Press Conferences

Foreign Press Secretary KITAMURA Toshihiro: At the outset, I have two announcements.

First, I would like to introduce the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) mid-career recruitment examination. In order to adapt to changes in the international environment and to address new and increasingly complex diplomatic challenges, MOFA is seeking talented individuals with abundant experience and diverse backgrounds. From this perspective, since fiscal year 2023, MOFA has been conducting its own recruitment examination to hire mid-career professionals as career-track personnel. Starting in fiscal year 2026, MOFA will introduce its own recruitment examination for specialist positions, referred to as the secretary class, transitioning from recruitment through the National Personnel Authority to MOFA’s independent recruitment process.

Additionally, we have revised the recruitment process. Starting next fiscal year, applicants will proceed to in-person interviews after passing document screening and online interviews. This change will make it easier for many candidates, including those working overseas or residing in regional areas, to apply.

We will accept applications next summer, but beforehand, we will hold information sessions to raise awareness of this system, so please check the MOFA website and social media for details. We welcome your participation.

MOFA also recruits mid-career professionals through fixed-term appointments. The duties are the same as those of full-time employees, and some have capitalized on this experience to advance their careers. We welcome applications from those who are interested in working on diplomatic policy based on their prior practical experience.

Additionally, please note that while recruitment for fixed-term positions has been conducted on an as-needed basis, starting December 1, we will shift to open recruitment every two months. This month, approximately 80 positions are available, and applicants may apply for up to five positions simultaneously.

Online information sessions will be held on Monday, December 8; Thursday, December 11; and Monday, December 15 at 7:00 p.m. We encourage anyone interested to participate. For details, please refer to the information on the MOFA website.

Press Secretary KITAMURA: The second announcement concerns the parliamentary election in the Kyrgyz Republic. I will issue a Press Secretary’s statement shortly, but we welcome that the parliamentary election in the Kyrgyz Republic was peacefully conducted in a generally transparent manner on November 30.

The Government of Japan expects that in the Kyrgyz Republic, all political forces will join hands with a view to promoting the stability and development of the country based on the principles of democracy and constitutional order under the elected parliament.