Announcement of Change in President of Japan International Christian Medical Cooperation Service

The new president, Riko Yanagisawa, is the first female president since the founding of the Japan International Christian Medical Cooperation Service (JOCS) in 1960. Upon her inauguration, she expressed her aspirations as follows:

"New conflicts, disasters, poverty, and disparities continue to emerge in the world, leaving many people in difficult situations. Therefore, while valuing the experience we have cultivated, JOCS wants to turn our attention to people and regions that have not yet received support and to challenge new initiatives. With courage and wisdom, I hope to walk together with people and fulfill our mission as 'peacemakers.'"

Under the new president, Riko Yanagisawa, JOCS will continue its work to protect the health and lives of people in need and to share in their suffering and joy.

Former president Kentaro Hatano has retired after completing his 11-year term, which ran from June 2015 to June 2026.

[URL] https://www.jocs.or.jp/about/message

Riko Yanagisawa

Riko Yanagisawa

Professor at the Faculty of Nursing, Sugiyama Jogakuen University; Public Health Nurse; Registered Nurse; Midwife. Graduated from the Faculty of Nursing, Chiba University, and completed the doctoral program in the Department of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo. Inspired to pursue international cooperation after reading the book "Hospital on the Mountain" by Dr. Noboru Iwamura (dispatched by JOCS, active in Nepal from 1962 to 1980) during high school. After working as a nurse and public health nurse in Japan, she was dispatched to Cambodia by JOCS for approximately six years from 1989, where she was involved in maternal and child health and tuberculosis control. After returning to Japan, she worked at the Community Care Support Center in Obuse Town, Nagano Prefecture, and then taught nursing education, community nursing, and international nursing at Mie Prefectural University, School of Nursing; Shinshu University, School of Health Sciences; and Aichi Prefectural University, Faculty of Nursing.

About Japan International Christian Medical Cooperation Service (JOCS)

A JOCS-dispatched doctor working at a hospital in Tanzania

JOCS is one of Japan's first private international cooperation organizations, established in 1960. Aiming for a world where the health and lives of all people are protected, JOCS has dispatched Japanese healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, etc.), trained local healthcare professionals, and implemented projects in collaboration with local NGOs. Currently, JOCS dispatches one doctor or nurse each to Bangladesh, Tanzania, and Kenya, and supports the training of 80 local healthcare professionals in seven countries through a scholarship program.

[Company Profile]

Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Japan International Christian Medical Cooperation Service (JOCS)

2-3-18-51 Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

President: Riko Yanagisawa

Established: 1960

URL: https://www.jocs.or.jp/

[Contact for Inquiries]

Japan International Christian Medical Cooperation Service Secretariat

E-mail: info@jocs.or.jp

TEL: 03-3208-2416 (Mon-Fri, 9:00-17:00)

[Media Contact for This Release]

Japan International Christian Medical Cooperation Service Tokyo Office Emi Nakano

TEL: 03-3208-2416

E-mail: enakano@jocs.or.jp