PM Noda Meets with Anderson's Parents
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda shakes hands with Jeanne Anderson of Richmond, Virginia, whose daughter Taylor Anderson was killed in last year’s devastating tsunami in Japan, during a private reception at the Japanese ambassador’s residence in Washington on Sunday night...
To read more, go to Japan Today
To watch the TV news story (Japanese only), go to Japanese Government Internet TV. The entire clip is about 3 minutes 50 seconds, but the focus [more]
As of the start of April, three new US Country Representatives have been selected to serve and lead the JETAA USA community for the upcoming year:
Christina Omori from New England JETAA
Jennifer Butler from Music City JETAA
Melissa Chan from JETAA Northern California
The talents and skill sets these women bring to the organization will be extremely beneficial to the organization! Outgoing Country Reps are ensuring that the transition goes smoothly and are [more]
LIVE YOUR DREAM: The Taylor Anderson Story
Filmmaker Regge Life started a Kickstarter page to raise funds and promote his new project, a documentary on Taylor Anderson. They reached their initial fund raising goals in just 17 days, but are hoping for continued pledges so they can compose original music, make a Japanese version and kickstart distribution in both countries. He reached out to the JET alum community to both thank us for our support and let [more]
Andy Anderson Honored at Tokyo Dome
Andy Anderson, father of past Ishinomaki JET Taylor Anderson, was honored at the Tokyo Dome for the Japanese Major League Baseballs opening season pitch. Anderson, along with two Japanese (Shinji Takai and Naho Hozumi) were honored for their dedication and actions following the 3.11 disaster. The story appears in several Japanese media outlets, but the only full coverage in English is on the MLB website.
To read the full story, click [more]
JET Alum Graham Shelby Revisits his Fukushima JET Memories
US JET alum Graham Shelby authored an article recently published in the Lexington Herald-Ledger which looks back on his time as a JET in his Japanese furusato of Ishikawa, Fukushima-ken. He writes of his reconnection with his former life in Ishikawa, motivated by the events of 3.11.
Quake, tsunami a year ago refreshed Kentuckian's memories of time in Japan
Twenty-three years old and eager to get out of my hometown, I left [more]
Taylor Anderson Remembered By Many
The Anderson Family, who has done so much to further Taylor's vision of bridging the US and Japan, participated in a memorial service at Taylor's alma mater, Randolph Macon College. The memorial was covered by both NHK World and the local CBS news station in Virginia. Ambassador Fujisaki was also in attendance as a speaker for the event.
To see the media coverage click below:
NHK World: Americans Honor Victim
CBS Channel 6 [more]
International Educator Magazine Features Taylor and Monty
This month's edition of International Educator Magazine (published by NAFSA- National Association of International Educators) spotlights "Overcoming Chaos" as its cover story. This article includes Taylor and Monty.
The article was written by Christopher Connell of CC Editorial Services. It does a wonderful job of highlighting the spirit of both Monty and Taylor. To read the full article, click on the article [more]
US JET Alum Sarah Ruddy Writes Article for Huffington Post
Sarah Ruddy was an ALT in Rikuzentakata nearly four years ago. She took some time to reflect on her personal connections there as well as her recent return trip to Rikuzentakata in November of 2011. Her article was published in the Huffington Post on the 1-year anniversary of the tragedy.
After The Tohoku Earthquake: 'I Gave Up My Family For Dead'
My experiences traveling in Japan are unique to anywhere in the [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.
