Journalism (Research)
Japan
Number of recipients
In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.
Conduct research in applicant's area of specialization. Proposals must be feasible with respect to the applicant's qualifications and language abilities, as well as the proposed time frame. It is expected that the research will result in a tangible product appropriate to the grantee's particular field of journalism (for example, a series of articles, a television program or a series of radio stories on some facet of Japan). The product should be described in some detail in the project statement. During the grant period, grantees are welcome to generate periodic articles or reports, but they are not allowed to serve as a regular correspondent for either a U.S. employer or, if there is one, their Japanese affiliate.
The purpose of this award is to provide opportunities for both junior and senior journalists working in print, broadcast and digital media to become better informed about Japan.
Any appropriate institution. Applicants are to seek affiliation, but the Commission reserves the right to confirm final affiliation.
Three to nine months
Grants must begin between July 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026.
The Serial (Flex) Grant is designed for scholars who require multiple visits to the host country. This option allows grants to be conducted over short segments, preferably during the fall and/or spring semesters. Interested applicants must clearly indicate plans for Flex in their project statement, including a project timeline.
Serial (Flex) grant parameters:
- Minimum length of the total grant is six months
- Grants cannot be divided into more than two segments
- Grant segments may be spread over two consecutive years with a half or more of the total grant period completed during the first academic year
- The second segment must resume within one year after the completion of the first segment
The Flex Award is designed for scholars who require multiple visits to the host country. This option allows grants to be conducted over two or three short segments. Applicants must select Flex in the application form, and clearly describe their plans for Flex in their project statement, including a project timeline. Flex grantees may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host-country academic community.
Applicants must have interests in Japanese culture and society in the broad sense, not limited within their proposed fields of study.
Applicants demonstrating study or research plans/goals that are strongly related to furthering mutual understanding and cooperative pursuits between Japan and the United States will generally be preferred over those who lack such intent.
Fulbright East Asia Pacific Regional Travel Program
As conditions allow, Fulbright Scholars in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region may have the opportunity to apply for funds to support short-term (3-14 days) travel to other countries in the EAP region for activities such as lectures, workshops, graduate or faculty seminars, master classes or recitals, curricular advising or panel presentations. EAP Regional Travel Program funding covers transportation only. Regional Travel Program activities/host sites should not be included in the initial Fulbright application. Scholars may start the process of seeking out invitations for short-term activities in other EAP countries once notified that they have been selected for a Fulbright grant, but will only be able to apply for travel program funds, conditions permitting, once they have actively started their Fulbright grant in their host country. Scholars on Flex grants are not eligible for the regional travel grant.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Research can be conducted in English; proficiency in Japanese is not required but desirable.
Applicants must be working active journalists including freelance journalists and have at least seven years of experience.
Applicants may be Japan specialists or nonspecialists.
You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the in-country selection process.
U.S. Department of State - Japan
Japan-U.S. Educational Commission
Email the East Asia and the Pacific Team with questions about applying.
- Stipend of 350,000 yen (approximately $2,550) per month
- Family allowance of 50,000-100,000 yen (approximately $360-730) per month, depending on the number of accompanying dependents.
- Housing allowance of 120,000-200,000 yen (approximately $880-1,460) per month is provided, depending on the number of accompanying dependents.
(Conversion rate at 137 yen/1 us dollar)
Roundtrip international travel arranged by Fulbright commission for grantee and a primary dependent who accompanies the grantee on a grant of nine months.
Baggage allowance: $300-$500 for Japan-bound and 60,000-100,000 yen (approximately $440-730) for U.S.-bound, based on length of grant.
Settling-in allowance: equivalent to one month's housing allowance (120,000 - 200,000 yen: approximately $880-1,460).
Research allowance: 300,000-500,000 yen (approximately $2,190-3,650), depending on the length of the grant.
Research travel allowance: 30,000-100,000 yen (approximately $220-730), depending on the length of the grant.
Honoraria for guest lecturing may be accepted under the terms of the award.
Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
Japan
The third largest economy on Earth and Asia’s most prosperous democracy, Japan is home to world-leading universities and research institutions that have produced countless scholars of global distinction, along with cutting-edge innovations that have improved the lives of all.
Since 1952, generations of American Fulbrighters have immersed themselves to gain a deeper understanding of the culture and society that make Japan one of the most fascinating civilizations in history, as well as the most indispensable partner nation for the United States today.
Visiting scholars enjoy unsurpassed freedom to interact with the people and the land, to experience the beauty of four distinct seasons, and to appreciate the daily contrasts between ancient tradition and cosmopolitan modernity.
The academic year for Japan's approximately 800 universities typically commences in April, but there are an increasing number of programs that align closer to the U.S. school calendar.
More information on programs for Japan can be found on the Japan-U.S. Educational Commission website.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.