International Exchange Years have been established with various countries, to deepen goodwill and mutual understanding by means of sponsoring and carrying out exchange programs in the public and private sector, in culture, education, sports and various other fields.
The International Exchange Years for 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

2015

Republic of Korea: The 50th Anniversary of the Normalization of Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea
Read more: http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/a_o/na/kr/page3_001097.html

Brazil: The 120th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Brazil
Read more: http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/la_c/sa/br/page3_000976.html

Central America: Japan-SICA Friendship Year 2015
Read more: http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/la_c/crb/page24_000240.html

Saudi Arabia: The 60th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia
Read more: http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/me_a/me2/sa/page23_000852.html

2016

Italy: The 150th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Italy

Singapore: The 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Singapore

Belgium: The 150th Anniversary of Friendship between Japan and Belgium

Philippines: The 60th Anniversary of Normalization of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and the Philippines

UN: The 60th anniversary of Japan's accession to the United Nations