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Tomek Ziemba
Originally from Ottawa, Canada, Tomek Ziemba (nickname TK) came to Kyushu on the JET Programme in 2007. Since arriving, however, he has taken a different path to his teaching colleagues. You may recognize the quirky and charismatic TK from his gig on stage as MC at last year’s Canada Day Party where he entertained a crowd of over 1,200 with his fellow Canadian co-host Nita. The party got his side-career as an MC rolling, seeing TK take up offers for weddings and other MC jobs. A year later, TK just started a new full-time job as an Assistant Professor at the Oita National College of Technology. Teaching and researching keeps him busy Monday to Friday, but the ever-busy TK also has a Sunday gig as the personality of the LOVE FM Top 40 Countdown. Live at Solaria Parkside Studio, he counts down Kyushu’s top songs for the week in English and Japanese. TK is a proud Canadian. He says his most Canadian trait is that he loves “being friendly with anyone, anytime, anywhere”. Meet him later this month at the Canada Day party on June 28, where he’ll pump up the crowd again as MC.
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Yu Ping Tseng
While his finance-major classmates went on to work in banks and security companies in Taiwan, Yu Ping Tseng holds the title of General Manager of China Airlines’ Kyushu/Yamaguchi branch. Although he began without interest in planes Yu Ping has spent the past 14 years in the industry, which he describes as “interesting and dynamic”. Starting out in the airline’s Economic Analysis Department, he progressed through many roles before taking on his current GM status in Fukuoka two years ago. He recalls his most unusual task while working in the Aircraft Management Department, where he was put in charge selling an unused airplane. The job included a trip with potential buyers to view the plane in the desert in USA before he proudly sold it to FedEx. With lots of aircraft knowledge, along with his finance background and experience in route management, Yu Ping now heads up the team in Fukuoka. He is currently focused on pushing China Airlines’ web sales- offering special online promotions to build a deeper, more direct relationship with customers. Another project he holds dear is a chartered flight for school excursions from Kyushu to Taipei, in an effort to strengthen cultural ties between the two regions. As a foreigner in Fukuoka, Yu Ping is grateful for the great personal relationships he continues to build.
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Evan Kirby
Ambitious, dare we say “genki”, Scotsman Evan Kirby runs GenkiJACS Japanese School in Fukuoka. At age eighteen Evan moved from his small hometown of Dumfries to Hawaii in search of warmer pastures. Five years and a university degree later he realized most of his friends were Japanese and decided to make another big move by coming to Fukuoka on the JET Program. After meeting his wife, then a teacher-in-training, the pair discovered a gap in the market for Japanese-language schools and launched GenkiJACS in 2004. Evan is now Director of the popular school, which caters to the needs of Western students who are mostly interested in Japan for cultural reasons. They organize up to ten activities weekly including tea ceremony, kimono-wearing, ikebana, as well as trips, film screenings and language classes. The school taught over 3,000 students to date – and they keep coming back, some as many as ten times! Evan finds it rewarding to have the opportunity to fulfil the dreams of his students, and enjoys working alongside his wife and dedicated staff members. Although the Fukuoka school will always be home base, GenkiJACS will soon expand with a new school in Tokyo later this spring! Read our full interview below to find out more…
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Jean-Paul Wuyts
A trained Japanologist specializing in International Politics and Economics of Japan – Jean-Paul Wuyts (known as J.P) is not your average foreigner in Japan. Hailing from a small town in Belgium, J.P came to Fukuoka twelve years ago in 2001 to complete his postgraduate degree at Kyushu University, and never left! His time at Kyudai was followed by a ten-year stint working at a Fukuoka-based company providing automatic parking lot maintenance. After ten years, J.P was ready to tackle a new career in Japan. His native-level Japanese skills (one of six languages he speaks), together with a decade of customer service and management experience made him an attractive asset. When he was selected to join Fukuoka’s Apple Store in Tenjin, J.P started as a Specialist after which he took on his current role as Support Leader on the Floor. Nowadays, J.P cooperates with a team of Japanese and foreign Apple Store staff and enjoys both the challenges and freedoms that come with the territory. In his spare time he continues his Japanese studies and plays some social futsal. Following his own mantra to “dream big”, he recognizes the importance of setting long-term goals, and has many big plans in store for the future.
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Jody Archer
It’s the place where everybody knows your name – Jody Archer’s FUBAR on Oyafuko-dori. During his early days in Fukuoka, working as an ALT on the JET program, British-born Jody came to know the ins and outs of the city’s nightlife scene. When the chance came up years later to purchase the “Crazy Cock” bar where he had worked part-time, Jody jumped at the opportunity and renamed it FUBAR. Jody realizes the relationships between his staff and the patrons are crucial to creating a place that people want to come back to again and again. There’s an emphasis on communication and newcomers are always welcome. The recent crackdown on bars and clubs in Fukuoka forced Jody to change the bar’s license. The result being patrons can once again enjoy DJs and dancing until 1 am, after which it reopens as restaurant bar. Although Jody loves to work behind bar himself he says he’s got bigger plans in the pipeline. Stay tuned! Meanwhile, mention you read this article and Jody offers our readers their first drink for half price or a free shot on weekends (one per person until Feb. 28).
