Educational and Cultural Activities
◆ Scholarship Program
Since 1971, through individual and corporate donations, the Foundation has awarded scholarships to Japanese ・ children of Japanese descent who have graduated from high schools in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut and will attend college in the United States. To date, 300 recipients have been awarded and are active in various fields in Japan and the United States. The total amount of scholarships awarded this year will be approximately $ 40,000. In addition, the Honjo Scholarship was established in 2007 from the Ito En Honjo Fund of $ 20,000 for graduate students of any nationality.
◆ Music Awards
Since 1985, scholarships have been established through individual and corporate donations for students and young people studying music in the United States, with piano and string categories held every other year The scholarship is open to students and young people studying music in the United States. Among the past 48 recipients is Alan ・ Gilbert, who is currently the Principal Conductor ・ Artistic Director of the Stockholm ・ Orchestra and conductor of the New York ・ Philharmonic.
◆ Japanese Language Education Committee
Established in 1987 by the late Ichiro Shirato (, then professor at Columbia University ), the committee consists of teachers of Japanese language at high schools, universities and language schools in the region. The committee is dedicated to promoting Japanese language education by holding workshops, mock classes, research presentations, and lectures mainly for teachers of Japanese language at high schools, universities, language schools, and other institutions in the region. Currently, two workshops are held in spring and fall.
◆ Art Exhibitions
Since 1996, we have annually held an exhibition by 30 Japanese ・ artists based in New York who have been active in Japan and the US for over 20 years. The exhibition includes the works of Hiroshi Senju, Ariyoshi Shinohara Artists such as Hiroshi Senju, Yujio Shinohara, and Takeshi Kawashima will exhibit. 50% of the proceeds are donated to the Japanese American National Association.