Japan

East and West. Tradition and innovation. Industry and family. Shinkansen (bullet train) and tatami (straw mats). Hospitality and privacy. As a YFU student in Japan, you’ll discover a land of contrasts.

Japanese culture meshes Japan’s history with its present-day influences: one night, you and your friends may enjoy singing karaoke; another evening, you may attend a performance of traditional theater like noh or kabuki. You might read haiku one day and a novel by Yukio Mishima the next. The Japanese enjoy newer sports like snowboarding and baseball, as well as traditional sports like sumo wrestling and kendo (fencing).

If your interests are culture, international business, and the world, understanding the Japanese people is a definite plus. Japan is a major economic world power; the need for individuals who understand Japanese culture opens up endless opportunities for Americans who have actually lived there.

Academic Program

When you go to school, you’ll find yourself in one of the senior high schools, and two things may surprise you.  One is that most schools are quite large—averaging 1,000 students—and the other is that you will probably have to wear a uniform.  School uniforms are not covered by the program tuition.  While the curriculum is compulsory, you will probably enjoy learning new things in subjects like Japanese classics or contemporary Japanese language. You can also attend elective classes that include subjects such as art and calligraphy. You might go to club activities after school, such as karate.

Students have the opportunity to engage themselves in Japanese culture not only through living with a host family but also by participating in occasional special activities arranged by YFU. These special  events and day-trips provide students with time to meet other YFU students while learning more about Japanese culture and life.

To be eligible for a 2009 YFU program to Japan students must have a birth date between April 2, 1991 and April 1, 1994.

James Bradley Peace Foundation Scholarship
The James Bradley Peace Foundation Scholarship, formerly known as the Sons of Iwo Jima Scholarship program, provides academic year scholarships to China and Japan. Open to all US high school students, but with a selection priority for students attending specific high schools. Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Previous participants on a YFU exchange are not eligible. Only US citizens may apply.

A full list of scholarships and the scholarship application are available on our Scholarships page.

Summer Program

Discover Japan
Japan will come to life for you when you arrive for your six-week stay with your host family. Whether you are participating in activities to understand Japanese culture such as experiencing a tea ceremony, flower arrangement, or a traditional local summer festival, your cross-cultural experience will enhance your understanding of real Japanese culture.

Programs, Departures, and Costs

Scholarships

The following nationwide scholarships are available for the Discover Japan summer program:

• FCCLA Scholarship
• Japan-America Friendship Scholars (JAFS)
• Japan-US Mutual Understanding Program for the 21st Century (JUMP)
  
• Japan-US Senate Youth Exchange Program (JUSSE)
• Morita Foundation
• Okinawa Peace Scholars
• Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.
  
• Mazda Nationwide
• Kikkoman National

A full list of scholarships and the scholarship application are available on our Scholarships page.

Online Resources

To learn more about Japan, we recommend:

• E-mail YFU Alumni from the Alumni Referral List with your questions
• Visit your local library to find reference books, travel guides and essays, Japanese language dictionaries, and many more country resources 
• Use an internet search engine to find informative web sites 
• Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC web site

"The exchange experience is what led me to minor in Japanese in college, and set me on the course I am following now." - Mark Michaelis

All YFU Programs are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.
Last Updated: December 8, 2008