What’s a CIR?

Through the JET Programme※, Sendai City invites two Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs) from abroad to promote internationalization at the local level in Sendai. CIRs work to promote internationalization through a wide variety of activities including translating information from Sendai City for foreign residents, interpreting at courtesy visits from foreign delegations and exchange events, and teaching language and cultural exchange classes.

On this page, we will introduce our CIRs’ work to promote internationalization in Sendai as well as their thoughts about life in Sendai and Japan, the culture of their hometowns, and the differences and similarities between Japan and their home countries on the CIR Blog.

※ The JET Programme (Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme) is managed by local authorities in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC); the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA); the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT); and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). Participants’ job types include Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) who are involved in language teaching at elementary, junior high, and high schools; Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs) who engage in international exchange activities at the local level; and Sports Exchange Advisors (SEAs) who engage in international exchange through sports at the local level. JET participants work at local authorities and schools to improve foreign language education and promote international exchange at the local level.