Providing Japan Study Abroad opportunities for american undergraduates

86 Bridging Scholars will study in Japan this year

  • Bridging Foundation Fabiola Alvarez

    Fabiola Alvarez

  • Bridging Foundation Jeremy Jakai

    Jeremy Jakai

  • Bridging Foundation Isabel An

    Isabel An

  • Bridging Foundation Lance Parker

    Lance Parker

  • Bridging Foundation Brandon Benton

    Brandon Benton

  • Bridging Foundation Amanda Anderson

    Amanda Anderson

  • Bridging Foundation Marni Aosved

    Marni Aosved

  • Bridging Foundation Suvan Agarwal

    Suvan Agarwal

  • Bridging Foundation James Dalton

    James Dalton

  • Bridging Foundation Joyce Chan

    Joyce Chan

We provide study abroad scholarships, mentorship, and networking opportunities to American undergraduates passionate about Japan.

join our program

Our scholars are passionate undergraduate students from across the United States. Meet our latest cohort!

Meet Our Scholars

Help us nurture global leaders by becoming a supporter of the United States-Japan Bridging Foundation!

BECOME A SUPPORTER

News from the Bridging Foundation

Bridging Foundation
2024 -25 Bridging Scholarship Applications Are Open
2024 -25 Bridging Scholarship Applications Are Open

The U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation, in partnership with the American Association of Teachers of Japanese, is excited to open applications for scholarships to study in Japan beginning in Fall 2024. The term of study can be the Fall 2024 semester, the 2024-25 academic year, or the Spring 2025 semester. Please note: There will be no later, separate application deadline for Spring 2025 scholarships.

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Morgan Stanley Reception in Tokyo
Morgan Stanley Reception in Tokyo

On December 6, the US-Japan Bridging Foundation and Morgan Stanley joined forces to host a Career Development Panel for our Bridging Scholars. Tom Mason, Executive Director of the Bridging Foundation, set the stage with a warm welcome, and David Richards, Chief Administrative Officer at Morgan Stanley in Japan, provided a captivating introduction to the firm, sharing his career journey and various pathways to employment in Japan.

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Kansai Gaidai Reception
Kansai Gaidai Reception

On November 29, the Bridging Foundation, together with Kansai Gaidai, hosted a special reception for our scholars to get to know one another and to share advice on embarking on a Japan-related career. Of the 15 current Bridging Scholars and one recent alumni who joined, five were from Kansai Gaidai with the others students from Doshisha University, Osaka University, Ritsumeikan University, and Okayama University.

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Bishop_Family.png
ACCJ Supports Bishop Memorial Fund with $10,000 Donation

The United States-Japan Bridging Foundation is pleased to announce a generous $10,000 donation from the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) to our newly established Bishop Family Memorial Scholarship Fund. Last December, on Christmas morning, Bill, his wife Izumi, and their daughter Sophianna lost their lives, killed by their neighbor at their family home.

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Bridging Scholarship Applications are Open
Bridging Scholarship Applications are Open

The U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation, in partnership with the American Association of Teachers of Japanese, is excited to open applications for scholarships to study in Japan beginning in Fall 2023.  The term of study can be the Fall 2023 semester, the 2023-24 academic year, or the Spring 2024 semester. Please note: There will be no later, separate application deadline for Spring 2024 scholarships.

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Announcing the Spring 2023 Cohort
Announcing the Spring 2023 Cohort

The United States-Japan Bridging Foundation is thrilled to share that 17 undergraduates from colleges and universities across the United States have been named recipients of the Bridging Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan this spring. This group joins the 79 scholars awarded this Fall for a full class of 96 2022-23 Bridging Scholars!

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About The
United States-Japan Bridging Foundation

The United States-Japan Bridging Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created in 1998. Three core activities comprise the Bridging Foundation’s global mission: recruiting students interested in study abroad; funding scholarships for study in Japan; and mentoring those students.

Meet our Scholars

  • Ignacio Garcia-Mata Bridging Foundation

    Ignacio Garcia-Mata

    “Just over three months of my year-long study abroad program have passed now in Japan, and I am having one of the most fulfilling, fun-filled times of my life, more than I could have ever imagined before getting on a plane and actually flying here. So far I have been keeping busy traveling, studying, going out with friends, practicing with the school club I joined, and so much more. Again, thank you so much for supporting me in my journey!”

    IGNACIO’S STORY

  • Michaela Masui Bridging Foundation

    Michaela Masui

    “I would like to express my gratitude for your generous scholarship to support my study abroad experience in Japan. I have gone to so many beautiful places around Japan, like Nikko and Kamakura. My program includes group trips which have been fun to experience with other program students. I am grateful for this opportunity of a lifetime and appreciate your support.”

    MICHAELA’S STORY

  • Brandon Benton Bridging Foundation

    Brandon Benton

    “Firstly, as a JUSFC Bridging Scholar, I would like to thank you for supporting my study abroad. My time here in Nagasaki has truly been life-changing. I have had so many incredible experiences that I hope I will never forget and have enjoyed it here so much that I've decided to extend my study abroad to a full academic year! Once again, I am so thankful for your support. This may not have been possible without it.”

    BRANDON’S STORY

  • Bridging Foundation Maeve Gennett

    Maeve Gennett

    “I would like to thank you for your incredibly generous scholarship. Attending Waseda University has been a wonderful, once in a lifetime experience full of personal triumphs which I never could have imagined back home. Everyday I feel as though I learn something new about myself and about Japan. It is an extreme honor, and I am incredibly grateful.”

    MAEVE’S STORY

$7.3 million in grants of $2,500 to $7,500 since 1998

80% OF ALUMNI RESPONDENTS COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR JAPANESE HOST FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND PROFESSORS

55% OF RECIPIENTS ARE WOMEN

50% IDENTIFY AS BLACK, ASIAN, OR HISPANIC

57% OF ALUMNI RESPONDENTS ARE CURRENTLY IN JAPAN OR WORKING FOR A U.S.-JAPAN RELATED ORGANIZATION

Apply to be a scholar

The U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation awards scholarships to U.S. undergraduate students to study in Japan for one semester or an academic year.

Applications open twice a year, generally in mid-spring and mid-fall. We receive at least four applications for every one awarded. The Foundation awards approximately 100 scholarships annually at a total value of $350,000.

We Need Your Support!

Help us nurture the next generation of global leaders by providing American undergraduates with experiences that will enrich their knowledge and understanding of Japan.

YOUR SUPPORT PROVIDES:

  • Life-Changing Financial Assistance: Grant recipients spend a semester or academic-year in Japan taking classes at a local Japanese university while studying the language and culture

  • Equity and Inclusion in Japan: We recruit a diverse cross-section of students, including those from traditionally underrepresented communities

  • Future Generational Impact: Our scholars’ long-term engagement with Japan increases the likelihood they will remain strong advocates of the U.S.-Japan relationship and creates a sustainable pipeline for the next generation of U.S.-Japan leaders

Work In Japan

Using Japanese in the Workplace Part 1

Perspectives on International Education Careers

Building a Japan-related Career