“Inside the World of JICA Students (Part 6)”

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 : KONISHI Rei (Waseda University)

Today, we would like to introduce Mr. NTURANYENABO Jean de Dieu, a JICA Student from Rwanda who is currently studying Public Policy at GRIPS (National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies).
In his home country of Rwanda, Jean has worked at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, where he was involved in policy formulation. We spoke with him about his learning experience in Japan, his passion for research, and his vision for the future.

GRIPS, where Jean is enrolled, is a graduate school specializing in policy studies and attracts students from all over the world. Studying alongside peers from more than 15 countries with diverse backgrounds, Jean says, “I have gained a perspective that allows me to view global policies from multiple angles.”
The curriculum covers a wide range of fields, including policy analysis, international relations, and econometrics, while fostering collaborative learning where students leverage each other’s strengths.
Jean also highlights that Japan’s educational environment is characterized by its emphasis on both theory and practice, making it an ideal opportunity to acquire skills that will be immediately applicable in his home country.
Furthermore, GRIPS provides opportunities for students to present their research findings, and his experience in Japan is steadily building his confidence.

Jean’s research theme is “The Impact of Industrial Parks on Job Creation in Rwanda.”
In Rwanda, industrial parks have been developed to promote industrial clustering and improve infrastructure efficiency. However, there is still limited research analyzing whether these investments truly contribute to job creation in local communities.
Jean’s study focuses on the following key questions:

・To what extent do industrial parks create employment opportunities for local residents?
・What types of job creation are observed in Tokyo’s industrial parks?
・Are government infrastructure investments delivering the expected impact?

Upon returning home, he aims to leverage the skills and insights gained in Japan to contribute to the development of sound public policies and strengthen fiscal management in his country. Among his priorities, he would like to highlight two key themes:

1. Expanding Cooperation Between Japan and Rwanda
He hopes to broaden collaboration across diverse sectors such as ICT, transportation, renewable energy, education, and technology transfer, drawing on Japan’s strengths. In Rwanda, infrastructure and education systems remain underdeveloped, and he is committed to driving improvements through advanced technologies and policy initiatives.

2. Contributing to Vision 2050 （ Vision_2050 ）
To help Rwanda achieve its ambitious goal of transitioning from a low-income country in 2020 to upper-middle-income status by 2035 and a high-income nation by 2050, He plans to draw lessons from Japan’s long-term strategies and reforms. His focus will be on promoting industrial growth, creating employment opportunities for the youth, and enhancing fiscal sustainability through policy recommendations.

Jean’s guiding principle is “Inclusive Growth.” This concept envisions a society where the benefits of development are shared by all—not just a privileged few—regardless of gender or disability. It is about creating equal opportunities for everyone.
To achieve this vision, He believes the following are essential:
・Establishing educational environments accessible to those in vulnerable positions
・Fostering a mindset that recognizes “everyone is born equal”
・Designing public and living spaces that are inclusive and usable by all, regardless of individual differences
・Ensuring education systems provide equal access for marginalized groups
He is committed to embedding this philosophy into policy, striving to make inclusivity a cornerstone of sustainable growth.