Applications are now open for Stanford e-Entrepreneurship Japan (SeEJ), a free online course conducted in English to foster Japanese students’ creative thinking and innovative problem-solving skills to address social issues. SeEJ is offered twice a year in the fall and spring through a collaboration between SPICE and the non-profit organization e-Entrepreneurship in Japan. It is open to Japanese-speaking students, in or from Japan, in their first and second years of high school. The spring 2026 course will be taught by Natalie Montecino and will run from April 2026 through August 2026.

The application form is now available at https://forms.gle/FQDX6NNqj28KKAE37. The submission deadline is March 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM Japan Time.

Stanford e-Entrepreneurship Japan offers students an opportunity to engage with scholars and entrepreneurs from Stanford University and beyond through live virtual classes, which are held twice a month on Sundays. The course will culminate in an individual research paper and a final group project. Students who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion from SPICE and NPO e-Entrepreneurship.

Former students consistently point to SeEJ’s interactive and collaborative design as a defining feature of the program. As Karen Watanabe shares, “I really enjoyed the interactive nature of SeEJ, especially the group discussions,” noting that these exchanges helped develop communication and teamwork skills while offering perspectives she hadn’t considered before. Nina Kasamatsu echoes this sentiment, adding that “interacting, sharing, and being able to bounce ideas off of each other has been the greatest aspect of SeEJ,” emphasizing how peer feedback and collaboration through group projects deepened both learning and personal growth. Together, these reflections highlight the program's innovative, discussion-centered approach, where collaboration and dialogue are central to the learning experience.

For more information about Stanford e-Entrepreneurship Japan, visit the program webpage. Interested high school students should apply online by March 1, 2026.

Stanford e-Entrepreneurship Japan is one of several online courses offered by SPICE.

To stay updated on SPICE news, join our email list or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

My time in the Stanford e-Entrepreneurship Japan program was transformative. I came in with a jumble of passions and questions about the world and left with lifelong friends across the world, invaluable mentoring, and a clear vision.

Every session was a journey in and of itself. It combined strong individual and team preparation, presentations to and from amazing guest speakers, and reflective discussions at the end. This constantly pushed me and my peers to grow into better critical thinkers, speakers, listeners, and team players; high expectations yielded high results. I was amazed by the diversity of the guest speakers and the topics we dove into: design thinking, AI & philosophy, sustainability, and more. Each gave me new world perspectives and challenged me to think in ways I hadn’t before. I began pondering upon questions such as “How does this choice impact the world around me?” “Does philanthropy benefit the rich more than the underprivileged?” “How can we navigate a world of AI?” This in turn has helped me view entrepreneurship as something inherently social, a means of designing thoughtful solutions to real problems and ultimately making a positive difference in the world.

One of my most memorable moments was the final group presentation, where we advocated for a charitable organization that would receive a donation if picked by the judges. My group chose The Ocean Cleanup and devoted ourselves to understanding the socio-environmental consequences of plastic pollution, as well as presenting it in a way that would resonate with our audience. I vividly remember calling my group members past 2am one night out of pure excitement and motivation, giving feedback on each other’s slides and encouraging one another. We ended up winning! But even more than that, I am truly grateful for the relationships that SeEJ has gifted me.

In fact, as one of the few students living in the United States, I was so honored to share a screen with people from Okinawa to Hokkaido. So much so that I decided to create a Canvas announcement titled “SeEJ Hangout in Tokyo!!!!” Mission accomplished: I got to spend a few hours with my peers in person (in Shibuya!) after three months of Zoom boxes, which was an incredible and unforgettable experience.

SeEJ allowed me to embark on a journey of self-discovery as well. Through the individual research paper and 2-minute video on a social issue of choice—core pillars of SeEJ—I discovered my passion for nuclear disarmament. Growing up listening to my hibakusha (atomic bomb survivor) grandfather’s childhood stories, I never fully realized the power of his voice and my own. (Photo below courtesy of Erin Tsutsui.) Through SeEJ, I was able to name this passion and imagine a concrete path forward. Now, I commit myself to dismantling the mindset and weaponry that allows war to exist, as I am building a youth-led initiative that mobilizes and educates youth to spread hibakusha stories by utilizing digital media and grassroots engagements.

