JICA Bhutan Office

21/08/2026

𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝟒𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐤𝐡𝐚, 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐮

On 15 and 16 August, the two-days Matsutake Festival was held in Genekha, Thimphu Dzongkhag, bringing together local communities, government representatives, and visitors to celebrate one of Bhutan's most prized forest products.

This year's festival held special significance as it also commemorated the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bhutan. The event highlighted the strong friendship and longstanding partnership between the two countries.

The festival was attended by the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Livestock and the Chief Representative of the JICA Bhutan Office, along with local officials and community members.

Visitors enjoyed a vibrant program featuring traditional cultural performances, showcasing Bhutan's rich heritage and traditions. Local residents also offered freshly harvested matsutake mushrooms for sale, providing an opportunity for visitors to experience and purchase the famous seasonal delicacy directly from producers. The festival serves as a platform to celebrate local culture, strengthen community engagement, and promote eco-friendly economic opportunities.

JICA remains committed to supporting Bhutan's sustainable growth through continued cooperation and partnership with the people and Government of Bhutan.

21/08/2026

𝐉𝐀𝐀𝐁 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗵𝘂, 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 – 𝟭𝟴 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲: The Japan Alumni Association of Bhutan (JAAB) successfully convened its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and election of the new Executive Committee at the Conference Hall of the JICA Bhutan Office in Thimphu.

The AGM reviewed the Association’s activities, and elected 𝗗𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗼 𝗡𝗶𝗺𝗮 𝗚𝘆𝗲𝗹𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗻 as the 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 and 8 more members as new Executive Committee members.

JAAB expressed its sincere appreciation to the 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗠𝗿.𝗗𝗮𝘄𝗮 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 for their dedicated service, leadership, and valuable contributions to the Association.

The newly elected Executive Committee reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening alumni networks, enhancing member engagement, and contributing to the enduring friendship and cooperation between Bhutan and Japan.

JICA Bhutan Office extends its warm congratulations to the newly elected Executive Committee and looks forward to continued collaboration with JAAB in advancing meaningful alumni initiatives and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

20/08/2026

𝐉𝐈𝐂𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧- 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐏 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚 (𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫) 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧

The JICA Bhutan Office conducted a Pre-Departure Orientation on 18th August 2026 for Officials from Ministry of Agriculture and College of Natural Resources as follows:

1. Mr. Rinzin Wangchuk, Chief Agriculture Officer, Department of Agriculture, MoAL
2. Dr. Norden Lepcha, Program Director, National Center for Organic Agriculture
3. Ms. Sonam Gaki, Associate Lecturer, College of Natural Resources, Lobesa
4. Mr. Ongpo Lepcha, Associate Lecturer, College of Natural Resources, Lobesa

They will participate in the Knowledge Co-Creation Program Training (KCCP) on “Market Oriented Agriculture Promotion- SHEP Approach for Asia (Administrator) Training” at the JICA Hokkaido Center (Obihiro) from August 23rd to September 5th, 2026, and from 6th September until 12th September in Sri Lanka.

This program aims to promote market-oriented agriculture for smallholder farmers in Asia. Through a series of lectures, observations and discussions and field visits to agricultural extension systems and marketing/distribution systems in Japan, participants will be able to understand the basic concept of the SHEP approach and how to apply it effectively in their respective countries.

18/08/2026

𝐉𝐈𝐂𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧-𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝟐𝟏 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧

The JICA Bhutan Office conducted a Pre-Departure Orientation on 14th August 2026 for Mr. Dorji Choidup, Chief Human Resource Officer of the Royal Civil Service Commission, Royal Government of Bhutan, who will participate in the Japan–Singapore Partnership Programme 21 (JSPP21) Training on “Digital Economy: AI Tools, Governance, and Policy (FY2026)” at the JICA Tokyo Center from 22nd –29th August 2026.

The training will explore key opportunities and challenges associated with artificial intelligence (AI) and big data in the digital economy. It will focus on AI and data governance, privacy and intellectual property protection, cross-border data transfer, fintech developments, and regulatory issues.

JSPP21 reflects the longstanding partnership between Japan and Singapore in promoting human resource development and sharing expertise. The programme also contributes to strengthening capacity and fostering knowledge exchange among participating countries.

17/08/2026

𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧

On 12 August 2026, the 9th and Final Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) Meeting for the Technical Cooperation Project for Capacity Enhancement on Irrigation Planning, Design, and Construction Management in Bhutan was held under the co-chairmanship of Mr. Karma Dupchuk, Director General, Department of Infrastructure Development (DoID) and Mr. Yoichiro Kimata, Chief Representative, JICA Bhutan Office. The meeting was attended by Mr. Yonten Gyamtsho, Director, Department of Agriculture, along with officials from the Department of Macro-Fiscal and Development Finance, ROIDs, CST, and other key stakeholders.

