FRIENDS OF UTOKYO

Providing financial support and opportunities in cooperation with The University of Tokyo for the exchange of ideas in cultural, scientific, academic and social fields

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MID- TO LONG-TERM STUDIES

These scholarships support up to two years of mid- to long-term study (1 semester/2 quarters or longer) and provides up to $50,000/year.

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SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SHORT-TERM STUDIES

These scholarships support students for summer short-term study abroad programs between UTokyo and US universities.

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RESEARCH GRANTS

FUTI Research Grants provide support (up to $10,000) for a project/activity to be jointly pursued by UTokyo and Institution(s) in the U.S.

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Support Future Global Leaders!

Your donations make our scholarship programs, grants, and alumni activities possible!

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Announcements

Subscribe to the FUTI Newsletter to stay up-to-date on our activities and announcements!

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Photo credit: Seven & i Holdings

Mr. Masatoshi Ito, Honorary Chairman of Seven and i Holdings, Passes Away

A major supporter and long-time benefactor of FUTI, the honorary chairman of Seven & i Holdings, Mr. Masatoshi Ito, has passed away of old age on March 10, 2023 at the age of 98, just a month short of his 99th birthday. As the founding director of the Ito Foundation U.S.A., he generously donated every year to FUTI, and has become a “pillar” of the FUTI mid- to long-term study program since establishing the Ito Foundation U.S.A.-FUTI Scholarship in 2016. Looking back at how his daily life was filled with vigor even in his advanced age, we realize what an extraordinary person he was. We would like to honor him with thoughts and prayers filled with heartfelt gratitude.

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Photo credit: Nikkei Asia

Dr. Chihiro Kanagawa, Important Supporter and Benefactor of FUTI, Passes Away

On January 1, 2023, shockwaves spread through FUTI as well as the industrial communities in Japan, as the renowned executive, Dr. Chihiro Kanagawa, the Chairman of the Board of Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., passed away at the age of almost 97. In 1992, the Emperor of Japan honored him with the Medal of Honor with Blue Ribbon for his contribution to development of the Japanese industry. He led Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. to acquire large world market shares in silicon wafers and polyvinyl chloride among others.

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Photo credit: JAXA

FUTI Scholarship Recipient, Ayu Yoneda, Selected as an Astronaut Candidate by JAXA

On February 28, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced the selection of two astronaut candidates, Makoto Suwa, 46, a disaster prevention specialist at the World Bank, and Ayu Yoneda, 28, a surgeon at the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center. The two candidates were selected out of 4,127 applicants after a series of exams and will join JAXA on April 1 for two years of training, according to JAXA’s February 28 press release statement.

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A Great Star has Fallen: Mourning the Loss of Former President Hisashi Kobayashi

Prof. Hisashi Kobayashi, former President of Friends of UTokyo, Inc. (FUTI), has passed away on March 9, 2023 (JST) at the age of 84. The death of such a significant figure came as a surprise. As he was dean emeritus of Princeton University’s School of Engineering, flags were flown at half-staff for a week at the university. We mourn the loss of Prof. Kobayashi who devoted himself to the establishment and growth of FUTI.

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Events

The objective of the FUTI Lectures Series is to provide UTokyo alumni and others with an opportunity to explore, challenge and debate salient issues with visiting UTokyo scholars and distinguished alumni in an informal setting. The events generally take place in a mid-Manhattan location or online.

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