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
Wyatt Howard, the second recipient of the Nelson Ranch Scholarship
We interviewed Wyatt Howard, a Kentucky native who enrolled at ICU last September as a recipient of the 2025 Nelson-Ranch Scholarship. (All photos courtesy of Wyatt.) JICUF: When and what made you interested in Japan? Wyatt: I became interested in Japan at a very young age. From the beginning of my education, we were taught Japanese—presumably because of the presence of Japanese businesses and companies in Kentucky—so I believe that first sparked my interest in the language. I also had a few Japanese friends, and I really liked movies that showcased Japan or took place there. Two movies in particular, Scooby-Doo! and the Samurai Sword and Teen Titans: Trouble in […]
Introducing the 2026-2027 Media Interns
JICUF recently hired two new media interns, Hiyu Shiraki and Seidai Goto. These two ICU undergraduates, along with Kyoka Horiuchi—who has served as a photography intern since 2024—will regularly post promotional photos and short videos on JICUF’s Instagram and Facebook accounts. Please follow us on social media to check out their posts! Hiyu Shiraki Hi, I’m Hiyu Shiraki, ICU Class of 2028. Having grown up between Japan and the U.S., I’ve always loved connecting with people from various backgrounds. At JICUF, I hope to use photography and film to meet more people and share the stories of the students and supporters who carry forward JICUF’s founding spirit. More than just […]
Othmer Research Fellowship Spotlight: Michiru Sasaoka
Project Title “The Effects of Environmental Stress on Mosquito Size Along the Urban–Suburban Gradient from Central Tokyo to the ICU Campus” The Othmer Research Fellowship (ORF) provides funding to ICU students to conduct independent research projects during the summer break. We spoke with Michiru Sasaoka, one of the 2025 Othmer Fellows, about her research project. At the time of her fellowship, Michiru was a fourth-year undergraduate student at ICU. JICUF: What inspired you to develop this project? Michiru: I have always been particularly prone to mosquito bites, so summers can be quite difficult for me. Not only do I get bitten easily, but I also have a strong reaction to […]
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