International Affairs Fellowship in Japan

The Program

Founded in 1997, the International Affairs Fellowship (IAF) in Japan, sponsored by Hitachi, Ltd., seeks to strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation between the rising generations of leaders in the United States and Japan. The program enables mid-career professionals and scholars to carry out research at host institutions in Japan and to establish long-term professional and personal ties through their activities. Individuals from academia, business, government, media, NGOs, and think tanks are encouraged to apply. Experience in Japan is not required.

Hear From Past International Affairs Fellows

“We see the folks that really have a huge impact on the conversations that we are having, the questions that we are asking, and the direction that we are headed,” says historian Melissa Jane Taylor about her experience as a Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellow. Described as the “Jewel of the Council,” the International Affairs Fellowship (IAF) programs aim to bridge scholarship and practice by giving participants transformative opportunities to work in a new environment they will give them a different perspective at a critical point in their careers. Whether at home in the United States, or abroad in Canada, Europe, Indonesia, and Japan, fellows work in government, international organizations, and think tanks and universities. Join the more than 650 alumni—including Condoleezza Rice and Samantha Power—in shaping the field of foreign policy and the world.

Eligibility

Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
Applicants must be mid-career professionals.
Applicants must have a strong record of professional achievement.
Applicants must have an interest in U.S.-Japan relations.
Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree.
Applicants must have a U.S. passport valid through six months after the fellowship end date.

The program does not fund pre- or postdoctoral research, work toward a degree, or the completion of projects on which substantial progress has been made before the fellowship begins. Although the program is intended primarily for those without experience in Japan, applicants with experience will be considered if they can demonstrate that the fellowship would add a significant new dimension to their career. Knowledge of the Japanese language is not a requirement.

2023 Hitachi Conference — LK Photography

Fellowship Award

The fellowship is between three and twelve months. The program awards a monthly stipend of $7,700 along with a $5,000 travel grant. Fellows are considered independent contractors rather than employees of CFR and are not eligible for employment benefits, including health insurance.

CFR will assist fellows in finding a host organization that matches their proposed work in Japan. A nonexclusive list of cooperating institutions in Japan can be found below. CFR cannot guarantee placement at any specific agency or organization. The fellowship is intended as an in-person experience; fellows should expect to work on-site with their host organization in Japan at least three days per week.

David Mazzuca, 2023 Hitachi Conference — LK Photography

The IAF in Japan provided me with an opportunity to immerse myself culturally and professionally in the society of a vital U.S. ally.

David Mazzuca, Lead Instructor, National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Columbia Climate School (2021–22 IAF in Japan)

Selection Process

Selection as an IAF in Japan is based on the following criteria:

scholarly qualifications
professional experience
a demonstrated interest in U.S. Japan relations
the merits and feasibility of a research project on some aspect of Japan’s economy, politics, or society, or on some aspect of U.S.-Japan relations
character and personal qualities conducive to promoting cross-cultural communication and cooperation
the contribution the fellowship will make to the applicant’s career development

The selection process is highly competitive. A selection committee reviews all applications and selects the most promising applicants for interviews. The selection committee typically awards three to five fellowships each year. Strong preference is given to candidates who have never received a CFR fellowship.

LK Photography

The CFR-Hitachi Fellowship is a transformative experience that provides an opportunity to develop deep and lasting relationships in Japan—one of America’s most critical trans-Pacific partners.

Margaret Jackson, Research Fellow, Institute for Energy, Environment and Economy, Tsinghua University (2019–20 IAF in Japan)

How to Apply

Interested candidates who meet the program’s eligibility requirements can apply online between August 15 and October 31, 2024, for the 2025–26 fellowship cycle.