Postdoctoral Fellowship (2 years)
*Location: Cornell University, Ithaca NY
*Application Deadline: Dec 6, 2019

Description from Cornell Department of Asian Studies website:

Transnational Experience in Postnational Asia. The Department of Asian Studies at Cornell University invites applications for the Sanford H. Taylor Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. It seeks a scholar whose research and publications investigate the migration of peoples and technologies across Asia, especially those whose work illuminates migrant experiences invisible to projects that take the nation as their frame of reference. We anticipate the selection of a scholar who focuses on contested or shared regions (such as Hong Kong, Okinawa, or Kashmir), cultural practices that cross political, ethnic and linguistic borders (visual culture, texts in translation, the Chinese character), and non-national histories of movement and affiliation (like Uyghur, Tibetan, or Rohingya). The geographic focus of research in Asia is open; an ideal candidate will have multiple research languages. All candidates must have been awarded their Ph.D. in 2018, 2019, or expect it to be conferred no later than August 1st, 2020.

Taylor Fellows are appointed for two years and are expected to teach three courses during that time, one course each in the first three semesters, with the last semester completely free for research and writing. The successful candidate would also be expected to participate in the intellectual life of the department. Fellows will be provided with an annual stipend of $60,000, full benefits, and a research account of $3,000. Interested applicants should submit a letter of application, a curriculum vitae, a dissertation abstract, three letters of recommendation, a sample course syllabus for a graduate or undergraduate semester-long course in their area of expertise, and a writing sample of approximately 20-25 pages. All materials should be submitted online to https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/15172. Applications received by December 6, 2019 will get first consideration.

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Funding: Tanaka Grant to Support Promising Junior Japanese Studies Scholars 2019 Competition

Posted on November 4, 2019 by Paula

The Japan Foundation and Universities Canada are pleased to announce the call for applications for the TANAKA FUND Grant to Support Promising Junior Japanese Studies Scholars 2019.

The Tanaka Fund was established in 1974 as the result of an exchange of gifts between the governments of Canada and Japan. Canada offered $1,000,000 to Japan to promote Canadian studies in Japanese universities, while Japan provided 300 million yen for the enhancement of Japanese studies in Canadian universities. The funds were used to establish the “Japan Foundation Trust Fund for the Promotion of Japanese Studies in Canadian Universities”.  Guidelines developed by The Japan Foundation stipulated that the Trust Fund would be administered as an endowment and that the income thereof should be made available for the support and promotion of Japanese studies at universities and colleges in Canada. Universities Canada has administered the Fund since 1975.  Until 2016, support for Japanese language lectureship at Canadian Universities was funded. In 2018, the Tanaka Fund was restructured to focus support towards young emerging scholars in order to foster the next generation of Japanese Studies scholarship in Canada.

 

2019 Competition
Annual Value: A total of $50,000 is available for this year’s awards.

Value of Grants: Masters or Doctoral level students: Grants up to a maximum of $10,000 are available

Duration: A maximum of three months in Japan

Guidelines: The program guidelines can be found at https://www.univcan.ca/programs-and-scholarships/tanaka-fund-program/

Application deadline: January 7, 2020

 

For Program Guidelines, application form and other requirements, interested student should visit https://portal.scholarshippartners.ca/  and register an account by clicking on “Register” and then “Register as an Applicant”.

Once the account has been created, they will be redirected to their portal landing page. Next, click on “Public Scholarships” and select The Tanaka Fund Grant.

If you have any questions, please email Jeanne Gallagher, Manager, International Scholarships at tanaka@univcan.ca .

Contact Email:
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