Consulate Activities
2025/11/25
The 2025 JET Welcome Back Reception
Consul General Chotoku welcoming the participants to the reception
JET returnees with Consul General (Center)
On November 18, the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu held the 2025 Welcome Back Reception for the Japan Exchange & Teaching (JET) Program participants who recently returned from Japan. Six returnees, who were living in Gunma, Hyogo, Ishikawa, Kumamoto, Niigata and Tottori, attended the event at the Consul General’s Official Residence.
Consul General CHOTOKU expressed his gratitude for the returning JETs’ work and the positive impacts that they have had in their students’ lives, while sharing a personal anecdote from his youth. He also highlighted the importance of their experiences and extended his best wishes on their life ahead, wishing that they will maintain their relationship with Japan.
Representatives from the Japan-America Society of Hawaii, the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce, the United Japanese Society of Hawaii, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, University of Hawaiʻi Center for Japanese Studies, Central Oahu Kumamoto Kenjinkai, and Hawaii Niigata Kenjinkai, also extended a warm welcome to the JET returnees and introduced them to the various opportunities and events offered by their respective organizations, hoping for their continued contribution as a member of the local community and as an important link between Japan and Hawaiʻi.
Each of the returning JETs shared reflections about their experiences in Japan, including challenges, cultural exchanges, and personal interactions that made their time memorable, and displayed their deep appreciation for the opportunity and the lasting impression that it has left on 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 80,000 participants from around the globe (including more than 41,000 Americans) to work in schools, boards of education, and government offices throughout Japan. Participants work as either assistant English language teachers, coordinators of international relations, or sports exchange advisor throughout various parts of Japan.
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 Japanese culture.
Consul General CHOTOKU expressed his gratitude for the returning JETs’ work and the positive impacts that they have had in their students’ lives, while sharing a personal anecdote from his youth. He also highlighted the importance of their experiences and extended his best wishes on their life ahead, wishing that they will maintain their relationship with Japan.
Representatives from the Japan-America Society of Hawaii, the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce, the United Japanese Society of Hawaii, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, University of Hawaiʻi Center for Japanese Studies, Central Oahu Kumamoto Kenjinkai, and Hawaii Niigata Kenjinkai, also extended a warm welcome to the JET returnees and introduced them to the various opportunities and events offered by their respective organizations, hoping for their continued contribution as a member of the local community and as an important link between Japan and Hawaiʻi.
Each of the returning JETs shared reflections about their experiences in Japan, including challenges, cultural exchanges, and personal interactions that made their time memorable, and displayed their deep appreciation for the opportunity and the lasting impression that it has left on 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 80,000 participants from around the globe (including more than 41,000 Americans) to work in schools, boards of education, and government offices throughout Japan. Participants work as either assistant English language teachers, coordinators of international relations, or sports exchange advisor throughout various parts of Japan.
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 Japanese culture.