In the aftermath of WWII, visionaries in Japan and the United States came together to establish a university in Japan that would educate “new leaders for a new Japan” committed to reconciliation, democracy, and human rights. The Japan ICU Foundation was incorporated in New York in 1949 to support this endeavor, and International Christian University (ICU) was founded the same year. Over 75 years later, ICU has grown into a leading university, and JICUF and ICU remain steadfast partners.
With our eyes on the future, JICUF’s mission is to nurture global citizens who contribute to the well-being of humanity. We fulfill this mission by supporting innovative educational programs at ICU and other higher education institutions in Japan. Examples include Refugee Education Japan, the SDG Projects, the Othmer Research Fellowship and the Global Citizen Fellowship.
Most Recent Articles
Othmer Research Fellowship Spotlight: Michiru Sasaoka
Project Title “The Effects of Environmental Stress on Mosquito Size Along the Urban–Suburban Gradient from Central Tokyo to the ICU Campus” The Othmer Research Fellowship (ORF) provides funding to ICU students to conduct independent research projects during the summer break. We spoke with Michiru Sasaoka, one of the 2025 Othmer Fellows, about her research project. At the time of her fellowship, Michiru was a fourth-year undergraduate student at ICU. JICUF: What inspired you to develop this project? Michiru: I have always been particularly prone to mosquito bites, so summers can be quite difficult for me. Not only do I get bitten easily, but I also have a strong reaction to […]
JICUF Summer Intern Sophia Hammond Shares Her Experience
Sophia Hammond, a fourth-year student at Bowdoin College, interned at JICUF’s New York headquarters from June through August. Sophia spent the fall term of 2025 at ICU as an exchange student and worked with each staff member on a variety of projects throughout the summer. She is now back in Maine and recently shared her experience with us.
2026 Global Citizen Fellowship: New York Program
In mid-August, the second cohort of JICUF’s Global Citizen Fellowship (GCF) traveled to New York for an intensive two-week program. GCF is an eight-month program for ICU and other university students living in Japan. It is designed to help Fellows explore their values, deepen their understanding of the world and their place in it, and consider how they can contribute to the common good. Led by JICUF President Paul Hastings and Program Facilitator and ICU alumna Yuri Morikawa, GCF unfolds in three modules over eight months, each with a distinct theme. The first, Discovering Self and Authentic Leadership, focuses on values, mindset, and purpose. The second, Creating Meaningful Relationships and […]
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