International Exchanges Division, JICE

General Information on the 2011 Invitation Programme for SPECIAL FIELDS COUNTERPARTS from New Zealand(2011-Agriculture)

1. General Outline

(1) Outline of the 2011 Invitation Programme for Special Fields

Counterparts from New Zealand (2011-Agriculture)(SFC.NZ) In the bilateral talks with the Foreign Minister of New Zealand Hon Murray McCully on 29 April, 2009, the then Foreign Minister of Japan Hirofumi Nakasone introduced a new invitation programme for young New Zealanders to Japan in addition to the existing invitation programme, Future Business Counterparts from New Zealand (hereinafter abbreviated as FBC.NZ), which started in 2007. The Invitation Programme for Special Fields Counterparts from New Zealand (hereinafter abbreviated as SFC.NZ), launched in 2010, is to invite young New Zealand professionals who will assume greater responsibilities in the coming years and who are engaged or interested in strengthening agriculture relations with Japan. In this programme, the participants will be able to familiarize with and experience Japan, its society, culture and people, through lectures, visits to various sites pertaining to the main theme of the programme and interactions with Japanese people. The aim of this unique programme is to provide young New Zealand professionals in the agricultural field with opportunities to understand the current situation in the field in Japan. Subsequently, they can contribute to promote mutual understanding between the two countries utilizing the knowledge and experience of Japanese agriculture gained through this programme.

1 (2)Under the auspices of the JENESYS Programme SFC.NZ is formulated to be an integral part of the JENESYS Programme. At the Second East Asia Summit (EAS) held in January 2007, the Japanese Government announced a plan to implement a large scale youth exchange programme, inviting about 6,000 young people to Japan mainly from the EAS member states (ASEAN, Australia, China, India, New Zealand, the ROK) every year for the next five years, with a view to establishing and/or reinforcing a basis for Asia’s stalwart solidarity by expanding youth exchange. Based on this plan, the Government of Japan launched the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) Programme in 2007.

(3) JICE JICE (Japan International Cooperation Center) is an authorized public organisation established in 1977 under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Since its inception, JICE has been closely working with Japanese aid agencies and government ministries as well as foreign governments and United Nations organisations such as UNESCO and UNDP to support the implementation of international cooperation programmes. JICE is an official agent of this JENESYS Programme, which has undertaken all the necessary arrangements for the 2011 Invitation Programme for Special Fields Counterparts from New Zealand, such as travel procedures and the whole schedule of events in Japan under the guidance of the Government of Japan.

2. Tentative Programme Schedule

(1)The following schedule is subject to change. (2)JICE’s expert staff will accompany participants to all the scheduled events and will support in terms of their living arrangements and health during the programme.

2 Tentative Itinerary

Date Time Schedule Stay 9 May AM Assembly in Auckland Auckland 記 (Mon) PM Pre-departure Orientation 10 May AM Departure from Auckland Tokyo (Tue) PM Arrival in Tokyo

11 May AM Briefing by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Tokyo (Wed) PM JICE orientation Lecture: Japanese Agriculture policy 12 May Experience of Japanese Agriculture Prefecture (Thu) around Tokyo 13 May AM Visit to National Research Institute in the agricultural Prefecture (Fri) field around Tokyo PM Visit to New Zealand Embassy

14 May Visit to Japanese Farms Prefecture (Sat) around Tokyo 15 May AM Experience of traditional culture Tokyo (Sun) PM Tokyo cultural tour

16 May AM Lecture by New Zealand’s company operating business Tokyo (Mon) on agricultural products / in close partnership with Japanese firms PM Group discussion

17 May AM Group presentation (Tue) Departure from Tokyo

3 3. Application Process

(1)Important Dates for Your Application 4 March, 2011 Application Deadline 1 April, 2011 Notification of Selection 9 May, 2011 Pre-departure orientation 10 May, 2011 Departure to Japan 18 May, 2011 Arrival in Auckland

(2)Application Eligibility (a) Applicants must meet all the following requirements and must be eager to pursue a career that fosters Japan-New Zealand agriculture relations in the future.

 Applicants should be young New Zealanders who specialize in agriculture. -A professional engaged or interested in the agricultural field including processing, distribution and marketing. -Undergraduate and post-graduate students with professional work experience in the above-mentioned sectors.

 Applicants should in principle be New Zealand citizens and at 35 years of age or below.

(b)Those who have previously participated in any similar invitation programmes to Japan are not eligible.

(c)Health Condition  Pregnant women Those who are pregnant are not accepted to participate in this programme owing to the following reasons. ・Maternal and child health ・Possibility of Rapid aggravation of influenza A (H1N1)  Chronic diseases Candidates who suffer from chronic diseases (*1) can be accepted to participate in the programme on the condition that they submit “Letter of Consent” (the prescribed form attached) and permission letter by their doctor.

4 (*) Chronic lung disease (Asthma, Chronic obstructive lung disease etc.), Immunodeficiency state (T cell immunodeficiency etc.), Chronic heart disease (congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease etc.), Metabolic disease (Diabetes), Renal dysfunction, Obesity, Myasthenia gravis etc.

