My corespondance with Jennifer, CLAIR and Huw.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fitzgerald Jennifer <jenfitz1006@yahoo.com> wrote:
Date: Tue, 28 May 2002 18:55:23 -0700 (PDT)
From: Fitzgerald Jennifer
Subject: Re: [2001sendaialts] tax info for the Brits
Hi there. Ok we need to make an arrangement to have you come in for a bit of a chat about the school. I know you would like to stay at Yamada however, the schools also have the right to request new ALTs etc...We have just recieved all of the schools forms in regarding to the ALT for the next year and Yamada would like to have a new ALT.
I hope you could understand their position. If you were to be in this same situation in a Miyagi local BOE it would very much be the case where you could have been asked to leave the JET Program altogether. I think why maybe things are going well now is because as far as they are concerned you are leaving in July so they are just trying to keep the peace until then.
I know you have mentioned going to a high school for next year but that will be impossible as there are none available. At the momment I am trying to put the school list together for next year. We have though about placing you at Nakada(Josh Mc Veigh-Schultz school) or possibly Fukurobara (Matt Wilsons school). Of course we would also like to have your opinions heard on where you would go.
We could possibly have you come in this Friday or if that doesn't work for
you then anytime next week.
please call me here at Shidouka or just give me an e-mail.
Thanks
Jen
PS how is the car? How is Catherine?? I was a bit confused on who you wanted
me to talk to. But I can do whatever is needed. Catherine needs some help arranging
time off at work or??? ok talk with you soon
Jen
======================================
Date: Wed, 29 May 2002 06:16:47 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Swift response required >>>>>>>>>>
To: "Fitzgerald Jennifer" <jenfitz1006@yahoo.com>
Dear Jen,
Your reply to my email came as a bit of a shock, to say the least. You said in your email:-
"We have just received all of the schools forms in regarding to the ALT for the next year and Yamada would like to have a new ALT. I hope you could understand their position. "
How can I understand Yamada's position - no one has discussed this with me. We have had a few disagreements about nenkyu. However, . I have done nothing wrong and my classes are going well. Can you please explain to me what exactly there is to understand about 'Yamada's position' .
Furthermore, what exactly do you mean by:-
"If you were to be in this same situation in a Miyagi local BOE it would very much be the case where you could have been asked to leave the JET Program altogether. "
What situation am I exactly in? I have done nothing wrong and would like to have explained to me exactly what theis 'situation' is, that I am supposed to be in, and why it constitutes me having to either leave the JET programme or move school.
One could argue that there is a slight insinuation that I have done something wrong somewhere along the lines.
Would you care to tell me what it is?
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
============================================
+++NOTE+++
I sensed something was up. I wrote to CLAIR to see what help they could give me. I started off by repeating an incident that happened in my first month at school - Yamaki-sensei, the then ALT liaison in Sendai, telling me to stop ask awkward questions about my contract. A long since forgotten incident.
=============================================
Date: Wed, 29 May 2002 07:22:59 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Help needed
To: n-finkle@clair.or.jp
Hi Nicola,
I'm an ALT who is having problems.
My BOE flatly tells me that they are not going to help.
Who do I contact at CLAIR for serious assistance - i.e. people to whom my BOE and my school will listen. My situation has gone past getting a sympathetic ear - or someone who only smiles and nods and does nothing.
Getting serious support for a JET seems very difficult.
I have my first baby arriving in a month and I need help from someone I can trust.
Who do I turn to?
Please act in the strictest confidence. My supervisors appear to have been seriously letting me down on this front.
Also could you please give me the contact details for Deborah Curtis? She asked me to contact her but I do not have her number/email.
Kindest regards and getting ever more desperate,
=============================================
From: "n-finkle" <n-finkle@clair.or.jp>
Date: 29 May 2002 16:00:00 +0900
Subject: Re:Help needed
Please call the JET Line if you would like to discuss your situation.
But, rather than this I suggest that you speak to your Prefectural
Advisor in Sendai first and try to resolve your situation at a local level.
I apologise if this response seems obtuse, but without details of your
situationI really cannot give you any advice.
