What is Asia Kakehashi Project +?

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe created this initiative to strengthen relations between Japan and the rest of Asia, KAKEHASHI (Japanese for “Building Bridges”), provides full scholarships for 1,000 Asian high school students to study in Japan’s public and private high schools over the next five years. Together with 40,000 Japanese teens, these students will improve their global competence skills and learn more about each other’s countries.

  • It is a full scholarship funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) to build bridges between high school students in Japan and in Asia.
  • This scholarship provided opportunities for Asian high school students to study and be culturally immersed in Japan for 4 months.
  • Selected students will study in a Japanese high school while staying with a host family or in a school dormitory.
  • The other main goal of this program is to expose Asia high school students to Japanese culture, local communities, and industries and as well as Japanese high school students to Asian students.

MEMO

Name of Program: Asia KAKEHASHI Project
Country: Japan
Program Type: Government Fully-Funded Scholarship
Program Duration: 4 months
Program Start Date: November 2023
Program End Date: March 2024
Placement: Japanese High School and Host Family
Deadline of Application: June 27, 2023

Note: Program dates are subject to change

Asia KAKEHASHI Project (Memorandum for 2023-24)

To all interested applicants, apply through this link: AFS Global Link.

AFS PHI will hold an information session on June 13, 17, and 20, 2023 from 5 pm to 6 pm, to discuss how to send your accomplished application requirements for the program. If you are interested to join, please click this link: AKP + 2023 Info Session

The application has ended. See the results below.

Requirements

  1. Accomplished AFS Global Link Online Application Form. Online application link. When creating an online application form make sure students apply for the Asia Kakehashi Project/Kakehashi Project
  2. Recent 2×2 ID size photo with white background attached to the application form
  3. Signed Certification and Consent Form by a parent or legal guardian.
  4. Photocopy of Authenticated PSA Birth Certificate
  5. Photocopy of most recent Form 137 or transcript of records from your Philippine high school.
  6. Photocopy of valid or government ID. School ID is accepted.
    Please take note that application forms with INCOMPLETE information and requirements will not be accepted.
Apply here!

More Information

  1. Filipino citizens residing in the Philippines, at the time of application, selection, and preparation for travel, must have spent more than 50% of the last 5 years in the Philippines and with current family plans of returning to the Philippines after the program.
  2. Between 15 and 18 years of age born after April 2, 2005, and before April 1, 2008.
  3. Be among the top 25% of academic performance in grade level.
  4. Have an equivalent of a B average or better without failing grades. Obtained a minimum of 60% marks in principle in all subjects in the latest examination at school and an overall minimum average of 60% marks in all subjects for the past two years.
  5. Strong academic and social skills, openness, and flexibility.
  6. Demonstrated Japanese language ability sufficient to study in a native Japanese-medium setting; must be willing to learn how to speak Japanese prior to the start of the program.
  7. Sufficiently healthy to participate in the program.
  8. No previous significant travel to Japan on a Japanese government-sponsored program.
  9. Committed to cultural immersion in Japan through a homestay or dormitory experience.
  10. Able to meet cross-cultural challenges with maturity, humor, and an open mind.
  11. Plans to share his/her experience with his/her home and community upon return.
    Note: Priority will be given to the students of families with low income

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Answer: Download the application form from our website, and fill up the pre-application form and the essays. As for the school information section, you would need to ask your school to fill up that part and sign it as well. Afterwards, scan all the required documents (Application Form, PSA Birth Certificate, Passport and/or School ID, Form 137/Transcript of Grades) with at least 100 dpi resolution, compile it in a SINGLE PDF file, and send it to [email protected]

Final Selection Results

Final Qualifiers for 2023-2024

Finalists

# Last Name First Name School
1 Kawamata Ashlee Haruka National University – Laguna
2 Meñeza Frederick Concepcion L. Cazeñas Memorial School
3 Miranda Meryll Fiona General Santos Hope Christian School

Alternates

# Last Name First Name School
1 Alarcon Shanessa Andrea Salvacion National High School
2 Belarmino Jade Zianaya San Pablo City Science Integrated School
3 Rama Dizzeus Leira Kidapawan City National High School

Alternates are reserved candidates that may be advanced as finalists should one of the finalists have trouble in passing requirements, have been disqualified, and/or decided to back out.

Check the full memo here.