J.D. Sparks

My correspondence with AJET >>>

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Date: Fri, 28 Jun 2002 06:04:06 -0000
From: "jetsurvey2002"
Subject: New Survey >>>

Hi,

I am a current JET who got royally shafted by my JET "Supervisors"
and am keen to see JET make a few changes.

Please fill in the questionnaire at

http://www.geocities.com/jetsurvey2002

so we can lobby for changes.

Feel free to post this message to every mailing list/message board
you know about.

Within 10 mins of starting I have already received some most
disturbing stories.

It seems so many JETs have stories to tell and noone to listen.

I aim to change that.

Thanks.

Please email me at jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com if you have any
ideas/suggestions regarding this.

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Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2002 17:59:36 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Connie-AJET Block7" <ajetblock7@yahoo.com> | This is spam | Add to Address Book
Subject: changes w/in JET
To: jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com

hello. as the AJET representative for JETs in block 7 (nara, hyogo, wakayama, osaka), i'd like to hear what happened to you. i realize you are keeping your identity secret for fear of losing your job. but how will you lobby for changes without revealing your identity? if you would like someone from AJET to listen, please let me know your story.

connie

AJET Block 7 Representative

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Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2002 19:50:49 -0700 (PDT)
From: "J.D. Sparks" <jdsusumu@yahoo.com> | This is spam | Add to Address Book
Subject: Fwd: [FamilyJETs] Digest Number 19
To: familyjets@yahoogroups.com
CC: jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com, ajetvc@yahoo.com

Dear Family JETs and JETs in general... I appologize for this email.

While I agree that people should report abuse and concerns plus they should keep people informed of issues... I think they should:

a) Not post things annomously.

b) Report stuff to the AJET national Council, who officially makes reports and requests that issues be addressed to CLAIR and MEXT.

c) Should try to work within the system to address these changes.

I guess I will be forced to restrict and manually approve new members to the list, in an effort to prevent people from bothing you with announcements like this. Sorry for the extra emails. I hope we use this site to bring useful info to Family JETs.

Just my two cents,

J.D. Sparks

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Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2002 04:00:49 +0100 (BST)
From: "JET Survey" <jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com> | This is spam | Add to Address Book
Subject: Well you'll hate this message then >>>>
To: "J.D. Sparks" <jdsusumu@yahoo.com>, familyjets@yahoogroups.com
CC: jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com, ajetvc@yahoo.com

Dear J.D.

To answer your points...

a) If I reveal my name I get fired. If you had read what my mail was about you'd have understood this.

b) When the whole point of my email is to fix the problems that AJET, CLAIR and MEXT ignore it is not going to be very helpful to ask them to do it, is it?

c) My whole point is that there is no method in the system to fix anything.

Who are you to decide what people are bothered by? I'm only trying to do good and was asking for help.

Hopefully my work will help every JET including people on this list.

Why are some people so put-out by things which are ever-so-slightly out of the ordinary? Why must you demean me?

It's not like my message was spam.

Kind regards,

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Hi Connie,

Thanks for taking an interest.

I would be interested to know what AJET actually do.

I read somewhere that they are a conduit between JETs and CLAIR - but CLAIR have proved themselves to be beyond useless at actually fixing anything (I'm not exagerating here - if you can give me one example of CLAIR fixing a problem I really would be grateful to here it and will happily apologise).

The only other things I've heard people say about AJET are that they take money from you at Tokyo meetings and, if you're lucky, send you an email once a year.

It's hard not to be cynical to be honest.

The way I see it is that if noone else is going to stand up for JET's worker's rights and human rights then I may as well have a stab at it.

Please tell me what AJET has done to prevent JETs being molested by co-workers and students, stop lies being spread all over their towns by their BOEs/Supervisors, stop JETs being dumped into accomodation that is simply unfit for human habitation, stopped employers forcing JETs to do things which aren't in their contracts, stopped BOE supervisors from blackmailing JETs into silence, stop JETs coming here and being dumped in the middle of nowhere with noone to comunicate with, done to prevent JETs arriving in Japan to find they must sign a contract that bears little or no resemblence to the one they were told they were going to sign (what are they going to do? Say no I won't sign this? Who are they going to talk to about it? CLAIR? AJET? MEXT? What will they do?) Also, Why it is the Japanese still feel it is acceptable to lie to JETs?

It doesn't mention anything of this in the brochure.

What have AJET done to address the issue that many JETs in Japan have absolutely noone (NOONE!) that they can turn to if they get into serious problems without being either ignored, told that every situation is different or told to talk to their supervisor?

The one thing everyone agrees on is that things have been the same on JET since the beginning.

That is not an excuse to let it continue.

I'm sorry, but I only have evidence that the JET "support" groups do precisely nothing to fix these problems.

Feel free to brush me off as a "moaner" who has "issues" and and that "every situation is different". Everyone else in your position does. Fortunately I am now being inundated with questionnaires that provide, quite frankly, damning assessments of the support structure within the programme - aswell as the programme itself.

