Consulate Activities
2026/10/1
The 2026 JET Welcome Back Reception
Group Photo
On September 25, the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu held the 2026 Welcome Back Reception for the Japan Exchange & Teaching (JET) Program participants who recently returned from Japan. Three returnees who served as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) in Hyogo and Fukuoka Prefectures attended the event at the Consul General’s Official Residence.
Consul General CHOTOKU 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 connections with Japan with many people they meet.
Representatives from the Japan-America Society of Hawaii, the United Japanese Society of Hawaii, the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, the Center of Japanese Studies and Department of Second Language Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Hawaiʻi Pacific University, Hawaii Wakayama Kenjinkai, and Hawaii Fukuoka Kenjinkai also welcomed the JETs’ homecoming, and introduced them to various events and opportunities organized by their respective organizations, to enable them to continue serving as a bridge between Japan and Hawaiʻi.
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 life.
【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 82,000 participants from around the globe (nearly half of whom are from the United States) 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.
Consul General CHOTOKU 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 connections with Japan with many people they meet.
Representatives from the Japan-America Society of Hawaii, the United Japanese Society of Hawaii, the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, the Center of Japanese Studies and Department of Second Language Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Hawaiʻi Pacific University, Hawaii Wakayama Kenjinkai, and Hawaii Fukuoka Kenjinkai also welcomed the JETs’ homecoming, and introduced them to various events and opportunities organized by their respective organizations, to enable them to continue serving as a bridge between Japan and Hawaiʻi.
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 life.
【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 82,000 participants from around the globe (nearly half of whom are from the United States) 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.