## Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA)

_IMF News, November 15, 2023_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA)](https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2023/11/15/sp111523-japan-imf-scholarship-program-for-asia-30th-anniversary-dmd-sayeh)

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## Bibliographic details
- Published: November 15, 2023

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### Event summary and purpose
- Opening remarks delivered by Deputy Managing Director Antoinette M. Sayeh in Tokyo, Japan on November 15, 2023.
- Occasion: 30th Anniversary of the Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA).
- Purpose:
  - Celebrate JISPA as an investment in the future of the Asia-Pacific region.
  - Highlight JISPA’s role within IMF capacity development efforts to strengthen institutions and human resources.
  - Recognize contributions of Japanese authorities, participating countries, universities, and IMF staff.

### Program role and strategic importance
- JISPA’s role:
  - Described metaphorically as a “Torii” gateway: Hashira (Japanese authorities and participating countries) as pillars, Kasagi (IMF) as the upper lintel coordinating the program, and Nuki (universities) as the connecting lintel.
  - A gateway to empower scholars to become stronger policymakers and contribute to home countries’ development.
- Alignment with IMF capacity development:
  - Capacity strengthening represents close to a third of IMF operations.
  - Human resource development through training (in-person and increasingly online) is central; JISPA focuses on the next generation of policymakers and provides graduate-level education in economic theory and practice.
- Benefits for the Fund:
  - Facilitates policy dialogue and exchange by familiarizing scholars with how the IMF works.

### Benefits to participating countries, Japan, and the region
- For participating countries:
  - Investment in human resources; alumni contribute to institutional capacity and institution building.
  - Alumni often advance rapidly in careers and hold high-level positions in the region.
- For Japan:
  - Japan is the largest financial contributor to the IMF’s capacity development activities and sponsors JISPA.
  - Japan’s sponsorship is framed as a strong signal of commitment to building a better future for countries in Asia-Pacific.
- For regional cooperation:
  - More than 880 alumni in the region provide a foundation for promoting regional cooperation.
  - Personal and professional bonds from scholars’ time in Japan facilitate communication in regional fora and mitigate risks associated with geopolitical fragmentation.

### Program evolution and forward-looking agenda
- Versatility and openness to change:
  - JISPA has evolved its content in response to global economic developments and country needs since inception.
- Forward agenda at the event:
  - Panel discussion planned to explore enhancing graduate-level public policy education and JISPA in a fast-changing global landscape.
  - Emphasis on continuing the collective spirit and joint effort underpinning the program.

### Recognition and acknowledgements
- Special thanks expressed to:
  - The Japanese Ministry of Finance for unwavering support.
  - Partnership universities for education and scholar support.
  - Participating countries for trust and sending officials to study under JISPA.
  - Scholars for completing rigorous programs.
  - JISPA team in OAP (Saika-san, Kazuyo-san and Tamae-san) for ensuring smooth operations and scholar care.

*Remarks by Antoinette M. Sayeh, Deputy Managing Director, November 15, 2023.*

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## References

- [https://www.imf.org/en/about/senior-officials/bios/antoinette-monsio-sayeh](https://www.imf.org/en/about/senior-officials/bios/antoinette-monsio-sayeh)
- [30 Years On: Empowering Asia's Economic Policymaking Event | Tokyo, Japan](https://www.imf.org/en/News/Seminars/Conferences/2023/11/16/jispa-30-years-on-empowering-asias-economic-policymaking)
- [JISPA 30th Anniversary Website](https://www.imf.org/en/Countries/ResRep/OAP-Home/2023/japan-imf-scholarship-program-for-asia-JISPA-30)
- [IMF Capacity Development](https://www.imf.org/en/Capacity-Development)
- [Japan and the IMF](http://www.imf.org/external/country/JPN/index.htm)
- [Speeches](https://www.imf.org/en/news/searchnews)
- [PRESS CENTER](http://presscenter.imf.org/)
- [https://www.imf.org/en/home](https://www.imf.org/en/home)

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2023/11/15/sp111523-japan-imf-scholarship-program-for-asia-30th-anniversary-dmd-sayeh_