Coffee Hour: Iran, Home of the Persian Carpet

Iran has a very long history, a unique culture and a lot of exotic attractions. Among major industries, the making of Persian carpet is well known as an Iranian art form around the world. Iran, known as Persia until 1935, has 68 million people and the area of 1.648 thousand square km, two-thirds of which is mountains or desert. Iran is a vast plateau surrounded by great mountains located in southwestern Asia. It faces the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf bordering Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Armenia in the north and Afghanistan and Pakistan in the east, Turkey and Iraq in the west. The New Year starts on the first day of spring,, full of blossoms and flowers. More than 100,000 historical places are registered by the Iranian Historical Organization, and above all, Meidane-Imam in Isfahan, Persepolis in Shiraz and Chogazanbil in Ahwaz are registered by UNESCO as World Heritage sites. For culture seekers, Iran has magnificent ruins of ancient cities, plus glorious mosques, mausoleums, and museums. Ms. Pazooki Maryam will be introducing this charming country. Please come and enjoy talking with her!
May 26 from 2pm to 4pm at the Tsukuba Information Center 029-852-6789 (open from 10am to 5pm).

Evening Forum: Turkey, Where Europe and Asia Meet

Turkey embraces two continents reflecting this geographical uniqueness in her incredibly diverse nature, culture, history, beliefs and ideas. As a land full of historic treasures covering 13 successive civilizations, Turkey can be called "the cradle of civilizations." In this Turkish evening, we are going to take a short trip around Turkey stopping at her natural beauties and historic spots. Tonight, you will not only discover more about the beautiful landscape of Turkey and her long history, but also find a chance to taste some dishes from Turkish cuisine. The speaker will be Dr. Arcan F. Dericioglu (National Institute for Materials Science) and the chairperson will be Dr. Shigeyuki Kimura (Chairman of the Board of Directors of SNTT). There is a limited number of seats. If you are interested, please contact the office as soon as possible. (Please let us know if you intend to bring children).
Next month: Japanese Culture
May 14 From 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Ninomiya House Salon, 9th floor, 500 yen
Please see the website (www.jistec.or.jp/house/news/evening_forum.html) or contact Ninomiya House (029-858-7006) for more information.

Health Checkups

If you are a resident of Tsukuba City and are not provided with regular health checkups at your workplace, please take advantage of the yearly general health checkup service provided by Tsukuba. Bring your Alien Registration Card and go to any of the public health centers for a checkup.

Oho Health Center: April 23, April 26-28
Kukizaki Health Center: May 24-28, May 31
Sakura Health Center: July 5-9, July 12-15
Yatabe Health Center: August 16-20, August 23-27
Tsukuba Health Center: September 24, September 27-30

Registration time is from 8:30am to 11:00am, but it is from 7:30am to 8:30am when testing for cervical cancer, and is from 8:30am to 10:00am when testing for stomach cancer. If you want to take a feces test for intestinal cancer, please obtain a container at a health center at least 3 days before checkup. Some tests are only provided to people of a certain age(see below).

Major Tests and Fees:
General (40 and up): weight and height measurement, urine test, blood pressure measurement, blood test, ECG and eye test... 1,200 yen
General checkup for women (from 18-39): weight and height measurement, urine test, blood pressure measurement, blood test... 500 yen
Chest X-ray for TB (15 and up )... Free
Chest X-ray for lung cancer (40 and up)... Free
Chest X-ray for lung cancer with sputum test (50 and up)... 700 yen
X-ray for stomach caner (40 and up)... 900 yen
Feces test for intestinal cancer (40 and up)... 500 yen
Blood test for prostate cancer (male, 50 and up)... 500 yen
Pap smear for cervical cancer (female, 30 and up)... 600 yen

If you are 30 or older, on the National Health Insurance Plan, and want to have a thorough medical checkup at a hospital, you can apply for one (called "Ningendokku" in Japanese) with a higher fee (at least 35,000 Yen). But you can get a subsidy of about half the cost from the city. For more information, please call the Health Division (836-1111Ext 5270) if you speak Japanese, or the International Relations Division (836-1111Ext 5153) if you speak English or Chinese.