A key highlight of the event was the launch of the Technical Guideline on Irrigation Scheme Development by the Director General of DoID, Director of DoA and the Chief Representative of JICA Bhutan Office. The guideline is expected to strengthen the quality and sustainability of irrigation development in Bhutan.

As the project approaches its completion in October 2026, participants reviewed the project's achievements and outcomes over the past six years, and discussed sustainability, and recommendations for the continued application of the knowledge, tools and practices developed under the project. The JCC reaffirmed the shared commitment of DoID and relevant organizations to advancing sustainable irrigation development and enhancing agricultural productivity in Bhutan.

17/08/2026

𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰-𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐊𝐂𝐂𝐏 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (𝐀)

On 6 August 2026, Mr. Tshering Moktan of the Regional Office for Infrastructure Development (ROID) delivered a virtual reporting session following his participation in the JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program (Group & Region Focus) held at the JICA Hokkaido Center (Obihiro), Japan, from 21 June to 31 July 2026.

During the session, he shared key lessons, best practices, and insights on sustainable irrigation management and agricultural land infrastructure development and presented an action plan for applying the knowledge gained to strengthen service delivery in Bhutan.

The JICA Bhutan Office looks forward to the successful implementation of the proposed action plan and the effective utilization of the knowledge and skills gained through the program.

14/08/2026

𝐃𝐫. 𝐏𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝟏𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐢𝐭𝐚 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐮𝐤𝐚 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝

Dr. Phurpa, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Undergraduate Medicine at the Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan who pursued his doctoral studies at Oita University as a JICA long-term trainee under the JICA Technical Cooperation “𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻,” has received the 𝟭𝟲𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗮𝗸𝗮𝘁𝘀𝘂𝗸𝗮 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲, 𝗢𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻 in recognition of his outstanding research. His award-winning research is titled “𝙄𝙣 𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙤 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙯𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙘 𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙧 𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙙𝙮𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙘𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙥𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙢𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙯𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙨.”

A ceremony to recognize his achievement was held at KGUMSB, with the Hon’ble Registrar, Dr. Kuenzang Chhezom, as the Chief Guest, and attended by senior University officials, representatives from relevant organizations, and JICA officials.

JICA Bhutan Office extends its heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Phurpa on this well-deserved recognition. This achievement reflects his dedication, perseverance, and commitment to research throughout his doctoral studies and beyond. We also express our sincere appreciation to Oita University, KGUMSB, and all the professors, colleagues, and mentors who have supported and guided him along the way. We hope his achievement will inspire many young researchers in Bhutan and contribute to the further development of medical education and research in the country.

14/08/2026

𝐉𝐈𝐂𝐀 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐥𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐉𝐈𝐂𝐀 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 — 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡

The JICA Bhutan Office warmly welcomes our two newly arrived JICA Volunteers from the 2026 batches. As a special token of welcome, His Majesty the King of Bhutan graciously presented the volunteers with traditional Gho and Kira sets, handed over by Zimpon Wom (Deputy Chamberlain), Dasho Namgay Rinchen. The volunteers expressed their heartfelt gratitude for this generous gesture. JICA Bhutan Office sincerely thanks His Majesty the King for His Majesty’s unwavering support and encouragement to JICA Volunteers serving across Bhutan. This meaningful gesture is a great honor and inspiration as they begin their assignments.

Ms. Miki Nakamae, HPE Teacher, will serve at Yangchenphu Higher Secondary School, MoESD, Thimphu, while Mr. Takehiro Hirayama, PBL Coordinator, will serve at Rangjung Central School, MoESD, Trashigang. We warmly welcome both volunteers and are honored that they have chosen Bhutan as their second home. We look forward to a meaningful and fruitful collaboration ahead.
Welcome to Bhutan, and we wish you both a fulfilling and memorable journey as JICA Volunteers!

12/08/2026

𝐉𝐈𝐂𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧

JICA Bhutan Office conducted a Pre-departure Orientation on 7 August 2026 for two officials: Mr. Lham Dorji and Mr. Mohan S***a from the Government Technology (GovTech) Agency who will participate in the Knowledge Co-Creation Program (KCCP): Defense Practice Against Cyber Attacks at the JICA Tokyo Center from 16–29 August 2026.

The participants will join the program from Fiji, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Thailand, and Vanuatu to strengthen their knowledge and practical skills in cybersecurity, including cyber defense operations, incident response, and protection against advanced cyber threats.

The 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗼-𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 (𝗞𝗖𝗖𝗣) is JICA’s capacity development initiative that promotes mutual learning, knowledge exchange, and practical solutions to development challenges. Participants are expected to apply the knowledge gained in Japan to strengthen Bhutan’s cybersecurity capacity and contribute to a safer and more resilient digital environment.

06/08/2026

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JICA Bhutan Office

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 (𝐇𝐑𝐃𝐒-𝐂)