No educational background is necessary. Anyone with disabilities who is willing to become a leader in his/her community can apply for the program as long as they have communication skills in Japanese, English or Sign Language (Japanese or American).

Yes, you can. The upper age limit for Applicant criteria has changed to 35 years of age since the 24th training program.

You need to be between 18 and 35 years of age as of the deadline for submission of application form.

We regret that applications send by those who are aged 36 or over will not be considered.

All successful applicants will be requested to provide a photo ID showing their date of birth prior to their enrolment in the program.

The purpose of the program is to give a training opportunity to young and highly motivated people who might not have had much experience but wish to become leaders in the future. With this aim, the age criterion was set up by the Executive Committee.

Yes, so long as you meet all of the applicant criteria. In the past, some applicants have been selected at their second or third trial.

In principle, your training fees and travel costs to and within Japan will be covered. Please see section 15 of the application guidance document.

The application form and the application guidance document are available here. Hard copies can be posted to you upon request. If you require a hard copy, please email the Secretariat.

Please send a completed application form with a full-body photo of yourself to the Secretariat by either email or airmail (including international courier services). We do not accept applications sent by fax.

No, please do not enclose any supporting documents with your application form, such as degree certificates or letters of reference.

The Executive Committee, consisting of 10 members and 1 advisor, are responsible for the selection. They first screen all valid applications and nominate potential candidates, whom they interview in their respective countries. The Committee then hold a meeting to report interview results and make final decisions.

The Executive Committee would be particularly interested to know about your long-term plans to change society in your own region or country.

As we receive a large number of applications, the selection process inevitably takes several months. We appreciate your patience. However, if you have not heard from the Secretariat by the end of May, please contact us.

Please submit your application by any of the following means: email (Microsoft Word format only), post or international courier. Once you have emailed your application, you do not need to send a hard copy by post unless requested by the Secretariat.

We regret that we do not acknowledge a receipt of your application.

Yes, the program is open to people with any kind of disability or disabilities. However, you must be able to pursue everyday activities such as eating and toileting by yourself.

A Surety refers to a person who will be liable to the Sponsor and the implementing agency for your fulfilment of his/her obligations, including the immediate payment of any financial debt.

You must have made a draft training plan by the time of application. Your final training program will be developed in consultation with your training coordinator after your arrival in Japan.

Your training will be given by a number of lecturers and instructors who are specialized in their own field of expertise. We appoint professional trainers with highly specialized knowledge and rich experience.

Upon your arrival in Japan, the series of orientation will be conducted in both English and American Sign Language. During the first three months, you will have a Japanese-English (sign language) interpreter at your training. Your language teachers and training coordinators will also have English. However, from January onwards all the training will be provided in the Japanese (sign) language.

We will reassess your Japanese language skills upon your arrival in Japan. Depending on results of the assessment, you may be offered an advanced language course or other training opportunities - we will make a suitable arrangement for you.

In principle you are expected to stay in Japan throughout the training period. However, you will have the right to a temporary return to your home country in the following cases:

(1) Death or a critical injury or illness of your parent, spouse or child;

(2) An evacuation recommendation issued by the government of your home country following a natural or other disaster in Japan;

(3) Unavoidable circumstances due to international conflict; or

(4) Any other situation that the Sponsor and the implementing agency jointly approve.

No, you are not allowed to bring any family member to Japan.

In the first three months, you will be based in Tokyo. During individual training you will stay at different places depending on your training.