JICA Honors Former Overseas Cooperation Volunteers for Addressing Social Issues with Problem-Solving Skills Cultivated in Developing Countries

On June 8, 2026, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) held the award ceremony for the 4th JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers Returnee Social Contribution Awards at its headquarters. This program recognizes individuals who apply the knowledge and experience gained as JICA volunteers to solve social issues both domestically and internationally after returning to Japan.

In this fourth edition, six former volunteers were honored for their initiatives in diverse fields. The Grand Prize was awarded to Aya Tsuboi from Fukui Prefecture.

Leveraging her experience in Uganda, Ms. Tsuboi developed a prepaid fee collection system for community wells, combining Japanese manufacturing expertise with the ideas of local Ugandan engineers. To date, over 300 units have been installed across Uganda, providing approximately 100,000 residents with reliable access to safe water. She was praised for her local-perspective approach to addressing the critical issue of water management.

Since its inception, JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers has deployed over 58,000 members to 99 countries, marking its 60th anniversary in 2025. The creativity, execution, and social awareness nurtured in partner countries are now being utilized to address various social challenges globally. JICA aims to visualize this experience as 'practical knowledge' that changes society, further fostering a culture of social contribution among former volunteers.

Presentations by the six honorees covered diverse projects, including income generation for farmers in Malawi, the revitalization of a zoo in Mie Prefecture, support for foreign-born children in Aichi Prefecture, and SDGs education in Chiba Prefecture.

JICA Vice President and Jury Chair Katsura Miyazaki commented, "I was deeply impressed by how each participant has addressed social issues based on insights gained in the field." Regarding Ms. Tsuboi, she noted, "While she could have manufactured the system in Japan, she chose to co-found a business with two local Ugandan engineers. Developing it locally ensures local ownership and respect for the infrastructure."

JICA President Akihiko Tanaka remarked, "In these challenging times, contributions toward problem-solving and human resource development through interpersonal connections are increasingly vital, both at home and abroad."

Other notable awardees included:
- Entrepreneurship Award: Nohara Musukwa (Malawi, founder of PENJANI Malawi, focus on farmers' income model)
- Regional Revitalization Award: Fumihiko Takahashi (Mie Prefecture, CEO of Weverage, focus on zoo revitalization)
- Multicultural Coexistence Award: Sayaka Ochi (Aichi Prefecture)