On Friday, April 16, 2021 at 8 p.m. ET, the Bridging Foundation is delighted to partner with Cultural Exchange LLC to offer an observational class on kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery. This program is open to all. Register here today! https://buff.ly/3tY4dXn

The U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation expresses its deep appreciation to five departing members of its Board of Directors who contributed years of voluntary service to the foundation advancing the U.S.-Japan friendship by making it possible for increased numbers of American undergraduates to study abroad in Japan.

As we prepare to say farewell to 2020 and welcome 2021, we thank you for your support during this year full of change and unexpected challenge. Although study abroad in Japan has been paused, our Bridging Scholars expressed sincere gratitude for the time they experienced in-country:

"I was disappointed my time in Japan had to be cut short, but I feel that I grew a lot as a person during that short period...and will apply the things I learned to the rest of my education and career. I am forever grateful for the financial contributions of the U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation and its donors. " ~ Kylan, the 2019-2020 Ira Wolf Memorial Bridging Scholar (Waseda University).

The U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation’s Bridging Scholars and TeamUp programs have collaborated on a new webinar series, helping connect scholars and friends during this challenging time of social distancing. While the webinars can never replace an in-country experience, they will help us pursue our vision: preparing America’s young people to assume future global leadership roles.

The Board of Directors of the U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation is pleased to announce the selection of Thomas J. Mason Jr., PhD as its next Executive Director.Dr. Mason joins the Bridging Foundation as its first full-time Executive Director beginning on October 1, 2020. He will work in partnership with the board to set strategic direction and develop enduring relationships with the Bridging Foundation’s supporters, partners, and scholarship alumni to strengthen the U.S.-Japan relationship through cultural and educational exchange.“

We are in a difficult time with pandemic-related health and economic pain and disruption. The Bridging Foundation board and staff have been closely monitoring the affects of COVID-19 on the Bridging Scholars program. In-person exchange remains our focus, but even more so, the health and safety of our scholars. Therefore, we are postponing our full academic year 2020-2021 and fall 2020 programs. We have communicated with all of the Bridging Scholars who were in Japan this spring and those who recently applied for a Bridging Scholarship to study in the fall.