(3) Documents to be Submitted Applicants must submit the following documents (a)~(e) to the Embassy of Japan by 4 March, 2011. It is preferable that all documents are submitted electronically via e-mail addressed to the Embassy of Japan and marked SFC-NZ in the subject section. Should you have difficulty in submitting all the documents electronically, you may post documents (b) ~ (e). In this case, please ensure document (a) is provided as electronic data and the other four documents (b - e) reach the Embassy of Japan no later than 4 March, 2011. E-mail address: japan.eco＠eoj.org.nz Postal Address: Economic Section (SFC.NZ), Embassy of Japan Level 18, The Majestic Centre, 100 Willis Street, Wellington 6011, New Zealand (P.O. Box 6340 Marion Square, Wellington 6141, New Zealand)

(a) Application F orm Complete the Excel or Word application form with the necessary information and answers. (typed only) (b) Passport-size Photo The passport-size photo to be submitted must have been taken within the last six months and be attached to the designated space on the Application Form. (c) Photocopy of Your Passport Make a photocopy scan of the photo page of your passport and send it in PDF, JPEG, or BMP format. If you currently don’t have a passport, you may substitute it with a photocopy of an official ID (e.g. a student ID, a driver's license). If accepted to this programme, you must immediately obtain your passport and submit a photocopy of that. (d) Letter of Permission Print out the Letter of Permission and obtain your employer’s or regents professor’s handwritten signature. Send it in PDF, JPEG, or BMP format. (e) Letter of Agreement Print out the Letter of Agreement and sign the form. Send it in PDF, JPEG, or

5 BMP format. (4) Notification of Selection All applicants will be notified of the results of selection by 1 April, 2011. Up to 40 applicants will be selected.

4. Terms and Conditions

The Japanese Government will make the necessary arrangements and bear the total cost for the programme. Any other arrangement should be made by participants at their own expense. (1) Arrangements and expenses to be covered by the programme.  Round trip international air tickets (Auckland-Tokyo-Auckland, Economy class) * Excess baggage charge is the individual participant’s responsibility  Overseas travel accident insurance *Please note that pregnancy-related diseases, chronic diseases and pre-existing diseases diagnosed by a Japanese medical doctor and cases disapproved by the insurance company will NOT be covered by insurance. Individuals will be liable for such costs. (Please see the page 4 Application Eligibility (2) )  Domestic transportation from/to Auckland *If you reside in a location other than Auckland, two way domestic flight tickets (between your nearest domestic airport and Auckland) will be made at your request.  Accommodation in Japan  Transportation in Japan  Meals in Japan  Accommodation in Auckland for the day before the departure to Japan. *Other personal expenses should be paid at the participant’s own expense.

(2)Prohibitions The following is not permitted.  To remain in Japan after the programme without a permission from JENESYS secretariat;  To change the flight designated by the programme;  To change accommodation designated by the programme;  To be accompanied by someone not accepted in the programme; or  To travel to third countries on the way to Japan or back to New Zealand.

6 (3)Submission of Post-programme evaluation sheet and Assignment Participants are requested to submit the post-programme evaluation sheet and Assignment report on experiences gained in this programme and are requested to cooperate in any follow-up programmes in the future.

(4) Respect for Japanese law and regulations During the stay in Japan, participants must respect the laws and regulations of Japan, and offenders are subject to penalties under Japanese law.

5. Pre-departure Orientation

Participants should attend a Pre-departure Orientation that will be held in Auckland on 9 May, 2011. Further information about orientation will be sent to participants at a later date.

6. Notes

(1) Other important notes on health conditions According to past cases, when a person with chronic disease is infected with the new influenza A virus (H1N1), the risk of severe symptoms is much higher than other infected patients without chronic diseases. When a participant with chronic disease receives medical treatment or medication due to symptoms caused by the chronic disease, medical expenses will not be covered by the overseas travel accident insurance provided by the programme. In this case, the participant will personally be responsible for all the medical expenses . The participant must understand the above conditions and agree to bear all the medical expenses and be responsible for all risks after arriving in Japan.

(2) The attribution of responsibility during the programme Any loss or damages incurred by the participants due to any accident, theft, crime or any other reason during this programme should, regardless of such reason, be borne by the participants. The Japanese Government, the Embassy of Japan in New Zealand and JICE should in no manner be liable for such losses

7 and damages. Any dispute arising out of the application and admission of, or relating to, this programme between the participants and the Japanese Government or JICE should be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic laws of Japan, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws, and should be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the applicable courts in Japan.

7. Inquiries

Contact the Embassy of Japan for any questions. Embassy of Japan Level 18, The Majestic Centre, 100 Willis Street, Wellington 6011, New Zealand (P.O. Box 6340 Marion Square, Wellington 6141, New Zealand)

Tel: (64-4) 473-1540 Fax: (64-4) 471-2951 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.nz.emb-japan.go.jp/