JETAA National Conference 2019

Jetaa National Conference 2019
Session Notes

NatCon Day 3

Region: Deep South

MidSouth
SouthEast
Florida
Music City

Cross promotion of events
Knowing one another’s marquee events

Joining other region’s facebook groups and/or pages - DONE!
Making the other groups recommended on our facebook page
Create an Instagram
Mini South Touch Base
Mini South Facebook Group Chat
Use one another’s @ signs & # to call out when we do have the opportunity to do meetups, etc.
Meet-up Style events
1. Florida Beach Trip
2. Mardi Gras
3. Japanese Festivals
4. Onsen
Invite other chapters to join monthly meetings

Send an email to a JET you know living in another city and virtually introduce and connect them to the delegate that attended NatCon.

JETAA Canada - Since 1991

7 Chapters

CanCon 2019 in Montreal
Common Events in JETAA Canada

Festivals/Public Events
Career Focused Networking events
SPorting events/outdoor activities
Food related events
Workshops
Family-focused events

Natsu Matsuri - JETAA Ottawa
Career Roundtable in Toronto
Midnight Curling
Paddle Boarding & Dragon Boat
Food Related

Ramen Romp
Gochisou-a-go-go
Nhongo Dake Dinner
Izakaya Nights
Brewery tours

What do Canadian chapters want?

Career networking guidance for returnees

Next Couple Years

Creating a National Advisory Board
Revamping individually hosted chapter websites
Building a central repository of forms and outreach templates
Providing learning opportunities via webinars and online guides

Vision: SUpport and promote activities and growth of JETAA around the world by facilitating exchange of ideas and info and building networks
Mission: Be umbrella association for global alumni associations

Serve as coordinator and liaison among jETAA chapters worldwide, individual alum, Japanese gov entities, other stakeholders
Promote JET Program
Provide info and resources
Support/assist new chapter development
Strengthen networking
Nurture and enhance ties between Japan and rest of world

KenJETKai

Formed ~3 years ago
A way to connect with people who were in the same prefecture as you.
Goal is to connect JETs with the local governments and businesses in Japan so we can support our prefectures.
Goal to push CIR’s to join KenJetKai and help connect alum and governments

New Chapter Development

JETAA Indonesia
JETAA Philippines

Working with AJET

Determining how we can collaborate

New JETAA-I Website

Jetaainternational.org
History
International Country Reps

Mental Health Support

Help improve resources that are provided to current JETs
Harassment/assault support

JETAA International Meeting

Every 3 years - next one will happen Nov 2019

Getting Involved with JETAA International

Elections every year for Chair and Vice Chair
VIce Chair open to all
Must be either a Country Rep or Chapter Chair to be eligible for Chair.
Process starts in January - same process as Country Rep

Takeaways

Set up google calendar and link it with USJETAA google calendar

Serve as coordinator and liaison among jETAA chapters worldwide, individual alum, Japanese gov entities, other stakeholders
Promote JET Program
Provide info and resources
Support/assist new chapter development
Strengthen networking
Nurture and enhance ties between Japan and rest of world

KenJETKai

Formed ~3 years ago
A way to connect with people who were in the same prefecture as you.
Goal is to connect JETs with the local governments and businesses in Japan so we can support our prefectures.
Goal to push CIR’s to join KenJetKai and help connect alum and governments

New Chapter Development

JETAA Indonesia
JETAA Philippines

Working with AJET

Determining how we can collaborate

New JETAA-I Website

Jetaainternational.org
History
International Country Reps

Mental Health Support

Help improve resources that are provided to current JETs
Harassment/assault support

JETAA International Meeting

Every 3 years - next one will happen Nov 2019

Getting Involved with JETAA International

Elections every year for Chair and Vice Chair
VIce Chair open to all
Must be either a Country Rep or Chapter Chair to be eligible for Chair.
Process starts in January - same process as Country Rep

Takeaways

Set up google calendar and link it with USJETAA google calendar

NatCon Day 2

What is it?

