Japan Alumni eNews (Vol. 139)

The November edition of Life in Japan by Photo introduces Memories of Japan (honorific titles are omitted).

Bringing you news and first-hand stories about international students!

On July 6, the new Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC) opened its doors to begin offering residency-related support to foreign nationals living in Japan (Located inside CO・MO・RE YOTSUYA, an office building in front of JR Yotsuya Station in Tokyo). Bringing together parts of the Immigration Services Agency, Tokyo Labour Bureau Consultation and Support Office for Foreigners, Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners, Ministry of Affairs Visa Information, and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Center engages in various support initiatives for foreign nationals in a collaborative effort between affiliated agencies. More specifically, the Center will provide one-stop support for facilitating the accommodation and employment of international students, facilitating the recruitment of highly skilled foreign workers, legal consultation, and facilitating the employment of foreign nationals in Tokyo as well as provincial regions.

A new website called NEWS (NIHONGO Education contents Web sharing System) was launched on June 1, allowing students of Japanese to search for various kinds of materials in one place, including study materials, curriculums, and academic papers. Run by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the website aims to share and facilitate the utilization of learning materials owned by various Japanese educational institutions. Searchable materials include “Dekiru? Dekita!! Kurashi no Nihongo” (Can You Do It? I’ve Done It! Everyday Japanese) from the Hyogo International Association, “Chiiki de Tsunagaru Nihongo Kyoshitsu” (Japanese Lessons for Community Togetherness) from the Soja City Government in Okayama Prefecture, and “Watashi ga Shiritai Seikatsu Kanji” (Useful Everyday Kanji) from Higashihiroshima F.A.C.E. (Foundation Affairs of Culture and Education) in Hiroshima Prefecture.

Name: Yun So Yeon
Nationality: South Korea
University: Kagawa University
Major: Japanese Studies
Period of Study: September 2018 to August 2019
Japanese Proficiency Level: Equivalent to Japanese-Language Proficiency Test N1

In collaboration with various universities, local governments, business associations, and chambers of commerce based in the Aichi and Gifu Prefectures, Gifu University, as a member of the Aigi Career Development Consortium for International Students (led by Nagoya University), has launched the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology-commissioned International Student Employment Promotion Program. The program supports international students in job hunting by offering language courses in general and business Japanese and career education (career guidance sessions, one-on-one career counseling, preparatory courses for job hunting at basic and advanced levels) as well as organizing company tours, networking events with local companies, and a Gifu Region Workshop.

Introduction of scholarships, grants, unique activities at particular universities, and more!

Here we introduce you to particular faculties and graduate schools at Japanese universities.

University Profile (As of May 1, 2020)
Name: Shinshu University
Matsumoto Campus: 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto City, Nagano
Nagano Engineering Campus: 4-17-1 Wakasato, Nagano City, Nagano
Nagano Education Campus: 6-Ro Nishinagano, Nagano City, Nagano
Ueda Campus: 3-15-1 Tokida, Ueda City, Nagano
Ina Campus: 8304 Minamiminowa-mura, Kamiina-gun, Nagano
Number of Students: Undergraduate: 8,864 / Graduate: 1,935
International Students: 365

Shinshu University is located in Nagano Prefecture, a mountain resort area famous for having hosted the Winter Olympics (The name “Shinshu” is derived from “Shinano-no-kuni,” which is what Nagano Prefecture was known as before the Meiji period [1868 to 1912]). The historic national university is the only university in Japan that uses the old name for its region. Rich nature and historic National Treasure-designated architecture are easily accessible from each of the campuses, making the location an ideal environment for learning. Shinshu University aims to become “the university most sought after by students” by proactively partnering with the local community and local industry, and by conducting cutting-edge education and research in a unique range of fields.

Shinshu University consists of eight faculties (Arts; Education; Economics and Law; Science; Medicine; Engineering; Agriculture; and Textile Science and Technology) and five graduate schools (Humanities and Social Sciences; Education; Medicine; Science and Technology; and Medicine, Science, and Technology). Led by the Interdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge Research (a cluster of research institutes that brings together the university’s strengths and unique capabilities), Shinshu University reflects its world-class research in its educational curriculum, producing advanced professionals and researchers capable of contributing to society through deep expertise in their respective fields, excellent technical skills, and an adaptability to changing environments.

“Kagayaki-Tsunagu” Hokuriku-Shinshu Employment Promotion Program for Foreign Students
Many international student graduates of Shinshu University go on to work for local Nagano Prefecture companies and other companies within Japan. The university offers business Japanese courses, career education, and internship guidance for international students who wish to work in Japan through its Employment Promotion Program for Foreign Students provided in conjunction with Kanazawa University.

