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
JICUF Co-organizes a Symposium on Refugee Pathways to Japan at the International House of Japan
On April 8, JICUF co-organized a symposium titled “Refugee Pathways to Japan: From Access to Impact” at the International House of Japan (IHJ) in Tokyo. JICUF staff worked closely with IHJ, the American Friends of the International House of Japan (AFIHJ) and the United States-Japan Foundation (USJF) to plan and implement this event. The goal was to raise awareness about the current state of the admission of refugees to Japan through educational and employment opportunities, and contemplate the role of philanthropy in this space.
JICUF’s Initiative Refugee Education Japan Publishes 10-year Report
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Japan ICU Foundation’s efforts to expand higher education opportunities for students with refugee backgrounds. To mark this milestone, JICUF’s initiative, Refugee Education Japan, published a 10-year report.
Student Ambassadors, the Passing of the Torch
JICUF’s Student Ambassadors, working under the guidance of Hideko Matsuyama, Program Manager of the JICUF Japan Office, play an active role in sharing information about JICUF’s programs, supporting events and projects, and contributing student-driven ideas that strengthen the ICU community. During the 2025 academic year, they planned and organized a range of initiatives, including International Day at the ICU Festival, Sports Night, and Cook & Connect. The five Student Ambassadors for 2025–26 will complete their terms in March, and four new ambassadors will begin in April. We extend our sincere appreciation to the 2025–26 Student Ambassadors for their dedication and contributions. In the photo: starting from the back row, left […]
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