CLAIR: JET Streams

1. What is your current job in Japan?

I work as a tenured public service officer (正職員・公務員) for Hokuei (北栄町) [a.k.a., “Conan Town”] in central Tottori Prefecture (鳥取県). I am the first non-Japanese person to ever receive tenure as a government employee in Hokuei. Currently, my job title is the “Director of Foreign Affairs, International Exchange, and Foreign Language Education” in the “Town Planning, Finance and Public Affairs Department” (企画財政課) at the Hokuei Town Office (北栄町役場). I also have a seat in the Hokuei Town Board of Education (教育総務課) and Tourism and Exchange Department (観光交流課). My job duties are to: (1) create and improve Hokuei’s “international image”, (2) increase tourism to Hokuei, (3) effectively use technology and social media to interact with and disseminate information to the public both domestically and internationally, (4) plan/organize international exchange events, (6) coordinate the foreign language programs in Hokuei public schools, (7) supervise and train English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers, (8) teach EFL at 4 kindergartens to beginner learners, (9) provide support services for foreign residents living in Hokuei, and (10) translate/interpret for the town. However, my day-to-day work is conducted almost entirely in Japanese. Hokuei “Conan Town” is famous for being the birthplace of Mr. Gōshō Aoyama (青山剛昌), the author of “Detective Conan” (名探偵コナン), and for its many tourist sites related to this world-famous Japanese anime and manga.

The Inspiration behind Conan O’Brien’s Visit to “Conan Town” in Tottori Prefecture, the 2019 No. 1 Japan Travel Destination, was a JET Programme Alumnus

Mr. Christopher J. Hollis

クリストファー J. ハリス Tenured Public Service Officer in Tottori Prefecture

Former Hokuei Town JHS ALT (2009-2012) and

Tottori Prefecture SHS ALT (2012-2014),

Originally from: Springfield, Illinois, U.S.A.

In September of 2018, Hokuei became internationally famous for its interactions with the world-famous U.S. comedian and talk show host, Conan O’Brien. The mayor of Hokuei, Mr. Akio Matsumoto, had a feud with Conan O’Brien over the Town’s use of the name “Conan.” Basically, Conan O’Brien demanded 3 trillion yen for the use of his name and Mayor Matsumoto said that, “If you want the money, come visit Hokuei and bring 15,000 American hamburgers with you when you come!” However, in reality, I was the person who behind all of these interactions. It was my idea to reply to Conan’s demands and, along with three coworkers, I led the creation of our plan to make the world smile and, at the same time, increase tourism to Hokuei. It was the experience of a life-time! Through our efforts, we were able to make Tottori Prefecture, the “#1 Travel Destination in Japan!” (as ranked on the major world travel website GaijinPot Travel)

CONAN O’BRIEN IN CONAN TOWN VIDEO LINKS (日本語字幕付)

1 of 3: Conan Calls Out Detective Conan アメリカの有名司会者コナン、日本の名探偵コナンに挑戦状 ・https://amara.org/ja/videos/6HJsNFIZNwWw/ja/2251165/

2 of 3: Conan Responds To The Mayor Of Conan Town アメリカの有名司会者コナン、コナンタウンの町長に応戦 ・https://amara.org/en/videos/OufNBVtQj4l8/ja/2254151/

3 of 3: Conan Announces His Trip To Japan アメリカの有名司会者コナン、日本行きを宣言 ・https://amara.org/en/videos/rFvHfvkmj9me/ja/2254176/

（All Conan in Conan Town videos are also searchable on YouTube)

Behind The Scenes With Conan In Conan Town (SPECIAL)

・ https://teamcoco.com/japan/conan-visits-conan-town-in-japan/related/behind-the-scenes-with-conan-in-conan-town

So, if you missed the original “Conan O’Brien vs. Conan Town” episodes, please search for them on YouTube. Also, please search “Conan Japan” on the TeamCoco website. There is even a 1.5 hour special titled “Behind in the Scenes with Conan in Conan Town” where you can see me in action coordinating and interpreting for Conan O’Brien and Mayor Matsumoto.