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Michelle Zacharias
Michelle Zacharias is a Canadian artist and has lived in Japan for over 20 years. She works mainly in colored pencil. Although Michelle has often found her intricate and colorful style too conservative for some and too artsy for others, she was awarded a prize last year at the International Exhibition of Art and Design in Kyoto. Michelle maintains that her art has never been commercial or conceptual – for her, art is about enjoying the work you do. Having grown up in Winnipeg, a real “incubator” for artistic communities, Michelle often thinks about how to encourage artists in Fukuoka to talk and share ideas. She hopes that her upcoming exhibition with Elida Maria Matsumoto at Konya Gallery will contribute towards this dialogue.
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Ernst Jaeck
In his position as the executive chef at the Fukuoka Grand Hyatt, Ernst Jaeck wears many hats besides his tall chef’s hat. In addition to leading a team of 69 chefs, he liaises with all hotel departments, works on menu development, ensures the quality of food service, and does some administrative management. Sounds like a handful, for sure, but with decades of experience in Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East, he has the experience and knowhow to do it all. German born, Ernst combined his love of cooking with a desire to see the world– setting off after graduating with masters from an elite German culinary school and never looking back. Now, coming to Fukuoka after his most recent five year posting at the The Grand Hyatt Bali, Ernst is keen to tackle new challenges. In particular, he’s curious to learn about the food in Fukuoka, already impressed with the quality of raw products on offer. In his spare time he looks forward to exploring Kyushu’s countryside by bicycle and car. Ernst describes having a vision and setting goals as some of the most important parts of his job. His goal is to ensure that every single portion of food is presented and cooked to perfection. During his time in Fukuoka, Ernst aims to pass on his knowledge, while always meeting his guests’ expectations.
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Francine Méoule
Francine Méoule, the new Director of the Institut français du Japon – Kyushu, is keen to get started in her new role bridging France and Kyushu through culture. Francine has spent nine years of her career in Asia and loves it! She sees much potential in Fukuoka and Kyushu and thinks the institute could diversify to include more pop culture such as manga and technology. She plans to visit many places around Kyushu to familiarize herself with the region and develop networks from which the institute can initiate new events and also broaden awareness of their existing activities. In addition to events by French artists and musicians and a monthly cinema night at Nishitetsu Hall, the institute also operates the area’s largest French language school complete with a resource library of books and DVDs. This year marks the 30th anniversary of sister city relations between Bordeaux and Fukuoka. The institute has many events already planned, details of which can be found on their website in French and Japanese. On a personal level, Francine is looking forward to biking around the city, joining a yoga school and getting settled in!
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Andrij Sonoda
In his teens, Andrij Sonoda was into wadaiko (Japanese drums) for a few years, but never imagined he would become a pro! But, that is what happened earlier this year – and he hasn’t looked back! It has had him travel throughout Japan and in South America already, and he is looking forward to next year which could include South American and European tours. His troupe is called Japan Marvelous, and he spent a year with them as a trainee, before they took him on as one of their five regular members. He is one of only a few foreign professional wadaiko players in the country, and is happy to be promoting the art to the world. Now, besides practicing three hours a day, he is the quasi international relations go-to – translating information into English and Portuguese and arranging overseas tours. He also teaches others at the associated school ‘Wadaiko Studio Ikkokan’ where he has started an international class which offers English guidance. Andrij loves that once he mastered the official techniques of the wadaiko – how to hold the sticks, stand and strike the drum, he has been able to incorporate his own style -as a musically passionate Brazilian, he has lots of that! His advice to anyone who wants to try wadaiko or Japanese arts is, “Japan gives us opportunities that we might not have at home. Obey the rules they give you and you can do it.” For information about the Japan Marvelous troupe and/or wadaiko lessons with Wadaiko Studio Ikkokan, you can contact Andrij direct on: 080-3814-2414.
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Duncan A. Stephenson
Otherwise known as Das — stemming from his stage name, Das Funkt — Duncan is far from your typical DJ. A dedicated follower of electronic music hailing from London, England, Duncan already had a notable amount of DJ-ing experience at house parties, bars and clubs under his belt upon his arrival. But a combination of his ambitious exploration of the local dance-music scene and a timely opportunity early in his arrival to open for well-known U.S DJ, Derrick May, soon made Duncan an instrumental part of Fukuoka’s nightlife. Today, Duncan spends his time DJ-ing at several different clubs across town, putting on events offering credible dance music to underground scenesters and new listeners alike, teaching Fukuoka’s future DJs, and co-running an online publication, Experimence, geared to make Fukuoka’s club scene more accessible to fans and curious listeners alike. Duncan’s talented artistry has taken him to various other parts of the world as well, including Shanghai and Hong Kong. There’s no knowing where DJ-ing will take Duncan next — but for now, he’s currently making Fukuoka a better place to party in.
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