The JAL Foundation, the cultural arm of Japan Airlines Group, will hold the 36th JAL Scholarship Program in Japan for university undergraduates from countries and regions across Asia and Oceania from June 29 - July 15, 2009.

In total, 26 university students from 11 countries and regions in Asia and Oceania will participate in the 17-day program during which they will have the opportunity to discuss and debate with Japanese student counterparts this year’s theme, entitled “International Cooperation”.  The program was launched in 1975 as an introduction to Japan for university students from the Asia & Oceania. Since 1990 the JAL Foundation has organized the event, which has evolved in scope over the years. The objective of the program is to help develop better international relations in Asia and Oceania. Through the program, participants can gain a better understanding of Japan, as well as each other’s countries and cultures.

Including this year’s participants, a total of 1,369 students will have participated in the program since it started in 1975. The 26 participants this year include six students from China including Hong Kong, three from South Korea, two each from Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, and one guest scholar from America. Students are selected locally by means of an essay contest, followed by an interview. The program includes roundtrip international airfares on Japan Airlines, tuition, board and lodging and transportation within Japan.

Highlights of the 36th JAL Scholarship Program.

Seminar for Globally Minded Citizens, Tokyo - Mr. Yasushi Akashi, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, together with lecturers who are leading figures in their fields, will provide the program students with a comprehensive introduction to Japan’s culture, economy, environmental issues and society through a series of stimulating lectures.

Field trip to Chiba Prefecture - Conducted in partnership with the East Japan Railway Culture Foundation, the participants will go on a field trip to Chiba Prefecture to learn about Japanese culture.

Student sessions -Students will hold discussions with Japanese students on the theme of the 2009 program.

Home stays (Tokyo area) - Students will have the opportunity to experience first hand, the lifestyles of a Japanese family in contemporary Japan.

Asia Forum in Ishikawa Prefecture - A 5-day forum that will include field work and lectures held in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture on the Japan Sea coast. The program participants will join local Japanese students in discussing the theme “The Attractiveness and Issues of Kanazawa” and will present their findings.
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