On September 26, representatives of the JOCV returned to Japan were received by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress at the Imperial Palace, where they reported on their activities in their home country.
The JOCV members who returned to Japan this time were affected by the global spread of the new coronavirus infection after January 2020 and were forced to postpone their deployment or temporarily return to Japan. However, during the standby period in Japan, the team overcame the Corona disaster and engaged in activities in the countries to which they were dispatched, including online support activities and capacity building.
Their Majesties were met by eight members of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) who had been dispatched to countries in Asia, Oceania, Africa, and Central and South America. Prior to their meeting, they met with JICA President Akihiko Tanaka at JICA Headquarters (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo).
Front row, from left: Ms. Matsuyama, Mr. Fukazawa, President Tanaka, Mr. Murakami, Mr. Onizuka
Back row, from left: Mr. Otsuka, Director General, Mr. Yamazaki, Ms. Sonoo, Mr. Ozaki, Mr. Chiba, Mr. Tachibana, Secretary General, Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers
(Note) In 1965, the first JOCV members were given the opportunity to meet Their Majesties the Crown Prince and Princess (the current Emperor and Empress) before their departure, and in 1969, the members who returned to Japan were given the opportunity to meet Their Majesties the Crown Prince and Princess (the current Emperor and Empress), respectively. Since then, the returned members have been continuously given the opportunity to receive Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress (the current Emperor and Empress) since 1989, and have been given the opportunity to receive Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress since 2019 (the first year of the 2025).
Traveling to schools to revitalize Japanese language education
Satomi Matsuyama (dispatched to Sri Lanka, occupation: Japanese language education, age 43, from Fukushima Prefecture) contributed to strengthening the teaching skills of local Japanese language teachers and improving the quality of classes in the central city of Colombo through traveling and teaching Japanese classes at several secondary schools. In addition, by supporting the operation of a Japanese language teachers’ association, giving on-site classes at local schools, and holding seminars, the program worked to revitalize Japanese language education with the goal of strengthening the network among teachers while building relationships of trust with students and local teachers. An origami class held at a visiting school
Practice physical education classes from environmental improvement, and improve the quality of classes.
Mr. Teppei Yamazaki (Cambodia, age 29, from Chiba Prefecture) was assigned to a middle and high school in the capital city of Phnom Penh as a physical education teacher. They worked together with four local colleagues in the area. They also provided guidance to P.E. teachers from schools other than the one to which they were assigned, such as by practicing relay lessons at a class research workshop held by a Japanese NPO, in an effort to improve the quality of P.E. classes. Conducting a workshop on physical education for teachers
Proposed a new method to improve children’s motivation to learn.
Yohei Sono’o (35 years old, from Tokushima Prefecture, Japan) worked with local teachers to improve the quality of math and physical education at an elementary school with about 30 students in a rural area. In math education, he introduced calculation drills, connected with other elementary schools online, and contributed to improving students’ motivation to learn by using new methods, such as events in which students competed in calculation skills. In the area of physical education, we introduced Japanese athletic meets and track and field events. In addition, we conducted an online exchange program with a Japanese elementary school. Athletic meet where students worked on a relay race in cooperation with local teachers
QIT Team Launched, Leading to Change in Nurses’ Attitudes
Ms. Chinami Fukazawa (dispatched to Kenya, occupation: nurse, age 41, from Ehime Prefecture) was assigned to a public kaput hospital in a rural area, where she worked on 5S-KAIZEN (kaizen) activities in the hospital. The QIT team (Quality Improvement Team) was formed to survey nurses on the current situation, inform them of the need for kaizen and provide guidance. The local nurses were busy and initially not positive about kaizen, but the establishment of the QIT team and the team’s kaizen efforts led to the establishment of a system within the hospital to improve medical services. QIT team members and a checklist circulating through the hospital
Identifying and improving issues and working on marketing from the consumer’s perspective
Hayato Ozaki (dispatched to Ghana, job title: Community Development, age 29, from Niigata Prefecture) was assigned to a cosmetics company, where he worked on activities to improve productivity and product quality. He proposed and implemented a number of operational improvements, including streamlining flow lines within the factory, visualizing material inventories for more precise management, and reducing the workload of product delivery drivers. We also engaged in marketing activities such as researching product characteristics and consumer needs for soaps and shampoos, which are the main products of the company to which we are assigned. Providing local distributors with the products of the company to which I was assigned.
Improving the lives of residents through the spread of improved kamado
Mizuki Murakami (dispatched to Madagascar, occupation: community development, age 30, from Tokyo) worked in Antanetibe Mahazaza, a rural village about 40 km from the capital. With the aim of improving the livelihoods and incomes of rural residents, she worked with city hall officials and local NGOs to promote the use of improved kamados and peat, provide training on nutrition and household bookkeeping, and support women’s groups in improving their incomes through sewing and cooking. The project contributed to improving the livelihoods of more than 300 residents by providing them with improved kamados. Improved kamado workshop for residents
Contributing to human resource development for agricultural producers and engaging in a wide range of activities
Mr. Kazuto Chiba (Dispatched from the Dominican Republic, Job Title: Community Development, 41 years old, from Miyagi Prefecture) was assigned to the Ministry of Agriculture Branch in Peralta, Asua Province, where he contributed to capacity building of agricultural producers by conducting several workshops incorporating PCM methods, livelihood improvement approaches, and Good Agricultural Practices in terms of human resource development for agricultural producers. He contributed to capacity building of agricultural producers by conducting several workshops incorporating PCM methods, livelihood improvement approaches, and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). In addition, we valued our relationship with the Nikkei community and the local community, and organized music festivals and Japanese cultural exchange events based on our many years of experience in music. A scene from a Japanese cultural exchange event at a local harvest festival
Aiming to enhance life and revitalize mental and physical functions
Keiko Onizuka (dispatched to Peru, occupation: elderly care, age 37, from Nagasaki Prefecture) was assigned to the Peruvian Nikkei Association, where she worked on activities aimed at maintaining the health of elderly Nikkei. With the goal of “to keep their lives full of vitality through various programs and to revitalize their physical and mental functions,” she planned and implemented day service programs, such as exercises to prevent physical and mental functions and muscle weakness. In addition, study sessions were held for family members and caregivers of the elderly to improve their knowledge of caregiving and health maintenance. Conducting exercises to prevent muscle weakness for Nikkei seniors
After the meeting, participants commented that “the atmosphere of the meeting with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress was very friendly, and I was able to relax and talk with them in a relaxed atmosphere,” and “Their Majesties listened to my report seriously and asked me many questions, and I was impressed and encouraged by their great interest in the activities of the returned participants. I was impressed and encouraged by the seriousness with which Their Majesties listened to our report, asked us many questions, and showed great interest in the activities of our returnees.
© Source JICA
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.