JICA Bhutan Office

25/09/2026

𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫!!! 🇯🇵🇧🇹 🌸✨

Kuzuzangpo La !
Japan Week in Bhutan 2026 is coming this October!! 🇯🇵🇧🇹 🌸✨
2026 marks the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bhutan. As both countries celebrate this special milestone, Japan Week brings people together to experience and enjoy the friendship between Japan and Bhutan through culture, connection, and togetherness. ❤️
📅 10 October 2026
📍 Clock Tower, Thimphu
🎟️ Free Entry!
More details coming soon. Stay tuned! 🇯🇵🇧🇹

24/09/2026

𝐉𝐈𝐂𝐀 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐄𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

We are delighted to share the activities of a JICA volunteer teaching art in Dagana and to showcase the unique and expressive artwork created by local students. Through these activities, we hope to nurture creativity and self-expression among children in Bhutan.

***

My name is Yoko Otaka, and I am teaching art at Tashiding Lower Secondary School in Dagana.

Today, I would like to introduce printmaking works created by Class III students. They made self-portraits using cardboard and string, then printed them onto colored paper.

Through art lessons, I encourage children to enjoy creating and discover their own ways of expressing ideas. I also hope they can develop their creativity, imagination, and confidence.

Art materials are sometimes limited in Bhutan, but we enjoy creating art by using simple materials in creative ways.

I hope you enjoy seeing the unique personality and expression of each student reflected in their artwork.

14/09/2026

𝐉𝐈𝐂𝐀 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧'𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐓𝐓𝐇 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧

True development cooperation is about people sharing knowledge to build lasting capacity.

On September 4, 2026, the GovTech Agency hosted a hands-on technical training workshop as part of consultations for Bhutan’s Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Masterplan under the 13th Five-Year Plan.

The session brought together officials from GovTech’s Division of Telecom & Space and key service providers, including Bhutan Telecom, TashiCell, DrukCom, Nilo Fibernet, Supernet InfoComm, Bitcom Systems, and Gkit Broadband.

Leading the workshop was 𝗠𝗿. 𝗞𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗶 𝗦𝘂𝘁𝗼, a JICA Volunteer and Network Infrastructure Professional serving with the GovTech Agency since January 2026. Mr. Suto introduced participants to 𝗤𝗚𝗜𝗦, an open-source Geographic Information System tool. Transitioning from basic mapping tools like Google Maps, the particiants learned practical, automated geospatial techniques to make FTTH network planning faster and far more precise.

The enthusiastic response was immediate, with participants seeking post-workshop guidance and the GovTech planning follow-up sessions. Mr. Suto’s hands-on support exemplifies how JICA Volunteers work side by side with Bhutanese counterparts—strengthening local capacity to advance national digital priorities.

Government Technology (GovTech) Agency, Royal Government of Bhutan

11/09/2026

Mr. Yoichiro Kimata, Chief Representative of JICA Bhutan Office, paid courtesy calls on Lyonpo Sonam Tashi, Hon’ble Minister for Energy and Natural Resources, on 2 September 2026, and Lyonpo Lungten Dorji, Hon’ble Minister for Home Affairs, on 3 September 2026.

During the meetings, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Bhutan-Japan cooperation for sustainable development. Discussions with MoENR covered collaboration in hydropower development, forest management, and waste management. During the meeting with the MoHA, they reviewed the progress of the Project for Promoting Inclusive Participation Leveraging Community Engagement Platform (PRICE) and emphasized the importance of sustaining Community Engagement Platform (CEP) initiatives beyond project completion. They also discussed strategies for scaling up CEP through institutionalized expert groups and stronger involvement of local leaders and community members to ensure long-term ownership and sustainability.

10/09/2026

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧-𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐭

The Universal Hybrid Fence (UHF) Handing-over Ceremonies under the 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻-𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗪𝗶𝗖𝗼𝗠𝗣) were successfully held on 6 September 2026 in Ngalakha, Rubesa Gewog, Wangdue Phodrang, and 7 September 2026 in Dawakha, Toedwang Gewog, Punakha.

The ceremonies were graced by Dasho Tashi Dawa, Dzongdag of Wangdue Phodrang, and Dasho Namgay Wangchuk, Member of Parliament, respectively, and attended by officials from the National Plant Protection Centre (NPPC), Project Experts, Wangdue and Punakha Dzongkhag Administrations, Bajo ARDC, JICA Bhutan Office, local leaders and beneficiary farmers.

The fence will protect agricultural crops from wild animals and maximize farmers’ income while realizing the peaceful co-existence of humans and wildlife.

“This project has greatly benefited us. Before, we had to spend a lot of time guarding our crops from wild animals, but now we don't have to do that anymore,” says Aum Bayza, a farmer from the Toedwang Gewog.

The inauguration marked an important milestone in promoting sustainable, community led solutions to human-wildlife conflict in Bhutan.

07/09/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 (𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐄)

In partnership with the Department of Local Governance and Disaster Management (DLGDM), the Project for Promoting Inclusive Participation Leveraging Community Engagement Platform (PRICE) continues to promote inclusive participation and community-led local development across Bhutan.

