FAQ

The Toshizo Watanabe Democracy Fellowship is designed for emerging leaders in Japan. Applicants must be 45 years old or younger at the time of application (application period: October 27, 2025–January 15, 2026, JST). Eligible applicants include Japanese nationals and Special Permanent Residents of Japan. While there is no minimum age, applicants should have at least five years of professional experience.

Since the fellowship includes events and meetings in Japan in addition to the US Delegation visit, it is primarily intended for residents of Japan. Applicants must reside in Japan either at the time of application or during the in-person orientation in June 2026. For example, if you are currently living in the United States but will return to Japan before June 2026, you may apply. In special cases, such as a transfer abroad after selection, we will make every effort to accommodate the situation.

Leadership can be expressed in many ways across society, business, and communities, and there is no single definition. You may have founded a company or nonprofit, led projects or teams, published books, given lectures, or received other fellowships. Fellows selected for the Watanabe Democracy Fellowship are expected to have demonstrated leadership achievements and to use the fellowship experience to further increase their impact.

During the US program, Fellows will visit government agencies, politicians, nonprofits, and think tanks, and participate in meetings conducted in English where they will share their views. Applicants should have sufficient English proficiency to participate in business-level conversations comfortably. As a guideline, proficiency equivalent to TOEIC 850+, TOEFL PBT 600+ (or iBT 100+) is recommended. Submission of test scores is not required, but if available, please include them. The selection interview will be conducted in English.

No. The Watanabe Democracy Fellowship brings together emerging leaders from diverse fields to learn from one another. While an interest in US-Japan relations is expected, prior professional experience in this area is not required.

Once your application form is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email within two business days. When the recommendation form is submitted, both the recommender and the applicant will receive confirmation within two business days.

No. The application period for the 2026 Watanabe Democracy Fellowship is from Monday, October 27, 2025, to Thursday, January 15, 2026. All application materials, including the recommendation form, must be submitted by Thursday, January 15, 2026, 11:59 p.m. JST. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Yes. All application materials, except the recommendation form, must be completed in English. The selection interview will also be conducted in English. The recommendation form may be submitted in either English or Japanese.

In addition to the application form completed by the applicant, one recommendation from someone who knows the applicant well is required. The recommender should explain why they recommend you and submit the form by the application deadline (Thursday, January 15, 2026). The form can be completed in English or Japanese. Applications without a recommendation form will not be considered. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the form is submitted by the deadline.

The ideal recommender is someone who knows the applicant well professionally and can speak to their leadership qualities, style, and character. Recommendations from past Watanabe Democracy Fellows are also welcome.

No. Only one recommendation from the individual listed on the application form is accepted.

The selection process for the 2026 Watanabe Democracy Fellowship will take place from January to March 2025. Candidates who pass the first round of review will be invited to an interview. Final results will be announced to all applicants by the end of March.

After the document review and interview process, the Selection Committee will review the top candidates and recommend eight to ten Fellows for final selection. The committee consists of representatives from US and Japanese communities, businesses, academic institutions, and government. In addition to assessing whether each applicant meets the selection criteria, the committee considers the diversity of the cohort as a whole, including professional background, achievements, gender balance, geography, and social perspectives. The final decision will be made by the Democracy Center at the Japanese American National Museum.

Applicants who are selected will be notified by email in March 2026. Those who receive a selection notice must submit a signed Fellowship Acceptance Form and required documents (such as a passport and short bio) within fourteen days. Because the arrangements for the US program require timely preparation, applicants who do not submit the required documents by the deadline will forfeit their eligibility for the Fellowship.

The Watanabe Democracy Fellowship runs for about one year, from May 2026 to early summer 2027. After selection, Fellows will join an online meeting in May, followed by pre-departure training through online and in-person sessions leading up to the US program in late September. After returning from the US, Fellows must submit a program report within 30 days. As a capstone project, the 2026 Fellows will collaboratively design and implement a public program in Tokyo in spring/early summer 2027. Throughout the year, Fellows will also participate in leadership training and networking opportunities, and will be invited to JANM events in Japan as well as programs hosted by the Mansfield Foundation, the Fellowship’s implementing partner organization.

No. The Watanabe Democracy Fellowship is supported by the generous gift of Mr. Toshizo Watanabe. All costs for the US program, including round-trip economy airfare between Japan and the US, domestic travel within the US, admission fees, and meals, are fully covered. However, transportation between a Fellow’s home and the airport in Japan, passport application fees, and personal activities outside the official program are not included. For Fellows traveling from outside the Tokyo metropolitan area, transportation and lodging costs for the in-person orientation in June and for the 2027 public program in Tokyo will also be covered.

The 2026 Delegation will visit two cities, Los Angeles and Washington, DC, as in 2025. However, the 2026 program is being updated based on feedback from the 2025 Fellows, and some sites or themes may be adjusted according to the 2026 Fellows’ professional backgrounds and interests. While this website introduces parts of the 2025 program, the 2026 program will not be identical.

The 2026 US Delegation visit will take place from Monday, September 28, to Thursday, October 8, with a return to Japan on Saturday, October 10. Only applicants who can attend the entire US Delegation visit should apply. Fellows who cannot participate will lose their eligibility and must reapply in a future year.

Yes. The 2026 Fellowship orientation will be held in Tokyo from Friday, June 19, to Sunday, June 21. Sessions will take place all day on June 19 and 20, and in the morning only on June 21. The orientation includes special lectures and meetings with partner organizations to prepare Fellows for the intensive U.S. Delegation visit.

Participation is expected except in cases of unavoidable scheduling conflict. These monthly meetings will cover topics not addressed during the orientation and provide important updates for the US Delegation. Scheduling will be arranged to accommodate Fellows’ availability as much as possible.

All selected Fellows will participate in the one-year program and remain lifelong members of the Watanabe Democracy Fellows network. They are expected to continue learning, engage with opportunities offered by JANM and the Mansfield Foundation, and contribute to the growth of the Fellowship community. Fellows are also encouraged to support the next generation of leaders by serving as mentors for the incoming cohort.