Refers to tax code
Ued for group that is organized and operated exclusively for tax exempt purposes
Group uses “surplus funds” for public interest.

Charitable organizations

Do You need It?

Pros

Tax exempt
Eligibility to pply for grants
Public Donations
Legitimacy in eyes of other organizations
Longevity
Enhances capacity
Self-Sustaining

Cons

Legally binding
IRS paperwork and taxes
Expense of applying
Ongoing maintenance & rules
Finances technically open to public inspection
Records of meetings
Can be audited
Eternal commitment
Requires legal and financial experts
Strains capacity

Benefits

Increase funding for chapter
Apply for grants

Japan Foundation CGP
US Japan Foundation

Tax Exempt

Save money on purchases

Tax benefits for donors

Tax write off for donors

Steps to Non-Profit Status

Basic Steps

Create a Board of DIrectors
Choose Formal Name
Revise by-laws to comply with 501c3 requirements
File rticles of incorporation in your state and apply for FEIN

“organization “ - legally organized as a trust, corporation or association, could be first step

Apply for IRS 501c3 Exemption

Form 1023
Form 1023-EZ

Apply for state tax exemption

Considerations

Where do we start? Do we need it?

Process, talk to senpai chapters, consider and weigh options
Research all steps before starting

Complications

Expense
Time
Maintenance
Legal representation strongly recommended

Legal and other representation

For your attorney, consider

Pro Bono attorneys (JET alum?)
Business School and Law School CLinics

State Tax Exemption

Process differs in every state. Check with local tax office
May need

Articles of incorporation
IRS determination letter
CLean Hands Self-Certification
Certificate of Occupancy or Deed

Lessons Learned from JETAADC

Business address may not be just where you’ll clock mail
Needed to corroborate where you conduct main business activities and additional proof of our educational activities, benefits of community

WHat do you need to start the conversation

Active leadership who plan to stay involved for 5+ years
What address are you using for place of business
Do you have a chapter bank account

Breakout:
Chapters without 501c3 who partner with other NPOs

Is there a maximum monetary donation that you can accept without 501c3 status?
Do we need to be filing tax returns??

Who Are JET Senpai?

Jets who participated 5+ years ago
Normally more established in their careers
Normally attend a select few events
Consider JETs that went on JET later in life so their life stage is more advanced

Engaging Senpai

Event Variety

Outdoors, arts, film, karaoke, sports

High caliber/VIP events

Increasing costs can “elevate” the event
Dinner for Senpai only (10+, 20+ reunions)
Donations for events they may be unable to attend

A sense of importance

Give senpai the opportunity to share their skills and experience with others

Senpais that Can Contribute

Career counseling/mentoring
Senpai-hosted events
Board of Advisors

Cultural Background in Japan

WOmen numbers dropped out of events during child caring years
Seen as “bad mothers” for participating in event outside the home during child caring years
Need a village to make it happen
Passion drives desire to participate and prioritize outside events
Educational and engaging

Keep Moms & Dads Engaged with JET

“Trick or Treat” for kids at career fairs
Start them early recruiting for JET
Chance to ear Japanese outfits and display/discuss your japanese items
Kid freindly meetings

Outdoor/indoor play areas (also pet freindly!)
Non-meeting attendee in charge of kids
Food/drinks

Bento Making/Japanese School Treats

Normalize new foods
Take pride in quietness of delicious japanese foods

Festivals/multicultural night events

Opportunities to eat, play wear, and do are attractive to families
Considerations;

“Nap Time” | 1-3 pm
Bed Time | 7 pm

Japanese Story Time (yomikikase)

Crafts
Stories
Songs
Libraries and Book stores will give free space and also help advertise the events

Takeaways:
The JET’s kids become mini JET recruiters
Put together a “how to incorporate japan into your kids lives/school” tipsheet

Challenges

Non response from new JETs
Not update contact info
No Returnees
Maintaining numbers
JETs move to other chapters & getting double counted
Appealing to all ages

Successes

Using LinkedIn to find local areas
Search in regions and use Japan Exchange and Teaching Program as past work history
Returnee receptions
Offer free stuff

Join before leaving for JET

Host a Q&A

Informal event, or connected with “official” consulate events
Opportunities to sign up for JETAA before they leave

Host an educational event

Japan etiquette

Host a social event/farewell event

Know Your Demographic

Welcome back event

Bring applications for people to fill out on the spot
Meet in person and informally interview/socialize/network

Sound out a short google survey

Who are they?
WHat are their goals?
Where do they need support?
Why would they want to join JETAA?

