Kanazawa and Buffalo 3 Ture, All Travelers Were Advised Not PREFECTURE TODAY To!! This Year, the Orientation Took Place Relief at Finally Arriving in Japan

Issue No. 44 Fall 2002

CLAIR UPDATE 16 Candles, the Conference and the Cat By Archie Mochizuki Programme Coordinator of CLAIR Tokyo

“Is that a cage that I see?” British Programme Coordinator to match the a foreign country very different from their uniform of the Japan World Cup Soccer own. A year promising new experiences, new “Yes, that’s a cage….and there’s team) who volunteered their time to guide beginnings, new friends and new perspec- the new participants. Looking at the faces tives. And although a year may seem like a definitely a cat in there!” of the new JETs, one could see the effects long time, the time flies by swiftly. of the lengthy journey as well as a sense of A visit to the Quarantine The day was long, stretching from Department at Narita Airport did 5:00am to 11:00pm. And it wasn’t over yet. not happen just once, but approxi- Narita Airport was just the prelude to the mately 3 times this year. It seemed 3-day orientation that was to follow. Once that spouses and children were not the bus ride from Narita Airport was over, the only dependents accompanying the Keio Plaza Hotel venue was suddenly the large number of participants filled with the gleeful banter of foreign taking part in the 16th year of the JET Programme. One Coordinator continued on page 2 for International Relations-Tokyo TABLE OF CONTENTS Orientation Assistant (CIR-TOA) CLAIR UPDATE became an expert on what to do 16 Candles, The JET Programme Conference 1 when bringing pets into Japan Pets, which are popular traveling companions, often end up in despite the fact that prior to depar- the Quarantine Department at Narita Airport. SISTER CITIES Kanazawa and Buffalo 3 ture, all travelers were advised not PREFECTURE TODAY to!! This year, the orientation took place relief at finally arriving in Japan. The sheer Kagawa Prefecture 4 from July 28th to 31st (A) and from volume of luggage showed that the limits DESIGNATED CITY August 4th to 7th (B). proposed by the airlines were generally Sapporo City 5 ignored. Snowboards, keyboards, surfboards, JETAA ACTIVITIES As in previous years, terminals 1 and 2 bicycles, portable gym sets Ð the list went Northern Alberta JETAA 7 of Narita Airport were filled with the energy on and on. It definitely looked like the limits JLGC UPDATE of new and present JETs. CLAIR staff, were broken and the costs incurred for extra JETs Return to Hometown 8 Tokyo Orientation Assistants (TOAs) and baggage went way beyond what was expect- Masthead: The sakura, or cherry blossom, is Japan’s cherished national flower. Special hanami parties and travel agents (clad in sky-blue JET Programme ed. Why so much baggage? These youngsters excursions are held during blossom time each year. t-shirts selected by a charismatic female were preparing for a year away from home in

continued from page 1 overload, but it is always better to have youths. Perhaps it was the excitement of too much of something finally arriving in the center of Japan and than too little of it. being surrounded by the incandescent neon lights that spelled Tokyo. For others, it may Things went rela- have been the thought of finally leaving home tively smoothly and and tasting the flavor of independence. More thankfully no major than likely, it was something bigger than that. mishaps occurred. The reality was that these foreign youths There were some JETs were the participants of a prestigious interna- who fell ill and needed tional exchange program known to be the to rest or be taken to largest and most successful of its kind in the the hospital. One The 3-day orientation was held at Keio Plaza Hotel, Tokyo for the new world. Programme Coordinator JETs who have just arrived in Japan. had to take it easy due If you were to watch the entire 3-day to the pressures of the all-consuming daily their home for a year or more. Like hanabi orientation on fast forward, you would see activities. But, underneath the sweltering heat (fireworks) that race across the fall sky at over a thousand people scurrying to work- of the Tokyo fall sun, the orientation ran its night, all that remained is the quiet moment shops located on the ground floor, as well as course. The hustle and bustle of the 3-day after everyone has gone home. the 46th and 47th floors, of the hotel. You event came to a close and the new JETs were would see those new participants listening on their way to the prefectures that would be And the cat? It arrived safely in Kyushu. intently to the speeches given by the ministry officials at the opening ceremonies. The ele- vators were continuously packed and long All About the JET Programme lines formed just waiting for them to arrive. People wanted information on what they were For Those Who Are Interested to do here in Japan and what the program was in Living and Working in Japan all about. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology held sessions If you would like to obtain more information about the Japan Exchange and Teaching for the Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) (JET) Programme or know of someone who is interested, please check the following links: while CLAIR and the Ministry of Public www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/jet/outline.html (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Management, Home Affairs, Posts and www.jetprogramme.org (Council of Local Authorities for International Relations) Telecommunications provided information for the Coordinators for International Relations Recruitment begins in autumn of every year for positions commencing in July and August (CIRs). TOAs ran workshops focusing on life of the following year. in Japan while JET Programme supervisors from various prefectures held information To download an application form, please visit the following links: meetings. Despite the fast pace, the jetlag and the immensity of the orientation, the new par- US Ð www.embjapan.org ticipants took notes intently and tried to make Canada Ð www.embassyjapancanada.org sense of it all. It may have been information

