Providing Educational and Cross-Cultural Opportunities Between Japan and America Since 1920
The 2023 KCC-JEE High School Essay Contest is underway!
We welcome all eligible students who are formally studying Japanese to participate in the contest.

2023 Essay Contest Application Materials
Deadline: February 1, 2023, 11:59 pm (CT)
The 2022 Winning Essay
Payten C. Shimizu
The 2021 Winning Essay
Josephine Kwok
The 2020 Winning Essay
Jaden Martinez
The 2019 Winning Essay/Logo
Reflection
Kaila Nakamura
The 2018 Winning Essay
Reflection
Stacy Shimanuki
- Contest Details -
One winner will receive round trip airfare to Japan, room and board with a homestay family, and four weeks of Japanese language study at the Kyoto Japanese Language School in the summer of 2023!
Write an essay in English in 300 to 500 words responding to the prompt below:
Name a specific location in Japan and explain why this would be an important place for you to visit.
How to Enter the Contest
Submissions must be received before 11:59 pm (CST) on February 1, 2023. One winner will be selected by judges and contacted by telephone and announced on our website.
Qualifications
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high school students who will be at least 16 years of age by July 1 2023
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U.S. citizen or permanent resident
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have formally studied Japanese language for at least one year by June 2023
Requirements
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Entries must include a completed application and essay to be reviewed.
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Winner must be able to obtain a passport and travel independently to Japan in the summer of 2023.
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Contestants agree that KCC-JEE may publish their name and essay on our website.
Prize
One winner will be selected and the prize includes roundtrip airfare to Japan, four weeks of Japanese language study at the Kyoto Japanese Language Institute, and room and board with a homestay family. There is no cash prize for this contest.
If you have any questions, please contact us at programs@kccjee.org.