International Exchange Fair

The International Exchange Fair will be held in Tsukuba Center Area on the weekend of May 8th (12:00 to 18:00) and 9th (10:00 to 17:00) at the Tsukuba Center Building and many events have been planned. Every year food from all over the world is sold. Folk dancing, singing and a variety of other special performances and events take place for the purpose of increasing cultural awareness.

There was a program called "Kids Cultural Interview" last year. Many children liked it, and we would like this to be held this year again. If you have time, please let the kids ask you a question. This program is to deepen understanding about people from other cultures, and they will enjoy the communication. Please take part in our program. The kids will interview 100 people per day. And ask foreigner "Where are you from?" and "What your name?" The kids will write their answers on their cards.

There will be an ikebana exhibition and free green tea and sweets service prepared by the international students of the ikebana and tea ceremony classes. Please feel free to come to visit us at Tsukuba Information Center (next to Nova Hall) and enjoy a little taste of Japanese culture. Ikebana will be on May 8 from 10am to 4pm and on May 9 from 10am to 3pm. Tea ceremony will be on May 9 from 10am to 2pm (closed over lunchtime).

For more information, please see this site: www.tsukubacity.or.jp/english/inter/t_fes_shop.html. This event is sponsored by the Tsukuba Cultural Foundation (029-856-7007).

International Women's Network

May 20 from 7:30pm to 10pm.
The International Women's Network is a group of women who enjoy chatting with people from all over the world. We exchange information about the local community while eating a variety of homemade foods. We meet at one of the member's houses once a month. No reservation is needed. Just bring one dish of food and show up at the meeting. Newcomers are always welcome! Take advantage of this unique opportunity to enjoy the international city of Tsukuba with us!
Join the mailing list at groups.yahoo.co.jp/group/intl-women-network or send an email to intl-women-network-owner at yahoogroups.jp

Islam, Clash with Civilization or Salvation for Humanity?

May 4 from 1pm to 3pm at Tsukuba Mosque.
Dr. Jamal Badawi will give a lecture on Islam. This event is open for all (Muslim and non-Muslim) and it will be in English. (There may be some Japanese interpretation available.) It is for men and women, but women should dress in a way that their bodies are covered and they should bring a scarf to cover their hair. See the following site for a map to the mosque: www.geocities.com/tsumra/plan.html.

Dr. Jamal Badawi is a Professor at Saint Mary University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He is currently teaching in the Department of Religious Studies and Management. He complied his undergraduate studies in Cairo, Egypt and his Masters and Ph.D. at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. Dr. Badawi is the author of several works on Islam. He actives in journalism and broadcasting concerning Islamic belief and practices. He also researched, designed and presented a 352-segment television series, Islam in Focus, shown on many local TV stations in Canada and USA. In addition to his participation in lectures, seminars and interfaith dialogues in North America, Dr. Badawi has been frequently invited as guest speaker in various parts of the world.

Rice Planting Event

May 16 from 10am to 5pm at Kangori. 500 yen.
Tsukuba Environmental Forum presents Rice Planting in a Paddy Field between the Forest and a Mountain. The season has come when mountains are covered with fresh green color and the time has come for the energy of the land to increase. At this festive occasion Tsukuba Environmental Forum will organize a rice-planting event at the foot of Mt.Tsukuba. We will enjoy planting by hand using a multiple paper method that prevents the growth of weeds and grasses. On that day, we will also observer small wild life creatures (frogs, aquatic insects etc.) around the paddy field.

Program details
10am to 12noon - Rice planting
12noon to 1pm - Lunchtime
13:00 to 4:30pm - Observing small wildlife creatures' habitats around the paddy field

The event will take place in Kangori (the foot of Mt. Tsukuba, 30min drive from Tsukuba center by car) and the meeting place will be the 7-11 near Doho Park at 9am. A maximum of 20 people may participate and families are welcome. Bring a hat, cotton gloves, a towel, and a lunch. Fee is 500 yen for insurance. Snacks and drinks will be served. See the website at www12.ocn.ne.jp/~tef298 for more information.

Tsukuba International School (TIS) Benefit Concert

The Tsukuba International School (www.tsukubainternationalschool.org) will be holding its 4th benefit concert on Friday, June 11 at 7 pm in Capio Hall. Luis Sartor will be the main performer again at this year's concert. Luis hails from Argentina, and his daughter Sophia is a former TIS student. Luis is a versatile entertainer and is great at getting the audience involved in the music. Another former TIS student, Lisa Yatabe is now studying voice professionally in England, but she will be back in time to lend her voice to the concert as well. Completing the lineup will be Craig Coleman, a professional violinist who teaches violin locally and volunteers to teach TIS kids music.

