“Imagine with me, a world in which our mutual understanding of other countries has declined. And imagine, out of that, the kinds of turmoil that we fall into. The U.S. Japan relationship is solid, it is good, but we need to sustain it. You, as an applicant, going into a study, a more in-depth study of Japan – a part of that long-term process. What we are really interested in finding among American students going to Japan is people who are intrigued, who are interested in learning more about Japan, who have already studied some about Japan and have some expertise to bring, but who are really open. First of all, they’re taking part in a very important bi-cultural bi-national experience. We’re looking for people who are open to that experience, but who will go and learn and come back, and share in the United States, from the depth of those experiences. It’s always important to have an interesting essay. It really captures everything that you have done, and why it is that right now you want to be studying in Japan. It’s also important to have the support of your faculty, your letters of recommendation. What we are looking for is a level and depth of interest that says, ‘I am going to really study and bring that back and use that to mold my ongoing career’. And so, if we can see that in the essays, if we can see the enthusiasm, not only in your essay but in your letters of recommendation, you have infectious interest in Japan. That’s what we’re looking for.”