We Are Tomodachi Summer 2018

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29“These experiences deepened mydesire to acquire high-level Japanesecommunication skills,” recalls Han.Han had seen a television dramacalled Ryomaden, which was a storyabout Ryoma Sakamoto: A historicalfi gure who played an essential rolein overthrowing Japan’s feudal regimedespite his lower caste. Sakamoto’shometown was Kochi, and he’sfamous for negotiating peace as apinnacle figure in Japan’s earlygovernment.It was then that Han stumbledacross the JET Programme—a perfectopportunity to put his Japanese skillsto use. He applied immediately.“I failed on my fi rst attempt, butI really wanted to make it happen,so I enrolled in a Japanese languageschool in Japan. After improvingmy skills, I passed the test on mysecond attempt and was given theopportunity to work in Kochi, mydream town.”Han discovered a true sense ofhospitality in the people from Kochi.The prefecture lived up to its slogan:Kochi-ke (The Kochi Family) becauseeveryone is treated like family.“It seems Ryoma Sakamoto alsoextended such hospitality. I imaginethis is why so many came to trust inhim, which I am sure empoweredhim to make changes.”Soon after Han joined the KochiPrefectural office, Jeollanam-do,Korea entered a sister-city agreementwith Kochi. This gave him a strongconnection with the prefecture, andwhen the Deputy Governor ofJeollanam-do visited, Han workedwith his colleagues of a differentnationality toward a shared goal.From this, he felt a sense of achievement.He mentions that the two provinceshave shared a healthy relationshipsince 1997 thanks to Chizuko Tauchifrom Kochi, known as the Japanesemother of Korean orphans, whoestablished an orphanage in SouthKorea.When his term with the JETProgramme fi nishes, Han isn’t surewhat he will do. He’s consideringtranslating or working in tourismand community development, hopingto contribute to revitalizing theregion.“Kochi is considered advanced inits challenges. It faces threats ofearthquakes, which the localgovernment approaches proactively.Its population is graying, which is achallenge Korea faces as well. I hopeto bring good examples from Japanto Korea and vice-versa.”He’s thankful for the JET Programmethat has opened a new world to him.“Japan is close to Korea, yet Koreanvisitors to Kochi are few. I want toserve as a bridge, introducing Kochi’shidden beauty and charm to mypeople. I really hope this will contributeto a deeper relationship betweenour two countries,” Han says witha smile.Left : Translating sightseeing information andplanning events to introduce Korean culture atthe Kochi Prefectural offi ce.Center : Han serves as both interpreter andenvoy of friendship at the sister-city signingceremony between Kochi Prefecture andJeollanam-do, South Korea.Right: Nakatosa, retains its traditionalatmosphere. Han enjoys the hot springs withan ocean view, delicious food, and the classicambiance of the town.The JET Programme began in1987 with the goal of promotinggrassroots internationalexchange between Japan andother nations, and is now one ofthe world’s largest internationalexchange programs.JET participants are placedin every region of Japan andwork in one of three positions:assistant language teachers (ALTs),coordinators for internationalrelations (CIRs), or sportsexchange advisors (SEAs).In 2016, the JET Programmewelcomed 4,952 participants,and currently there areapproximately 62,000 alumnifrom 65 countries living in allparts of the world.About theJapan Exchange andTeaching (JET) ProgrammeThe JET Programme official websitehttp://jetprogramme.org/en/