I would love to be proved wrong but it's almost impossible to get past the impression that all "support" group people are too comfy in their positions to do any "boat rocking".

I would quite happily work with AJET on this - you are the only group that I have not dealt with personally yet. But your response is key to this. The questions above may appear accusatory but they are legitimate. What has AJET done to address these problems?

Kind regards,

Someone who can't even say their name because he would lose his job if he did so and noone would give a shit - am I right or am I right?

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Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2002 00:20:32 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Connie-AJET Block7" <ajetblock7@yahoo.com> | This is spam | Add to Address Book
Subject: Re: changes w/in JET
To: "JET Survey" <jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com>

hello again. let me first explain what AJET does. AJET is a volunteer organization made up of current JETs. AJET is one channel to get CLAIR to listen. twice a year (November is the next meeting), members on the national council present issues to CLAIR. these issues vary in range. at the may meeting, issues that were discussed included: employment insurance, under-utilization of ALTs, driving rights. these issues were brought up because JETs have come to us with the problem. CLAIR wants a source of information about JETs and it's up to AJET to provide that link.

second, let me explain to you the organization of the JET program. i'm sure you already know this if you have already spoken with CLAIR, but bear with me. CLAIR merely organizes the recruitment of teachers. the contract of employment is with the prefecture or a contracting organization (BOE). although CLAIR recommends a model contract, it is your prefecture that ultimately decides on the contract---i assume for the whole prefecture. the model contract should state the minimum for what is provided to a JET. some prefectures are more generous and may stipulate more than the minimum. for example, i believe 12 days of vacation are stated in the model contract. but in some prefectures, JETs are allowed 20.

do you realize now that it is the prefecture that holds most of the power? AJET has chapters on the prefectural level. can you tell me what prefecture you live in? then i can tell you who your block representative for AJET is. have you also spoken to your prefectural advisor? for hyogo-ken, we had 3 of them (all were CIRs). they are JETs as well and were always very helpful and supportive.

i agree that JETs should be afforded basic rights (that is what the model contract attempts to do). but if that isn't happening, then we need to let CLAIR and the prefecture know. specific examples and data help immensely in presenting your case.

connie

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Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2002 04:16:24 -0700 (PDT)
From: "J.D. Sparks" <jdsusumu@yahoo.com> | This is spam | Add to Address Book
Subject: Fwd: Well you'll hate this message then >>>>
To: jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com
CC: ajetncchair@yahoo.com, ajetvc@yahoo.com, ajettreasurer@yahoo.com, ajetdba@yahoo.com

Dear JET Survey Mystery person,

Let me just try and rationally address your concerns. Please first note that I did not demean you, and that could be part of your perception problem that makes this effort feel skewed.

1. If you had put out an email that said something like gThere are problemsc lets find out what they arec etc etch I might not have given it a second glance. But, when you come out with attacking AJET for NO REASON (At least none that you would quantify) I wonder how much you have really put forward in gConflict Resolutionh on the subject and how much this is really just a gBitch Fest.h type effort?

2. Anonymous statements mean NOTHING. If you want, what you should do is have people submit their issues with the assurance that you will keep their names concealed. Then if you get to the point of resolution then you can present proof positive that the situations are factual and not ONE SIDED. Otherwise they are just stories.

3. Putting a survey up to a person who is unwilling to provide their info in ANY way is not only unwise it is unsupportable. Who is to say that you are a JET or a Contracting Organization (OR CLAIR for that matter) who is just hunting down info to use any way you choose. How can anyone be assured that their stories wonft appear anywhere on any servicec and by sending emails to you they CAN find the actual source in all but a very few cases (IE people have to be VERY knowledgeable about their computer to wipe out all traces of who they arec for a super knowledgeable source can find out who people are.) And in fact Yahoo and several other free services have lost suits in US court to force them to reveal user info on request from a court (Which is where people could find such info if they provide it to youc IE libel suits)

Who is to say that YOU can solve any of these problems? If a person sends you the info then they are putting trust in you that could come back to bit them in the ass before long. And it could do damage to them mentally if you in turn do NOTHING to solve their problems.

4. How much do you really think any such unscientific survey is going to serve the JET community? AJET is the only source of official contact that is going to help you with CLIAR and MEXT. BUT, how have you tried to work within the AJET resources to accomplish this idea of bringing issues to those that matter? Did you try and run for AJET? Did you try and talk to the National Council? Did you know that we have put out surveys and addressed reports to the ministry on gSexual Harassmenth and gRacismh to name just a few?

5. I think the simple fact is; You donft seem to have tried to resolve this via sources available to you. Have you called the AJET sponsored gPeer Support Grouph? Have you tried your teacherfs union? And thus I think your just ready to bitch and moan and not really work towards a "viable solution". This in turn hurts everyone. How? Well, then CLAIR decides that AJET doesnft represent people. What if JETs decide that bitching is the only wayc and that it solved nothing (Since your efforts will not solve the problems in your current form.)... then they give up on stuff like AJET, a proven source of conflict resolution.

