The JET Alumni Association of Southern California is an organization composed of former JET Program participants and people who have shown a vital interest in the JET Program. It was established to promote mutual understanding and international exchanges between Japan and the United States through the members' experiences of living, working and carrying out local activities in Japan and to promote fellowship among JET Programme alumni.

Although we call ourselves JETAA of Southern California, our formal area of responsibility covers the Southwestern US, including Arizona and New Mexico (although JETs from the latter depart from Denver).

JETAASC not only supports the Consulate in JET related activities including recruitment, candidate selection, and orientation, but also organizes activities that provide JET alumni with opportunities for entertainment, friendship and employment.

March 26, 2010
The Harimaya Bridge
Written & Directed by Aaron Woolfolk
Starring Ben Guillory, Danny Glover, Saki Takaoka and Misa Shimizu

The JET Alumni Association of Southern California is proud to announce that fellow Alum Aaron Woolfolk's film, The Harimaya Bridge, will be shown at the Laemmle Music Hall 3.

The movie synopsis, in Aaron's own words:
"I am writing to you about my feature film THE HARIMAYA BRIDGE. For those of you who might not know, the movie is a drama about an American man who, after the sudden death of his estranged son in rural Japan, must go there to claim some important family items. While there, he discovers some secrets his son left behind. The movie was filmed primarily in Kochi Prefecture, and was inspired by my experience as a JET in Kochi and my enduring relationship with Japan since then. In fact, one of the central characters in the movie is a JET.  The film had a nationwide theatrical release in Japan last summer, and it was met by a lot of enthusiasm from both JETs currently serving on the program and alumni still living there (which made me very happy!). I traveled all over Japan to promote the film, and I met a LOT of us. In fact, I was tickled by how the JETs there started referring to THE HARIMAYA BRIDGE as "The JET movie."

In honor of the upcoming release of former JET Aaron Woolfolk’s Harimaya Bridge, JETAASC is planning an event to watch the film on opening night, March 26th.  Please join us in support of Aaron and his film.

You can follow the film via it's official website:
http://www.theharimayabridge.com
Facebook page at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Harimaya-Bridge/222376906581
or on Twitter at:
@HarimayaBridge
and you can look it up on Wikipedia, IMDB, and watch the trailer at the iTunes store online.
 
Show times have not yet been set, so more details to come.

Date: Friday, March 26th
Time: TBD
Place: Laemmle Music Hall 3

It’s that time again: Winter Quarter’s Nihongo Dake Dinner is almost here! Want a good environment to practice that Japanese again? Join us for a delightful evening of Japanese conversation, food and drinks. JET alum and previous co-president Christine Chow has generously offered ot host NDD at her home in San Gabriel this winter.

Last quarter's NDD in Cerritos was a hit, so please join us for this winter's NDD!
*Bring something to share: drinks, appetizers, or entree.*

To RSVP, please email Olivia at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   with your name, JET location and year(s), and your dish.

When: Saturday, February 27, 2010
Time: 6:00 pm~
Where: San Gabriel (address and directions will be emailed upon your RSVP)