- TOKYO, Japan, June 12, 2025 -

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Seiko Epson Corporation (TSE: 6724, Epson) signed an initial comprehensive partnership agreement on March 22, 2022, with the aim of addressing challenges in developing countries and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On May 26, 2025, the partners renewed the agreement by signing a phase-two comprehensive partnership agreement, marking the start of further co-creation initiatives to advance progress toward the SDGs.

During the first phase of the agreement (2022-2025), four areas of collaboration were established to accelerate the resolution of societal issues in developing countries. The focus was placed on building a foundation for co-creation by combining JICA's strengths-ts trusted networks and expertise cultivated in developing countries-with Epson's strengths, particularly its core technologies centered on efficient, compact, and precise innovations such as projection technology.

Over the course of the three-year collaboration, the parties recognized the potential for utilizing digital tools in education, particularly in developing countries. During a joint site visit to a school, they observed that the only learning materials available to students were the teacher's voice and whatever the teacher had written on the blackboard. When a lesson was conducted using a mobile projector in a JICA-led international cooperation project-especially in an area without electricity-the students' reactions reaffirmed the power of visual media. If a digital learning environment could be established using easy-to-operate projectors in schools without electricity or internet access, it could have a significant impact on education. By combining Epson's technological capabilities with JICA's strong local networks, we were once again reminded of the potential to create new and meaningful impact.

In the second phase of the agreement (2025-2027), Epson and JICA will continue collaborating in the four areas established in the first phase, but will place greater emphasis on exploring the potential for creating new impact through the promotion of innovations that contribute to solutions to societal issues in education.

Continuing from the first phase, Epson will collaborate in developing countries supported by JICA by leveraging its core technologies-such as printing and projection-to enhance the effectiveness of JICA's cooperation projects.

During the first phase, the parties confirmed the usefulness of Epson's technologies-particularly projection-in addressing challenges in educational infrastructure. However, it became clear that simply providing technology is not sufficient to ensure its continuous and effective use by local communities, and thus does not lead to true problem-solving. To address this, Epson is working to utilize its technologies to develop solutions tailored to local needs.

Amid growing momentum for public-private partnerships in international cooperation, JICA and Epson will continue discussions to deepen their co-creation efforts. By involving other companies and stakeholders, they aim to contribute collaboratively to solving societal issues in education.

A very well-received regional understanding program for JICA long-term trainees (international students) was conducted during the first phase in the Suwa region of Nagano Prefecture, where Epson was founded. This program will continue in the second phase. In addition, Epson will continue to offer internship opportunities.

JICA, with support from Epson, created a Virtual Reality (VR) Room at the JICA Komagane Training Center. The VR Room has proven to be an effective tool for raising awareness about the SDGs and challenges faced by developing countries. During the first phase, it welcomed over 3,000 visitors. In the second phase, additional awareness-raising programs will be provided, including at the VR Room, for local government officials, schools, and NGO/NPO representatives who visit the training center.

With the signing of the second phase of the comprehensive partnership agreement, JICA and Epson will continue the co-creative relationship cultivated during the first phase, and further expand and accelerate their efforts to address societal issues in developing countries.

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