Japan-America Student Conference

What is the Japan-American Student Conference?

The Japan–America Student Conference (JASC), founded in 1934, is the oldest student-led exchange program of its kind. Each summer, the same number of students from Japan and the United States are chosen to join a three-week program of cultural exchange, academic study, and leadership development.

What makes JASC different is that students don’t just attend — they run the program. Each year, a student Executive Committee plans the conference, chooses the themes, and leads the activities, creating a peer-led experience that is hands-on, challenging, globally relevant and builds real-world skills valued by future employers.

In 2026, JASC will take place in San Francisco, Nashville, and Washington, DC.

In this time of global challenges, the Japan-America Student Conference stands out as a shining example of how close interaction between youths of different cultures can build a solid foundation for future friendship and cooperation.
His Excellency Ryozo Kato
Former Ambassador of Japan to the U.S.

Program Overview

Delegates will examine how dignity—individual, cultural, and institutional—is upheld, challenged, and reimagined in Japan-U.S. relations. From intergenerational history to current geopolitical tensions, this year’s theme asks students to engage with the complexity of cross-cultural respect in today’s shifting global landscape.

Applications Open: October 13, 2025
Conference Dates: August 3–August 22, 2026 (American Orientation immediately prior to the conference start).
Sites: San Francisco, Nashville, and Washington, DC.

Roundtables

Each delegate joins a Roundtable (RT)—a small cross-cultural research cohort exploring one aspect of the U.S.–Japan relationship. These groups meet throughout the conference to explore their topic through discussion, research, and collaboration. At the end, each group presents its findings at the Final Forum.

Roundtables are led by Executive Committee members and shaped by student perspectives. Each topic offers a lens to explore bilateral issues and encourages delegates to think critically about solutions, policy implications, and cultural meaning.

Delegate Experience

Cultural Exchange
Delegates live, eat, and travel together—building friendships across cultures while exploring both modern cities and rural landscapes in Japan.

Daily Life
From early morning site visits to late-night roundtable work, your days will be filled with activity. Expect guest lectures, hands-on research, peer discussions, and immersive excursions in each host city.

Housing & Meals

Delegates stay in safe, shared housing arranged by ISC. All accommodations are vetted for comfort, location, and accessibility. Meals are provided, and ISC works to accommodate dietary needs. An ISC staff member travels with each conference to provide support and respond to emergencies.

World-Class Access
As a delegate, you’ll gain insider access to ambassadors, professors, journalists, entrepreneurs, and civil society leaders. Delegates often tour government offices, heritage sites, and innovative institutions not typically open to the public.

Academics
There are no grades, but intellectual curiosity is a must. Delegates are expected to prepare, participate fully, and co-author a final presentation with their roundtable peers.

Social Time
Delegates will have downtime for karaoke nights, cultural demonstrations, and informal bonding events — because connection is at the heart of JASC.

Meet the Executive Committee

Every year, the Japan-America Student Conference is planned and led by students — just like you.

The Executive Committee (EC) is a group of returning delegates from the United States and Japan. They work together across time zones for months to shape the next conference — building the schedule, leading Roundtables, and coordinating logistics. During the program, they serve as on-site leaders and peer mentors.

JASC 78 is brought to life by this year’s dedicated student leaders:

American Executive Committee

Eleanor Hiroko Kakimoto Meunier, American Chair, Colgate University
Zoe Rebecca Hoksbergen, Vice Chair, UC Berkeley
Nil Nyah, Treasurer, Duke University
Maya Sasaki-George, Secretary, Trinity College
Gerald Jaime Reiling, Recruitment, Duke University
Lucie Freeman, Recruitment, University of Minnesota

Japanese Executive Committee

Sawaka Date, 伊達早和花, Japanese Chair, Keio University
Ryoya Tanaka, 田中遼弥, Vice Chair, Kyushu University
Asuka Fushitani, 伏谷飛鳥, Vice Chair, Kyoto University
Koharu Yamakawa, 山川心春, Finance, Waseda University
Rio Ohashi, 大橋莉央, Public Relations, Trinity College
Risa Ueda, 上田理紗, Public Relations, University of Tokyo
Soichiro Tezuka, 手塚颯一朗, Applicant Selection, Keio University
Mako Imada , 今田真子, Applicant Selection, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies

How to Apply

Eligibility

Open to undergraduate and graduate students who are 18+ years old at the time of the conference.
Must be enrolled at an accredited university either during the application period or in the fall semester after the program concludes.
All majors and fields of study are welcome. English proficiency is required (Japanese is not required).

What You’ll Need

Complete online application
Required: Unofficial Transcript, Verification of
Enrollment, Resume/CV
Optional: Letter of Recommendation, Supplemental
Materials (e.g. portfolio, etc.)
$20 application fee

Application

Opens: October 13, 2025
Closes: December 28, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET

Timeline & Process

After you apply, you may be invited to a short virtual interview within two weeks

Final decisions will be announced in mid-to-late January

If accepted, you’ll be asked to submit a $500 deposit to confirm your spot

Need Help?

Download the Applicant Packet (PDF) for more details. Have questions? Email JASC@iscdc.org or message us on Instagram @jasc_official.us

Cost & Scholarships

Participation Fee: $3,000

Thanks to our generous supporters, every accepted delegate automatically receives a scholarship of over $3,000 — bringing the participation fee down from $7,000 to $3,000.

Your participation fee covers:

Housing in each city
All meals
All in-country travel and logistics
International flights between the U.S. and Japan (if applicable)
Cultural activities and academic programming
International travel and health insurance

What’s not included:

A non-refundable $500 deposit is required to secure your spot if accepted. This will be a credit toward your conference fee.
Travel to and from the starting and ending cities
Personal expenses (souvenirs, food, and beverages beyond provided meals, etc.)

Each year, 60–80% of delegates receive full or partial funding through ISC’s Plant a Diplomatic Tree Scholarship, their universities, or from our generous partners. Our Executive Committee is here to support you in securing the resources you need.

Additional support available:

The Glen S. & Sakie T. Fukushima Alumni Fellowship provides two full scholarships per year and partial scholarships to EC members.
The Plant a Diplomatic Tree Scholarship supports one delegate annually in honor of Kristy Murray Holch.

JASC Japan

For information in Japanese or more details on how to apply to join the Japanese delegation, please visit our Japan partner’s site at https://jasciec.jp/.