"FHJ-Kikkoman Scholarship" High School Exchange Program Return Report Session and Certification Ceremony Held

On July 31, 2026, a return report session for the 2025 recipients of the FHJ-Kikkoman Scholarship high school exchange program, which we have supported since 1978, and a certification ceremony for the 2026 scholarship recipient were held in conjunction with the 74th National Future Homemakers of Japan (FHJ) Research Presentation Convention at the Nagaragawa Convention Center in Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture.

The FHJ-Kikkoman Scholarship is an international educational exchange program operated in partnership with Youth For Understanding (YFU). Through the program, students attending high schools affiliated with Future Homemakers of Japan (FHJ) spend one year in the United States, living with volunteer host families and attending local high schools. The program aims to foster international understanding and independence through cross-cultural experiences.

Prior to the convention, a certification ceremony for the next year's scholarship recipient was held in a separate venue. Attendees included representatives of the Future Homemakers of Japan, the Future Homemakers Foundation, and Kikkoman, as well as the 2025 scholarship recipients.

At the ceremony, Rio Maruyama (Tennoji Senior High School, Osaka Prefecture), selected as the 2026 FHJ-Kikkoman Scholarship recipient, was presented with a scholarship certificate. Participants offered words of encouragement and celebrated the beginning of the student's upcoming study abroad experience.

Following the certification ceremony, a return report session was held in the convention center's main hall.

The 2025 scholarship recipients, Mihiro Tanaka (Tsuchiura First Senior High School, Ibaraki Prefecture) and Tsuzumi Kitamura (Kumamoto Kita Senior High School, Kumamoto Prefecture), shared the knowledge and experiences they gained during their year abroad.

Ms. Tanaka delivered an in-person presentation, discussing her school life, research activities, and community engagement in the United States. She highlighted how exposure to different cultures and perspectives broadened her outlook and described her efforts to deepen her research in the field of education.

Ms. Kitamura participated online and spoke about her studies and experiences in her host community.

The presentations, delivered both in person and online, provided attendees with valuable insights into the significance and potential of international exchange programs.

Through the FHJ-Kikkoman Scholarship program, Kikkoman supports the development of young people who can broaden their perspectives, think independently, and take initiative in an increasingly global society. We hope that returning scholarship recipients will apply the experiences and knowledge gained during their time abroad to their future studies, careers, and communities. Kikkoman also looks forward to seeing newly selected participants grow through the challenges and opportunities of studying overseas, and remains committed to supporting international exchanges and the development of future generations.