The concert will include a variety of music and styles, and the audience will even get a chance to participate in a sing-a-long. The TIS concert has been of very good quality every year, and the Alien Times encourages its readers to support the school by buying tickets and attending. The cost is only 1000 yen for adults and 500 yen for children 12 and under. Tickets will be available at the TIS booth at the Tsukuba Festival May 8 and 9 for a special rate of 900 yen (450 yen for children).

Tsukuba Walking and Mountaineering Club

May 8-9 Bandai-san (Fukushima Prefecture)
Mount Bandai is popularly known as the Mt Fuji of Aizu. Comprised of three peaks (O-bandai, Akatsuchi-yama, and Kushigamine), Bandai-san is a conically shaped volcano with its skirts elegantly extending to the north of Lake Inawashiro. It last erupted in 1888 when it flung 1,600 million cubic yards of its summit material so high into the air it buried many villages in the Nagase valley. Lava from Bandai-san's eruption stopped streams and dramatically changed the landscape, creating an area of beautifully coloured lakes and a large plateau. From the summit (1,819 m) nice views of Adatarayama, the Atsuma mountain ranges, and Inawashiro-lake can be seen.
Difficulty: **

May 29-30 Koushin-san (Tochigi Prefecture)
The area of Koshin-san (1,999 m) is wild enough to see wild deer near the mountain hut if you are lucky. The walk includes both a thrilling ridge walk using fixed ladders and chains near the summit, and a valley walk in a beautiful forest. We will stay at a mountain hut with no food service, but which has futons (no sleeping bag is required).
Difficulty: ***.

June 5-6 Nyoho-san (Tochigi Prefecture)
You want a serious hike? You will certainly like this one! This hike will climb one of the highest peaks near Nikko, Nyoho-san. We will camp near the summit, and enjoy more peaks on the second day. As we will start from Nikko (620 m) and climb Nyoho-san (2,300m) you should expect to be tired at the top... Various routes are possible on the second day depending on how tired we are. One of the passes along our way is called "Fuji-view pass", which tells you a lot about the fine views we can expect! Good boots are absolutely necessary for this hike, and beginners will not be accepted.
Difficulty: ****

June 19 Kimpu-san (Yamanashi Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture)
Kinpu-san (2,598m) locates in Chichibu-Tama National Park on the border of Yamanashi-ken and Nagano-ken, and it is the highest mountain in Oku-chichibu, the western region of the reserve. In olden times many people visited this mountain for religious reasons, but now more people are attracted by it's rocky ridge and beautiful native forest. From the top there are nice views of Yatsu-ga-take, the Minami Alps, and neighbouring mountains.
Difficulty: ***.

More details on TWMC activities can be found at eve.bk.tsukuba.ac.jp/twmc

In Tokyo...

Exhibits at Takashimaya Department Store (Nihonbashi)
May 6 to 10 on the 8th floor of Takashimaya Department Store in Nihonbashi. Free.

15th Anniversary of the Japanese Emperor's Succession
You can see some things about the emperor and the empress, such as pictures, costumes, tableware, silver candy boxes for commemorative each events of the royal family, souvenirs from France, Belgium, Poland, and research papers about goby fish by the emperor (He is also a researcher in biological field.), etc. (Unfortunately, there is no English explanation.)

Yuzen Exhibition (Kimono Design School)
Yuzen is a traditional way of dyeing kimono by hand. You can see some kimono and obi (sash) designed by the school students and their instructors.

Take Ginza line to Nihonbashi or walk 5 minutes from JR Tokyo Station. It is in front of the Maruzen book store (one of the biggest book stores). Please see this map for more information www.takashimaya.co.jp/tokyo/access (in Japanese only).

