333 East 47th Street
New York, NY 10017
japansociety.org

JAPAN SOCIETY
JUNIOR FELLOWS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
June 29—July 14, 2024

The Junior Fellows Leadership Programis a culturally immersive learning experience for high school
students who possess the potential for strong leadershipand demonstrate the skills necessary to be future leaders.
During this program conducted in New York and Japan,
Junior Fellows have the opportunity to build networks withcurrent industry leaders and program alumni, stay witha host family in Aizu-Wakamatsu, Fukushima (NortheastJapan), participate in activities at a local high school, andexperience Japanese history and culture through hands-on
experiences and historical site visits.

Program Schedule*• May 18(tentative)

Program orientation atJapan Society, New York(long distance Fellows will
participate via Zoom)• June 29—30 Pre-departure orientation

at Japan Society, New York• July 1—2

Departure for and arrivalin Japan• July 3—13

In-country program• July 14

Return to the U.S.

*Program contents and dates are subject to change.

“This trip changed who I am as a person; it gave me a whole new thought process. JapanSociety helped me create lasting connections across the world, grow as a leader, and change
the course of my entire future... My life will never be the same after being a Junior Fellow.”—Participant from Rapid City, SDProgram Highlights••

Meet and learn from industry
leaders in business, arts andsciences, nonprofit organizations
and government entities
Visit leading companies to learn
and compare what they value andlook for in building our future•

Live with a host family and explore
local communities in NortheastJapan•Experience Japanesehigh school life•

Carry out a group projectfocused on a global issue•

Visit significant cultural andhistoric sites•

Learn basic Japanese in an
immersion setting•

Join the Junior Fellows Alumni
Association (JFAA)•U.S. high school students from 9th
to 11th grade are eligible to apply.

•All participants must be fully
vaccinated against COVID-19,
including one booster shot forsafe international travel.

••

Junior Fellows will be selectedbased on demonstrated
leadership potential and skills, aswell as the qualities necessary tohave a successful and engaging
experience with other program
participants, including (but notlimited to): ability to adapt to aforeign culture, emotional andinterpersonal maturity, strong
academic background and ademonstrated interest in Japan.
Knowledge of Japanese language
is helpful, but not required.

Application and recommendation
forms are available at:japansociety.org/junior-fellows•

February 9 (Fri.), 2024:
Application Deadline(postmarked)

All application packets must include
the following documents:•Mid-March: Announcementof 1st selection•

April 6 (Sat.): Group interviews(invitation only)•Mid-April: Announcement of2024 Junior Fellows

1.

Completed application form

2. Two (2) signed letters ofrecommendation (at least one
from a teacher or faculty member
at the student’s school)

Notes

3. Copy of school transcript
4. Two (2) short responses to thefollowing questions (500-wordlimit for each question):

Q 1.

•

Application documents will
not be returned.

•Applications submitted byineligible participants orpostmarked after the deadline will
not be considered.

•Each applicant is responsible for
ensuring that their applicationis complete. Only complete
applications will be considered forreview.

•Due to the large number ofapplications received, we areunable to provide feedback toapplicants who are not admitted.

How are you qualified toparticipate in the JuniorFellows Leadership Program?

Q 2. How will this program help you
to achieve your career goals?
•Qualifications

Application Timeline

Guidelines for Application

Applications are accepted by postal
mail ONLY (no electronic submissionsaccepted). In order to avoid lost
mail, we strongly recommend yourapplication be sent via certified mail.

Mailing Address
Attn: Junior Fellows Program
Japan Society
333 East 47th Street
New York, NY 10017“The Junior Fellows Program taught me a lot about Japaneseculture and the leaders I met gave me different perspectives
on leadership. I am confident that what I learned could not be
experienced anywhere else.”—Participant from Newtown, CT“This program taught me a lot about leadership and mostimportantly got me thinking to myself on how I could become abetter leader.”—Participant from Somerset, NJ

Program Costs &Participation Fee•

•The Junior Fellows Leadership
Program is made possible by thegenerous underwriting of Japan
Society donors and supporters.
Tuition offsets the partial cost of
the two-week program: orientation
and arrangements, all internationaland domestic travel, meals andaccommodations as well as alladmissions during study trips andretreat. Fellows are responsible
for additional expenses, suchas pocket money and additional
meals/snacks that are not takenwith host families or program staff.
Tuition: $3,500

Need-Based Scholarships
Japan Society offers need-based
scholarships to provide support for
students facing financial barriers
who are participating in the Junior
Fellows Leadership Program. To
apply for a scholarship, you will be
requested to submit information fromparents’ IRS Form 1040 after you areselected as a Junior Fellow. We award
need-based scholarships based on afamily’s demonstrated need. Details
are available upon selection to theprogram.

