PROMOTING
KIZUNA BETWEEN
Active as a Coordinator for International Relations in Japan, Nguyen Bui Anh Thy works valiantly day after day for the future of Viet Nam and Japan. Transmitting  information  to   "I am one of those people." In foreign residents of the city, giving college she majored in East Asian presentations at schools, and Studies, which included time as offering introductory lessons in an exchange student in Japan. Vietnamese culture and language Hoping to help Vietnamese at the international exchange people who work in Japan, she association; Nguyen Bui Anh applied to the JET Programme. Thy puts tremendous energy into She is particularly involved her activities. With three years' in facilitating relations between experience as a Coordinator Vietnamese people who live for     International Relations, in Saijo and the local Japanese she continues to cheerfully residents. Saijo has become a strengthen bonds between Japan friendship city of Hue in Viet and her home country of Viet Nam, with nearly 400 Vietnamese Nam. "In Viet Nam, many people people currently living there. are familiar with Japan because Although many of them work our education includes learning in the city, opportunities to about the country's history speak Japanese are fewer than and  geography."  Nguyen  adds,    expected. Here, Nguyen seeks to Mount Ishizuchi is the rallest peak in western Japan and has been revered from time nmemorbil. Elessings continue to flow from its heights down to the people of Sal a get them involved in events that introduce Vietnamese culture, or Vietnamese language classes. "These events and classes are popular with both the Vietnamese participants and the locals who have had few interactions with Vietnamese people and are unfamiliar with their culture. Through such occasions, the Vietnamese  participants  can tell the local residents that they came to Japan not only to earn money, but also to provide for their families and see their dreams fulfilled. This leads the locals to feel sympathy and respect for the Vietnamese residents and to become more willing to offer support." Nguyen also puts great effort encouraging    medical into personnel to describe treatment options in easy-to-understand Japanese, as many foreigners especially struggle with the language barrier during times of illness. Although the recent COVID-19 crisis has limited her activities, she has been persevering in every way possible. She even made a video, featuring interviews with several dozen people, including foreigners living and abundant bounty of nature and the warmth of its people. "Saijo has really delicious water, and of course the vegetables and fruit cultivated using such pure water are wonderful. There is even someone who grows crops of food used in Vietnamese cuisine, such as lemongrass, just for me! I’m impressed by how thoughtful In addition to assisting foreign residents, Nguyen also everyone is." plays a role in conveying the attractions of Saijo City to the rest of the world. At an event held in Hue, dressed Nguyen, who talks about her in a ysakata , she informs Vietnamese people about life desire to introduce Japanese in Saijo. ways of craftsmanship to people working in Saijo, the companies in her homeland, is hoping for that have hired them, and other even stronger relations between local citizens, asking about the both countries. "I feel that charm of the city and their both Vietnamese and Japanese thoughts about international people share a strong sense of exchanges. "I believe that having altruism, and naturally want to do everyone share their feelings something for others. Japan has a frankly will enhance mutual long history of supporting Viet understanding." Her enthusiasm Nam. I hope that the relationship for building bilateral ties stops at between the two countries will be nothing. more equal and that cooperation According to Nguyen, the and exchange will become deeper charms of the city of Saijo are its and broader, going beyond the ABOUT THE JAPAN EXCHANGE AND TEACHING (JET) PROGRAMME NGUYEN BUI ANH THY Born in Binh Duong Province of Viet Nam, and having visited Japan twice as an exchange student, Nguyen found work upon her return to her home country in the Consulate General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, and was also involved in a project of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Wanting to become more involved in cultural exchanges between the two countries, she applied to the JET Programme, and was assigned to the city of Saijo in Ehime Prefecture. She is a big fan of sumo wrestling. "After returning to Viet Nam, I would like to support Japanese people seeking new opportunities and challenges in business, work, and academia in the country." economy and culture to cover other fields such as education and disaster prevention. I sincerely believe that, by building a deep partnership between        both countries and joining forces, we will find solutions to many global problems." Saijo City has many springs of subterranean water originating from Mount Ishizuchi. The water is available to all, including people who come from outside the city. Nguyen's beloved daughter is a big fan of the water. The JET Programme began in 1987 with the goal of promoting grassroots international exchange between Japan and other nations, and is now one of the world's largest international exchange programs. In 2019, the JET Programme welcomed 5,761 participants, and there are currently more than 70,000 alumni from 75 countries living in all parts of the world. The JET Programme official website ∞ http://jetprogramme.org/en/ 28