On July 27, 2012, the Consulate General of Japan hosted a pre-departure reception for thirty-seven Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program participants departing from Atlanta on July 28, 2012. The JET Program invites young college graduate s to Japan to teach English in schools or to engage in international exchange activities at local government offices. Participants experience Japan at the grassroots level through daily activities at schools and local governments, and act as “cultural ambassadors” of the United States to the local community. Since the JET Program’s inception in 1987, over 52,000 people have participated in the program, and the JET Program currently has roughly 4,360 participants from 40 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JET/.