On May 28, 2013, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida announced the establishment of the Tomodachi Inouye Scholars Program at the U.S.-Japan Council’s Symposium in Tokyo. The Tomodachi Inouye Scholars Program would take place under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan’s “Kakehashi Project – The Bridge for Tomorrow,” with the goal of enhancing bilateral youth exchange and mutual understanding between the two countries. Each year, 100 Japanese students and 100 American students travel to both countries for a 10-day youth exchange program focused on promoting deeper mutual understanding between the United States and Japan, exposing young leaders to global perspectives and connections, and teaching leadership through Senator Inouye’s life and legacy.
