Issue:

December 2024

The Washington Post has a rare vacancy in Tokyo for a news assistant – an exciting and wide-ranging job that encompasses monitoring the news, setting up interviews, translating, researching, reporting, and, occasionally, writing. This is a part-time, independent contractor position based in Tokyo and does not come with benefits. 

The successful candidate will work with the Tokyo bureau chief, who is responsible for coverage of Japan and the Koreas, and other Post correspondents. The topics we cover are diverse – politics, foreign policy, climate/environment, economy, culture, and more – and we write both news and enterprise stories. The news assistant will work with the bureau chief while she is in Japan, and provide news updates and do reporting if needed while she is in Seoul.

We are looking for someone who: 

  • Is a self-starter who is able to work independently. As we do not have a physical bureau in Tokyo, the news assistant will have to work from home or occasionally from the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan.
  • Is flexible, energetic and good at taking feedback. There are times when it's quiet, and times when news breaks at all hours.
  • Has excellent research skills and a good understanding of the need for absolute accuracy as well as speed under breaking news situations. Media experience is a plus, but not necessary.
  • Is fluent in Japanese (native level proficiency) and English, and is able to do both written translation and interpretation during interviews.
  • Is able to stand back and look at Japan from an outsider’s perspective and to see themes that might be of interest to our readers. We are writing for an international, not a domestic, audience.

We are looking for someone who can be involved in every aspect of the story process, from pitching story ideas and suggesting people to interview, right through to closely checking the final story for accuracy. There may also be opportunities to take photos or video to accompany stories.

Taxes are the news assistant’s own responsibility. We pay a competitive monthly rate for about three days of work per week (though work demands for each week will vary with the news cycle).

To apply, please email michelle.lee@washpost.com with:

  • A cover letter (no more than 350 words) explaining why you’d be great in this role
  • A resume
  • Ideas for three stories that you think would be interesting to our international readers 
  • Contact details for two people who can provide references in English.