Press Conferences

Foreign Press Secretary KITAMURA Toshihiro: At the outset, I have one announcement on the JET Programme.

As we already announced in a press release, on November 2, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) will hold a commemorative ceremony and a reception to mark the 40th anniversary of the JET Programme this year.

As you may know, the JET Programme stands for the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme. Through this program, local governments and other bodies across Japan invite young people around the world to provide them with opportunities to teach foreign languages, sports, etc., at elementary, junior-high, and high schools, or to work at local governments in order to promote international exchange. To date, the program has welcomed more than 80,000 participants from 82 countries around the world, and has contributed to enhancing foreign language education in Japan and advancing internationalization in local communities.

In addition, former JET participants have an alumni organization called the JET Programme Alumni Association (JETAA). It has now expanded to 57 chapters in 21 countries around the world, forming a strong network of Japanophiles. As supporters of Japan, its members actively engage in organizing Japanese cultural projects and discovering and supporting the next generation of JET participants, making a significant contribution to expanding interest in, understanding of, and support for Japan around the world.

MOFA will continue to promote the JET Programme through the recruitment and selection of JET participants at Japanese overseas missions and through support for JETAA activities.