JASC 61 AEC

Eight months have passed

2010-04-12T11:52:00.004-04:00

Hello there!

Customarily, JASC ECs stop blogging once their JASC is over.
However, here I am blogging eight months after the 61st JASC.

I'm back in Japan, spending my super-senior year at the University of Tokyo.

As many past JASC participants have put it, JASC is a life-changing experience for me.
My life has been changing because of JASC.

I meet JASCers almost everyday on campus, streets or at Izakaya (Japanese bars).
I cannot imagine what my life would have been like if I had not applied to JASC.

Even eight months after the 61st JASC, my JASC experiences are really vivid, which makes me feel as if the 61st JASC ended yesterday.

The 62nd JASC has been planned by the 62nd JASC ECs since the summer 2009.
The Japanese delegation was just announced yesterday, choosing 28 delegates out of more than 250 applicants.
I sincerely hope the 62nd JASC will make a huge impact on the delegates' life.

I would like to say happy birthday to the new delegation of the 62nd JASC.

I wish the 62nd JASC good luck!!

61st JASC kickoff!

2009-07-21T01:18:00.003-04:00

In just a few days, the 28 members of the American delegation will fly into Seattle from all over for the American Orientation (AO). We are all super excited to see you all in person (no more emails and skype meetings)!

Pre-AO begins on the 21st, where the AECs will be preparing for the Amedeles' arrivals. Rachel will be coming from NYC, Karen and Yoshi from Philly, Durkin from Akron, Colin from Connecticut, Mina from Houston, Ed (who lives in Seattle) and me from Tokyo.

The AECs havent gotten together since Spring Meeting in mid-March, so I assume we'll have the same late-night-food-binging-talk-talk-talkingg parties at UW campus. And maybe bump into Ichiro on the streets? (hmm...)

The Japadeles will get together in Tokyo on the 26th and await our arrival to Tokyo on the 28th. I met a few of them in Tokyo and they're all excited to meet the Amedeles, too.

See you all soon~

The Loss America Didn't Notice

2009-06-30T17:05:00.000-04:00

The United States was shocked [perhaps too shocked] by the losses of celebrities Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Billy Mays. Between the three of them, they have the top-selling album, poster and product-pitching business in the world. But there was another loss last week that went largely unnoticed, despite it being that of an American icon. It was due to a slow decay, the kind that the paparazzi would have no interest in. I’m talking about the discontinuation of Kodak’s Kodachrome film.

At this point, you may be chuckling to yourself; how could I possibly have compared the phasing out of a line of film to the death of the King of Pop? I don’t see Kodachrome as a product title, but rather as the representation of an era. The time of analog technology is drawing to an end, and it with it goes much of our culture, our history. Kodachrome was the first mass-marketed color film, going on sale in 1935. Since then it has sold in dozens of variations, including 16mm movie film and 35mm camera film. There’s a halfway decent chance that your parents’ or even grandparents’ wedding photos were done in Kodachrome. It proved to be such an important part of our cultural identity that its name was used for the title of a 1973 Paul Simon #2 hit.

Analog has been creeping out of our lives for years now, and most people have hardly noticed. February of this year marked the end of analog television, rendering more than ninety percent of TVs made since 1946 effectively useless without a special box. The switch was made out of necessity, as there was no longer enough airspace for the broadcasting industry’s rapidly ballooning amount of programming. All the new advanced cell services like 3G have begun to stake their claim over wireless capacity in the United States, and the switch to digital TV helps to free up space. It’s too bad for the estimated three million Americans who didn’t get properly set up before the switch and turned on their sets to darkness on every channel.

Music may be the most swiftly-changing industry, mostly because the modes of recording and selling music change almost constantly. It seems that as time progresses, the technology moves faster. The record player was the primary playback equipment for listeners from the turn of the century until the late 1980s, but the CD may die before it reaches the age of 30. Music download purchasing is expected to overtake CD sales in 2012, and illegal downloading is already one of the main sources for music. There are certainly advantages to digital, like the enormous amount of music that can be stored. My iTunes library is currently 5363 songs totaling 23.69GB and over 14 days of music, which many of my friends consider to be ‘puny’. Still, between my laptop and my external hard drive, I could theoretically store enough music to be played continuously for over one year.

There is a loss, with digital music and picture, in the warmth and depth that is seen in analog technology. Enthusiasts all seem to agree that nothing will ever top vinyl records for musicality, and Michael Mann was blasted for the sloppy and unattractive use of digital film in his upcoming movie, “Public Enemies.” I realized my own switch to digital when in one day this summer the only writing I did by hand was signing a check at a restaurant after I had paid – digitally. It is sad to me that many children growing up now may go their entire lives without ever getting film developed or see an original 35mm print on the big screen. Good luck trying to find a copy of Paul Simon’s “Kodachrome” on vinyl!

J_SC: The Japan - ? Student Conference

2009-06-10T00:08:00.003-04:00

It's been awhile since we last posted, so I thought I'd write about something current. I like to go to the media for inspiration, so I often look at print news, magazines and online journals for comparison. Tonight, my first stop was the Japan Times. Seeing that front page made me think of a relevant issue that has been under my fingernails for awhile now: JASC has become hugely Japan-focused.

Don't think that this is any real bone of contention for me; I freely admit to applying to JASC mainly to meet Japanese students and learn more about Japan itself. The 'America' part of the Conference's name appealed only to my passport. When I arrived in Portland, Oregon for American Orientation last year, I found that most of the American delegation was just like me. Most of us studied or knew Japanese, many majored in East Asian Studies and I may have been the only Amadele who had never been to Japan before. There was plenty of chit-chat about anime, Genji and samurai, but little to be heard about muscle cars or the NFL.

Looking back, I'd expected more events during a U.S. year to have been about the United States alone. I did a homestay in Montana and visited Boston's city government, but the overall tone of the Conference had a definite Japanese flavor to it. I was thrilled and couldn't help but to learn nonstop. The honeymoon lasted through the first site or so.

Though I cannot speak for all of my American peers from the 60th JASC, my attitude toward the Conference changed markedly as our time together passed. While I had begun as a listener, less willing to contribute, I later found myself speaking up with my own point of view and engaging in our discussions more actively. It occurred to me that to get the most out of this experience, I had to represent the United States as a delegate. There would be no contrast and no discourse if I just wanted to hear about what Japan had to say. I had an amazing time on the 60th JASC because I figured out the give-take premise of discussion in time. I guess on a subconscious level, I just didn't feel like JASC-y sorts of issues would be found in the New York Times instead of say, Asahi Shimbun.

Now I cannot forget the "A" when I introduce myself to someone as the AMERICAN Chair of the 61st JASC. I've been writing about the Japanese economy and Japanese issues, but maybe my next blog post will be about GM's bankruptcy or the powerhouse that is the American film industry. Ideally, JASC is an experience that highlights both nations' contributions to the global community. It excites me to be able to join so many other young Americans in discussing the world's problems and celebrating its beauty; I don't care what anyone says, the U.S. has plenty of globally-minded people who are ready to listen.

Going into the 61st Conference, I know that our delegates will be excited to go to Japan. Many of them probably know a lot about it already. But what I also hope to see in them is appreciation and affinity for that which makes them Amadeles. I am certainly not the most patriotic chair to come down the line, but I do remember what the "A" in JASC stands for, and I recognize that without it we have very little in the way of productive conversation! This year we committed ourselves to selecting a diverse group that would be up to the task, and I honestly feel like we succeeded. We'll have to wait and see how things really turn out, but I'm optimistic!

Colin

Global Entrepreneurship and Us

2009-05-21T14:03:00.000-04:00

What is entrepreneurship and how does it affect us? I just read a fantastic piece in the March 14th, 2009 issue of The Economist, and it’s gotten me thinking more about the global state of economic affairs.

Taking stock of the unemployment figures for April of this year, it is abundantly clear that there is a problem in the United States. The number of unemployed has risen six million to a total 13.7 million over the past year, a figure of 8.9 percent and nearly double what has been seen throughout the decade. Many analysts expect the figure to pass the ten percent mark, a bleak outlook for an already beleaguered American workforce. Japan’s problems are much milder, as is usually expected. Though the central bank cannot slash interest rates any further and consumer price inflation is still knocking on the door of zero, the unemployment rate in Japan is still only 4.8 percent, a slight but noticeable increase over last year.

Why then, does it seem that Japan is in deeper than the US in terms of ‘bouncing back’? Everyone knows that Japan has been cursed with stagnant growth for two decades now, but the causes obviously remain unclear, or something would have been done about it. I see part of the answer in the examination of global entrepreneurship.
The United States is statistically the ‘riskiest’ developed nation in the world. According to The Economist, venture-capitalism is more than twice as developed in the US as it is in the EU. An astonishing 22 percent of startups have become top-1000 companies in the US since 1980, compared to only five percent in Europe. I encourage you to read the article, but if I may paraphrase: the United States is an adept at taking risks and derives much of its momentum from such activity. Surely, there is nothing more hip in the states than to be working for a young startup.
Japan, on the other hand, is almost pre-programmed to detest entrepreneurship. Granted, there are startups and there are success stories, but Japan was ranked as the least entrepreneurial of all developed nations. This honor can be attributed to a number of things, including harsh bankruptcy punishments, an inability to innovate and a different set of priorities for top-tier workers and graduates. Even if young companies were able to create exciting new products without the fear of severe penalties, the brightest and most capable minds are attracted mostly to established companies and large banks, as well as government.

The result is a country that exhibits slow but steady growth in the traditionally recognized industries and little progress in new sectors. Large firms and banks take on most of the top workers in the country, starving underdeveloped industries for new talent. Corporations are hell-bent on making their known products better and better to stay ahead of a rapidly growing pool of competitors. In the scramble, it looks like they’ve forgotten to keep making new and infectious products like the iPod. Japan will need its own iPod if it hopes to restore growth to something acceptable. So, in an ironic twist of fate, the same attributes that brought Japan such acclaim during the late 20th century are the same ones that threaten to strangle it during the early 21st century. I would prescribe some inventiveness for Japan; make risk-taking a little more socially and legally acceptable and let Japanese business reach its full potential once again.

And, as an afterthought, the American unemployment woes. Our current nine percent rate of unemployment is only two percent above what was during the 1990s considered to be the non-accelerating inflationary rate of unemployment. NAIRU has changed, though, and so should our policies. I am a proponent of wage subsidies. The Federal government encourages companies to hire less-skilled workers and offsets the corresponding decline in private sector production per unit of labor with a subsidy. In return, the unemployment rate falls, and the burden of crime and welfare programs is slashed. The added bonus and this policy’s advantage over conservative ideas is that unlike increased labor mobility (making it easier to hire and fire workers), wage subsidies develop and train untapped labor. For further reading on the subject, I suggest the works of Nobel Economics Prize winner Edmund Phelps.

Colin

61st JASC START!

2009-05-08T08:41:00.004-04:00

Hey guys, it's certainly been a while!

