International Exchanges Division, JICE

General Information on the Invitation Programme for
FUTURE BUSINESS COUNTERPARTS
From Australia

March 2008

1. General Outline

(1) Outline of the Invitation Programme for Future Business Counterparts from Australia (FBC.AU)

The Invitation Programme for Future Business Counterparts from Australia (hereinafter abbreviated as FBC.AU) is an invitation programme, through which young professionals from Australia, who will assume greater responsibilities in the coming years, would visit and experience Japan and its society, culture, as well as its people. The aim of this unique programme is to invite young professional from Australia to increase their understanding of Japan, through lectures on Japan's business trends, its major industries, the bilateral business, and through discussions with young Japanese professionals. Countermeasures against global warming taken by Japanese corporations will be covered in a cross-sectoral manner as well.

On 22nd October, 2007, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda of Japan disclosed the idea for this programme in his address at the 45th Japan-Australia Joint Business Conference by stating: - "It is important to nurture young generations who will support the future of our relationship. From this perspective, the Government of Japan will start from next year to invite to Japan about fifty young professionals, mainly from the business community, who we hope will uphold our future partnership, thereby promoting mutual understanding."

With respect to the groundbreaking announcement above, the FBC.AU programme has been formulated in close cooperation with the Australia-Japan / Japan-Australia Business Co-operation Committee in each country.

This programme is designed and will be implemented in order to advance and intensify the relationship between Japan and Australia, thus promoting mutual understanding among each other. Bearing the aforementioned background in mind, this programme also aims to play a leading role in exploring the new frontiers in economic ties.

(2) Under the auspices of the JENESYS Programme

At the Second East Asia Summit (EAS), which was held in January 2007, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, announced a plan to implement a 35-billion-yen youth exchange program, inviting about 6,000 young people to Japan mainly from the EAS member states (ASEAN, Australia, China, India, New Zealand, the ROK) every year for five years, with a view to establishing/reinforcing a basis for Asia's stalwart solidarity by expanding youth exchange. Based on this plan, the Government of Japan has launched the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) Programme in 2007. FBC.AU is formulated to be an integral part of the JENESYS Programme.

2. Tentative Programme Schedule

There will be 3 programme coordinators for the entire group to take care of interpretation and assisting the visit throughout the programme.

3. Application Process

(1) Application Eligibility

Participants should be young Australian professionals under the age of, in principle, 40 years. Undergraduate and post-graduate students with a career background can be included. Up to 50 young professionals will be selected and notified by April 8th, 2008.

(2) Documents to be Submitted

Applicants are requested to submit the necessary documents as digital data attachments via e-mail addressed to Embassy of Japan and marked FBC.AU in the "subject" section by March 31st ,2008.

E-mail address:

economics@japan.org.au

Postal Address:

Embassy of Japan
112 Empire Circuit, Yarralumla, Canberra A.C.T. 2600, Australia

For (2), (3) and (4), if you don't have this environment of putting them into digital data, send a copy by posting a mail to the Embassy by April 4th, 2008.

4. Travel matters

(1) Transportation Expenses

The Japanese Government will make the arrangement for a return -economy class- airfare from Sydney to Tokyo, and also from Sydney to your nearest domestic airport if you reside in cities other than Sydney. Additional accommodation in Sydney on the night of 17th June will be arranged.

Participants are not allowed:

• to change the flight designated by the programme;
• to change accommodation designated by the programme;
• to accompany anyone; or
• to travel to third countries

(2) Expenses in Japan

Expenses such as accommodation, transportation, meal will be provided by the programme. A Meal allowance will be paid when meals are not provided. Other personal costs including excess baggage charge should be paid at one's own expense.

(3) Travel insurance

Participants are provided with overseas travel accident insurance during traveling (from leaving and returning to your home) to the extent set by the Japanese Government.

5. Pre-departure Orientation

Participants must attend the pre-departure orientation that will be held in Sydney on 17th June. Further information about the pre-departure orientation will be notified for participants later on. The tentative schedule of the pre-departure orientation is as follows:

• Explanation of embarkation procedure;
• Schedule in Japan, Japanese customs regulations and other information; and
• Filling in the pre-departure questionnaires

6. Obligations

(1) Obligation for participants

Participants should understand thoroughly the significance of this project, which is to facilitate a young professional's understanding of Japan. Participants are requested to fill out the questionnaires before and after traveling in Japan, for fruitful outcomes from and smooth implementation of the project. Also, participants will be requested to write a report about their experiences gained in this programme before leaving Japan, and to cooperate in any further follow-up program in the future.

(2) General notes in Japan

During the stay in Japan, participants should respect the laws and regulations of Japan, an offender is subject to the penalties under Japanese laws and regulations.

7. Inquiries

Contact the Embassy of Japan for any questions.

Embassy of Japan in Australia
112 Empire Circuit, Yarralumla,
Canberra A.C.T. 2600, Australia
Tel: (02) 6273-3244
Fax: (02) 6273-1848
E mail: economics@japan.org.au
http://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp/

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