What is JICA ?

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is one of the Japanese Governmental agencies which is responsible for Technical Cooperation under Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme. The technical cooperation is aimed at transferring Japan's advanced technology and knowledge to support developing countries' social-economic development.  

JICA Alumni Associations ... What Are They ?

Since 1945, Japan has been the host to a total of over 130,000 participants in Japan. All of these ex-participants have been active in a variesty of fields upon return to their home countries.

The first alumni association was organized in the Philippines in 1967. The association was formed to work at keeping closer contact with Japan, to get to know Japan better and to build a link between ex-participants even after returning to their home country. Since this original association in the Philippines, several others have been formed in several other countries. As of June 1999, the total reached 79 associations in 73 different countries.

These alumni associations are acting as a bridge in the promotion of friendship between participants' countries and Japan as well as between ex-participants themselves. This is made possible in part by the cooperation of JICA overseas offices and Japanese embassies.