GANA is an NPO media outlet specializing in developing countries. Become a citizen journalist reporting on the Global South and international cooperation! “77-Day Journalist Training” (26th term) Participant Recruitment [Deadline: October 4th]
NPO Development Media Press release: September 8, 2025 To Members of the Media [Deadline: October 4th] Become a citizen journalist reporting on the Global South and international cooperation! Seeking participants for the “77-Day Journalist Training” (26th term) GANA: An NPO media outlet reporting on Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Oceania
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professional-level) who have acquired skills by participating in programs centered around the “77-Day Journalist Training.” Their bylined articles, which focus on “niche aspects of the Global South” that major media outlets don’t cover, are attracting attention from media professionals. Please give them a read. Dig deep into countries of interest through interviews This season’s (26th) “77-Day Journalist Training” (online) will run from Saturday, October 11th to Saturday, December 27th. We will meet via Zoom every Saturday from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM (interviews and articles will be conducted outside of these times). The “77-Day Journalist Training” is open to anyone interested in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Oceania (the Global South), those who want to learn more about the Global South, those who want to learn about trends in international cooperation, those who want to seriously master professional-level article writing, those aspiring to work in the media or as a journalist, and those who want to use their knowledge to publish articles. Anyone, from working adults to university students, of any age or educational background, can participate. The course is held online, so you can participate from anywhere on the planet. Themes to be covered and written about are open, as long as they relate to the Global South and international cooperation. Southeast, South, and Central Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, Africa, Latin America, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), conflict, refugees, peacebuilding, ethnic minorities, poverty, gender, social business, education, democratization, elections, religion, children, food, customs, music, happiness, etc. Interview subjects (mostly online) include international cooperation NGOs and
international organizations, entrepreneurs struggling in developing countries, and people from developing countries living in Japan. We encourage you to explore your interests through the 77-Day Journalist Training. We will provide you with all the support you need to make that happen. The 77-Day Journalist Training also assumes that you will become a core GANAS journalist (volunteer journalist) upon completion. You can also get involved in the management of an NPO media outlet. Therefore, we welcome participation from those who are serious about this. Let’s work together to raise interest in the Global South and international cooperation! If an article receives a great response (some articles have received over 10,000 likes), you may be
interviewed by reporters from major media outlets or invited to speak at events. Publishing articles that provide a multifaceted look at developing countries, which major media outlets don’t cover, also makes a significant contribution to society. 7 Benefits of 77-Day Journalist Training 1) Receive direct guidance from the
editor-in-chief of Ganas! Receive thorough and thorough guidance from the editor-in-chief of Ganas, who has over 30 years of media experience, on how to find stories, how to develop a perspective, how to find sources, how to request interviews, how to prepare in advance, how to conduct interviews, and how to write articles. You’ll be able to write professional-style articles, not just “just-write articles” (though your own effort will be required). Perfect for aspiring media journalists and those who want to improve their communication skills! 2) You can interview key people! You can interview key people in various fields of international cooperation. Not only will you deepen your global knowledge, but you’ll also realize that there are many different ways of looking at things. Start by covering an online event (we’ll teach you how, but you’ll need the courage to take the first step)! The appeal is that you gain firsthand knowledge and practical experience rather than classroom learning. The editor-in-chief of Ganas will support you with everything from finding interview locations to applying, advance preparation, and article writing. 3) You can also participate in the “Global Writer Course” for free! The “77-Day Journalist Training” program also includes participation in the highly popular “Global Writer Course” (online) (8 sessions in total, every Wednesday from 8:00 PM to 10:30 PM, October 15th to December 3rd. If you can’t attend, you can watch a recording). The Global Writer Course is primarily classroom-based. The idea is that you put the skills you systematically learn there into practice in the “77-Day Journalist Training.” It may be easier to understand the “77-Day Journalist Training” as an enhanced version of the Global Writer Course. 