NOW, I totally agree with you that there are problems. I could tell you a whopper or two of my ownc But, if we donft use AJET and those types of services to address these issues than all we get is gFly by nighth attempts at complaining that produce nothing once that person leavesc and leaves a mark on the JET community that is two steps backwards from the place we started at.

Last thingc I am curious how you sit here and preach about how out of touch AJET is with JETs and how we are invisiblec But yet you use ourc OUR list-serves to communicate with JETsc I think that speaks volumes about how we REACH out to people and work towards creating a communityc vs. Crying with no real achievable goal to be had!

And this is just my opinionc I am CCing this email to the executive officers and list serve manager of AJET. I would encourage you to work with themc THEY CAN AND WILL HELP!

J.D.

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Date: Tue, 2 Jul 2002 01:38:26 +0100 (BST)
From: "JET Survey" <jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com> | This is spam | Add to Address Book
Subject: Re: changes w/in JET
To: "Connie-AJET Block7" <ajetblock7@yahoo.com>
CC: jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com

Hi Connie,

Thanks for getting back to me. Here's my response...

You say that "CLAIR merely organizes the recruitment of teachers"

I agree.

So why do people (including AJET) expect them to solve problems?

In addition to CLAIR's "organisation" they seem to offer a counselling service. I am currently yet to hear of one satisfied "counsellee" that has used this. I tried myself and ended up getting the ESID thing thrown back in my face along with an utterly pointless "well you should try speaking to your supervisor". I now have a great many questionnaires back from people that have experienced all manner of horrors only for them to receive various combinations of these "brush offs" from CLAIR.

You say people should go to you with problems so that you can act as a "conduit" to CLAIR. What is the point of wasting any time doing this? CLAIR simply do not solve problems. In your own words they "merely organizes the recruitment of teachers". Acting as a "conduit" to these people seems an utter wasste of time to me. Please tell me why I am wrong?

You say that the model contract offers 12 days of nenkyu. It does not. It offers 20 days of paid-leave that can be used how the JET sees fit. That people are arriving to find they have 12 days in their contract is utterly unacceptable. That people are forced to take it for whatever whim their school/BOE sees fit is against all manner of worker's/human rights. What is being done about it?

Also, everyone I know and myself included, was led to believe that the contract we would sign would be the one shown to us before we left. That this is not the case is utterly misleading on the part of CLAIR. This practise is utterly unacceptable also because (as I said in my previous email) the JET is required to sign this "new" version after arriving in Japan - a circumstance that makes it impossible "not to sign". Are you seriously expecting people not to sign this contract if they are not happy with it? What do you advise them to do? Call CLAIR? Give up their year abroad on the spot and pay for their own ticket home? That CLAIR does this is disgraceful and unacceptable. How does AJET respond to all of these points?

"do you realize now that it is the prefecture that holds most of the power?" Yes I do, now. Why in God's name is noone told this before they leave? What are AJET doing about it?

"have you also spoken to your prefectural advisor?" Yes and that is where many of my problems stem from. I thought it was just me and mine that suffered the ineptitude of this person/people - but I now have evidece of almost every prefecture containing supervisors like this. These people seemed to be hired to not let any problems bother the BOE hierarchy. They are given no pwers and seem to be selected on their "non-boat rocking" qualities. Of course you can point out that this is not always the case and you'd be right - but let's not deflect the argument here. My BOE and supervisor not only offer no support but they colluded with my school to shaft me just because I was asking awkward questions. In any case where a problem has developed the JET has been forced to move schools even though they have done nothing wrong. I have no support structure to go to. I am far from being the only one. What real support can AJET give me? Who should I be going to?

"i agree that JETs should be afforded basic rights (that is what the model contract attempts to do). but if that isn't happening, then we need to let CLAIR and the prefecture know."

Why? In your own words CLAIR don't offer support. If the prefectural supervisors are told of problems from above then the JET that reported them will suffer. I have to remain anonymous making this survey because I simply have no doubt that I will lose my job just for asking these questions. How f**ked up is that?

"specific examples and data help immensely in presenting your case." You'll be getting plenty of examples from me as soon as you can tell me what REAL help you can provide. Thus far I have been told you are a channel to CLAIR. To me that's like saying you are a tunnel that leads to a road to nowhere. That's not very useful. I hope I am wrong.

Anyway,

Thanks for replying and I look forward to your response.

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Date: Sun, 21 Jul 2002 02:32:23 +0100 (BST)
From: "JET Survey" <jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com> | This is spam
Subject: do I have this from JD?
To: jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com

Dear JET Survey Mystery person,

Let me just try and rationally address your concerns. Please first note that I did not demean you, and that could be part of your perception problem that makes this effort feel skewed.

And this is just my opinionc I am CCing this email to the executive officers and list serve manager of AJET. I would encourage you to work with themc THEY CAN AND WILL HELP!

J.D.

