Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress meet with JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) and Japanese Community Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) after their return to Japan
On November 4, representatives of JICA’s Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) returnedees had the honor of meeting Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress at the Imperial Palace to report on their activities in their home countries. The meeting between the JOCV returnees and Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress has continued since the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) was established in 1965.
The JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers who returned to Japan this time were affected by the global spread of the new coronavirus infection and had to return to Japan temporarily. However, during their standby period in Japan, they overcame the coronavirus disaster and completed their activities in the countries where they were sent, by conducting online support activities and capacity building, and applying these to their activities when they returned to their home countries.
Their Majesties were met by two JOCVs and one JOCV of Japanese descent who had been dispatched to countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Prior to their meeting, they met with JICA President Akihiko Tanaka at JICA Headquarters (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo).
Turning a Difficult Situation into an Opportunity! Becoming a bridge between Laos and Japan! Ms. Miki Takabayashi (dispatched to Laos, occupation: community development, age 30, from Tokyo) was assigned to the Agriculture Office in Luang Prabang Province, located about an hour north of the capital Vientiane by plane, as the first member of the team and worked to support farmers in the target district. The main activities were (1) capacity building of farmer groups, (2) promotion of organic agricultural products, and (3) development of sales channels. The spread of coronary disease restricted local economic activities, and Mr. Takabayashi had to return to Japan for an extended period of time. However, as a result of his activities in Japan, including gathering information about Japanese companies and networking, he was able to support the cultivation and purchase of agricultural products by Japanese companies that have advanced into Laos. By taking advantage of the difficult situation and responding flexibly, the project not only improved the farmers’ motivation and ability, but also resulted in the export of agricultural products and other positive outcomes.
[Working with local people to create the future of the region, and to Japan! Yusuke Oishi (dispatched from Rwanda, job title: marketing, age 28, from Kanagawa Prefecture) provided management and marketing guidance to small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs in Rwamagana District, Eastern Province, about 60 km from the capital Kigali. To help solve problems, Oishi personally prepared management and marketing brochures (manuals), which he distributed and taught to local shopkeepers and business leaders. He also conducted workshops for local residents to improve their money literacy, and worked hard to create the future of the community. In addition, in order to let as many people in Japan as possible know about JICA and Rwanda, I also devoted myself to public relations activities, actively disseminating information through the publisher’s web media and my own blog.
Trust built over time and distance! Proposing a new online class! Satomi Asai (dispatched to the Dominican Republic, occupation: Japanese language education, age 42, from Gifu Prefecture) was assigned to a Nikkei Association in the Santo Domingo district of the capital city, where she taught Japanese language and culture to children of immigrants (mainly Yonsei: 6 to 18 years old). There were four Japanese language schools of the Nikkei Association, including one in the capital city, and I also traveled to regional schools to conduct classes. Due to the spread of corona infection, the students had to temporarily return to their home countries, but during that time, classes were conducted remotely from Japan. After being reassigned in March 2021, we started online classes while monitoring the corona situation, and gradually began face-to-face classes at each school.
© Source JICA