Study Abroad at a High School in Japan

Applications are currently closed

The 2027 scholarship application will open in February 2027.

The Asia Kakehashi Project+ is a full scholarship funded by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and run by AFS Japan. Kakehashi means “bridge,” and that is the purpose of the program. Japan invites high school students from across Asia and the G7 to live and study in Japan, build real friendships with Japanese peers, and return home ready to strengthen ties between their country and Japan for years to come.

AFS-USA selects two U.S. students each year. We are looking for applicants who see this scholarship as a responsibility as well as an opportunity.

ASIA KAKEHASHI Project +

The Asia Kakehashi Project＋(plus) (kakehashi is Japanese for “bridging”) will select 100 scholars from around the world to strengthen relations between Japan and the rest of Asia and G7 member countries. Learn more below!

Eligibility

Graduates Eligible?	No, participants cannot have graduated high school prior to the start of the program
Minimum GPA	3.5
Age	Applicants must be born after April 2, 2009 and before April 1, 2012
Language Skills	You must be studying Japanese when you apply, with at least a basic foundation such as reading hiragana and katakana. Stronger skills, JLPT results, and Japanese speech contest experience will improve your chances of selection.

Based on differences in culture, strict government regulation of medications, and other local customs, it has been our experience that not all of our international AFS partners are able to support students with certain diagnoses, including but not limited to, severe allergies, strict dietary restrictions, ADD/ADHD, and those currently taking or who have taken psychotropic medications and/or received counseling for mental/psychological issues within the past year. If this applies to you, please get in touch with an AFS Study Abroad Specialist early so that we can determine the right experience for you.

Your Journey to Japan

Visa Information

AFS will provide visa guidance and support documents (if applicable). Visa processes can be lengthy and complex; you may be required to travel long distances to apply for the visa if there is not an embassy, consulate, etc. close to your home. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond a return date from your host country. We urge you to apply for or renew your passport as soon as possible if applying to an AFS program. We recommend not taking any trips (domestically or internationally) within 2 months prior to your AFS program as it may interfere with the visa application process and result in a late program start date.

Travel & Orientation

In the months before your departure, AFSers have the opportunity to participate in various preparatory activities, including an online Student Learning Journey, which is an interactive course that brings AFSers from around the world together to learn how to develop essential global skills, intercultural communication techniques, and practice social impact, maximizing the outcomes of the AFS learning experience.

Also during this time, AFS-USA will coordinate and share your international travel with you. You will need to coordinate your own travel to the point of international departure. From there, your journey in Japan will begin when you land, where you’ll be met by staff and volunteers…as well as your fellow AFSers from around the world! Shortly after arrival, you will attend an arrival orientation and get a crash course on Japanese culture, living with a host family, safety, and support structures.

Your Accommodations

During your four months in Japan, you will either be living with a host family, or in a school dorm. Students participating in this program can be placed in a variety of areas, such as large cities, suburban towns, or rural areas. Short-term host families will be arranged during holidays and vacations for participants who are placed in dorms. If you are placed with a host family rather than a school dorm, you will find that most homes are fairly small, particularly those in large cities or suburbs. You may also be living in an apartment, which is common for many folks.

Meeting Your Host Family

Like anywhere in the world, all families in Japan are different. Nuclear families are common, but you might also find homes with three generations living together. Tradition and family values tend to be very important to the Japanese, as is respect for elders. Prioritizing community and saving face are mainstays of Japanese culture.

Your High School in Japan

As part of the immersion experience, you will attend a Japanese high school with Japanese peers. All this will help you improve your Japanese language skills, your academic prospects and your intercultural fluency.

Daily Life

Teenage Life in Japan

As a teenager in Japan, most of your social life will happen at school. Many of our exchange students make friends and learn about Japanese culture by joining a club, such as calligraphy or kendo (a modern Japanese martial art).

Foods You’ll Encounter

In most Japanese families, traditional food is important, and meals are communal. Get ready to enjoy some delicious green tea, rice, and noodles! (Food is generally cooked with meat, so vegetarianism isn’t very common.)

What’s included

75+ years of experience delivering high-quality programs through a worldwide network of 30,000 dedicated volunteers
Accommodations with a vetted host family
Round-trip international airfare for the designated program dates
School enrollment fees
Worldwide, 24-hour emergency assistance
Access to an in-country support team and network, as well as our Participant Support Department based here in the U.S.
Free Language Proficiency Testing: after your immersive study abroad experience, take an AAPPL (ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages) language proficiency test to be able to add your language skills to your resume or possibly your high school transcript!
Orientations and intercultural education before and during your program
International secondary medical travel coverage
Visa support and guidance
Inclusion in a worldwide returnee and alumni network of over 1,000,000 people

What’s not included

Domestic travel to your international departure city
Visa and passport fees
Spending money
Fees imposed by the airlines outside of your international ticket, such as luggage fees.
Additional fees may apply depending on the specific host country. Please email [email protected] for additional details.

We invite you to learn more about where your dollars go, our payment and refund policy, and answers to our Frequently Asked Questions.

Visa Info

Do I need a visa/residence permit for Japan?	YES. Visa.
How do I apply for the visa? (By mail, In-person, In host country)	In-person
Visa/Residence Permit Process Difficulty Level (Easy, Average, Complex)	Average
Estimated Visa/Residence Permit Expenses ($ – $$$)	$
Frequently Asked Visa Questions	Visit our general visa FAQ page for more information.

Returning Home

“Life-changing” is hard to describe, yet it’s nearly always the first thing that AFSers say when asked about their experience abroad. “Transformed” is another one. When you return home from your study abroad in Japan, you’ll bring with you a sense of accomplishment unlike any other. You’ll have gained maturity and independence, discovered new passions, and developed the confidence and resilience to accomplish anything you set out to do.

That transformation isn’t only visible to you, though – others see it as well. AFSers gain critical skills for college and careers. Second language fluency, intercultural competence, creativity, and critical reasoning will help you succeed, whatever path you take. “Life-changing” means it’s only the beginning. It’s not just an adventure abroad; it’s a whole new reality. The perspectives and personal connections you gained will stay with you and likely draw you back to the second home you found in Japan.

In fact, our alumni reviews have made AFS one of the top-rated organizations in the study abroad industry.

Japan Semester Scholarship: Asia Kakehashi Project+

Building bridges between high school students in Japan and Asia/G7 member countries.