TAKUZO ISHIDA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Takuzo Ishida was a researcher, carpenter, chef, and bonsai enthusiast who served as President of JASM and Founder/Principal of the Minneapolis Japanese School. The Takuzo Ishida Memorial Scholarship was established in 2019 by Mr. Ishida’s family and friends to recognize his contributions to the Japanese community in Minnesota and to support his passion for youth education. (To read a special edition of the Tsushin dedicated to Mr. Ishida, please click here. If you would like to make a contribution to the Takuzo Ishida Memorial Scholarship's endowment, please click here.)

JASM will award the Takuzo Ishida Memorial Scholarship to a student enrolled in a Minnesota high school who wants to broaden their knowledge of Japan through a combination of study and travel. The target award is currently $2.000, but this may be adjusted in certain cases, at the discretion of the scholarship steering committee. The awards are to be used for travel to or within Japan before, during, or after the student’s specified term(s) of study.

Requirements

· Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0

· Applicants must attend a recognized education program in Japan whose duration is at least two weeks

· Applicants must submit the following:

- Application form (click here for the form)

- A typed essay of 500 words or less answering the following three questions: Why do you want to study and travel in Japan? What is your primary purpose for going to Japan? How do you intend to spend the scholarship award?

- Two letters of recommendation (for guidelines click here)

- A copy of the letter of acceptance you received from your Japanese host institution or program director, such as your teacher

- Official transcript(s). You must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to be eligible  

• Request an official transcript to be sent from each high school you have attended to the following address: Takuzo Ishida Memorial Scholarship Program, Japan America Society of Minnesota, P.O. Box 26639, Minneapolis, MN 55426, or have transcript emailed to jasm@mn-japan.org

The selection committee will review all applications and select finalists for in-person or online interviews. Applicants unable to participate in the interview process may be disqualified by the selection committee.

Please note:

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident currently enrolled at a Minnesota high school. The awardees will be asked to provide a written report on their experience while in Japan upon completion of their program, and to make a personal appearance at a Japan America Society of Minnesota function during the semester after their travel is completed. Scholarship awards are generally not considered taxable income if used for tuition, books, or other similar educational expenses. Award recipients should consult with a tax advisor to understand their potential tax liability.

2025 Timeline:

• Announce the scholarship: October 31, 2024
• Start accepting applications: December 1, 2024
• Deadline for applications: February 28, 2025
• Finalists' interviews with scholarship committee members: During March 2025
• Winner of the Scholarship will be notified: March 31, 2025

Past winners of the Takuzo Ishida Memorial Scholarship (Highlighted names will open link to Mondale Scholarship Report in Tsushin):

2024: Bennie Tornoe (Report on Tsushin 2024 Nov. issue on page 1-)

2023: Walter Barlow (Report on Tsushin 2023 Nov. issue on page 3)