The 6-months fourth group training course in modules on fundamental official statistics has commenced on 29 September 2008 in Chiba, Japan and will continue until 13 March 2009. This is on of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area (TMA) based course jointly organized by the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The course consists of three Modules: Module I will run from 29 September to 11 November 2008, Module II – from 14 November 2008 to 7 January 2009 and Module III – from 8 January to 13 March 2009. The Module I comprises mainly statistical methods of analysis and survey methodologies, while Module II covers national accounts and economic statistics and lastly Module III contains demographic and social statistics.

The course was designed principally to train Government statisticians at junior level who have basic knowledge of official statistics and have been working for 3-5 years in national statistical organizations and other Government agencies carrying out statistical functions. Twenty participants from 16 countries of Asia and the Pacific are participating in this course. The participants are expected to acquire knowledge and skills/techniques in statistical survey methods, economic statistics, demographic and social statistics including MDGs through lectures, practical exercises and interactions. In addition, they are expected to acquire skills and develop an action plan to impart their acquired knowledge to colleagues in their organizations after returning to their home countries. The participants’ achievement will be evaluated in each module through tests and assessment of individual assignments.

At the opening ceremony, course participants had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Juichiro Sasaki, Deputy Director General for Public Policy, Industrial Development and Finance, JICA Tokyo International Centre, Mr. Mutsumi Nakata, Director-General, Policy Planning (Statistical Standards), Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Ms Chiharu Hoshiai on behalf of Mr. Atsushi Ueno, Director of Global Issues Cooperation Division, International Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Toyojiro Maruya, Executive Vice-President, Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization and Mr. Akihiro Kimoto, Director for International Statistical Affairs, Office of Director-General for Policy Planning (Statistical Standards), Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication and many other distinguished officials representing the Government of Japan and JICA.