WELCOME Fall 2022 Bridging Scholars

The United States-Japan Bridging Foundation is thrilled to share that 79 undergraduates from colleges and universities across the United States have been named recipients of the Bridging Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan.

We are proud to share that Tom Mason, Bridging Foundation Executive Director, was selected as a member of the U.S.-Japan Network for the Future Program run by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation and Japan Foundation. Fifteen specialists on the U.S.-Japan relationship were chosen to bring diverse expertise and perspectives to the bilateral policy-making process. Tom's area of focus is international education and study abroad.

The Bridging Foundation and Executive Director Tom Mason were recently featured in The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan Journal.

The U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation, in partnership with the American Association of Teachers of Japanese, are excited to open applications for the Fall 2022 Bridging Scholars Program to support American undergraduate students participating in study abroad programs in Japan.

The U.S. Departments of State and Education recently issued a joint statement renewing the country's commitment to international engagement and leadership. The Bridging Foundation is proud to play an important role in preparing the next generation for the global stage. The full statement is a must read: https://lnkd.in/e_sBY9M

It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Mr. Ronald J. Anderson on May 3, 2021. Ron was Chairman Emeritus of the United States-Japan Bridging Foundation’s Board of Directors, having joined the board of directors in 2001. He continually volunteered his time to the Bridging Foundation and, with his wife Maria, was also a long-time donor ensuring that the Bridging Foundation fulfills its mission to increase opportunities for people-to-people exchange between the United States and Japan.

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 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.