Our Town Inagi 2023: Citizens Active in Countries Around the World

We introduce the people dispatched from the city through the JICA Youth Overseas Cooperation Volunteers.

Yuta Watanabe

Yuta Watanabe (43), a resident of Hirao, has been dispatched to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for a period of two years starting in October.

Mr. Watanabe became interested when he learned about how JICA's activities improved the lives of local people during his trip to Myanmar two years ago.

After researching JICA, I learned that there are things I can do even though I thought overseas volunteering was out of reach for me. Additionally, when I attended a JICA information session, I received advice from a senior who had been dispatched, which led me to decide to participate.

The main activity of the dispatch is to engage in environmental education and teach elementary and junior high school students about the environment. Furthermore, they expressed a desire to provide a place for comprehensive learning by combining environmental education with other subjects such as mathematics and science.

In addition, Jordan is said to be a major tourist destination, and Watanabe, who loves to travel, mentioned that he looks forward to visiting various places. We support Watanabe's noble efforts to contribute to society through environmental education.

Miyuki Mihira

Miyuki Sanpei (23), a resident of Wakabadai, has been dispatched to the Republic of El Salvador for two years starting in October.

Mr. Sanpei studied history while in university, but due to the rapid changes in recent international situations, he began to feel the gap between what he learned in theory and what is happening in reality. Interested in international cooperation, Mr. Sanpei decided to participate in JICA's volunteer program, believing that experiencing the field would allow him to reassess things.

At the dispatch location, we will conduct environmental conservation awareness activities with local farmers, community residents, and children. It was mentioned that rather than imposing knowledge, we want to engage in activities together while respecting the autonomy of the local people.

Additionally, since El Salvador is famous for its coffee, they expressed their enthusiasm to learn how to brew it deliciously. We look forward to Mr. Sanpei's future activities as he passionately speaks about wanting to share the knowledge and learnings gained through these activities with many people.

At the dispatch location, we will conduct environmental conservation awareness activities with local farmers, community residents, and children. It was mentioned that rather than imposing knowledge, we want to engage in activities while respecting the autonomy of the local people.
Additionally, since El Salvador is famous for its coffee, there was enthusiasm about wanting to learn the best brewing methods. We look forward to Mr. Sanpei's future activities as he strongly expressed his desire to spread the knowledge and learnings gained through these activities to many people.

Tomoe Yokoyama

Chie Yokoyama (25), a resident of Momura, has been dispatched to the Republic of Chile for two years starting in November.

Mr. Yokoyama has been practicing judo since childhood, and the dojo he attended was actively involved in international exchange. He felt that there are children in countries who cannot come to Japan without support from the government, financial means, or skill, and he wanted to connect with them through judo, which is why he expressed his desire to participate in JICA.

It seems that while visiting clubs at the dispatch location, they will provide judo instruction to local elementary and high school students, teaching them to respect others and cultivate a sense of gratitude through judo, with the aim of developing a character that is useful in society.

In Chile, there is a festival where people drink Chilean wine in the streets on Independence Day, and they mentioned looking forward to participating. Mr. Yokoyama expressed a desire to value connections through international cooperation. We hope that through this dispatch, he will become a bridge to other countries.