If you do decide to call the JET Line, please be assured that all calls
are confidential and information will only be passed on to the
Prefecture if the callergives permission.
I cannot provide answers to your questions without more information
from you.
Take Care and call if you would like to talk,
Yours sincerely
Nicola Finkle
=============================================
From: "n-finkle" <n-finkle@clair.or.jp>
Date: 29 May 2002 16:17:00 +0900
Subject: Re(2):Help needed
No. The JET Line is a confidential counselling and information hotline
that is answered by Programme Coordinators such as myself (there are 7
of us and we all were JETs previously) working at CLAIR between the
hours of 9am and 545pm. We dont have 'authority' or 'power' as you put it,
but we can listen to your situationand advise you about possible
options that are available to you within the confines of your contractual
obligations.
Yours sincerely
Nicola
=============================================
Date: Wed, 29 May 2002 08:44:17 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Re: Re(2):Help needed
To: "n-finkle" <n-finkle@clair.or.jp>
Hi,
When I spoke about my contract with my supervisor the following exchange took place...
Me: ... but it says this in my contract...
Him: Yes, but there are unwritten rules that you must follow.
Me I don't see anything in my contract about following unwritten rules.
Him: If you take this any further there will be BIG trouble.
These people are supposed to be on my side. Are they not?
Also, I am curious about your reaction to this. When I told any other supervisors about this transaction of words, to my amazement, instead of getting an exhasperated gasp of abhorance, I got smiling and nodding. Like this sort of thing is perfectly normal.
Please can you assure me that CLAIR and the JET Programme are well and truly against such things and will protect its ALTs from this sort of behaviour. I am fast losing faith with every aspect of administration of The Programme and need to know that someone will stand up for me.
I also need reassurance that CLAIR and The JET Programme do not solve its problems by simply waiting for them to go away - and in this instance the bigger the problem the sooner it will go!
I really really appreciate your time on this.
Before now I simply have had no idea of where to turn with these questions.
Kind regards,
=============================================
From: "n-finkle" <n-finkle@clair.or.jp>
Date: 29 May 2002 17:24:00 +0900
Subject: Re:Stff >>>
Although I understand that you are feeling frustrated, without more
details of what part of your contract has been breached, I am afraid I
cannot provide any further reactions, advise or suggestions. If you would
like to discuss this matterfurther, please call the JET Line and speak
to one of the Programme Coordinators.
Thank you
Nicola Finkle
=============================================
Date: Wed, 29 May 2002 09:15:11 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Re:Stff >>>
To: "n-finkle" <n-finkle@clair.or.jp>
Hi Nicola,
Does the aspect of flagrant blackmail not make you stir?
I know it mentions nothnig about blackmail in the contract, but still...
=============================================
+++NOTE+++
I did not hear from her again.
Then followed the meetings outlined in Part 1.
I eventually resigned...
=============================================
Jennifer Kikuchi
Futsukamachi 1-1
Aoba-ku,
Sendai-shi,
Miyagi-ken,
980-8671
June 30th 2002
Dear Jennifer,
As you know I was looking forward to spending another JET year here in Sendai. However, recent events at school and the way with which they have been dealt, have left me feeling disillusioned, unhappy and uncomfortable with renewing my contract.
I understand that this is short notice, however this position was completely forced upon me, very recently, as I'm sure you will appreciate. Having now had a couple of weeks to assess the situation I now feel it is best for me NOT to continue.
Please could you advise upon the steps that I must take to facilitate this decision. I sincerely hope that The JET Programme will endeavour to fully support me as a "non-renewer", despite the short notice, in view of the circumstances that have been forced upon me.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
=============================================
+++NOTE+++
Next I began my correspondance with Huw Oliphant at the Ministry of Education...
=============================================
Dear Huw,
My formal complaint is in three parts.
The first two parts are directed against the Sendai-shi ALT supervisors, Kamikura
and Jennifer Kikuchi.
PART 1
Background: I was happily working at my base school (I have just one base school
where I work full time) when I received an email from Kikuchi stating that I
had to leave and was "lucky to even still be on the programme".