Add a Personal Touch

Use your own backgrounds to make connections
Have multiple different outreaches (events, facebook, personal invites)
Talk about why JETAA is important to you and why you joined
Keep inviting - you never know when someone will finally take you up on it

Agenda

CLAIR Update
JETAA GIA
Updates for Next Fiscal Year

2020 Schedule of JET Programme | 1 year only to accommodate Olympics

No change to application and recruitment schedule
New JET’s schedule to visit Japan | About 1 month later than previous year

Group A: Arrival: Sept 9
Group B: Sept 13

Will not impact deadline for applications

JET Returnees’ Schedule

Contracts will end on July/August of 2020
If contracting organization and JET come to an agreement, they can extend the term of appointment until last day of September 2020

JETAA GIA Funding and Procedures

Overview of GIA

GIA: FUnds provided for chapter’s administrative/operating expenses and chapter activities
Type of GIA:

Basic

Administrative and operating expenses. $909.09
Ex: Executive & board meetings
Website hosting & maintenance
Supplies like stationery, business cards, stamps, letters, checks
Management fees like 501c3 and bank account

Normal

Expenses for chapter activities
Communication

Networking meetings
Japanese cultural event
Participation fee for japanese event like having a booth at
Delegate fees for NatCon

Career Support

Career Forum
Career Counseling

JET Program support

Promoting JET program

Other activities deemed appropriate by CLAIR

Promoting local tourism to and local products from Japan
Getting involved in sister state and sister city relations
Exchanges with Japanese communities
Introducing and promoting Japanese culture.

Country Representative GIA (if applicable)

Expenses if a chapter holds a country rep

National COnference GIA (if applicable)

For the chapter that hosts the national conference

Multi-chapter Conference GIA

Supplies & venue fees for conference

GIA for Sub-Chapters

Basic & Normal GIA can also cover expenses for sub-chapter activities
Expenses for sub-chapters are included in andfunded by each chapter budget

Schedule of GIA

1. June 28, 2019 | Deadline to submit application
2. Aug 14, 2019: Decision Notice and Prepayment
3. If applicable: Usage Change Form
4. Feb 21, 2020: Deadline for submitting activity reports5.

Usage Change

Should be done for situations below:

Adding activities funded by GIA
Cancelling activities funded by GIA
Requesting more than the decided GIA amounts
Significant decrease of cost funded by GIA

Submit applications in advance in case the funding isn’t approved

Notes for Preparing Activity Report

Cost Sharing

Must use cost-sharing for use of Basic/Normal GIA for food and drink

Prove cost sharing:

Food Expenses = $800
GIA Request =$200

Proof of Payment

Receipts
Invoices with a “paid” stamp
Quotes/invoices with bank/credit card statements showing payments
Hand-written receipts are not acceptable

Honorariums

A cancelled check copy is not enough proof of payment. Please get a receipt from those who receive the honorarium or get check deposit data from your bank.

Preparation of Activity Reports

Arrange papers and receipts as regularly as possible
Make PDF data of receipts

Do we need to submit original receipts?

Yes, at the end of the fiscal year.

What if original receipts are lost?

