Head Editor – Taylor Feulner-Hamada
Kyoto Prefecture
connect.editor@ajet.net

Hey! I’m Taylor, a Floridian living on the Sea of Japan! I have a journalism degree and experience in video and written news journalism. For the past seven years, I’ve been living in Japan, initially working as an ALT and now as a support teacher in my local schools, a private tutor, and a local tour guide. Outside of work, I love reading, writing, playing volleyball, cooking, and creating content.
If lost, check the nearest bookstore.

Assistant Head Editor – Jaz
Saitama Prefecture
connect.assistanteditor@ajet.net

A former JET ALT from Toyama, now relocated to Saitama, I enjoy exploring Japan’s culinary delights and modern art exhibits! With access to the countryside and one of the largest cities on Earth, being in Saitama means there is always something to do, no matter the weather. From AJET CONNECT’s articles, I have had the pleasure of exploring featured places and look forward to seeing what our team comes up with next!

Help me plan my next vacation by writing about a local event near you!

Web Admin/Admin Assistant – Dianne Yett
Gunma Prefecture
connect.adminassistant@ajet.net

Greetings from Las Vegas, Nevada! Originally from Southern California, I’m a JET alumnus who was placed in Takasaki, Gunma from 2019-2024. I joined CONNECT in 2020 and have been on the team in various roles from Copy Editor to Assistant Head Editor to Head HEAD editor (2023-2024) and the list goes on. You may call me the Lore Keeper. Now I live in Las Vegas, Nevada and help out the team in any way I can.

I look forward to continuing to live under the floorboards of this establishment for yet another year!

Rebecca
Kumamoto Prefecture
connect.writing2@ajet.net

I am a third-year ALT in Kumamoto prefecture. I love exploring all the beautiful mountains that Kyushu has to offer, and I am a keen hiker, trail runner, and serial marathon taikai participant. I am from Australia and have a background teaching high school science and Japanese.

If you know about any good hikes, trail runs, or marathon events in Kyushu, please tell me!

Destiny
Chiba Prefecture
connect.writing3@ajet.net

Destiny Torres is a third-year JET in Chiba. She enjoys documenting different experiences in Japan through vlogs and writing. You can often find her reading a book, journaling, volunteering, and traveling.

Let’s explore what Japan has to offer together!

Annierudh
Osaka Prefecture
connect.writing4@ajet.net

Hi everyone, I’m Annierudh and I’m from Manchester in the UK! I’m a first-year Osaka JET and I love to play any and all sports, especially football, volleyball and basketball. You’ll probably find me in a ramen shop or second-hand bookstore somewhere, and I can’t wait to travel around Japan and share any interesting stories with you guys!

I’m super excited to join the writing team this year and can’t wait to meet and get to know you all!

Grace Avvenire
Kochi Prefecture
connect.writing5@ajet.net

Hello! My name’s Grace and I’m a Floridian currently living in Kochi as an ALT! I love creative writing, snorkeling, scuba diving, playing The Sims, and even mermaiding (read all about it in my article- Mermaids Spotted)!

I’m so excited to be a part of the team this year!

Matilda
Tokyo Prefecture
connect.writing6@ajet.net

Matilda is a second-year JET based in Tokyo from Tasmania, Australia. Matilda is interested in all things Otaku subculture, especially from a queer, feminist lens. When not at work, she can be found reading, learning languages, and taking long walks through Tokyo.

I am so excited to work with CONNECT this year and share my passions!

Savannah St John
Ishikawa Prefecture
connect.writing7@ajet.net

Savannah is a writer for CONNECT Magazine. She lives in Ishikawa with her mustachioed husband and two cats. When the rainy season comes around, she transforms into a ravenous hydrangea-seeking missile. During other times of the year, she enjoys making collages, watching as many sunsets as possible, and geeking out about local mascots.

Please tell me your favorite niche, local mascot!

2026
2026 Prefecture
connect.writing8@ajet.net

Currently switching over for the 2026-2027 CONNECT Team.

Frederick Azechi
Toyama Prefecture
connect.writing9@ajet.net

Hi, I’m Frederick. I’m a JET ALT from Southern California in the U.S. and have lived in Ishikawa and Toyama Prefectures, Japan, for the past four and a half years. I’ve spent much of my time here volunteering at my local community center and working with both local and national AJET. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, playing chess, reading, writing, and competitive esports.

