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 cooperation

Program
(1) Online pre-exchange program (two days)
  - Orientation including guidance on how to share their learning and finding about Japan by utilizing social media
  - Lecture on the theme-related contents
  - Virtual exchange and discussion with Japanese students / experts 
(2) Program in Japan (Jan 14 - Jan 20, 2026)
  - Lectures on the theme-related contents and discussions with Japanese students
  - Site visits to educational and research institutions 
  - Visits to local areas
  - Workshop and reporting session 
  - Dissemination of information on what participants learned in the program and the attractions of Japan, during / after the program through reporting session and Social Networking Services (online).


Graduate and undergraduate students aged 20 or older enrolled at a university in Switzerland or Liechtenstein are eligible to apply for the following programs. The program is aimed at specific fields of study.

Group 2: Diplomacy and Security Policy
Group 3: SDGs Business and Innovation
Application deadline is October 15th, 2025, at 3 am (Central European Time), October 15th, 2025, at 10 am（Japan Standard Time）


How to apply
The registration is online and you can find the link in the Application Guidelines below. 
Please read the Application Guidelines carefully, which provides further information.

Application Guidelines
MIRAI 2025/2026 Application Form

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