I. Project Overview. Objectives

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1 July 18, 2013 KAKEHASHI Project - The Bridge for Tomorrow - Youth Exchange Project with North America (U.S. Portion) Application Guidelines for The Student Creators Exchange Program (Short-Term Invitation) I. Project Overview Objectives The KAKEHASHI Project is a youth exchange project, promoted by the Ministry Foreign Affairs in Japan, to heighten potential interest in Japan and increase the number of overseas visitors to the country, as well as enhance international understanding of the Japan brand, or the nation s strengths and attractiveness, such as Japanese-style values and Cool Japan. The project is also anticipated to revitalize and boost the Japanese economy. The objective of this youth exchange project is to promote deeper mutual understanding among the people of Japan and the United States, enable future leaders of Japan-US exchanges to form networks, and help young people develop wider perspectives to encourage active roles at the global level in the future. Invitation Period and Schedule (1) Invitation period: 11 days (including roundtrip travel time). Participants will stay in Tokyo and local cities. (2) Invitation schedule: To be determined by the Japan Foundation (Will be planned from mid-may to July 2014). Applicable Country United States Number of Students to be Invited Approximately 80 participants (students and chaperones) from six schools Program Details (1) During the 10-day stay in Japan, the participants will attend an orientation, visit cultural facilities and related organizations, participate in school exchange programs, and attend a debriefing session. See Appendix 1 (Example itinerary) for details. (2) Participants must major in arts related disciplines such as design, fashion, animation, and visual arts. They do not need to be students of Japanese language but must be interested in Japanese culture and wish to infuse Japanese culture in their future work. (3) The participants will deepen their understanding of the attractiveness of Japanese culture in specific 1

2 areas related to creative activities including design, fashion, art, architecture, movies (including animation), and performing arts through a variety of exchange programs. Those participants who are motivated to play the role of promoting deeper cultural exchanges between Japan and the United States in the future will be invited. II. Application Details Eligibility Only applications from post-secondary institutions will be accepted. Participants must be students enrolled in four-year colleges and universities or graduate schools located within the United States. The group will consist of 12 students and one chaperone from the same post-secondary institution. Application Requirements A representative of the post-secondary institution preferably the chaperone must submit an initial application. Applicants must agree with the objectives of this project and host a delegation of Japanese undergraduate and graduate students visiting the U.S. for a short-term program (through a separately-implemented dispatch program). These delegations will consist of approximately 13 delegates, including 12 undergraduate or graduate students and one accompanying chaperone (faculty member or university official). *1 (1) Participants must be undergraduate or graduate students (including students graduating within 2013). (2) The chaperone (faculty member or university official) will preferably be able to communicate in Japanese to a certain extent. (3) Participants must be approved by their school. (4) Participants must be healthy, both physically and mentally. *2 (5) Participants must have U.S. nationality or the right of permanent residence in the U.S. *3 (6) Participants must share their experiences in Japan after returning to the U.S. (7) Participants must agree with the objectives of this project and act in a disciplined manner during the program. (8) Participants must agree with the Letter of Understanding. (9) Participants must submit questionnaires 2 month and 1 year after the program, and a wrap-up report including photos, within 2 weeks of return to the U.S., in relation to this program. *1 Applicants do not have to specify the individual names of participating students and chaperone. The school may select those individuals later and submit required forms listing participant names. The participating students and chaperone must belong to the same school. *2 The participating schools will be invited in one or two groups. schools. Each group will consist of three or six *3 Participants with underlying disease(s) or disabilities must submit a doctor s certificate and a letter of consent. 2

3 No pregnant women are allowed to participate in this program, irrespective of their stage of pregnancy. *4 For non-u.s. citizens with the right of permanent residence in the U.S., the eligibility of participation will be decided through consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Notes: 1. Priority is given to schools that are able to host Japanese schools through the separately-implemented Student Creator Exchange Program (short-term dispatch). 2. Students who are already scheduled to visit Japan through the KAKEHASHI Project are not eligible to participate in this project. 3. Post-secondary institutions that have received study tour grants to Japan from the Japan Foundation within the current or past year are not eligible. Application Deadline November 1, 2013 Notification of Results Applicants will be notified of results by mid-january 2014 Expenses Expenses borne by the Japan Foundation Round trip air transportation between the U.S. and Japan Accommodations in Japan Meals in Japan Transportation costs within Japan Fees for using and visiting facilities in Japan Overseas travel insurance Expenses borne by participants Ground transportation to and from the nearest, major commercial airport in the U.S. (specified later) Personal expenses at the hotel including but not limited to telephone, internet, movie, mini-bar, and laundry Cost for overweight luggage charged by airlines Cost for obtaining a passport Others (including personal souvenirs and snacks) Overseas Travel Insurance All participants will be covered by overseas travel insurance specified by the Japan Foundation. The insurance cost will be paid by the Japan Foundation. Coverage of the overseas travel insurance for injury and illness: 10 million yen for death and disability due to 3

4 injury; maximum 40 million yen for medical treatment and emergency cost; maximum 50 million yen for damages; 10 million yen for death due to illness Disclaimer All participants will sign the designated Letter of Understanding. Application Procedure The application must be filled out by the faculty staff of the applying institution and signed by the authorized representative. Please submit the application to the following address. Applications and Inquiries The Laurasian Institution Lake City Way NE, #151, Seattle, WA Phone: Fax: Organizations involved in implementation of the program Funded by the Japan-U.S. Educational Commission (Fulbright Japan) Co-Organized by the Japan Foundation and The Laurasian Institution in the U.S. 4

5 Appendix 1 Example Itinerary Student Creator Exchange Program (Invitation to Japan) *This itinerary is an example, and is subject to change. Events/Transportation Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Leave the United States Arrive in Tokyo and check into hotel AM: Orientation - Lecture on Japan-U.S. relations and Japanese culture -> Learn and confirm the fundamentals of Japan-U.S. relations and Japanese culture - Program overview and schedule -> Confirm the significance of the youth exchange program and things to note during the program PM: Visit the Tokyo National Museum -> Learn about Japanese culture, history, and nature University exchange program -> Discussion and exchange on each specific area AM: Visit a company in the creative industry -> Learn about the Japanese creative industry PM: Visit creators -> Learn about Japanese culture through discussions with Japanese creators AM: Move to local city PM: Visit a traditional craft facility -> Learn about the attractiveness of traditional crafts in a rural area University exchange program -> Discussion and exchange on each specific area AM: Visit a local area -> Learn about culture, heritage, and nature of the area PM: Experience local culture -> Experience local traditional culture AM: Move to Tokyo PM: Visit facilities in Tokyo -> Learn about Japanese urban culture in relation to creative areas AM: Visit cultural facilities PM: Debriefing session -> Participants will summarize the attractiveness and strengths of Japan they found through the program and discuss and present how they will disseminate the attractiveness of Japan after returning home. Leave Tokyo Return to the U.S. 5