Please try to get as much information as you can, re-issued receipt, copy of merchant copy, bank/credit card statements, etc

Can potentially discuss with MOFA for assistance with transportation funding

Contact consulate to discuss

NatCon Day 1

#jetsareeverywhere
Using Your Social Media Correctly

Facebook

Public and private events
Updates
Job listings
Networking community

Instagram

Public Events
Promoting your Chapter/JETAA

Twitter

Public Events
Japan/JET tips

Job Listings
Networking
Events (related to networking/careers/jobs)

Frequency & Consistency
Use Your Logo

Recognizable and cosnsistent
Flexible

JETAA Mascot Initiative

Post on fun events

Good for all platforms
Customizable for events
Use of original content over some oelse’s work

Make Buttons and Stickers

Sell or give away

Social Media Start

Post the in locations around your chapter and create interest/engagement

Agenda

COnecting with alumni at a distance
Building your network
Thinking outside the box
Idea-sharing

Outreach Trips
“Postcards From…”

Reaching out to far-flung JETs and asking them if they’d like to contribute a “postcard” plus a photo about what they’re up to

Getting from here to there

Who do you know?
Can you get budget to go there?
Decide on timing

JET recruitment season a great time to do it
Collaborate with local consulate

Spread the word!

Online presence, newsletters
Can your Consulate or JET Coordinator help?

Sustainability

Building Your Network

Getting to know your neighbors
Inter-Chapter Collaborations
Better TOgether

Create opportunities for problem-solving and idea-sharing

Not just for NatCon

Movement between chapters
Diverse Events

How can people step out of main hub and meet with others

Event invitation vs. event collaboration

Connect & Brainstorm
Draw folks out of the woodwork

Into the Unknown

Classic Connections

Japan-Related Organizations
Consuls or Honor COnsuls

University Alumni Associations
Work Colleagues
Clubs & SPecial interest groups
Who do you know - who do THEY know?
Cold-Calls

JOI Coordinator:

University of Central Arkansas (AR)
Jackson State University (MS)

Connecting the Dots

Insight into Different Communities
Engage remote Alumni
Share resources and ideas
JET Recruiting leads to Alumni recruiting

The Board

Decide what roles your chapter needs to be successful
JETAADC (Membership ~600; Events annually ~40)

Exec Board

President
VP
Treasurer
Secretary

Full Board

JET Talks x2
Professional Development x2
JET Ambassadors x1
Newsletter x1
Technology x1
Social Chair x1

JETAAMN (Membership ~500; Events annually ~25)

Board

President
Treasurer
Webmaster
Volunteer/Membership Cord
Events Cord (x2)
Communications

Newsletters/Emails
Social Media

Ho w to Fill Your Positions

Have a procedure

Elections, nominations, self-nominations, etc
Formal vs. informal

Have a position description to describe the role
Review bylaws to determine whether we can have non-JETs serve on our board

Techniques & Strategies

Involvement

Give members ways to get involved
Start with smaller tasks
Invite to board meetings
Special occasions: Forums/VIP events

Notice Attendance/Intent

Who often shows up?
Learn about returned JETs and ongoing JETs

Mentorship

Start people off at “lower” rings of leadership then build them up to bigger ones

Training

Shadowing of positions with incoming and outgoing members
Board Retreat Events

Friends of JET

Get involvement from outside the alumni population and possible new perspectives and partnerships on Japan-US focus

Consider Creating New Roles as Needed

Olter JETs can facilitate other roles like

Family JET event liason
Advisory Boards (not eboard)
Career Event liaison
Trainer Corps
JET career mentor grouos
Subcommitties with larger tasks

Grant writers
501c3 planning/maintenance
Philanthropy

Learn the trengths of your members and letting them adapt their positions as needed to suit those strengths.