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Date: Tue, 2 Jul 2002 02:50:55 +0100 (BST)
From: "JET Survey" <jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com> | This is spam | Add to Address Book
Subject: Re: Fwd: Well you'll hate this message then >>>>
To: "J.D. Sparks" <jdsusumu@yahoo.com>
CC: ajetncchair@yahoo.com, ajetvc@yahoo.com, ajettreasurer@yahoo.com, ajetdba@yahoo.com

Hi J.D. (et al),

I really appreciate your time in replying to me. Here's my response to your mail...

Firstly a minor point, "Please first note that I did not demean you, and that could be part of your perception problem that makes this effort feel skewed." - I see what you were saying but you essentially told everyone to ignore my message without having a clear understanding what it was about. You also mentioned that you'll put up barriers to prevent individuals from doing such things again. This is what prompted my response. It's not like I was selling religion or a credit card or get rich quick scheme, was it? Yet you treated my mail in this way. Let's not dwell on this, though.

1. (a) "attacking AJET for NO REASON (At least none that you would quantify)" - I hardly think AJET are attacked in my surevy. They are simply an unknown quantity to me and, I know, to others. Everyone I have spoken to (so far) says that AJET take money from you at conferences and, if you're lucky, you get an email once every 6 months in return. Don't have a go at me about this - this is all I have so far heard about AJET.

1. (b) "I wonder how much you have really put forward in gConflict Resolution" - Bloody tons! CLAIR = useless. BOE = inept. Supervisor = uncle Tom. School = facist. Who should I go to? What can AJET do to help? I am also corresponding with another AJET person. They say that AJET act primarily as a conduit to CLAIR. They acknowledge that CLAIR are not in a position to support people but merely set up the contracting of teachers. If CLAIR provide no support, please tell me what the point of AJET is and what AJET actually does?

1(c) "how much this is really just a gBitch Fest.h type effort?" - It's not at all. I want to make a difference.

2. (a) "Anonymous statements mean NOTHING. If you want, what you should do is have people submit their issues with the assurance that you will keep their names concealed" - That is what I am doing.

2. (b) "Then if you get to the point of resolution then you can present proof positive that the situations are factual and not ONE SIDED. Otherwise they are just stories." - Obviously!

3. (a) "Putting a survey up to a person who is unwilling to provide their info in ANY way is not only unwise it is unsupportable. Who is to say that you are a JET or a Contracting Organization (OR CLAIR for that matter) who is just hunting down info to use any way you choose. How can anyone be assured that their stories wonft appear anywhere on any service" - I agree. You will doubtless be as amazed as I am to find that their are a huge number of people willing to provide me with such information. The only reason I can think of for this, is that people are basically desperate to tell their stories to anyone that will listen. That's how frustrated, helpless and isolated they feel. Perhaps they even feel like the support structure they are supposed to rely on does not exist? That's my theory. What do you think? I am at an advantage though, as have been inundated with questionnaires from people telling me that this is exactly the way they vew their "support structures".

3. (b) "...they CAN find the actual source in all but a very few cases ... lost suits in US court to force them to reveal user info on request from a court ... IE libel suits" - What is it with this country that makes people do whatever they can to stop someone asking awkward questions? You make it sound like I'm peddling copyrighted kiddy porn that abuses animal rights whilst whaling.

3. (c) "Who is to say that YOU can solve any of these problems? If a person sends you the info then they are putting trust in you that could come back to bit them in the ass before long. And it could do damage to them mentally if you in turn do NOTHING to solve their problems." - How true. Yet all these people are trusting me, a complete stranger, with very very personal information. Makes you think, doesn't it? FYI, I am doing this because I care. I am making a stand for something I believe in. I am tired of watching people being abused and bullied and NOTHING BEING DONE ABOUT IT. I could just sit back and moan (like practically everyone else does) or I could get up off my arse and do something about it. Guess which option I have chosen?

4. (a) "How much do you really think any such unscientific survey is going to serve the JET community?" - We'll find out, won't we?

4. (b) "AJET is the only source of official contact that is going to help you with CLIAR and MEXT." - Don't take this wrong but what has that got to do with anything? From every single thing I have seen/heard - MEXT don't care, CLAIR are worse than useless and I've only started hearing about AJET (proper) since I started doing this survey. These problems have been going on for over 10 years - everyone agrees with that. If AJET, CLAIR and MEXT are problem solvers - why are the problems still occurring? Please tell me? I really want to know? That way I wouldn't have wasted so much time doing this survey, taken on a huge rresponsibility in doing so, and be determined to fix problems that noone else has even attempted to fix for over a decade. If the "Official" structures at so good at fixing problems of assault and abuse why are these problems still occurring?

5. (a) "BUT, how have you tried to work within the AJET resources to accomplish this idea of bringing issues to those that matter?" - Why should I have done so? I had no idea what AJET was until a few weeks ago. Neither have very many others it would seem.