“The Junior Fellows Program
has given me the opportunity tobetter myself and grow in many
areas. Throughout the program,I have matured as a person andhave wrestled with the ideas ofindependence and responsibility.
My understanding of Japan has
been deepened and so has my love
for the country. After my experiencein Japan, I will never see the world inthe same way I did before.”—Participant from Belleville, NJ

Program Details
Leader Meetings &Lunch Reception

Aizu Wakamatsu Homestay &School Experience

Junior Fellows will meet with current
leaders in business, education, artsand sciences, nonprofit organizations
and government entities throughcompany visits, individual meetings
and a post-program lunch reception.
Previous Junior Fellows have had
the opportunity to speak withsenior business executives, media
personalities, entrepreneurs, ranking UN
policy advisors, leading photojournalists,architects and nonprofit executives.

U.S. Junior Fellows will travel toNortheast Japan and experience
Japanese life through a homestay inthe historic city of Aizu Wakamatsu
in Fukushima Prefecture. Fellows
will attend a local high school andparticipate in various activities as they
complete their group projects. Program
leaders will facilitate programs thatallow the Junior Fellows to gain a better
understanding of local cuisine, traditions
and history.

Research Project
Junior Fellows will conduct research onsocial issues prior to departure. During
the study trip and homestay in AizuWakamatsu, Fukushima, Fellows willcontinue to study, discuss and further
explore their topic through personal
engagement with the local community.
At the end of the program, Fellows
will present their research projects toleaders and their cohort. Upon returning
to school, Fellows will also share theirexperiences and project on-campus,
as well as create an online exhibition
about the town and school in which theystayed.

Junior Fellows Alumni
Association (JFAA)

Study Trip
Junior Fellows will travel with theProgram leader to visit important
cultural sites and meet Japanese
Junior Fellows alumni in an effort toexpand their network. Previous Junior
Fellows have participated in traditional
craft workshops, visited museums andexperienced various local cuisines.
The Program leader and local guides
have extensive knowledge of Japanese
history, culture and society, and help
the Junior Fellows develop an in-depth
understanding of Japan.

Japan Society

Japan Society is the leading U.S.
organization committed to deepening
Throughout the program, Junior Fellows
mutual understanding between thewill meet with program alumni in both theUnited States and Japan in a global
U.S. and in Japan. As mentors, alumnicontext. Now in its second century,
will share tips on how to successfully
Japan Society serves audiences acrosscomplete the program and how tothe United States and abroad throughmake the most of their experience.
innovative programs in arts and culture,
Alumni also discuss their post-program
public policy, business, language
experiences with the college selectionand education. For more information
process, finding internships and career
about Japan Society, please visit us atplanning. After completion of thejapansociety.org.
program, all Junior Fellows will actively
participate in Japan Society programs
and continue to expand their networkand develop their leadership skills.

For more information, contact the Education Department at
Japan Society at (212) 715-1275/1216 or jfellows@japansociety.org.

“My thoughts on leadership havechanged substantially after doing
the Junior Fellows Program. The
Program has definitely prepared mefor the future, and will help me besuccessful. In addition, this program
has made me more determined tobe successful. It has also taught melessons on perseverance and openmindedness that will allow me to bea better leader in whatever career I
pursue after college. I also now haveconnections with very successfulleaders, which could benefit myfuture career.
—Participant from Norfolk, VA“The program allowed me to build
incredible connections, complete
a successful research project thathas given me insight into many
issues, and challenge myself tounderstand what a leader is andhow I can become one.”—Participant from Linwood, NJ

The Japan Society Junior Fellows Leadership program is supported by generous grants from an anonymous family foundation,
ITO EN (North America) INC, and Hiroko Onoyama. Transportation assistance is provided by All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.

Japan Society programs are made possible by leadership support from Booth Ferris Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of theOffice of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Education and Family Programs are generously supported by an anonymous donor; ORIX Corporation USA;
Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas); public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council;
The Masako Mera and Koichi Mera, PhD Fund for Education and the Arts; The Norinchukin Foundation; and Friends of Education and Family Programs.