Communication is Key

Post open positions, applications, and that you are recruiting so members know
SUrvey membership to see whether the would be interested in helping/attending

Incentives

Food & Things
Resume & Network Building
BUsiness trips and special events

NatCon
Consulate visit dinners
Japn-influenced Events (Anime/Manga, Taiko performances, etc)
Community events/fancy fundraisers

Personal Investments

Decisions on Events

Allow members hobbies and interests to shine with new events

Challenges

Capacity

Split work equally or cater to what that person can give

Diversity of volunteers

Try to mix more experienced/less experienced
Locational representation

Hard to get people from smaller cities to participate

Converting an Idea into an Action on part of a non-officer

Schedule a brief time to project plan with the person to help set them up for success by helping them with “project management” elements - this might get them over the first hurdle and result in an event
Question - what is the barrier to entry? WHy is it that they aren’t willing to put an event together.
Specify: We want you to be empowered, emphasize the positive.
Consider investing significant set-up time/set-up costs in Conway to get people rolling

Importance of a Future Plan

Be proactive instead of reactive
Stay aligned with chapter mission
Stay ahead of challenges and threats
Continually elevate our chapter status
Keep chapter fresh
Stay current on offerings and events

Making Plans for JETAA

Pros

Mass scale (room full of leaders)
Passion
Individual skill sets (diverse)
Support network (CLAIR, USJETAA)
Volunteers

Challenges

Missing institutional knowledge
Lack of man power
Officer change over
Volunteers
Creating a long-term plan when leadership changes over part way through the plan

What JETAA can offer Alumnni

Leadership skills
Event planning
Fundraising’negotiating
Public speaking
Networking
Reverse culture shock support

What does JETAA offer community

Educated adults who have lived and worked in ajapn
People who have first ahnd knoweldge of japan
Japnese speakers
Strong candidates for employment
Well educatioend and adventerous
Stronger than average communication and adpatability skills
Altruistic
Leaders

5 Golden Rules of Long Term Pkanning

Motivation

What motivates you - key to achieving goals
Setting goals by priority
Why is the goal valuable

Set SMART Goals

Specific

Clear & well-defined

Measurable

Amounts/dates to help measure degree of progress and success

Attainable

Don’t set goals too easy or difficult to achieve
Break larger goals into smaller attainable goals

Relevant

Should be relevant to mission and long-term planning for chapter

Time-Bound

Set a deadline to create a sense of urgency and accountability

Put Goals In Writing

Physicial act of writing makes it more tangible
Use “will” language rather than “might”, etc
Fram goal statement positively

“I will hold on to all existing board members for a second term”

Make an Action Plan

Write out individual steps and cross them off as you complete them

Stick With It

Goal setting is ongoing
Build reminders to stay on track

Shared Google Doc for each officer to update with progress and keep abrest of what everyone else is working on

Reach out to former officers to ask them goals for JETAA

How Big Should We Dream?

Typical Goals

Find new members
Host more events
Host a deparature conference
Prepare new JETs
Host shinnenkai

Reach Goals

Purchase a club house for JET alumni to live in their retirement
Change the Japanese school system

Goals

Creating Board of DIrectors
Hosing Japan Day for community
Be point of contact for everything Japan in your city
Provide training workshops
Be Self-sustaining
Apply for a grant or partner with USJETAA
Have working relationships with Japanese Companies
Be known organization for teaching ENglish in Japan
Provide Homestay options

Takeaways

Stretch goal: Wouldn’t it be great to offer a small “scholarship” for students interested in studying abroad?

Who What Why of USJETAA
Modeled in part after NAJAS (National Association for Japan-America Society)
Provide additional support to chapters in ways that paid staff could do
Purpose: Further US Japan relations through the JET ALumni network.

Chapters or independent JETs separate for the chapters.

Micro-Grant initiative for current JETs

Only way that JETAA organization engages with active JETs

Value Add for Your Members

Supports individual members.
Provide content for Alumni to engage with no matter where they are

Webinar Series

Putting JET on your resume
LinkedIn Profile Building
Interesting career paths from JET to now

Communications/marketing
Legal

Career Services

Must be member of US JETAA
One:One career consultations with JETS

Founded by Japan Foundation

Resume reviews

Funded by CLAIR & Japan Foundation

East-West Center Contributor Program

Japan Matters for AMerica resource booklet
Online publications about current events
Partnering so that JET alumni can submit publications (with stipend) to their website

Events

Virtual events
US/Japan Townhall (last February)

Join USJETAA

Let’s Work Together - Chapter Support

Chapter Support - contact Bahia at [email protected]
Toolbox Webinar Series

5 webinars per year
Explicitly for JETAA chapter leadership
Can make requests for content to Bahia
All recorded and saved down
“Mini- NatCon” available to all officers
Usually publish new content every other month.

