Japan's Official Development Assistance White Paper 2012

(2) Direct Participation in Assistance to Developing Countries by the Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) and Senior Volunteers (SV)

JICA implements the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) and Senior Volunteers (SV) programs to promote the participation in international cooperation by young people and a broad spectrum of Japanese citizens who have a variety of experiences. JOCV is a public-participation program that dispatches young Japanese aged between 20 and 39 to developing countries for two years, to assist the socio-economic development of those countries while living and working with the locals. JOCV has a history spanning nearly half a century, and is an example of the "Visibility of Japanese Aid" that has received high praise overseas over the years. SV, the corresponding JOCV program for elder male and female participants (aged between 40 and 69) who possess a wide range of skills and abundant experience, is a public-participation program. Through the program, the Japanese government supports the activities of people who are willing to assist the development of partner countries on a volunteer basis.

The volunteer programs, which forge consistent links between people, create grass-roots connections between Japan and developing countries, and have also the effect of deepening local people's affinity for Japan. This also contributes to the assistance received from various nations following the Great East Japan Earthquake. Similarly, in recent years attention has been drawn to the point that experienced volunteers can also contribute to the advance of the private sector into developing countries.

Ms. Yumiko Yamada of JOCV receives a letter of appreciation on her return from Mozambique from the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Toshiko Abe at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Letter of Appreciation Conferral Ceremony for JICA volunteer program participants.

Ms. Yumiko Yamada of JOCV receives a letter of appreciation on her return from Mozambique from the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Toshiko Abe at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Letter of Appreciation Conferral Ceremony for JICA volunteer program participants.

A volunteer teaches electronic engineering at a vocational school in Peru. (Photo: JICA)

A volunteer teaches electronic engineering at a vocational school in Peru. (Photo: JICA)