JENESYS2026 Japan-Laos Social Welfare Exchange

2026/7/10

Inbound Program
JENESYS2026 Japan-Laos Social Welfare Exchange
Application Information

The Government of Japan invites 14 vocational school, undergraduate, and graduate students from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to participate in the “JENESYS 2026 Japan–Laos Social Welfare Exchange,” which will be conducted under the framework of JENESYS, a people-to-people exchange program between Japan and the Asia-Pacific.

The purpose of the program is to deepen participants’ understanding of Japan’s social welfare system and related initiatives, thereby fostering human resources who can contribute to strengthening the social welfare system and improving the quality of related services in their country and local communities.

1. Program Overview

Date: October 6 to 13, 2026

Place: Tokyo and other local area in Japan

Number of Participants: 14 vocational school, undergraduate, or graduate students majoring in social welfare or having a strong interest in the field.

Language: Lao and English

Contents:

(1) Lectures on Japanese politics, economy, society, history, culture, foreign policy, etc., related to the program theme or specific area.

(2) Site visits to educational and research institutions related to the program theme or specific area, cutting-edge technology, traditional industries, exhibitions, cultural heritage, and local governments, etc. Exchange events such as workshops and exchanges of opinions with people related to the above site visits.

(3) Visits to various parts of Japan according to program theme and specific area, including homestays and hands-on events such as traditional arts and culture.

(4) Dissemination of information on what participants learned in the program and the attractions of Japan, during and after the program through Social Networking Services (online).

*Pre-Exchange Program (Prior to coming to Japan) will be conducted online on September 29, 2026.

2. Qualifications for Participation

(1) Applicants must be enrolled in a vocational school, undergraduate program, or graduate program at the time of the program (October 2026)

(2) Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years of age as of the program date.

(3) Applicants should have adequate English communication skills.

(4) Applicants must be in good health.

(5) Applicants must be willing to share and disseminate information about their experiences in the program and their understanding of Japan through social networking services (SNS).

(6) Applicants must have a stable internet connection to participate in the online pre-exchange program.

(7) Applicants must bring their own mobile phone and personal computer (PC) to Japan.

(8) Applicants who have previously participated in a JENESYS program or other programs funded by the Government of Japan are not eligible to apply.

(9) Applicants must possess a valid passport by August 19, 2026.

(The passport must remain valid for at least six months after the date of return to the Lao PDR.)

3. How to Apply

Applicants should read the official Application Guidelines carefully and submit the following documents via the registration form below by 16:00 on Tuesday, July 28, 2026

(1) Completed Entry Form

(2) Video Message

Please submit a video message expressing your views on the following theme:

“A Social Issue in My Community and What Young People Can Do About It”.

・Language: English

・Length: No more than 2 minutes

(3) Activity Record Sheet (One A4 page, PDF format)

Theme: “My Contribution to My Community”

Please prepare a one-page A4 activity record sheet in English, including:

・An overview of the activity

・Your role and responsibilities

・What you learned through the activity

・One or two photographs of the activity

(4) Copy or photo of your student ID card (or a certificate of enrollment)

(5) Copy or photo of your passport (if available)

【Registration Form】 https://forms.gle/ixp6uKAi5TUGS3Qr8

4. Selection of Participants

・The selection of participants will be conducted by a selection committee comprising representatives of the Lao Youth Union and the Embassy of Japan in the PDR.

・Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview, which is scheduled to be held on August 14, 2026. Please note that the interview schedule is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

・At the interview, candidates will be asked to give a presentation in English of no more than three minutes. The presentation topic will be notified to those who pass the first round.

For further inquiries, please contact:

Culture, Public Relations and Scholarship Section, Embassy of Japan in the Lao PDR

Email : embassy@vt.mofa.go.jp