Historical Nature Walk Through Tama Hill

Join Us For A Historical Nature Walk Through Tama Hill - An invitation to spring picnics with Japanese families

Our organization, a volunteer group of Japanese residents in the Tama Hill area in Tokyo is planning its second annual spring picnics for this coming April and May. This year we are inviting foreign residents and their families in Tokyo so that we can share the beauty of spring and nice local dishes to be prepared by residents of the Tama Hill area. There will be a English/Japanese guide (Professor Kurita of Tokyo University of Agriculture) for the picnic routes which have interesting historical backgrounds.

Participation fee, which includes lunch, is 1000yen (700yen for children). If you are interested in participating, please register your name and phone number beforehand either via fax or e-mail. There will be three courses for the day walks (approximately five hours including lunch time).

Course C on 23 May(Sun): Tsukui old castle route
Meet at Hashimoto Station of JR line at 9:30

Questions welcome.
NPO Midori-no-Yubi www.midorinoyubi.jp
The event is sposored by Machida City, Tsukui Town and Odakyu Line

And Elsewhere in Japan...

Onbashira Festival

There is an unusual festival - Onbashira- in Nagano Prefecture. It takes place only once every 6 years so if you are interested don't miss it. From Shinjuku to Shimosuwa it costs 6380 yen each way and it takes about 2h40min. (We recommend buying book of tickets if you are going there in a group because you can get about 1000 yen discount on EACH ticket.) See these sites for more information.

Official Onbashira Website (Japanese)
www.onbashira.jp

Nagano Tourist Info
www.nagano-tabi.net/English

Town of Shimosuwa
www.town.shimosuwa.nagano.jp/English/festival.htm
Access Information www.town.shimosuwa.nagano.jp/English/access.htm

Nagano JETs
www.naganoajet.com/onbashira.html

And these sites...
web-jpn.org/atlas/festivals/fes12.html
www.outdoorjapan.com/TO/0404/TO-2-onbashira.html
www.ne.jp/asahi/a-t/hattori/onbashira_2.htm
www.chinocci.or.jp/eonbashira.htm

The festivals will go on until May, and the local newspaper (Shinano Mainichi Shinbun: www.shinmai.co.jp/onbasira) has very detailed information for each festival, including the parking and shuttle bus information. You can view the pictures from this year's Obarashira Festivals and the ones from 1998. The website also provides very helpful links, like the link to the official website for the Onbashira Festivals: www.onbashira.jp. Unfortunately, all of this is in Japanese, but I think they are very helpful. I hope those who are going to Onbashira Matsuri this weekend or next month will be blessed with good weather!

Contributed by Les Zbroniec & Mieco

Japanese Language Classes

Nihongo Oshaberi Time
1:30pm at the Tsukuba Information Center.
The Tsukuba Information Center offers Nihongo Oshaberi Time (Japanese Chatting Time) on the 2nd and 4th Friday every month. Admission is free. It is designed for people who have studied Japanese but do not have much time or opportunity to talk with Japanese people. Why don't you come and join us? You don't need to speak Japanese fluently. For further information, contact Tsukuba Information Center at 0298-52-6789.

Japanese Classes for Researchers on JSPS Fellowships
Classes held at Ninomiya House for about 1.5 to 2 hours including break time. Two or three lessons a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. Private lessons can also be arranged. For more information, please contact Uchikawa or Suzuki at garden at mail1.accsnet.ne.jp.

Japanese Classes for Researchers who work for MAFF Institutes
Introductory Japanese classes will be held on Tuesdays from 6pm to 8pm from May 25 to August 10 (12 weeks). This course is open to researchers (and their families) who work under the MAFF complex of institutes and will cost 5000 yen per person. Contact Ms. Kobayashi at the Tsukuba International House. Interview and orientation will be held on May 12 from 5:30pm.

Other Language Classes

Arabic Language Classes
At a seminar room in the Tsukuba University Library
If you are interesting to learn about the Arabic culture, Arabic Alphabet, Arabic songs, and Arabic language we will start offer Arabic language classes. Why don't you come and join these classes? There will be two 1-hour classes per week. You may attend the first class for free. After that, each class costs 1000 yen. Please see the website for more information: www.viplab.is.tsukuba.ac.jp/~eng_basem/index-e.html

Cooking Classes

Japanese Cooking Class
May 21 from 6pm at Tsukuba Gas Cooking Studio.
See www.geocities.co.jp/CollegeLife-Cafe/7017/speech.html for more information.