Courses on Japanese Language and Culture
Shinshu University’s Center for Global Education and Collaboration offers a group of courses entitled “Japanese Language and Japanese Studies Subjects.” Japanese Language courses can be taken according to one’s level of proficiency. Students have the opportunity to showcase their improvement at local speech contests and other public settings. Those who are sufficiently proficient in Japanese can also take specialized courses in the humanities, economics, science and engineering, etc. Japanese Studies courses consist of a variety of educational opportunities including in-class courses such as “International Understanding and Multicultural Coexistence,” in which an equal number of international and Japanese students engage in discussions about global issues; experiential programs that involve interacting with the local community; courses on Japanese society and identity; and traditional martial arts training courses.

The 15th RIKEN Biomanufacturing Symposium

This symposium consists of lectures and discussions about emergent academic fields and scientific technology that lie at the intersection of biotechnology, chemistry, and various engineering areas. This year, in particular, the symposium will focus on issues such as tissue engineering using medical materials, drug delivery systems, biosensors, and biomanufacturing utilizing bioinformatics.

Date/Time: Friday, December 4, 2020 / 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. (Online)
* The URL for the online symposium and other details will be sent to the e-mail address registered at the website below

2020 11th RIHE Open Seminar “Master’s Education in East Asia and COVID 19 Impacts” (Online)

Date/Time: Wednesday, November 18, 2020 / 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. (Online)
* The URL for participants will be sent to those who signed up ahead of time by the day before the seminar
* Simultaneous Japanese-English interpretation available

Name: Intercultural Education Society of Japan (Education)
Location: Office of Makiko Kishi at the School of Global Japanese Studies, Meiji University, 4-21-1 Nakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo
Number of Members: Regular Members: 757 / Student Members: 102 / Other Members: 28 (As of August 2020)
Membership Fee: Regular Members: 10,000 yen (3,000-yen initial fee) / Student Members: 8,000 yen / Corresponding Members: 3,000 yen

Overview of Academic Society (History, Mission, etc.)
This interdisciplinary society was established in 1981 with the aim of advancing academic research into various issues in the field of education that arise from differences in culture. The society’s 52nd issue of its biannual journal “Intercultural Education” was published in August 2020 and is currently available at bookstores. An annual meeting is held each June, which consists of an open symposium, research paper presentations, and various verbal and poster presentations. Various events organized by the Research Committee, Event Planning and External Affairs Committee, and Young Members’ Committee are held throughout the year. Given its values and areas of interest, the society frequently interacts with those who are from overseas.

*Note that the tests may be cancelled. Make sure to check the official websites for these events before heading out.

JASSO provides information about job-search for both current and graduate international students!

*Note that the events may be cancelled. Make sure to check the official websites for these events before heading out.

These websites have search engines for companies recruiting international students.

Introducing regions in Japan with universities, and more! The November issue looks at Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture.

Located in the north-east of Honshu Island, Sendai City, Miyagi is the largest city in the Tohoku Region with a population of around 1.09 million, and is known as an academic city due to its many universities. With an average temperature of around 24 degrees Celsius in August and 2 degrees Celsius in January, Sendai’s winters are noticeably colder than Tokyo, although the city receives relatively small amounts of snowfall compared to other cities at similar latitudes. Sendai’s nature is remarkably rich for a large city, giving it the nickname “Mori-no-miyako” (City of Forests). On the other hand, it is also an economic hub, with around 48,000 businesses operating within the city. Easily accessible by bullet train (approximately 90 minutes from Tokyo) or through its own regional airport, Sendai is also a popular tourist destination and receives around 20 million visitors each year.

A famous figure in Sendai’s history is Date Masamune, who built Sendai Castle there in 1601. The castle town that grew around Sendai Castle forms the foundation for today’s downtown area. Many tourists visit the Sendai Castle Ruins to enjoy a majestic statue of Date Masamune, which stands at the ruins as if the erstwhile ruler were continuing to watch over the city to this day.

Around 50,000 students live in Sendai City who study at one of the city’s 10 universities, including the third oldest national university in the country and the largest private university in the Tohoku Region. These universities collaborate with various businesses in Sendai to help invigorate the region. For example, one national university in Sendai has partnered with companies to conduct cutting edge research in the field of engineering, which has helped create various new business ventures. Sendai also has thriving publishing and printing industries due to the high demand for books and magazines generated by the city’s many schools. Since it is the largest city in the Tohoku Region, Sendai is also the site of branch offices and operations for many of the country’s largest corporations.

This section introduces information on Japan for international students!

