the Local Government Officials Training Program (LGOTP)

Are you a local government employee? ...Interested in living in Japan ? ...Able to obtain leave from your position for up to 10 months?
Applications for 2008 are now CLOSED! 2008 pamphlet -1 2008 pamphlet -2	Report of 2007 LGOTP Participant Profile of 2005 LGOTP Participant

What is LGOTP?

Under the Local Government Officials Training Program (LGOTP) in Japan , local government employees from around the world are hosted by local authorities in Japan for 6 to 10 months of training.

Established in 1996 to promote the international activities of local governments, the LGOTP is supported by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and CLAIR, but the program is primarily implemented by individual local governments in Japan . CLAIR Sydney's role is essentially the recruitment of participants from Oceania .

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LGOTP Training Content

LGOTP training generally consists of:

• Short orientation session in Tokyo.
• Month-long group training in Japanese government, language and culture at the Japan Intercultural Academy of Municipalities (JIAM), Shiga Prefecture.
• Specialised training at the participant's host institution. This varies depending on the host institution's request. For example, possible fields may include general administration, environmental preservation, economics, education and agriculture.
• Mid-term conference allowing participants to reconvene and exchange experiences.

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Eligibility Criteria

An LGOTP participant must:

• Be an official of a regional, provincial, municipal or other local government-related bodY.
• Have a functional command of English. Knowledge of Japanese is not a requirement but would be looked on favourably.
• Be eager and committed to study in a local government in Japan.
• Be willing to cooperate with the host institution and follow instructions.
• Be able to obtain approval and recommendation of their department head to receive training in Japan for up to 10 months and return to their original position.
• In principle , be 20 - 39 years old.
• Have completed secondary education.
• Be reliable individuals in good physical and mental health.
• Have never previously participated in the program.
• Not have any legal problems that would prevent them from entering Japan

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Expenses

Round-trip international airfares, living expenses in Japan and training expenses are all borne by the Japanese host institution.

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Timeline

October: Deadline for Japanese host institutions to lodge their request for participants at CLAIR head office, Tokyo .

November: CLAIR Sydney receives request and commences recruitment.

January: CLAIR Sydney deadline for LGOTP applications (may be extended in certain circumstances). Successful applicants are decided.

May: LGOTP participants arrive in Japan from around the world.

June: LGOTP participants undergo one month's basic training at JIAM, then move to their respective host institutions for at least 6 months' specialised training.

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Application Process

Application forms (including supervisor recommendation and health check forms) are available from CLAIR Sydney during the recruitment period in hard copy or electronic form.

For more information on the LGOTP, contact CLAIR Sydney or see: http://www.clair.or.jp/e/sien/kouryu/index.html

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