Japan’s Friendship Ties Program “MIRAI”

Japan's Friendship Ties Program “MIRAI” (Mutual understanding, Intellectual Relations and Academic Exchange Initiative) invites groups of promising young leaders from Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus who study Diplomacy, Security Policies, Economics, Science and Technology, Arts and Culture, International Relations, Environmental Sciences, SDGs related studies, Asian Studies, Japan Studies or other related fields, and also who are expected to play an active role in international society and provides opportunities to have intellectual exchanges with Japanese students of the same generations and scholars. This program is entitled as the "MIRAI" with the Japanese word MIRAI (pronounce like / "me-rye") which means "Future".

The program aims to deepen participants’ understanding of Japan and its policy, to promote mutual understanding, and thus build a basis for future friendship and cooperation between Japan and their regions. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) hopes that the program would offer a great opportunity to

• Promote a deeper understanding of Japan’s economy, society, history, diverse cultures, politics, and diplomatic relations among participants,
• Foster supporters and experts of Japan,
• Strengthen public relations through proactive dissemination of Japan’s diplomatic policy and attractive points by participants,
• Strengthen relations between Japan and the participants’ regions, and build a basis for future friendship and cooperatio

Students enrolled in Swiss or Liechtenstein universities are only eligible to apply for the following programs. The program is aimed at specific fields of study.

※NOTE: The deadlines have been extended and are updated below:
Group 2: Diplomacy and Security Policy
Travel Period: Nov 14 – Nov 21, 2023
Application deadline is 12, September 2023, at 2am (Swiss time)

Group 3: Economy and Business
Travel Period: Nov 14 – Nov 21, 2023
Application deadline is 12, September 2023, at 2am (Swiss time)

Group 4: Science and Technology
Travel Period: Feb 13 – Feb 20, 2024
Application deadline is 12, September 2023, at 2am (Swiss time)

Group 5: Environment and Green
Travel Period: Nov 14 – Nov 21, 2023
Application deadline is 12, September 2023, at 2am (Swiss time)

Group 7: Discovering Regions and Cultures
IMPORTANT: Group 7 “Discovering Regions and Cultures" will be conducted entirely online (Zoom meetings) without traveling to Japan. Please refer to the Application Guidelines for the MIRAI Online Visiting Japan Program.
Application deadline is 12, September 2023, at 2am (Swiss time)

For Group 2 - 5: Please read the “Application Guidelines“ carefully, which provides further information.
Click here for the “Application Guidelines” for Group 2 - 5.
ANNEX 1: Letter of Understanding
ANNEX 2: Handling of Personal Information
The registration is online and you can find the link in the Application Guidelines.

For Group 7: Please read the “Application Guidelines“ carefully, which provides further information.
Click here for the “Application Guidelines” for Group 7.
ANNEX 1: Letter of Understanding
ANNEX 2: Handling of Personal Information
The registration is online and you can find the link in the Application Guidelines.

IMPORTANT: Please apply only for one group!

For any questions please don’t hesitate to contact the Japan Information and Cultural Center of the Embassy of Japan.

Japan Information and Cultural Center
Embassy of Japan in Switzerland
Postfach, 3001 Bern
jicc@br.mofa.go.jp
Tel. +41 (0) 31 305 15 70