在ヒューストン日本国総領事館

Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is my great pleasure to welcome you here to honor the 68 young people who will be leaving from Houston this year to work in schools and government offices across Japan.

With their departure, the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program begins its 22nd year.

In just under a quarter-century, JET has become the world’s largest exchange program with 41 countries represented and more than 5,000 current participants.

Since its establishment in 1987 nearly 50,000 people from 55 different countries have taken part.

The JET Program has two main goals:

to improve foreign language education in Japan and to advance mutual understanding between Japan and other countries

JET has been a tremendous success in both of these respects.

At schools across Japan, students now have the opportunity to practice foreign language with native speakers, engaging in genuine dialogue, rather than limiting their study to the printed page.

The JET Program’s impact on improved international understanding is perhaps even greater.

Chosen based on their ability and enthusiasm most JETs go far beyond their basic duties to serve as true community ambassadors.

They share their own culture while developing an understanding of Japanese culture.

In their free time, JETs have volunteered in special needs schools, retirement homes, and English camps and have worked in public health and community-building campaigns.

After finishing their time on JET, most alumni continue to act as bridges between their home nations and Japan.

Many go into teaching, bringing lessons about Japan into their classrooms.

Several have become career diplomats (I learned that a number of the young officers at US Embassy in Tokyo first came to Japan on the JET Program).

Some even decide to make Japan their permanent home.

One, named Anthony Bianchi, became a naturalized Japanese citizen and is now a city council member in Inuyama, Japan.

You have been chosen to participate in this program because we believe that you can continue the great success of the JET Program.

I encourage you to do your best- in your schools, in your offices, in your new communities.

While I do not expect you to become politicians, I do expect you to become ambassadors.

I expect you to strive every day to learn more about Japan and to share the best that America has to offer.

In closing, I would like to propose a toast to our 2008 JET Program Participants:

Good Health and Good Luck.We are proud of you and wish you all the best.

KAMPAI!!!