5. (b) "Did you try and run for AJET? Did you try and talk to the National Council? Did you know that we have put out surveys and addressed reports to the ministry on gSexual Harassmenth and gRacismh to name just a few?" - Now maybe I'm just being cynical here (and feel free to ignore everything I say about anything from this point onwards - it would certainly be your easiest option and you could dismiss me as an stupid, misguided and angry individual) - but in Japan, I have found, they just love having things to point at to show they are addressing the situation (I am alluding to a great many things that you won't know about here and I have no intention of producing evidence of them now) without actually DOING anything. This is my opinion. What I will leave you with on this point is the following observation... 'A great many reports and surveys on racism/abuse/harrassment/assault etc etc etc have gone to CLAIR and MEXT over the history of the JET Programme. If I was to ask CLAIR or MEXT what they were doing to address these issues, they would tell me, quite rightly, that AJET have assisted CLAIR and MEXT in providing reports on these issues and that the matters are currently being investigated. Yet the problems are still occurring as regularly as ever.'

That's a key one for you. Hopefully you won't dwell ONLY upon it - because it has so many holes in it that will allow you to do so. But let's face it, it does provide you to bail out of any discussion with me - and that would make your lives a fair bit easier. And I'll have more information about AJET. Cynical or what! Look what the JET Programme has done to me.

5. (a) "I think the simple fact is; You donft seem to have tried to resolve this via sources available to you" - Hmm good observation considering you have no idea of who I am or what has happened to me. You're not alone, though. People who had the shit beaten out of them have been told the exact same thing.

5. (b) "And thus I think your just ready to bitch and moan and not really work towards a "viable solution" " - Well you will hopefully be proved wrong.

5. (c) "...CLAIR decides that AJET doesnft represent people" - And then, like, you'd be up shit creak or something? Please tell me, what have AJET and CLAIR ever conspired to achieve? I really want to know? If there are loads of things then I don't need to be doing anything. What tangible achievmenets have you achieved?

5 (d) "AJET, a proven source of conflict resolution." - see 5 (c)

5 (e) "NOW, I totally agree with you that there are problems. I could tell you a whopper or two of my ownc But, if we donft use AJET and those types of services to address these issues than all we get is gFly by nighth attempts at complaining that produce nothing once that person leavesc and leaves a mark on the JET community that is two steps backwards from the place we started at." - And if we DO use AJET then we get...

"Last thing c I am curious how you sit here and preach about how out of touch AJET is with JETs and how we are invisiblec But yet you use ourc OUR list-serves to communicate with JETsc" - Is that like the internet thing? What about those JETs whose employers forbid them to use the internet and who live in places with no internet access. Also - are these lists only avaialbe to members? Are members the only one's who know about them? I've never heard about them until you mentioned them just now. Can problems only be fixed for JETs if they are members of AJET? How many members do you have? Is everyone a member but for me and my friends?

"THEY CAN AND WILL HELP!" - I need someone with authority to come down to my BOE and, with my school people present, enforce the terms of the contract that I signed with them. What help can you provide in this matter?

Anyway,

Thanks for getting back to me.

I am eagerly awaiting your response to these matters. Like I said before, until VERY recently I had no knowledge of AJET and I am interested to see what the organisation does. Perhaps we can even eventually work together in these matters.

My answers have been provcotive because I am interested in what your answers will be. Not just because I am argumentative.

Sorry about remaining anonymous. Sadly, I (and my co-conspirators) can trust noone at present - even if they have good intentions.

JS2002

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Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2002 23:09:12 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Connie-AJET Block7" <ajetblock7@yahoo.com> | This is spam | Add to Address Book
Subject: specifics
To: "JET Survey" <jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com>

hello. as to the extent of what AJET can do, i'm not sure myself. i took over for this position in mid-may. but my hopes for AJET...i'd like for it to be the vehicle through which problems are solved and the JET program improved. that's one of the reasons why national AJET membership is free. we truly wanted to represent everyone. at the prefectural level, i think most people associate AJET as a social coordinator. but i think it can become more. anytime you organize people in numbers, you have the power to create change and be heard. with that said, i think you should work closely with the prefectural rep (PR) of AJET and the block rep of AJET when you are collecting this data. how will you present your case and to whom? if the data is collected in an organized manner, there's a possibility of presenting it to CLAIR in tokyo at the november meeting. or you can organize a meeting with the prefectural gov't and speak with them directly. i think that CLAIR does a little more than just help with the selection of teachers. i think they are also an enforcer. for example, JETs are required to attend certain conferences at the CO's expense. if your CO doesn't comply, of course CLAIR can do something about it. again, i don't claim to know the full extent of CLAIR's powers, but they do provide the official word on a lot of matters. i had the opportunity to meet and speak with the program coordinators (all of them former JETs) at CLAIR. i honestly believe that they are willing to listen and promote change.

can you tell me exactly what you are arguing for? vacation days? apartment standards? and can you finally tell me which prefecture you live in? if you're not in block 7 (hyogo, nara, wakayama, osaka), then i should let your block rep in on this discussion as well.

