The Emperor gave a congratulatory speech, and there were also talk sessions by returned corps members and a fashion show using ethnic costumes from around the world.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (President: Akihiko Tanaka, Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter referred to as “JICA”) celebrates the 60th anniversary of JICA’s overseas cooperation corps program in 2025. Since its inception, the program has been rooted in the lives of people in developing countries, contributing to the resolution of local issues and the development of local communities in Japan and abroad. To commemorate this milestone year, a ceremony was held on Thursday, November 13, in the presence of the Emperor and Empress of Japan to celebrate the 60th anniversary of JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers.
Outline of the event
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025, 15:00-17:30
Venue: Tokyo International Forum, Hall A
5-1 Marunouchi 3-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan
Part I: 15:00-15:30
National Anthem / Ceremonial Address (JICA President Akihiko Tanaka) / Congratulatory Addresses by Guests of Honor / Video Messages from Sending Countries / Words from Returning Participants / Messages from the Next Generation
Part II: 15:50-17:30
60th anniversary movie/ Talk session/ Space x JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers/ Fashion show/ Singing of the “Taiyoku” song
Part I: Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress also celebrated the 60th anniversary of JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers.
The ceremony proceeded in two parts. At the beginning of the first part, JICA President Akihiko Tanaka delivered the ceremonial address. Next, the congratulatory address was given by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, followed by words from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi read by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Hidari Alfiya, and congratulatory remarks from Yuko Obuchi, Member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Diet Members’ Caucus for Supporting Japan’s International Cooperation – especially the activities of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers.
After a video message from the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Yuka Aoki, the representative of NPO Alesse Takaoka, who won the grand prize at the 3rd JICA Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers Returnee Recognition Award, shared her thoughts on her experience as a member of the JICA and her activities after returning to her home country. She also spoke on behalf of the next generation. In addition, Ms. Riho Otsu, a second-year student at Ota International Academy Gunma International Academy, who won the Excellence Award in the Junior High School Division of the JICA Essay Contest 2023, took the stage as a representative of the next generation, sharing her perspectives from the younger generation and her thoughts on the future. The following are excerpts from some of the abstracts.
Akihiko Tanaka, President, JICA
Since its establishment in 1965, JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers have been dispatched to 99 countries with a cumulative total of over 58,000 members. Many countries have asked us to send more members to their countries, and it is thanks to the efforts of all those involved and those who have worked hard together with their colleagues in each country as JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers that Japan has gained such a high level of trust from the rest of the world. This project, which blends in with different cultures and customs and symbolizes “people-to-people ties,” is international cooperation that is uniquely Japanese. There have also been an increasing number of cases in which the participants have used their local experiences to solve problems in Japan after returning to their home countries. While preserving this traditional value, we will continue to respond to the challenges facing Japan and the world, and aim for further development in order to contribute to the deepening of friendly relations around the world.
Ms. Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan (read by Ms. Eiri Alfiya, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs)
The development of the JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers has been supported by the enthusiasm and dedication of each and every member and by co-creation with the local people. We would like to express our sincere respect to all of you who have been active on the front lines as leaders of “development cooperation with a Japanese face,” despite the differences in language and customs and the sometimes harsh environment. The potential of the Cooperation Volunteers is not limited to their activities as members, but extends to regional revitalization, disaster recovery, and problem solving through innovative technology. We are grateful that such experience and strength are being returned to society, and we at the government look forward to the further development of this program together with JICA for the next 10 years.
Supporting Japan’s international cooperation – especially the activities of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV)
Ms. Yuko Obuchi, Chairman of the Diet Members’ Association and Member of the House of Representatives
As a promoter of international cooperation, I have long supported this project from a political standpoint. The accumulation of cooperation built by the corps members has created solid trust, deeply engraved in the hearts of the local people, and has become the foundation of friendly relations between Japan and the sending country. In August this year, I visited the Philippines to attend the 60th anniversary of JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers dispatched to the Philippines. The Philippine government expressed their gratitude for the contributions made at the grassroots level, which have been handed down from generation to generation, as well as their high expectations for the future. We will continue to support this wonderful project and help those who have served in the Japan International Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) to fully demonstrate their abilities in the international community and in their local communities in Japan.
Part II: 60 years of history, highlighted by talk sessions and a fashion show.
In the second part, a video looking back on the past was shown to commemorate the 60th anniversary, followed by a talk session on the theme of “The Power to Change the World and Japan. The talk session was moderated by Mr. Eugene, a TV personality and model who has visited JICA’s Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, and featured four former members of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers who have been active in various fields in Japan and abroad after returning to their home countries, drawing on their experience as members of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers. Mr. Yasushi Tokushima, CEO of Instalim, Mr. Yasunari Kurino, CEO of Choifuru, Ms. Saki Ishiyama, CEO of ORANDO PLUS, and Ms. Eriko Mori, Executive Director of Shizenjuku Terakoya (NPO), all spoke about how their lives and values changed dramatically before and after their work as a member of the Japan Cooperation Volunteers, and how they have been able to utilize their experience as a member to contribute to the development of Japan and the world. They spoke passionately about the projects they are working on to solve issues in Japan and around the world by making use of their work as cooperative volunteers. She emphasized that the process of changing the world and Japan share many similarities, and that it is important to work toward sustainable solutions while facing the people living in each place and using technology to their advantage.
After the talk session, a report on the asteroid “Jicakyoryokutai” officially announced in the Working Group of Small Bodies Nomenclature (WGSBN) Bulletin (WGSBNBull_V005_011.pdf ) on June 9, 2025 The report on the asteroid “Jicakyoryokutai” was presented as “Space x JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers. Jicakyoryokutai was discovered on August 3, 2000 as part of planetary defense to prevent disasters caused by celestial collisions with the Earth, and was named after the International Astronomical Union (IAU). A video message from astronaut Osamu Suwa and words of congratulations from Atsuo Asami of the non-profit organization Japan Spaceguard Association and Sadao Aoki of the Japan Space Forum were also presented.
A total of 20 groups performed in the fashion show by returning members. The show featured ethnic costumes from various countries, matching family outfits made of fabrics from developing countries, costumes blending global and Japanese cultures, and performances of ethnic musical instruments. The show was not just a fashion show, but also introduced examples of how dances, music, and fashion from developing countries and Japan are used to raise children and build local communities, and the audience was excited by the colorful diversity of the show with loud applause.
At the end of the ceremony, all the speakers in the second part of the ceremony sang “Young Power,” the song of the cooperative corps. The powerful and resonant voice of the singers filled the hall, bringing the ceremony to an impressive conclusion, symbolizing the 60 years of progress.
JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2025
The JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers Secretariat has designated 2025 as the 60th anniversary year and is implementing year-long anniversary projects under the theme “Power to Change the World and Japan”.
© Source JICA