Image

None of this could have been possible without the generosity and dedication of our instructor, Dr. Makiko Hirata, and the incredible lineup of guest speakers who graciously shared their time, stories, and wisdom with us. They instilled in us empathy, bravery, tenacity, and a deep responsibility to care for our people and planet; I now see myself and my peers as visionaries, each with our own unique background and goals.

I thank Stanford e-Entrepreneurship Japan for teaching me that at the core of social entrepreneurship is community and humanity. One of our guest speakers, Ms. Megan Carroll, taught us a South African word that embodies this spirit: ubuntu—“I am because we are.”

Stanford e-Entrepreneurship Japan is one of several online courses offered by SPICE.

To stay updated on SPICE news, join our email list and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

At Eikei University of Hiroshima (EUH), with its academic mission to contribute to society through engaging with timely and relevant societal issues, explore practical and innovative solutions to these issues, and foster a cadre of young potential change-makers, we are exposed to a wide range of knowledge- and skill-based courses that harness the competencies needed for the realities waiting outside the school. The Social Entrepreneurship – Human-Centered Design for Sustainability and Impact course, developed by SPICE and instructed by Dr. Mariko Yang-Yoshihara, is an excellent intensive program that amplifies and reinforces the school’s focus and goals while providing students with a different perspective on comprehending the socioeconomic world and its stakeholders through understanding oneself.

This course directed us to explore how a human-centered approach can address sustainability challenges within communities. We gained highly valuable skills and insights into social innovation through intensive lectures, interactive discussions, and hands-on workshops. The hybrid learning format allowed us to engage with our three special guest speakers, who are globally active contributors to the field of social entrepreneurship. At the same time, the later sessions immersed us in fieldwork with our assigned local Design Thinking Partners (DTPs)—professionals and entrepreneurs dedicated to creating positive impact in the Hiroshima/Setouchi region. This combination of global and local perspectives, along with the support of our student assistants (SAs), made the entire learning journey vibrant, engaging, and memorable.

One of the takeaways I still carry are prompt questions that were asked of us even before the course started: What drives you? What is your belief and purpose? What is your ‘why’? For me, this self-examination laid the foundation for understanding the human-centered approach. I realized that entrepreneurship is never about the hope of making profits, but about identifying what society truly needs and responding to it with a purpose—the whys that give direction to the work we do, the force that pushes us forward, shaping the impact we aim to create. Additionally, through our DTPs, I also learned that human-centered design revolves around uncovering ‘unmet needs’ rather than simply identifying or restating explicit goals. This realization not only enriched the outcomes and the overall experience of our fieldwork but, more importantly, recalibrated the angle at which I see and engage with the world around me with empathy. 

Image

What made this 10-session intensive course special is the way it catered to the needs of all students. The SPICE course invited a diverse group of students and student assistants from across Japan (Hiroshima, Kumamoto, Osaka, Shizuoka, and Tokushima) and the world (India, Liberia, Mexico, Philippines, Senegal, Slovakia, and Vietnam). The course was carried out in English, but some teams interviewed the DTPs in their native language, Japanese. Every student was asked to create a safe and inclusive space to learn in the best way possible, and this encouraged each team to choose the language that ensured richer discussion outputs. This aided better communication for all; however, it posed a challenge to me since I was assigned to a team with varied language backgrounds and, by default, I had to serve a role of a mediator. With a short background in learning the native language, I was intimidated and worried about not being able to contribute meaningfully.

Nonetheless, with the encouragement of Mariko-sensei and the support of my teammates, this challenge turned into one of my proudest breakthroughs since coming to Eikei. I gradually grew more confident using Japanese, overcame a long-standing insecurity, stepped out of my comfort zone, and rekindled the power of teamwork, persistence, and appreciation. Looking back, I came to realize that this was an unmet need of mine—at the heart of what human-centered design thinking strives to uncover. With the trust I received from Mariko-sensei, what initially felt like a source of anxiety transformed into one of the most rewarding aspects of this intensive course.

