2020 Invitation Program for Japanese American High School Students

In light of the current situation regarding COVID-19, the 2020 Japanese American Invitation Program has been postponed until further notice. We are not currently accepting applications and will update this page when a new schedule has been announced.

This program is organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and seeks to provide Japanese American students with an opportunity to learn about various aspects of Japan and to promote mutual understanding and exchange between young Japanese and Japanese Americans.

Sponsored by:	Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Period:	June 20-30, 2020
Purpose of This Program:	- To provide Japanese American students with an opportunity to learn various aspects of Japan (politics, economy, society, history, culture, language, etc.) - To promote mutual understanding and exchanges between younger generations of Japanese and Japanese Americans
Number of Participants:	4 students (total number chosen from across the US)
Qualification:	Japanese American high school student (Applicants must be enrolled as a high school student at the time of application.) *High school students with multi-racial backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply. Individuals who hold American Nationality and who do not hold Japanese Nationality (If you have dual Japanese and American citizenship, you are NOT eligible to apply for this program. This program is for those who DO NOT hold Japanese citizenship.) This program is designed for: - Individuals who have a strong interest in Japan - Individuals who would normally lack the opportunity to learn about Japan - Individuals who were not previously invited to Japan by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan on the same program
Location of Home-Stay:	Kanto region (Greater Tokyo Area)
Expenses to be Covered:	- Round-trip air ticket (Economy class) between US-Japan** **Airport tax, fuel surcharge included - Transportation fee within Japan - Hotel and meals, excursion fee, insurance
Expenses not to be Covered:	Passport application fee, transportation between your home and nearest airport, optional hotel services, and other private expenses
Provisional Itinerary*: *Exact dates subject to change	June 20            Departure from the United States      June 21            Arrival at Narita June 22            Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Visit/Tokyo Tour June 23            Japanese High School Visit June 24            Trip to Kansai Area June 25            Trip to Kansai Area June 26            Trip to Kansai Area/ Home Stay June 27            Home Stay June 28            Home Stay June 29            Tokyo Tour June 30            Departure from Japan
Application:	Application form is available HERE.             We request that the application be typed (not handwritten).             Please submit the completed application form and documents to your local Japanese Consulate. If you are living in the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, please submit your application directly by email to taisuke.suzuki@mofa.go.jp (CC: kevin.odonnell@sr.mofa.go.jp)   Our jurisdiction information is located HERE.   If you are living in another Japanese Consulate’s jurisdiction in the U.S., please see the website of the appropriate Consulate and follow their instructions. Each Japanese Consulate sets their own application deadline.
Application Deadline:	April 8, 2020 (for candidates who are living at the jurisdiction of Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco)
Application Instruction:	Please send us your CV (resume) including areas you consider useful in presenting yourself as an ideal candidate (interests, extracurricular activities, etc.) Please include in your CV your achievements related to Japan. (awards, volunteer experience, etc.)   In your short answer responses, please specify how you foresee this program helping you in your future career/endeavors. Please include brief answers on any prior experience with Japan, such as volunteering at Japan-related organizations, Japanese language learning experience, internships, Japan-related club membership, etc. In addition, please explain how your previous experiences with Japan have influenced your decision to apply to this program. If you have visited Japan in a different program before, please include the reasons why you want to visit Japan again on this program.   Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview by phone.

Taisuke Suzuki, Advisor for Community Affairs
275 Battery St., Suite 2100 San Francisco, CA 94111
Tel: (415) 780-6061 Fax: (415) 767-4200, email: taisuke.suzuki@mofa.go.jp