I should apologize for my lack of writing on the blog-- I am afraid that I am just not cut out for such actions. Anyway, I figured I should probably update you all on what went down in Tokyo last weekend... The start of the 61st conference activities in Japan!

From Saturday the 2nd to Monday the 4th the newly selected delegates representing Japan gathered for a series of introductions, OB meetings, informational sessions, and roundtable pre

-conference discussions. I am not entirely sure about the new delegates, but I do know that the JEC as well as Mina and I had an extremely fun time. Each of the new delegates has their own unique personality with lots of hidden secrets to be uncovered... Yesterday I learned that one of our new delegates is skilled at barking like a dog (among other things)... It's something I am looking forward to hearing this summer. Posted below for your pleasure are a serious of pictures and videos from spring camp.

Here are the RTs! Just an FYI, not everyone is pictured. Also, I may have messed up name spellings... sorry!

Globalizing Economies Roundtable

Left to Right: Yuri Takeuchi (leader), Miyuki Nozu, Ayumi Ando, and Satoshi Ibukuro

Public Interest vs. Individual Rights RT

Left to Right: Takahiro Taniguchi, Mari Nakamura, Akari Takagi and Takuma Tanaka (leader)

Educating a Global Citizenry RT

Left to Right: Tohru Omiya, Yoko Iinuma, Midori Nishino, Koji Jimba (leader)

Food Politics RT

Left to Right: Koichiro Yasukawa,Natsuki Sakata, Hiroki Takahashi, Yuna Chou, Moto Ono (leader)

International Development RT

Left to Right: Yuri Sasaoka , Yoshiko Tokuchi, Seiichiro Nakamura, Hidetoshi Tanihara

Environment and Sustainable Development RT

Left to Right: Taishi Asano, Yuri Sugimoto, Keisuke Matsuo (leader), Azusa Kato

Modernized Technology and Health Issues RT

Right to Left: Hiroka Ozawa, Yuki Umemoto, (ignore the guy in purple) Shuta Takada, Sunaho Onishi

BRICs RT Discussion!

Delegate discussion with international students!

For more pictures and videos, check out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25933237@N04/sets/72157617775655871/

That is all for now.

EC Self-intros

2009-05-02T04:15:00.007-04:00

Perhaps a bit repetitive cuz we've introduced ourselves already, but here we are.
2D and moving.

AEC Intros: http://jasc.sophiashelf.com/?s=84

JEC Intros: http://jasc.sophiashelf.com/?s=68

Bonus video for those who still haven't got enough of us:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmaDxHH4jO0

Wait, wait: ANOTHER JEC? YES, the last and the BEST.

2009-04-29T16:08:00.006-04:00

Hello everyone, it's Karen!

Thus far, 7 AEC members have introduced 7 JEC members, but guess what, there are 8 AEC members, including me, which means...? Yes, another JEC member.

Before the Conference begins, let me introduce him.
Moto Ono.
Moto and I were in the same roundtable, Minority Issues, last year at 60th JASC. Boy, if you ask any 60th JASCer WHO transformed most drastically from the beginning to the end of the Conference, I bet the answer is Moto. I definitely will go with that answer.
(Picture: Takuma, Jinha, and MOTO in red)

Moto is currently a junior at Kyoto University in the Faculty of Integrated Human Studies.

At 61st JASC, he is leading the "Food Security and the Future Accessibility of edible Commodities" RT with Kayoko.

He was asked some questions, and the answers are finally here!

---

* What was your original intention for attending the 60th JASC?
Frankly speaking, I thought it was good chance to visit the US cheaply and to meet up with new people.

* Now that the 60th is over, and some time has lapsed since, how much as a person do you think you have grown?
I do not know how much I've grown after JASC, but I think at least I learned the simple fact that what I was able to see was based on my experience and other person caught different impression even if we saw the same views and began to respect the difference.

* What kind of leader do you want to become for the 61st?
I would be very happy if I can help delegates to find their own ways to enjoy JASC.

* What do you want to accomplish in the 61st in the RT?
In our RT, the topic looks very concrete. Through analyzing issues or dilemmas on Food Security, I would like to share the different philosophy and view to the world and start to build the concept of the desirable world, though it sounds a little too idealistic.

* Briefly describe one particular memory you had at JASC that was memorable to you.
The discussion with a veteran, a peace activist, a historian, local residents and JASC members in Montana. We made one large circle and tried to draw something from this meeting while expressing different each standpoint honestly.
However, my JASC memory can be said as a collection of scenes such as the endless conversation lying on the floor of the Reed College, Portland, with one of the reliable RT members while trying to submit my term essay for the university via e-mail.

* If you could describe yourself as a type of food, what would it be and why?
..Egg
- egg-shaped face? in the making? having a shell!? Above all, I like omelette.

* If you only had one option, which would you choose: time or money? Why?
Time, because I cannot do anything without time even if I had plenty of money.

* What is your ideal day?
Waking up comfortably in the morning (without the alarm), riding my bicycle to Kamo river in Kyoto, reading a book and taking a nap by the riverside.

* The world is ending in 24 hours. How do you want to spend your last day on Earth?
To spend with dearest people or ask NASA to take me to another place in the space.

* If you had to lose one of your 5 senses, which would you lose and why?
Smell, since I sometimes wish the sense of my nose were lost because of hey fever.

* Please write a brief message to the Amedeles.
I am looking forward to spending great time with you in this summer!!
---

hahahaha. Oh Moto.. his answers are quite witty.

I hope you enjoyed!

Karen

Crisis Averted? Hardly.

2009-04-22T20:53:00.000-04:00

At the beginning of April, the Japanese Minister of Finance, Mr. Kaoru Yosano announced plans for a US$100 billion stimulus package to correct the failing domestic economy. Having adjusted their official projections to a three percent contraction for the fiscal year, the Japanese Finance Ministry is gearing up for what appears to be closer to five percent. With Japan’s worst recession since the Second World War beginning to eat away at growth, Aso’s LDP has shed its reluctance and committed four percent of the nation’s income to this stimulus package. Surprisingly enough, this figure is greater than that of either the United States of the United Kingdom.

The plan comes as a response to the numerous problems ailing the domestic economy. Japan was only recently released from the effects of the ‘lost decade’ of the 1990s during which deflation stifled growth to an alarming degree. The export economy is now floundering with horrific exchange rates as the yen continues on a trend of valuation against the dollar. With the yen accruing value on the international money market, Japanese goods become comparatively more expensive. To a nation of export-heavy industrial behemoths such as Japan, the yen’s lingering strength is nearly a death sentence. To put the issue in perspective, the beginning of 2008 saw the yen valued at approximately 120 per dollar. The figure a year later was closer to 85 yen to the dollar and it was projected to fall further. This damaged exports as well as the yen carry trade, a high-volume trade of the yen traditionally used to cheaply fund subprime lending or enterprises in developing countries like the BRICs, for example. Clearly, the Japanese problem is felt the world over, reaching from the most developed nations to the least developed resource economies.

However, as a result of the announcement, the yen hit its lowest level against the dollar in almost six months and the Asian markets performed at their highest over the same period. It would seem, therefore, that the crisis has gone into remission and that Japan’s export economy will begin to reemerge. The yen’s current value of 98 to the dollar is encouraging to Japan’s producers. So is this the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel? Will this stimulus package be enough to save an economy starved for growth for twenty years?

Maybe. Economics is such a tough game to predict that it’s impossible to say for sure just how quickly change will take hold or even if the current measures are part of a greater trend toward correction. Personally, I remain skeptical. The Bank of Japan has finally cut its key interest rate to just 0.1 percent, an impossibly low figure and even now it is being forced to buy up commercial paper to help firms drum up the funds to continue. The man who has pledged to make Japan the first country to emerge from this downturn, Mr. Taro Aso, could find himself out of a job before too long as his approval rating goes from depressing to dismal. And before the year is out, the DPJ could become the ruling party, leaving the long-term effects of a last-ditch LDP package up in the air. The government is spending a great deal of money it doesn’t have to finance this, but Japanese citizens can take solace in the idea that the national debt is already so high that a four percent increase is almost negligible.

Please feel free to contact me about this topic! Things may sound bleak, but I have upbeat things to say as well.

Colin

Will money solve our education problems?

2009-04-16T12:48:00.004-04:00

Most Americans agree that there is something wrong with our public education system. It's hard not to--we often hear any number of bleak statistics about the alarming state of public education in the US (low high school graduation rates, enormous gaps between racial and socioeconomic groups, low performance compared to other countries, etc etc etc).

What we don't agree on is what to do about it! Let's skip the issues of charter schools or vouchers entirely and, for the moment, focus on public schools. Most people agree that it's a good thing for the government to spend more money on education, but the allocation of government funds can be controversial.

So what about... merit pay for teachers? ♥ Michelle Rhee ♥ , the chancellor of Washington DC public schools, is a big proponent of merit pay for teachers. This would involve bonuses (often quite large ones) for teachers whose classes perform better on the standardized tests currently used to measure academic progress. Possibly also bonuses for teaching in more needy or dangerous districts, or for teaching subjects that are more in demand of teachers (math or science), or for teaching special-education classes, or for having higher qualifications.

While there are some obvious benefits for merit pay, the fundamental question is: does throwing money at education really solve its problems? Will paying teachers more change anything at all? Perhaps it will motivate existing teachers to work harder, or perhaps it will encourage some bright people who otherwise would have gone on to more lucrative careers to be teachers instead. But it completely fails to address some of the structural concerns with public education (budget gaps, differing levels of parental investment or emphasis on learning at home), and it sends us even farther along the path of standardized testing for all (to determine which teachers are doing well, you'd have to test often and rely on those numbers as accurate measures of achievement).

In other words--is this a problem we can solve by throwing money at it?

iPhone

2009-04-15T11:56:00.004-04:00

My brother... oh silly brother. He is in S. Korea at the moment serving in the US Army.
Before getting informed of his first duty station, he thought he would remain in the US and... oh silly brother purchased the [then] new 3G iPhone.
Of course, after about a month of use, he realized he won't be using the phone because he's going to Korea.
There was no need to sell the phone to someone else because... duh, I wasn't going anywhere.
So the day before leaving to Korea, he shipped me the phone.
At first, I was more or less indifferent about getting the phone because I don't use phone that much, and this whole high-tech cell phone deal was never too appealing.
Yep, that was me before I got the phone.

When I first got the phone, I adjusted the general settings and wallpaper to my own liking, put some awesome music on the iPod, set up my e-mail accounts [Dickinson & JASC gmail!], and texted a bunch of people, "iPhone is overrated..." haha.

Can you guess what the next thing I did was?
You've seen it on TV, "You want to _____? There is APP for that."