A meeting was called to find out what this was referring to (I had and still
do not have any idea). The treatment I received at that meeting was disgusting
and utterly unacceptable.
My main complaints are...
1. I was at no point told what I had done wrong despite asking 15 times over
the course of the first 10 minutes of the meeting.
2. To stop me asking questions about what I had done wrong, confidential medical
information was brought up and used in an effort to blackmail me into silence,
to wit; I had taken 3 days off work due to severe stress owing to some major
problems back home. I had told Kikuchi this at the time and she had said there
was no problem. Suddenly, in a meeting with two other people I was told that
these three days were going to considered "skipping school" if I continued
to ask questions. After nearly ten minutes of stating my case, Kikuchi finally
backed down on this point.
3. I was told by Kikuchi, after continuing to simply ask "what have I done
wrong?" that people "who ask too many questions" can "get
kicked off the JET programme" and that "this has happened before".
What does the JET hierarchy have to say about this?
4. After some fifteen minutes of evasion in telling me what I had done wrong,
I was told that it was "maybe cultural differences". I pointed out
that cultural differences were not a valid reason to lie to me and force me
out of my school because the JET Programme states clearly that its aims are
to achieve "cultural diversity" and "internationalisation".
I was then told by Kikuchi, "The JET Programme is not about internationalisation
it is about people coming to Japan and learning karate, shodo and flower arranging
and then going home saying how great Japan is". Kikuchi is The JET Programme's
representative in Sendai and the only person at the BOE that ALTs have to go
to with problems. Why is someone with these views employed in such an important
position? Their continued employment in The JET Programme surely means that
such views are acceptable by the JET hierarchy. Is this the position of the
JET hierarchy?
5. I pointed out that my school supervisor and I enjoyed an excellent working
relationship and had already made plans for the entire next year's school teaching
programme. Also that I rarely spoke to my Kyoto Sensei other than to say good
morning and that I've never had a bad conversation with my Kocho Sensei. I was
then told that Kocho and Kyoto had been telephoning and complaining about me
for 6 months and wanted me out. At no point was I told by anyone of any problems
at my school at any time. Ever. I pointed out that Kikuchi and Kamikura were
essentially accusing my supervisor, Kyoto and Kocho of lying to me every single
day. Kikuchi then told me "in Japan it is OK to lie". Kamikura, thought
long and hard about Kikuchi's statement. He then said that it was acceptable
to lie "80 per cent of the time". Does this constitute acceptable
support from my BOE employers; not telling me what was going on for 6 months;
instead of sticking up for me, doing whatever they could to “get me out”
and stop asking questions and to stop causing them "problems"? Mr
Oliphant, you were horrified at the thought that it was acceptable to lie to
JETs when addressing the entire assembly at the Tokyo Recontracting conference.
The assembly's gasps showed they shared your view. What does the JET hierarchy
have to say on this matter now?
6. I pointed out that I had read my contract thoroughly several times and had
contravened nothing in it I was told by Kikuchi that there were 'unwritten rules
that I must follow that were not in my contract'. How can this be so? What does
the JET hierarchy have to say about this?
In this meeting and in later phone calls I was told that if I accepted the situation
at my base school and chose to move on that I could go to another school. I
stated that as I was due to become a father, imminently, I would only consider
moving to Nishitaga Chu Gakko as it was 50 metres from my apartment. I said
that this only constituted a last resort for me as I was determined to meet
with my Kocho and Kyoto to iron out problems. I was told that my request would
not be a problem. This was confirmed in a phone call a week later.
7. In another meeting (2 weeks after the first), this time with people that
were high up in Sendai's BOE, the following occurred… When I simply pointed
out to Kikuchi in friendly chat that it was very stressful having a meeting
with these top brass whilst not knowing what I was being accused of nor what
I had done wrong and that my partner and I were incredibly stressed about the
situation as our first child was due to be born in less than a month. I re-stated
my position that if I really had to move schools then Nishitaga Chu Gakko would
be the only option I could accept. Kikuchi's response was "Dont talk to
me about problems. I have problems that you don't even want to know about...
