KAKEHASHI 計劃

AFS Japan has been appointed by the national Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) to run the Kakehashi project, focused on facilitating intercultural exchange and understanding between teenagers in Japan and 20 other Asian countries. This government-sponsored program will provide full scholarships for 1,000 Asian high school students to study in Japan’s public high schools over the next five years. Together with 40,000 of their Japanese peers, these students will develop greater global competence and understanding of each other’s countries.

This scholarship is ideal for students who have strong academic records, a desire to study abroad, and a willingness to participate in an academic setting. Strong candidates will be ready to fully immerse themselves in the intercultural learning experience during the duration of the program. Students should also already be studying Japanese. AFS is committed to diversity and encourages students from any background to apply.

For the 2020 Kakehashi program, AFS is identifying and selecting scholarship recipients from 20 Asian countries. AFS organizations from China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand will identify and select students from their countries as well as from countries where there is no AFS office.

Your scholarship covers the AFS program fee, domestic and international airfares, and all program costs.

Expenses not covered by the scholarship include, but are not limited, to:

• Vaccinations, immunizations, and other disease-preventing medications (i.e. malaria)
• Travel expenses to the regional consulate to obtain a visa
• Additional spending money
• Checked luggage fees

Students who are selected for the Kakehashi program will stay in dorms or with host families. Participants will not be able to choose the type of placement. Temporary host families during holidays and vacations will be provided to participants who are placed in dorms.

All participants will receive support from AFS Japan’s local volunteers or specialized staff. AFS will organize cultural orientations and other local activities. All students will attend carefully chosen high-schools that AFS works closely with.