Public Service Employee of the Year Award: Awarded to public service employees who make exceptional positive change through their ideas, initiatives and efforts. Reason for award: It was my efforts through Hokuei’s interactions with Conan O’Brien in September of 2018 (due to the original projects that I initiated and organized) that caused Hokuei to achieve worldwide recognition. Awarded on December 28, 2018

ASAHI Newspaper Article: http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201809130045.html

Conan O’Brien with Christopher Hollis and Chris’s wife and son. Mayor Matsumoto and Conan O’Brien

Conan Town Hamburger BBQ with Conan O’Brien

3. What are the challenging and/or most fascinating aspects about working in Japan?

The most challenging aspect of my job is the Japanese “kairan” (回覧) (the circulation of official papers to disseminate information for common knowledge among all employees of an organization) and the kanji that impede my understanding of it. As a public service officer, I must internalize massive amounts of information that is shared within the kairan. It’s a real challenge to keep up with my native speaker coworkers due to the fast pace of the world today. The most fascinating aspect of living/working in Japan is the kindness and sincere nature of the Japanese people. When I was on JET, I often heard rumors about how “the Japanese people will never accept you as one of them.” Yet, I have broken through that barrier and, despite the color of my skin, have been accepted. I feel honored to be in this position and to be able to do it in beautiful Tottori Prefecture.

4. Did your experience on JET influence your career?

My answer in one word: “Hai!” The JET Programme allowed me a place to put what I learned studying the Teaching of English as a Second Language (TESL) in graduate school at the University of Illinois into action at the grassroots level in Japan. I was able to help and support countless students throughout my 5 years on JET. I enriched their understanding of my language and culture and, at the same time, they enriched my understanding of cross-cultural communication, foreign language education, and the Japanese culture. Through my direct interactions with my Japanese coworkers, students and local community, I was better able to understand how to make international exchange a success. I organized various international exchange events, started an extensive reading program in each school, began a letter exchange with a school in Australia, established an elaborate English book section at the town library, wrote articles in Japanese about international matters for the town journal, and even started filming and editing promotional videos for “Conan Town” titled Hello Hokuei. Through what I learned on JET, I was able to find places where I could actively put my unique talents to work for the benefit of the world and, through that journey, I found my ideal career: public service.

Furthermore, JET helped me develop the skills needed for success. I was a Tokyo Orientation Assistant (TOA) three times while on JET and consecutively presented on the topic of “Japanese Workplace Culture and Etiquette.” I helped to facilitate a smooth transition for freshmen JETs to their new workplaces and introduced them to the unique culture and etiquette of the workplace in Japan. The JET Programmed allowed me this opportunity and helped me to develop my presentation skills. I still use what I learned teaching these new JET training seminars when I present at language teaching/learning conferences around the world, such as the JALT International Conferences (I am the current president of the Tottori Chapter of JALT: jalt.org/groups/chapters/tottori and work hard every day to further foreign language education and international exchange between Japan and the world).

The JET Programme develops within its participants skills in cross-cultural communication, cooperation, empathy and team-work, among numerous others. My experience on the JET Programme changed my life and I look forward to seeing how it positively changes the lives of future participants.

5. Your advice for new JET Programme Participants: Keep an open mind, work as a team player, proactively find places to put your unique talents and skills to work, and always be willing to learn. Your thoughts and actions matter. So make sure you are heard, but make sure to listen at the same time. It’s through our mistakes that we become better people, as long as we are humble enough to learn from our mistakes. Go out there and make a difference in the world in the ways that only you can, but remember that it is through teamwork that all of the world’s greatest achievements have been accomplished. So build those bridges, build that trust, build reliable support, and make sure to always have the expectation to give more than you receive. Make the most of your unique situation. Good luck!

