Foreign Minister’s Commendation Conferment Ceremony for JETAANC and Welcome Back Reception
2024/9/26
Consul General Osumi gives opening remarks
Supervisor Stefani greets JET alumni
On Friday, September 20, Consul General Yo Osumi presented the JET Alumni Association of Northern California (JETAANC) with the 2024 Foreign Minister’s Commendation at a ceremony held in conjunction with the Welcome Back Reception for recently returned JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program participants at his official residence.
Consul General Osumi began with opening remarks that welcomed all the JET Program alumni and sister city representatives from the California-Japan Sister Cities Network to the event. He prompted the guests to consider how they can utilize their experiences in Japan to advance the relationship between the US and Japan, and how JET alumni and JETAANC can work with sister city organizations to promote intercultural exchange. Lastly, he introduced San Francisco Supervisor, Catherine Stefani (Akita, ’91-92), who gave remarks reflecting on her time on JET and introducing the variety of career opportunities after experiencing the JET program.
During the Foreign Minister’s Commendation Ceremony, the current president of JETAANC, Melissa Golden (Hokkaido, ’07-12), received the commendation and reflected on the Alumni Association’s 30-year history. Following her remarks Arisa Takahashi, current board chair of JETAANC, shared the organization’s vision statement for the next 30 years, vowing to promote the grassroot level cultural exchange that lies as the core of the JET Program’s Vision.
Following the ceremony, guests were placed into small groups to discuss how JETAANC, sister city organizations, and the Consulate can collaborate to develop stronger connections between Japan and the US while providing young JET participants with such opportunities. Mountain View City Councilmember Ellen Kamei (Mie, ’05-07), led the “kampai” toast to begin the reception.
Applications for the 2025 JET Program are now open. As the JET Program begins its recruitment for the 39th year, the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco will continue to promote the program and make more people aware of its opportunities, and further grassroots collaboration between Japan and the United States in collaboration with the JET Alumni Association of Northern California and the California-Japan Sister Cities Network.
Consul General Osumi began with opening remarks that welcomed all the JET Program alumni and sister city representatives from the California-Japan Sister Cities Network to the event. He prompted the guests to consider how they can utilize their experiences in Japan to advance the relationship between the US and Japan, and how JET alumni and JETAANC can work with sister city organizations to promote intercultural exchange. Lastly, he introduced San Francisco Supervisor, Catherine Stefani (Akita, ’91-92), who gave remarks reflecting on her time on JET and introducing the variety of career opportunities after experiencing the JET program.
During the Foreign Minister’s Commendation Ceremony, the current president of JETAANC, Melissa Golden (Hokkaido, ’07-12), received the commendation and reflected on the Alumni Association’s 30-year history. Following her remarks Arisa Takahashi, current board chair of JETAANC, shared the organization’s vision statement for the next 30 years, vowing to promote the grassroot level cultural exchange that lies as the core of the JET Program’s Vision.
Following the ceremony, guests were placed into small groups to discuss how JETAANC, sister city organizations, and the Consulate can collaborate to develop stronger connections between Japan and the US while providing young JET participants with such opportunities. Mountain View City Councilmember Ellen Kamei (Mie, ’05-07), led the “kampai” toast to begin the reception.
Applications for the 2025 JET Program are now open. As the JET Program begins its recruitment for the 39th year, the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco will continue to promote the program and make more people aware of its opportunities, and further grassroots collaboration between Japan and the United States in collaboration with the JET Alumni Association of Northern California and the California-Japan Sister Cities Network.
- To find out more about the JETAANC, please visit https://www.jetaanc.org/
- To find out more about the JET Program and the application for 2025 outbound JETs, please visit https://jetprogramusa.org/
Ms. Golden receives the Foreign Minister’s Commendation on behalf of JETAANC
Ms. Takahashi shares the JETAANC vision statement
(from left) Consul General Osumi with Ms. Golden, Ms. Takahashi, and JETAANC Treasurer Anna Fung
Councilmember Kamei leads the kampai
JETAANC co-founders Bruce Jaffe and Gregory Howell in their breakout session
JET returnees discuss ideas with Meg Mizutani, President of the California-Japan Sister Cities Network
Guests enjoy the buffet
Group Photo
