Speech Transcripts

(1) Welcoming JICA scholarship program participants into the JICA family

Good afternoon, good morning, or good evening, everyone. It's a pleasure to meet you, although this is online. I wish I could meet you all in person.

First of all, I would like to express my deepest concern on the deteriorated situation in the areas such as Afghanistan and Myanmar, and the disaster affected areas, such as Haiti and Kyushu in Japan.

You have all started your studies in the fall of 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic.

I would like to welcome you and express my gratitude for choosing Japan as the destination for your studies. Studying abroad is a precious, possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we are happy to have you join our "JICA family."

Since July, Japan has been hit by a fifth wave of COVID-19 infections. I know some of you had to reschedule your flight many times, or had to make other adjustments, because of Japan's changes to its entry restrictions since last autumn. In addition to arriving in an unfamiliar environment, you may have also been subjected to an inconvenient student life.

I have heard that currently 84 or 16% of you are taking remote classes from your home countries. I highly commend you for your hard work, as I know it is difficult to study across time zones and with limited internet access. With the necessary coordination, we are working to have you arrive to Japan as soon as possible. In the meantime, I hope you will remain motivated and will continue to work diligently on your studies.

(2) The importance of learning abroad (from the case of the Iwakura Mission) and the significance of learning in Japan

Let me start by talking about the importance of studying abroad.

Shortly after the Meiji Revolution, around 150 years ago, the Meiji Government dispatched many of its members to the United States and to Europe. It was called the Iwakura Mission. These mission members learned a great deal abroad and utilized their knowledge to build the foundation for a free and prosperous Japan, while also preserving Japan's traditions.

The Iwakura Mission also included many students.

One of them was a seven-year-old girl, named TSUDA Umeko. She was the first female student to study abroad. After completing her studies in the United States, she returned to Japan and established the first English Language School for Women. The school was later renamed TSUDA University and remains as one of the Japan's premier women's colleges today.

Japan is the first, and best example of a country that has modernized from a non-Western background to establish a free, democratic, prosperous, and peace-loving nation, founded on the rule of law. Throughout this process, Japan did not lose its traditions and identity. In this sense, I believe Japan is one of the world's best development models.

I feel that there are many aspects of Japan's experiences, including its failures, which can serve as valuable lessons for developing countries today.

During your stay in Japan, I would like you to learn how nations can develop along with the advancement of freedom and democracy. As such, JICA has implemented its development cooperation with an emphasis on strengthening freedom, independence, and the rule of law within partner

(3) JICA's COVID 19 challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic is such a severe crisis that it has been compared to the Great Depression and World War II. Structural changes often occur on a global scale following a major crisis, and COVID-19 will likely have similar effects.

At a time like this, it's more important than ever to mutually collaborate with other nations to build free, peaceful, and democratic societies.

As Japan's government agency that implements Official Development Assistance, JICA contributes to strengthening the economic and social development, and the peace and stability, of developing nations.

Our mission is to promote human security and quality growth. Human security is the idea that everyone has the right to live in dignity, with the recognition that the international community has the responsibility to support this right. Quality growth means establishing sustainable, inclusive and resilient socioeconomic growth.

Under our commitment to achieve human security and quality growth, JICA aims to create societies in which everyone can live with dignity, and where no one is left behind.

To do so, JICA provides concessional loans to support partner countries and provides grant aid for constructing basic infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and water and sewage facilities. JICA also enhances human resource development and provides public policy advice for the governments of partner countries so that they can provide better administrative services to its people.

Among these activities, an important pillar is the "JICA Scholarship Program," or the "JICA Development Studies Program," which invites future leaders from partner countries to Japan and offers them opportunities to learn about Japan's modernization experience and also about Japan's recovery from World War II.

Additionally, JICA has launched the Initiative for Global Health and Medicine, which is based on the three pillars of prevention, precaution, and treatment. To provide people with a peace of mind and ensure everyone has access to reliable health and medical services, JICA will help strengthen the healthcare systems of partner countries by building a core hospital and online medical services that are connected to Japanese medical institutions.

I look forward to joining forces with you as we overcome this crisis.

(4) Acknowledging the anxiety caused by COVID-19

JICA remains committed to do everything we can to protect your health and well-being.

While I am sure you are already closely in contact with your university and with JICA staff, please do not hesitate to contact any of us, including myself, if you have any concerns.

(5)Conclusion:

JICA, with its vision of "leading the world with trust," strongly believes solidarity that is built on trust is especially vital during this unprecedented time. I believe that you are the link between your home nations and Japan, as well as the bridge to our future.

In this sense, I hope that you will continue to be a part of the JICA family and play an active role in collaborating with us, even after you return to your home countries.

While I am sure that you will face many difficulties because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I hope that you will continue to learn not only by yourselves, but also from each other, and help lead us in a better future.

Thank you very much