Fellowship Program
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Now Accepting Applications for the 2025 Toshizo Watanabe Democracy Fellowship
The Watanabe Democracy Fellowship is a program of the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy (Democracy Center) at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM). Each year, 10 Fellows are selected to participate in a program that includes a two-week delegation visit to the U.S. during the summer, along with opportunities for year-round learning and networking with peers in Japan. The program is open to emerging and mid-career Japanese leaders under the age of 45, from various sectors.
Photos of the 2024 Watanabe Democracy Fellowship U.S. Delegation Visit
JANM provides unique opportunities to study Japanese American history, which are rare in Japan. In 2024, participants gained valuable insights into the Japanese American experience through an exhibition tour led by Dr. Kristen Hayashi, JANM’s Director of Collections Management & Access and Curator.
The Ireichō is the first complete record of over 125,000 individuals of Japanese ancestry who were incarcerated during World War II. Fellows stamped the book, honoring the victims and reflecting on their experiences and hardships.
This JANM Collections houses and preserves more than 160,000 artifacts related to Japanese American history. An up-close view of these historical items offers a vivid glimpse into the lives of Japanese Americans and the communities they built.
Once a Japanese American incarceration camp during World War II, Manzanar is now a national historic site. Participants in this year’s program traveled to Manzanar where they received a guided tour from a park ranger.
Mr. Kenko Sone, Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles, hosted a reception at his residence to welcome the Fellows. Guests included young Japanese American leaders, JANM Chairman Bill Fujioka, and actor/activist George Takei.
Homeboy Industries, an NPO supporting former gang members in their reintegration, provides rehabilitation and workforce re-entry opportunities. Fellows visited a café and art academy run by the organization to learn about its impact.
Fellows visited Union Rescue Mission which provides shelter, education, and counseling for homeless individuals, learning about its efforts to combat poverty and homelessness.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Japanese Americans lived alongside African Americans in the Crenshaw District. Fellows visited to learn about the area's history and current challenges from local leaders working to expand art opportunities within the community.
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes is a museum dedicated to preserving and presenting the stories of Mexicans and Mexican Americans in Southern California. Through its exhibitions, Fellows gained insight into the community’s history, struggles, and rich culture. After the tour, they participated in a hands-on experience making traditional corn tortillas, a staple of Mexican cuisine.
After a guided tour of Japan House Los Angeles, President Yuko Kaifu led a discussion on cultural diplomacy and Fellows had the opportunity to hear from Japanese American actress, Tamlyn Tomita, about the discrimination faced by Asian Americans in Hollywood.
Fellows received a guided studio tour from award-winning ABC 7 news anchor David Ono. After the tour, they engaged in a discussion with Mr. Ono and his newsroom colleagues about journalism's role in protecting democracy.
At Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Fellows were introduced to ongoing efforts and initiatives to advance diversity and inclusion in the art world.
Fellows visited Dodger Stadium for an up-close view of baseball player Shohei Ohtani in action, appreciating how Japanese and Asian players contribute to America's leading sport, its economy and society.
Fellows visited the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., where they observed live debates in the House of Representatives led by Representative Mark Takano, a Japanese American Congressman from California.
Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) docents gave Fellows insights into the history of slavery, ongoing racism, and current social and political efforts to address these issues.
Fellows met with Representative Adrian Smith, Republican Congressman from Nebraska and U.S.-Japan Congressional Caucus Co-chair, for a meaningful discussion on the expectations and significance of U.S.-Japan relations.
Fellows met with White House staff who work directly with President Biden to engage the Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community and learned about the government’s efforts to address key issues in these communities.
During this NPO Think Tank Round Table discussion, Fellows learned about recent efforts by NPOs supporting refugee integration and think tanks working to introduce legislation for a more just society.
Fellows heard from Ambassador Shigeo Yamada, Japanese Ambassador to the US, about the significance of U.S.-Japan relations.
THEARC (Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus) consists of fourteen resident NPOs, making up the largest nonprofit collaborative in the country. Fellows learned about the roles these NPOs play in providing social and cultural services, gaining new knowledge and inspiration.
Purpose
Interactive Program for Cultivating Next-Generation Leadership
The Toshizo Watanabe Democracy Fellowship promotes democracy, diversity, and mutual understanding between Japan and the U.S. by bringing together talented young leaders from Japan, creating a network that spans various fields.
Cooperative relationships between democratic nations like Japan and the United States are essential to advancing democracy globally. While the U.S. and Japan are strong allies, maintaining this alliance requires continued collaboration and understanding between the two nations.
Leveraging the resources, archives, and networks of the Japanese American National Museum and the Democracy Center, this Fellowship provides opportunities for learning and interactive dialogue about American society, history, democracy, and the challenges we face in strengthening democratic values.
Through the two-week U.S. Delegation Visit, Fellows will gain insights into how democracy, diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and mutual understanding between Japan and the U.S. have taken root in both societies. Fellows will also observe how individuals today shape government policies and systems to drive change. Engaging talks with key figures involved in these efforts will provide opportunities for reciprocal learning, further strengthening the bonds between Japan and the U.S.
During the visit, Fellows from diverse backgrounds will participate in discussions, debates, and activities that encourage mutual learning and foster connections beyond their areas of expertise. Ongoing engagement beyond the U.S. Delegation Visit includes Fellowship events and mentorship provided by past Fellows. These interactions ensure that the Fellowship network remains meaningful and valuable throughout their lives.
In today’s interconnected world, cross-border partnerships are essential. By fully engaging in the democratic process and building relationships based on cooperation, we foster societies that value and protect human rights, freedoms, equity, and social justice—values that are fundamental to any democracy.
President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida applaud the Japanese American 
National Museum’s new Toshizo Watanabe Democracy Fellowship to promote global democracy and strengthen U.S.-Japan ties.
—FACT SHEET: Japan Official Visit with State Dinner to the United States, April 10, 2024
Fellowship Outline
Each year, a cohort of Fellows is selected to participate in the Watanabe Democracy Fellowship, which includes the U.S. Delegation Visit, held annually in late July. In preparation, Fellows will attend an orientation in Tokyo in late May. The orientation provides foundational learning on Japanese American history, U.S. government systems, and U.S.-Japan relations.
After completing the U.S. Delegation Visit, Fellows are encouraged to participate in ongoing programs in Japan, mentor future Fellows, and recommend new participants. They are also invited to attend the 2026 U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference in Tokyo to further expand their networks.
Schedule
2025
- Thurs. January 30: 2025 Fellowship Application deadline
- April: Announcement of selected 2025 Fellows
- Fri. May 30 & Sat. May 31: Fellowship Orientation (Tokyo)
- Mon. July 21 - Fri. August 1: U.S. Delegation Visit
- Fall: Public program (Japan)
U.S. Delegation Visit Content
During a nearly two-week stay in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., Fellows explore issues related to American democracy, including diversity, minority representation, and solutions to social challenges. They also examine the roles of government agencies, nonprofits, and individuals in shaping policy, engaging directly with those involved in these activities. The program’s exploration of DEI concepts is grounded in understanding American society and democracy through a Japanese American perspective.
JANM
Manzanar National Historic Site
The White House
Fellowship Details
- Number of selected Fellows: Ten Fellows will be selected. Notification will be sent to selected Fellows in March 2025, with the official announcement in April. Read reflections from 2024 Fellows.
- Recruitment requirements: Please refer to the Fellowship Application Guidelines page.
- Application Acceptance Period: Please submit Required Documents between Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 and Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025.
- Inquiries: Please contact the Watanabe Democracy Fellowship Office at democracyfellowship@janm.org or view the FAQ.