In the aftermath of WWII, visionaries in Japan and the United States came together to establish a university in Japan that would educate “new leaders for a new Japan” committed to reconciliation, democracy, and human rights. The Japan ICU Foundation was incorporated in New York in 1949 to support this endeavor, and International Christian University (ICU) was founded the same year. Over 75 years later, ICU has grown into a leading university, and JICUF and ICU remain steadfast partners.
With our eyes on the future, JICUF’s mission is to nurture global citizens who contribute to the well-being of humanity. We fulfill this mission by supporting innovative educational programs at ICU and other higher education institutions in Japan. Examples include Refugee Education Japan, the SDG Projects, the Othmer Research Fellowship and the Global Citizen Fellowship.
Most Recent Articles
Faculty Grant Spotlight: Professor Tomiko Yamaguchi
From left: Kae Takagi, Prof. Yamaguchi, Ai Kimura, and Asahi Igarashi Faculty Grant Spotlight: Professor Tomiko Yamaguchi Bridging Japan and India through Student-Led Fieldwork on Public Interest Technologies During the Fall 2025 faculty grant cycle, Professor Tomiko Yamaguchi of ICU’s Department of Society, Culture, and Media was awarded a JICUF Faculty Grant. The grant enabled Professor Yamaguchi to bring a group of students with her to India in March of this year to conduct collaborative field research. The project, titled “Bridging Japan and India through Student-Led Fieldwork on Public Interest Technologies,” explored the concept of Public Interest Technologies (PIT)—technologies that contribute to social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and ethical governance—and examined […]
Nurturing Global Citizens: The Dwight Clark Cross-Cultural Program at ICU
Photo by Kyoka Horiuchi “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew.” – Abraham Lincoln, Annual Message to Congress, December 1, 1862 From May 24 to June 5, 2026, twelve students from Parami University in Myanmar traveled to Japan to participate in the Dwight Clark Cross-Cultural Program at ICU. Made possible through a partnership between JICUF, Parami University, ICU, and Volunteers in Asia (VIA), the program brought together students, educators, and community leaders for nearly two weeks of learning, […]
Global Citizen Fellowship 2026 Launches Second Year with Diverse Cohort and Spring Retreat
On April 4, 2026, JICUF officially launched the second year of the Global Citizen Fellowship (GCF) with a kickoff event at ICU. The eight-month fellowship brings together students from Japanese universities who are committed to deepening their understanding of themselves, the world around them, and their responsibility to contribute to the well-being of humanity. A scene from the kickoff meeting (Photo by Kyoka Horiuchi)Fully funded by JICUF, the fellowship combines two weekend retreats in Japan, a two-and-a-half-week intensive program in New York City, a social impact project, individual coaching, and peer learning opportunities. Through these interconnected experiences, fellows are challenged to better understand themselves, engage thoughtfully with the […]
DONATE