Dorky enough, the first "APP" I downloaded was the USA Today News app.
Then the next was Kotoba!, the Japanese dictionary app.
Then gFlash+, a flashcard app.
Then iheartradio, Who wants to be a millionaire, TWC, iHandy Level, Tap Tap, Skype...
Please trust me when I say I do not play any sort of games on daily basis-- no time, not attracted. But one night, I downloaded SCRAMBLE Live, oh my.. I played from like 2 to 5am.
[Shame, shame, I know... I profusely apologized to my brain a few hours later]
But also good APPs exist, like the MAP.
I'm so easy to take the wrong turn, I still confuse myself with East & West x_x, so I know how to track myself on that little radar on the screen and then! turn around...

What is it about technology that we are so fascinated about?
Electronics are just a bunch of wires and switches in circuits in which voltages go through, and voila, but somehow the products take different forms and functions to entertain us all day and all night.
Entertainment technology is now such a vital part of our lives. Well, not really vital.
There were other ways to enjoy yourself 50 years ago, 100 years ago, 1000 years ago.

I suppose it's all about self-control: knowing when to stop.
But I tell ya, the new, hip tech products just seduce you with all sorts of their own little charms to keep you attached and dependent.
Seriously, some of us are so dependent on technology that people sometimes wonder what will happen if all of a sudden everything we love disappears.
What will happen???

For me, I would have become more of a nerdy book reading girl, or at least a class-assignment reading girl so that I wouldn't be awake at such odd hour like this one struggling to finish a paper!

Karen

[Japan-US-World] Current Events #1

2009-04-02T05:45:00.014-04:00

It's 6 am and I've been typing away (not so furiously) to finish my takehome midterm due in 4 hrs. I accidentially overdosed on too much caffeine, so I have this urging feeling to go sprinting down the dorm hallways...

Anyone a bit worried about North Korea's plans of launching a long-range rocket in the next few days?

"North Korea says it will attack the Japanese military and "major targets," if Japan shoots down a rocket Pyongyang plans to launch in the coming days, North Korea's state-run news service, KCNA, reported Thursday" (CNN Report on April 1st)

Apparently, the satellite's first booster would land in the Sea of Japan, and the second stage would drop into the Pacific Ocean between Japan and Hawaii.

North Korea is claiming that they want to explore outer space, but several intelligence agencies have stated that they are actually testing a long-range missile under the guise of a satellite launch.

Some articles if you're interested:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/26/north.korea.missile/index.html
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2009/04/20094253322939933.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7978397.stm
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/03/world/asia/03korea.html?_r=1&ref=world

Pictures of the PAC-3 missile interceptors, which are now stationed in Akita:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2009-04/01/content_7637924.htm

We all know that North Korea is a threat to the security of East Asia. It has sufficient technology and resources to create nuclear weapons. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have accused it of having one of the worst human rights records of any nation and have been referred to as "some of the world's most brutalized people." It's relations with the U.S. and Japan are...not so great. (Former president George W. Bush had named North Korea as a part of an "Axis of Evil," which also includes Iran and Iraq)

What's the bigger picture here? How would Pyongyang's international relations change after the launch? Will it be launched, or will they bend down to international pressures?

Who knows? We'll find out in the next few days...

Launch is scheduled to take place between April 4 and April 8.

Spring Meeting Reflection

2009-03-19T09:01:00.008-04:00

AEC @ Spring Meeting [March 16th, 2009]
(back: JMD, Yoshi, Ed, Colin; front: Rachel, Kayoko, Karen, Mina)

On Thursday, I headed for Bloomfield, CT, [crib de Colin the Chairperson] from Philadelphia where it was still pretty chilly and not so Spring-like.
The meeting did not officially start until Friday, but I did not want to drive for 5 hours, only to drive a few more hours picking up people from the Hartford station & airport.
We AECs had our 5-day spring meeting to select delegates, continue site discussions, conduct a phon-a-thon and reconnect with our alumni, and just enjoy ourselves in a very JASCy way.

On Friday, after the last AEC, Ed, arrived, we stayed up until 3 or 4am discussing site planning. I mean... was anyone tired? We had people who endured xx-hours of bus ride, flew in from Seattle, and... the JAPANs. Everyone enthusiastically participated in our late night discussions, and at that moment, I realized everyone wants to make the conference really the best as it can possibly get.

Saturday was when we really kicked off our official task of selecting delegates. Prior to the meeting, all of us already had read and graded the applicants' personal essays & short answers, references, and writing samples in order to focus on discussing each and every applicant. Honestly, I saw way too many applicants with the JASC potential, and it was such a difficult process selecting just a few.
Around noon, Regina, the executive director of ISC, arrived at Colin's and gave us a rundown on what we will be doing for Sunday, and stayed with us throughout the delegate selection process to provide us with her valuable opinions and advices. Thank you, Regina!

Sunday was the Phon-a-thon day-- we called our American alumni to update them on JASC and ask for support for the 61st JASC. I had never done one before so I was super duper nervous, but I managed to talk to some alumni. I know other AECs did a better job than I did, so I admire them! I overheard some AEC members talking for an extended period of time with alumni about their past JASC experiences, such as sites they went to, dorms they stayed in, JASCers they still keep in touch with, and, of course, JASC marriages :)

The quite fun part of the meeting was the video making of the serious AEC on Monday. We wanted to create one to introduce ourselves to the world-- yep, that's right. Although it was pretty serious and official, in the process of filming there were much laughing and "Karen, take 25" involved. Also, gullible Kayoko didn't know when she was being recorded and when she was not, so we got a footage of Kayoko being... totally Kayoko. Thanks for the cooperation!
At night, we discussed web resources for us to better organize ourselves and present materials to the selected delegates. [sarcasm] After that, we went to this great Japanese restaurant called "Kinsa（きんさ）." [/sarcasm] Actually, it's Ginza, but it was nothing like Ginza we had hoped for. However, what mattered is that we had a deep, thoughtful reflection on our spring meeting-- what could have gone better, what we did well, etc. The reflection will help us and the future AECs to truly plan the best, well-prepared conference for delegates.

Everyone left at different times on Tuesday; Ed at 5am, Rachel at 9am, Mina at 7pm. Kayoko stayed back and prepared for her alumni interviews in NYC the next day with Colin.
I drove Yoshi and JMD to NYC for them to go on their ways. Before separating though, I had the opportunity to take JMD to his ultimate favorite Chipotle [non-existent in Japan]. JMD looked like a kid with glittering eyes biting down on the burrito, haha.

Personally, I hadn't seen most of the AEC members since last Fall meeting, so I was [GYAAA] so thrilled to reunite with everyone. Right before the meeting, I had mixed feelings about the meeting; how productive it was going to be, how to resume conversations with some of the AEC members that I had not seen in awhile, etc. However, as soon as we were together, the biggest concern for all of us was not being able to stop talking, not just on conference-related matter, but also on anything and everything else. Sometimes, with streams of AEC work and tension among ourselves, I found myself burying away the memories of our friendship during the 60th JASC. I feel as if this spring meeting helped me dig out that hole and bring back the fond days and friendships we had weaved so intricately.

Now I am back in Carlisle, PA, not getting ready for today's class, instead writing a blog entry. But hey, this is way more meaningful and fun than learning about brain cells.
Only after 5 days, there is a major turn around of the weather, and now Spring is in the air. After being stuck in a room working and talking endless hours, we are able to welcome both the Spring and... new faces to JASC.

Karen

OMG

2009-03-17T00:33:00.001-04:00

It is just about midnight here in scenic Connecticut. Colin, Kayoko, Mina, and I are all sitting around with our laptops, finishing up some JASC work. Our once-in-a-lifetime spring meeting ends tomorrow morning, when Ed flies back home at around 5 AM.

For about four days now, we've been working until 2 AM every night, too excited about our JASC work to sleep! And I am pleased to announce that

THE DELEGATES FOR THE 61ST JASC HAVE BEEN CHOSEN!

It was an incredible experience to select the delegates. We were honored to receive so many amazing applications, all of which showed care and hard work. Our applicants were all interesting people with diverse experiences that could contribute so much to JASC--it was really hard choosing just 28 delegates!

We've dealt with all sorts of other JASCy work, and of course had some fun in the meantime! We can't wait to meet our delegates, and until then, we'll keep working on the conference for them!

JASC work is picking up!

2009-03-09T18:01:00.005-04:00

(JASC posters of the Japan and U.S. side)

Although traffic on this blog has been slow, it's because we've been busy going through each application. Thank you to those who have submitted because we've been enjoying reading them!

Next week is Spring Meeting, where all eight of us will convene at Colin's house to make final decisions on applicants and work on other JASC stuff (RTs, sites, etc). This is the first time all eight of us will be together since August (end of 60th) so we're super psyched. We also hope to have a skype meeting with the JECs during then (they'll be going through their first round of applicant interviews in Kyoto)

Full speed ahead for the 61st~

Introducing: 61st JEC Emi Yasukawa!

2009-03-09T17:30:00.005-04:00

Now's time to introduce you all to a really smart, really fun JEC, Emi Yasukawa! Emi is a Keio grad and will be starting her graduate study at Hitotsubashi University in April. She answered our questionnaire earlier:

* What was your original goal/intention for attending the 60th Jasc?

- Intellectual curiosity (55%)
- Cheap trip to the states (45%)

* Now that the 60th is over, and some time has lapsed since, how much as a person do you think you have grown?

I got to understand the significance of so called "people's skill". I’m not sure about how much I've changed after JASC, but I think I started to think to meet new people is as important as following internal curiosity and reading books. I appreciate all the people I met during the conference, from friends to host family to professors.

* What kind of leader do you want to become for the 61st? In the perspective of the Japadeles? Amedeles?

- A leader who can take responsibility
- A leader who engages with delegates a lot
- A leader who do not forget to be partly delegate.

* What do you want to accomplish in the 61st? In the RT? As a person?

Discovery of something new, the experience of challenge and achievement

* Briefly describe one particular memory you had at JASC that was memorable to you.

The conversation at the beach in California, I discussed "relationship" with one of the dearest RT members. The conclusion was "mom's judgment on guys will haunt us."

* If you could describe yourself as a type of food, what would it be and why?

Chili dog.
- hot dog: classic
- chili: spicy!! >o<

* If you only had one option, which would you choose: time or money? Why?

Time; time is not recoverable, but money is recoverable

* Besides answering to the questions, what are you doing right now?

I'm at こたつ(kotatsu), about to faint.

* What is your ideal day?

A sunny day at the park with coffee, books and my music player.

* The world is ending in 24 hours. How do you want to spend your last day on Earth?

Stay with people I love, and eat whatever I want to eat (Hooray I don’t need to worry about my weight anymore! lol)

* What is an article of clothing/accessory that defines "you"?

Bags: the bigger the bag the more capable of carrying stuff.

* If you had to lose one of your 5 senses, which would you lose and why?

Smell, because I don't need to smell durians.

* Please write a brief message to the future Amedeles.

It will be the happiest moment to see American delegates and Japanese delegates meet in Tokyo....
I can't wait for the summer of 2009!!

So Emi is very excited for next year's JASCers and we are excited for next year's Amadeles to meet her too!

JASC Presents: Boston Report

2009-02-03T21:47:00.003-05:00

(JASC Presents: Boston panelists ready to begin discussion)

JASC Presents finally arrived in the United States!!

