The 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the JET Alumni Association UK (JETAA UK) showcased a year of ambitious initiatives, collaborative projects, and a renewed focus on alumni engagement. Across national updates, chapter activities, and strategic planning, the meeting highlighted both the accomplishments of 2025 and the exciting prospects for 2026.
JETAA AGM 2026
The Japan Local Government Centre supports JETAA UK through a combination of funding, coordination, and programme delivery, providing institutional backing that enables national and regional alumni activities while co-organising careers fairs, networking events, and returnee support initiatives to help former participants transition into UK employment. It works closely with the JETAA UK committee to plan events and strengthen engagement, while also acting as a strategic bridge between alumni, Japanese local governments, and UK stakeholders, ensuring the alumni network contributes to long-term UK–Japan relations and the internationalisation objectives of the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations.
National Highlights
One of the standout achievements this year is the launch of the first-ever JETAA UK Mentoring Programme. Currently running as a pilot with 30 mentor–mentee pairs, the programme is expected to conclude in August. A relaunch is planned alongside the upcoming Careers Fair, providing a structured framework to support alumni in career development and networking.
The annual Japan Matsuri in Trafalgar Square, attracting over 40,000 people in some years, continues to benefit from strong JETAA participation, with approximately half of the event’s volunteers drawn from the alumni network. Social media engagement has also grown substantially, with LinkedIn posts reaching around 42,000 views, generating approximately 1,000 reactions, active comments, and extensive repost activity.
The JETAA UK Chair outlined priorities for 2026, emphasising stronger alignment across chapters, improved documentation practices, and expanded alumni networking opportunities. Networking remains a key focus, with alumni events – including one hosted in collaboration with Blick Rothenberg – demonstrating ongoing interest in career development, despite the original target of four national networking events not yet being met.
Collaboration with the Japanese Embassy and the Japan Local Government Centre has strengthened, supporting both cultural and professional initiatives.
Financial Overview
The Treasurer’s Report highlighted that over half of operational expenses were related to essential digital services such as email, Google Drive, and Google Meet. Income continues to be supported by activity-based revenue, including job postings on the JETAA UK website. Financial stewardship across chapters remains a priority, with efforts to align expenditure with strategic objectives and maximise event impact.
Chapter Reports Highlights
London: The London chapter plans to launch a Haiku Club at the National Poetry Library on Southbank, with the venue generously provided free of charge.
South: Membership targets were met, with a reliable Mailchimp subscriber list of 56 linked directly to JETAA account sign-ups. About 50 new members joined through Google Forms.
Midlands: The chapter organised events in partnership with BJCE and plans to expand outreach across the East Midlands.
North East: With 49 Mailchimp subscribers and approximately 340 contacts, the chapter aims to increase its regional presence through university collaborations and engagement with the Edinburgh Consulate. Returnee receptions are scheduled for August, following pre-departure orientations.
North West: The Liverpool Matsuri attracted over 6,000 attendees, co-hosted with Japan Society North West. Membership growth remains a challenge, with roughly 50 members currently registered.
Scotland: Despite remote management from Spain, the chapter achieved significant milestones, including a Sakura planting event attended by over 100 people and a festival attracting more than 6,000 participants. Committee retention remains a challenge, yet volunteers – including a returnee assisting with sustainability-focused initiatives – have kept programming active. Public events such as an ikebana workshop and a bonenkai gathering further strengthened community engagement.
Wales: Prospective volunteers have expressed interest in establishing a formal JETAA Wales committee, reflecting growing alumni enthusiasm nationwide.
International and European Initiatives
JETAA UK representatives attended the JETAA International Meeting in Tokyo, exchanging best practices on alumni communication and mentorship programmes. Lessons from other countries – including the USA, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines – will inform UK initiatives, particularly around mentoring, buddy systems, and pre-departure support.
The association is also exploring European JETAA collaboration with French, German and Swiss chapters.
Anniversaries and National Engagement
A 30-year reunion is scheduled for 11 July 2026, with approximately 60 alumni expected, while plans for the 40th anniversary include ten coordinated social media posts and 500 commemorative pin badges. These initiatives aim to highlight multi-generational alumni and inspire new applicants to the JET Programme.
National cultural activities, including a Haiku Club, haiku competitions, and a Japanese language contest, will be piloted to gauge participation. Future events may align with larger cultural celebrations such as the National Poetry Competition. Additionally, a potential alumni photo competition, inspired by JETAA New Zealand, could feature selected submissions at the Japanese Embassy and across social media platforms.
Leadership, Committees, and Digital Strategy
Committee roles were reviewed, with Naomi Crosbie-Iwasaki elected as Webmaster and Jaz Lau continuing in a third year as Chair. Recruitment for leadership roles remains a challenge, particularly for Chair and Webmaster positions. Emphasis is placed on improving the national website, streamlining membership systems, and boosting online engagement. Planned updates include enhanced login and registration systems and data collection to support tailored programming for alumni.
Looking Ahead
As JETAA UK moves into 2026, the association continues to prioritise national cohesion, alumni support, and digital engagement. With a growing calendar of cultural and professional activities, strengthened chapter collaboration, and enhanced external partnerships, JETAA UK is positioned to deepen its impact and expand opportunities for JET alumni across the UK and Europe.
