JET 33rd Farewell Reception

On August 2^nd, 2019, Ambassador Ishikane hosted a reception for this year’s Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme participants (JETs) departing to Japan from Ottawa.  Speeches were given by the ambassador, a departing JET representative, and the president of the JET Alumni Association in Ottawa.  In his opening remarks, the Ambassador congratulated the JET participants for their selection, and expressed his hope that they share the value of diversity, which Canada champions, with their communities in Japan. On behalf of the departing group, Ms. Caroline Trippenbach spoke of the unique responsibility and opportunity given to each JET to build bridges across cultures, and expressed gratitude to her friends and family for their support. Mr. Brandon Wallace, president of the JET Alumni Association in Ottawa, shared his JET experience, the power of the JET Programme to open up many exciting new avenues for their futures, and his hope that they continue to strengthen Canada-Japan ties after their return. This year 192 JETs departed Canada to Japan on August 3^rd, 2019, of whom 19 are from Ottawa.  Guests enjoyed flower arrangements by Mrs. Ishikane, Japanese cuisine prepared by the ambassador’s chef, and three different types of Japanese sake from across Japan.
 
The JET Programme is an official Japanese government scheme aiming to promote international exchange at the grass-roots level and to improve foreign language education in Japan. Participants come from a total of 57 countries. Since its start more than 9,000 young Canadians participants have gone to Japan to teach English in schools or to engage in international activities in local governments.