Press Releases
JET Programme 40th Anniversary Commemorative Ceremony
On November 2, the JET Programme 40th Anniversary Commemorative Ceremony was held in Tokyo, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 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) . The ceremony was attended by approximately 250 people, including Minister for Foreign Affairs MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications FUJII Hisayuki, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology SEKI Yoshihiro, CLAIR President ABE Shuichi, participants from local governments, relevant education authorities, diplomatic corps in Japan, active JET participants and JET alumni, while JET alumni living overseas also watched the ceremony via live stream.
- Minister MOTEGI, in his remarks at the ceremony, stated that expanding the global circle of "Japan Friends" is one of the most significant achievements of the JET Programme, highlighting that it is highly encouraging to see every single JET alumnus and alumna playing an active role in their respective fields as a bridge between Japan and the world, and that they are an irreplaceable asset to Japan. In his conclusion, looking back on the achievements of the past 40 years, the Minister wished for the JET programme’s even brighter future over the next 40 years and beyond and affirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to strongly support its growth.
- The ceremony also included commemorative address by Ambassador of Canada to Japan H.E. Ian McKay, the presentation of the JET Declaration by representatives of active JET participants and JET alumni, activity reports by JET alumni, and JET Programme photo contest award ceremony.
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The JET Programme was launched in 1987 with the objective of enhancing foreign language education and promoting international exchanges in regional areas by inviting young people from foreign countries and assigning them to the local governments and other organizations. The positions offered for the participants consist of Assistant Language Teacher (ALT), Coordinator for International Relations (CIR), and Sports Exchange Advisor (SEA).
