CULCON (U.S.-Japan Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchange)

01/02/2024

U.S. CULCON extends our sincere condolences and support to the people of western Japan affected by the recent earthquake, and to those impacted by the airplane collision in Tokyo. Our deepest sympathies to all who are affected by these tragic events.

11/16/2023

International Education Week - Thursday, November 16: Innovate the Future

Study abroad options and settings to continue to develop. See CULCON’s Subnational Diplomacy (SND) Interim Report to learn more how innovations in educational partnerships support CULCON’s mission to strengthen the U.S.-Japan relationship on a grassroots level.https://culcon.jusfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SND-WG-Interim-Report-FINAL.pdf

11/14/2023

International Education Week - Tuesday, November 14: You are the Future!

Opportunities and access in international education continue to grow. Check out JUSFC’s Summer Institute, a program that invites U.S. undergraduate students to an intensive summer study experience in Japan, designed to promote diversity and inclusion in U.S.-Japan relations. https://www.jusfc.gov/jusfc-summer-institute/

Also check out CULCON’s Information Access and Sharing (IAS) Interim Report to learn more about how the Summer Institute and other accessible education abroad programming relates to CULCON’s work:https://culcon.jusfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/IAS-WG-Interim-Report-2023-FINAL.pdf

11/13/2023

CULCON is pleased to celebrate International Education Week 2023! From November 13-17, CULCON joins the Department of State in celebrating the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.

At this morning's Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange presentation, we were encouraged to see increasing numbers of U.S.-Japan student exchange as study abroad rebounds post-COVID. CULCON continues to promote institutional partnerships as a vehicle for education abroad opportunities that strengthen the U.S.-Japan relationship.

Check out the Open Doors Report here: https://opendoorsdata.org/open-doors-2023-annual-data-release/ and the Japan Fact Sheet here: https://opendoorsdata.org/fact_sheets/student-mobility/

Download Leading 2023 Fact Sheets Download 2022 Fact Sheets Please use the drop-down menu in the top right corner to filter by place of origin.  

11/06/2023

Dr. Bill Tsutsui has been appointed Vice Chair of the U.S. CULCON Panel and Japan U.S.-Friendship Commission (JUSFC). Dr. Tsutsui has served as panelist of U.S. CULCON and commissioner of JUSFC since 2020.

Dr. Tsutsui is Chancellor and Professor of History at Ottawa University. He is former president and professor of history at Hendrix College. An award-winning classroom teacher, Dr. Tsutsui is the author or editor of eight books, as well as numerous articles on modern Japanese history. See Dr. Tsutsui’s full bio here: https://culcon.jusfc.gov/about-us/membership/william-bill-tsutsui/

Of his appointment, Dr. Tsutsui remarked, “Through my service to CULCON and JUSFC, I am thrilled to contribute to the vibrant cultural and educational exchange that is critical to the strong US-Japan relationship. These organizations play a vital role in building enduring bridges of understanding and friendship between the people of our two nations.”

Dr. Sheila Smith, Chair of U.S. CULCON and JUSFC noted, “Professor Bill Tsutsui brings incredible expertise and commitment to CULCON and JUSFC. Bill’s renowned scholarship on Japan, his activism on behalf of the Asian Studies community and his presidency of an institution of higher learning make him a unique asset to our work. I look forward to his leadership as Vice Chair, as we ensure that future generations will have ample opportunity to contribute to the U.S.-Japan partnership.”

10/30/2023

Spring 2024 internship applications are open NOW!

We are currently seeking two (2) Spring 2024 interns to support current initiatives, which include activities promoting U.S.-Japan cultural, educational and people-to-people exchange. Interns will be working from a small office in a team-oriented and fast-paced environment in Washington, DC. Duties include, but are not limited to research and writing on issues affecting the United States and Japan, meeting planning and ex*****on, disseminating information via social media, participating in meetings and seminars and writing reports, and supporting program-related and grantmaking activities.

Applicants must be current undergraduate or graduate students with excellent research, writing, Internet, communication (including comfort handling occasional telephone calls) and organizational skills. Knowledge of Japan and/or Japanese language are desirable, but not required.

For the spring, we are seeking two interns to work 10 to 20 hours a week. Most or all of those hours should be scheduled for Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, which are “in office” days. (Thursday and Friday are telework days.) The internship is paid @ $15/hour. JUSFC/CULCON will also reimburse local transportation costs.

Please send a resume and cover letter to culcon[at]jusfc[dot]gov – Please include your preferred start and end dates as well as complete contact information for two references.

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR Spring 2024 PAID INTERNSHIPS: 5 pm November 30, 2023.
Applicants will receive decisions by approximately December 14, 2023.

Please forward to anyone who might be interested in the position!

CULCON and the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission are deeply committed and proud to offer a joint internship program. This is a paid internship program. We offer substantive and interesting work, a friendly work environment, encouragement to attend outside related events, reimbursement of transpor...

10/16/2023

Last week, CULCON held its 30th plenary session in Atlanta, Georgia. The panel held enlightening and fruitful meetings, producing interim reports on Information Access and Sharing in the Digital Age (IAS) and Subnational Diplomacy/Local & Regional Exchange (SND). Panelists also visited locations around Atlanta, including Spelman College, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the King Center. Throughout the two-day meeting, they met crucial partners in education, business, grassroots exchange, and more that strengthen the U.S.-Japan relationship.

To see the joint statement, interim reports, photos, and more, check out our website: https://culcon.jusfc.gov/plenary-sessions/30-culcon-30/

10/16/2023

Last week, CULCON held its 30th plenary session in Atlanta, Georgia. The panel held enlightening and fruitful meetings, producing interim reports on Information Access and Sharing in the Digital Age (IAS) and Subnational Diplomacy/Local & Regional Exchange (SND). Panelists also visited locations around Atlanta, including Spelman College, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the King Center. Throughout the two-day meeting, they met crucial partners in education, business, grassroots exchange, and more that strengthen the U.S.-Japan relationship.

To see the joint statement, interim reports, photos, and more, check out our website: https://culcon.jusfc.gov/plenary-sessions/30-culcon-30/

03/29/2023

U.S. CULCON celebrates the establishment of the Japan-America Society of Miami/South Florida. The network of Japan-America Societies in the United States play a vital role connecting local communities to Japan through exchanges and programming in cultural, educational, policy and business areas. U.S. CULCON is delighted to welcome this new addition and extends congratulations to the steering committee, especially Ms. Margot Carrington, whose support of CULCON and people-to-people exchange during her service as Minister-Counselor at the US Embassy Tokyo was invaluable. Japan-America Society of Miami/South Florida

02/07/2023

PLEASE SHARE! Summer Internship 2023(In Person/Hybrid, Paid)

CULCON and the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission are deeply committed and proud to offer a joint internship program. This is a paid internship program. We offer substantive and interesting work, a friendly work environment, encouragement to attend outside related events, reimbursement of transpor...

11/06/2022

CULCON is thrilled to announce that in recognition of her contributions to the promotion of people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States, Paige Cottingham-Streater, Secretary-General of the United States-Japan Conference on Cultural & Educational Interchange (CULCON) and Executive Director of the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission, received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. The conferment ceremony took place at the Japanese Embassy on November 4, 2022.