Arabic Cooking Class
May 2 from 11am to 2pm at Kasuga Public Hall (Kasuga 2-36-1).
For more information & registeration write to jacce_japan(at)yahoo.com

Art Classes

Pottery
Tuesdays, Saturdays and possibly Sundays from 9:30-12:00 and 1:30-4:00 (two classes each). Fees: registration fee 5000 yen, monthly tuition 5000 yen (for 2 classes per month) or 8000 yen (for 4 classes per month). Fees for clay and baking are not included. In Tsuchiura, but very close to the border of Tsukuba.
If you are interested in Japanese/Chinese pottery, how about learning to make one on your own from a Japanese artist? There are not many students now and you can learn it in a very small class from a teacher who has received prizes for his work, specialized in celadon porcelain (Chinese blue). You can observe a class first (free of charge), and then can decide if you like to join or not. Classes are in Japanese, so you need to understand some Japanese, although you may spend most of the time working on your own.

Please contact me (Michiko Utami) through Alien Times. I can help you with the arrangements (the teacher is my relative).

Ikebana
9:40am at the Tsukuba Information Center.
Are you interested in learning ikebana as traditional Japanese culture? There is a class on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 9:40am to 12noon at the Tsukuba Information Center (Azuma 1-10-1). The instructor is Ms. Mitsuho Unno. The instruction is free, but you must pay for your own tools and materials (flowers are 1300 yen). Bring a flat vacse, scissors, a towel, a small bowl, and a plastic bag. Drop by and submit an application form at the Information Center. 029-852-6789. Start any time. Come and join us!

Ibaraki Hash House Harriers
Join the Ibaraki Hash House Harriers, the international drinking club with a running problem. Check our homepage at ibarakih3.infoseek.ne.jp and join the mailing list at groups.yahoo.com/group/IH3.

International Training in Communication
The mission of ITC is to provide global opportunities for self-improvement through progressive quality training in communication and leadership skills. We meet from 1pm to 3pm on the second Tuesday of every month (except July and August. www.kasei.ac.jp/cs/mariko/ITC/Tsukuba.html

International Women's Network
The International Women's Network is a group of women who enjoy chatting with people from all over the world. We exchange information about the local community while eating a variety of homemade foods. We meet at one of the member's houses once a month. No reservation is needed. Just bring one dish of food and show up at the meeting. Newcomers are always welcome! Take advantage of this unique opportunity to enjoy the international city of Tsukuba with us! Every third Thursday of the month from 7:30pm to 10pm (flexible).
Join the mailing list at groups.yahoo.com/group/intlwomen or send an email to intlwomen-owner at yahoogroups.com

Japan Association for Language Teaching
www.kasei.ac.jp/JALT.

Tsukuba Walking and Mountaineering Club
Meetings every Wednesday night at Hot Stuff from 9pm. Future walks and information at eve.bk.tsukuba.ac.jp/twmc. Please contact Tadashi Takemori at takemori AT eve.bk.tsukuba.ac.jp.

Religious Activities in English

An English language interdenominational worship service is held once a month normally on the fourth Sunday of every month at 2 pm. at the Tsukuba Gakuen Church near where Daiei used to be. The May service will be on the 23rd and will be followed by an informal fellowship time at the Tsukuba Christian Center next door. The Japanese language congregation meets every Sunday morning at 10:30, and the service is translated into English over earphones. There is also a Bible Study in English every Wednesday evening at 8:30 in the Christian Center. For more information or help with transportation, call Tim Boyle at 029-855-1907.

The Tsukuba Catholic Church has special masses during Holy Week on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 pm with English translation, and an English mass at 8:00 am every Sunday and the Japanese masses on Saturday night (6 pm) and Sunday morning (10 am) are accompanied by an summary of the message in English. There is also a Spanish mass on the 3rd Sundays at 3 pm. On the last Sunday of the month, there is a coffee social after the English mass. For information, call the church at 029-836-1723. The Tsuchiura Catholic Church offers an English mass on the last Sunday of each month at 3 pm (tel. 029-821-1501). There is also a Portuguese mass on the 3rd Saturday at 7 pm.

The Tsukuba Baptist Church offers an English language Bible study before the Japanese service every Sunday from 10 to 11 am. It is located in Inarimae just east of Nishi Odori on the street closest to the meteorological observation tower. Tel. 029-858-0655.

