Keizai Koho Center Teacher Fellowship
Application Due Date: February 28, 2025 Dates: June 23 (Mon) -July 1 (Tue), 2025 (Tentative) Program Type: Education Exchange, Public Affairs Contact: Email: kkcfellowship@us-japan.org Contact Phone: 412-856-8608, Ms. Katsuko Shellhammer Keizai Koho Center (KKC), in cooperation with the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS), will offer the “KKC Study Tour to Japan 2025” for U.S. and Canadian social studies teachers. Since 1980, over 700 U.S. and Canadian social studies teachers have taken part in the “KKC Study Tour to Japan”. The program aims to deepen participants’ understanding of contemporary Japanese social, economic, political, and international issues. Their experiences and findings in Japan contribute to international mutual understanding across the Pacific and have significant value to their students, who will build future ties with Japan. |  |
Dates of the Program
June 23 (Mon) -July 1 (Tue), 2025 (Tentative)
The contents will be developed to provide vivid and enjoyable experiences which may include:
- Visits to Japanese schools and Japanese companies,
- Meetings with scholars and/or experts on social, economic, political, and international issues and the education system,
- Cultural and fun experiences,
- A seminar with an audience of business people, educators etc.
Costs Covered by KKC
KKC provides round trip air transportation from the participants’ home city to Tokyo, as well as accommodations, ground transportation, and meals associated with the program. The cost of insurance premiums covering overseas travel, medical, and accident expenses are not covered by KKC.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Have skills and experience in developing curriculum and a strong interest in Japan,
- Have never lived in Japan nor visited Japan on a similar study tour,
- Be middle or high school classroom teachers of Economics, Social Studies, Geography or History (grades 6-12).
- Be able to attend the full itinerary. (Cancellations and changes made after the air ticket is issued will be paid by the Applicant)
- Be able to work and cooperate with others.
- Be open and flexible.
Requirements
To participate in the Study Tour, applicants are required to agree to:
- Make a presentation and contribute to discussions at a seminar organized as a part of the program.
- Submit a lesson plan on contemporary Japan for their classroom to KKC by Oct. 31, 2025.
- Submit a final report to KKC by January 9, 2026, which describes how experiences and findings from the tour are used in the classroom and other occasions. Relevant copies of any school newspaper/magazine articles are appreciated.
- Consent that the lesson plans and the final reports become the property of KKC to be posted on its website for use by other teachers.
- Understand that the demands of the itinerary are such that only individuals physically able to travel without special assistance should consider participating, and that special diets cannot be provided.
- Understand there will be no provisions for spouses to accompany fellows due to the nature of the program and logistical arrangements.
- Write an article for the KKC Fellowship Newsletter, which is published twice a year.
How to Apply for the KKC Study Tour to Japan 2025 for U.S. and Canadian Social Studies Teachers
Start of Application: Mid-December |
Required Documents
Applications must include all required documents and be submitted no later than February 28, 2025. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
(1) Resume
A list of your current academic position, educational achievements, and professional activities. Provide details regarding previous curriculum and/or staff development experiences.
(2) Project Proposal
Tell us why you would like to participate in this Study Tour and how you will use what you learn from the program. Quality and originality are key elements in the selection process. Please also outline a timeline of activities related to your project to be scheduled from September 2025 - June 2026. You are encouraged to disseminate information to audiences beyond individual schools such as district-wide teacher resource centers, community or professional organizations. Local Japan-America Societies may be of assistance for community-wide dissemination efforts.
(3) Letter of Employment
A letter from your employer, which attests to your full time professional status for the 2025-2026 school year.
(4) Letters of Recommendation
Two letters to support for applicants’ participation in the tour from administrators and/or key individuals.
Recommendation Letter Guidance >
Submission
After gathering all above documents, please visit the online application to apply for the KKC Study Tour by the aforementioned deadline.
All documents must be submitted online.
Submitted application documents become the property of the KKC and cannot be returned.Selection Results
A special committee will select and notify each fellow in writing on March 25, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is there any free time for my own research in Japan?
A: No. Basically the program runs from morning to evening almost every day. However, after all the daily programs have finished, you may have some free time.
Q: Will meals be supplied?
A: Keizai Koho Center (KKC) arranges accommodation with breakfast. KKC covers most lunches required by the program. When KKC does not arrange lunch and/or dinner, you will be requested to pay for the meals.
Q: Any out-of-pocket expenses?
A: Shopping and any side trips (if and when you have time) are out-of-pocket.
Q: May I bring my spouse or partner?
A: No.
Q: How many letters of recommendation should I submit?
A: Two letters of recommendation are required.
Q: Can I have a student or a parent write a letter of recommendation?
A: Since it is an academic fellowship it is best to have someone that you have worked with or for in the education field.
Q: Is there a file size limit when I submit my application?
A: The total size should not exceed 3MB.
Q: May I send the documents by mail?
A: No. All documents must be submitted online.
To learn more about the fellowship, please visit the Keizai Koho Center website.
Lesson Plans
Lesson Plans on Japan prepared by participants of previous years are available at the Keizai Koho Center website.
For further information:
4601 Baum Blvd, Suite 275
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Email: kkcfellowship@us-japan.org
Tel: 412-856-8608
Ms. Katsuko Shellhammer