Program Policies

The Yasuda Scholarship Foundation, a public interest incorporated foundation, was established on December 20, 2005 with the aim of supporting international exchange students as a form of intellectual contribution around the world through the development of human resources. We believe that helping form personal networks between Japan and other countries and deepening mutual understanding and friendly relations can contribute to global peace and stability. We also believe that international exchange students who return to their home countries after their studies will go on to play active roles in various fields such as politics, economics, and academia, and serve as bridges between Japan and their countries, thus contributing to the promotion of friendly relations.

At the time of our founding, in addition to differences in language, customs, and culture, Japan's high cost of living caused exchange students to struggle greatly with their finances. Many of them were unable to devote themselves to their studies due to financial burdens related to tuition and living expenses. As a result, some had to give up their studies halfway through, while others ended up disliking Japan even if they had achieved their original goals. The Foundation was established to address this issue.

To date, about 300 alumni who received scholarships from the Yasuda Scholarship Foundation have gone on to flourish in society. Each one of them continues to work hard every day as a bridge between Japan and their home countries.

Now that the Foundation has reached its 20th anniversary, amid rapidly changing global conditions and economic circumstances, we have come to recognize that it is not only international exchange students who are truly in need of support. While continuing our support for international exchange students entering Japanese universities, the Foundation has newly added support programs for Japanese students who wish to pursue higher education in Japan, as well as overseas students who wish to pursue higher education in the countries where they were born and raised.