Japan's Friendship Ties Programs “MIRAI” (Mutual-understanding, Intellectual

Relations and Academic Exchange Initiative) invites groups of promising young

leaders who are expected to play an active role in international society and

provides opportunity to have intellectual exchanges with Japanese students of

the same generations and scholars.

The program aims to deepen participants’ understanding of Japan and its policy,

to promote mutual understandings and thus build a basis for future friendship

and cooperation between Japan and their regions.

All participants are expected to share and disseminate their experiences and

charms of Japan proactively through SNS and other media during / after the

visit.

1.OverviewEuropean Affair Bureau

Ministry of Foreign AffairsFebruary 2019

Japan's Friendship Ties

Programs “MIRAI ”

Participants : Graduate / Undergraduate

Students, Young Professionals

Participating Countries : Europe, Central Asia

& Caucasus region

Duration : About 1 week for each group

Number of Participants (JFY2019) : 156 (TBD)

Total Participants : 654 (11 invitations since JFY2015)

2.Program

MIRAI2018 (3rd Group, December 2018)

Itinerary includes 7 nights consisting of 5 nights in Tokyo and 2 nights in other cities.

3. Model Itinerary

Programs in Tokyo (Days 2 and 3)• Lectures on Japan and its major policies

• Discussions with Japanese young students / researchers

at universities / think-tanks

Programs in local area (Days 4 and 5)• Visiting local industries

• Hands-on experiences on traditional culture

Events in Tokyo (Day 6)• Visiting historical sites

• Learning cutting-edge technologies

Reports and Debriefing of the visit (Day 7)• Courtesy call on senior ranking officials of MOFA

• Presentations on outcome by participants

• Follow-up discussions among participants

• Farewell Party etc

AM PMPlace of

Stay

Day 1 Arrival

TokyoDay 2Programs in Tokyo

Day 3

Day 4Programs in local area

(e.g. Hiroshima, Kyoto)

other

citiesDay 5

Day 6 Programs in Tokyo

TokyoDay 7 Report / Debriefing

Day 8 Departure

1 27 Nov. Wed. PM Arrival in Japan Tokyo

Orientation

Lecture at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

PM Visits in Tokyo (cultural institutions, companies, etc.)

AM

Visits in Tokyo (cultural institutions, companies, etc.)

AM Moving to Hiroshima

PM

Visits in Hiroshima

(Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Hiroshima

Peace Memorial Park, Lecture by a atomic bomb

victim)

AM Visit of Miyajima (sanctuary of Itsukushima)

PM Moving to Kyoto or Nara

AM

PM

Evening Moving to Tokyo

AM Presentation

PM Free time

8 4 Dec. Wed. Takeoff from Japan

MIRAI 2019

Group 2 (Politics & Security) : 27 Nov.- 4 Dec. 2019 (39 participants)

Date Programme Stay

2 28 Nov. Thu.

AM

Tokyo

3 29 Nov. Fri.

Exchange with students (a luncheon)

Tokyo

PM

4 30 Nov. Sat. Hiroshima

5 1 Dec. Sun. Kyoto or Nara

Tokyo

7 3 Dec. Tue. Tokyo

6 2 Dec. Mon.

Visits in Kyoto or Nara

* Plans to be confirmed later

Implementing agency of MIRAI :

JTB Corp.

(hereafter, abbreviated as JTB)

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MIRAI・2019Mutual-understanding, Intellectual Relations andAcademic exchange Initiative

1.Program Overview

In 2015, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has launched “Japan’s Friendship Ties Programs” which promote people-to-people exchanges between Japan and the various nations of the Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, and to encourage an understanding of Japan’s economy, society, history, diverse culture, politics and diplomatic relations among participants. Since 2015 to 2018, the programs count 24,480 participants would be sent to or from Japan and these countries. Participants are expected to proactively disseminate information on Japan’s attractions and contribute to promoting sustained attention to Japan. The Europe regional component of this exchange program is called “MIRAI”.

