Press Releases
Selection of JPO candidates for Fiscal Year 2025
January 10, 2025
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) has announced the selection process for Junior Professional Officer (JPO) candidates for the fiscal year 2025 and published the application guidelines today. The applications period will start on February 3 and end on March 4.
- The JPO Programme aims to support working at international organizations, including the United Nations, by accepting young professionals from various countries under the financial support of the respective governments.
- Since the program's inception in 1974, MOFA has been dispatching young Japanese professionals under the age of 35 to international organizations for two-year terms, aiming to provide them with the opportunity to gain work experience in these organizations, thereby encouraging Japanese nationals to seek careers in international organizations. To date, approximately 2,000 individuals have participated in the program.
- According to the latest survey as of the end of 2023, 958 Japanese nationals hold positions at the professional level or higher in UN-related organizations and nearly half of them are former JPO participants. In addition, many senior officials, including Ms. NAKAMITSU Izumi, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, are also former JPO participants. JPO participants are expected to gain necessary knowledge and experience required as international organization staff and to secure regular positions during or after their JPO tenure. They are also expected to work actively as specialists in their respective fields or as senior officials representing international organizations, thereby playing a role in further strengthening cooperation between Japan and international organizations.
- Since fiscal year 2020, the selection process has been fully conducted online, allowing for applications and interviews to be conducted from abroad. We support the challenges of motivated young Japanese nationals from all over the world to join international organizations.
(Reference1)
As of the end of 2023, 468 out of 958 Japanese professionals in UN-related organizations are former JPO participants. Additionally, 40 out of 91 senior positions are held by former JPO participants.
(Reference2) Related links:
(Reference3) Attached recruitment posters (2 types)