SPICE's course on Social Entrepreneurship with Eikei University of Hiroshima is one of SPICE’s local student programs in Japan.

To stay informed of SPICE news, join our email list and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

The following reflection is a guest post written by Millie Gan, an alum of the Spring 2025 Stanford e-Entrepreneurship Japan Program. Earlier this year, Millie launched Teenage Business Contest Japan, a platform for encouraging social entrepreneurship among teens.

Japan is a place people love to visit, featuring bullet trains, temples, and sushi. Up close, I saw shrinking rural towns, an aging population, and customs fading from daily life. I wanted to do something that wasn’t just talk. The questions that kept coming up were: Who will have the creative ideas necessary to address these issues? And how can we best encourage and empower them?

This summer in Tokyo, the Teenage Business Contest Japan (TBCJ) 2025 invited high school students from across the country to develop business ideas that would help revitalize Japan’s communities. What started as a project organized by students evolved into a nationwide platform where young people could address problems that are typically left to politicians and businesses. As a participant in the Stanford e-Entrepreneurship Japan (SeEJ) program, I planned and built TBCJ in parallel with my SPICE coursework, applying classroom concepts—such as problem framing, rapid testing, and iteration—to real-world challenges.

SeEJ shaped the way I worked: start small, learn fast, and ship. I taught myself Python and JavaScript for websites and games, but for the contest I needed a different kind of tool. I used the Kotae.ai platform to launch TB-Chan, an AI helper on our website. Building it took minutes; training it took discipline. Every morning, I updated TB-Chan with new information—rules, schedules, government datasets, and simple “nudge” prompts—so students, media, and sponsors got instant, consistent answers. Without TB-Chan, we couldn’t have handled the volume of questions.

I was very thrilled that my SeEJ instructor and mentor, Dr. Makiko Hirata, presented the opening speech during the contest. Her message that young people can solve even the most complex challenges if they are given the chance set the tone for the day and encouraged everyone who was there. Getting TBCJ off the ground wasn’t glamorous. Working with government agencies entailed months of preparation; demonstrating impact to institutions demanded patience; securing funding from major companies required persistence. In the end, we raised over ¥3 million and built credibility the old-fashioned way: by delivering. The contest drew reporters—including from The Nikkei and the BBC—and more than 300 online articles followed. Importantly, the work didn’t end on stage. After the event, finalists began collaborating across schools and regions, and the University of Tokyo invited all four finalist teams into its WE AT CHALLENGE Business Program for coaching and potential funding.

A story about Japanese soccer guided me throughout. For years, there were few strikers—too risky, too exposed—until kids watched international players who took the shot. The talent was always there; what was missing was the example. On our stage, every finalist was a striker: a student who led without a guarantee. I also had to be one. Organizing a national contest as a teenager meant acting before certainty existed, and letting action create momentum.

That is the link between TBCJ and SPICE: SeEJ is not just theory; it is a bridge to action. It teaches you to listen carefully, test quickly, and improve openly. TBCJ proved that teens aren’t only future leaders—they are present-tense builders. With the right tools, data, mentors, and faith, young people can connect ideas to implementation and turn problems into opportunities.

The message I hope readers take away is simple: let’s be the strikers. Take the shot. Others will follow.

Stanford e-Entrepreneurship Japan is one of several online courses offered by SPICE.

To stay updated on SPICE news, join our email list and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

On August 2, 2025, Minamata High School once again opened its doors to celebrate the beginning of a new year of the Stanford e-Minamata Program. The familiar sense of anticipation in the auditorium was met with something new as well: the confidence of a community and a program stepping into its second year. If last year’s guiding spirit was resilience and renewal, this year carries the feeling of growth and leadership, an acknowledgment that the seeds planted in 2024 are already beginning to bear fruit.

