ASIA KAKEHASHI Project + (Plus) 2025

2025/2/18
ASIA KAKEHASHI Project + 2025
- Building Bridge between High School Students in Japan and Asia -
 
Following the G7 Education Ministerial Meeting held in Ishikawa and Kanazawa, Japan in May 2023, Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has expanded the window of the “Asia-Kakehashi* Project + (Plus)” to the G7 countries.
 
The programme aims to strengthen relations between Japan and the rest of Asia as well as the G7 member countries. It provides full scholarships for high school students to live and study in Japan for several months. AFS Intercultural Programs, Japan was appointed to implement the ASIA KAKEHASHI Project + in collaboration with AFS partner organizations and NGOs. 
 

Details

Duration: 21st August, 2025 – 26th December, 2025
Note: The schedule is subject to change.

Main features:
  • Invite high school students in Asia and G7 member countries to study in Japan for 5 months
  • Attendance at a Japanese high school while staying in a dormitory or with a host family
  • Exposure to Japanese culture, local communities and industries
  • Attendance at international camps (twice; together with arrival/end of stay orientations) with Japanese high school students
Fees: Sponsored by the Japanese Government*
*Expenses not covered by the scholarship include, but are not limited, to:
  • Vaccinations, immunizations, and other disease-preventing medications (i.e. malaria)
  • Travel expenses to the regional consulate to obtain a visa
  • Additional spending money
  • Checked luggage fees
Support: All participants will be supported by AFS Japan’s experienced local volunteers
and professional staff during the program in Japan. Pre-program support will be provided
by AFS/NGO under the AFS policies and guidelines.
 
Eligibility criteria: 
Applicants to the program in 2025 must meet the following criteria:
  • Between 15 and 18 years of age, born after April 2, 2007 and before April 1, 2010;
  • Citizen of Hong Kong SAR and a Hong Kong SAR passport holder;
  • Obtained minimum of 60% marks in principle in all subjects in the latest examination at school and overall minimum average of 60% marks in all subjects for the past two years;
  • Learners of Japanese. Participants for the Japanese speech contests are encouraged to apply and have priority for the selection;
  • Demonstrate strong potential of leadership to act as a bridge between the sending country/region and Japan during and after the program; and
  • Not have participated in the ASIA KAKEHASHI program before.
  • Priority will be given to students of families with low incomes.
Application
  • ​Click here to learn about the application procedure, prepare all necessary documents and apply
  • Eligible applicants will be invited to join an AFS Selection Day or interview
Application deadline:  20 March, 2025 (Thursday)

Enquiry
AFS Intercultural Exchanges Ltd.
Address: 8/F, Shun Feng International Centre, 182 Queen's Road East, Wanchai
Tel: 2802-0383
Email: info-hongkong@afs.org
https://www.afs.hk/scholarship/#afs-nav-asia-kakehashi-project-2025

Origin of Asia-Kakehashi Project

In 2017, the then-Prime Minister Abe Shinzo made a commitment to provide opportunities for Asian high school students studying Japanese to stay in Japan for ten months. Since then, almost 1,000 students have taken part in the Asia-Kakehashi Project.
(http://japan.kantei.go.jp/97_abe/statement/201706/1222768_11579.html)

Back to Top