4) Low prices because we want to develop core Ganas reporters! The total time you receive instruction in the “77-Day Journalist Training” and “Global Writer Course” is 62 hours (in addition to this, individual instruction such as corrections is also available). Simply dividing the participation fee for the “77-Day Journalist Training” (69,000 yen) by 62 hours works out to just 1,112 yen per hour (this drops to around 900 yen if individual instruction such as corrections is included). There’s no need to purchase the textbook (we provide the “GANA Style Guide to Writing Effective Articles”), making it a great value. Once you become a core reporter at GANA, you can continue to improve your skills for free. Former ganas reporters have used their experience at ganas as a stepping stone to success in a variety of fields (major media outlets, government ministries, startup companies, JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, etc.). 5) Have your work edited and proofread by a top-notch pro bono desk! Once trainees’ articles reach a certain standard, they can have them edited and proofread by a top-notch pro bono desk. Ganas’ pro bono desk is staffed by people with experience working for major media outlets, providing the perfect environment for those interested in media. We regularly hold dinner parties, where you can hear exciting behind-the-scenes stories firsthand. Many people who have worked as reporters at Ganas have gone on to work for major media outlets (NHK, Kyodo News, Asahi Shimbun, Nikkei Shimbun, etc.). 6) Get together and have some hard fun! Trainees in the “77-Day Journalist Training” meet online (Zoom) once a week (Saturdays from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM) to provide feedback on articles and plan interviews together. They work hard and have fun working together to improve their skills. Past trainees have included a unique group of people, including NGO staff, former marketing company employees, consulting firm employees, former trading company employees involved in NGO management, civil servants, PR company employees, nurses, sports team coaches, JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (alumni, current volunteers, and those scheduled to be deployed), former backpackers, and university students. 7) Participate in the Developing Country Reporting Program with a 30,000 yen discount! ganas hosts the unique “Global Media Camp” program in February/March and August/September, where participants gather, write, and disseminate information in developing countries. To date, participants have visited nine countries: the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Colombia, Benin, India, Thailand, and Rwanda. Trainees of this year’s “77-Day Journalist Training” will receive a discount of up to ¥30,000 (¥20,000 off ¥10,000 off for early bird pricing) for the “Global Media Camp” in spring 2026 (February/March) (only available to those who have already attended the 77-Day Journalist Training at the regular price). While the location has yet to be decided, we will coordinate an attractive reporting location for each country. Reporting in developing countries is so stimulating that it can shake up your values. It can also be used to talk about your academic background (what you focused on during your student days). Date and Location ・77 days reporter training Saturday, October 11th, Saturday, October 18th, Saturday, October 25th, Saturday, November 1st, Saturday, November 8th, Saturday, November 15th, Saturday, November 22nd, Saturday, November 29th, Saturday, December 6th, Saturday, December 13th, Saturday, December 20th, Saturday, December 27th *Every Saturday from October 11th to December 27th, 2025 (12 sessions total) *Time: 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM *Location: Your home (connect via Zoom) ・Global Writer Course (Zoom course) 10/15 (Wed), 10/22 (Wed), 10/29 (Wed), 11/5 (Wed), 11/12 (Wed), 11/19 (Wed), 11/26 (Wed), 12/3 (Wed) *Every Wednesday from October 15th to December 3rd, 2025 (8 sessions total) *Time: 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM *Location: From your home (connect via Zoom) *If you cannot attend, you can watch a recording *You can also take the Global Writer Course only. Additional Information on the 77-Day Journalist Training The “77-Day Journalist Training” will provide intensive training in the knowledge, reporting methods, and article writing skills necessary to work as a GANAS journalist specializing in the Global South and international cooperation. During the training, you should interview at least once a week (you will be taught how to do this) and write an article. After completing the training, you will become an official GANAS member (core reporter) upon agreement in an interview and will receive ongoing instruction, generally free of charge (however, you will be required to join the GANAS Supporters