“MIRAI・2019” is a short-term youth exchange program to invite 165 graduate/undergraduate students and young professionals from Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus, who study Politics, Law, Security Policies, Economics, International Relations, Asian Studies, Japan Studies, Science and Technology or other related fields. The program is entitled as the “MIRAI” with a play on the Japanese word “MIRAI” (未来) (pronounced ”me-rye”) which means “Future”.

MOFA hopes that the program will offer a great opportunity toi. Promote mutual-understanding ii. Promote a global understanding of Japan’s economy, society,

history, diverse culture, politics and foreign policy iii. Disseminate information on Japan’s attractions through

communication devices including SNS

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2. Program Outlinei. Period of the Program:

Group 2 (Politics & Security) : 27 Nov.- 4 Dec. 2019. Group 3 (Economics & Business) : 11 Dec. - 19 Dec. 2019.Group 5 (Science & Technology) : 4 Mar. - 11 Mar. 2020.

ii. Number of the participants: - 5 groups :165 university / graduate school students and young professionals over 20 years old aged.

- Group 2,3 and 5 are for university / graduate school students aged over 20 years old only. No young professionals.

iii. Program in Japan: - To attend lectures on Japanese politics, society, history, anddiplomatic relations to gain a deeper understanding of Japan.

- To visit education and research institutions, high-tech and traditional industries, fine arts and traditional crafts exhibitions, cultural heritage sites. Participants will interact and exchange ideas with people in these various sites through workshops and other events.

- To convey information about Japan’s attractions through reporting sessions or Social Network Services after theprogram, e.g. Facebook and Instagram.

3. Qualification for ParticipationApplicants should meet all the following criteria.

【All Participants】i. Applicants must understand the aims of this program and commit

to sharing and disseminating their experiences and the attraction of Japan through communication devices including Social Media and/or their writing for publication after returning to their countries.

ii. Applicants do not have experience of residing in Japan for more than six months. Applicants have never been accepted Japanese government sponsored scholastic exchange programs before.

ⅲ. Applicants are nationals of the countries below and do not have Japanese nationality.

Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan

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iv. After completing the program, applicants must answer the questionnaires which will be conducted at the end of the program and three months later.

v. Applicants must be in good health.-Applicants are healthy physically and mentally.-If a participant’s body temperature is 37.5℃（ 99.5 °F）or higher on the day of departure, she/he cannot depart for Japan and will NOT BE ELIGIBLE to join in the inbound program in Japan.

vi. Applicants belong to one of the schools located in the following countries below :

Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom

(the location is not necessarily the same as their nationality）

vii. Applicants must be aged 20 or over.

vii. Applicants can communicate with other participants in English without difficulty.

4. Necessary Procedure

i. The Application Form and Confirmation for the Participant for MIRAI Program

Fill out the forms on the website with the required information and answers during the application period.

【Application】

Application deadline to the embassy via school :

Group 2 : by 30 September, 2019Group 3 : by 10 October, 2019Group 5 : by 15 January, 2020

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iii. Valid passportApplicant must possess a valid passport when she/he applies.Apply the application after obtaining a valid passport.

iii. Essay - Personal Statement

Each applicant is required to express and describe their thoughts including viewpoints of this program or related matters in the “Personal Statement for MIRAI・2019“. Within 500 words in the Application Form.

iv. Photocopy of certification of the Applicant’s latest academic grade

Prepare the latest academic grade certificated copies. Applicants’ grades must be in the top 20% percentile.

5. Terms and Conditions

i. The following arrangements and expenses are covered by the program

Round trip international air tickets from/to the nearest airport (Gateway Airport) from your school and to/from Japan in Economy class. No cabin class upgrade available.

(*Excess baggage charge will be paid at your own expense.)

Overseas travel accident insurance(*Please note that chronic diseases, dental diseases and pregnancy diagnosed by a Japanese medical doctor and cases disapproved by the insurance company will NOT be covered by insurance. Individuals will be liable for the expenses mentioned above.)

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For scheduled activities in Japan・ Accommodation・ Transportation・ Meals・ Admission fees(*No cash allowance is provided to participants.)

