Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu
On Oct. 29, the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu held the 2024 Welcome Back Reception for the Japan Exchange & Teaching (JET) Program participants who recently returned from Japan. Five returnees who were living in Fukuoka, Toyama and Hyogo, attended the event at the Consul General’s Official Residence.
Consul General Yoshinori Kodama extended his appreciation to the JET Program participants for their efforts in promoting internationalization by nurturing future generations of globally minded youth. In addition, he expressed his hope that they would continue to share their international experiences and bonds with Japan with many people they meet.
Representatives from the Japan-America Society of Hawaii, the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce, the United Japanese Society of Hawaii, the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i, the Hawai’i State Department of Education, the Hawaii Fukuoka Kenjinkai, and Hokkaido Club Hawaii also welcomed the JETs’ homecoming, and introduced them to various cultural events and volunteer opportunities organized by their respective organizations, for continuously serving as a bridge between Japan and Hawaii.
The JET returnees gave presentations about their experiences in Japan and each participant said that it was one of the most memorable experiences of their lives.
About the JET Program
The JET Program, which began in 1987, seeks to help enhance internationalization in Japan by promoting mutual understanding between Japan and other countries. JET has sent more than 79,000 participants from around the globe (including more than 50,600 Americans) to work in schools, boards of education, and government offices throughout Japan either as assistant English-language teachers or coordinators of international relations.
The program aims to intensify foreign language education in Japan and promote international exchange at the local level by fostering ties between Japanese youth and JET Program participants. This program also provides valuable opportunities for the participants to learn about Japan and the Japanese culture.