The Megumi Church in Tsuchiura (489-1 Kami Takatsu) also offers English translation of their 10:30 Japanese service over earphones. An English Bible class is held every Sunday morning at 9:00. There is also an International Fellowship group that holds a monthly pot luck dinner usually on the third Saturday. For information on that, call Melissa Ishio at 029-838-1374. For more information, call the church at 029-822-2244 or e-mail LDN03144@niftyserve.or.jp (Also see their Tsuchiura Megumi Church Web Page at http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/ro/tmc/index.html).

The Tokyo International Church, Tsukuba Branch in Amakubo 3-3-5 (across from Tsukuba University) offers a 10:30-noon Chinese (Mandarin) service interpreted into both English and Japanese. There is also an English language Bible study every Sunday evening at 7 pm. For information, call Rev. Huang at 029-852-6820.

The International Christian Assembly meets every Sunday at their church just off of Tsuchiura-Gakuen Sen east of Tsukuba (just behind the restaurant with the dragon on the roof) from 10 am for Bible Study and 10:30 for worship. For more information, call Richard Swan at 029-857-9006.

The Nozomi Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tsuchiura (23-27 Komatsu 3-chome) also offers programs in English, including a worship service most Sunday evenings at 7:30 pm (please call ahead to confirm). English Bible information courses are available any time. For more information, call Glen Hieb at 029-821-3578.

The Tsuchiura Christian Church offers an English message translated into Japanese every Sunday morning at 10:30 am. For information, contact Paul Axton at 029-856-2167.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Tsukuba ward is located at Sakura 2 chome 35-2. Services are translated into English over headphones. The Sacrament Meeting begins at 10 am followed by Sunday School at 11:10 and Priesthood and Relief Society at 12:00. A Gospel Doctrine class in English is also offered. For more information, contact 029-857-9795.

For the Muslim community, there is a mosque near the Building Research Institute. Call Ahmed Nabawy at Tel.090-9318-5075 or e-mail: mamounpcp@hotmail.com for information.

The Jewish Community of Japan, invites anyone of the Jewish faith in the Tsukuba area to feel welcome at any of their programs in Tokyo. Sabbath services each Friday at 6:30 pm followed by Sabbath dinner; Kosher Kitchen, Saturday morning, 9:30am. Contact 3-8-8 Hiroo, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo 150; tel. 03-3400-2559, fax. 03-3400-1827.

The Tsukuba Mosque offers weekly Friday prayer at 12:00. Everyday we perform congregational Fajr prayer, Ishaa prayer followed by a lecture in Arabic and English. Quran class for women and children is held every Friday evening at 18:00. All muslims, Japanese, and others who are interested in Islam are welcome to join these activities. For information contact Mr.Wanrat Abdullakasim Tel. 090-4240-3420, Fax. 029-864-3235, E-mail: s015533@ipe.tsukuba.ac.jp or see the website at www.geocities.com/tsumra.

TV Stations

Ch1: NHK
Bilingual news is shown every day from 7pm and 10pm.
More information at www3.nhk.or.jp/kaigai.

Ch2: Shopping Channel
www.shopch.jp.

Ch 3: NHK Educational
Some kind of children's comedy show or drama at 6:45pm Mondays to Thursdays and at 6:25 on Fridays. Japanese Traditional Performing Arts Saturdays at 12:30pm and Tuesdays at 5:25am. Sesame Street Saturdays at 7;35am and 4pm. Little House on the Prairie Saturdays at 2:50pm. Also Chinese poetry (in Chinese) Mondays to Fridays at 5am.
More information at www.nhk.or.jp/englishtop/program_list.