(*Participants are expected to cover personal expenses, such as passport fees, fees for vaccination, excess baggage charges, travel expenses between their home and departure port, fees for accommodation and meals in your countries.)

ii. The following is not permitted;

• To remain in Japan after the program• To change the flight designated by the program• To change accommodation designated by the program• To be accompanied by someone• To travel to a third country on the way to Japan or back to

participant’s country

iii. Conditions for the stay in Japan

▪ All the participants must attend all the programs planned by JTB and follow the rules/guidelines set by JTB.

▪ Participants that cause hindrance to the program may be dismissed, and will subsequently be responsible for leaving Japan at their own expense.

▪ JTB will try to prepare the followings when necessary for religious reasons, however, they may not always be provided depending on local circumstances.

*time and place for prayers*meals suitable for food restriction for religious reasons

iv. Photos Taken During the Program

While participating in the program, photos and videos, participants' comments, etc. may be recorded by JTB or other participating organizations. In addition, all participants must agree that these photos and comments and content posted to SNS by participants may be used in various media for the purpose of introducing MIRAI program or in business reports.

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v. Respect for Japanese Law and Regulations

During the stay in Japan, participants must respect the laws and regulations of Japan, and any offenders will be subject to penalties under Japanese law. Any dispute arising out of the application and admission of, or relating to, this program between the participants and the Japanese Government or JTB shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic laws of Japan, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws, and shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the applicable courts in Japan.

vi. The attribution of responsibility during the program

All participants agree to release JTB (including its employees and agents) of and from any and all claims, demands, damages, losses, liabilities and expenses including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses (collectively, "Claims") arising from or relating to a participant’s participation in MIRAI Program; provided, however, that this release shall not apply to any Claims related to or arising from JTB’s gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. Finally, all participants agree to indemnify JTB (including its employees and agents), and hold it harmless, of and from any and all Claims arising from or relating to their breach of the terms and conditions of this Application Guideline.

vii. Post-Return Activities and Questionnaires (Obligatory) program

All participants are required to share their experiences/ knowledge acquired on the visit to Japan with friends, family, people in local communities, etc. in order to disseminate the current/accurate conditions in Japan, and report their activities to the Embassy/Consulate-General of Japan in their countries. Each participant must submit questionnaires on his/her experience/impression on the visit to Japan before and after returning to their country.

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Personal information collected under MIRAI Program shall be treatedin compliance with the Personal Information Protection Law of Japan.JTB ensures the appropriate handling of personal information.JTB may provide personal information to travel agencies, publishers,cooperating organizations, schools, host families, and so on in orderto operate and report the program by means of post, fax or E-mail.The disclosure of personal information to JTB is at the sole discretionof the participants. If you do not agree with this, it might causesome difficulties in the operation of the program, therefore you arerequested to understand and consent to the provision of personalinformation.

*JTB Corp. (JTB)

JTB Corp., called JTB, is an implementing agency of MIRAI Programs,and has undertaken all the necessary arrangements for this program,such as travel procedures and the entire schedule of events in Japan.

The JTB Group

■ Established: November 12, 1963 (Founded: March 12, 1912)■ Number of employees: 29,153 (JTB Group employees as of

March 31, 2018)

The JTB Group was founded as the “Japan Tourist Bureau” in 1912,with the objective of contributing to Japan’s economy by welcomingoverseas travellers to Japan. For over 100 years since then, the JTBGroup has been the driving force behind Japan’s tourism industry.The JTB Group is building an expansive network that currentlycovers 143 cities and 510 offices across 39 countries/regions. Inkeeping with the JTB Group philosophy of “Contributing to therealization of a peaceful and enriched society by creatingopportunities for human exchange and interaction across the worldstage”, around 29,000 JTB Group employees worldwide work in closecoordination to offer high value services.