In Japan, employment arrangements that companies mainly use to hire students for a limited time are called “arubaito” (Japanese word for a part-time job). Many international students take these kinds of jobs, as they are not only good for earning extra money, but also for gaining a better understanding of Japanese culture and improving their Japanese. However, international students who are in Japan on a student visa must first receive a permit from the Immigration Bureau to engage in an extra-status activity and can only work up to a certain number hours (28 hours per week).

There are three main ways to look for a part-time job. First, you can look on your school’s portal site. These portal sites provide tailored lists of jobs that are well-suited for students and sometimes feature job listings that are not open to the public. The second way is to look on online part-time job listing sites. These websites conveniently allow you to narrow your search by area, job type, and hours, and some of these websites are tailored to international students. Lastly, the third way is to look for shops and restaurants around town that are seeking help. Such shops often put up posters on their storefront with details about the job. Some shops do not post job openings on listing sites, so keep an eye out as you walk around town.

To apply for a part-time job, follow the directions given on listing sites and job posters. Most employers require an interview and many also require you to hand in a resume. Resumes in Japan follow a unique format, and templates that adhere to this format can be purchased at convenience stores and stationery shops. When filling out your resume, try to use Japanese as much as possible. If you are unsure of how to fill out your resume or have concerns about interview etiquette, we recommend you ask a Japanese person you know for help.

Japan is the origin of many world-class inventions. In this issue’s “Get to Know Japan” section, we will introduce you to a few of the inventions that were born out of Japan’s science and technology which have had an immense impact on people’s lives.

Doctors Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano, and Shuji Nakamura revolutionized lighting around the world with their invention of the high-luminance blue light-emitting diode (blue LED) for which they won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2014. LED lights have always had the advantage of saving energy, lasting longer, and shining brighter. Previously, however, a blue LED with sufficient color purity and brightness had not yet been invented, making it the last of three colors needed to create a light of any color (red, green, and blue) to not be in existence. In addition, due to the physics of light, the combination of these three colors was needed to create the color white, meaning the invention of a blue LED was also crucial for achieving widespread use of white LED lights. Through the research and development efforts of these three scientests (including the creation of a process for generating high-purity crystals that are used as a material in making LEDs), the world’s first blue LED was invented in 1993, leading many lights to be replaced by LEDs in the years since.

Born out of Japan’s unique public transportation needs, the automatic turnstile is an invention that is capable of instantaneously reading the information recorded on a train ticket. Automatic turnstiles were first introduced in around 1967 when economic growth had led to high urban concentration, making congestion on trains and train stations a major issue in society. Until then, tickets had been collected by human gate attendants, creating congestion during rush hour and requiring gates to be manned by a large number of station workers. Eventually, train companies brought this issue to electric appliance companies, leading to the development of the automatic turnstile. One unique feature of Japanese turnstiles is their ability to instantaneously and automatically distinguish between tickets of passengers traveling to and from different stations. This process happens at a rate of an incredible 80 passengers per minute. Today, automatic turnstiles are installed at most train stations around Japan and have evolved to accommodate prepaid smart cards in addition to tickets.

Japanese scientists have also made important contributions to the invention of the lithium-ion battery, which are currently used around the world to produce everything from smartphones to satellites. In terms of facilitating the practical application of lithium-ion batteries, the contributions of 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry winner Dr. Akira Yoshino are particularly significant. Along with fellow Nobel Prize winner Dr. John Goodenough and others, Dr. Yoshino utilized a unique electrode design to create a lithium-ion battery that was safe and small enough to be suitable for commercial application. Small, lightweight, high capacity, and rechargeable, the lithium-ion battery is currently used in smartphones, laptops, and digital cameras, and are expected to power electric cars in the near future.

Information about JASSO Scholarship programs, invitation programs, Study in Japan Fairs, and the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU).

Please read the September 2020 issue. It will be available on November 12.

This program provides former international students who play active roles in education, research and government in their home countries with an opportunity to conduct short term research at universities in Japan.

This program provides Japanese academic advisors with an opportunity to visit and to help further research of former international students who are teaching and/or researching at universities or research institutes in their home countries.

In this month’s “Lifestyle Information” section, we discussed part-time jobs. Part-time jobs provide excellent opportunities for students to gain a wide range of job experiences while still being in school. I myself worked various part-time jobs when I was a student. Getting real-life job experience helped me realize what kind of work I was not as well-suited for and what I enjoyed doing. At one clerical job, I was able to get a firsthand look at how office workers spend each day, which allowed me to envision my future more clearly. In addition, the opportunity to learn about business etiquette and insider industry knowledge from the employees I worked with were also invaluable experiences. Although it can be challenging to balance work with school, the knowledge and experiences you can gain from a part-time job will undoubtedly be useful to those who are considering employment upon graduation.

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