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A Celebration of JETAA in 2024

2nd December 2024

A Celebration of JETAA in 2024

This year has been another busy year for JETAA Chapters, with celebrations of Japanese culture and the JET experience in abundance up and down the UK. From exhibition visits in London to Hanami in Scotland, the JETAA community came together both to reminisce about their time on JET and make new memories of Japanese traditions and culture.

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JETAA South Chair Ella Donaldson on Working with Sister City Friendship Associations

28th November 2024

JETAA South Chair Ella Donaldson on Working with Sister City Friendship Associations

After an experience like working in Japan on the JET Programme, people who return to the UK once their time has ended can often find themselves looking for a way to stay connected to their placements. Having spent two years in my placement getting to know the city and the locals of Japan’s hot spring capital, Beppu, I wanted to be able to cont...

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Volunteers needed for the Japan Matsuri at Trafalgar Square on Sunday October 6th 2024

7th September 2024

Volunteers needed for the Japan Matsuri at Trafalgar Square on Sunday October 6th 2024

Photo by Dominic Alves   Would you be interested in volunteering at the Japan Matsuri? We're looking for JETAA volunteers to support at the event, with three shifts available:   All day: 07:30 - 21:00 (or end of the day, whichever is earlier) 1s...

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A review of the Spirited Away stage adaptation

7th September 2024

A review of the Spirited Away stage adaptation

Seasoned fans and newcomers alike would find it hard to deny the magic of Spirited Away performed on stage. Considered by many as a favourite of Miyazaki’s works (and perhaps one of the most influential animated films of its time), this is one of four Studio Ghibli animations to have been brought to life. Tickets for the show, in Londo...

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National Chair of JETAA Jaz Lau on Meeting the Emperor

7th September 2024

National Chair of JETAA Jaz Lau on Meeting the Emperor

  As the national chair of the JETAA community, my usual duties are overseeing multiple local chapters to support alumni who have returned from their time in Japan, as well as continuing to maintain and grow the connection between the UK and Japan. It can be anything from applying for funding from the Japan Local Government Center, book...

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JET Alumni Careers Fair 2024 - Sep 25 , 11 :00AM - 4 :00PM BST

25th August 2024

JET Alumni Careers Fair 2024 - Sep 25 , 11 :00AM - 4 :00PM BST

Calling all JET alumni and those interested in exploring new career opportunities! Join us for the JET Careers Fair 2024 — an event designed for networking, professional growth, and discovering exciting job prospects. Date: 25th September Time: 11:00 - 16:00 (BST) Location: ...

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JET Spotlight: Rebecca Slinn

24th August 2024

JET Spotlight: Rebecca Slinn

Rebecca Slinn is doing her Master's Degree in applied linguistics and English language teaching at King's College in London. She has been working on her Master's dissertation whilst also teaching academic English over the summer. When did you go on the JET programme, and where did you go?  I was in Okayama Prefe...

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Restaurant review: Buta Kuna

18th August 2024

Restaurant review: Buta Kuna

Buta Kun is a super accesable Japanese restaurant that has just opened up next to Newcastle university, across from Haymarket Metro station. The inside had a range of spacious tables and a large bar with no shortage of Sake behind it. ...

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JET Spotlight: Sharleen Estampador

6th June 2024

JET Spotlight: Sharleen Estampador

Sharleen Estampador is a scholar researching the politics of memory, nostalgia, soft power, intersectionality and Japan, international exchange, and cultural diplomacy. At the University of Edinburgh, she teaches undergraduate courses that include or have included: Sociological Imagination, Thinking Sociologically, Anthropology and the Life Co...

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JETAA events round-up June 2024

25th May 2024

JETAA events round-up June 2024

London . .   Spirited Away at the London Coliseum The 26th of June 2024, 7:15pm onwards JETAA London plan to experience Studio Ghibli’s enchanting classic film onstage in the landmark new adaptation. Tickets are hard to come by, but if you already have yours, why not meet u...

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Interview with Illustrator, Natsko Seki

19th May 2024

Interview with Illustrator, Natsko Seki

Award-winning illustrator, born in Tokyo, and now in London, Natsko Seki sat down with us to discuss her career and love of art.  After Completing a B.A. in Illustration from the University of Brighton in 2005, Natsko Seki moved to and fell in love with London. "When I think about my favourite places in London, I prefer those wit...

