JET alum Jim Gannon continues his work with JCIE in Rikuzentakata
Jim Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94), Executive Director of the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA), has been doing in Tohoku on behalf of his organization. Jim is a member of JETAA USA’s Board of Advisors and the JETAA USA Disaster Relief Fund Committee.
JCIE/USA’s Jim Gannon was in Tohoku last week, where he met with grantee AidTAKATA, an NGO that operates Radio FM Rikuzentakata to bring local news, music, and informational programs [more]
U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation Seeks Project Director to Support JETAA USA Growth
United States-Japan Bridging Foundation (USJBF)
Part-time Project Director Position Announcement
Some background on this unique job posting:
The JETAA USA Board of Advisors, the JETAA USA Country Representatives, and the JETAA USA Working Group have been collaborating with JET alum Paige Cottingham-Streater of the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission (among others) on the opportunity to grow and strengthen JETAA USA and its chapters. Thanks to Paige's hard work, the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership [more]
JET alum to bike across US to raise funds for Tohoku
JET alum Roy Moneyhun (Mie-ken 1996-1998) of Florida is planning a one-man project called Tohoku Forward to bike across the US to raise funds for Tohoku relief from Japan's 311 earthquake/tsunami. Tohoku Forward's motto is "Helping Today's Children Build a Happy Tomorrow". The mission is to raise awareness and support for Tohoku orphans, many of whom are babies and will need support for another 15-18 years.
Roy will bike approximiately 5,000 [more]
Hawaii JET alum seeks Ehime JETs for interviews on video series
Below is a request from Eliot Honda (Ehime-ken, 2009-2012) who is seeking to interview other Ehime JET alumni as part of a project aimed at re-establishing the Ehime Kenjinkai in Hawaii. Original post from JETwit.
My name is Eliot Honda, I am a former ALT in Uwajima city. I was there from 2009-2012, I had a blast and learned a lot about Uwajima, and Ehime in my three years. I found out [more]
JET interviewed by CBS News feature on Japanese school lunches
CBS News did a feature on Japanese school lunches this past Saturday morning, May 18. They happened to pick a Higashi Chichibu Junior High School where JET Karl Hoeschen works and they ended up interviewing him for the story.
Here is the original video and article from CBS News: "What's for lunch? In Japanese schools it's always healthy
Another link with access to the video appears here. The feature starts around 07:54:30, [more]
JET alum seeks translators for “Rebuilding Tohoku” website project
The Rebuilding Tohoku website is dedicated to providing information about the changes taking place in Japan in the post Great Northeast Tsunami and Earthquake era. The website was created by Owen Rosa (Iwate-ken, 1999-2002) who is looking for Japanese to English translators to help with the site. The following message below is from Owen.
This website is trying to create a medium that consolidates information for all subjects related to [more]
JET alum community loses Toby Weymiller
JETAA USA is saddened to hear of the loss of JET alum Toby Weymiller (Hokkaido 1997-2000). The following note is from Seattle PNW JETAA and JETwit.com.
Original post from JETwit.com:
I was shocked and saddened today to see a post to the Pacific Northwest JETAA email group letting everyone know that JET alum Toby Weymiller (Hokkaido, 1997-2000) had lost his life in an avalanche. Toby had sent me anecdotes for the JETAA NY Newsletter over [more]

JETAA USA (JET Alumni Association of the United States of America) supports the
JET Program, the US chapters and membership. We promote a broader and deeper understanding between Japan and the US through our local JETAA chapter activities, thus playing an important role in the promotion of US-Japan relations. JETAA US chapters promote Japan and Japanese culture in the form of community, cultural and social events on a grassroots level.
JETAA USA is a member of JET Alumni Association International (JETAAi). JETAAi was created in 1989 to strengthen and maintain the bonds of friendship developed between JET Program participants. JETAAi has 53,000+ alumni in 52 chapters spanning 17 countries, with the most members in the USA. Country chapters are supported by JETAAi.

AJET (Association of JETs) is an independent, not-for-profit government relations organization that supports JET Programme participants in cooperation with the Council for Local Authorities and International Relations, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Internal Communication.