#Japan #Cultural Exchange #Tokyo #Taiwan Scholarship #Japan-Taiwan Friendship

Embrace Cultural Ties: The 22nd Japan-Taiwan Cultural Exchange Youth Scholarship

In an unprecedented effort to foster friendships between Japan and Taiwan, the 22nd Japan-Taiwan Cultural Exchange Youth Scholarship, organized by Sankei Shimbun, is now open for applications. This initiative aims to cultivate individuals who will contribute to the ongoing friendship between the two nations while providing young scholars with a chance to explore Taiwan’s rich history and vibrant culture.

The scholarship targets students from Japan, encouraging them to engage with the theme of Taiwan through two distinct categories: an essay contest and a tour planning competition. By participating, students can voice their thoughts on Taiwan’s significance and plan a captivating itinerary that highlights its attractions.

Application Details

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for this remarkable scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• - Must be a student enrolled in middle school, high school, special support high school, technical college, junior college, university, graduate school, or vocational school.
• - Must be 29 years old or younger.
• - Must hold Japanese nationality.

Submission Themes

Essay Contest: Students are invited to compose essays that reflect their perspectives on Taiwan. Possible themes include:

• - My view of Taiwan
• - Future of Japan-Taiwan relations
• - The bond between Japan and Taiwan
• - The charm of Taiwanese culture
• - Activities I would like to try with peers in Taiwan
• - Contribution towards Japan-Taiwan relations

Tour Planning Contest: Applicants can design a 4-night, 5-day tour that showcases the beauty of Taiwan. Some suggestions for the tour might include:

• - A journey through Taiwan’s nature and history
• - A culinary adventure in Taiwan’s gastronomy capital
• - A historical tour and relaxation retreat in the ancient capital of Tainan

Each candidate should create a unique title for their entry, limited to 30 characters, as part of the submission. Note that applicants are allowed to submit one entry per category only.

Deadline for Applications

All entries must be submitted by January 12, 2026.

Announcement of Results

Winners of the scholarship will be revealed in March 2026 via the Sankei Shimbun newspaper as well as the official website. Awardees will also be informed through emails and other communication methods.

Taiwan Study Trip

As part of this scholarship, selected students will have the opportunity to join a study trip to Taiwan, anticipated to take place in late March 2026, lasting 4 nights and 5 days.

This event is co-hosted by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan and has the support of various sponsors, including JR Tokai, EVA Air, and Taiwan News Agency. This scholarship is a remarkable chance for Japanese students to dive into Taiwanese culture, strengthen cross-border ties, and forge meaningful connections through their shared love for culture and heritage.

For more details and to apply for this scholarship, visit the official application page.