Upon retiring after a 38-year career with the Foreign Ministry followed by six years as head of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Kimio Fujita was naturally expected to accept an honorary post, such as on a government panel.

Instead, he is going to Samoa as a volunteer worker.

"During my days with the ministry and JICA, I often met senior volunteers in developing countries," Fujita said in an interview at JICA's office near JR Shinjuku Station in Tokyo. "I was impressed with their activities and faces that looked so happy, and hoped to join them someday."