Ch4: Nihon Terebi (NTV)
This channel shows movies on Friday nights at 9pm.
www.ntv.co.jp/kinro
Tuesday mornings at 2:03am (approx)
www.ntv.co.jp/getsuyo
Wednesday mornings at 1:33am
www.ntv.co.jp/cinepa
Sometimes on Thursday mornings around 2am
www.ntv.co.jp/tokidoki

Ch5: Chiba TV
This channel shows movies on Friday nights at 7pm.
www.chiba-tv.com/eiga.html
They also have a number of other shows, but they are not on every week.
www.chiba-tv.com/kaigaitv.html

Ch6: TBS Terebi
www.tbs.co.jp

Ch8: Fuji Terebi
Golden Theatre Saturdays at 9pm.
Midnight Art Theatre Thursdays after midnight.
Star Trek Deep Space 9 on Mondays at around 2am (or later).
www.fujitv.co.jp/jp/movie/tvprog/main.html

Ch9: Local Cable (ACCS)
www.accs.or.jp

Ch10: Terebi Asahi
Sunday night movies (9pm).
www.tv-asahi.co.jp/nichiyou

Ch11: QVC Japan
www.qvcjp.com

Ch12: Terebi Tokyo
This channel shows afternoon movies four days a week (Mondays to Thursdays at 1:30pm). The movies are often old (1960s to 80s), but a new one occasionally slips through.
www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/telecine/oa_afr_load
After midnight movies.
www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/telecine/oa_thu_load
www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/telecine/oa_ngt_load
www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/telecine/oa_mid_cine
www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/telecine/oa_cin_club

Please note:
1. The schedule could change or it could be incorrect. The television companies tend to move their programming around a lot -- often at the last minute. Please think of this schedule as a guideline.
2. These shows may not be in English. Sometimes they only broadcast the dubbed version. Also, they occasionally show non-English foreign films. And sometimes they show Japanese movies at these times.

Movies playing in Tsukuba in May 2004

• Big Fish
• Cold Mountain
• Dawn of the Dead
• Girl with a Pearl Earring
• The Haunted Mansion
• Hidalgo
• Immortal Ad Vitam
• Intolerable Cruelty
• Kill Bill Vol. 2
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
• Lost in Translation
• Memories of Murder
• The Passion of the Christ
• Peter Pan
• The School of Rock
• Troy

These movies are all playing at the Cineplex (www.cineplex.co.jp) this month. (This list is complete as of May 5th and lists films showing sometime between May 1 and 21.)

If you would like to look up information on this month's movies, try the Internet Movie Database at www.imdb.com or Rotten Tomatoes at www.rottentomatoes.com.

In this section we announce jobs that are open to international residents. Please contact the employers directly if you have any questions about the positions.

If you do freelance work, add your name to the list!

Italian Teacher

Nihon Bilingual/English Park is looking for a part-time native Italian teacher to teach private classes for adults. If you are interested in the position or know someone who might be interested in the position, please contact us. See our website for contact information: www.bilingual.co.jp.

English Teacher (Children)

Luis Academy is looking for a native speaker of English for a kid's class in Tsuchiura. It is one class, four times a month. The time is 3:30- 4:20p.m. Teaching experience and some ability in Japanese is preferred. Must like children. Interested parties, please contact Alien Times with your details.

English Teacher (High School)

Fujishiro Senior High School has recently been appointed a Super English Language High School by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Consequently, we are looking for a native English speaker to join our English department. Applicants should hold a degree and have adequate teaching experience so that they could manage a class by themselves.

Weekdays, Monday to Friday, 8.30 - 17.15. Very occasional Saturdays
Fifteen paid holidays. Sick days are also a possibility.
Salary dependant on age (from \200,000 upwards), plus bonuses totaling approx. 2.8 months salary.
Compulsory health insurance and pension insurance will be deducted from the monthly pay in order to provide coverage for up to 70% of medical bills.
An allowance for travel to school will be provided and a residence allowance is also negotiable
The contract is for one year with the possibility of renewal.

Please send a copy of your resume to,
Fujishiro Senior High School
Keari 640, Fujishiro Kitasouma, Ibaraki 300 1537
Tel: 0297 82 6283 Fax: 0297 82 6021
SELHI 0744850 at fujishiro-h.ed.jp
Deadline: Wednesday, April 21, 2004
Email and fax is welcome and receivable on holidays, too.

We have a very friendly English department with a positive attitude to increasing our students' English communicative abilities. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details. We look forward to hearing from you.

Language Teaching

If you are looking for a language teaching job, you might consider the following companies.

• Aeon
• Bernard English School
• FindATeacher.net
• Educational Network: E-Staff
• Helena English School
• Liberty International School
• Nihon Bilingual
• NobiNobi
• Nova

Alien Times does not endorse any of these companies. Please do your homework before agreeing to work for any of these companies.