Sarah Parsons
Sarah was a JET in Gunma Prefecture, 1995-1997.
Memorable moments include spending lots of time with the family of one of my Japanese teachers and getting to really understand Japanese culture and society. Also, playing in an orchestra in Japan and doing musical activities as well as trying to learn Kendo with the school children helped me to understand the discipline expected within Japanese society.
I worked for Japan Local Government Centre after coming back from Japan and got involved with JETAA London, who were doing some exciting things including Thames river 'karaoke' cruises, taking a 'mikoshi' around the UK and on Blue Peter as part of the Japan 2001 festival (I still have my Blue Peter badge!). I then moved back to the Midlands to start a family, got my teacher training PGCE certificate and worked as a primary teacher (teaching school kids about Japan too) and then found myself wanting to reconnect with Japan. So I set up my own consultancy and started lecturing too at the leading Japan related universities in the UK, (SEAS and SOAS) on courses related to Japanese Business, Management, Finance and Economy. I am still a Research Associate at SOAS and an Associate at my alumni University of Warwick (Warwick Manufacturing Group).
My consultancy business (East West Interface) grew from doing some consulting for companies based in the UK who wanted to understand Japan into becoming one of the leading experts in doing business with Japan. I have created and delivered training, research and consultancy into Japanese companies in the UK and Europe, worked with JVs and M&As mostly advising the executive board on the different business communications/processes, have supported Anglo European companies going out to Japan (I recently trained engineers going out to Japan involved in very high-level UK Japan project). I'm also an Expert for the EU Japan Centre for Industrial Relations, have done sessions for Innovate UK and the DBT, write regularly for Forbes Japan about Japan UK business and have also appeared on the BBC a few times. So I can safely say that the JET Programme kickstarted all of this by giving me a real grassroots understanding of the cross-cultural differences in communications and behaviours, that I was able to use alongside academic research to apply to real-life business settings. Being a teacher and musician helped too in getting the message over in a confident and engaging way.
I was also UK Chair of JETAAUK for 5 years until 2019, which gave me so many opportunities and experiences including organising careers days and professional networking events with Toyota and Mitsubishi Corp. and with Universities in the Midlands. I also set up links with the British-Japanese Parliamentary Group (BJPG), who hosted a reception for the JET programme's 30th year celebration (see picture) and also got to meet the Crown Prince and Princess (currently the Emperor and Empress), Princess Takamado, have a private lunch with Akie Abe, wife of the late Shinzo Abe, host ministerial visits from Japan and attend the banquet for the UK visit of the Japanese Prime Minister, where very serendipitously, I ended up sat next an ex-JET, who I had also sat next to on my JET flight to Japan back in 1995!
I was also able to build up good relationships with Japan related organisations in the UK including the Embassy of Japan and gain leadership and collaborative skills working with a national committee of volunteers. JETAA gave me access to a great network of people who have lived in Japan and understand it from a grassroots level. We made a very special video that was shown at the Houses of Parliament showcasing the wide variety of skills and interests of ex-JETs and how this experience has allowed them to stay in touch with Japan. https://www.jlgc.org.uk/en/news_letter/celebrating-30-years-of-inspiration-the-japan-exchange-and-teaching-programme/ I was honoured to receive a Commendation from the Japanese Ambassador in the UK for my work with JETAA UK.
So hopefully, it is clear that a) the JET Programme has worked very well in achieving its wider goals of working as soft power for Japan by producing people like myself who go on to work with/promote Japan and b) getting involved in JETAA brings both professional and personal opportunities as well as access to a wonderful network of people. It may not feel like it counts for anything as soon as you get back from Japan, but if you develop your skills and keep up the connection, it can be very valuable within so many areas-academia, business, the arts, diplomacy, education and voluntary sector. The UK Japan relationship is very strong now and you can certainly play your part in that, even if you are not in London (I was based in Lincolnshire). In fact, sometimes, better relationships are made outside of London, and from my experience, there are always connections to be had with Japan wherever you are. And if not, you can start them up!
Are you a JET alum with a story to share? Get in touch to be featured in an upcoming Senpai Spotlight.
