#Japan #Sports #ASEAN #Tokyo, Osaka #JENESYS

ASEAN Students Engage in Japan's Sports and SDGs Exchange Program

In an effort to enhance international exchanges and promote understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a remarkable program is set to unfold in Japan. This initiative, titled the JENESYS Japan-ASEAN Sports x SDGs Exchange Program, will welcome 88 high school students from ASEAN countries and East Timor from October 28 to November 4, 2025.

Purpose of the Program

The primary aim of this program is to connect these students through the universal language of sports, specifically football (soccer), allowing them to deepen their understanding of Japan’s regional communities and the vital concepts of sustainability. Participants will engage in various activities designed to foster their awareness of the SDGs while also encouraging contributions to local communities and promoting understanding of Japanese culture.

Target Audience

The program comprises seven students and one leader from eleven countries across the ASEAN region and East Timor, culminating in a total of 88 participants, making it a significant multicultural event.

Itinerary Highlights

The carefully crafted itinerary includes a series of educational and engaging activities focused on sports and sustainability:

• - October 28 (Tuesday): Arrival in Japan, orientation, courtesy visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and lectures on relevant themes conducted by the ASEAN Secretariat.
• - October 29 (Wednesday): The students will visit the Japan Football Association's cultural creation hub, blue-ing!, followed by lectures about J-League's initiatives on SDGs. Following this, the group will travel from Tokyo to Osaka.
• - October 30 (Thursday): The students will visit Osaka Castle and engage in school exchanges at Osaka Prefectural Suita International High School.
• - October 31 (Friday): They will tour Gamba Osaka Stadium, participate in activities such as Walking Football, and then travel back to Tokyo.
• - November 1 (Saturday): A visit to the National Stadium to explore its SDG-related initiatives.
• - November 2 (Sunday): Students will conduct site visits in Tokyo, participating in further exchanges, including university visits with past JENESYS alumni.
• - November 3 (Monday): The day will focus on workshops, reporting sessions, and a farewell party to conclude the program.
• - November 4 (Tuesday): Departure for the students returning to their home countries.

Languages of Instruction

The program will be conducted in several languages, including Japanese, English, Indonesian, Cambodian, Thai, Vietnamese, Myanmar, and Lao, ensuring inclusivity among participants from diverse backgrounds.

Implementing Organizations

This exchange program is orchestrated by the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) with the support of the J-League and Gamba Osaka, aiming to create lasting relationships among youth from different nations through sports-oriented collaboration and cultural engagement.

About JENESYS

The JENESYS initiative is sponsored by the Japanese Government (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and aims to enhance people-to-people exchanges between Japan and countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The program focuses on expanding the interest, understanding, and support of young people from foreign countries towards Japan, while also strengthening the country’s international diplomatic foundation.

For more details, please refer to the official JENESYS overview link.

Contact Information

For further inquiries about the program, please reach out to the International Exchange Department at the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE).