IJS to hold workshop on teaching English in Japan on Oct. 8

The Institute for Japanese Studies (IJS) will present a career workshop, "Teaching English in Japan," on Thursday, October 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (online; registration required).

Abstract: Looking for a job in Japan? Teaching English is a great way to live overseas, gain cross-cultural knowledge, and have work experience. Hear from Ohio State graduate students who have taught English in Japan, including participants of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme. (The JET Programme offers university graduates the opportunity to serve in public and private primary, junior and senior high schools teaching English.) The student panelists will share how they prepared while they were undergraduates, how they applied for teaching positions in Japan, what it was like to teach in Japan, and how they prepared for the next step after living in Japan.

Ulrike Schaede to present on business reinvention in Japan on Oct. 15

The Institute for Japanese Studies (IJS) will present a lecture by Ulrike Schaede, University of California, San Diego, on Thursday, October 15 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (online; registration required). Professor Schaede will present "Why Japan Matters: Business Reinvention and Technology Leadership in the Digital Economy."

Abstract: After two decades of reinvention, Japanese companies are re-emerging as major players in the new economy. This is important for three reasons: (1) Japanese companies now quietly anchor many global supply chains with technology leadership in advanced components and materials, (2) lucrative new markets for corporate assets and consumer products are opening up within Japan, and (3) Japan will be an important player in the digital transformation. This presentation will explain how this business reinvention has occurred. In response to the rise of China and the globalization of supply chains, Japanese companies have begun to build deep technology competencies in critical inputs and components. This is reflected in a new ‘aggregated niche strategy’ in which Japanese firms dominate many critical global markets for upstream inputs. Because this reinvention is occurring within Japan’s societal preferences for stability, the process has been slow and deliberate, and it is now coming to fruition.

Pitt, Screenshot: Asia to hold 2020 Japan Documentary Film Award screenings Sept. 24-26

The Japan Council at the University of Pittsburgh and SCREENSHOT: ASIA will present an online screening of the "2020 Japan Documentary Film Award" Thursday, September 24 through Saturday, September 26. Schedule as follows:

Thursday, September 24, 2020
6:30 PM: An introduction and screening of Kazuhiro Soda's Oyster Factory (2015), with a conversation with Mr. Soda to follow at 9:30

Friday, September 25, 2020
7:00 PM: An introduction with Honorable Mention winner Nanako Hirose and a screening of her film Book-Paper-Scissors (2019) with a conversation with Ms. Hirose to follow at 9:00

Saturday, September 26, 2020
7:00 PM: An introduction with Grand Prize winner Tokachi Tsuchiya and a screening of his film An Ant Strikes Back (2019) with a conversation with Mr. Tsuchiya to follow at 9:00

All screenings are free, available in the USA, and will be screened live via Vimeo.