Club). Researching and writing articles, like anything else, is probably more difficult than you might imagine, especially at first (check out the Ganas website to see what kind of articles we write). However, the more seriously you work at it, the more your writing skills will improve dramatically, and I promise you’ll become increasingly knowledgeable about various developing countries and international cooperation. We’ll provide you with all the support you need to achieve this. We welcome applicants who are proactive, enthusiastic, and responsible (see things through to the end without giving up). Experience the sense of accomplishment (and success) of having your completed article published and read by a wide audience. Furthermore, the process of building your curiosity and turning it into knowledge through interviews and article writing is irresistibly fascinating for those interested in developing countries. Furthermore, through interviews, you’ll also expand your network with people involved in developing countries. Cost 69,000 yen *Unlimited number of corrections (articles must be published on the Ganas website) *Includes tuition for the Global Writer Course *”ganas” You will receive a free PDF copy of “A Guide to Writing Articles that Communicate Effectively” *Once you are officially recognized as a Ganas reporter, you will be able to participate for free from the next time onwards (you will need to join the Ganas Supporters Club) *No refunds will be given even if the trainee withdraws after payment for personal reasons. Please note: *You can participate in the “Global Media Camp” in spring 2026 (February and March) with a discount of up to 30,000 yen (20,000 yen discount 10,000 yen early bird discount). Number of Participants Approximately 12 people Application Method and Deadline Please send your resume and motivation for applying (please be detailed) to the email address below. Applications must arrive by Saturday, October 4th. We will use Zoom to provide an overview and conduct a brief interview with applicants. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to hear more about our position. *The deadline is Saturday, October 4th, but early applications and other enthusiastic responses are highly valued. Applications may be closed if the program reaches capacity. *Please send your application documents to: devmedia.ganas@gmail.com Excerpts from Past Trainees “If you value honesty and perseverance, this will definitely be a fruitful time. The editor-in-chief gives me incredibly detailed feedback every week. The time I spend polishing my manuscript while exchanging opinions with other trainees is incredibly stimulating and luxurious.” “I was able to learn in just a few months of journalism training what I couldn’t have learned in a year at university. Even writing a single article requires a huge amount of input. I’m happy that all of this knowledge is now my own.” “Honestly, writing one article every week is hard. But without the training, I wouldn’t be writing so frantically, and my writing skills wouldn’t have improved so quickly. Unlike blogs or social media posts, I get genuine feedback, so as long as I’m motivated, it’s fun.” “Trainees exchange opinions about each other’s articles every time. This allows us to become friends online (even if we can’t meet in person).” “The first article I wrote got 23 likes. The highest number of likes I got from an article I wrote after the training was 1,333. While the number of likes isn’t everything, I believe the experience of logically understanding how to write articles that people will read will be useful to me for the rest of my life.” “I highly recommend this training to anyone aiming to become a reporter or PR professional. Not only do you learn how to write systematically, but you also get to experience firsthand what information is needed to write an article and what content will be well-received.” Recommended for working adults and students like this – I want to become a GANAS reporter and share articles about the Global South and international cooperation in a way that will draw readers, spreading interest and raising awareness! ・I want to work as a media/reporter/journalist in the future! ・Through research and article writing, I want to dig deeper into a topic that interests me! ・I want to learn more about the activities of various international cooperation NGOs (for those who are considering changing jobs to the international cooperation industry)! ・I want to do something more challenging than a normal internship or volunteer and improve my “individual strength”! ・I want to deepen my knowledge of the Global South and international cooperation (while staying in Japan)! ・I want to continue being involved with developing countries (even after returning to Japan)! ・I want to improve my skills (reporting skills, writing skills, knowledge of developing countries, etc.) before going to a developing country! ・I want to be involved in the management of NPO media/I want to know what goes on behind the scenes! ・OV & active members & candidates of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers)! ・I am interested in global work including international cooperation! 