This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Japan ICU Foundation’s efforts to expand higher education opportunities for students with refugee backgrounds. This work began with a simple idea: in the midst of the Syrian conflict, even admitting a small number of Syrian students to International Christian University would be a meaningful expression of JICUF and ICU’s commitment to peace and human rights. At the time, the JICUF team did not anticipate that this initiative would m

On February 13, with Planet , the global issues platform of The Asahi Shimbun, has published an article by Aki Takada, Director of REJ and Vice President of JICUF. Titled “ Why Universities Should Open Their Doors to Refugee Students ,” the article highlights the urgent global refugee education crisis and explores how Japanese universities can play a meaningful role. It also introduces JICUF’s efforts to expand higher education opportunities for refugee students. Today, more

This month, JICUF and ICU agreed to establish a graduate scholarship for students who have fled conflict and relocated to Japan. JICUF and ICU already offer full undergraduate scholarships to two new students with refugee backgrounds annually through the Japan Education Pathways program, and will add one full scholarship in the master’s program starting spring 2026. 

JICUF President Paul Hastings chairing a session at the CRCP, June 25, 2025 JICUF President & CEO Paul Hastings was in Geneva from June...