The Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is an organization for regional cooperation in Southeast Asia. Established in 1967 through the historic “Bangkok Declaration”, ASEAN strives to achieve economic growth, social and cultural development, as well as political stability. These are the 10 countries from Southeast Asia that are currently members of ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, The Philippines, Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos.
ASEAN has gained prominence internationally as a center of growth that is open to the world. Moreover, 2023 marks the 50th Anniversary of Japan-ASEAN Friendship and Cooperation.
ASJA International takes in foreign exchange students from the 10 ASEAN countries who have come to Japan as undergraduate and graduate students under the MEXT scholarship. Through this program, they become ASJA-MEXT students.
Furthermore, the biennial “ASEAN Festival” is carried out by ASJA-MEXT students. The planning, organization, arrangement of venue, and even the performances on the day itself are fully executed by ASJA-MEXT students.
Students are divided either by country or program. They are then in charge of discussing the theme and contents of their performance, as well as implementing it. Some students also form the “ASEAN Festival Executive Committee”, which works together with the Secretariat to prepare for various tasks such as advertising, venue arrangement, and audio-visuals prior to the event. During the ASEAN Festival, performances and exhibits are put up by the students to showcase the diverse culture of the 10 ASEAN countries, which has received acclaim each time.
ASEAN Festival 2023 will be held on October 1st, 2023 (Sun) at the National Olympic Memorial Youth Center. This year’s theme will be “Children’s Playground”. We hope to evoke the nostalgia of childhood and help you remember the toys and games, songs, and stories of your childhood.
We hope to see you at this wonderful event and reminisce about your childhood together with the ASJA-MEXT students.