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Restaurant review: Suki Suki

19th May 2024

Restaurant review: Suki Suki

Suki-Suki is fantastic pan Asian restaurant on Deansgate in Manchester. Fashionable and affordable, the restaurant has great window decals and a kitch little counter to order your food downstairs. Upstairs, you'll find two cosy, but not cramped, seating areas. 

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Taiko Meantime - Japanese drummers - 12th May 2024 at Farnham Maltings with JETAA Discount

27th April 2024

Taiko Meantime - Japanese drummers - 12th May 2024 at Farnham Maltings with JETAA Discount

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Restaurant review: DOJO

3rd February 2024

Restaurant review: DOJO

Dojo is a popular spot among young Geordies and is a strong contender for the title of best Japanese restaurant in Newcastle.       Immediately upon entering, you are met with Kumamon's welcoming f...

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JETAA Round-up February 2024

3rd February 2024

JETAA Round-up February 2024

London . .   Networking Mixer To kick off the new year, we will be hosting a Welcome Back Mixer for returning JET alumni and new members alike. It will be an evening filled with reconnection, sharing experiences and collaboration. Date and venue details will follow shortly, so st...

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Film review: The Boy and the Heron

3rd February 2024

Film review: The Boy and the Heron

The Boy and the Heron is the latest masterpiece of animation by Studio Ghibli and director Hayao Miyazaki. The film is the biggest Japanese release in the UK from both this year and last. It has been nominated for Best Animated Film at the Oscars, won the Golden Globe and BAFTA for Best Animated Feature as well as many more awards.  It ...

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JET Spotlight: Malcolm Wellby

26th January 2024

JET Spotlight: Malcolm Wellby

Why did you decide to go on the JET programme, and where did you go?   I've done a course on East Asia as part of my year abroad at university and started getting interested in the region after that. After graduating, I did the EPIK programme in South Korea and while I quite liked that, I took a trip to Fukuoka ...

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London Landmarks Half-marathon Charity Places

24th January 2024

London Landmarks Half-marathon Charity Places

Run to support orphaned youth with education! Ashinaga, a Japanese charity with a UK office, has 5 places for the London Landmarks Half-marathon on April 7. The route is 13.1 miles long and goes past iconi...

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Japan and UK to increase number of Working Holiday Visas

26th November 2023

Japan and UK to increase number of Working Holiday Visas

photo by  Giuseppe Milo  Working holiday visas are fantastic. It was what I used to decide that I didn't want to just holiday in Japan, I wanted to properly live there for a number of years as an English teacher. When researching it online, I was advised to call ahead as there were only so many given out each year. It wa...

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yatsuhashi recipe

15th November 2023

yatsuhashi recipe

By Matsuyuki     70 g glutinous rice flour 65 ml water 60 g sugar 2 tsp cinnamon powder Mix 70 g of your glutinous rice flour with 65ml of water, ensuring there are no lumps. Add 60 g of sugar. Once combined, the...

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Dorayaki recipe

15th November 2023

Dorayaki recipe

By OCDP   Dorayaki, a great snack, or possibly a replacement for those who like scotch pancakes for breakfast. 2 large eggs 80 Grams of Caster Sugar 10 grams of Honey 100 grams of flour 2 tbsp of baking powder 50 ml of w...

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JET Spotlight: Jonathan Longden

15th November 2023

JET Spotlight: Jonathan Longden

 Jonathan Longden was a Shiga Prefecture JET in 2016 but is now a project management team leader in the pharmaceutical industry. He sat down to chat with us about his time in Japan and the transition back into that industry.  How did you become interested in the JET Programme, and where did you go? Every time s...

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December 2023 Events news round up

15th November 2023

December 2023 Events news round up

London . .   JETAA London had a great time seeing the stage adaptaion of Garden of Words, and are hoping to see more theatre shows in the future. Spirited Away - London Coliseum, 2024 - 30th April to 20th July 2024 If you haven't already sorted tickets for this, ...

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School-Centred Initial Teacher Training Information Day for Applicants

1st November 2023

School-Centred Initial Teacher Training Information Day for Applicants

School-Centred Initial Teacher Training Information Day for Applicants   

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JET Video Contest Now Accepting Submissions!

22nd October 2023

JET Video Contest Now Accepting Submissions!

    JET Video Contest Now Accepting Submissions!   CLAIR is very happy to announce the long-awaited return of the JET Video Contest, being held for the first time in 7 years! All JET Programme alumni as...

