U.S. — JAPAN BRIDGE • EST. 2012 • TOKYO / NYC / OSAKA

Two nations.
One future.
USIP for Japan.

USIP4Japan (usip4japan.com) is the American-Japanese platform for study, work, business and culture. We help Americans discover Japan — and Japanese talents connect with the U.S. — through education, internships, startups, language and authentic travel.

Explore programs → What is USIP? Latest news

✔ 12,400+ alumni✔ 340+ partner universities & firms✔ 47 prefectures covered

• USIP • JAPAN • USA • BRIDGE •

日本と米国の架け橋

Fall 2026 cohort open
Study + internship in Tokyo & Kyoto. 40 scholarships.
Apply by Oct 15 →

0Alumni in US & Japan network

0Universities, companies & NPO partners

0% find job / school within 6 months

0Prefectures with local guides

01 — ABOUT USIP

About USIP
for Japan

USIP means U.S. Innovation & Partnership for Japan. We are not a government agency — we are a community-powered bridge.

⛩️ Kyoto field school, 2025 — 180 students from 32 U.S. states

WHO WE ARE

We turn curiosity about Japan into real life paths.

Founded in 2012 by U.S. and Japanese educators and entrepreneurs, USIP for Japan started as a small summer homestay in Osaka. Today usip4japan.com is a full ecosystem: admissions advising, Japanese language labs, J-1 & work support guidance, startup soft-landing, cultural festivals and curated travel.

Our mission is simple: lower the barrier between the U.S. and Japan. No confusing paperwork, no tourist clichés — only mentors, real contacts and step-by-step programs.

🇺🇸 → 🇯🇵 For AmericansStudy, intern, teach, launch business in Japan with visa guidance and housing.

🇯🇵 → 🇺🇸 For JapaneseU.S. college prep, Silicon Valley immersion, English for business.

🏫 For schoolsExchange design, sister-school matching, faculty-led trips.

🏢 For businessMarket entry, translation, hiring bilingual talent.

Why USIP works

• Bilingual mentors who lived in both countries
• Local presence in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka + NYC & LA desks
• Transparent pricing and scholarship pool
• Alumni for life — job board, meetups, return trips

See programs Alumni stories

02 — WHAT WE DO

6 pillars of
the bridge

Pick one track or combine them into a full-year U.S.–Japan journey. All levels, from zero Japanese to N1 / business fluent.

EDUCATION

Study in Japan

High school, semester abroad, full degree, MEXT & university scholarships. Application, essays, interviews, dorms.

Get advising →

CAREER

Intern & Work

Tokyo / Osaka internships in tech, design, hospitality. Resume in Japanese format, business manners, JLPT sprint.

Find internship →

BUSINESS

Business Bridge

U.S. startups soft-landing in Japan & Japanese SMEs entering U.S. Legal, accounting partners, bilingual hiring.

Expand →

CULTURE

Culture & Homestay

Tea ceremony, matsuri volunteering, calligraphy, kendo, homestays in 47 prefectures. Real Japan, not postcards.

Explore culture →

LANGUAGE

Japanese Lab

Online + in-person N5–N1, keigo bootcamp, kids & heritage courses. Small groups, native coaches, speaking clubs.

Try free lesson →

TRAVEL

Curated Travel

Beyond Tokyo: Shikoku pilgrimage, Hokkaido snow, Okinawa islands. Rail passes, local guides, responsible tourism.

Plan trip →

03 — HOW IT WORKS

Your path in 4 steps

From first call to landing at Narita — average 6–10 weeks.

1. Free discovery call (30 min)

Tell us your goal: study, work, business or travel. We map budget, timeline, Japanese level and visa options.

2. Personal roadmap + mentor

You get a bilingual mentor, checklist, school / company shortlist and housing options. No hidden fees.

3. Prep lab: language + culture

4–8 weeks intensive: survival Japanese, manners, interviews, paperwork. Online + weekend meetups in NYC/LA.

4. Landing & alumni for life

Airport pickup, city orientation, 24/7 support, job board and returnee community in the U.S.

04 — EXPERIENCE JAPAN

Where will you
go first?

USIP local teams live in every region. Choose neon or silence, ramen alley or temple dawn.

KANTO • NEON & STARTUPS

Tokyo

Internships, tech, language schools in Shinjuku & Shibuya.

KANSAI • TRADITION

Kyoto & Osaka

Homestay, tea, temples + food capital street tours.

FUJI • NATURE

Fuji & Hakone

Weekend retreats, onsen etiquette, hiking clubs.

WEST • ISLANDS

Hiroshima & Beyond

Peace studies, Setouchi art islands, Fukuoka startups.

🍁 Season tip: Sakura (Mar-Apr) & Koyo (Nov) fill fast — book 4 months ahead.Plan my Japan →

05 — ALUMNI

Stories that
crossed the ocean

Real people, real visas, real jobs. 4.9/5 from 2,100+ reviews.

“I came with zero Japanese. USIP got me into a Kyoto university + dorm + part-time baito. Now I’m N3 and interning at a design studio.”

Emily R. — Ohio → Kyoto, Study + Intern

“Our SaaS launched in Japan in 3 months. USIP handled translation, sales intro and hiring our first bilingual rep.”

Marcus T. — Austin → Tokyo, Founder

“Reverse path: from Osaka to NYC art school. Portfolio, TOEFL, visa — all step by step. My mentor still checks on me.”

Yuki N. — Osaka → New York, Art student

07 — FAQ

Questions?
Answered.

Still unsure? Ask us directly →

Do I need Japanese to join?

No. 60% start from zero. We place you in English-friendly schools / companies and run a survival + JLPT sprint before departure. N5 in 8 weeks is typical.

Can you help with visas and housing?

Yes. Student, working holiday (for eligible passports), work, business manager and spouse guidance + dorms, share-houses and homestays. We review all documents before submission.

How much does it cost?

Advising from $0 (partner schools) to full concierge $1,900. Homestay weeks from $650, semester programs vary. Scholarships: 40 USIP grants + JASSO / MEXT navigation.

Is USIP for Japanese nationals too?

Absolutely. U.S. college prep, community college transfer, OPT / internships, Silicon Valley tours and business English. Bilingual team in both directions.

Can companies hire through you?

Yes — bilingual talent pool, Japan market entry sprints, translation & etiquette training. 120+ firms hired via USIP in 2024-2025.

Two nations.
One future.
USIP for Japan.

About USIP
for Japan