Leadership Program

USJETAA executive director and/or board member will visit chapter

Supported by CLAIR

Working session based on chapter’s specific needs
One slot open!

Sasakawa USA Chapter Grant Program

Purpose: Help chapters/subchapters strengthen JET Alumni network and elevate leadership role in local US/Japan community
Previous Event Examples:

Grassroots forums for local Japanese organizations
Panels on influence and exchange of Japanese art and culture
30th anniversary celebrations
Career events

Requirements:

Applicants must incorporate a topic of relevance on US/Japan Relations
Sasakawa USA and US JETAA will workshop events with selected chapters and provide support through process
CHapters need to be members of USJETAA and meet all grant requirements
Recommendations: go beyond social/cultural and focus on business/diplomacy/etc
Do not need to be 501c3

Benefits for Your Chapter

Help chapter do something ambitious and new related to US/Japan relations
Give you the experience of organizing a professional event
Help you make connections in your community

Can connect with another organization in our area on this...Japan Society…

Collaboration and Support

JETAA CHapters - main organizers
JETAA US - support/guidance

Partnership Benefits

Include donor and partner acknowledgement on all promotional materials
Extremely important
Also elevates status of local JETAA Chapter
Sasakawa USA and USJETAA plan to send one representative to attend events in person.
USJETAA/Sasakawa can help find speakers for event

Applying:

Contact Bahia to discuss idea
Complete narrative application and preliminary budget by Oct 31, 2019
Program should be held between December 2019 and Feb 2020

Working Session: Brainstorming & developing a Grant request

Who is target audience
What s your chapter’s “Brand” and mission?
How does this event strengthen relations between US/Japan
What impact do you hope this event will achieve?
How can you amplify your chapter’s visibility in the community?
How can you fund it?
Can you partner with another organization to apply for a grant?
How are you going to measure your success?

Other opportunities to work together

Contact Bahia with any ideas what we can’t realize ourselves.

Brainstorming Exercise
Focus: Introducing younger groups to Japan, JET program, studying Japanese, building interest in Japan, studying abroad.

Target Audience: Students: focus on high school but open to middle - college
Chapter Brand/Mission: Introduce local community with ways that they can engage with Japan and how they can prepare for those opportunities. Feed the Japan Community in General and JET pipeline in particular
…..

Takeaways

Incorporate webinars into regular communication rhythm

National Association of Japan America Societies
Focus: Growth & Sustainability
Network of Japan America Societies

History & Sustainability
⅓ are all volunteer, others have small staffs
National Association supports all chapters

What is Japan Society and why does it exist?

1900-1910: Groups founded for cultural exchange
1920’s: groups founded for “competitive” reasons - If Chicago has one, St. Louis should have one too, etc
1960s: movement to found Japan societies due to political climate/emphasis on Japan/US relationship
More than half of societies founded in the 1980’s s a complement to the direct investment by Japanese companies in the United States

Indiana, Tennessee, etc.
No historical ties with Japan, but recipient of large scale investment from Japanese businesses.

All chapters started for different reasons, but function similarly toward same goals

NAJAS

Tries to provide Japan related programs to members that couldn’t create them themselves
Create programs, get them funded, and distribute them to chapters that couldn’t have done it themselves.
Ideas come to NAJAS from members
NAJAS creates programs that are beneficial for end users, but also for the groups that fund them
Program must serve interests not just of local society but of funding organization

Program Examples:

Art program that gets curators of Japanese art exhibits to go speak in parts of the country that don’t have access to those exhibits

Increases appreciation for Japanese art
Brings attention to collections of Japanese art in US

Business Speaker series that speaks about important emerging or continuing business connections/relationships between US/Japan

Provides member chapters with an annual meeting to update them on trends and the state of the US/Japan relationship

Bring in speakers to focus on different topics
Members can share that information back in their home chapters so chapter can continue to disseminate information about Japan in their areas with a basic and current level of knowledge

How can NAJAS members and JET work together

Short answer: mostly we already do.
If haven’t already, join Japan Society
JETs can be employed in Japan Societies that have paid members

What is the market in my area related to Japan? WHat can my organization provide that will make people what to join and to sustain?

