‘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.

Seismic isolation and ‘Build Back Better’: Bringing Japan’s architectural technology and ideas to the world through ODA

JICA’s international cooperation activities bring together experts from diverse fields, both within and beyond the organization, all driven by a strong sense of purpose. The series “People tackling global challenges” highlights their stories, exploring their journeys and aspirations for the future. This time, we spoke with Wong Kuok Hung, senior advisor of the Architecture Department at Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd. (OC Global), who has been involved in numerous projects in the field of building technology under Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA).

Sharing lessons with the world: 15 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake

Japan is one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries. While many lives have been lost to earthquakes, tsunamis, and severe weather, Japan has continually learned from these experiences and developed knowledge and technologies to protect people’s lives, society, and the economy. JICA is working to apply these lessons in developing countries. Fifteen years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, this report highlights JICA’s ongoing efforts.