If any of my interests resonate with you, don’t hesitate to say hello—I always enjoy meeting new people!

Kyla Nandelstadt
Wakayama Prefecture
connect.writing10@ajet.net

Hello, my name is Kyla, and I am currently a first-year JET and first-year CONNECT writer. I chose to join CONNECT in hopes of exploring the culture and traditions of Japan further, while also gaining the opportunity to meet more people and make friends. Some of my topics of interest in Japan include local lifestyles, agriculture, festivals or celebrations, and music.

I’m looking forward to a year of adventure and all things fun!

Sher Palola-Valenzuela
Nagasaki Prefecture
connect.writing11@ajet.net

I’m Sher, a fifth-year JET ALT from the Philippines, currently living and teaching in Nagasaki City. I enjoy participating in local community events, traveling, reading, writing, and exploring Japan one neighborhood, café, and festival at a time.

I am excited to work with CONNECT, and I look forward to hearing wonderful stories from wonderful people!

Head Web Editor – Michael Sam
Tokushima Prefecture
connect.homepage@ajet.net

Hi, I’m Michael! I enjoy checking out different restaurants and cafés, especially finding new places I haven’t been to before. I also like exploring different parts of Japan and discovering interesting spots along the way. I’ll be helping manage the website, and I’m excited to work with everyone!

Assistant Website Developer – Joseph Coston
2026 Kagoshima
connect.assistanthomepage@ajet.net

Salutations! As a second-year JET from the American Southwest, I have been enjoying island life to its fullest while placed in the southern archipelago. With a more technical background, I’m here to help update the site, introduce new features, and keep things running smoothly. I’m somewhat of a polymath and in my free time I enjoy photography, coding, writing, pottery, metalworking, farming, and of course studying Japanese.

Assistant Web Editor – 2026
2026 Prefecture
connect.ajet.webeditor2@gmail.com

Currently switching over for the 2026-2027 CONNECT Team.

Assistant Web Editor – Liz
Fukui Prefecture
connect.assistanthomepage3@ajet.net

Hello! I’m currently an elementary school ALT living in the beautiful countryside! I am often preoccupied with studying Japanese or chasing some errant creative pursuit to procrastinate on said studying. I have been teaching myself web development in my free time and am looking forward to learning new things with the web team!

I really enjoy meeting new people in the JET community, feel free to reach out 🙂

Social Media Manager – 2026
2026 Prefecture
connect.socialmedia1@ajet.net

Currently switching over for the 2026-2027 CONNECT Team.

Social Media – Amari
Kyoto Prefecture
connect.socialmedia2@ajet.net

Hello! I’m Amari and I’m from Florida. I’m a 2nd-year JET currently living on the coast of Kyoto Prefecture! I love traveling, reading, and finding new coffee shops. I’m always looking for new places to visit in Japan. If you have any recommendations, please let me know 🙂

I can’t wait to share fun ideas and articles with everyone through our social media!

Social Media – Angelinne Moreno
Miyagi Prefecture
connect.socialmedia3@ajet.net

My name is Angelinne Moreno. I am a second-year Cuban-American JET ALT from Miami, Florida. I am based in Miyagi, where I enjoy traveling and taking pictures.

I’m looking forward to working with CONNECT again this year.

PR Manager – Brianey
Miyagi Prefecture
connect.prmanager@ajet.net

Hi! I’m Brianey from Florida, currently living in northern Miyagi. I love traveling, cooking, crafting, thrifting, and Hello Kitty! I’m always looking for new places to visit, so if you have any recommendations, hit me up!

Certified Sanrio, train, and oshare cafe enthusiast!

Head Designer – Indy Inoue
Gunma Prefecture
visualmedia.connect@ajet.net

In addition to being the magazine’s Head Designer, Indy Inoue is an American graphic designer and illustrator from the mile-high city of Denver, Colorado, who is currently living in Takasaki City, Gunma. When she’s not putting together CONNECT, you can find her drawing, running, or spending more time at bookstores than actually reading. She believes that nothing is impossible; you’ve just gotta give it time.
Give me some neat small cafe recommendations; I’m tired of going to Starbucks!

Assistant Designer/Writer – Chantal Gervais
Tokyo Prefecture
connect.assistantdesigner1@ajet.net

Originating from Vancouver, Canada, Chantal is an English teacher based in the heart of Tokyo. She is thrilled to be returning to CONNECT this year and contributing to the Design Team. Her favorite things include anything and everything to do with apples, creating strange D&D characters, a strong belief in the Oxford comma, and reading in cramped spaces on the Yamanote line.