6. Handling of Personal Information

https://www.jtbcorp.jp/en/https://www.jtbcorp.jp/jp/colors/detail/0058/img/chronicle_04.pdfhttps://www.jtbcorp.jp/jp/colors/detail/0116/

1. Personal Information * Please fill in the form in BLOCK LETTERS in English.

Given Name

Family Name

Middle Name (if any)

Preferred Name

Date of Birth

Relationship:

Issue Country of your passport Number

Day/Month/Year

Passport

(Day) (Month) (Year)

Phone ：

Address ：

Mobile ：

Address ：

(Day) (Month) (Year)

Phone ：

Current Address

Profession/Occupation ：

Contact Person in case of

Emergency *It shall be your

parent/guardian/spouse.*If you live with him/her,

please leave address blank.

□Mother □Father □Spouse □Other (

MIRAI Program 2019 (2019~2020)Application Form

(Undergraduate/Graduate students)

　□M　　□F

E-mail ：

Full Name ：

Mobile ：

Gender

E-mail ：

Group 2 (Politics & Security / Period : 27 November - 4 December, 2019 )Group 3 (Economics & Business / Period : 11 December - 19 December, 2019)

Group 5 (Science & Technology / Period : 4 March - 11 March, 2020 )

(* please enter your name as it appears on your passport)

Expiration DateDate of Issue

Nationality

Age (as of the day of the flight to Japan)

Implementing agency of MIRAI :

JTB Corp.  

(hereafter, abbreviated as JTB) 

2.Health Condition * Check "none" if not applicable.

□None (nothing to declare) □Halal □ Vegan □ Vegetarian

□Fish □Any seafood □Others (

Food Restriction and Dietary Requirements:

For reasons

Medical History

Nearest airport from your school?

□ None

□ Having Medical history : *Medical treatment cost related to the chronic disease is not covered by the programme insurance.

Name

Location (city/country)

Tel* /Fax

□undergraduate student □graduate student □ Ph.D

3. Academic Details

Department / Major

About your shool

Food Restriction and Dietary

Requirements

Medication

□ None

□ Beef □ Pork □Chicken □Egg □Milk □Wheat □Shrimp　 □Crab □Shel

□Allergies □Religious reason □On my preferences

* Please be noted that the meals provided in the programme cannot meet all the requests from the participants.

Grade:

*IN / OUT is the same airport in principle.*Please note that as a general rule the air ticket will be arranged from the nearest airport of your school.

□ None

Smoking Habit

Chronic disease

□Non-smoke □ Smoke * We might not be able to meet your request.

□ Having Chronic disease:

□ Taking medicine regularly. Please specify :

4. Languages

Mother tongue:

6. SNS

Facebook

Instagram

7. Any comments

(Within 200 words)

Within 500 words

username :

username :

If yes, purpose of the stay in Japan?

5. Experience in Japan

If yes, when and how long time?

If yes, where ?

Other information:

8. Essay or Personal statements on the Programme MIRAI (your motivations)

Your SNS

N1 / N2 / N3 / N4 / N5

Writing ： Excellent Good Fair PoorReading ： Excellent Good Fair Poor

Level of JapaneseSpeaking ： Excellent Good Fair Poor

Japanese learning period (year or month):

Japanease language Proficiency Test (JLPT) :

*JLPT has been offered by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services since

1984 as a reliable means of evaluating and certifying the Japanese proficiency of non-native speakers.

Other japanese language qualifications (name and grade):

Language

Have you ever been to Japan before?

DeclarationI hereby certify that all the information given are true and correct.

I declare that I have read and understood the purpose and the content of this program I agree to participate in. (Excluding those with health reasons, etc.)

Signature: Date: / / (Day/Month/Year)

Privacy Policy

The personal information provided in this application will be handled in accordance to the following standards of personal information set forth by JTB Corp.

Please click here to see Privacy Notice & Consent Form. (PDF/English only)(https://www.jtbbwt.com/section/tour/mirai2019_privacypolicy.pdf)

I read this Privacy Notice & Consent Form entirely and understand it absolutely, and I hereby give my permission for the collection, access, use and processing of my personal data as described

in this application.

Signature: Date: / / (Day/Month/Year)