You'll go where I put you... Other people have bigger problems than you... I
have single mothers talking to me, people being beaten up... you don't have
a choice". Every word of this is either a lie or a total contradiction
of something previously stated to me. There are no single mothers in Sendai.
Who on earth would need to go to my desired school more than me? What problems
could Kikuchi possibly be having that were worse than me being forced out of
a job within two weeks of my first born arriving? The only person who had more
to grumble about than me (Sandy Ross, who was being beaten up) had no intention
of moving to Nishitaga Chu Gakko. Kikuchi, not only completely failed to offer
me any support in a room full of BOE top brass she lied to me to get me to shut
up. Do the JET hierarchy believe this behaviour is acceptable by someone in
her position?
One week after this meeting I was informed that I would have to move to Nagamachi
Chu Gakko – somewhere I had no desire to work. Despite originally being
told that I would receive priority in my choice of new school and the fact that
all Sendai JETs are given a shortlist of three schools that they can choose
to move to – I was dumped in a school I had no desire to go to. It turns
out that the new ALT at Nishitaga only chose the school as his second choice
and even then only on a whim. Whilst I realise that many JETs and indeed employees
in general in Japan, don’t get any choice in their work place, this does
not excuse the behaviour of my BOE. What effort does it constitute to put my
name down for a chosen school after assuring me already that I would get it?
What better reasons do I need to be close to home than the birth of my first
child?
Shortly after this, I decided to leave The JET Programme because moving to a new school after being here for one year is naturally a huge wrench and I was sick to death of being lied to. The circumstances for continued employment had been made completely unacceptable by the actions of Kikuchi and Kamikura.
I expect them to be disciplined accordingly and measures taken to ensure that this never happens to anyone again.
PART 2
At the Tokyo recontractor’s conference (which occurred shortly after the first meeting) I learned that I was not the only JET having “problems” with my school. I vowed to do something about it because I am simply not the person to ignore injustice and let myself and others suffer at the hands of others. Consequently, I am also complaining on behalf of others (many of whom are too afraid to come forward themselves on fear of “mysteriously having their contract rescinded”).
I will start with yet another accusation against Sendai’s Kikuchi (and Kenichi Yamaki who has since been replaced by Kamikura).
Sandy Ross was being beaten up by a student at her school. Her school did nothing to fix the problem. Sandy went to her BOE and spoke with Kikuchi and Yamaki. Kikuchi told Sandy, “His dad is in the Yakuza, you can’t blame him”. No further action was taken. Sandy wanted to stay at the school because she did many extra-curricular activities and was good friends with some of the students. The BOEs solution to her “problems” was to leave her to be beaten for the rest of the year (several months). She says of this time that all she wanted was “someone to tell me that I didn't deserve to be beaten by my students”.
Leaving her to be beaten in this way is a criminal amount of negligence on the part of her school and Sendai-shi’s BOE. What will the JET Hierarchy do to punish these actions and ensure that they never ever happen again? Also, why is it that the BOE felt it was acceptable to place another JET in the school this year? Is the fact he is male supposed to make similar behaviour by the students alright? Again, what will the JET Hierarchy do to ensure that this new JET is protected and that people are not sent to schools that have behaved in an unacceptable manner to ALTs in the past?
PART 3
My research has established that there is no proper working support structure for JETs in Japan. As many as one third of all JETs encounter serious problems at work and most have nowhere to turn when suffering.
The attached comments from my recent survey give a good idea of these problems. I must also point you to the following website (http://www.geocities.com/jetblacklist) – this site includes extracts from CLAIR’s survey in 2000. It states: “As reported by CLAIR, 34.46% of JETs have been the victim of sexual harassment while on the programme and the majority of the incidents have been from someone in their workplace and/or in a position of power.” The re-contractor’s conference showed that this still frequently happens. Why have CLAIR not acted on their own survey when it found that a third of all JETs are harassed?
It is clear that many JETs have problems with their schools, and are told by their BOEs that the schools are autonomous and that they have no power over them and will do nothing to help (or offer only derisory advice like – learn more Japanese, write a letter, go to the police).
