What is JCI Academy?

About JCI Academy

The JCI Academy provides an opportunity for highly motivated JCI members, specially selected by their NOM to experience training so that they may effectively fulfill their role as the global leaders of tomorrow. The course offers them the opportunity to develop a global perspective, establish lasting friendships, promote their engagement in the worldwide JCI network, and help to build a foundation from which they can work towards establishing a lasting world peace.

Participants from around 80 countries will be taking part in the program, interacting with each other and experiencing first-hand the JCI principles of "Personal Training, Service to the Community, and World Friendship." Having hosted the Academy since 1988, JCI Japan emphasizes the promotion and implementation of JCI's objectives throughout the Academy's activities. A wide variety of activities and projects are conducted utilizing the advantages of JCI's global network. These activities are often carried out by Academy graduates, working as "Global Networkers," and have as their goal the "Lasting World Peace." The promotion and development of this network is an important and necessary part of our movement.

“KIZUNA (Bonds)”—The Theme of JCI Academy in TACHIKAWA

In the 21st JCI Academy, JCI Tachikawa will be providing a launching point for the establishment of mutual understanding and enduring friendship for academy delegates from around the world. By strengthening the “Kizuna” or bonds among the fellow delegates who are also world citizens who share this beautiful world and a mutual desire for peace, we will be laying the ground stones for the realization of permanent world peace.

From Tachikawa to the World The city of Tachikawa, where the metropolis and nature co-exist harmoniously, has undergone drastic transformation since the time of the construction of an airfield in Tachikawa village in 1922. The airfield was made use of by both the military and civilians, and many internationally renowned fliers flew into this field from around the world.

However, as the dark clouds of militarism cast their shadows across the land, the airfield became used exclusively by the military. Following the defeat of Japan in the war, the base fell into the hands of the United States, which made use of it, as the “Tachikawa US Airbase.”

In 1955, when the authorities announced plans to extend the main runway, local citizens protested vociferously. This opposition movement intensified and forced the base to cease operations in 1969, finally handing the base back to the Japanese government in 1977. The bonds developed by the local citizens united in their desire for peace and their opposition to the presence of military base in their midst’s was the driving force for the subsequent growth of Tachikawa.

The former base is now entirely civilian in its uses, with a park known as the Showa Kinen Park lying at its heart. The park commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the reign of Emperor Showa. The park was opened with the theme: “Restoration of Greenery and Enhancement of Human Life,” and currently hosts cultural events and its wide open spaces are a place for children to play and for adults from around the Kanto region to gather to enjoy themselves.

Additionally, the park will serve as the seat of regional government in the event of a large scale natural disaster, as well as playing a major support role for disaster relief activities not just for Tokyo, but also for municipalities all over Japan. The National Institute for Japanese Language and the Local Autonomous College are located here.

The development of the base into a public facility, as stated served to bring the local citizens together and has been instrumental in the development of Tachikawa as a commercial, administrative and transportation center for the Tama region, which has a population of some 4 million people.

Thus, even though the power of one single individual may not seem like much, when united with many others, our power can form an irresistible tidal wave of change. We would like to share our own real experience of the importance of human bonds with the delegates at the Academy.