Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI)
Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) supports Japanese outreach coordinators in U.S. communities to deliver cultural and educational activities that deepen understanding of Japan and foster Japan–U.S. exchange.
Funder: Japan Foundation
Due Dates: January 3, 2027 (Coordinator applications)
Funding Amounts: Two-year placements with stipends for materials, activities, and travel
Summary: JOI places Japanese outreach coordinators in U.S. communities to promote understanding of Japan and foster Japan–U.S. exchange.
Key Information: Coordinator applicants must be Japanese nationals living in Japan or overseas.
Description
The Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) dispatches Japanese individuals to the Southern, Midwestern, and Mountain regions of the United States for two years as volunteer outreach coordinators. Jointly administered by the Japan Foundation’s Global Partnerships Department and Laurasian Institution, the program promotes awareness and understanding of Japan in communities with relatively few Japan-related activities or opportunities for exchange.
Coordinators share information about Japanese culture, society, everyday life, and language in local community settings, while organizing activities that foster interaction between Japan and the United States. Hosted by U.S. nonprofits and educational institutions, they deliver programming ranging from lectures and hands-on elementary school activities to events focused on traditional Japanese art forms.
