p page 1 acificibridge page 1 The Politics Issue Alumni Adventures in Japanese Politics We didn’t go over there to run for office or start a revolution, but sometimes politics had a way of finding us. Here are some of the best stories from fellow alums. “Like Arnold Schwarzenegger” On JET, I lived in a very small town in a very small prefecture, Nichinan-cho in Tottori-ken. One of those places where everybody knows everybody, and as the resident gaijin, everybody knew me. I knew the mayor, the council members, and all of the other politicians in town (along with the shop owners, garbage men, policemen, and little old ladies in their gardens). It wasn’t until I returned to America, however, that I really learned how close-knit Tottori-ken really is. A few years ago, I was at the JETAA Welcome Back Reception chatting with some JET alums new and old, when one of the staff pulled me over and said, “Kurara-san, you used to live in Tottori, right? There is someone else here from Tottori, you should meet him.” So I wandered over to this newcomer to say some “Yoroshikus.” The Japanese man I introduced myself to looked vaguely familiar, but I didn’t really pay much attention to it (he was, after all, another Japanese man in a suit; perhaps they were starting to blend together in my mind?). So I said I used to live in Nichinan-cho, expecting him to say “doko?” Which is the response I typically get when I mention my lovely town. But instead he said, “Oh Nichinan! I know Mayor Yata well.” We continued talking in Japanese and I asked why he knew the mayor of my town, and he responded by saying he used to be “chiji” of Tottori-ken. Now, I was a CIR and I know my Japanese pretty well, and I thought chiji meant governor, but I double- checked. “Chiji? Honto?” He said, “Yes, chiji, like Arnold Schwarzenegger!” Right, no wonder he looked so familiar! Governor Hirai recently came back to America for a business trip, and I was invited to a party for Tottori residents in the area to greet him, I’m now an official “Tottori ex-pat” in America. Leave it to the power of JETAA to bring me together with the governor and other residents of my favorite ken! Clara Solomon, Tottori, 1999-2001 “Exceptions” A black truck pulled up, parked, and Two days before our three-year was spouting (or rather, blasting) stint on JET was to end, we had its propaganda, so I decided to take lunch with the mayor of our city, advantage of the photo opportunity. who wanted to thank us for our time As I struck my poses in front of the and efforts. Nick and I were the only van, more and more photographers, JETs in our relatively 30,000-person both Japanese and foreign, gathered small Hokkaido city. around, snapping photos. Behind me, the right-wingers discussed the When the waitress came, we were situation nervously and within a few asked what we’d like to drink and minutes had packed up and left. Nick and I both looked at each other and I knew what he was thinking, For all of their convictions, it so I said, “beer nonde mo ii desu ka?” was the foreigner who wound up He thought about it for a second chasing them away. They had no and said that he normally wouldn’t place in one of the most liberal- drink at lunch, but would make and spirited places in Tokyo, anyway. In exception and ordered three beers. the photo you can see them packing up their ladder, while I sport the Well, it was obvious he “made visual-kei with flair. exceptions” often as he was later forced to resign because he was Dawn Mostow, Gifu, 2003-06 taking bribes from companies for “Wacky Nakamatsu” city projects. D’oh! We both enjoyed Dawn’s visual-kei flair wards off the black truck dudes. the beer we had with him, though. It Way back in 1999, I was with some was a nice finish to a fun three years in the beautiful outdoor friends at a free outdoor techno concert in Yoyogi park when all playground of Hokkaido. of the sudden Dr. Nakamatsu, the wacky inventor of PyonPyon spring shoes and floppy disk technology, jumped up on stage Toby Weymiller Hokkaido, 1997-2000 , with his campaign flag and started dancing with the techno heads. He was running for Tokyo governor at the time and I “The Power of Fashion” guess trying to win over some young votes. I recall this the time that I used the power of fashion to The crowd started to go wild and chant Nakamatsu’s name. chase away the right-winger black trucks. It was a typical It was such a great spectacle that I tracked him down for a Sundayin Harajuku. The cosplayers and indie bands were picture. He’s known to frequently run for election but always all out in full force, enjoying the attention of the crowds on loses, the poor guy. —Meredith Wutz, Saitama, 2000-02 Meijijingu-bashi. 政治 p page 2 acificibridge page 2 From the Leadership From the Editor This issue’s theme is seiji, “Politics.” A timely topic, I think, not least of all because we just had one of the most momentous elections in U.S. history. But also because we all were the beneficiaries of one of the largest and most successful government-sponsored international exchange programs in the world. Which means over 20 years of consistent political support from every single level of Japanese government from the Ministries on down to the village councils of the tiniest local mura. Perhaps the best way we can show appreciation for all of this support and good faith is to continue the mission of the JET Program in our own communities, doing what we can to further the program’s worthy goals of internationalization and cultural exchange. I suggest one of the best ways to further these goals is to become an active member of JETAANC, which actually has the goals of the JET Program built into its mission. The group offers so many ways for you to get involved and “give back” a little of what you received in Japan. Don’t wait! Send an email to [email protected] today to find out how you can become more involved. One great way to get involved is by volunteering to help with this newsletter! We need new, generous volunteers for each issue. Can you help? Email me at [email protected]. A huge “thank you” and election victory-style “banzai!” to the many people who volunteered their time and talents to help produce another great issue! Otsukaresama deshita. Mark Frey, Kumamoto, 2002-06, Editor テーマ Message from the President Message from the Consulate I was ecstatic to see a On behalf of the Japan Information Center and the Consulate nation come together and General of Japan in San Francisco, I would first like to welcome back effectively vote for change all returning JETs from Japan. I hope that you are having a smooth on Tuesday, November transition back to your life in the United States. Please contact our 4. It gave hope to many office if you have any questions or would like to know more about ways that we do have the power to stay connected to Japan. to make a difference and I also encourage you to get involved with the JET Alumni Association make our voice heard, of Northern California. We are fortunate to have a strong chapter while it demonstrated to ready and willing to assist and support JET Alumni. I was very pleased others that the tyranny to meet many of you at the Welcome Back Reception held at the of the majority still rules Consulate General’s residence. I would like to thank Consul General some aspects of our society. Yasumasa Nagamine for inviting all of the newly returning JETs. I With 2008 drawing to a close, what does this change would also like to thank JET alumni Lauren Nakasato and Mark Frey, mean for JETAANC? The word for 2009 will be and the President of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern stability. Almost all of the Executive Committee will California, Mr. Isao “Steve” Matsuura, for speaking at the event. be staying on another term. From my discussions and We are starting to round up our recruiting for the 2009 JET Program. observations at the National JETAA Conference in I would like to thank all of the volunteers who helped recruiting Seattle, I learned that this is a big plus, because we will for future JET participants. Thanks to Makenna Barris, John have experienced leadership guiding this group. Branderhorst, Melissa Chan, Lorelei Cortez, John Dzida, Brian Does this mean that everything is going to remain the Fujimoto, Kai Kadoich, Ryan Kimura, Ravi Kumar, Casey Lary, same as 2008? Not at all! While 2008 was a solid year Minika Lowe, Tom Miskey, Lauren Nakasato, Emily Normile, Greg for JETAANC, we are looking to build on our success. Porter, Liana Prescott, Tiffany Sakato, Mike Shu, and Geraldine We are aiming to increase our programming by adding Waycie. This year we organized and events that will increase the sense of community participated in over 30 events in for JETAANC. We hope to accomplish this through Northern California and Nevada, more networking and fundraising events that will including information meetings, study/ support the JETAANC Scholarship among other work abroad fairs, and career fairs.