Japan International Friendship Association

Ms. Ikeda Setsuko (fifth from the right) with delegates at an exchange between the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association (VJFA) and the Japan International Friendship Association (JIFA) in Hanoi . (Photo: Minh Hoa)

I've always loved Japanese culture, and the opportunity to meet Ms. Setsuko Ikeda, President of the Japan International Friendship Association (JIFA), was even more exciting when I learned that she was once a famous singer in Japan.

My encounter with Ms. Setsuko Ikeda was purely coincidental when I attended a recent exchange between the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association (VJFA) and JIFA in Hanoi. Typically, international exchanges include a cultural performance segment, which is quite appealing as guests get to enjoy unique traditional art forms from other countries.

Following a resounding round of applause for the traditional Japanese storytelling performance (Kodan), the audience was surprised when Ms. Setsuko Ikeda, President of JIFA, was introduced onto the stage. The entire audience fell silent as her emotionally rich voice sang the famous song "Diem Xua" by the late musician Trinh Cong Son: "Rain still falls on the ancient tower…"

The artist is a compassionate person.

Sitting next to me, Ms. Ngo Thi Bich Hanh (Hanh Nigita, a Vietnamese expatriate in Japan) shared: “Ms. Setsuko Ikeda is a vocal instructor and a famous singer in Japan. She once won a prize in a national singing competition. Afterwards, she and a few friends decided to open a company operating in the fields of music , event organization, and a training center for skilled trainees. The company is headquartered in Tokyo, with branches in Osaka and China.”

Besides their contributions to the arts and performing arts, for the past 42 years, Mrs. Ikeda and her husband have also served as labor and social insurance consultants. Using their expertise, they have continuously strived to protect workers and implement numerous activities to support children in their homeland, thereby expanding their activities beyond Japan's borders. This is also the reason why Mrs. Ikeda is in Hanoi on this occasion.

Since 2014, Ms. Ikeda and the JIFA organization have continuously implemented programs to install water purifiers in Ha Tinh province and support poor and disadvantaged students in the province and Hanoi. Ms. Setsuko Ikeda emphasized that through this program, JIFA aims to equip Vietnamese students and trainees with excellent Japanese language skills, while also enhancing their life skills and understanding of Japanese culture. During their work, the trainees will gain experience in learning, working, and management from the Japanese, and then return to contribute to their homeland.

"We aim to train high-quality human resources for Vietnam, so that when workers return home, they will become key factors in attracting foreign investment, including from Japanese businesses," Ms. Ikeda stated.

Ms. Ikeda shared that every time she visits Vietnam, she feels very happy and excited by the warm welcome from the people here. “I truly hope to contribute a small part with JIFA to help fulfill the dreams of these children. Many students have potential but cannot complete their education due to economic circumstances. I will strive and work hard so that when I return to Japan, I can immediately implement activities to actively support them from afar,” Ms. Ikeda said.

Ms. Bich Hanh said that she truly appreciates and is grateful for the affection that Ms. Ikeda has shown towards Vietnam, and also highly values ​​the positive activities that JIFA is implementing here.

Having come to Vietnam and fallen in love with its culture and people, when she saw the severe lack of clean water in impoverished provinces like Ha Tinh, Ms. Ikeda thought about supporting the provision of water filters for the people. When she met underprivileged students who lacked the means to study, she returned to Japan to mobilize friends, organizations, and businesses to provide annual scholarships. “Her persistent efforts truly stem from her heart, and that is why I decided to partner with JIFA and Ms. Ikeda to support and contribute a small part to fostering the friendship between Vietnam and Japan,” Ms. Hanh said.

Ms. Setsuko Ikeda sang the song "Diem Xua" in Japanese during the exchange event. (Photo: Minh Hoa)

Zero Fees – Helping Dreams Take Flight

Sharing his thoughts on the sidelines of the event, Mr. Hiroaki Ise, a member of JIFA, said: “I know Ms. Ikeda from her activities in countries like China and India. For the past four years, she has been very active in Vietnam. I particularly admire, am impressed by, and am convinced by her meaningful and enthusiastic charitable work. I hope to work with JIFA and Ms. Ikeda to create positive value for society, especially in supporting the education of children.”

Nguyen Thi Thanh Thao, an intern supported by JIFA, is about to complete her medical training course in Japan. Thao recounts that she lost her mother at birth and grew up in the loving care of her maternal family. “I remember when I was in eighth grade, Mrs. Setsuko Ikeda and members of JIFA came to my school to award scholarships to underprivileged students and install water purification systems. I was fortunate enough to receive a JIFA scholarship. After graduating from high school, the association provided me with a loan to study linguistics in Japan and then medicine.” While in Japan, Thao worked while studying to repay the loan, and the young woman says that in Japan, Mrs. Ikeda and her husband are like a second family to her.

During this visit back to her hometown, Thanh Thảo served as an interpreter for Mrs. Ikeda. It is expected that in April, she will officially begin working at a hospital recommended by Mrs. Ikeda.

In 2023, JIFA plans to implement the project "Technical Support at the Grassroots Level for the Zero Fees Labor Export Program to Japan" in Ha Tinh province. According to JIFA, Ha Tinh workers are diligent and hardworking, highly valued by Japanese businesses. However, the cost of labor export is a concern for many families. Therefore, it is necessary to highlight the advantages of Ha Tinh workers to Japanese businesses and implement support programs to reduce costs for them.

Ms. Setsuko Ikeda hopes that, in addition to language training, JIFA will convey traditional cultural forms, especially Kodan art (traditional storytelling art), thereby helping trainees experience Japanese culture, lifestyle, and work methods.

JIFA has held discussions and worked with many Japanese businesses regarding the Zero Fees program, and these entities have agreed and are ready to cooperate on the project, reducing the cost of labor export to Japan to the lowest possible level.

Parting ways with my kind-hearted Japanese friends, my heart was filled with indescribable emotions. These strangers, who had never met before, were brought together by boundless human kindness, supporting each other and striving for a better life. I will always remember the poignant singing of Mrs. Setsuko Ikeda: “…Please let the rain fall over this vast land. Even the stones will need each other someday…”

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