In his opening remarks, Mayor Toshiharu Takaoka reaffirmed the city’s dedication to supporting young people through this international partnership, while Dr. Gary Mukai, Director of SPICE, offered words of encouragement that were both lighthearted and deeply meaningful to the eager students in the room. Reminding students that mistakes are not just acceptable but essential to learning, Dr. Mukai underscored the courage and curiosity at the heart of leadership development. His message, paired with the mayor’s steady vision, set a hopeful tone for the year ahead.

That spirit was quickly brought to life by Minamata High School students Asuka Umekawa and Yudai Hirata, who delivered their opening remarks in English. Their poise and determination captured the excitement of their classmates, and their eagerness to bridge local and global perspectives embodied the purpose of the program itself. Their words were not only a reflection of their own commitment, but also a reminder of the potential within this year’s entire cohort.

Photo below: Yudai Hirata, August 2, 2025; photo courtesy Minamata High School.

Image

As the program enters its second year, the three themes of environment, emerging technologies, and U.S.–Japan relations remain at the core. Yet, like any thriving endeavor, e-Minamata continues to evolve. This year introduces a new sustainable agriculture module in collaboration with a regenerative farmer in Saga Prefecture, offering students a direct look at innovations shaping the future of Japanese agriculture. Alongside this addition, an expanded roster of guest speakers—some familiar, others new—will broaden the perspectives brought into the classroom.

The 25 students who make up this year’s cohort include first-, second-, and third-year students, creating a dynamic mix of voices and experiences. Their curiosity mirrors that of last year’s inaugural participants, many of whom continue to apply the program’s lessons in their studies, community activities, and even their plans for higher education. The continuity between these groups makes clear that the program is more than a single-year opportunity, it is building a culture of inquiry and leadership that extends beyond the classroom.

Looking ahead, one of the most anticipated elements of this year’s program will be the introduction of a community showcase. Students will work together to identify local challenges and opportunities in Minamata City, and at the end of the year, present their proposed solutions publicly. This new feature not only empowers students to see themselves as problem-solvers, but also invites the broader community to engage with their ideas. In doing so, the showcase promises to deepen the connections between classroom learning and community vitality.

The program’s growth would not be possible without the continued support of many partners. The leadership of Mayor Takaoka and Minamata City Hall remains steadfast. The Minamata Environmental Academia has taken on an expanded role, now guiding much of the program’s coordination. Within Minamata High School, Principal Yasunori Takaki, Vice Principal Fumiko Niibu, and Planning Manager Saho Yagyu continue to provide invaluable support. And while Mr. Hiroki Hara, who was instrumental in the program’s early development, has since relocated to Tokyo, his contributions remain an important part of the program’s foundation.

This year’s opening ceremony revealed the unfolding of student journeys and the steady expansion of a program that is becoming an anchor in Minamata’s ongoing story of renewal. The courage of Asuka and Yudai, the curiosity of their peers, and the unwavering support of local leaders and partners all point to a larger truth: Minamata’s youth are stepping forward not just as students, but as leaders whose perspectives will shape their community and extend far beyond it. The Stanford e-Minamata Program is an invitation to grow, to lead, and to imagine a future rooted in resilience, innovation, and connection.

Stanford e-Minamata is one of SPICE’s local student programs in Japan.

To stay informed of SPICE news, join our email list and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

Three of SPICE’s online programs for U.S. high school students have begun accepting applications for the spring 2026 academic term. The Reischauer Scholars Program (RSP) and the Sejong Korea Scholars Program (SKSP) welcome applications from high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in the United States. U.S.–China Co-Lab on Climate Solutions brings together 10th–12th graders from the United States and China in the same program to collaborate on solutions to the global climate crisis.

The RSP engages students in an intensive study of Japan and the U.S.–Japan relationship, facilitating discussions with scholars, diplomats, and other guest speakers with personal and professional expertise in Japanese culture, society, and U.S.–Japan relations. The 2026 RSP course dates are February 1 to June 14. The application deadline is October 17, 2025.