I am actually three raccoons in a trench coat, petitioning for unlimited French fries at karaoke.

Assistant Designer – Carolyn Muldowney
Hyogo Prefecture
connect.assistantdesigner2@ajet.net

Hi everyone! I’m Carolyn, a second-year JET ALT from Florida. I’m based in a beautiful little seaside town on the Seto Inland Sea in Hyogo Prefecture. Before coming to Japan, I studied architecture in the United States. In my free time, I love traveling, painting, and exploring architecture around Japan!

I’m excited to be joining the CONNECT team this year! If you’re interested in architecture or have a favorite building in Japan, I’d love to hear from you!

Assistant Designer – Luis Mojica
Toyama Prefecture
connect.assistantdesigner3@ajet.net

I enjoy fried chicken, video games, and traveling solo. There’s a certain happiness only found in discovering and experiencing things on your own, without anyone else, and the stillness you can create for yourself. Basically, I’m trying to explain that I’m a person who wishes to live a very quiet life.

I’ll do my job the best I can, so if there’s anything I can improve on, I’m free to take any and all comments.

Luke Anthony Santos
Ehime Prefecture
connect.assistantdesigner4@ajet.net

Hello, my name is Luke, a fifth-year JET ALT from the Philippines. I work in Imabari City, a city known for its towels, the Shimanami Kaido, and yakibuta tamago meshi (a must-try!). I am just a chill dude who enjoys a lot of geeky hobbies.

I am excited to work with CONNECT for the first time, and I’m looking forward to learning a lot here!

Sarah Massey
Fukui Prefecture
connect.copy1@ajet.net

Sarah is a second-year JET participant who spends most of her days reading, writing, drawing, or forcing herself to leave her apartment every once in a while. When she gets outside, she loves it and often takes tons of pictures of plants, mushrooms, and any other neat things she finds. D&D is her favorite obsession, and when she’s not actively playing with her friends, rest assured that she is thinking about it.

I love talking about nerdy things, so hit me up if you want to chat!

Brianne Dy
Tokyo Prefecture
connect.copy2@ajet.net

Brianne is a second-year JET from Vancouver, Canada. Originally from the Philippines, she is currently working in Tokyo, but has lived in Canada, South Korea, and Austria. In her spare time, she loves exploring new places, trying regional dishes, and discovering new concoctions of matcha lattes.

I am always on the hunt for cafes serving quality matcha lattes! I’d appreciate any and all recommendations 🙂

Rachel
Tokyo Prefecture
connect.copy3@ajet.net

Rachel is originally from Northern California but is currently working at a university in Tokyo. But more importantly, she loves music, anime, manga, video games, using her digital camera, crocheting, reading, and baseball!

Hit me up to help fuel any of my obsessions and hobbies! ✨

Kate Sorek
Gunma Prefecture
connect.copy4@ajet.net

Kate is a high school ALT from Virginia, currently living in Aomori prefecture. Her hobbies include hiking, reading sci-fi novels, and trying out new recipes she finds on the internet. This is her first year with CONNECT, and she’s excited to contribute to the team!

Multimedia – Joely Thompson
Ishikawa Prefecture
connect.copy5@ajet.net

I’m Joely, a JET who loves writing, reading, and exploring Japan in my free time!

I always love learning new things about Japan, so reach out if you have any cool stories, places, or subcultures to share!

Rob Vaughn
Joyo Prefecture
connect.copy6@ajet.net

My wife and I are both new ALTs from Florida, and we moved to Japan with our teenage daughter to start a new adventure. I’ve worked in IT for many years, so moving into education and starting a new chapter in Japan has been a big change, but one I’m really excited about. Outside of school, I enjoy traveling, sports, and learning more about Japanese culture. I’m looking forward to meeting new people, exploring Japan, and making the most of this experience.

Hit me up if you want to talk travel, sports, Japan, or anything JET-related. I’m always happy to share ideas, swap recommendations, or just chat!

Web Assistant – Vanessa Rivard
Tokyo Prefecture
connect.copy7@ajet.net

I’m Vanessa! I lived in Tokyo for two years and have just recently moved back to Vancouver, Canada. I’m currently doing my master’s at the University of Liverpool online!

You can find me either reading weird girl lit fic or dancing with my friends!