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JET Family

［August 2019］
JET Family

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‘Welcome to our JET family!’ an alumna of the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Programme told the new JET Programme participants in her send-off speech. Her comment rings very true.

Every JET Programme participant has a different hometown, different experiences before and during JET Programme employment, a different region to which they are deployed, and spend different lengths of time in Japan. Every JET Programme participant also learns different Japanese local culture, a different Japanese dialect, and become involved in their local community in different ways. However, one thing that I hope all JET Programme participants have in common is the experience of forming a profound bond with not only their local Japanese community, but their fellow participants and Programme alumni. Although experiences on the JET Programme can vary immensely from placement to placement, I hope that all participants can make precious, meaningful memories of their ‘second home’ in Japan.

It is also quite common that JET Programme alumni go on to advise and support new and current JET Programme participants. Even after their JET Programme employment ends, many former participants reunite, promote the program, and become advocates for cultural exchange between Japan and their country of residence through the JET Alumni Association.

Participants and alumni all share a mutual interest in Japan and nuanced understanding of the country and language. They are driven individuals with a strong desire to help one another and make a positive contribution to society, and are often involved in cultural exchange activities between Japan and other countries. In many ways, they are just like a family.

Thanks to over three decades of excellent work by participants, the JET Programme has grown to become one of the world’s largest international exchange programs, and has an excellent reputation both in Japan and overseas. The JET family has grown with the Programme, and members should be proud of their vital role in this. For CLAIR, it is important for us to support the JET family members, new and current JET Programme participants and members of the JET Alumni Association chapters, so that they can smoothly coordinate with each other to further enhance the JET Programme. We aim to support the JET family to have more opportunities to work together to uphold the reputation of the Programme, and to be bridges of cultural exchange between Japan and the world.

*For detail of the JET Programme, please see the link below.

http://jetprogramme.org/en/

 

 

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  • 2023/2024 CLAIR Forum 

    Theme: Disaster Management and Resilience

    Disaster Management is essential for local governments as it helps save lives, protect properties, build resilience, and ensure the overall well-being and stability of communities in the face of disasters such as natural disasters and epidemic outbreaks. And it has become more important than ever in recent years. In the 2024 CLAIR Forum, presented by CLAIR Sydney and UTS, we  explored the practices of prevention, response, and recovery to disasters in local governments in Australia and Japan. We also reflected on new ways of thinking about and building resilient communities, built and natural environments, economies and governments. 

    Date:  11 March,2024 (Monday)
    Time: 1:00pm to 5:00pm 
    Venue: The Japan Foundation, Sydney – Seminar Room （Hybrid）

    Speakers

    – Tomoyuki Takemura (Assistant Director, CLAIR Sydney / Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications)

    Provided an overview of recent disaster occurrences in Japan such as the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, the role of administrative organisations (national, prefectural, and municipal) during disasters, and the updated information on the status of the support system established by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

    – Reiko Kunisaki (Assistant Director, CLAIR Sydney / Fukuoka Prefectural Government)

    Described the recent heavy rain disasters in Fukuoka, efforts in supporting evacuees requiring assistance (including training on municipal guidance, operation of evacuation centres, and creation of individual evacuation plans) in collaboration with local governments and partners.

    – Kana Tsujiwaki (Assistant Director, CLAIR Sydney / Wakayama Prefectural Government)

    Touched upon the anecdote of Goryo Hamaguchi, a native of Wakayama, which led to the establishment of “World Tsunami Day.” Also explained distinctive disaster countermeasures in Wakayama, such as setting safety levels for evacuation destinations, the “Dokodemo Stand” mobile gas station, and mobile disaster prevention education.

    – Nicole Parsons (Manager Regional Resilience Programs, Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation)

    The presentation highlighted collaborative efforts with local governments and partners in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region to reduce disaster risks, including enhancing infrastructure resilience, improving access to geographic data, and developing environmental monitoring and early warning systems.

    – Shinnosuke Matsumoto (Assistant Director, CLAIR Sydney / Ichihara city council)

    Discussed disaster response in his city, the response system during disasters, types and conditions for opening evacuation centres, and examples of efforts in adapting to changes in operating the centres during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    – Hideaki Ota(Assistant Director, CLAIR Sydney / Odawara city council)

    Provided an overview of medical services during disasters in Japan, focusing on the Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT), including the outline, process, and roles of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and disaster base hospitals. Presented examples, including Odawara City Hospital’s dispatch of DMAT to the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.

    – Tommaso Briscese (General Manager, Burwood Council) & Miriam Wassef（Executive Manager, Place Management and Communications Burwood Council）

    Presented Burwood Council’s response to and recovery efforts for COVID-19, including care for the community, financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises for economic recovery, and events to promote human interaction that were reduced following the outbreak.

     

    The Q&A session allowed for exchanges of many questions and opinions among participants. Carol Mills concluded the forum, reflecting on the discussions.

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  • From the 3rd to the 13th of December, eight selected swimmers from the Fukuoka Swimming Association visited NSW, where they participated in joint training sessions with a local school and competed in the 2024-25 Speedo NSW Senior State Age Championships.

    During the joint training, the athletes deepened their connections, and in the competition, the Fukuoka swimmers achieved remarkable success, earning numerous medals.
     
    The visit is based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2023 between the Fukuoka Prefecture, the Fukuoka Swimming Association, and Swimming NSW. CLAIR Sydney received a request from Fukuoka Prefecture to assist them with their activities and accompanied them during some parts of their visit.
     
    We will continue to support and deepen exchanges in the field of sports between Fukuoka Prefecture and NSW.
    To all the athletes, coaches, and accompanying staffs, Otsukaresamadeshita!
     
     
     
     
     
     

  • The latest issue of our correspondence is released.
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  • The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

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