The SKSP provides students an enriching and academically rigorous overview of Korean history and U.S.–Korea relations through online lectures with top scholars and experts and engaging student discussions. The 2026 SKSP course will run February through early June. The application deadline is November 1, 2025.

The U.S.–China Co-Lab program focuses specifically on climate-related issues and U.S.–China cooperation, past and potential, and strategies for global cooperation. High school students from the U.S. and China will get to know each other’s lives and environments and actively work together on projects to develop their expertise on local, bilateral, and global climate action. This is a joint program of SPICE’s Stanford e-China (for students in China) and China Scholars Program (for U.S. students). The spring 2026 Co-Lab course dates are February 27 to May 22. The application deadline for U.S. students is November 1, 2025.

Students who are interested in applying to more than one program may do so and rank their preferences on their applications. Those who are accepted into multiple programs for spring 2026 will be invited to enroll in their highest-preference course.

Applications for all three programs can be found at https://spicestanford.smapply.io/. Deadlines vary:

• Reischauer Scholars Program: October 17
• Sejong Korea Scholars Program: November 1
• U.S.–China Co-Lab on Climate Solutions: November 1

For more information on a specific online course, please refer to its individual webpage.

To stay informed of SPICE news, join our email list and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

To learn more about SPICE’s student programs, visit our Student Programs page.

Over ten years ago in 2015, SPICE launched Stanford e-Japan, a national online course that enrolls high school students from Japan to engage in an intensive study of U.S. society and culture and U.S.–Japan relations. In 2016, SPICE launched Stanford e-Tottori, SPICE’s first regional program in Japan that enrolls high school students from across Tottori Prefecture. SPICE now enrolls approximately 230 to 240 students from nine regional programs in Japan. Six programs are prefectural programs (Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Oita, Tottori, Wakayama, Yamaguchi), and three are municipal programs (Kagoshima, Kawasaki, and Kobe).

In August 2025, SPICE held four award ceremonies for honorees of the 2024–2025 regional programs in Japan. Two honorees from each program were recognized. Stanford e-Fukuoka is currently in session, and the honorees will be recognized in August 2026.

Image

The first ceremony was held at Stanford University on August 8, 2025 for the top students in Stanford e-Kawasaki and Stanford e-Kobe. Inspirational opening comments were delivered by Consul Asami Chikae from the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco. Chikae’s comments were followed by remarks by Stanford e-Kawasaki instructor Maiko Tamagawa Bacha and Stanford e-Kobe instructor Alison Harsch and the honorees’ presentations. The honorees are:

Stanford e-Kawasaki

Reimi Ito; Tachibana High School

Yuka Nagasawa; Kawasaki High School

Stanford e-Kobe

Karen Ito; Kobe Municipal Fukiai High School

Shoko Urakami; Kobe University Secondary School

Image

In the second ceremony, top students from Stanford e-Oita and Stanford e-Tottori were honored on August 20, 2025 at Stanford University. Encouraging opening comments were delivered by Consul Mayu Hagiwara, Director of the Japan Information and Culture Center at the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco. Hagiwara’s comments were followed by remarks by Stanford e-Oita instructor Kasumi Yamashita and Stanford e-Tottori instructor Jonas Edman and the honorees’ presentations. The honorees are:

Stanford e-Oita

Yuri Kishida; Ajimu High School

Yoka Okuda; Usa High School
 
Stanford e-Tottori

Maiko Koyama; Tottori Nishi High School

Nobuki Tokukura; Seishokaichi High School

Image

During the third ceremony, top students from Stanford e-Hiroshima, Stanford e-Kagoshima City, and Stanford e-Yamaguchi were honored on August 22, 2025 at Stanford University. The ceremony began with inspiring comments by Deputy Consul General Takeshi Ishihara from the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco. Ishihara’s opening comments were followed by remarks by Stanford e-Hiroshima instructor Rylan Sekiguchi, Stanford e-Kagoshima City instructor Amy Cheng, and Stanford e-Yamaguchi instructor Mia Kimura and the honorees’ presentations. The honorees are:

Stanford e-Hiroshima

Haruka Morisako; Kamo High School

Yura Sakamoto; Kure Mitsuta High School

Stanford e-Kagoshima City

Aoi Machida; Kagoshima Gyokuryu High School

Yujiro Matsunaga; Kagoshima Gyokuryu High School

Stanford e-Yamaguchi

Asako Kaya; Iwakuni High School

Miku Kuramura; Shimonoseki Nishi High School

Image

During the fourth ceremony, top students from Stanford e-Wakayama were honored online on August 26, 2025. Yuriko Sugahara, Advisor for Cultural and Educational Affairs at the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco provided motivating comments. Sugahara’s comments were followed by remarks by Stanford e-Wakayama instructor Dr. Makiko Hirata and the honorees’ presentations. The honorees are:

Stanford e-Wakayama 

Tomoka Kishigami; Kaichi High School

Yuto Nishi; Kushimoto Koza High School

Following each of the three in-person ceremonies, the students enjoyed a luncheon, a campus tour, and a dinner. Many students commented that one of the highlights of their visit to Stanford was having the chance to meet high school students from other regions of Japan. Many guests commented on how impressed they were with the student presentations and the poise that the students exhibited, especially during the question-and-answer periods.

Importantly, SPICE is grateful to the municipal and prefectural representatives who accompanied the students to Stanford or joined the online ceremony for Wakayama. They are Shoko Hirata (Hiroshima); Yuko Yamaguchi and Shingo Ishihara (Kagoshima City); Chika Ueda (Kobe City); Noriko Fujitsuka and Toshiyuki Yamamoto (Oita Prefecture); Natsu Odahara (Tottori Prefecture); Masanori Toda (Wakayama Prefecture); and Akinobu Tomonari (Yamaguchi Prefecture).

SPICE also offers online courses to U.S. high school students on Japan (Reischauer Scholars Program), China (China Scholars Program), Korea (Sejong Korea Scholars Program), and entrepreneurship (Stanford e-Entrepreneurship U.S.), to Chinese high school students on the United States (Stanford e-China), and to Japanese high school students on entrepreneurship (Stanford e-Entrepreneurship Japan).

To stay informed of SPICE news, join our email list and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

Stanford e-Japan enrolls exceptional high school students from Japan to engage in an intensive study of U.S. society and culture. The Reischauer Scholars Program (RSP) enrolls exceptional high school students from the United States to engage in an intensive study of Japanese society and culture. Both courses underscore the importance of U.S.–Japan relations. The Yanai Tadashi Foundation is the current supporter of Stanford e-Japan, and the Japan Fund at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) is the current supporter of the RSP.

On August 11, 2025, the 2025 Japan Day award ceremony was held at Stanford University to honor SPICE’s Spring and Fall 2024 Stanford e-Japan student honorees and the 2025 RSP student honorees. The honorees performed at the highest levels of their courses as determined by Stanford e-Japan instructors Waka Takahashi Brown (spring course) and Meiko Kotani (fall course), RSP instructor Naomi Funahashi, and the research paper review committees. The honorees are:

Spring 2024 Stanford e-Japan 
Aoi Furutani, Saitama Municipal Urawa High School, “Comparative Analysis of Surrogacy Policies in the United States and Japan: Proposals for Introducing Surrogacy in Japan”

Komari Machida, Crimson Global Academy, “Futoukou vs. Homeschooling: Exploring Societal Reintegration of Children Outside of Traditional School Systems in Japan and the United States”

Sota Tajima, Seiko Gakuin High School, “Synergy in the Stars: How the U.S. and Japan Can Lead the Next Era of Space”

Honorable Mentions:
Ryu Sato, Soka Senior High School, “Japanese and American Philanthropic Culture in Regard to College Financial Aid”