Many people have problems with their BOEs. CLAIR is often contacted in these
cases but it seems that all they do is repeat the message, ‘we only find
and place the JETs, you are employed by your BOE. Go to them. We have no power
to help’. Varieties of this message seem to be the only support CLAIR
is ever willing to give.
Quite frankly, it is about time that a support structure with power over these
autonomous institutions is created.
The current line in thinking seems to be that the best way of dealing with “problems” with JETs is to ignore them until they go away. In the case of the JET Programme this appears to work extremely well – as all supposed outlets of support simply offer no solution - leaving the JETs suffering most no option but to leave.
This is what happened to me but I promised myself that I would do something about it.
Therefore I insist on the following measures to be taken on by JET.
1. A body is created that has power over BOEs and Schools alike. A body that has the power to forcibly solve problems and that must be listened to. The present system offers no real accountability whatsoever and must be changed.
2. Supervisors at schools and BOEs that act in a manner unbecoming of their position must be disciplined. At present they can act in as dastardly manner as they like with impunity and this serves only to encourage a further lack tackling problems.
3. That schools which act in unreasonable ways towards JETs cease to be allowed to employ JETs. At present, people suffer at schools; they leave and are replaced by someone who suffers in exactly the same way.
4. That all prospective JETs are allowed to find out exactly what the situation at their placement is like before arrival. At present CLAIR tells prospective JETs that they must go wherever they are put using “Every Situation Is Different” as an excuse to do so. Why are new JETs dumped in placements that are known to be terrible? What is to be done about it?
The JET Programme is a great experience for many, but far too many people get
unrequitedly shafted and this simply must change.
Kind regards,
=============================================
18 Dec 2002 10:41
I hope you are well and had a good trip back to Britain with your child.
I tried to contact you by phone in Sendai but the line was unavailable.
I would like to inform you that Mr. Kamekura came to this office for a
meeting concerning your case. We also received information from the school
and Jennifer. I would like to talk to you in person to explain the
situation, I was wondering if I could have a telephone contact number so I
could speak to you directly. I will be leaving for England tomorrow and
will be unable to contact you until the week commencing January 6th (unless
we meet by chance at the airport).
Concerning your complaint to CLAIR concerning Jennifer, it has been
referred to the counselling advisory body which helps CLAIR with its PA
system and other counselling matters.
I hope you enjoy Chistmas and New Year with your family.
All the best,
Huw
=============================================
30 January 2003 12:32
How's things?
Many thanks for the e-mail.
I am sorry for the tardiness in replying and my lack of availability. As
you know, I'm usually here on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, The last
week, though, I have been visiting mid-year seminars. My last day in the
office was on the 20th. Tomorrow I have to interview graduating students at
my university about their dissertations. I will be in Okinawa next week
(Monday and Tuesday) to do teaching seminars and then will be going to
Canada on a business trip till the 11th. I am sorry to bore you with my
schedule but I won't be in the office until Feb. 13th and would like to
explain why. Many apologies.
As I wrote in the previous e-mail, I would like to talk if possible and was
wondering if you had a telephone number where I can reach you and explain
what action has been taken.
I have been in contact with Kristina Fukuda at CLAIR. Your complaint about
the PAs has been referred to the Counselling System Committee, an outside
body. I believe Kristina Fukuda has been in contact with you about this
case.
Again, many apologies.
All the best,
Huw
=============================================
25 January 2003 20:55
Dear Huw,
Perhaps we can soon agree a time to chat.
In the meantime I am going to go out on a limb and guess that Jennifer,
Kamikura et al are ganging up saying that they said all that stuff to me
because I was the worst ALT they ever had and they just wanted me out by
hook or by crook.
Well I wasn't. Not by a long shot. And even if I was it
doesn't excuse them not telling me that people were making any complaints about
me. Furthermore, if I was so bad why did they then offer me a position at another
school?
