Japan Travel Program for U.S. Future Leaders
Program Guidelines for APSIA Member Universities
In order to promote further collaboration between Japan and the United States with the goal of fulfilling shared
global responsibilities, sustaining a firm basis for dialogue and interchange between the citizens of the two
countries on a wide range of issues is essential.
To address these aspirations, the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP), in collaboration with the
Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA), will implement the Japan Travel Program for
U.S. Future Leaders (“the Program”).
The goal of the program is to foster a new generation of future leaders in
the United States who are interested in achieving a greater understanding of Japan and its roles in global affairs,
and in engaging in dialogue and interchange with their counterparts in Japan.
I. Features of the Program
The Program will invite approximately twelve (12) graduate students, no more than two from each U.S.-based
APSIA school with full membership status, to Japan as a group for a period of approximately ten (10) days in
August, 2011. The group will consist of students who currently are or previously have been engaged in Japan
studies as well as those who successfully demonstrate a serious interest in Japan but may not have had previous
exposure to the country.
The itinerary for the Program will be structured so that each participating student can acquire first hand knowledge
of Japan and how it is trying to fulfill its shared global responsibilities. The itinerary may include but is not limited to
the following elements:

Meeting experts in the fields of politics, economics, and civil society

Visiting relevant institutions including government ministries, think-tanks, policy institutes, businesses,
and non-profit organizations

One day in Tokyo for individual, self-organized research activities

Cultural excursions
The attached 2010 Itinerary is intended for illustrative purposes only.
Additionally, in order to maximize the benefits of the program, CGP will commission a well-informed scholar from a
relevant field of study to accompany the group.
CGP will organize all aspects of official programs and bear all program-related costs of the group, including travel
and per diem (accommodations and meals). Costs not covered by CGP include but are not limited to the following:
passport application fees, U.S. domestic travel to and from the nearest airport, personal incidentals during the
program such as gift purchases, personal time excursions, etc.
II. Selection of Participating Students
APSIA member schools (full member status only) are requested to nominate no more than two student
candidates from their respective institutions who meet the eligibility criteria for the program. The School must then
submit all related nomination documents to CGP New York. CGP New York must physically receive all
documentation by Monday, February 28, 2011. Methodology for selecting the student nominees within each
school will be left to the discretion of the respective APSIA member school. The attached informational flyer,
“Japan Travel Program for U.S. Future Leaders Summer, 2011” can be used for dissemination purposes within
each school.
CGP, in consultation with APSIA, will review all nomination documents and select approximately 12 finalists as the
invitees of the Program. CGP will notify each school of the final selection results by early April 2011.
(1) Eligibility:
Student candidates, at the time of the submission of nomination documents, must fulfill each of the following
eligibility requirements:
1.
United States citizen or permanent resident
2.
Full-time student at an APSIA full member school, and pursuing a Masters degree or an equivalent level
of combined degree program both at the time of nomination (in February) and during the travel (in
August)
3.
Demonstrate a serious interest in acquiring additional knowledge about Japan and its role in and impact
on the international arena. (This aspect will be critically evaluated during the selection process. See “(2)
Nomination Documents” below.)
4.
Willingness and ability to take the time to plan the schedule and make appointments for the
self-organized research day with CGP support.
5.
Once selected as an invitee, participants agree to attend the full itinerary of travel, provide a substantial
written report after the conclusion of the travel and work with other students to edit and complete the final
report as a group. The report will be published through various media outlets including but not limited to
CGP’s website. Required length of such report will be decided before the commencement of the trip.
Nomination of students concentrating, majoring, or focusing their studies on Japan or Asia in general is welcome,
although it is not a requirement for nomination for the program.
(2) Nomination Documents:
Below, please find a list of documents that are required for the nomination process. Please use the attached
Nomination Cover Sheet form to nominate a student candidate. All nomination documents, including those items
supplied by the student nominee, should be sent by the APSIA School directly to CGP New York. The completed
set of nomination documents must be physically received in the CGP New York office by Monday,
February 28, 2011.
1.
Nomination Cover Sheet (template attached)
2.
Curriculum Vitae/Resume
3.
A letter of recommendation from a professor or former work supervisor who is able to provide input on
the candidate’s character as well as future professional abilities.
4.
Academic transcript from current university (*)
5.
Academic transcript(s) from universities previously attended (*)
6.
Statement of Purpose (3 pages maximum) addressing the following questions in a clear and concise
manner:
a. In your opinion, what role(s) should Japan proactively pursue in this globalized world? Identify
promising areas for U.S.-Japan collaboration in such a context.
b. Elaborate on your future career goals both in the short term (5 years after graduation) and the
mid-long term. Discuss how these goals would potentially associate with Japan in a broader spectrum.
c. Given that you have only one day on your own in Tokyo to conduct interviews/meetings based on your
current study interests, how do you envision such an itinerary? Please provide detailed suggestions
on agencies, organizations, and names of individuals you are interested in contacting.
(*) These transcripts must be official transcripts in a sealed and signed envelop or with an official university
seal.
Program Contact Information:
CGP New York
APSIA
Lisa Wong
Leigh Morris Sloane
Associate Program Officer
th
Executive Director
th
152 West 57 Street, 17 Floor
3141 Van Munching Hall
New York, NY 10019
College Park, MD 20742
Tel: 212-489-1255 ext. 123
E-mail: lisa_wong@cgp.org
Fax: 212-489-1344
Tel: 301-405-5238
Fax: 301-403-4675
Email: sloane@apsia.org
Japan Travel Program for U.S. Future Leaders
Nomination Cover Sheet
1. Name of Submitting Institution
2. Name of Individual Responsible for Nomination (Contact Person)
CGP may contact this individual to obtain further information necessary for the selection process.
(CGP will not contact a student nominee directly.)
Name:
Email:
Title:
Office
Address:
Office
Office
Phone:
Fax:
I hereby certify that the Submitting Institution nominates the student named below.
Signature:
Date:
3. Name of Student Nominee
Name:
Mr.
Ms.
(For School: Please ask the student nominee to sign below.)
I hereby agree to be nominated for the Japan Travel Program for U.S. Future Leaders by the
Submitting Institution where I attend as a full-time student. In addition, I also agree to provide all
required documents, directly to my home institution, for subsequent submission to CGP.
Signature:
Date:
The completed set of nomination documents must be physically received in the CGP New York office by February 28, 2011.
Additional Required Documents from the Student Nominee
(Please attach)
1. Current Curriculum Vitae/Resume
2. A letter of recommendation from a professor or former work supervisor who is able to provide
input on the candidate’s character as well as future professional abilities.
3. Current academic transcript (*)
4. Academic transcript(s) from universities previously attended (*)
5. Statement of Purpose addressing the following questions (3 pages maximum in total)
a. In your opinion, what role(s) should Japan proactively pursue in this globalized world? Identify
promising areas for U.S.-Japan collaboration in such a context.
b. Elaborate on your future career goals both in the short term (5 years after graduation) and the
mid-long term. Discuss how these goals would potentially associate with Japan in a broader spectrum.
c. Given that you have only one day on your own in Tokyo to conduct interviews/meetings based on your
current study interests, how do you envision such an itinerary? Please provide detailed suggestions
on agencies, organizations, and names of individuals you are interested in contacting.
(*) These transcripts must be official transcripts in a sealed and signed envelope or with an official university seal.