connie

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Date: Tue, 2 Jul 2002 00:15:08 -0700 (PDT)
From: "AJET Database Administrator" <ajetdba@yahoo.com> | This is spam | Add to Address Book
Subject: Re:
To: "JET Survey" <jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com>

Dear JS,

I'm sure that others will reply to your response to JD, so I hope you do not become too overloaded with emails on the subject. However, you did raise some important questions and hopefully I will answer some of them. The new AJET council took over the reigns about one month ago, therefore we haven't had ample time to put many of our ideas into action yet. We have so many goals and hopes for the next year, a lot of which are very similar to your own concerns. I want to assure you that you will hear from AJET this year. The emails that you just started receiving on the NationalAJET list was only started up this past May. I have to admit that it was JD's brainchild. He did it because people were disappointed that they never heard from AJET. We are hoping this solves some of the communication problem, although we know it doesn't solve anything. Now that we are in contact with so many JETs over that list, we are going to be able to better advertise the ajetonline listserve where JETs can discuss any topic they wish. This site is monitored by the National Council. As the group owner and moderator, I am hoping we can use these lists to collect more specific information from the general community. However, please see where JD is coming from when he forwarned you that you may by monitored and some emails may not be approved. Because AJET does run the list serve, we can not allow unfounded slander about us to go out to general members. I completely understand that you have concerns and questions, all that we ask is that you bring it up with us first. There may be a lot that we CAN answer for you, a lot that we CAN do for you. But if the gossip train that AJET does nothing keeps getting wider, the new council will lose the little support it was left with. I can not express in words how hard the new council is working right now. We all ran for these positions because we care, just like you. For me personally, I have had a fairly good first year on JET, but it was not without its troubles and problems. I think the JET programme is excellent ideally, but as I told CLAIR in out first meeting in May, I think there are so many things that could be improved so that it is a great program in practice. We are ALTs and CIRs (and hopefully one day SEAs) just like you. We experience a lot of the same things that you do everyday. But as I said in my survey response, we can't do much to help you unless you let us. Again, I know you said that you didn't even know who "we" were, but that is changing. By this time next year, it is hoped that that sentiment is no longer around.

AJET does not just collect money and disappear. In fact, the only money that National AJET took from members last year was for the paper version of AAJ. General membership for AJET this year is also free. However, we will be collecting 500 yen for Tatami Timshare to avoid the financial difficuties that crippled the program last year. The rest of the money was for SIGs, NGs, and Prefectural chapters. They are separate from us. However, with the new constitution that was just approved at the Renewer's Conference, we will have more control over the SIGs etc. that disappear with money and don't offer any services. This year each member will receive a membership card with the emails of the chair, vice chair, treasurer, and database administrator. If any member is dissatisfied with the groups they joined it is hoped that they contact us. We do give refunds!

CLAIR is not useless, however they are part of the Japanese government. Which means they have to follow the Japanese rules and traditions. I have met personally with the Program Coordinators (all former JETs by the way) and they are more than happy to help you out in any way they can. However, they do still have to make their way through all of the bureaucratic red tape. Believe me, they get very frustrated with it as well. This doesn't mean that things don't get done. Its just means that they take longer to get done than many of us are used to. AJET is constantly in touch with CLAIR, making sure that they are addressing the issues that are affecting JETs. We do not let the issue rest until CLAIR does something about it. We are also looking into other ways to make our voices heard. If we find some other venue or another office/group that can help us, we will go to them. Our current project is the National Teachers Union. It is our hope that any ALT will be able to join it by the end of this year, if not sooner.

As for other things that AJET does, a lot of it is centered around conferences. We put a lot of effort into making sure things go smoothly, offering workshops and seminars, selling helpful publications, answering questions, putting out guidebooks, setting up the information fairs, offering things like charity drives and book swaps. If there is something more you would like AJET to provide at conferences, PLEASE tell us. We will do everything we can to accomdate your ideas and suggestions.

Because you have gone through so much effort to make yourself heard, I believe you that this is not a bitchfest on your part. I sympathize with you that you are truly trying to make a difference. Please understand that all of the new council members share this ambition. It really is the reason that all of us ran in the first place. Many of us came into this job having NO idea what AJET was. I know one of my personal goals is that no one has to feel that way ever again.

I want AJET to be viewed as a better support system. I hope that after a few months of hard work, we will encourage people to have faith in AJET again. Up until recently, AJET was operating under the same format as it did when it was started. At that point the number of JETs was less than 1000. Now with over 6000 JETs, we realize that things have to be done differently. It will happen....please trust me. I encourage you to ask those awkward questions, just ask us first. There are plenty of whiny JETs out there that are only here to complain. Its amazing how people can turn one small issue into a nationwide rumor just by moaning enough. I'm not saying that this is what you have done, but there have been others that have succeeded in doing that. For example, ONE person was convinced that they paid for Tatami Timeshare last year (it was free last year). She emailed us and argued about it for weeks. Several weeks later at the renewers conferences we had large numbers of people asking us for a refund for something they had never paid for, stating that they had heard other people at the conference talking about it. Its very frustrating for us, especially when we have so much else to take care of.

