Remarks of Consul-General Hidenobu Sobashima at the 2013 JET Send-Off Reception on 26 July 2013
Mr Brad Battin, State Member for Gembrook and Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Japan in Voctoria,
Ms Donna Bauer, State Member for Carrum, Secretary of the Parliamentary Friends of Japan in Victoria,
Mr Tsuyoshi Ito, Deputy Director of CLAIR Sydney,
New JETs,
JET Alumni,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening.
This is a ceremony to send off the new participants in the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, or JET Program.
JET Program started in 1987 and has developed to include 65 source countries with a total of 4372 participants.
This year 132 Australians including 28 from Victoria, 8 from South Australia and 2 from Tasmania will be going to Japan.
I wholeheartedly welcome those new JETs present here.
Japan and Australia have developed a strong friendly and cooperative relationship covering various areas, underpinned by grass root activities and exchanges such as those of JETs.
Two years ago, after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, we heard a number of touching beautiful stories of JETs.
I don’t intend to intimidate you, but would like to express my appreciation to the efforts made by your predecessors including members of JET Alumni here present tonight.
Your stay and experience in Japan should be fulfilling and rewarding.
So I would like to invite new JETs already now to consider joining the JET Alumni on your return.
Having said this I wish all new JETs fulfilling and rewarding experience in Japan.
Thank you.