Sakura Suzuki, Hokkaido Asahikawa Higashi High School, “Designing School Buildings to Encourage Student Creativity: Comparing Historical Changes in School Buildings in Japan and the United States”

Fall 2024 Stanford e-Japan
Ellen Nema, Junior and Senior High School Affiliated to Showa Pharmaceutical University, “Breaking the Chain of Poverty in Okinawa: Educational Approaches and Foundations”

Hirotaka Onishi, Kaisei Gakuen High School, “A Time for Reconsideration: Toward a New International Monetary Order”

Mia Yakushiji, Murasakino Municipal High School, “Dual Citizenship in Japan”

Honorable Mentions:
Lynne Mizushima, Keio Shonan Fujisawa Junior & Senior High School, “The Lack of Female Political Leaders in Japan: A Cultural Glass Ceiling”

Kan Sugimi, Isahaya High School, “Should Bilingual Parents in the U.S. Raise Bilingual Children?”

2025 Reischauer Scholars Program
Bennett Feng, Horace Mann School, “From Economic Rebirth to Structural Stagnation”

Jessica Hu, The Harker School, “Dried-Up Rivers: State-Sponsored Linguistic Oppression and Its Erasure of Ainu Identity”

Ty Tan, Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas, “Recalibrating Japan’s FOIP”

Honorable Mentions:

Jackson Hayward, The Nueva School, “Shikata ga nai: Voter Apathy and Cultural Depoliticization in Modern Japan”

Radoslav Kyselak, Highland Hall Waldorf School, “Norms Through Networks: Japan’s Digital Diplomacy as a Counter to China’s Digital Silk Road in the Global South”

Image

The program began with welcoming comments from the Honorable Yo Osumi, Consul General of Japan in San Francisco. He commented that the Reischauer Scholars Program and Stanford e-Japan are very important for our two nations—given that both engage future leaders in both countries—and extended high praise to the honorees. Consul General Osumi’s tenure ended at the end of August and on behalf of my colleagues at SPICE, I presented him with a plaque from SPICE to acknowledge his unwavering support of SPICE’s Japan programs.

Image

Image

Following the welcoming and opening comments, Brown, Kotani, and Funahashi gave overviews of their courses and introduced the student honorees. The student honorees made engaging presentations based on their research papers and fielded very thought-provoking questions from the audience. Each honoree received a plaque from their instructor. The photo on the top is of the Stanford e-Japan honorees, and the photo on the bottom is of the RSP honorees; photo credit: Irene Bryant.

The RSP will enter its 23rd year in 2026, and Stanford e-Japan is about to enter its 11th year. Many of the alumni are studying U.S.–Japan relations, engaged in various fields related to U.S.–Japan relations, and continue to give back to both programs by being guest speakers and mentors to the new students.

Following the formal event, the student honorees—most having just met each other in person for the first time—had the chance to enjoy a Stanford campus tour together. It is the hope of Brown, Kotani, and Funahashi that the Japanese and American student honorees will continue to strengthen their budding friendships and ensure that the U.S.–Japan relationship remains strong.

SPICE is grateful to President Tadashi Yanai for his generous support of Stanford e-Japan and to the staff of the Yanai Tadashi Foundation for their regular correspondence and encouragement. SPICE is thankful to the Japan Fund committee at FSI for its generous support of the Reischauer Scholars Program. These courses and the ceremony would not be possible without them. SPICE is also grateful to SPICE Event Coordinator Sabrina Ishimatsu for meticulously planning and implementing the event.

SPICE is currently accepting applications for the 2026 Reischauer Scholars Program. The deadline to apply is October 17, 2025.

The application for the 2026 session of Stanford e-Japan will open on November 15, 2025.

SPICE also offers online courses to U.S. high school students on China (China Scholars Program), Korea (Sejong Korea Scholars Program), and entrepreneurship (Stanford e-Entrepreneurship U.S.), to Chinese high school students on the United States (Stanford e-China), and to Japanese high school students on entrepreneurship (Stanford e-Entrepreneurship Japan).

To stay informed of SPICE news, join our email list and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.