[45th Anniversary] JAWHM Waives 5,000 Yen Membership Fee: '0 Yen Working Holiday Support' via LINE

The Japan Association for Working Holiday Makers (JAWHM), a non-profit organization promoting the Working Holiday program, is launching a special campaign to celebrate the program's 45th anniversary, waiving the regular membership registration fee of 5,000 yen (tax included).

Through this campaign, individuals who register on the official LINE account and complete the initial questionnaire can access various Working Holiday and study abroad support services for free.

## 45th Anniversary: Making the 'First Step' of Information Gathering Easier

The Working Holiday program, which began between Japan and Australia in 1980, reached its 45th anniversary in 2025.

Recently, an increasing number of young people have shown interest in Working Holidays for purposes such as living abroad, learning English, career development, and gaining international work experience. However, many are hesitant to take the first step due to anxieties like "not knowing where to start," "visa application seems difficult," "not sure which country is right for me," or "conflicting advice from agencies."

To address this, JAWHM is launching this fee-waiver campaign as part of its 45th-anniversary initiatives, aiming to create an environment where people can feel comfortable seeking advice.

## Free Support via LINE Registration

Under this campaign, members who register through the official LINE account receive support services usually subject to a fee for free, including:

- Working Holiday and study abroad counseling
- Visa application support
- Travel preparation consultation
- Country and city selection advice
- Language school consultation
- Local life consultation

JAWHM provides comprehensive support necessary before departure.

## Answers Provided by 'Actual Counselors,' Not AI

A key feature of this LINE support is that it is not an automated AI response but provided by individual counselors. While it is not a 24-hour real-time service, dedicated staff will respond directly based on the user's situation and preferences within approximately 24 hours.

They can handle concerns that cannot be resolved through search engines alone, such as "Can beginners in English apply?", "Can I go even at the age of 30?", "Which country is most cost-effective?", and "Which cities make it easier to find work?", using the unique value of human-to-human consultation.

## Making it Easier to 'Just Ask'

A Working Holiday is a major challenge in one's life. Therefore, JAWHM believes it is vital to lower the hurdles for initial information gathering and create an entry point where people can "first hear someone's story." As we celebrate our 45th anniversary, we aim to build an environment where more people can take their first step toward the world with peace of mind.

■ About the Working Holiday Program
Based on agreements between two countries or regions, this program allows youths to understand each other's culture and lifestyle while spending a certain period on vacation, supported by work to cover their stay. It is a special visa for young people, different from tourist, study, student, or work visas, offering high freedom for travel, work, and language school attendance.

■ 45th Anniversary Campaign
Japan and Australia signed the Working Holiday agreement on December 1, 1980. During this anniversary year, JAWHM is launching various projects under the theme "Make every working holiday the best experience," disseminating information throughout the year via special websites and social media.

■ About JAWHM
JAWHM promotes the Working Holiday program and improves its status.
Organization Name: Japan Association for Working Holiday Makers (JAWHM)
Address: Link Square Shinjuku 16F, 5-27-5 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Chairman: Shu Ikeguchi
URL: http://www.jawhm.or.jp/