2. How did you get hired to work for the Japanese government with tenure?

It’s a long story but, basically, it was perseverance, relentless Japanese study (JLPT N1), being reliable, and having the right degrees: bachelor’s degrees in “Foreign Language and International Trade” (Language: Japanese), “Music Business” (Focus: Music Marketing), and “Business & Administration” (Minor: International Marketing and Finance) from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC), and a master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (M.A. TESL) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), U.S.A. I originally came to Tottori Prefecture as a JET Programme participant and stayed on JET for 5 years: 3 years teaching at the elementary and JHS level for a town Board of Education and 2 years teaching at the high school level (and a special needs school) for a prefectural Board of Education. Through making a name for myself locally as someone trustworthy with a passion for foreign language education and international cultural exchange, Hokuei hired me as a direct-hire public servant employee on a “5-year-max labor contract.” I worked hard and, through my five-years of dedication to the town, Hokuei realized that I was a unique asset to the town. They encouraged me to take the Japanese government public service officer exam (北栄町職員採用試験／公務員試験) in early 2019. I took the 2-day exam (in 100% Japanese, of course), had an intense several-hour interview before a panel of 7 (in 100% Japanese, of course), and passed! Thus, along with the start of a new era in Japan, the Reiwa (令和) Era, I was hired as the first-ever non-Japanese tenured public service officer to Hokuei Town on April 1, 2019.

THE TRANSITION TO REIWA - Hokuei Town Office Entrance - You can watch this being made at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPRcnM7IXHc

New tenured employee training seminar in Japanese Law! (in 100% Japanese)

My JALT Presentation at Tottori University Tottori JALT Language Teaching Workshop

6. Websites to learn more about Hokuei (“Conan Town”) and our interactions with CONAN O’BRIEN: “Conan O’Brien VS Conan Town” Video Links on YouTube: - Video 1 of 3: Conan Calls Out Detective Conan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EstNcJOQRzI

- Video 2 of 3: Conan Responds To The Mayor Of Conan Town https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogIfCLyw-FA

- Video 3 of 3: Conan Announces His Trip To Japan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdxHSX9RPUs

Videos from Conan O’Brien’s Homepage (Also on NetFlix): ・Conan Japan: https://teamcoco.com/japan

・Conan Japan in Conan Town: https://teamcoco.com/japan/conan-visits-conan-town-in-japan

・Behind the Scenes in Conan Town (You can see me throughout this video coordinating Conan’s visit) https://teamcoco.com/japan/conan-visits-

conan-town-in-japan/related/behind-the-scenes-with-conan-in-conan-town

Links to the Hokuei (“Conan Town”) Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages (where we originally replied to the Conan O’Brien TV Show – showing the power of social media!) - Facebook: facebook.com/hokuei.town - Twitter: twitter.com/koho_hokuei - Instagram: instagram.com/Hokuei.Tottori - YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCdXGBu9NxCpz6YPQ2Rx-Hgg

Here is a link to one of many hilarious videos that Hokuei Town published on our Facebook and Twitter pages (This one stars me

as the person placing the “American Conan Fluff ‘N Fold” sign on a local laundromat – We made this video just days before Conan O’Brien’s arrival on September 6, 2018 and he loved it! Conan even told me that I missed my calling: a comedy writer! LOL!)

- Facebook: facebook.com/hokuei.town/videos/351247455618910/

- Twitter: twitter.com/koho_hokuei/status/1037186997364944896

- YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=JZNasBB7qhQ

- Newspaper article about this video and our preparations for Conan’s arrival: https://soranews24.com/2018/09/05/conan-town-prepares-for-conan-obriens-visit-with-burgers-and-a-special-video/

Newspaper articles about the event (there are many more than I have listed here) : You can go here to read an example story in the Asahi Shimbun that highlights some of my efforts: - In English:

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/photo/AS20180913003391.html (Great Picture of my Team!)