JLGC Newsletter 2 Issue 44 Fall 2002 SISTER CITIES Kanazawa and Buffalo

Kanazawa Buffalo City Emblem City Seal

The City of Kanazawa in Ishikawa implemented a variety of exchange activities, 188 countries. This work of art illustrates the Prefecture and the City of Buffalo in New including visits from sister-city delegations to spiritual and genetic thread that connects all York State have had a sister-city relationship each of the cities and cultural and academic people, tying us together with hope and inspi- since 1962. They marked their 40th year exchanges. To celebrate this 40th anniversary ration. It is an environmental work sponsored anniversary in 2002. year, a delegation of twenty people from by the Division of Sustainable Development at the United Nations. The project Kanazawa City is located includes clay presented by northwest of Tokyo, on the Japan Kanazawa City in 1998. In Sea, and has a population of about Kanazawa, about 100 participants 450,000. The city is one of from various age groups with some Japan’s foremost castle towns and connection to Buffalo placed their boasts many places of historic and handprints in a spiral pattern in the aesthetic interest. It also has many clay to make this sculpture. flourishing traditional crafts such as gold leaf, Yuzen (formal At the same time this delega- kimono), and pottery. In contrast tion was visiting Kanazawa, a del- to its policy of valuing architectur- egation of seven members from the al and cultural traditions, recently Kanazawa City Council, headed by the city has begun to promote Mr. Kohichi Kawa, Chairperson, modern development. A look visited Buffalo. They paid a visit to down any of Kanazawa’s streets Mr. Masiello, Mayor of Buffalo, illustrates the coexistence of visited the Japanese gardens, and modern and traditional styles. participated in an exchange meet- “Common Ground World Project in Kanazawa.” The completed work is ing with members of the Buffalo- Buffalo City, located on the a curved section assembled into one large spiral. Shown in this picture is Kanazawa Sister City Committee. Mr. Tamotsu Yamade, Mayor of Kanazawa City (left) and Mr. Neil shores of Lake Erie, is known as Tetkowski, ceramic artist (center). the “Queen City of the Lakes.” Kanazawa has given a lot of Niagara Falls, one of the world’s seven Buffalo, headed by Mr. Gleed, the executive thought to what a city should be, and has natural wonders, is only 25 miles away. It has assistant to the mayor, visited Kanazawa last worked hard to honor their history, promote hot and dry summers and very severe winters. July. During their stay in Kanazawa they paid scholarship, and enrich their local culture. After the building of the world’s largest store- a courtesy visit to Mr. Yamade, Mayor of These days, a worldwide “borderless society” house in 1843, Buffalo developed as a gate- Kanazawa, tried on Japanese kimonos, and is being created and exchanges between peo- way to the East. The nearby Erie Canal sup- joined an exchange meeting with public ele- ples are increasing. Kanazawa has seven sis- ported the early growth of iron industries and mentary school students. ter cities in seven countries, including mills. Buffalo also owes its reputation as a Buffalo. The city makes aggressive efforts to cultural and academic city to the existence of In conjunction with their stay, Kanazawa expand its exchanges with the entire world the world-class Albright Knox Art Gallery, City also celebrated the “Common Ground and promote personal, cultural, and industrial the Buffalo Philharmonic, and the State World Project in Kanazawa,” produced by exchanges. All of Kanazawa hopes that the University of New York at Buffalo. Mr. Neil Tetkowski, a ceramic artist from exchanges of citizens through the sister-city Buffalo. This project is a collaborative work program will contribute to the peace and Until now Kanazawa and Buffalo have that includes both people and materials from prosperity of the world.