Back to CLAIR and MEXT, there are people there that do genuinely care. I can't speak for the ministries as a whole, but the few JET oriented people in those departments fight an uphill battle for JETs everyday. And the day that they stop trying is the day that we will petition to have someone better fill their shoes. The problems of abuse and assault that still occur are being worked on. I know it seems like these have been issues for a long time, but they are evolving issues, hence need an equally evolving solution. Japanese people need to go by the books, and when there isn't a book to go by, they find themselves lost and confused. This has been my biggest pet peeve since my arrival in Japan. We are doing everything we can to make this process more efficient. As a victim of abuse myself, I am determined to see a set punishment put into place and adhered to. I am not satisfied with the Japanese system of addressing things but solving them either. But to get a government office to just change takes a lot more than just telling them "change". You obviously know that. We are not dealing with a problem that is isolated to CLAIR or MEXT, we are dealing with distinct problem in the entire Japanese culture.

As for tangible achievements, its very hard for me to give you examples, as I am new to the game. Hopefully JD, who is a former member of the council, will address that. But please think about the things that are right with this program. They didn't end up successful on their own. AJET keeps CLAIR in touch with what needs to be done and has been doing it for years. I am sure I will have better and current examples as I get further into my work this year.

I mentioned this in my survey response, but I still encourage you to work with AJET in regards to this problem. Because we deal with CLAIR in a formal manner, it can only help your cause. You are dealing with a fresh set of council members that unfortunately have to deal with the reputation left for them by former councils. I understand why that would make you hesitant to work with the organization. We can't force you to work with us, but I hope that you will consider this option though, now that you have had personal contact with us. In the very least, I hope that you do not work against us. We really are trying to work for you.

There are many BOEs that cause problems. Problems that MEXT and CLAIR (and AJET) are never aware of because JETs only sit and complain about them at the local bar. But we are aware of your problem now, and will make CLAIR and MEXT better aware of it if you'd like us to. It was only in May that MEXT realized that some JETs teach less than 5 hours a week. BOEs had been lying for years. You should have seen the look on the MEXT representative's face when we provided him with evidence. We suggested that maybe the need for physical investigations of problems BOEs and more direct input from JETs are in order. So hopefully, this will be put into action as soon as possible and maybe your BOE will be paid a visit. Hopefully someone will start asking YOU about your job and not just your supervisor. If they haven't done anything about this issue by our November meeting, we will continuing to provide them with reports on the issues and begin demanding that something gets done. I won't allow them to let me retire my post until I see that something tangible is being done about the issue. And, from my last update from our MEXT liaison on the council, it sounds like things are already being done. We will do this for you. We will make demands on yours and other JETs behalfs. We will make sure something gets done. Its very hard for them to ignore us when they have to meet constantly with us, face to face.

I understand and respect your need to remain anonymous. If you do at any point feel comfortable enough to work with us, please don't hesitate. Your name will remain within the council and will only be released to anyone else with you permission. In fact, I'm sure we could continue working through this even if you do remain anonymous. I even encourage you to call me if you feel like there is something that can be better worked out over the phone. My home phone number is 0796-23-8285 and I am usually home in the evenings.

I hope that this has been helpful in clarifying some of the issues you brought up. If you have any specific questions on things that I wrote about, please write or call. I will do everything I can to help you.

Best regards,
Amanda Cornaglia

2002-2003 AJET Database Administrator

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Date: Thu, 4 Jul 2002 01:04:08 +0100 (BST)
From: "JET Survey" <jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com> | This is spam
Subject: Message to GenkiEnglish
To: jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com

Hi all,

I was at the genkiEnglish presentation at the Tokyo renewers thing. I was impressed and think what GE are doing is great BUT...

There are many people with problems that genkiness will never be able to cure and these people are being completely hung out to dry. Also, whilst I agree that being paid to be a foreigner is great, there are very many highly qualified teachers here (some with families) that have been left to rot in the arse end of nowhere.

Now there is no way I'm going to criticize GE but I am really trying to help out those people that cannot be 'Genki'd' into happiness.

I have put up a survey at

http://www.geocities.com/jetsurvey2002 .

I have been swamped with replies (it's only been up a week) with people desperate to tell their stories to a complete stranger.

I intend to really make a difference with the information I have thus far gathered (you'll have to trust a stranger on that - if I say who I am - I get fired - cool huh? - just for asking questions!)

Please fill in the questionnaire. If you have any other ideas or help that you can provide please wmail me at jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com

All the best and stay genki

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From: "Richard" <richard@genkienglish.net> | This is spam | Add to Address Book
To: jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com
Subject: Jet survey (Genki English)
Date: Thu, 4 Jul 2002 17:17:42 +0900

>Hello,

Hiya,

I just stuck this message on your board, can you help?

>Sure, we're always willing to help JETs out, and I appreciate the fact that you emailed me as well. Thanks.

I was at the genkiEnglish presentation at the Tokyo renewers thing. I was impressed and think what GE are doing is great BUT...