Anyhow, that is all speculation, finally, I am set up enough to give you
some facts. You will be shortly receiving some (I'm afraid) gargantuan sized
emails containing recordings taken from the meetings I had with my
employers. I trust they will show you that what took place was not a
situation where an evil ALT was being gently pushed elsewhere, but where an
innocent ALT was being unrequitedly shafted.
But first here are the timescale and emails that started the whole sorry
affair...
On 25th May, whilst happily getting on with work I received the following email from Jennifer:-
Date: Tue, 28 May 2002 18:55:23 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Fitzgerald Jennifer" <jenfitz1006@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [2001sendaialts] tax info for the Brits
Hi there. Ok we need to make an arrangement to have you come in for a bit of a chat about the school. I know you would like to stay at Yamada however, the schools also have the right to request new ALTs etc...We have just received all of the schools forms in regarding to the ALT for the next year and Yamada would like to have a new ALT.
I hope you could understand their position. If you were to be in this same situation in a Miyagi local BOE it would very much be the case where you could have been asked to leave the JET Program altogether. I think why maybe things are going well now is because as far as they are concerned you are leaving in July so they are just trying to keep the peace until then.
I know you have mentioned going to a high school for next year but that will be impossible as there are none available. At the moment I am trying to put the school list together for next year. We have though about placing you at Nakada(Josh Mc Veigh-Schultz school) or possibly Fukurobara (Matt Wilsons school). Of course we would also like to have your opinions heard on where you would go.
We could possibly have you come in this Friday or if that doesn't work for
you then anytime next week.
please call me here at Shidouka or just give me an e-mail.
Thanks
Jen
PS how is the car? How is Catherine?? I was a bit confused on who you wanted
me to talk to. But I can do whatever is needed. Catherine needs some help arranging
time off at work or??? ok talk with you soon
Jen
-----------------
Naturally I was more than a touch taken back by this and sent the following
reply the next day:-
Date: Wed, 29 May 2002 06:16:47 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Swift response required >>>>>>>>>>
To: "Fitzgerald Jennifer" <jenfitz1006@yahoo.com>
Dear Jen,
Your reply to my email came as a bit of a shock, to say the least. You said in your email:-
"We have just received all of the schools forms in regarding to the ALT for the next year and Yamada would like to have a new ALT. I hope you could understand their position. "
How can I understand Yamada's position - no one has discussed this with me. We have had a few disagreements about nenkyu. However, . I have done nothing wrong and my classes are going well. Can you please explain to me what exactly there is to understand about 'Yamada's position' .
Furthermore, what exactly do you mean by:-
"If you were to be in this same situation in a Miyagi local BOE it would very much be the case where you could have been asked to leave the JET Program altogether. "
What situation am I exactly in? I have done nothing wrong and would like to have explained to me exactly what theis 'situation' is, that I am supposed to be in, and why it constitutes me having to either leave the JET programme or move school.
One could argue that there is a slight insinuation that I have done something wrong somewhere along the lines.
Would you care to tell me what it is?
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
-------------------------
We eventually held a meeting (it was either the next day, or, more likely, the
day after - Friday 31st May). Present were myself Kamikura, Jennifer and Ann
McAllen (Sendai's ALT chief advisor). A sizeable portion of this meeting is
on it's way to you in my next email. It contains much of the details that prompted
me to ask you the questions that you read out and answered at the recontracting
conference.
Finally, an important note:- Ann McAllen worked for a year sitting opposite Jennifer and next to Kamikura (who was there for about 6 months (replacing Yamaki-sensei). They talked about everything that happened in Sendai and were very close. Ann declined to stay another year because she hated the office environment so much (I'd appreciate you not telling Jen and Kamikura that - though she will happily tell you herself). She also told me that the way I was treated was absolutely disgusting. If you want an impartial view of what happened to me - please ask her. She was there for everything and Jen considers her a good friend. Unfortunately, I don't have her new email address at present but should be able to get it to you in the next few days. Please contact her regarding my situation. I don't know what she'll say but I totally trust her judgment and I'm sure Jen and Kamikura do too.
Kindest regards,
=============================================
+++FINAL NOTE+++
I sent Huw the recordings of the meetings.
Later he replied back that there was nothing he could do.