2026.01.14
Since its inception, the JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers program (hereafter JOCV) has dispatched about 58,000 volunteers to 99 countries. In this post, we introduce the role of JICA NIHONMATSU in providing “pre-dispatch training” for volunteers and how it connects with the local community.
Exterior view of JICA NIHONMATSU Training Center. On sunny days, the morning assembly called “Asa no Tsudoi” is held here.
Since the program began in 1965, approximately 58,000 JOVC have worked in 99 countries (as of the end of August 2025). Of these, about 15,000 completed their pre-dispatch training at the Nihonmatsu Training Center in Fukushima Prefecture before being sent overseas. The center opened in 1995 and celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025.
Pre-dispatch training at Nihonmatsu brings together trainees from across Japan, ranging in age from their 20s to their 60s. Many had never visited Fukushima or Nihonmatsu before.
Arriving with a mix of excitement and uncertainty, they step off the train at Nihonmatsu Station for the first time. Local residents warmly welcome them and offer heartfelt support. We are deeply grateful for the understanding and assistance of the community over the years.
Members of the Nihonmatsu Global Citizens’ Association warmly welcoming trainees at Nihonmatsu Station.
Trainees collaborating with local residents to build connections and address community challenges.
Nearby, you’ll find Dake Onsen, a rare acidic hot spring in Japan. The Dake Onsen Tourism Association kindly invites former volunteers to visit for reunions and gatherings. With the first snow already on Mount Adatara and autumn colors fading, winter is just around the corner. Why not enjoy the seasonal beauty and a relaxing soak at Dake Onsen during your visit to Nihonmatsu?
Over about two months of group-based residential training, participants gain essential knowledge and skills for their assignments abroad. They meet peers who share the same aspirations but bring diverse perspectives, learning and supporting one another while building new networks. As they prepare for life in countries they’ve never visited, trainees experience a mix of excitement and nervousness, gradually feeling the reality of their upcoming roles.
Language training, the core of the program, is conducted in small groups for intensive learning of languages needed for volunteer life and work.
Beyond language, trainees join sessions on communication skills essential for building relationships across cultures.
After completing training and their assignments, former JICA volunteers continue to contribute in various fields both in Japan and overseas.
Responding to local requests, the NIHONMATSU Training Center offers opportunities for more than 3,000 students and residents annually to hear firsthand experiences from returned volunteers.
A workshop being held as an outreach class at a junior high school in Fukushima Prefecture.
During study visits, participants tour facilities and listen to inspiring stories from former JICA volunteers.
“Could I really do this?” “Is language training tough?” “Is it safe?”—many people have these questions.
If you’re curious but unsure what volunteering involves, JICA offers consultation booths and seminars across Japan. Feel free to visit your nearest JICA Desk or domestic center. There’s a place in the world where your skills and passions can make a difference. We’re here to support your journey toward a global future that reflects who you are.
At individual consultation booths, visitors often ask about choosing volunteer roles, language training, health concerns after dispatch, and career paths after returning.
Nursing school students attending a seminar at NIHONMATSU Training Center and interacting with former JICA volunteers who worked in health and medical fields.
Finally, I personally began working at the NIHONMATSU Training Center in April 2024, and about a year and a half has passed. Having never lived or worked in Tohoku or Fukushima before, I was excited to come—and the reality has exceeded my expectations.
From lush seasonal landscapes and rich history to delicious food and warm, cheerful people, I’ve discovered countless charms. Everywhere I go, I feel the strong bonds and pride of this community.
It’s clear why this center was established here 30 years ago and has thrived with local support.
As we move forward, we will continue working together—with your understanding and cooperation—to ensure that the JICA Volunteer Program, now in its 60th year, and the NIHONMATSU Training Center, celebrating 30 years, contribute to building a better world and stronger communities.
As the Director of the Nihonmatsu Training Center, I speak to trainees about the mindset needed for training and share my hopes for their journey ahead.
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