JICA President Tanaka Akihiko Commemorates 60th Anniversary of the JICA Volunteer Program

Strategic Insights -

JICA President Tanaka Akihiko has recently visited the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and the Kingdom of Thailand to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the JICA Volunteer Program. During his visit, President Tanaka attended the JICA Volunteer Program 60th Anniversary Ceremony in each country, where he acknowledged the program's achievements and the strong relationships between Japan and each country. With a theme of "Keep moving forward, connecting our hearts," President Tanaka expressed his gratitude for the cooperation between the people of Japan and each country and his hope for the program's continued contribution to solving issues in the future.

Key Takeaways:

  • In the Kingdom of Cambodia, 840 JICA Volunteers have contributed to the country's development in areas such as education, industrial human resource development, and health since the program began.
  • The JICA Volunteer Program 60th Anniversary Ceremony in Cambodia was attended by approximately 200 people, including JICA Volunteers and those assigned to their posts in the country.
  • President Tanaka expressed his desire to deepen the relationship of trust between Japan and Cambodia, citing the people-to-people ties strengthened by the program.
  • In the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the JICA Volunteer Program has fostered trust between Laos and Japan through the activities of over 1,100 JICA Volunteers.
  • Mr. Onishi Norio, the first volunteer, and Mr. Kato Tomoaki, current President of the Lao Old Volunteers Organization, gave remarks at the ceremony in Lao PDR, remembering the program's long history and contributions to the friendship between the two countries.
  • President Tanaka stated that the JICA volunteer program has shaped people-to-people cooperation and addressed social challenges in the world.
  • The event in Lao PDR showed the enduring role of the JICA volunteer program in strengthening relationships between Laos and Japan.

Statistics:

  • 840 JICA Volunteers have contributed to Cambodia's development in various areas since the program began.
  • Approximately 200 people attended the JICA Volunteer Program 60th Anniversary Ceremony in Cambodia.
  • Over 1,100 JICA Volunteers have participated in the program in Lao PDR.
  • JICA Volunteers have contributed to education, industrial human resource development, and health in Cambodia.
  • The JICA volunteer program has fostered trust between Japan and Cambodia, as well as between Japan and Lao PDR.

Sources:

  • Japan International Cooperation Agency press release
  • [No additional sources provided in the text]