"Internationalism in a New Age: Reflecting on 150 years of Japan-U.S. Relations"

The America's first JASC Presents took place at Harvard University on January 31st.

The venue is the place where we,the 61st JASC ECs, were elected as ECs. So, we felt like coming back to our birth place.

The event began with the keynote speech by Dr. Trent Maxey, Postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University. He spoke of the language used to describe US-Japan relations through the past 150 years, citing many films and books as examples.
Especially for me, it is interesting to hear about how Samurai culture has been viewed as Japan's whole identity despite of the fact that Samurais accounted for only few percent of the total population at that time.

(Keynote speech by Dr. Maxey)

After the Q&A session for the speech, we moved to the panel discussion.

I'll introduce the panelists(shown in the picture above) from the left.
*Samantha Scully Senior at Bowdoin College, 60th American Executive Committee Chair
* Colin Moreshead Sophomore at Wesleyan University, 61st American Executive Committee Chair
* Yoshihiro Kanemitsu Junior at the University of Tokyo, 61st American Executive Committee(This is me!!)
* Jason Knudson Administrative Assistant at the Office of the Executive Director at ‘Facing History and Ourselves,’ 58th JASC delegate

Each panelist first gave a speech on a topic within 7 minutes.
Jason spoke on the bilateral relations of Japan-U.S. security issues, and the 6 Party Talks, Yoshi spoke on the environment and the future of green technology, Colin spoke of the lessons learned from the Japanese bubble economy of the 90s and how it could be applied to the current global economic crisis, and Sam spoke on the evolution of the modern women, and how during wartime, they had to give up their rights for the country’s priorities. This was followed by a 30 minute Q&A session, which both the audience members and the panelists thoroughly enjoyed. They received many questions and comments and replied to them enthusiastically. The most thought provoking question was “out of all the speech topics discussed, how would you rank their importance?” Each panelist gave his/her own opinion.

(an audience member asks a question enthusiastically)

After the event, JASCers and the audience members mingled, where they discussed further on the various issues raised. The interesting thing was that the audience members also mingled amongst themselves, and we saw them exchange email addresses. Many became interested in JASC and said that they would apply this year.

We were pleased to welcome around 40 people attending the event, including a 31st JASCer, a 57th JASCer and two 58th JASCers.
We once again got reminded of the strong tie between JASC alumni.

Overall, we conclude this event as great success, and look forward to future JASC Presents events. Thank you everyone for your support – this could've not been done without you!

(After the event, JASCers had a small reunion party. The treasure of JASC is the long-lasting friendship between JASCers.)

JASC Presents: Boston

2009-01-21T21:42:00.005-05:00

After 2 in Japan, JASC Presents finally comes to the US!

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

2008 marks the 150th anniversary of the Harris Treaty, signed at Shimoda on July 29th,1858. Forcing the 400-year old Tokugawa regime to abandon its isolationist policy towards foreigners, it opened free trading and consequently spurred Japan into its modernization phase. Despite its controversial beginnings, it nevertheless established an important foundation to the long-term relationship between the two countries. Although recent globalization has caused the U.S. to focus more explicitly on emerging Asian economies such as China and India, the ties bonding Japan and the U.S. remain powerful.

With the theme, "Internationalism in a New Age: Reflecting on 150 years of Japan-U.S. Relations" we wish to present to the public the views of the Japan-America Student Conference participants as they discuss the past, present and future relations of the two countries. Throughout its history, our relationship has seen both immense triumphs and trying frictions. Regardless, our shared commitment to cultural exchange and global mindedness has transcended economic hostility and global conflict. As our bilateral relationship reaches this milestone, we hope to reflect on the progress we have made while forging joint solutions to new challenges.

■ Event Info ■
【Date】　 January 31, 2009
【Time】　　 1:00-4:00 PM
【Location】　 Belfer Case Study Room, CGIS South Building
1730 Cambridge St., Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
http://map.harvard.edu/level3.cfm?mapname=&tile=F7&quadrant=B&series=M
【Admission】 Free and open to the general public

■ Event Schedule ■　　　　　　
【1:00 - 1:10】 Opening remarks
【1:10 - 1:50】 Keynote speech, followed by a Q&A session
* Dr. Trent Maxey, PhD Cornell University 2005, Postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University
【1:50 - 2:00】 Break
【2:00 - 3:00】 Panel discussion, followed by a Q&A session
* Colin Moreshead, Sophomore at Wesleyan University, 61st American Executive Committee Chair
* Yoshihiro Kanemitsu, Junior at the University of Tokyo, 61st American Executive
Committee
* Samantha Scully, Senior at Bowdoin College, 60th American Executive Committee Chair
* Jason Knudson, Administrative Assistant at the Office of the Executive Director at ‘Facing
History and Ourselves,’ 58th delegate
【3:00 - 3:15】 Announcement of the 61st JASC and closing remarks
【3:15 - 4:00】 Reception and light refreshments

■ RSVP ■
Although a RSVP is not necessary and walk-ins are welcomed, we would like to know a rough estimate of audience members beforehand. Please email your name and contact info to jascpresents.us@gmail.com.

Thanks and hope to see you there~

JASC Presents: Kyoto (That's a wrap!)

2009-01-21T08:31:00.004-05:00

(JASC Presents: Kyoto panelists listen intently to Consul General Dong)

Well, I am over 12 days late with this update. If you can't tell from the lack of original content from our ECs, then let me put it bluntly: This is the busiest time of the year for planning the 61st as our recruitment phase is in full swing.

Anyway, here's the readout from JASC Presents: Kyoto, which took place on January 9th at Ritsumeikan University. The United States Consulate General Edward Dong delivered a thrilling speech on the (then) coming change of administration and what the results might be upon Japan-U.S. relations followed by a question and answer session from the audience of 40-plus young adults from the Kansai region of Japan.

The program then moved into its second phase in which 59th JASCer and 60th JEC Ryusuke 'Hiroryu' Hirota, and 60th JASCers Tomomi Sakamoto and Jon-Michael Durkin (that's me!) delivered speeches pertaining to the the environment. Ryusuke's speech stole the show, dealing with the hidden evils of bio-ethanol while Tomomi spoke on rapid deforestation and Jon-Michael (that's me!) discussed the involvement of the United States Government in the future development of the big 3 auto manufacturers of Detroit.

(Tomomi Sakamoto, Ryusuke Hirota, Jon-Michael Durkin, and Kayoko Hirata during the panel discussion)

The event was moderated by 59th JASCer and 60th JEC Yukio Iseki who, together with 60th JASCer and 61st JEC Moto Ono and 60th JASCer Ryoko Imaya, made the stunning event possible. In addition to the audience from outside of the JASC spectrum, fellow 60th JASCers Shinichiro Higa, Catherine Simes, Robert Cooper, Kayoko Hirata, and Hideya Matsumoto came to show their support for the second outing of the JASC Presents Series.

I'd like to personally thank everyone who was involved in making the event a success (with special thanks to my fellow 61st AEC Kayoko Hirata for serving as my personal interpreter when times got tough (and for not laughing at my underwhelming speech)).

Introducing lovely lovely Oyuri!!

2009-01-18T15:11:00.008-05:00

(Oyuri + a horse)

Name: Yuri "Oyuri" Honda
School: Keio University
JASC 61 RT: International Development: Searching for Real Solutions

Age: secret(my younger sister in JASC forever :X)

* What was your original goal/intention for attending the 60th Jasc?
-There were several. To meet new people, to have an experience of being inspired..etc But there was also a simple intention that I wanted to try to discuss something in English. Although I went to international school where I had opportunities to do so, I felt that I couldn't do as much as I should have done.

* What kind of leader do you want to become for the 61st? In the perspective of the Japadeles? Amedeles?
- A leader who is flexible and positive.

* What do you want to accomplish in the 61st? In the RT? As a person?
- To have a wonderful conference with 61st JASCers !

* Briefly describe one particular memory you had at JASC that was memorable to you.
- Talking with JASCers. Behind the academic scenes.

* If you could describe yourself as a type of food, what would it be and why?
Rice, because I like it.

* If you only had one option, which would you choose: time or money? why?
- Time. Time is more precious as we can never have "same" time or moment in our life.

* Besides answering to the questions, what are you doing right now?
- Sending e-mails.

* What is your ideal day?
- Wake up and just go for a walk without a plan. It would be nice if the weather is sunny and warm. One of my friends told me that I was like her grandma when I talked about this ideal day.

* The world is ending in 24 hours. How do you want to spend your last day on Earth?
- I try to meet all the people who have supported and helped me through my life and tell them thank you with a hug :)

* If you had to lose one of your 5 senses, which would you lose and why?
- It's such a difficult question.. but at least I do not want to lose the sense of taste as I love eating food.

(Oyuri loves eating :D Cute<3)

* Please write a brief message to the future Amedeles.
- Thank you for reading this! I hope you will be joining us next summer. Do not miss this chance! Be a 61st JASCer!!!

Introducing the "big brother" leader among the JECs

2009-01-17T18:32:00.016-05:00

Keisuke is one of the oldest ECs, who sometimes reminds me of a 52 year old salary man (prob cuz he often wears a suit?). Besides JASC work and academics, he's currently super busy with job hunting...but was very kind in replying to this questionnaire.

Name: Keisuke Matsuo （松尾恵輔）

School: Junior at Waseda University, Faculty of Law
RT: Environment and Sustainable Development
(With RT leader Yoshi at the beach in LA)

What was your original goal/intention for attending the 60th Jasc

For finding "what is the happy life" and "what Japan and USA can do for such a life", through the days in US and discussions.

What kind of leader do you want to become for the 61st? In the perspective of the Japadeles? Amedeles?

Answer the every question about Japan.

What do you want to accomplish in the 61st? In the RT? As a person?
In my RT, we will discuss whether we can manage Sustainable society and how. Through such a discussion, personally, I want to find out what is the desirable way of living for human beings. It is very philosophical though.

(with AECs Durkin, Rachel and Japadeles Chihiro and Emiko in LA)

Briefly describe one particular memory you had at JASC that was memorable to you.
The most memorable memory for me is climbing a mountain to see shooting stars in Montana.

I never forget when I lay on the grass and could see beautiful stars with precious friends.

If you only had one option, which would you choose: time or money? why?

Time.

We cant buy it,though we can spend it to earn money.

Moreover, Even working for earning money is good experience for me.

Besides answering to the questions, what are you doing right now?

Im working on 61th jasc, endless fundraising...

What is your ideal day?
Ideal day...l want to lie on the grass in Yoyogi-park all day, talking and drinking beer with my friends

The world is ending in 24 hours. How do you want to spend your last day on Earth?
I want to go to the place where reminds me of good memories with my family

(eating with JEC VC Yuri)

What is an article of clothes/accessory that defines "you"?

Polo-shirts

If you had to lose one of your 5 senses, which would you lose and why?

Sight, Without sight,I can feel this dirty world more beautiful..lol

Please write a brief message to the future Amedeles.

