Introduction: Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers as a State-Managed International Voluntary Service

The present chapter introduces the aims, key issues, and structure of this edited book on Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs). The book addresses the contributions by JOCVs and the advantages and disadvantages of the JOCV programJOCV program, proposing a concept ofSMIVS state-managed international voluntary services (SMIVS). ByState-managed international voluntary services (SMIVS) definition, SMIVS refers toIVS international voluntary services (IVS)International voluntary services (IVS) sponsored and managed by the state, unlike non-government-managed IVS, which can be sponsored by the state but managed by independent boards like NGOsNGO/NPO. The book argues that owing to state managementState management JOCVs can impact on both downstream and upstreamImpactupstream benefits, and, at the same time, state managementState management gives JOCVs advantages and disadvantages. The first section provides an overview of the JOCV programJOCV program and the second section examines the concept of SMIVS. These sections also review the literature on JOCV and SMIVS. Subsequently, the third section reflects on why JOCV was born under the SMIVSState-managed international voluntary services (SMIVS) model, and the fourth section discusses the two key issues this book addresses: contributions by JOCVs and the advantages and disadvantages of the program over time. The final section introduces the structure of the book.