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Reception to Appreciate the Activities of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) Thursday, March 3, 2005 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi attended the reception at the Prime Minister's Official Residence to appreciate the activities of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV). The JOCV program deploys young Japanese men and women between the ages of 20 and 39 who possess relevant knowledge and skills to developing countries to cooperate in social and economic development as part of the local community. Since its establishment in 1965, the JOCV program has placed approximately 26,000 volunteers on assignments in 78 countries. As of January 31, 2005, 2,661 JOCVs have been assigned to 69 countries for cooperation activities. The reception this time was attended by approximately 100 JOCVs who returned to Japan in the past year, between December 2003 and December 2004, many of whom reside in Tokyo or its neighboring Prefectures. They have completed their missions in over 50 developing countries, including the Philippines and Malawi, where they were engaged in cooperation activities in such areas as health and preventative activities and education in the sciences and mathematics. In his address, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "Your efforts and activities have been greatly appreciated. This week's Koizumi Cabinet E-mail Magazine includes a contribution from Mr. Yasuo Matsunami who taught volleyball in Ethiopia. It is a great story so I hope everyone here will read this article. I asked the JOCVs if they incurred a lot of difficulties in transferring knowledge and skills to the local people and was moved by the words of a JOCV who said they learn much more from the local people than what they teach themselves. This room is full of people who practice and spread the goodwill of the people of Japan. Your steady efforts are indeed a great asset of Japan. I will continue supporting this program and the activities of goodwill."