Program Activities Overview

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Promotion of Intercultural Intellectual Dialogue

In order to better understand and articulate the various problems surrounding the global community in the 21st century, the I-House conducts programs that bring together people from different cultural/social backgrounds and professions to engage in interdisciplinary, multilayered intellectual dialogue in the humanities and in the social and natural sciences.

• Asia Leadership Fellow Program (ALFP)
  Six to seven Asian public intellectuals are invited to stay at the I-House for two concurrent months every autumn to collaborate and engage in discussions among themselves as well as with their Japanese and non-Japanese counterparts on national, regional and global issues. Such intellectual dialogue contributes to building transnational, interdisciplinary intellectual networks and trust among Fellows from different cultural and professional backgrounds. (Co-organized with the Japan Foundation)
  
  
• I-House Ushiba Fellowships
  Made possible by the endowment subsequent to the dissolution of the Ushiba Memorial Foundation, this short-term exchange of persons program annually invites to Japan two distinguished contemporary thinkers for the purpose of bringing humankind closer together and transcending the North-South/East-West divides. It aims at encouraging cultural dialogue which critically examines various problematics of the 21st century, in particular those issues that arise from the problems left unresolved ("negative legacy") from the last centruy and suggesting a creative vision for human development from an alternative perspective.
  

Development and Training of Human Resources in the Field of Multicultural Exchange

The I-House continues to cultivate the talents of people destined to be on the cutting edge of intercultural exchange, furthering its institutional ideals.

[Educational Programs]

• Nitobe Juku
  Modeled after the life and work of Inazo Nitobe who dedicated himself to the promotion of global understanding, the Nitobe Juku aims at training young professionals from various international organizations and corporations to contribute for the betterment of society. The fifteen participants, selested by essays written on a specific theme and interviews, engage in lively in-depth discussions with speakers following the lectures.
  
  
• Global Leaders Seminar
  This Seminar is designed to improve high-level communication skills in English for those who work or wish to work in the field of international exchange.
  
  
• Workshop for Artists Applying for International Grants
  Grant-making foundation officers teach the know-how of effective grant application for Japanese artists who wish to conduct activities overseas. There is also a segment on institutional grant writing.

[Cooperation and Coordination with Overseas Institutions]

The I-House continues to maintain a close, cooperative relationship with such organizations as the Japan Society (New York), the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission (Washington, D.C.), the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (Beijing) and the India International Centre (New Delhi).

• Japan-U.S. Creative Artists Program
  Each year fellowships for five American artists working in various genres are provided. The artists reside in Japan for five months for the purposes of research, insight and the creation of new contacts.
  

Generation and Dissemination of Information on Cultural Exchange and Transnational Intellectual Cooperation

Sharing the fruits of intellectual dialogue and exchange becomes one basis of promoting intercultural understanding. The House conducts unique programs serving to enhance Japan's international intellectual contribution and to aid in the dissemination of reliable information, thereby contributing to the realization of a better global community.

[I-House Public Programs]

• I-House Academy
  Prominent intellectuals who represent the "Wisdom of the 21st Century" and play a leadership role in various domains are invited to give lectures for I-House members as well as for the general public.
  
  
• I-House Lunchtime Lecture
  Specialists from various fields speak on topical themes and share their expertise with the participants
  
  
• I-House Salon
  The I-House provides an intimate setting to engage in an off-the -record intellectual dialogue with distinguished guests in English.
  
  
• IHJ Japanese Culture Series
  This series introduces the traditional Japanese performing arts in both English and Japanese. Stunning performances by some of Japan's most respected artists are shared with the House audiences. This program allows non-Japanese a concise yet dynamic experience of the music and the Japanese a glimpse into the sometimes secretive world of their own traditional performing arts.
  
  
• IHJ Sharing Space Program for Artists
  In this support program for artists who are planning intercultural arts programs such as concerts and workshops, the House offers use of the Iwasaki Koyata Memorial Hall at a reduced rate.
  

[Publications]

• The LTCB International Library
  Two outstanding books on the contemporary Japanese economy, politics, society or culture by Japanese authors are selected annually, translated into English and distributed on a complimentary basis to a wider international readership including research institutions and libraries. (In cooperation with the LTCB <Long-Term Credit Bank> International Library Trust)
  
  
• I-House Press
  The I-House Press is the commercial book imprint of the International House of Japan. It publishes in English various works, including the fruits of the House's program activities as well as revised editions of selected works from the LTCB International Library series, for the purpose of promoting understanding of Japan abroad.
  
  
• Newsletter and Occasional Publications
  Contents and fruits of the program activities are introduced through IHJ Bulletin and Kokusai Bunka Kaikan Kaiho as well as in conference proceedings.