Statement on Abe Shinzo

July 8, 2022

On July 7th, 2022, former Prime Minister of Japan Abe Shinzō was assassinated. The US Country Representatives for the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Alumni Association (JETAA) express our deepest sympathies for Japan, its people, and the friends and family of former Prime Minister Abe. He and his wife Akie, were strong supporters of the JET Program. They prioritized meeting JET Alumni communities when traveling abroad. Abe asserted the value of JET during his tenure as Japan’s head of state. His support allowed many from around the world to live and work in Japan, experience its culture, and form personal friendships. Many JET alumni have become members of their local communities throughout Japan, often overlooked by tourists. On behalf of the nearly 70,000 alumni, and especially the 35,000 American alumni of the JET Program, we pay our respects and offer our deepest condolences to Mrs. Abe.

Respectfully, the JETAA USA Country Representatives:
Adam H. Lisbon, Hyogo-ken, 2004-2007
Valerie Stewart, Saga-ken, 1999-2002
Megan DeVille, Aomori-ken, 2009-2010

Read more about former Prime Minister Abe’s impact on the JET Program

1. 2016. Prime Minister Abe Meets With Local JET Alumnus.” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. June 15, 2016. https://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/e_m04_03_05.html.


2. Metzgar, Emily. 2017.Willing Interpreters and Receivers: American Alumni of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program.” Palgrave Communications 3 (1): 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1057/palcomms.2017.13.