Taking on Africa’s water crisis: How the experience of a JICA volunteer changed her life

Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) work to address social issues in developing countries. After returning to Japan, many former volunteers draw on those experiences to create new value for society. At the “4th JOCV Commendation for Giving Back to Society” awards held in June, the grand prize went to Tsuboi Aya, who is working to solve water-related challenges in Uganda.

Across the seas: Tracing the history of Japanese migration and the roots of international cooperation

Japanese overseas migration began with the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Seeking employment opportunities and farmland, many Japanese crossed the seas, yet the hardships they endured and the realities they faced have often gone untold. This article traces the roots of international cooperation through JICA's long-standing role in supporting migration and its continuing efforts to strengthen ties with communities of Japanese emigrants and their descendants, or Nikkei communities, around the world today.

‘A world where everyone can enjoy sports’: A conversation with former Japan National Football Team player Kitazawa Tsuyoshi and others

Striving to create a peaceful world where everyone can enjoy sports beyond borders, languages and disabilities, JICA is working to promote sports. With the recent launch of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a global soccer event, we spoke with former Japan national team player Kitazawa Tsuyoshi and Arai Atsuko, a former sports volunteer with the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, about the potential of international cooperation through sports.

From Philippine farms to Japanese tables: international joint research project protects bananas from disease

Bananas are a familiar staple on Japanese dining tables. However, in the Philippines — where most of Japan’s bananas are imported from — diseases that cause leaves to wither and entire plants to wilt have become increasingly serious. A discovery by Japanese researchers made a significant contribution to establishing methods to control these diseases. With support from organizations such as JICA, Japan and the Philippines are working with determination across borders to prevent and contain these plant diseases. This article introduces their international collaborative research effort.

Japan and Nepal find mutual support through 'mitsumata' plants used to make new Japanese banknotes

Most of the mitsumata (Oriental paperbush) used as a raw material for Japanese banknotes is cultivated in the mountainous regions of Nepal, far from Japan. This is thanks to efforts by Osaka-based company Kanpou Inc., which has spent many years teaching people in Nepal how to cultivate and process the plant. Approaching the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Nepal, we look back at Kanpou’s efforts and JICA's cooperation in the initiative.