Bangkok professionals are not strangers to the difficulties created by cultural differences, and the need to navigate cross-cultural relationships effectively is becoming more important than ever. The city’s historic position as a hub for the high-growth ASEAN region, and the fact that many multinational companies, such as Exxon Mobil, Huawei, and Unilever, have set up regional offices in the city, has required professionals here to constantly build and maintain a culturally diverse range of business relationships. 

Japan’s consul general in New York provided a warm send-off Friday for the area’s new recruits to the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme as the government project for globalization enters its 30th year. “The JET Programme is a major asset to both Japan and the United States,” Ambassador Reiichiro Takahashi said.