- Full newspaper article in English: http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201809130045.html

- In Japanese: https://www.asahi.com/articles/photo/AS20180912000866.html

- Full newspaper article in Japanese: https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASL953HGCL95PUUB003.html

Other newspaper articles: - Japan Times Lead-up Article:

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/09/04/national/conan-obrien-visit-japans-conan-town-tongue-cheek-feud-mayor/

- Japan Times Follow-up Article: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/09/07/national/conan-obriens-showdown-japans-conan-town-ends-peacefully-1000-hamburger-barbecue/

- Japan Times Picture of the Day: https://japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/mayor-conan

- The Grape News: https://grapee.jp/en/103390

7. Photographs from Conan’s Visit to Hokuei (“Conan Town”)

The mayor of Hokuei, Mayor Akio Matsumoto, says “Be Here or Be Square!” (my line)

Conan O’Brien makes Mayor Matsumoto’s demands a reality by giving him a mountain

on his TV set in Burbank, California!

Mayor Akio Matsumoto gives Conan O’Brien a T-shirt with a special designed logo for them.

Christopher Hollis in action interpreting for Conan O’Brien and Mayor Matsumoto.

Christopher Hollis puts up a sign to fulfill Conan O’Brien’s demand of a laundromat with his name on it!

Christopher Hollis and coworker, Shunpei Fujimoto, go to pickup Conan O’Brien from Conan Airport in Tottori but

Conan “accidentally” goes to the wrong airport…!

Team Akiyan (The team of four Hokuei Town employees who planned it all for Mayor Matsumoto)

Hokuei Town Journal Cover Photo (October 2018)

Finally a hamburger (after the event) because we were all too busy to eat any during the event!

Conan O’Brien Tweets while in Conan Town.

7. Hokuei “Conan Town” and Tottori Prefecture - Places not to miss while you are in Japan on the JET Programme!

About the author Christopher Hollis, originally from Springfield, Illinois (USA), was a JET Programme JHS ALT for Hokuei Town (2009-12) and a SHS ALT for Tottori Prefecture (2012-14). He is currently employed as the “Director of Foreign Affairs, International Exchange and Foreign Language Education” at Hokuei (“Conan Town”) in Tottori Prefecture, Japan. Prior to teaching in Japan, he taught English to international students from around the world at the Intensive English Institute at the University of Illinois (iei.illinois.edu). Chris holds an M.A. in TESL from

the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research interests involve second language vocabulary acquisition, extensive reading/listening, bilingualism, and Task Based Language Teaching (TBLT). Other interests of his include improving foreign language education in Tottori and exploring Japanese language and culture. Chris is also a black belt in Shorinji-ryu Renshinkan Karate, and the current president of the Tottori Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT) (jalt.org/groups/chapters/tottori).

You can connect with him on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherjhollis/

You can follow him and see his “Hello Hokuei” videos through the Hokuei (“Conan Town”) social media accounts that he helps manage at work: - Facebook: facebook.com/hokuei.town - Twitter: twitter.com/koho_hokuei - Instagram: instagram.com/Hokuei.Tottori - YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCdXGBu9NxCpz6YPQ2Rx-Hgg

Christopher Hollis and elder son doing Renshinkan Karate

The Tottori Sand Dunes near Tottori City in Eastern Tottori Prefecture

Mitokusan Sanbutsuji Temple

Misasa Onsen in Central Tottori Prefecture

Mount Daisen in Tottori Prefecture 大山

Hawai Onsen (Togo Lake) in Central Tottori Prefecture

Tottori Prefecture is famous for its crab and pears, among numerous other delicacies!

Mount Daisen in Tottori Prefecture 大山

Uradome Coast in Eastern Tottori Prefecture

Higashihama Beach in Eastern Tottori Prefecture

Hokuei (“Conan Town”) in Central Tottori Prefecture

The Detective Conan Train