Embark on a deep journey into the heart of Japan
To study Japan is to reflect on ourselves
Our mission is to cultivate the next generation of global thinkers by using Japan as a living classroom. Through immersive study of Japan’s economy, institutions, and ideas, students explore the systems that shape the modern world and their role in shaping its future.
What Sets This Program Apart
Beyond temples and tea, this is an immersive educational experience for students who want to understand Japan’s past, present, and future through direct engagement with its economy, governance, and institutions. The perspective they gain here will inform the decisions they make as future leaders, diplomats, and builders of institutions.
Japan’s Economic Landscape
Briefings on Japan’s monetary history, post-bubble stagnation, demographic challenges, and innovation economy led by university professors and policy analysts.
Production System Tour
Get inside an automated Japanese manufacturer and observe lean production where it was born. Learn the theory, and watch the practice, guided by faculty.
Institutional Access
Access an exclusive tour of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and National Diet Building (where the national legislature meet). Study the political and financial systems that drive Japan’s global presence.
Lectures from University Faculty
Seminars with Japanese economists, sociologists, and policy experts, complete with curated readings, small-group Q&A, and prep sessions.
Geopolitics & Japan’s Role
Understand Japan’s strategic position in East Asia, its U.S. alliance, and its postwar diplomatic model. Explore how Japan’s worldview has been shaped by its past and the selective absorption of foreign ideas.
Cultural Practicum
Deepen your understanding through direct practice. Participate in a traditional tea ceremony and train with a kendo master in the fundamentals of Japanese martial philosophy.
Our Curriculum
The Nihon Institute’s academic schedule is curated to combine expert-led seminars with guided access to Japan’s institutions, industries, and cultural foundations.
Here is representative sample of our immersive curriculum. Specific speakers, topics, and venues may vary by cohort.
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The day begins with a seminar on Japan’s postwar economic rise — its institutions, export-driven model, and monetary policy history. Students then visit key historical sites such as the Kyoto Imperial Palace while exploring the Meiji Restoration’s legacy. A cohort discussion unpacks keiretsu structures and the distinctive character of Japanese capitalism.
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Students travel to Tokyo for a curated tour of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. In the afternoon, a Ministry of Finance or METI official delivers a closed-door briefing on Japan’s fiscal strategy and regulatory models. Evening reflections connect institutional design with policy outcomes.
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A site visit to a Toyota manufacturing facility immerses students in the principles of lean production and kaizen. The afternoon includes a hands-on workshop exploring the logic, metrics, and philosophy of Japan’s manufacturing precision.
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A faculty-led seminar explores Japan’s aging population, demographic contraction, and implications for labor, immigration, and infrastructure. This is followed by a panel on urban design and adaptive public policy. Students may opt for guided exploration or structured group reflection.
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Students have an exclusive tour the National Diet Building, observing Japan’s legislative process. They then participate in a simulated parliamentary debate on emerging tech policy, applying their learning to real-world policy scenarios. Final prep begins for the cohort’s closing presentations.
Admissions & Eligibility
Eligibility List
Current undergraduate student (or recent graduate, age ~18–25)
Strong academic record or demonstrated intellectual motivation
Open to all majors; especially suited for students in engineering, computer science, economics, international relations, and political science
No Japanese language requirement
U.S. passport holders only (for this cohort)
The Nihon Institute's winter program is designed for ambitious, intellectually curious U.S. undergraduate students who seek more than cultural tourism — students who want to understand systems, not just visit them.
Our inaugural cohort, launching Summer 2026, is strictly limited to 30 students. We are seeking applicants who demonstrate academic seriousness, a global perspective, and a willingness to engage deeply with ideas and institutions.
No prior knowledge of Japanese language or culture is required — but a readiness to think critically, travel respectfully, and participate fully is essential.
Application Components:
Applicants will be asked to submit:
Basic application form (online)
1 short personal statement (~300 words): "Why do you want to participate in this program?"
Optional: unofficial transcript or academic résumé
Tuition
Join a selective cohort of 30 students learning Japan from the inside.
The tuition for the Summer 2026 JPEX Program is:
$8,000 USD
This all-inclusive fee covers :
Academic seminars and lectures with faculty and entrepreneurs
Guided institutional access
7 nights of student housing in Osaka and Tokyo
Group meals and cultural events
In-country transportation
On-site support, logistics coordination, and translation
Certificate of Completion from The Nihon Institute
✳︎ Note: Airfare is not included. We are exploring a group flight option from select U.S. airports for admitted students.
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.
Spots will fill quickly.