JLGC Newsletter 3 Issue 44 Fall 2002 PREFECTURE TODAY Kagawa Prefecture

Beautiful Island Place Kagawa Prefectural Emblem

Kagawa Prefecture is situated in north- Japan. It is eastern Shikoku, which itself is in southwest- blessed with ern Japan. This area enjoys a so-called “Seto beautiful Inland Sea climate” which means it is mild scenery in throughout all of the four seasons. Kagawa all four sea- enjoys more than 2,100 hours of sunshine per sons: cherry year and, with an average annual rainfall of blossoms in just 1,100mm (43.3 in), is one of driest pre- the spring, fectures. lush, green foliage in A Prefecture Rich in Sightseeing the summer, Kotohiragu Shrine is an ancient shrine gold and red dedicated to the guardian god of the sea. It is leaves in situated at Mt. Zozu, which stands 521m autumn and (1,709 ft.) above sea level. To reach the Main snow-covered A picturesque scene from Ritsurin Park, featuring numerous ponds and hills. Shrine, one must climb 785 stairs. Those hop- landscape in ing to reach the Inner Shrine must tackle winter. stretched out into extremely thin threads and 1,368 steps which lead almost all the way to dried in the sun. the peak of the mountain. Famous throughout The Seto Ohashi Commemorative Park is a memorial park located on the Japan, Kotohiragu Shrine attracts millions of Industries visitors each year from all over the world. coast, situated at the Shikoku end of the Seto Ohashi Bridge. In the park there are Popular traditional industries in Kagawa include Takamatsu’s lacquer- Yashima is a roof-shaped lava many buildings to explore, such as the ware and bonsai trees, Marugame’s plateau, which takes the form of a peninsula Seto Ohashi Bridge Memorial Hall. round uchiwa fans, glove manufacturing rising out of the Seto Inland Sea. It is well Additionally, the panoramic view of the (particularly in Shirotori Town), the known as the site of the famous Gempei Seto Ohashi Bridge is breath-taking. The production of somen on Shodoshima Battle in 1185. The name Gempei is derived bridge spans the calm, blue sea, and the Island and stone processing in the towns from the two clans involved, the Genji and many beautiful islands that lie between of Aji and Mure. Today, various new the Heike. The view from the observatory Okayama and Kagawa. genres of local industry are emerging at the top of the mountain is spectacular, from among these traditional industries offering a wonderful panoramic view of Food and adopting their special techniques and the Seto Inland Sea area and its many Kagawa prefecture’s udon noodles high standards of quality. beautiful islands. are so famous that one always thinks of Sanuki (the ancient name of Kagawa) Ritsurin Park is a traditional stroll- when one hears the word udon. Made from Globalization type garden created over 350 years ago in a superior quality of wheat and salt, these Today, Kagawa has been making the style of the Edo feudal lord. The park thick and tasty noodles are a must for every impressive strides in globalization. Kagawa is arranged against Mt. Shiun near the heart visitor. Somen noodles are another well- currently has 21 sister-city affiliations, in- of Takamatsu City, and features numerous known kind of noodle produced in Kagawa. cluding links between the prefecture, its ponds and hills. Beautiful in every season, Also made from a superior quality of wheat, Ritsurin Park delights visitors from all over this noodle is kneaded by hand and is then continued on page 6

JLGC Newsletter 4 Issue 44 Fall 2002