[Bachelor Student] University of Tokyo - Global Japan Studies Summer Program 2020, Japan (JASSO Scholarship)

Japan’s postwar period is most often described as four decades of high growth “economic miracle” followed subsequently by a prolonged recession dubbed “the lost two decades” (1990-present). Japan’s postwar, however, points to a far more complicated and ongoing process of social, cultural, and political changes, which this program is set to explore.

Participants will be immersed in a ten-day intensive program of 1), interdisciplinary academic lectures (in humanities, social sciences, and engineering), 2), carefully planned fieldtrips in Tokyo and surrounding areas, and 3), Japanese language lessons tailored to individual participant’s needs. Through a well-designed combination of on- and off-campus study, the program challenges participants to critically analyze a variety of sociocultural, political, and technological issues, such as sustainable urban planning, poverty, and historical memory. These issues are key for understanding not only Japan’s postwar itself but also the larger world to which Japan is closely connected and of which Japan is intrinsically a part.

Program Fee:

• JPY 280,000 (inclusive of accommodation, health insurance, lunches and refreshments, exclusive of participants’ round-trip air fare and fieldtrip transportation expenses (bus and subway fares).

Detailed directions will be provided on how to make fee payment. Only online credit card payment is accepted.

Financial Aid:
Participants will be considered for the JASSO scholarship if it becomes available.

Eligibility and Language Requirements:

• Undergraduate students in all academic majors and currently enrolled in a university or college in any country, and whose GPA at the moment of application is 2.3 or above on a 3 point scale, are eligible to apply.
• The summer program does NOT require submission of proof of English language proficiency such as TOEFL or TOIEC scores, but participants must have sufficient English proficiency to attend lectures and field trips in English and give presentations in English.
• This program does NOT require Japanese language proficiency and Japanese language lessons are offered by the program. Knowledge of Japanese, however, will be helpful for your participation in the program.

Program Requirements:

• Participants are required to conduct group research projects and give presentations on the final day of the program. Project topics shall be decided in consultation with program faculty members.
• Participants will also be required to complete a program evaluation paper. Besides two course credits, participants will also receive a University of Tokyo summer program certificate upon successfully completing the program.

Japanese Language Lessons:

• Japanese lessons are offered by the program. Participants’ level of Japanese will be assessed and they will be placed into classes appropriate to their levels.

Required Document:

• one 3-page double-spaced essay in English outlining why you are interested in this program and what you want to learn from it;
• C.V. (indicate if you have learned Japanese and if so the level of proficiency: elementary, intermediate, proficient);
• your most updated and official transcripts issued by your university;
• passport copy;
• photo (unprocessed).

How to Apply:
To apply, please send the above materials to gjs@ioc.u-tokyo.ac.jp. Please enter APPLICATION TO GJS SUMMER PROGRAM in the subject space of your email.
All applications should be submitted through email. No paper submission is accepted.

What Happens after You Applied:
The program committee will carefully evaluate the entire dossier of every application before making decision on admission and if applicable, scholarship. Acceptance decisions will be announced about two weeks after application deadline to all applicants. Accepted participants are required to make credit card payment of program fee to the University of Tokyo by March 2, 2020 (Mon.) for Jan. 31 applications, and March 31, 2020 (Tue.) for Feb.29 applications.

Deadline:
There are two deadlines for this year’s application.

• Early bird deadline: January 31, 2020 (Fri.), 23:59 Japan Standard Time
• Second deadline: February 29, 2020 (Sat.), 23:59 Japan Standard Time

Applicants can submit their applications by February 29, 2020 if they were unable to meet the deadline of January 31, 2020. Regardless of the difference in deadline, all applications will be reviewed under exactly the same criteria.

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