Check out the recent highlights, milestones and collaborative initiatives including the Experience Sharing Workshop in Paro, the 3rd JCC Meeting, and the Exchange Visit, learn more through the link below!

1. Experience Sharing WS in Paro
https://www.dlgdm.gov.bt/dlg_news_details/149

2. The 3rd JCC
https://www.dlgdm.gov.bt/dlg_news_details/150

3. Exchange visit
https://www.dlgdm.gov.bt/dlg_news_details/152

4, CEP Site: News and Information
https://www.dlgdm.gov.bt/cep

01/09/2026

𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 (𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐄)

The 3rd Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) Meeting of the Project for Promoting Inclusive Participation Leveraging Community Engagement Platform (PRICE) was held on 23 August 2026, under the co-chairmanship of Dasho Karma Galay, Director General of Department of Local Governance and Disaster Management (DLGDM), Mr. Yoichiro Kimata, Chief Representative of JICA Bhutan Office and the Dasho Tashi Tobgay, Dzongdag of Dagana Dzongkhag.

The meeting brought together representatives from DLGDM, JICA Bhutan Office, Dzongkhag Tshogdu Secretaries and Punakha, Toedwang Gewog, Trongsa, Nubi Gewog and Dagana, Gozhi Gewog to review the project’s progress update on activity plan, discuss the Community Participatory Model and deliberate on the project’s replication strategy.

Furthermore, participants visited project sites in Gozhi Gewog, where Community Engage Platform (CEP) members shared their experiences and showcased community initiatives. In Lower Gozhi, community members presented an innovative plan for an Integrated Sales Outlet to market dairy products and other local produce, while in Dogaak, a women-led group showcased agricultural and livelihood activities, demonstrating strong community ownership. At Ballaygang Eco Park, community members shared their vision for promoting eco-tourism through the sustainable use of local resources. They also highlighted their contribution to constructing a shed at the ECCD, reflecting a strong sense of community commitment.

All initiatives overscored the potential of the CEP approach to drive sustainable local development and inspire replication in other Gewogs and Dzongkhags.

31/08/2026

𝐉𝐈𝐂𝐀 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐉𝐈𝐂𝐀 𝐓𝐬𝐮𝐤𝐮𝐛𝐚 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧!

From August 17 to 25, 10 teachers from Ibaraki and Tochigi prefectures and 4 staff members from the JICA Tsukuba Center visited Bhutan. During their stay, the group observed infrastructure and technical cooperation projects that JICA is carrying out in Bhutan, as well as the activities of JICA volunteers. They learned about JICA's support in Bhutan and conducted exchange classes for Bhutanese students at the schools they visited.

The teachers plan to apply what they learned from this training to their own classes and use it to promote development education at their schools and in their communities.

We sincerely thank all the educational institutions, infrastructure sites, and project staff we visited during this trip for their cooperation.

31/08/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭?

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 (𝗩𝗼𝗹.𝟭𝟮, 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲) 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲!

Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) in partnership with JICA, the iNTECrop Project supports the strengthening of temperate fruit seedling production and orchard management.

As the 𝗶𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 enters its final year, this issue features the 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 (𝗠𝗦𝗖) 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽.

MSC is a participatory monitoring and evaluation approach that encourages people involved in a project to reflect on 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 and discuss 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.

In this issue, our key counterparts look back on their learning, growth, and transformation by sharing their own stories and those of their colleagues.

At the end of the workshop, participants engaged in a lively discussion to select the workshop's Most Significant Change. The room was filled with energy as they exchanged different perspectives and reflected on why each story mattered. That dialogue was at the heart of the MSC process.
We were inspired by these Stories of Change, and we hope you will be too!

Read the full newsletter here: https://canva.link/vdj7nj8ze4ldgtf

28/08/2026

𝐕𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓
𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗜𝗖𝗔-𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗦 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 (𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝘆𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵)

JICA-SATRESP Project invites applications from qualified Bhutanese nationals for the position of Associate Technician for The Project for Institutional Capacity Building for Eliminating Helicobacter Pylori related Death.
𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝟱:𝟬𝟬𝗽.𝗺., 𝟴𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Associate Technician
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: From September 2026- March 2027
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: Royal Centre for Disease control (RCDC), Ministry of Health
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Serbithang, Thimphu.
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Lump-sum Contract (Consultant’s services)

𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: The Associate Technician supports technical operations of test kit production, including process setup, validation, equipment management, and compliance with ISO 13485 technical requirements.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀
• Assist routine production, laboratory testing, equipment operation, documentation, and ISO 13485 technical procedures.
• Help establish and optimize production processes, develop manufacturing procedures, and ensure procedural compliance.
• Support process qualification/validation, prepare validation protocols and reports, and define in process testing.
• Assist equipment IQ/OQ/PQ, maintenance, calibration systems, and environmental control.
• Prepare technical specifications, maintain production records, and support product dossier development.

𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related fields.

𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱:
1. CV with detailed work experiences
2. Price Quotation (Expected Remuneration)
3. Copy of ID

If you are qualified for the post, please email your interest to [email protected] to receive the Request for Quotation + Terms of Reference.

𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝟱:𝟬𝟬𝗽.𝗺., 8th September 2026.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.