September 11, 2015
at Nishi-Shinjuku, Nomura Building
The first part of the event, for universities in Japan that want to accept inbound study abroad students to accelerate globalization and strengthen their outbound study abroad programs for students in Japan, was held. The person in charge of marketing at the Australian embassy and the person in charge of study abroad programs at California State University held a seminar to introduce examples of outbound programs and overseas recruitment using study aboard agents overseas. In the second part, matching event was held between universities in Japan and JAOS members.
July 16, 2015
at Zenken Plaza conference room
With the cooperation of the Attorneys Mr. Ota (JAOS Special Auditor) and Mr. Tagawa, a workshop/networking event was held for JAOS member organization counselors. Using examples of things that occur in the course of everyday business, they analyzed problems such as misunderstandings between customers and homestay difficulties, and gave advice about how to solve such problems. A total of 20 counselors from 11 organizations attended the workshop, breaking into groups that each had a discussion and a presentation. It was a very productive workshop, where the attendees gained legal knowledge and learned problem-solving skills while sharing their experience as study abroad counselors.
June 22, 2015
at Shinjuku Nomura Building (Shinjuku, Tokyo)
The 2015 JAOS Spring General Meeting was held with a total of 65 participants and 50 companies (including 10 participating via letter of proxy). After an explanation of the 2015 fiscal year project plan by the Executive Secretary and an explanation of the financial statements by Mr. Nakano, JAOS Special Auditor and a public accountant, each operation team presented its activity report and explained its plans for the coming period. Exchange of business cards and free discussion during the break provided the opportunity for a lively exchange of ideas and information. In the study session, the Executive Secretary presented a review of current trends in study abroad via private companies among Japanese people.
June 18, 2015
at EIKEN
Following on from the seminar in September last year, a second seminar was held for the managers and executives of study abroad businesses. In the first part of the three-part seminar, Mr. Shiozaki and Ms. Nishikawa of Eiken gave a presentation on “Trends in the use of English language qualifications and proficiency tests to select university entrants, and the impact on the study abroad business”. In the second part, Tatsuhiko Hoshino, Executive Secretary of JAOS, talked about “National study abroad policies and the latest study abroad trends among Japanese students”. A panel discussion on “Changes in the study abroad environment and the future of the study abroad business” was held in the third part. Participants studied and examined the study abroad business from a variety of angles, and the seminar served as a forum for enlightening participants, including nonmembers, about the activities of JAOS.
May 27, 2015
in Boston
An introduction of the activities of JAOS by Japan SIG (a subcommittee for people who have a special interest in Japan) at the NAFSA annual meeting. Reporting on the activities of JAOS and providing a background briefing on the organization of the “Case Study Seminar on International Student Recruitment by Universities Abroad” hosted by JAOS that took place in February, as well as announcing events that JAOS will be organizing in the future.
April 23, 2015
at Shibuya Forum 8
The session was held in order to report on the previous fiscal year’s results and the current fiscal year’s plans for the “Project to support the career development of young workers through international exchange”, which JAOS is delivering on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, as well as to think about the nature of the study abroad business going forward. On the day of the session, a Deputy Director from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare attended and explained the overall purpose of the project. Professor Shiraki of Waseda University, one of the leaders in the area of global personnel development, went on to give the keynote presentation. Following this, consideration of the value added by the study abroad industry in the future reaffirmed the meaning and ways of making use of Global ACE.
February 24, 2015
at KEIO Plaza Hotel (Shinjuku)
The ICEF Japan-Korea Agent Roadshow 2015 was held at the Keio Plaza Hotel. A total of 54 educators from language schools, high schools, vocational schools, etc. in Australia, Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, the UK, and America participated in the meeting. Also, agents from 53 organizations across Japan gathered to engage in vigorous information exchange on the final day. The participants, such as those involved with Japanese universities and those interested in private high school study abroad, had the opportunity to speak directly with the schools through agents and gain much information. Many participants said that the event was a place of opportunity connecting to the future. JAOS participated as a cooperative organization. In addition to introducing JAOS activities and JAOS study abroad counselling qualifications, they exchanged opinions regarding the current study abroad situations and future opportunities of the participants.
February 23, 2015
at Shinjuku Nomura Building (Shinjuku, Tokyo)
A case study seminar for Recruiting International Students was held, mainly for international offices at Japanese universities, welcoming the chairman of ICEF, Mr. Marcus Byrd, and the former head of international marketing at Rivers University in Canada, Mr. Mike Henegar, as presenters. Presentations were given on specific matters such as the advantages of using agencies and how to choose agencies when recruiting or sending off students to study abroad. The necessary know-how for universities when recruiting international students was introduced together with past examples, and there was positive response from the many Japanese university officials who were attending. After the seminar, a Q&A session was held for individual questions in a vibrant atmosphere.
February 20, 2015
at The Member's Hall of the House of Councillors
By request of the head of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, a study meeting regarding policies for global talent cultivation was carried out by JAOS Group. House of Councillors member Kusuo Oshima also, after being seated and in the midst of greetings, received words of encouragement for expressing his desire to have meetings held at fixed intervals regarding the importance of cultivating the global talent which will carry the future on its shoulders, and how he was extremely delighted by civilian proposals for related opportunities. Chairman Masaru Yamada of JAOS expressed the importance of cooperation between the government and the people in cultivating global talent. Hideo Matsumoto, Director, Office for International Planning Higher Education Policy Planning Division, Higher Education Bureau; Tomoyuki Kikuchi, Senior Specialist on Education for International Understanding International Education Division Elementary and Secondary Education Bureau; Tadayuki Arai, Deputy Director International Education Division Elementary and Secondary Education Bureau; and Mahiro Numata, Unit Chief, Office for International Planning, HIgher Education Policy Planning Division, Higher Education Bureau, were all seated and gave an explanation of the present condition and policies for next year for “Super Global High School/Super Global University,” a project for promoting studying abroad by high school students. In a question and answer session, lively questions were asked by JAOS members and the honorable head of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology; time ran slightly over, and the study meeting was extremely successful. 45 individuals from 31 organizations within JAOS participated.
February 10, 2015
at AIG Training Center ( Kinshi-cho, Tokyo)
This year the 18th annual JAOS/FGER (Foreign Government Educational Representative) Joint Meeting was held. Regarding the latest study abroad trends and annual activities from FGER, a report of study abroad trends from each group of JAOS members and a report of operations by the Japan Association of Overseas Studies were given. A lively exchange of information took place at the venue. Participation on JAOS’s end, abundantly surpassing the previous year, consisted of 37 organizations and 50 individuals, and on FGER’s end, nine organizations (Economic Affairs Section of the Embassy of the United States; Visa Section of the Embassy of the United States; Japan-United States Educational Commission; the Embassy of Canada; the Office of Marketing at the Embassy of Australia; Queensland Government Office in Japan; the Government of Queensland, Australia; the British Council; and the New Zealand Embassy/ Education New Zealand) and 13 individuals took part.