(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 “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 participants assist the development of partner countries on a volunteer basis.

The JOCV and SV programs, which forge consistent links between people, create grass-roots connections between Japan and developing countries, and also have the effect of deepening local people’s affinity for Japan. In addition, 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.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe talking with Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers at the reception to offer words of encouragement to them. (Photo: JICA)

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