Be open to partnering with any and all other organizations related to Japan.

Part of growth and sustainability is to cultivate relationship with other organizations.

Q&A:
How do you find programs that people want and keep them coming back?

Membership is very diverse, people interested in business, culture, diplomacy, etc.
Programs need to be able to be funded in order to achieve sustainability.

Takeaways

Time to contact Japan Society New Orleans and check in!
I think my membership has lapsed - time to renew!
Need to remind everyone that JETs are able to join Japan Society for the first year with either discounted or free membership...

Japan Exchange Teaching: Playing the Long Game

Active participation in achieving goals which may take some time
Rules for success in Public Diplomacy

Don’t sacrifice long term goals for short term/transitory goals
Always respect your audience
Don’t underestimate how fast you can lose credibility

The currency of public diplomacy is credibility
Public DIplomacy Challenge Example

High point of relationship - Obama visits Hiroshima
Downfall - concerns over candidate trump

Public Diplomacy Challenge based on statements such as:

“America First”
US & Japan have an “unbalanced alliance”
Japan manipulates currency to achieve “unfair economic advantage” etc…
Trans-Pacific Partnership is a “bad deal” for United States

Public Diplomacy Strategy

Support Japan’s “womenomics” agenda
Exploit momentum of Tokyo 2020 Olympic
Promote US as Study Abroad destination
Highlight strength of “enduring” grassroot ties
Leverage influence of bilateral organizations
Expand cultural and educational exchange, including supporting programs like JET

Stakeholders in enhancing cultural exchange

CUlcon
Japan-America Student Exchange
Japan Center for INernational Exchage
Japan SOciety
Japan Foundation,
JET
Etc

Metzgar’s study findings

Very effective public diplomacy program
ALums feel continued responsibility to interpret Japan and correct misrepresentations of Japan in US Media
Enhances appreciation for Japanese culture and nuanced understanding of Japan and its people
Cretes grassroots channels between US and Japan
Jets felt compelled to support Japan through 3/11 disaster
Active participants in Japan-related organizations
Grooms next generation of supporters of Japan

Impact of JET alum

Vast majority of emerging leader and experts under age of 45 who are working in US-Japan relations are former JET Program participants. Gov, policy research, business, academia, arts and cultural exchange

Challenges when Japan is your Second Home

Directly leveraging your JET experience
FInding positions in international affairs
Friends and family can’t relate to your experience
Americans don’t know much about japan or it’s importance to US

Some have views of Japan that are stuck in the past

Unique Alliance: From bitterest of enemies to the closest of alliances

President Obama’s visit to Hiroshima
Easy to forget now the amazingness of the change in the relationship from enemies to allies

Japan Matter to the US

US/Japan account for 30% of world trade
Security alliance is a cornerstone of security in APAC
US i japan’s top export destination, Japan is AMerica’s 4th largest
US top destination for Japanese investment
Japan responsible for creating more us jobs than any other country
Japanese students contribute $650 Million to US economy and number of american students to Japan grows every year
Strong Grassroot ties including 450 sister cities

Conclusions

Jets are critical component of Japan’s Public DIplomacy toward US
JETs are future leaders of relationship, no matter current role
JET experience will continue to define you
Active engagement in organizations like US JETAA isc critical
DOn’t underestimate how important/impactful JET alum are on world stage.

Takeaways/Thoughts

Staying power of favorability toward US despite political challenges
Read Emily Metzgar’s study | Promoting Japan: One JET at a Time
Wow, amazing to realize that former JETs are slowly creeping into all of the government, policy, business, etc areas between US/Japan