講師 Daichi Nagamitsu (Representative Director of NPO Development Media, Editor-in-Chief of GANAS) After graduating from Sophia University Faculty of Law, he established the Thailand and Philippines branches of NNA (currently Kyodo News Group), Asia’s largest Japanese language media. He assumed his current position after working as a newspaper reporter, freelance writer, and head of Devex Japan’s media department. He has lived overseas for over 10 years (USA, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Venezuela) and has traveled to over 50 countries. He is also an alumnus of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers. Hammock collector. It has been over 30 years since I started working in the media. Sponsor/Contact information Specified non-profit organization Kaihatsu Media (ganas operating organization) ・website:
https://www.ganas.or.jp/ ・Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ganas.or.jp/
・Twitter：https://twitter.com/devmedia_ganas
・Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/devmedia_ganas/
・LINE：https://page.line.me/ganas ・note：https://note.com/devmedia_ganas ・podcast：https://open.spotify.com/show/0yOzlKPgVivnKoxeVGdgjj ・ganas Supporters Club: https://www.ganas.or.jp/gsc/ ・email:
devmedia.ganas@gmail.com Articles written by trainees and reporters after training (partial) *Articles with over 10,000 likes 20-year-old Palestinian-Japanese rapper Danny Jin: “Every time someone dies, the number of listeners increases” Chilean, Ghanaian, and Kurdish cuisine and dance! “Refugee/Immigrant Festival” will be held in Nerima, Tokyo on May 10th 20 picture book authors concerned about Gaza hold photo and painting exhibition with JVC; “Many people don’t know about the Palestine issue” Anti-immigration policies that stand out in the House of Councilors election, 1143 NGOs issue a joint statement “Preferential treatment for foreigners is a complete hoax” There was a young Israeli man who refused military service! “It’s not about rebelling against the country. It’s about living like a human being.” Israel’s olive cutting in Palestine is an attack on Palestinian farmers Small hunter-gatherer pygmies arrive in Japan from the Congo Basin, warning against excessive forest exploitation Madagascar’s “Douani Faith” is hot right now! Foreigners also come on pilgrimage Video class e-Education doubles the number of students as it saves examinees injured during protests against the Bangla government Terra Renaissance provides vocational training in Burundi, and a single mother with a daily income of 77 yen becomes the sales leader of the “briquette team” “Aleppo soap” for skin problems! There was a specialized import company that served as a bridge between Syria and Japan for a quarter of a century Peace of Syria appeals for “education and mental care” for returning Syrian refugees [Visiting the lawless region of Laos 1.] The Golden Triangle, which flourished with poppy cultivation, is now a crime city ruled by the Chinese mafia ・[Tibetan architect Yutaka Hirako 1.] Restoring old folk houses and temples in Ladakh, India, starting with a 1,900km bicycle journey ・Is Gabon a “hope for democracy in Central Africa”? The truth about the August 2023 coup d’état ・Liberian miners who threw away giant diamonds due to numerous “superstitions” ・The long-awaited Japanese version of the picture diary written by Mexican genius painter Frida Kahlo has been published ・Japanese NPO and company team up to provide 1,000 wheelchairs to Ukraine ・”Tomokura Festival” where you can enjoy Kurdish home cooking will be held in Kawaguchi, Saitama on November 23rd, providing an opportunity to learn about refugees ・In Argentina, where inflation is over 140%, a far-right candidate becomes the new president, “The people demanded drastic reforms,” says Ajiken researcher. ・The anti-American dictatorship that continues in Venezuela has an approval rating of less than 20%. What will happen in the presidential election in the second half of 2024? ・“Soy couscous” for school lunches in Burkina Faso! Noriko Hoshino spreads soybean school garden ・“Don’t forget Myanmar”, women living in Japan call for support, more than two years after the military coup ・How about authentic Kurdish cuisine made by a woman applying for asylum? Ingredients provided by Japanese farmers ・Will a coup d’état occur as the Thai people strongly called for “royal reform”? ・[Thai election special feature 1.] Short-haired girl holding up three fingers: “The Forward Party, which calls for royal reform, is our only hope” – NGO Shanti appeals for continued education in Afghanistan, where 2 million girls have been forced out of school ・Half of the disabled people in Togo have never attended school? Plan International provides educational support such as free prosthetic limbs ・NGO Share delivers medical care to a remote island in East Timor with a “health boat”, Yamaha Motor improves fishing boat ・There was a marathon in Ladakh, India that was higher than Mt. Fuji and ran on ice! Know the reality of climate change