With a 30 year history and current participant numbers over 5000 (including 114 from Ireland), the JET Programme has long been an important tool in connecting Japan to the wider world. Many former participants maintain strong ties with Japan throughout their careers or indeed make their careers in Japan.

With JET participants being so widely dispersed, historically it has been difficult for them to get involved with the international business community which resides primarily in the larger urban centres, despite the advantages this might provide in embarking on their post-JET careers.

The rapid rise of online networking with peoples' movement restricted due to the COVID pandemic is a great leveller and in this context, the IJCC has been making efforts to develop an active regional membership including JET participants (the first in our "Tales from the Regions" series presented by Aisling Barry, CIR in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture). 

As an introduction to the network provided by the IJCC, we are proud to announce an open event focusing on the challenge of choosing a career path post-JET. We will invite 6 ex-JETs working in a variety of fields and at various stages in their careers, to briefly share their stories and take questions from our audience. This will be followed by an informal networking event using randomized breakout rooms, providing a chance for all participants in the event to meet each other and the IJCC members.

Of course, this event may also be of interest to students, the JET alumni, English teachers in Japan generally, those on a working holiday visa, and anyone wishing to develop their network with a view to taking the next steps toward a career in Japan - all are welcome!

To our members and friends of the IJCC, this provides a great opportunity to engage with future leaders in Japan Ireland relations and business, and indeed to catch up with each other. We look forward to seeing you there.

We will provide further details in the coming weeks but for now, we would welcome it if you could spread the word of our event to anyone who may be interested.

Panel:

See profile HERE.

1. Sarah Hickey - Marketing Manager, Whisk-e

2. Ray Meenan - Senior Manager, Equity Derivatives Japan at GFI Group

3. Joe Moore - Market Manager, Japan and Korea at Bord Bia

4. Sam Annesley - Executive Director, Greenpeace Japan

5. Eoin Flavin - Third Secretary, Embassy of Ireland, Tokyo

6. John Blakeney - Manager, Capital Markets, EY Japan

Registration

Please register HERE.

A zoom link will be sent to you on the event date 9/30.