Hi!

This is Keisuke Matsuo.

Beautiful nature, kind people, hot discussion and we JECs are waiting for YOU sincerely!

See you in Japan!

けいすけです。美しい自然、やさしい人たち、

熱いディスカッションそして私たちＪＥＣがあなたを心から待ってます。日本で会いましょう。

Introducing our awesome JEC Vice Chair

2009-01-16T01:33:00.016-05:00

Name: Yuri Takeuchi

School: University of Tokyo
JASC 61 RT: Globalizing Economies

(With RT Co-leader Jon-Michael Durkin)

* What was your original goal/intention for attending the 60th Jasc?
I'd been interested in Japan America Student Conference since elementary school, and I also had an extra push from my parents and JASC OBs that my parents knew. Having lived in Japan for half of my life and the US for the other half, I was hoping that this conference would be an interesting event and learning experience for me - as a student who is Japan-America if not in blood, in experience.

* Now that the 60th is over, and some time has lapsed since, how much as a person do you think you have grown?
Through talking with both American and fellow Japanese delegates, I've come to recognize myself more as a Japanese person than I ever have - and feel very proud about it. This has been an extremely important event that has somewhat helped me come to terms with my mixed up and confused identity. ;)

* What kind of leader do you want to become for the 61st? In the perspective of the Japadeles? Amedeles?
Open to everyone and aiming for the best

* What do you want to accomplish in the 61st? In the RT? As a person?
An amazing JASC suitable for JASC's 75th anniversarythat we will be able to look back on 20 years from now and say "That was the beginning of it all."the best JASC with the best ECsaaand the best RT ever with the best RT partner in the world.

(Yuri and Oyuri)

* Briefly describe one particular memory you had at JASC that was memorable to you.
Being on top of the beautiful mountain in Montana and lying down with 60th JASCers and counting shooting stars

* If you could describe yourself as a type of food, what would it be and why?
hot pepper. I like red? When I'm determined I go pretty strong and direct.

* If you only had one option, which would you choose: time or money? why?
Time. Time and working my ass off can make money but money can't make time.That and I always seem out of hours in a day...

* Besides answering to the questions, what are you doing right now?
talking with JEC KOJI about business plans and the future :-)

* What is your ideal day?
Spending an entire day from wake-up to falling asleep with everyone I love :)New York cheesecake and baby monkeys (favorite animal) by my side would be nice too.I've had urges to spontaneously just go on a trip around the world recently... if I suddenly got magical powers that would allow me to add hours to the day and go on a trip to foreign countries at my demand that would make my day even more spectacular.

(Yuri holding a stuffed monkey)

* The world is ending in 24 hours.How do you want to spend your last day on Earth?

as above.

* If you had to lose one of your 5 senses, which would you lose and why?

I've spent 5 minutes thinking about this one and I can't answer it. I would start with having a coup d'Etat and overriding whoever was trying to make me lose my senses.

* Please write a brief message to the future Amedeles.

You all don't know it yet, but the Executive Committee members' most important source of energy as we do our JASC work is all of you, future delegates.I can't wait to meet all of you.Get prepared for an inspirational and unforgettable summer!!!!!

Introducing the original Tokyo B-Boy.. Koji Jimba!

2009-01-10T06:42:00.005-05:00

If Koji were this introduction, I'm sure it would be in rap form with some mad beats accompanying, but since I'm introducing him, it will just be pictures and words!

Name: Koji Jimba
School: International Christian University
JASC 61 RT: Educating a Global Citizenry

*********

What was your original goal/intention for attending the 60th Jasc?
I wanted to meet people from TOKYO university, etc.

* Now that the 60th is over, and some time has lapsed since, how much as a person do you think you have grown? Unthinkable is myself without this experience. I have learned the importance of meeting and communicating.

* What kind of leader do you want to become for the 61st? In the perspective of the Japadeles? Amedeles?
Someone who is influential and involving.

* What do you want to accomplish in the 61st? In the RT? As a person?
something so new that I can't imagine it.

* Briefly describe one particular memory you had at JASC that was memorable to you.
I rode an ATV with my friend, and had a very NICe time!!

* If you could describe yourself as a type of food, what would it be and why?
Sushi, don't know why.

* If you only had one option, which would you choose: time or money? why?
Time; to make myself better using it.

* Besides answering to the questions, what are you doing right now?
making websites, designing pamphlets...

* What is your ideal day?

wake up early not feeling sleepy, go shopping somewhere, come back home and work!

* The world is ending in 24 hours. How do you want to spend your last day on Earth?
spend time discussing our life with friends.

Koji, SunYoung, Emi, and Moto ( Minority RT, JASC 60)

* What is an article of clothes/accessory that defines "you"?
b-boy clothing

* If you had to lose one of your 5 senses, which would you lose and why?
sorry, I would not like that.

* Please write a brief message to the future Amedeles.
I want you!! for JASC.

JASC Presents: Kyoto

2009-01-07T10:18:00.003-05:00

■ Theme ■
Towards a New Japan-U.S. Relations: The Aftermath of the Presidential Elections and the Future of the Global Society
新たな日米関係をめぐって〜大統領選後の日米と国際社会のゆくえ〜

With the inauguration of Barack Obama in January 2009, how will he bring change to this global economy plagued with the international financial crisis? How will Japan and the U.S. solve pending problems such as global warming, food security and energy policies/resources? U.S. Consulate Dong and the participants of the 60th JASC will present the academic discussions and cultural exchange that take place during the conference by extending our conversations to the Kyoto community.
For more information, please check (in Japanese),
http://www.ritsumei.jp/topics_pdf/cger_413a72239304c6455876eef3d1d6c880_1230169863_.

■ Event Information ■
Date: Friday, January 9th, 2008
Time: 2-4:30 PM (Doors open at 1:30 PM)
Location: Nakano Memorial Hall, International Peace Museum 1st floor, Kinugasa Campus, Ritsumeikan University (http://www.ritsumei.jp/accessmap/accessmap_kinugasa_j.html)
Admission: Free

■ Participants ■
Keynote speaker: Edward K.H. Dong (Current Osaka/Kobe U.S. Consul)
Panelists: Tomomi Sakamoto (Kyoto University, 60th delegate), Ryusuke Hirota (Keio University, 60th JASC JEC), Jon-Michael Durkin (University of Akron, 61st JASC AEC)
Moderator/Translator: Yukio Iseki (Kyoto University, 60th JEC)

This is our second JP event this year, held in the historically and culturally significant city of Kyoto. As you can see, JASC isn't just about the main conference, but a continuing process throughout the year.

Next JP will be held in Boston at Harvard campus. Stay tuned~

Introducing ♬TAKUMA♬

2009-01-05T15:09:00.007-05:00

It is my honor and pleasure to introduce to you one of the members of our illustrious JEC:

Name: Takuma Tanaka (田中豪)
Age: 20
School: University of Tokyo
RT: Public Interest Vs. Individual Rights (with Ed!)
Hobbies: Sports, juggling (!!!), being awesome

***

Some questions and answers to help you get to know Takuma better:

What was your original goal/intention for attending the 60th JASC?

Honestly speaking, my original intention was visiting the U.S., which
was my first time, or looking for my partner through my life because
JASC is also know as JAMC, Japan-America Marriage Conference :P

( ♥ Takuma with Moto Ono, JEC leader of Food RT! ♥ )

Now that the 60th is over, and some time has lapsed since, how much as a person do you think you have grown?

During the conference I became twenty. Before the conference I was not
allowed to drink in Japan....but after coming back to Japan....I
was!!! I do not like alcohol so much, though.

What kind of leader do you want to become for the 61st? In the perspective of the Japadeles? Amedeles?

A typhoon of smile and Tsunami of laughter~♪
I never let the delegates feel sad or lonely (^-^)

(Takuma with Koji Jimba, JEC leader of Education RT!)

What do you want to accomplish in the 61st? In the RT? As a person?

I would like to achieve perfect equal participation of the Japanese
delegates, including me, in the RT discussion in English.

(Takuma with Ed Phillips, his RT partner, and Masato Morishima, a 60th delegate, on a bus in Portland!)

Briefly describe one particular memory you had at JASC that was memorable to you.

I and Yukio, who is a 60th Japanese Executive Committee, were
celebrated on our birthday, 7th of August, in Los Angeles!

If you could describe yourself as a type of food, what would it be and why?

bamboo sprout, which is bitter but healthy.

If you only had one option, which would you choose: time or money? why?

I would choose time because time cannot be bought with money but money
can be made with time....I would like to get both :P

Besides answering to the questions, what are you doing right now?

I just finished eating my lunch, Japanese noodle UDON.

What is your ideal day?

I see the sun rising from the horizon in the morning, walk around in
the nature in the afternoon and sleep under the beautiful Milky way at
night.

(Takuma with Colin Moreshead, our beloved AEC chair. This is the JASCiest picture ever.)

The world is ending in 24 hours. How do you want to spend your last day on Earth?

I would lead a life as usual.

If you had to lose one of your 5 senses, which would you lose and why?

I love foods so much that I cannot lose my tongue.
I love books so much that I cannot lose my eye.
I love music so much that I cannot lose my ear.
so maybe sense of smell or touch....?
Which would be better to lose?
but.... without sense of touch, I could not even walk along the beach
safely with bare foot because I could not notice even if I lose
blood...
so I would lose sense of smell (>_<)

Please write a brief message to the future Amedeles.

JASC is not a purpose but a means. If you find something good in JASC
which is useful to achieve your goals, I would like to recommend you
to participate!

***

And finally, watch Takuma demonstrate his dramatic and acrobatic skills in a skit from the 60th JASC:

(The narrator was played by Miss Yuri Takeuchi, our JEC vice-chair, and the CEO was played by Mr. Hideya Matsumoto, our JEC chair!)

Happy New Year!

2009-01-03T15:50:00.001-05:00

明けましておめでとうございます and HAPPY NEW YEAR to all our readers! Maybe it's a little dorky of me to say, but this New Year's is a transition for the AEC; 2008 was the year we all became JASCers and experienced the conference for the first time, but 2009 will be the year of our conference as AECs.

What does this year have in store for JASC? Stick around and find out! We are currently working our tails off to spread the word about JASC to students, universities and corporations. The application process is underway and the apps are starting to trickle in as I write this. The planning and work is far from over though, as we will continue to work with our Japanese counterparts to make this year's conference as good as it can be.

Starting soon, the AEC will be doing in-person information sessions at all sorts of universities. We're even planning a non-university information session for alumni, professors and applicants in New York early in February, pending venue reservations. If you are a JASCer who can help us out with information sessions or think you might be able to give us a hand at your school, let us know!

JASC Presents: Kyoto

2008-12-28T22:14:00.001-05:00

'JASC Presents: Hiroshima' = Huge Success!

