【Project Activities】

A total of 77 university students and rugby association stakeholders from ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste were invited to Japan to participate in rugby exchanges and an SDGs learning program. Examples: Tokyo—courtesy call on a State Minister and a keynote lecture/Q&A on Japan–ASEAN relations (Ministry of Foreign Affairs); Fukuoka—exchange with Japanese university students and rugby stakeholders through rugby and tag rugby (JAPAN BASE, etc.); Saitama—observation of a national elementary tag rugby tournament and participation in a beginner rugby clinic (Kumagaya Rugby Stadium).

【Project Background】

Implemented as one of the themes of “JENESYS,” a people-to-people exchange program promoted by the Government of Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to deepen understanding of Japan.

【Project Objective】

JENESYS overall: identify and nurture pro-Japan and Japan-informed individuals and strengthen outbound communication. Program aims: (1) deepen youth understanding of Japan–ASEAN relations and Japanese rugby; (2) promote SDGs through sport (rugby) exchange; and (3) strengthen connections between Japanese and ASEAN youth and build momentum for friendship.

【Project Area】

International exchange through sports

【Methods】

Invitation of University Students

【Outcomes】

Promoted understanding of Japan (including rugby and SDGs through sport) and mutual understanding; participants disseminated their experiences via social media. The 77 ASEAN youth deepened friendship with about 30 Japanese students by experiencing rugby together. Participants presented “action plans” at the pre-departure debriefing on rugby promotion and SDGs initiatives in their home countries and implemented them after returning. One Philippine participant with no rugby background later became a manager of the Philippine women’s rugby sevens team for the Southeast Asian Games (SEA), triggered by this program.

【Voices from Participants and Partners】

Participant: “In Fukuoka, we learned rugby through values centered on ‘respect’ and ‘unity.’ The culture of one for all, all for one—and the generosity of the Japanese people—was wonderful.” (Philippine university student)
Partner: “From the beginning, participants were proactive about playing mixed-team tag rugby. Teamwork improved with practice, and we felt that the program’s intended values of ‘respect’ and ‘One for all, all for one’ reached participants from each country.” (JRFU staff member)

【Challenges and Lessons Learned】

The organizations responsible for selecting candidate participants in the target countries need to be identified and finalized earlier.

【URL】

https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/files/100669835.pdf（外務省HP　事業実施結果）