The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan invites young Europeans for a ten-day group study tour of Japan in September or October 2008 respectively.

The object of the tour is, in the short term, to inspire participant's interest on Japan through experiences on many aspects of Japan (i.e. Japanese politics, economy, culture, society etc.). It is hoped that in the longer term, the applicants' deeper understanding of Japan gained in the tour will contribute to strengthening future ties between Japan and European countries.


Applicants are required to meet the following requirements:

(1) Nationals of the following countries: Andorra (Application at Japanese Embassy in France), Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus (at Embassy in Greece), Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Greece , Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein (at Embassy in Switzerland), Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta (at Embassy in Italy), Monaco (at Embassy in France), the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino (at Embassy in Italy), Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, the United Kingdom, EU*

* “EU applicants” is limited to fonctionnaires and stagiaires of the EU Institutions– European Commission, Council of the EU, European Parliament etc.- with the nationality of the 27 Member States.

(2) Aged 18-35 as of 1 st June 2008

(3) Able to communicate effectively in English

(4) Others
- Applicants have never been in Japan before and have no plan to visit Japan in the near future
- Applicants are expected to be enthusiastic, sociable and well suited to group activities for the Tour

(1) Duration (plan) Group A, Group B: 10 days from 23 rd September to 3 rd October or from 21 st to 31 st October 2008

(2) Number of Participants Up to 60 persons in total (30 persons each per group)

(3) Plan of Study Tour
a. Experiencing cultural, economic and political aspects of Japan from both traditional and modern perspectives through lectures, visits and hands-on experiences.
b. Discussions with Japanese youth.
c. Visits to regional cities in Japan
d. Stay with a host family.


Applications should include a CV and a short essay (one page in A4-sized paper, single placed) with a cover letter in English on (choose one of the following subjects):

1. What kind of role should Japanese Government play in order to promote Japanese pop cultures (incl. Japanese food) more widely in other countries?

2. What can you do or wish to do, in order to boost the (political/cultural/economic) exchanges between Japan and Cyprus?

3. Raise one Japanese you wish to meet in person. Please explain why.


Applications are required to be sent to the Japanese Embassies/Consulates General of the country of which your nationalities are belonged (even if you are currently residing in another country).

*“EU applicants” mentioned above are requested to send their applications to the Mission of Japan to the European Union in Brussels.

Deadline:

Applications are required to be sent by the 6 th of June 2008 to: