“Inside the World of JICA Students (Part 2)”

At JICA Tokyo, we regularly feature JICA Scholars. We will sequentially share interview articles with international students conducted by Japanese university students participating in the JICA Internship Program.

Inteviewer: HASHIMOTO Rinka (Rikkyo University)

As a senior expert at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Industry, Mr. Teshome Taye Getnet has been involved in developing industrial policies. He came to Japan as a JICA long-term participant with the aim of enhancing his management skills and contributing to Ethiopia’s industrial sector. Currently, he is studying Public Management at the International University of Japan, striving to absorb improvement “kaizen initiatives” that focus on quality and efficiency, and to apply them toward Ethiopia’s industrial development.

Alongside his research activities at the university, Mr. Taye actively participates in community initiatives in Japan. One particularly memorable experience was volunteering at an elementary school as part of a campus community team. Through this exchange, he had the opportunity to experience Japanese cultural traditions such as calligraphy and tea ceremony. He reflects on this as a valuable learning opportunity to truly feel and appreciate Japan’s culture and heritage.

For Mr. Taye, Japan had long been a dream destination. Before coming, he was eager to visit Tokyo’s major urban centers such as Shibuya and Shinjuku, which he had seen in movies. Shortly after arriving, he fulfilled that dream by exploring these bustling districts, experiencing the vibrant and modern city he had imagined. Later, upon moving to the region where his university is in located Niigata, he realized how completely different the atmosphere was compared to Tokyo. This contrast offered him a new perspective. He found it fascinating to observe not only Japan’s metropolitan areas but also rural communities, gaining firsthand insight into the lives of farmers and local people.

Mr. Taye is determined to leverage his experiences in Japan to strengthen business partnerships and promote industrial collaboration between Ethiopia and Japan upon his return. He plans to continue his work at the Ministry of Industry while utilizing his expertise in the textile and garment sectors, along with the knowledge of public management systems he has gained in Japan. His goal is to drive sustainable industrial reforms in Ethiopia and serve as a ‘bridge’ to foster economic cooperation between the two countries.