What are AJET SIGs? The name stands for "Special Interest Groups" and they are groups of individuals sharing a common interest loosely organized under the AJET banner. There are a wide variety of AJET SIGs extending all over the country and they represent a great way to pursue your passion, learn new skills and make new friends! You can direct general AJET SIG questions to the AJET SIG/NG liason, Jaysie Dambach at sig-ng@ajet.net.

An informal group of about 30 people. As we are few in number, events are few and we mostly do things for national EcoSIG, activities in our own communities or with Japanese environmental groups (of which there are many, doing great things). But new ideas and enthusiasm are always welcome. Events so far have included:

- Beach cleaning in Shika, Nanatsuka and Kanazawa's Sai River
- Hiking at Iouzen and Tsubata
- Pot luck dinners at the Ishikawa International Salon in Kanazawa

Some members taking part in Japanese groups and events (particularly Kanazawa Earth Day, Friends of the Earth, and Fair Trade Club Kanazawa based in Nonoichi). Some of us went to the highly recommended anual EcoSIG Autumn Gathering in Kyoto, in autumn leaf season over 'Culture Day' weekend (again scheduled for Fall 2003 too and only two hours by train for Ishikawans).

Join our yahoogroups for occasional discussion by clicking here or go to the national one for a constant bombardment here or see the very connected national website Green In Japan.

In any case, if you've read this far, you are not alone in your search for a greener way of living in Japan and EcoSIG can provide you with the contacts and information for doing so. All the best!

-Andrew Cerini, Ishikawa EcoSIG Founder

The following are a list of some other AJET SIGs you may be interested in. This list is the same as the one found in the AJET pocket guide you received at Tokyo orientation.

Buddhism and Meditation

Contact: Link to Yahoo group
Description: An online discussion group about anything relating to religion, meditation or spiritual thought in Japan.

Family JETs

Contact: Link to Yahoo group
Description: Support network for JETs with spouses, partners and/or children.

Computers

Contact: comsig website
Description: The Computer SIG was started to provide information about computing in Japan. It has a variety of how-to tutorials, facts about purchasing a computer or getting connected to the internet in Japan, plus much much more!

Habitat for Humanity

Contact: habitatsig@hotmail.com
Description: Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit making organization which offers housing to families in need through non-profit, no-interest mortgages. Through HFH-SIG, JET teams particpate in the "Global Village" programme, helping to build shelters for the needy in many countries every year. Members recieve regular newsletters and e-mail updates.

Christian Fellowship

Contact: shakandace@hotmail.com
Description: JET Christian Fellowship is committed to keeping Christian JETs in Japan in contact with each other and the Christian communities that may exist around them. Members have access to an extensive video.tape/book library and receive a monthly newsletter.

Ninki

Contact: ninkisig@yahoo.com
Description: Ninki SIG gives JETs the chance to get up to speed with the fads of Japanese Pop Culture and share interests in manga, games, music and all things uniquely Japanese.

Outdoor

Contact:Outdoorsig.com
Description: Japan is an ideal setting for many outdoor activities - the outdoor special interest group makes it easy for you to get out there! With over 400 members living all over Japan, heaps of events all year round, and an easily accessed online network, OutdoorSIG can show you how to DO IT OUTDOORS!

Scuba

Contact: scubasig@hotmail.com
Description: Scuba-sig is a club for the adventerous JET. Our group aims to bring people together who have a similiar interest in diving or wanting to learn to dive. Last year, our group of both advanced and novice divers visited Okinawa, Thailand, Micronesia and Vietnam. More trips are in the works!

Stonewall

Contact: japanstonewall website
Description: Stonewall is an AJET special interest group for queer, gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans members of the JET community and anyone who recognizes that being queer in Japan can bring about various frustrations and challenges.

Traveling JETs

Contact: vdboring@yahoo.com
Description: Traveling JETs is an online forum for JETs to discuss, plan and locate travel partners for trips domestically and internationally while on the JET program. Traveling JETs is absolutely free!!!

Volunteer

Contact: ajetvsig@yahoo.com
Description: The Volunteer Special Interest Group provides information about volunteer opportunities in Japan and overseas, and resources to help JETs teach about volunteerism. The "5 Yen Friendship" campaign is one of many our members are involved in annually.

Women

Contact: womensig@yahoo.com
Description: The AJET women's SIG was started to inform, support, and communicate with women on the JET program. It provides a forum for the discussion of the challenges of being a woman in Japan. WSIG publishes a newsletter and the Woman's Guide to Life in Japan, and conducts a range of other activities.