CWAJ is proud to present our 2026 Scholars
CWAJ Graduate Scholarship for Japanese Women to Study Abroad
KASAHARA Maho
CWAJ Cartier Scholarship
3.5 Million yen (Funded by Cartier Japan)
Education: BA, Political Science and Economics, School of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University
Study Program: MA, Media Studies, Parsons School of Design, The New School, NY, USA
After graduating Waseda University, Ms. Kasahara worked with an NPO supporting diaspora communities in Japan, creating media with and for them to promote mutual understanding with local communities while working as a brand manager at a beverage company. Her upbringing in Turkey, social work with diaspora communities, and career in branding and communication have shaped her interest in how storytelling shapes public perception, especially on migration, identity, and representation. She will pursue an MA in Media Studies at Parsons School of Design, where she will research how media representations of race and migration influence public perception and local communities, and develop media projects focusing on second generation immigrant youth.
CWAJ Cultural Exchange Graduate Scholarship for Japanese Women to Study Abroad
2 scholarships, 3.5 Million yen each
HASHIMOTO Mariko
Education: Medicine, MD, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
Study Program: MSM (Master of Science in Management), MSx (Stanford Master of Science in Management for Experienced Leaders Program), Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, CA, USA
After earning an M.D. from Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Dr. Hashimoto conducted neuroscience research at Harvard Medical School, focusing on neural circuits underlying stress resilience. She later joined a global pharmaceutical company, where she built and led a team of physicians and scientists and contributed to clinical development strategy in Japan. Dr. Hashimoto will attend the MSx Program, a one-year MBA for experienced leaders at Stanford University, to strengthen her leadership and expand my capabilities in AI implementation in healthcare. Her goal is to build a sustainable global healthcare system where patients in need have timely access to innovative medicines.
FUJIOKA Mirei
Education: BA, Faculty of Law, Kyoto University
Study Program: MA, Publishing, Department of Media, Culture & Creative Industries, City St. George’s, University of London, UK
Ms. Fujioka has worked as an editor in publishing for over 15 years. After graduating from university, she spent five years at a manga magazine, and since then she has mainly edited general-interest non-fiction for a wide audience, as well as essay collections and translated titles. In recent years, Japanese fiction has gained international attention, partly through translation in the UK. By studying publishing at a graduate course in the UK, her hope is to learn how to bring Japanese non-fiction, following the success of fiction, to a global readership.
CWAJ Scholarships are partially funded by donations through the Japan Foundation Designated Donations Program.
CWAJ Graduate Scholarship for Non-Japanese Women to Study in Japan (NJG)
CWAJ Graduate Scholarships
for Non-Japanese Women to Study in Japan
2.0 million yen
USMAN Hafsat (Federal Republic of Nigeria)
Education: BM, BS, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to Be University), Sangli, India
Study Program: PhD, Cardiovascular Surgery, Medical Sciences, Juntendo University
Dr. Usman received her medical training in India and returned to Nigeria, where she has worked as a physician at different levels of healthcare. She is in Japan to strengthen her clinical research skills. Dr. Usman’s current work compares the long-term outcomes of two treatment approaches for a defective heart valve. She hopes to generate evidence that can inform future treatment guidelines to improve outcomes, and help patients live longer. In the future, she wishes to improve surgical care in her home country by generating local evidence and mentoring younger clinicians interested in research.
CWAJ Scholarship for the Visually Impaired
to Study Abroad (SVI-SA)
CWAJ Scholarship for the Visually Impaired to Study Abroad
3.0 million yen
MIYAGUCHI Hiro
Education: BSc, Department of Mathematics, School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University
Study Program: MSc, Pure Mathematics, Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, UK
Ms. Miyaguchi specializes in geometry, a field of pure mathematics. She is particularly interested in the application of Morse theory to symplectic geometry. In the future, Ms. Miyaguchi aims to become a researcher who works on unsolved mathematical problems. In geometry, which deals with abstract spaces that cannot be perceived visually, her ability to deepen her thinking without relying on sight is her greatest strength. As she pursues her studies at Imperial College London, Ms. Miyaguchi aspires to become a mathematician contributing to society and to serve as a role model for the next generation of visually impaired people.
CWAJ Scholarship for the Visually Impaired
to Study in Japan (SVI-SJ)
CWAJ Scholarship for the Visually Impaired to Study in Japan
1.0 million yen (Funded by the KirSch Stiftung)
YAMAMIYA Kako
Education: 3rd yr, Department of English Communication, Faculty of Intercultural Studies, Gakushuin University
Ms. Yamamiya enjoys communicating with people from different cultural backgrounds. When she visited the Philippines, she had the opportunity to interact with indigenous people. Ms. Yamamiya says, “To be honest, I experienced culture shock in their way of life. For example, they eat meals with their fingers. I realized that it is difficult to fully understand different cultures, but at the same time, I found it very interesting.” Since then, she has actively sought opportunities to go abroad. Ms. Yamamiya also studied in Canada for six months. Learning new things and encountering different perspectives truly makes her happy.
CWAJ Scholarship for the Visually Impaired
to Study in Japan
1.0 Million yen
SETSUMARU Mana
Education: BA, Social Work, Rikkyo University
Study Program: Master of Sport and Wellness, Sociology of Sport, Graduate School of Sport and Wellness, Rikkyo University
Ms. Setsumaru is a second-year master’s student in the Graduate School of Sport and Wellness at Rikkyo University. In her graduate studies, she conducts qualitative research on the participation of children with low vision in sports, particularly those attending mainstream schools. In addition, she is actively involved in goalball as both an athlete and a promoter of the sport. Last year, Ms. Setsumaru established a student league as part of her efforts to expand a community where people can share passion and inspiration through this sport. With sincere gratitude for this scholarship, she will continue striving to grow and further develop both her research and practical activities.