2008-12-26T08:27:00.009-05:00

(Panelists discuss topics pertaining to 'War and Peace' during JASC Presents at the Hiroshima Peace Museum

From left to right: Masato Morishima, Koichiro Kawaguchi, Joshua Schlachet, Ryosuke Ueno)

JASC Presents: Hiroshima went off without a hitch and was, by any measurement, an absolute success. Over 40 people outside of the JASC world showed up to listen to ideas from Masato Morishima, Koichiro Kawaguchi, Joshua Schlachet, and Ryosuke Ueno. After the students delivered their speeches, the audience asked questions in order to further probe the thoughts of the panel on issues regarding war and peace. In all, the event lasted from about 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, with guests and JASCers mingling for about an hour afterwards.

Event coverage was provided by the Japanese news stations NHK and TSS, as well as several local newspapers. Coverage of the event made Yahoo Japan and can be seen at: http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/videonews/rcc/20081223/20081223-00000007-rcc-loc_all.html

Although the 61^st Japan-American Student Conference American Executive Committee is not directly involved with JASC Presents activities, the American Executive Committee would like to offer our deepest thanks to the Hiroshima Peace Museum for providing a free and spacious venue, as well as to Professor Kazumi Mizumoto for delivering a splendid keynote speech. In addition, we would like to send our congratulations to Joshua Schlachet (59^th JASCer and 60^th AEC member) and Sayaka Shingu (60^th JASCer) for organizing a successful event!

The next JASC Presents event will be located at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan, on January 9^th. Look for a post containing detailed information sometime next week!

JASC Presents: Hiroshima

2008-12-20T10:15:00.004-05:00

This Monday kicks off the first JASC Presents event ever. JASC Presents was created this year out of the wish to better carry the influence of the summer-long conference into the real world. That said, I have arrived in Hiroshima and I am ready for an excellent forum event.

JASC Presents: Hiroshima

Theme: War and Peace

Panelists: Joshua Schlachet, Masato Morishima, Ryosuke Ueno, and Koichiro Kawaguchi

Location: Hiroshima Peace Museum

Time: 13:00 - 17:00

If you are a JASCer or just someone who is interested in Japanese-American relations then please feel free to stop by for some excellent conversation. I have a bit of insight into what some of the panelists are thinking about and from what I've heard it should be very interesting.

Honorable Japanese Executive Committee Chair-sama

2008-12-19T00:30:00.005-05:00

For the first introduction post regarding our lovely counterparts across the sea (or in my case, across the country) I am going to give you a glimpse into the mind of the one, the

only, HIDEYA MATSUMOTO!

(Hideya and I in Boston. We shared the same RT, so I feel I have a unique insight into his mind...)

What was your original goal/intention for attending the 60th Jasc?

Taking the role as one of the Japanese students telling American students about Japan and how our relationship is important.

Now that the 60th is over, and some time has lapsed, how much as a person do you think you have grown?

Considering there were lots and lots of people and experiences that struck my hearts and that gave me huge amount of knowledge and courage. I don't think i can describe how much i grew up after JASC, but the clear and most important thing is that I had an unforgettable summer in 2008.

What kind of leader do you want to become for the 61st? In the perspective of the Japadeles? Amedeles?
I might say, as a Japanese student (Japadele), I should be a leader who can connect as many delegates as possible, especially since Japanese delegates are kind of shy to some extent.

What do you want to accomplish in the 61st? In the RT? As a person?
I want to leave something in the history through JASC, especially on the relation between US and Japan.

Briefly describe one particular memory you had at JASC that was memorable to you.
I saw one guy walking on a bridge with a girl who I thought was cute.

If you could describe yourself as a type of food, what would it be and why?
curry rice - spicy, hot, black and white and most importantly, delicious!! Yes I am!!

(Delicious?... Maybe)

If you only had one option, which would you choose: time or money? why?
money- because if you have no money, you can't survive longer than 3 months because you can't get any food from metropolitanized cities such as Tokyo, or will you steal them? No I can't.

Besides answering to the questions, what are you doing right now?

I was sending e-mails to my buddies and ......(^^)

What is your ideal day?

Watching movies while drinking wine and relaxing with my cat after taking a bath in the suite room of Ritz Carlton Tokyo.

The world is ending in 24 hours. How do you want to spend your last day on Earth?

Will make the drama [24]

If you had to lose one of your 5 senses, which would you lose and why?
Hearing-cause sometimes in few years later we lose it anyway, so why not lose it now?

Please write a brief message to the future Amedeles.

hello future buddies!! you will see unbelievable scenes, people, experiences in 2009 summer, don't wait, grab the chance!! Anyways my motto is "Semper Gamby", see you guys in Japan!!

Side Effects

2008-12-10T13:50:00.002-05:00

The Japan-America Student Conference is a life-threatening experience. If you should try and partake in it, know that you too could be one of those claimed. In fact, this past year, I was myself a 'victim' of JASC; my life was taken from me.

The good part is, I was given another one in return. A much better one. Today as I write this, I cannot possibly imagine what I would be doing if I hadn't joined those other students on that month-long trip over the summer. It seems silly, and somewhat melodramatic of me to say, but it's true. What makes JASC 'life-threatening' and not simply 'life-altering'?

It isn't so outlandish to say that our actions and choices follow us through life. We all know that how well we do in school affects our career, and so on. But something like JASC seems, at first glance, to be too short and insignificant to pose any 'threat' to our current path. But looking back on this year, I'm pretty certain that my life has been changed significantly for the experience. The friends I made, the things I learned and the contacts I've stashed away are all gems. And I honestly have a completely different idea of what the next few years of my life will look like than I did a few months ago. And now I'm enjoying the planning of next year's conference, hoping that it'll be as much for its participants as last year was for me.

The point is that given the chance, JASC will mix things up and shed a new light on them. When you open your eyes again, you might look in the mirror and find someone else looking back, ready to go somewhere new. It's worth a shot - I've never heard of it going sour for anyone before. Care to join us?

~Colin

60th JASC Info Session

2008-12-03T02:36:00.004-05:00

Hello reader,

I hope this finds you warm, happy, and…not stressing out from finals looming around the corner.

Whether you want to believe it or not, we are in the final month of 2008. Looking back, it was an exceptionally busy and significant year: Oil hit $100 a barrel for the first time, the U.S. stock market crash and the devastating effects of the ensuing economic recession, the 8.0M earthquake in Chengdu, the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, Hurricanes Gustav/Hannah/Ike's destruction to the costal regions, PM Fukuda's resignation followed by PM Aso, the series of political crisis in Thailand, Kosovo's independence from Serbia, Barak Obama's election as the 44th U.S. president, the terrorists attacks in Mumbai...

Although this is only a small handful of the wide assortment of current events that affected us all, let's be thankful for the roof over our heads, food in our stomachs, the education system we easily take for granted and… the Internet. Oh, the simple joys of life.

2008 also marked the 60th anniversary of a student exchange program between Japan and the U.S. called JASC.

On the 13th of December, the 60th JECs and Japadeles will have their annual “Houkokukai” or information session of what went on during the 60th. It will be held at Keio University’s Mita campus from 1:30-4:30 PM. Admission is free and open to the general public. If you are interested and are in the Tokyo region, please send an email to lecture.jasc60@gmail.com with your name and contact info. Although it'll be conducted in Japanese, we highly encourage you to drop by and chat with the JASCers.

Reflecting on 2008, countless small incidents rippled out to large-scaled ones, affecting us vulnerable global citizens. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Rather than lamenting on world affairs (like me), take that extra step forward to create change...like attend JASC (hint).

… Ok, no more bla-bla rantings from a delirious sleep-deprived person. I’ll shut up now.

The Story of Stuff

2008-11-26T15:12:00.003-05:00

Hello!!!

So, today I am introducing an enlightening movie to you.

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

" The Story of Stuff" is a short on-line film, which would astonish you (especially those of you who live in the U.S.).

- In the past three decades, one-third of the planet's natural resources base have been consumed.

- Forty percent of water waterways in the U.S. have become undrinkable.

- If everybody in the world consumed at U.S. rates, we would need 3 to 5 earths.

My RT, Environment and Sustainable Development, encompasses the topic of mass-consumption. Unless we change this habit of squandering stuff, sustainability will never be achieved.

Please, take a look at the film!!!

If you feel it a problem and want to think about how we can solve such a issue, why don't you join my RT??

Call to Action!

2008-11-15T18:17:00.000-05:00

How many of us out there are sick of hearing about the threats of globalization? The threats looming just across this or that ocean, ready to pounce on you and your dream. That little dream of yours, the American dream. House in the suburbs, walks to the park, children at the dinner table, tank full of gas. It seems so far away, but you're entitled to that. If you work, that is yours. As we know it, life is a train, not a plane. You can go as slow as you like, but the tracks will eventually take you to where you want to be. The sad truth is that we're in the pilot's seat and if you take your hand off the stick for a second you could be plummeting to your doom.

Why so bleak? With added risk comes greater benefits; all you need is the right tools to keep yourself on top. Unfortunately, I feel like I'm on my way to the World Cup with tap shoes on. Everywhere I look, there is someone more qualified than I for a job I want and people considerably more eager to pull the carpet out from under me. It's a dog-eat-dog world, they say, but these dogs can eat you in Mandarin or Farsi. Yes, that's the crux of it all; international competency. Nice to meet you. I'm Colin Moreshead, the guy who's bitter about being only more fortunate than ninety-nine percent of the United States' students.

I sound like a jerk! Is my middle name ungrateful, or what? I mean, my upbringing is even beyond what most would deem "privileged". Born upper-middle class in the suburbs of Connecticut, taking advantage of one of the nation's top public school systems. I should consider myself luckier still that I was exposed to a decent amount of diversity as a child. But my measuring stick has become the international student. Fluency in two languages may as well be a minimum requirement. The student who attends a school to study, not to goof off. The student who grew up with The Economist and annual trips to places I'd only ever dreamed of. I've gone a bit idealist; frankly, if such a person exists, I'm not sure I'd want to be friends with them. I'll swear right now, though, that I would have given up all those hours watching cartoons and building Legos if it had granted me fluency in a halfway-useful language. But I'm worried more about my job, my opportunities and my security. We've been living the soft life and hadn't quite expected the world to catch up to us. Thankfully, we've still got some sway over things; if you're reading this, count yourself lucky for being proficient in the English language. A pat on the back.

That's not enough anymore. Kennedy gave us that call to action back in 1961, pushing us to get to the moon. We need another call, this time to keep us on the face of the earth. I don't pretend to be some freaky patriot who won't stand for the United States to lose face abroad, but I like my station as much as the next guy, and the word is out: American successes just made the endangered species list. When I got to college, I had that realization and began to study for things, hoping to make up for lost time. Why had I blown so much time on so many useless pursuits? There are kids all over the world that would do circles around me if only given the chance.

I can't change overnight. Despite the fact that I am now learning a foreign language, I will enjoy a video game on occasion and probably blow off some of my work. That's not unacceptable, it's just me. But my attitude has changed, and I know what I'm up against. For those of you who think that you're going to be sufficient in whatever field you've chosen for yourself, you may want to think again. I'm not saying you're not great, but there are plenty more out there looking for just what you are. If you ever think you're doing enough to better yourself, you could very well be wrong.