>OK.... fair enough..

>We weren't quite saying that you were just paid to be a foreigner, but I know where you're coming from..

Now there is no way I'm going to criticize GE but I am really trying to help out those people that cannot be 'Genki'd' into happiness.

>Totally, being Genki is one part of the big picture, along with patience, understanding the other person's point of view and getting up and doing something about it! We deal with soooo many BOEs and Head Teachers, and we know what some of them can be like!! Barging head on doesn't work, but there are ways to get things changed!

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Date: Thu, 4 Jul 2002 11:01:42 +0100 (BST)
From: "JET Survey" <jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com> | This is spam | Add to Address Book
Subject: Re: Spamming
To: "Genevieve Carolan" <gen@intranet.org>
CC: jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com

Hi Genenieve,

It's OK - I run into loads of people like you - protecting other people from what they might read.

I keep anonymous because I'll lose my job if discovered to be "asking questions".

I realise that there are many people who abhor having something different come into their world asking for change. I'll make a note of your response. You'll be happy to know there are at least 2 other people in Japan that share your view.

In the meantime I'll take my "campaign to make life better for a great many people" - sorry I shouldn't call it that, I'll take my "spamming" elsewhere.

Now fuck off.

Genevieve Carolan <gen@intranet.org> wrote:

Dear JD,

> Please let other's make up their own minds about this without putting
> me in a negative light.

Regarding your message, I did allow people to make up their minds but I
offered my own opinion about you and your "survey." By not offering your
identity, you show no credibility nor do you show yourself to be in a
position to aid in making in changes to the JET programme.

As moderator of the list, I have to right to moderate. You joined solely to
spam the list with your message. You had one message to send out and had no
intention of actually adding to the conversations that take place on the
list.

Thank you but no thank you. That's not why this list was created.

All the best,
Genevieve Carolan

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Date: Mon, 8 Jul 2002 18:08:50 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Connie-AJET Block7" <ajetblock7@yahoo.com> | This is spam | Add to Address Book
To: jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com

as i haven't heard from you recently, i can only assume that you are choosing to go your own path, without the help of AJET. very sorry about that, but good luck with your project. your intentions are good and there's reason for your cause. i only worry about your method.

connie

AJET Block7 Rep

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Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2002 00:20:23 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Connie-AJET Block7" <ajetblock7@yahoo.com> | This is spam | Add to Address Book
Subject: bit longer
To: "JET Survey" <jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com>

sj, regarding what AJET has achieved, i don't have a clear idea. everyone on the council is new since may, so no one knows the history. i'll email a council member from last year and get back to you.

connie

JET Survey wrote:

Hi Connie,

That's not the case - I've just been busy.

However, there were a lot of questions in my long email to you (regarding AJET's achievements) that I would still really like answered if that's OK?

It's one thing to say what AJET "does" but really, what has it managed to achieve?

Many thanks,

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Date: Thu, 18 Jul 2002 00:14:40 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Connie-AJET Block7" <ajetblock7@yahoo.com> | This is spam | Add to Address Book
Subject: AJET's achievements
To: "JET Survey" <jetsurvey2002@yahoo.com>

sj, the following is a reply from a council member from last year. he gives examples of what the national council from his year managed to achieve.

connie

[[[As for what AJET has done recently. Well, I can only tell from the last year, and in my opinion. I am not 100 % sure on the last few years before that.... But, looking on the history part of the web page gives some clues.

Last year:

CLAIR was forced to clarify the "Unemployement situation." Even thought they tried repeatedly to pawn this off on individuals, they are now, thanks to AJET NC, stating ways and reasons behind getting it.

Flight home -- We made a report on this and they made some small changes on how it worked. Now, it seems, more COs are allowing JETs to decide which way to get the money and not just by the Japanese travel agent that was orignially suggested. (Although I can't back this one up, it is what I saw happen.) This also was stressed that AJET objects to CLAIR changing contract rules in the middle of the year.

Q&A book about ALT utilization -- This book is the one that was shown to everyone at the meeting. It is a direct result of SERIOUS pressure from AJET NC to get study leave, culture leave and alternate work situations from COs. This book would never have come around and the opportunities for JETs to use study and other types of leave would be far less than current situations allow.

Driving rights of JETs and the Model Contract -- ONLY DUE TO AJET NC has CLAIR put more emphasis on protecting JET's right to drive. They have been forced to achknowledge that it is discriminatory to refuse JETs the right to travel by car to work.

Model contract in book -- Never before has the model contract been in the orientation books for JETs to see, until last year. This is a direct result of AJET NC demanding to see the Model Contract and have an open debate about what is actually in it. Now, COs are forced to achknowledge that things aren't always what they say they are.

ALT Utilization -- MEXT has repeatedly heard from AJET NC about JETs who get little or no work satisfaction and work few classes. As a result of AJET NC they have been forced to re-evaluate the work situation and have made COs do reviews and submit numbers of hours they use their ALTs.]]]

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