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Fulbright scholars to Japan have the opportunity
to live for a semester or a year in a country
that blends high tech, great physical beauty,
and rich cultural traditions. Despite its economic
difficulties, Japan still has the world's second
largest economy. It is a place where people work
very hard but also stop to celebrate the coming
of the cherry blossoms in the spring and the colorful
foliage of fall.
Fulbrighters are honored people in Japan, in
part, because Japanese alumni hold important posts
in the public and private sectors as well as in
the academic community. The attendance of the
Emperor and Empress at a gala celebration commemorating
the 40th anniversary of the Fulbright program
in Japan is indicative of the respect in which
Fulbrighters are held. Grantees who have spent
time in Japan under other fellowship programs
often note that the Fulbright label brings special
benefits and opens doors.
The Japan Fulbright commission offers specialists
in the study of the United States opportunities
to teach in major Japanese universities for one
semester or the academic year. While most lecturers
are placed at universities in the Metropolitan
Tokyo area, some are placed in other cities such
as Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima as well as in Okinawa.
A smaller number of grants for a combination of
teaching and research in the social sciences and
humanities are also part of the program.
Research awards of 3-9 months are open to both Japan
specialists and scholars in the social sciences
and humanities who want to do comparative studies.
Scholars with projects examining post-World War
II political and economic and relations whose grants
are for nine months may spend two months of the
grant in another Pacific Rim country.
The Japan program also includes the option of
a serial grant consisting of two short-term visits
(2-4 months each) over a two-year period.
Professionals in law, business, government, and
journalism are most welcome to apply for research
grants.
There is also an award specifically for both
junior and senior working journalists.
Even though housing is small by American standards,
families find a Japan Fulbright a good experience
for all members. A recent research grantee with
two teen-age sons described their 10 months in
Tokyo as "a wonderful experience for us all,"
and went on to note that "Fulbright is the
only granting agency for research in Japan that
pays tuition for children in an international
school without which I would have been confined
to short-term research trips for years. Having
an extended stay gave me the luxury to conduct
careful and extensive research on my subject…I
thank Fulbright for the opportunity to pursue
my research and to do so by including my family."
Applicants should also note that the Japan Fulbright
commission has been willing to award grants to
both members of a married couple.
Concerns about the high cost of living should
not be a barrier to applying for a Fulbright award
in Japan. The Fulbright commission in Tokyo offers
one of the largest benefit packages in the Fulbright
program. Depending upon family size, lecturers
receive a monthly stipend of between 600,000 and
810,000 yen ($1=113Y) as well as a dollar supplement
of $250-$450/month. Researchers receive 470,000
- 650,000 yen per month.
In addition, round trip travel is provided for
the grantee and one accompanying dependent (if
the grant is for nine months). The grant also
includes a settling in allowance and baggage allowance
as well as tuition for the schooling (1-12) of
two dependent children. Researchers also receive
a research allowance.
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