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Speech Contest for Spoken Business Japanese  at SOAS on Tuesday 7th November 2023

22nd September 2023

Speech Contest for Spoken Business Japanese at SOAS on Tuesday 7th November 2023

Speech Contest for Spoken Business Japanese at at SOAS 7th November 2023 The purpose of the Awards is to deepen the understanding of Japanese business culture by businessmen and women of the UK and the European Union through the study of the Japanese language, and to contribute to goodwill and mutual understan...

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September 2023 Events news round up

3rd September 2023

September 2023 Events news round up

London . .   JETAA London had a great time seeing the stage adaptaion of Garden of Words, and are hoping to see more theatre shows in the future. On Thursday 28th of September we are planning to watch the Japan Vs Samoa Rugby world cup game together from 19:30 til 22:30 at The Hercules Pillars, 18 G...

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JET Spotlight Philip Harper

3rd September 2023

JET Spotlight Philip Harper

Philip Harper is a successful sake brewer and author. He is the first non-Japanese person to earn the title of Toji 杜氏 or master sake brewer. He is Toji of Kinoshita Brewing Company in Kyoto. He wrote The Insider's Guide to Sake (1998) and The Book of Sake: A Connoisseurs Guide (2006).    How...

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Haruka Kuroda

3rd September 2023

Haruka Kuroda

Haruka Kuroda is CEO of the A Thousand Cranes Theatre company. She was kind enough to tell us about her "Anglo-Japanese theatre company that creates shows for young people using the Japanese language, culture and storytelling styles, such as Kamishibai." She is also quite a prolific actor, ...

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Japanese Cabbage rolls

3rd September 2023

Japanese Cabbage rolls

Photo by Masahiko Satoh Japanese cabbage roles, or ロールキャベツ, are a great food to tide you over though these autumn months. You'll need mince for this, but it can be any kind, Quorn, beef, pork or turkey are all fine for this recipe.  250g mince  6 cabba...

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JET Alumni Careers Fair 2023 - Sep 27, 11 :00AM - 4 :00PM BST

1st September 2023

JET Alumni Careers Fair 2023 - Sep 27, 11 :00AM - 4 :00PM BST

• Returning or considering a move to the UK after your JET experience? • Uncertain about finding work or contacts after your arrival? • Or simply want to keep in touch with the JET community and Japan? Join us for this year’s JET ALUMNI CAREERS FAIR ONLINE, organised by the Japan Local Government...

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Pre-Departure Informal Q+A Session

20th June 2023

Pre-Departure Informal Q+A Session

***JETAA volunteers are needed to help with London pre-departure meet-up for outgoing JETs!*** The new JETs have recently been given their placements in Japan and will be attending their pre-departure orientation on Friday 7th July. We would like to invite JET Alumni to join us at a pre-departure meet-up following their orienta...

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Four Seasons in Japan book review and giveaway

19th June 2023

Four Seasons in Japan book review and giveaway

Nick Bradley’s second book, Four Seasons in Japan, is a moving story covering a range of topics including grief, loss, relationships and seeking fulfilment, all with a beautiful backdrop of the country vividly described by the author. The structure of a book within a book is beautifully crafted, it pulls the reader into a novel difficult to pu...

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Message from North East Chair

30th May 2023

Message from North East Chair

Hi all, I’m Naomi And I have just become the Chair of the North-East chapter. I was on the JET Programme as an Irish JET 2008-2011 and was an ALT in Umaji-Mura, Kochi.  I was involved with the JET Programme in Ireland upon my return in 2011 and have got involved with the North-East Chapter through our many online events. I also happen to live...

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JET Spotlight: James Gamgee

19th May 2023

JET Spotlight: James Gamgee

James Gamgee is a Learning and Development manager at the Scottish Government, has been studying Psychology since 2017, and is one of the main organisers of the Fuji Festival. The Festival is an educational project to promote fun study days on Japanese culture in schools.

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Melon-Pan Recipe

18th May 2023

Melon-Pan Recipe

Photo by Lovejsc     Melon Pan is my favourite Japanese bread,  and it comes from such a simple recipe. We have a step-by-step recipe for those just wanting a quick and fun treat, and one for those who have a bit more time on their hands   Part 1, The Outer L...

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KarePan Recipe

18th May 2023

KarePan Recipe

This is a great recipe if you've got any leftover curry. You could make some fresh curry just for this recipe, but make sure it's not too saucy. 200G of strong white flour 1 & 1/2 tablespoons of sugar 1/2 teaspoon of salt 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil 120ml of milk 1 teaspoon of instant yeast 2 e...

