Current Program Guidelines
Programs
Public Affairs/Education
The Commission believes that imaginative efforts are required to broaden understanding by the American public of the culture, society, history and institutions of the Japanese people and of current and future issues in the broad political and economic relationship between the two countries. Such understanding and the opportunities for creating it remain seriously underdeveloped when measured against either the Japanese people's general knowledge of the United States, or the facilities for study of Japan at American universities. The Commission therefore will consider proposals along these lines from organizations promising a major national impact in the United States. Programs fall under the following sub-areas:
- Media
- Counterpart Exchanges
Media
The Commission will consider requests for the research and development of individual documentary films on Japan and for support of their direct production costs. In terms of content matter, the Commission will give preference to those films that reflect the Commission's priorities in its other areas of programming. Priority will be given to media projects that have gained substantial support from other funding sources and demonstrate high professional standards combined with long-lasting impact on a broad audience.
Counterpart Exchanges
Under this program, the Commission will consider support for exchanges among a broad range of counterparts in the political, policy, professional and cultural communities of the United States and Japan. Priority will be given to counterpart exchanges of national scope and of maximum substantive impact, and to programs where the Com-mission is asked to fund the US-side costs of the exchange. The Commission looks for counterpart funding from other – preferably Japanese – sources both for cost-sharing purposes and as a statement of the importance both nations attach to the proposed exchange. Potential applicants are urged to consult with Commission staff before submitting a proposal.