We're all great the way we are, but living beyond our means is not limited to monetary matters. You can live your life and direct yourself in a way that will sabotage you later, and prevent you from getting what it is you want in life. I say, be responsible. Don't slack off and don't expect any breaks. As the world inflates itself, you're going backwards if you stay in the same place. Never, never ever forget that there are other countries in the world. After your eyes have been opened, if you feel even the slightest tinge of inadequacy, don't fret. Change. Today is the day of the niche; have a point to sell.

JASC applications!

2008-11-08T17:18:00.002-05:00

Great news!
The Applications for the 61st JASC are now on the ISC website (www.iscdc.org)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Needless to say, I'm a little excited. I can't wait to see everyone's applications!

Fall Meeting Kickoff!

2008-11-07T19:29:00.003-05:00

I'm kind of a one-man-army in Japan. By that, I mean that I go it alone usually. As in, there are no other AEC within range (Mina is about an hour and a half by train, so maybe I'll visit her soon).

So you'd think with me in the Japans, fall meeting would be difficult, right?? Well, despite the 14hr time difference, I am happy to say I made it through the first round of events (except for the board meeting (I'm told I didn't miss much)) mostly as a talking face on a screen. Internet technology has come a long way. I felt like I was in Star Trek as I was communicating in a capable way from so far away!!!

I have attached some rather fun pictures that I took of the event! Enjoy!

Karen, Colin and Kai stare at me graciously...

Colin looks so happy here... Maybe the conference is in good hands, after all?

I spoke too soon... Colin is now stripping for me!

Some of the AEC patiently listening to Dear Ashley along with the KEC!

Work Hard, Play Hard

2008-11-07T02:51:00.005-05:00

I guess this can be considered my first official post on the JASC 61 blog... so to anyone who might happen to stumble onto this blog, nice to meet you! I guess the first thing I should do is introduce myself. My name is Fausia Mahama but please just please call me Mina. I just turned 21 ( .. huh? who would have thought )

I am a currently studying abroad in Nagoya, Japan at Nanzan University. So I'm in a similar situation as my fellow AEC JMD! I'm an Internation Business and Management major and a double minor in French and Japanese. For fun, I like to read. My current faves are Harry Potter and A Song of Ice and Fire. I like watching movies and dramas. For example, Queer as Folk or Doctor Who. And finally my fave thing to do is dance! From Hip hop to Parapara, dance is definetly my stress reliever!

I'm not much of a blogger but, when there is something fun to share, I don't mind! ^_^ So last week, I finally got my first holiday and was able to go to Tokyo for a bit! Yay. While there I had 3 mini JASC reunions!

1) Edelstein Cafe with Neal Akatsuka ( 60 JASC)
Edelstein is butler cafe in Harajuku in Tokyo! It was decorated like a German all-boys boarding school, so it was very interesting and fun!

2)Halloween night 2008

It was like having a special topics night! We discussed everything from gender and sexuality in japanese and amererican society to relationships between people of two different cultures!! The JASC spirit lives on!

Emiko ( 60 JASC): Nun
Emi( 60 JASC, 61 JEC, Nagano site co-coordinator): Devil
Neal( 60 JASC): Nurse
O-Yuri (60 JASC, 61 JEC, International Development RT Partner): Angel
Mina ( Me) : Princess

3) Jasc Japan Headquarters
I got take a trip to JEC land for a few hours! Some of the JECs were there( Hideya, Keisuke, Yuri) as well as other JASCers like Yuichi, Tomone and Morishi! Fun times, though I went to just have relax, I ended up working a bit. JASC work never ends...

p.s JEC have like a secret tree house, i'm quite jeolous!

Mina

Just a little song....

2008-11-03T13:43:00.002-05:00

Anyone who knows Durkin and I knows that we like music. Especially Disney songs that we put new lyrics to. Durkin just e-mailed me a song that I couldn't keep to myself. Its about my awesome RT co-leader, Takuma. Here it is!

Ta-ku-ma Ta-na-ka, ain't no passin phase--- he's our JEC, Japadele--- Ta-ku-ma Ta-na-ka!

Hail to the Chair

2008-11-03T00:10:00.002-05:00

This weekend I was lucky enough to have Yoshi, Kayoko, and Colin as my guests! I documented this historic occasion and wanted to share something with you all:

I'm sure it reassures you all to know that our conference is in such capable hands.

The quest for the "J" of JASC

2008-10-24T02:14:00.009-04:00

JASC cannot operate with just the AECs. We have a counterpart, the JECs who reside somewhere far far away in the Pacific Ocean surrounded by lush blue waters. Without them, we are simple ASC and that is pitifully sad.

They are intellectually stimulating to talk to, have charming and witty personalities and in general, amazing people. As most of them attend universities in the Tokyo area, they are able to meet up more frequently than we do (they have a monthly weekend retreat – this is especially important as the 61st is a Japan year and so they are planning most of the site coordinating). Attached is a pic of them during their retreat in mid October.

(Starting from back row left to right)
Keisuke Matsuo
Kouji Jimba
Moto Ono
(Front row left to right)
Emi Yasukawa - Secretary
Hideya Matsumoto – JEC Chair
Yuri Takeuchi – JEC Vice Chair, Liaison
Yuri Honda – Treasurer
Takuma Tanaka

We miss them a lot. However, due to a lovely phenomenon called globalization, we are able keep in touch with each other fairly often. The RTs, site coordinators, chairs, and committees communicate on a regular basis via e-mail, chats, phone calls and skype sessions. Modern technology has conquered the challenges of physical distances...maybe?

If you’re interested, here is their blog (in Japanese)

http://ameblo.jp/jasc61/

日の丸

2008-10-19T15:14:00.003-04:00

I came across an English-language article about the hinomaru flag recently. Briefly, a finance minister intends to display the hinomaru in his press briefing room and there is, naturally, controversy over the hinomaru's symbolism.

I find this particular political issue pretty fascinating. What do you think?
Should the hinomaru have been made Japan's official flag?
Is the hinomaru (with or without sun rays) a symbol of militarist Japan?
Is it ever offensive for a country to display its national flag?
Does the symbolism of the gesture change if it is displayed by a known rightist/nationalist?

Also, did you notice that Kiichi Miyazawa was quoted at the end of the article?

Tokyo site!!

2008-10-08T01:04:00.010-04:00

Hello!

Since I'm coordinating Tokyo site with my cutest partner, Karen, I'd like to advertise Tokyo.

First of all, Tokyo site will be the best of all sites!!! (Any oppositions?? <AECs

As you all know, Tokyo is the centre of Japan. (my spelling of "center" is already Canadianized...)

Here is a wonderful introduction of Tokyo by Riyo Mori who won the 2007 Miss Universe beauty pageant.
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/09/29/riyo.interview/index.html
You can also watch the video material.

Tokyo is a really awesome city. I lived in Tokyo for only two years, but I have no hesitation to say that.
Are you excited about Tokyo??

Of course, it would be fun just to visit Tokyo as a tourist.
But I can assure you that JASC is the only way to maximize your experience in Tokyo!

I can't specify at this moment, but there will be tons of activities that can be experienced ONLY through JASC!!

You wanna apply?? Then, You MUST! (^^)/

Technology at its Finest: It's Not THAT Funny

2008-10-07T21:52:00.002-04:00

So my roundtable is "Modernized Technology and Health Issues."
There are so many aspects to the topic.
On my iGoogle about a month ago, listed under CNN.com was "Cell phones affect sperm quality,..." and I just had to read!

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/09/18/cellphone.sperm/

(Let me just remind you that the article says the study is not 100% because of small sample sizes, experiment condition, etc.)

...hey dude, are you talking on your phone right now?

Hey Everyone!

2008-10-07T11:39:00.002-04:00

I have not started using this blog yet...

That's bad!

So, I'll introduce myself. My name is Colin Moreshead and I'm the 61st Japan America Student Conference American Executive Committee Chair. I just wanted to write that out to see how long it was. At the moment, and for every moment over the next 10 months or so, we AECs are going to be working with the Japanese Executive Committee to make the 61st JASC the best yet! We're working hard and staying optimistic even with all the recent indications of impending apocalyspe:

1. Financial crisis
2. The top box-office hit is "Beverly Hills Chihuahua"
3. OJ Simpson has been convicted

All of these things are INCONSEQUENTIAL! So please stick around and take a peek at what we're up to from time to time. I hope we'll be using this more frequently than we have been, but let's face it; we've got a job to do.

Colin

I had a brain spasm today...

2008-10-06T06:42:00.002-04:00

Today, after the urgings of the professor of my Japanese Transnational Corporations class, I finally decided I should begin thinking about just what I am going to do for our final paper. The final paper should be roughly 3000 words and should, obviously, be in regard to Japanese Transnational Corporations.

It was when I finally started to think about it that I realized I could very easily tie this in with my roundtable. If you don't remember, my RT is Globalizing Economies: The Rise of BRICs in Relation to Japan and the US. As such, I have received a moment of inspiration and have really begun researching Japanese foreign direct investment in BRICs.

The initial research is exceedingly interesting for me. I find the push and pull factors behind why I country decides to invest in another to be both exceedingly complex and mindnumbingly simple all at the same time. In a way, it's representive of the concept known as simplexity. I could delve into the meaning of simplexity, but I think I might just leave that post for another day. For now: RESEARCH!!!

Durkin's Introduction... Part Ni!

2008-09-27T19:06:00.000-04:00

As promised, here is a friendly meme. Sadly, I think it gives a better impression of me than my self-intro. ENJOY!

1. What is your first name? Jon-Michael, of course—but you can call me Durkin if you like!

2. Were you named after anyone? My parents do not answer this question consistently. The short answer is no. The long answer is maybe. My Uncle is named John and my father is named Michael. My parents often joke they named me after Jean-Luc Picard, of the U.S.S. Enterprise... Yeah, I was doomed to nerd-dom from the start.

3. Do you wish on stars? Alas, it always seemed a strange superstition to me… Perhaps that’s why I was such a sad excused for a child.

4. When did you last cry? When I thought about the individuals from the 60th JASC, of course.

5. Do you like your handwriting? I used to not care at all… but recently I have become knowledgeable that my handwriting looks like crap, and that makes me sad. My kanji, however; is often quite beautiful I am told.

6. What is your favorite lunch meat? Even before I became a vegan, I never liked lunch meat. (I stopped being vegan when I came to Japan, PS)

7. What is your most embarrassing CD? That’s hard! Almost every CD that I own is somewhat embarrassing… It’s possibly any of the following: Aladdin OST, The Newsies OST, or Pocahontas OST.

8. If you were another person, would you be friends with you? What kind of question is that? If I were another person, I would clearly be much to cool to hang out with the likes of me. Not to mention, I am kind of a jerk.

