JDS Maldives

06/10/2026

🇯🇵🇲🇻 Japan Day in Maldives 2026
📌 1 October 2026

Japan Day in Maldives 2026 marked the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Japanese Embassy in Malé, celebrating the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Japan and the Maldives.

As part of the celebration, Executive Members of JDS Alumni Kizuna Maldives took the opportunity to promote the JDS Programme and share information about the scholarship opportunities with participants.

JDS Alumni Kizuna Maldives
🎓

02/10/2026

The 4th batch of JDS Fellows paid a courtesy visit to the Embassy of Maldives in Japan following the successful completion of their Master’s programs in Japan, ahead of their return to the Maldives.

🎓 Congratulations to the Fellows on this achievement, and best wishes for their future endeavours! 🇲🇻🇯🇵

01/10/2026

🎓 Congratulations to Ms. Mariyam Nuha, JDS 4th Batch Fellow, on earning her Master’s degree in International Relations from Ritsumeikan University, and receiving the Excellent Master’s Thesis Award in recognition of her outstanding academic work.

We are delighted to celebrate this milestone with her and wish her every success as she begins the next chapter of her journey. 🌸🇯🇵

Reflecting on her journey, Ms. Nuha shares:

“Alhamdulillah.

I am incredibly happy and proud to have graduated with a Master’s degree in International Relations and, alongside it, to have received the Thesis Excellence Award. This achievement is truly a testament to the hard work, dedication, and countless hours I have put into my studies, and I am incredibly grateful to have reached this milestone.

Choosing Ritsumeikan University to study International Relations was one of the decisions I am most grateful for. As an IR student, I was fortunate to learn in an open and intellectually stimulating environment, where I could engage in meaningful discussions about the field with esteemed professors and fellow students.
But my journey in Japan was never only about earning a degree.
I came here to study, but along the way, I found so many opportunities to learn beyond the classroom. Through the forums, programs, study visits, and initiatives I was fortunate enough to take part in, I was able to experience not only Japan and its culture, but also see how ideas, systems, policies, and practices within my field are discussed and put into practice. Each of these experiences added something different to my understanding of the world and, perhaps more importantly, to my understanding of myself. And I know that a part of who I am today was shaped by these two years.

For anyone looking for an opportunity that can change the course of their life, academically, professionally, and personally, the JDS Scholarship is truly a remarkable opportunity.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have been given this chance, and I will carry the memories, lessons, friendships, and experiences from this journey with me wherever I go next.”

30/09/2026

We join in celebrating Ms. Aminath Nadha, JDS 4th Batch Fellow, on the successful completion of her two-year Master’s Program at the Ritsumeikan University. 🎓🇯🇵

May this achievement mark the beginning of many more successes in her academic and professional journey.

29/09/2026

🎓 Congratulations to Ms. Aminath Maleeha Ibrahim, JDS 4th Batch Fellow, on the successful completion of her two-year Master’s Program at the University of Tsukuba.

We extend our warmest congratulations on this significant achievement and wish her continued success in all her future endeavors.✨

"A heartfelt thank you to JDS, JICE, and the people of Japan for this incredible opportunity. Studying for my Master's degree here and experiencing life in Japan has been truly life-changing.

Domo arigatou gozaimash*ta!"

-Ms. Aminath Maleeha Ibrahim-

24/09/2026

JDS 4th Batch Fellow, Ms. Mariyam Nuha had the opportunity to participate in “World Week,” a long-standing international exchange programme at Ritsumeikan Primary School in Kyoto, Japan.

As the first Maldivian to participate in the programme, Ms. Nuha introduced students to Maldivian culture, traditions, and values while also experiencing Japan’s primary education system firsthand.

Sharing her reflections on this meaningful experience, Ms. Nuha said:

“Over the past two summers (September 2025 and 2026), I participated in “World Week,” a program held by Ritsumeikan Primary School in Kyoto. The program invites international students to serve as “sensei” (teachers) for a week and introduce primary school students to different cultures, perspectives, and values from around the world.

After more than 20 years of the program, I was proud to become the first Maldivian to participate in World Week, introducing Maldivian culture, traditions, and values to students through lessons and activities across various subjects, including Science, Art, Home Economics, Mathematics, Country Introduction and “Culture Shock,” among several others.

This has been one of the most meaningful and fulfilling experiences I had during my stay in Japan. While I had the opportunity to share my country and culture with the students, I also learned from them and had the privilege of contributing to this long-standing international exchange program.

It was also a valuable opportunity to experience Japan’s highly regarded primary education system firsthand. I was especially impressed by the exemplary behaviour of the students and how these qualities are nurtured through the systems established within the school. The students are given a great deal of independence while also being taught responsibility and consideration for others through everyday activities, such as cleaning their classrooms at the end of the school day, preparing and cleaning up after their own lunches, and maintaining punctuality. Witnessing these practices firsthand gave me a deeper appreciation of how education in Japan extends beyond academic learning and encourages students to develop independence, discipline, and a sense of responsibility from an early age.

I absolutely loved my experience with the students. It was a beautiful reminder that connecting and sharing with others goes beyond language, culture, and differences in our ways of life. More than anything, it is about opening our minds to new perspectives, enjoying the moment, listening to the students’ endless curiosity, and responding to their questions with warmth and consideration. You can also catch a glimpse of our experiences through Ritsumeikan Primary School’s website over the years.”

Read more about World Week at: https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/primary/learning/detail/?post_id=5209

24/09/2026

14/09/2026

🧑‍🎨60th Anniversary Logo Competition!!✨

2027 marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between 🇯🇵 and 🇲🇻. We invite the public to submit a creative logo design to represent this milestone & celebrate our enduring friendship!🤝

For details 👉 https://www.mofa.go.jp/s_sa/sw/mv/pagewe_000001_00424.html

08/09/2026

We are pleased to share that Ms. Suraa Rasheed, 5th Batch JDS Fellow, recently participated in the Fourth Tokyo International Law Seminar, held from 24–28 August 2026 in Tokyo, Japan.

As part of her experience, Ms. Suraa shares her reflections on the seminar and what the opportunity meant to her:

“I recently took part in the Fourth Tokyo International Law Seminar, a high-level forum hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan that brought together distinguished experts in international law, including government officials, academic scholars, and representatives of international organizations from Asia and Africa.

The seminar provided meaningful discussions on the field of international law and its role in promoting international peace and cooperation. It covered a diverse range of important topics, including business and human rights, diplomatic immunities, investor–state dispute settlement, state responsibility, use of force and the law of the sea. Through their application to contemporary global issues, these discussions provided a deeper understanding of how international legal principles operate in practice and allowed for a meaningful exchange of perspectives among participants.

I also had the opportunity to participate in a practical workshop on treaty drafting, an essential part in the formulation of international agreements. It provided hands-on experience in understanding the formalities and procedures involved in drafting legal documents. Coming from a Small Island Developing State, the seminar was particularly beneficial in broadening my outlook on how international law can address the challenges faced by vulnerable states, especially at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and growing global challenges. For Maldives, stronger international cooperation through international law is necessary to safeguard its national interests in an increasingly contested global environment.

I am grateful to have been part of an event that enhanced my knowledge while providing opportunities to network with professionals specializing in various fields of international law and diplomacy.

I sincerely thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and JICA for the invitation and for providing such platforms that facilitate knowledge-sharing, professional development, and meaningful engagement.”

We are delighted to share the experiences of our JDS Fellows as they continue to learn, grow, and build professional connections through opportunities in Japan and beyond. 🎓

06/09/2026