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Speech Transcripts

March 16, 2022

The JICA Scholars Networking Seminar
- for a better COVID-19 and post-COVID world -

JICA HQ, Tokyo, Japan

Good afternoon, good morning, or good evening, everyone.

You have all started your studies despite the difficulties and anxieties brought on by the COVID-19 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."

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 fall of 2020.
In addition to arriving in an unfamiliar environment, you may have also been subjected to an inconvenient student life.

I have heard that currently about 10% 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.

Let me start by talking about the importance of studying abroad and the aims of the JICA Scholarship program.

Shortly after the Meiji Restoration, 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.

Japan is the first 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 good 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.

JICA has implemented several types of development cooperation with our partner countries.
I believe that "human resource development" is the important foundation of Japan's ODA. Therefore, the JICA scholarship program is a keystone of JICA's work.

The JICA Development Studies Program is co-organized by various Japanese universities and JICA.
It offers JICA scholars an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Japan's development experiences, alondside their graduate studies in their respective academic fields at Japanese universities.

As an extention of the JICA Development Studies Program, JICA launched the "JICA Chair" in collaboration with leading universities in our partner countries to support the establishment of Japanese Studies courses.
"JICA Chair" is now implemented in more than 40 countries, and it has been well received by students and faculty members.

JICA now seeks to launch "JICA Chair" in more than 100 countries so that everyone can learn about the history and experiences of Japan's modernization and postwar reconstruction, wherever they are.
It is my great hope that all of you will foster and preserve a long lasting relationship between your own countries and Japan/JICA through the JICA Chair after going back to your country.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated structural changes in the world.
In particular, authoritarian regimes are on the rise; while trust in democracy is on the decline.
At a time like this, it's more important than ever for the international communities to collaborate to build free, peaceful, and democratic societies.

COVID-19 has also severely burdened health systems around the world.
In response, JICA is vigorously promoting "JICA's Initiative for Global Health and Medicine" with the aim of realizing societies that are resistant to infectious diseases.

This is one of our efforts to strengthen the healthcare systems of our partner countries by building core hospitals, developing skills of medical staff, and establishing online medical services that are connected to medical institutions in Japan.

These days, I also have deep concerns about closed-minded tendencies across Japan.
Our recent research shows that in order for Japan to maintain stable economic growth, about 6.74 million foreign workers, or nearly four times more than the current number, will be required.
Against this backdrop, JICA is working hard for smooth acceptance of foreign human resources in Japan.

Steady growth in Japan will not only benefit Japan itself but also promote development in the home countries of those who come to Japan to work and study.
In this sense, all of you who are studying at Japanese universities, even if only online, are extremely important to Japanese society.
I would like to ask you to share your opinions and ideas with the people around you, as this would help foster an enriching learning environment for everyone.
I believe that we can grow together.

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 countries 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.

Thank you very much.

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