9. Do you have a journal? I have a blog. But no journal!

10. Do you use sarcasm a lot? No. Never. Of course not. I don't whine, either.

11. What are your nicknames? JM, JMD, Durkin, Jiji

12. Would you bungee jump? Of course I would! I went skydiving this past summer and it was AMAZING!

13. Do you untie your shoes before you take them off? Does anyone?

14. Do you think that you are strong? Strong in a physical sense? Certainly not. But I like to think that my mental strength more than makes up for it… But that might actually just be a guise for a strong ego.

15. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? I like vanilla… Isn’t that just so plain?

16. Shoe size? 10. Not much to say about it—it’s pretty standard yo.

17. Red or pink? Neither.

18. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? My propensity to withdraw from relationships when I start to really get to know people.

19. What do you miss most? Diet Coke and wireless internet (they don’t exist in Japan!)

20. Do you want everyone you send this to, to send it back? No, but I wouldn't mind if someone rewrote this question to prevent that icky "to, to" issue.

21. What color pants/shoes are you wearing? Semi-dark blue jeans and brown slippers

22. What are you listening to right now? ‘I Don’t Think Now Is The Best Time’ from Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End OST.

23. Last thing you ate? Well, it was a rather large meal: A bowl of rice, vegetable miso soup, sponge tofu, and a ground-meat/mixed veggie stirfry. It was really quite delicious!

24. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Who wrote these questions? Barbara Walters?

25. What is the weather like right now? It’s a bit cool! Japan has finally entered fall, I fear. Otherwise it is a beautifully calm and clear night.
26. Last person you talked to on the phone? I think my hostfather. I don’t have a phone, so I rarely use one.

27. The first thing you notice about the opposite sex? The size of their face and body and how proportionate the two are.

28. Do you like the person who sent this to you? I found this on some random blog… so no.

29. Favorite drink? Used to be Diet Coke… Recently it’s become cold tea.

30. Favorite sport? I like to watch baseball. I like to do karate :-P

31. Hair color? Brown.

32. Eye color? Hazel-ish.

33. Do you wear contacts? Nope.

34. Favorite food? Gardein Burgers, definitely!

35. Last movie you watched? This is tough. I think the last movie I watched was Be Kind Rewind on the plane to Japan. It was really stupid, don’t watch it.

36. Favorite day of the year? I really prefer the day on which JASC begins 

37. Scary movies or happy endings? Neither—they are both too cliché.

38. Winter or summer? The spring, thank you very much.

39. Hugs or kisses? Hugs. There is nothing quite like holding another person in your arms and simultaneously being held.

40. What is your favorite dessert? Probably crepes… Yeah, definitely crepes.

41. Who is most likely to do this meme? Nobody. Well, maybe another EC will pick up on it and do it, but I doubt it…
42. Who is the least likely to do this meme and comment? To no Chujo? Hikaru Genji? Murasaki Shikibu?

43. What books are you reading? Funny you should ask: The Tale of Genji, The Gossamer Years, The Kojiki, and so many more…

44. What's on your mouse pad? It’s a small red dot in the center of my keyboard, aka a trackpoint.

45. What did you watch on TV last night? ano… last night I think I watched the news and then went to bed.

46. Favorite smells? I love the smell of spring… You know the one I am talking about.

47. Favorite sound? You know those soft murmurs that the person you love makes when they sleep? Yeah, that’s it.

48. Rolling Stones or Beatles? The Beatles… and the Rolling Stones! OH I AM TRICKY!

49. What's the furthest you've been from your home? Osaka, Japan (I think that Kyoto is closer to home… hahahah)

50. Do you have a special talent? I can run around really fast and whirl my arms around while making loud noises before I fall down… In other words, no.

51. What is your ring tone? Ah, my friend… I am 19, and thus I cannot get a cell phone in Japan without parental consent… Which is a bit tricky to get when neither of your parents speak any ENGLISH!

2 min self-intro of the "other" Asian girl

2008-09-27T13:05:00.005-04:00

Hello reader,

My name is Kayoko “Kai” Hirata and I am one of eight 61st JASC AECs. I study Urban and Regional Studies and Government at Cornell University, located in middle-of-nowhere, NY. My roles in JASC are AEC treasurer, JASC Presents AEC Liaison with Yoshi and Hakodate site coordinator with our wonderful Chair Colin. I lead the RT topic “Food Security and the Future Accessibility of Edible Commodities” with a very benevolent JEC buddy Moto.

I had the fortunate experience of growing up both in Japan and in the US, therefore not only do I speak English, but also a fair bit of comprehensible Japanese and enjoy pretending to understand Spanish.

Food transports me away from dreary reality and I wish there were more time and resources to fully devote myself to it. But as for now, I have turned to books on food, which is why my RT will be the best. And oh, Japanese bakeries ruin my health but I spend a good portion of my camera memory and time and income exploring for them.

The 61st JASC is on the process to become the best summer experience ever, so if I haven’t bored you yet, apply! (Well, not now cuz the applications aren’t up yet) Please check our blog sporadically and request more info by signing up to our listserve ↓

http://iscdc.org/index.php?option=com_forme&fid=4

Cheers,

Kayoko

Durkin's Introduction

2008-09-26T22:49:00.006-04:00

It’s taken me a while to want to write this introduction… I’ve struggled a lot with exactly what to say in it. How can I sum myself up in a short time while still keeping you interested? It’s really difficult!

Name: Jon-Michael Durkin
College: The University of Akron
Major: International Politics
Site: Kansai Region
Roundtable: Globalizing Economies: The Rise of BRICs in Relation to Japan and the United States

Well that was interesting, right? Ok… Be quiet.
I’m studying abroad in Japan this year. It works out rather nicely because I get the extreme pleasure of actually living in the area where the fourth site of the coming JASC will take place. If you haven’t already guessed, I was an American delegate from the 60th JASC. My motivation to become an EC was borne out of one specific goal: World Domination.
Just joking… Maybe.

In actuality, I found JASC to be one of the most momentous events in my life. I was skeptical, at first. In truth, I found myself not wanting to go the week before the conference out of fear. I am glad I did not yield to such silly thoughts. Traveling the United States with 61 other students from Japan and the US has left a great impression on me. It’s almost impossible to put the feelings into a generic paragraph such as this. If you are thinking about applying, do so. Absolutely, without a doubt, apply. It’s something you won’t regret, ever. It’s worth every bit of time spent, and it’s an experience which will enrich your person beyond belief.
If you find yourself compelled, but still fearful, please contact us and learn from our experience. That is, after all, why we are here.

Ok, so this was a poor self-introduction… I’ll just do a freaking meme…

Ed's Introduction

2008-09-16T12:22:00.002-04:00

Hello all!
I am Edward Phillips, but usually I just go by Ed.
I am a member of the 61st JASC American Executive Committee, webmaster for the 61st JASC, American Orientation coordinator, organiser for the delegate selection process, one of the 4 coordinators of the Nagano site, and am leading the Public Interest vs. Individual Rights roundtable (which is going to be great!) with an awesome guy named Takuma.

I am a gamer and a computer nerd. I am also into theature and singing. I have been in 5 musical theature productions with 2 lead roles.
I am one of 2 male children out of 11 total.
I was born in Phoenix, AZ, but have lived in Arizona (obviously), Utah, Illinois, Nevada, Washington, and Japan.

I am entering my senior year at the University of Washington, majorin in the Japanese Language.

That's me in a nutshell.

Henry Kissinger

2008-09-16T03:11:00.004-04:00

I've been looking through previous JASC recruitment materials and making some of my own, and whenever I encounter a list of famous JASC alumni, there's always one name that stands out: Henry Kissinger.

Presumably because he is our most famous American alumnus, we seem to take great pains to mention him as often as we can. I am of the school of thought that sufficient repetition makes anything funny, so now every time I see Kissinger mentioned, I can't help but smile.

As you can tell, I am working very hard on JASC right now.

Self-Infroduction: Karen

2008-09-14T17:50:00.006-04:00

Hello all readers!

I am...
Karen Jung,
the proud American delegate of the 60th Japan-America Student Conference,
the Vice Chair of the American Executive Committee of the 61st JASC (2009),
the liaison between the AECs and the Int'l Student Conference,
the leader of the Roundtable: Modernized Technology and the Health Issues with sexy Emi,
and one of the 4 Tokyo site coordinators with my best friend YOSHI!

I...
was born on October 15 in a small city in South Korea,
flew to the US on a snowy day in January of 2000,
live in Havertown, PA and attended Haverford MS & HS,
own a deli business in Philadelphia, PA,
attend Dickinson College, class of 2011, majoring in East Asian Studies and Pre-Health,
miss my older brother, Young Woong, who is probably sweating and swearing his butt off in FLW, MO, as an American soldier in-training,
love listening to music [artist playing right now- Rachael Yamagata], taking pictures, travelling, writing journals, being on my bed, talking to people about everything,...

and wish I can be with you [future 61st JASCers and lovely 60th JASCers] right now creating another cherished moments of my life.

Love,
Karen.

Rachel's self-introduction

2008-09-14T17:18:00.004-04:00

Name: Rachel Staum

College: Harvard

Major: East Asian Studies (Japanese literature!)

Hobbies: classical music ♥ , knitting, reading

EC roles: recruitment, public relations, publications (with Mina!)

Site: Kansai!!!

Roundtable: Educating a Global Citizenry: What is the ideal education for a globalizing society?

I am looking forward to working with everyone to make an amazing conference for next year. Right now it seems so far away, and it's hard to imagine everything coming together!

☆Yoshi's first blogging☆

2008-09-14T14:19:00.006-04:00

Hello :D

I'm Yoshi, a member of 61st AEC.

First of all, let me introduce myself briefly.

I was a Japadele in 60th JASC, then got elected as an AEC member. Although I am a junior at The University of Tokyo, I am currently studying at University of Toronto, Canada as an exchange student till next summer! So I can work closely with other AEC fellows (both geographically and emotionally, of course!)

My main role is to facilitate the communication between the Japanese side and the American side; I am a liaison. I am also a liaison for alumni, keeping them updated about 61st JASC.

Since 61st JASC will be held in Japan next summer, I'm really looking forward to rediscovering my country with all of 61st JASCers!!

As for RT(discussion round table), I'm leading "Environment and Sustainable Development" RT with Keisuke, my buddy in JEC.

So far, I have used some of "JASC jargon".

Let me conclude my introduction by explaining them.

JASC: Japan-America Student Conference

JASCer: participant in JASC

AEC: American Executive Committee (8 members)

JEC: Japanese Executive Committee (8 members)

Japadele: Japanese delegate

Amedele: American delegate

Our new blog is awesome

2008-09-12T13:51:00.001-04:00

To my fellow AEC--

Welcome to our new AEC blog!

I believe our intention in creating this blog is to have a casual online presence, through which we can spread information about JASC and our progress creating the conference.

You all have posting access, so I hope you feel free to post photographs, informal updates, and your thoughts on JASC!

Let's keep this blog lively and post often!

Post #1

2008-09-10T01:47:00.000-04:00

Hello World!