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June 2023 Events news round up

18th May 2023

June 2023 Events news round up

London . .   We are having an informal gathering in the upstairs room at the Marquis Cornwallis near Russell Square Station from 7pm after JET orientation on Friday the 7th of July. JETAA volunteers are needed to help with London pre-departure meet-up for outgoing JETs! Sign up using the Even...

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Top 10 Most Anticipated Japanese Novels Getting Translated This Year

4th February 2023

Top 10 Most Anticipated Japanese Novels Getting Translated This Year

Image by Abhi Sharma   Love at Six Thousand Degrees by Maki Kashimada A psychological romance exploring PTSD and taboo that won Kashimada the Mishima Yukio Prize...

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Karaage air fryer

4th February 2023

Karaage air fryer

Image by Katherine Lim   Karaage seems to be the staple of many JET diets. If you're hosting a party, at karaoke, or looking for a last minute meal in the konbini, karaage has your back. Fried chicken from the UK just isn't the same, but with this recipe you should be able to recapture some of the magic of Japanese ...

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Age Dashi

4th February 2023

Age Dashi

Image by Daremoshiranai In my opinon, cripsy tofu is the best kind of tofu, and you can get a wonderful crisp in an air fryer. To make crispy tofu you will need potato starch and cooking spray. It's really important to drain the tofu, then wrap it in a piece of kitchen roll to absorb any excess water. Mois...

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JET Spotlight : Will Farr

2nd February 2023

JET Spotlight : Will Farr

Dr. Will Farr is an academic, currently a Senior Teaching Associate at Cambridge University, who specializes in autism in education. His career has developed a lot since he was a JET in Tottori in 1998; he sat down with us a discussed some of his best experiences and how it led to his current career.  Will Farr has always been intereste...

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Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2023

1st February 2023

Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2023

we have linked up with the Japan Foundation to give you the chance to win one of 3 pairs of tickets to see a film of your choice as part of their 2023 Touring Film Programme. You have three chances to win: Like the JETAA London Facebook page (if you haven't already) and the promotional post which will appear there. Follo...

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JETAA March 2023 events round up

1st February 2023

JETAA March 2023 events round up

London . .   JETAA London are planning to see Japanese comedian YURIKO KOTANI: KAIJU ABOUT at Soho Theatre on Thursday 23rd March at 8:45pm. BBC New Comedy Award winner, Japanese Londoner Yuriko Kotani, was about to make a change and have a fresh...

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Japanese Chocolate pie recipe

27th November 2022

Japanese Chocolate pie recipe

Photo by: Brisbane falling      Japanese bakeries are filled with light and fluffy cakes that always appeal to those who want a not-so-filling snack between meals. Rarely do you find something so decadent and filling as this recipe.  You may recognise a version of this choco...

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December 2022 event round up

15th November 2022

December 2022 event round up

London . . Join the London chapter on Monday 12th for a night of KFC and Karaoke! We'll be meeting at the Lavender Hill KFC at 18:30, which is a short walk from Clapham Junction station.and after feasting on fried chicken in that time-honoured Japanese tradition, we'll be making our way to the Four Thieves pub for chr...

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Daigaku Imo Recipe

15th November 2022

Daigaku Imo Recipe

photo by taylorandayumi   Also known as Candied Sweet Potato, Daigaku Imo (大学芋) are an inexpensive and tasty dessert. Daigaku Imo, as you might have guessed from the name, has always been pop...

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My Neighbor Totoro, adapted for the stage by Tom Morton-Smith, Review

13th November 2022

My Neighbor Totoro, adapted for the stage by Tom Morton-Smith, Review

The Royal Shakespeare’s production of My Neighbour Totoro (となりのトトロ) is a love letter to Miyazaki’s animation, but realised with puppetry. The stagecraft is simply epic. From the opening animated credits (yes you read that right) with crawling insects to Oki-Totoro and an illuminated Catbus the production is simply brilliant. T...

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JET Spotlight: Gavin Hugh

13th November 2022

JET Spotlight: Gavin Hugh

We recently sat down with JET Alumni Gavin Hugh. Gavin runs his own digital media business called MidgieBite Media, which offers video production, photography, and aerial drone services. They do projects for businesses and charities, as well as events coverage and music videos.   "I've been running my business for around five ye...

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Departing JETs Event Huge Success

6th September 2022

Departing JETs Event Huge Success

Recently, brand new JETs all across the country have been welcomed to leavers events to wish them well before they head off to Japan. The pub where people met in London was packed with outgoing JETs, all chattering excitedly as they found people headed to similar prefectures, swapping experiences, wondering what the future held. The weat...

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