Leeward CC student receives prestigious Japanese Government scholarship

Consul General of Japan Yasushi Misawa presents the scholarship to Leeward student Chiaki Jones.

HONOLULU – The Office of the Vice President for Community Colleges is pleased to announce the recipient of a three-year Monbukagakusho scholarship from the Japanese Government. Chiaki Jones, a graduate from Leeward Community College, is the only 2016 Monbukagakusho Scholarship recipient from the USA.

The Monbukagakusho (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology) in Japan offers a unique scholarship opportunity for students who wish to study at a Japanese Senshu-gakko (specialized training college).  Jones' scholarship includes one year of intensive Japanese language study at Osaka Japanese Language Education Center from April 2016 to March 2017.  Also, this scholarship includes two years of specialized training in animation at Kyoto Computer Gakuin from April 2017-March 2019.  Over the three years of the scholarship, tuition, housing and airfare are covered and recipients are provided a monthly stipend.

Last year, Filifaatali Mauai, III, another Leeward Community College graduate, was selected as the USA recipient.  He is completing his first year of intensive Japanese language at the Bunka Institute of Language in Tokyo.  Mauai will be studying graphic arts the next two years at Toyo Institute of Art and Design in Tokyo.

Over 65,000 students from approximately 160 countries and regions around the world have studied in Japan through the six types of Japanese Government Scholarship program established in 1954.

“I am pleased and proud of the accomplishments of our community college students who have excelled and successfully competed on a global level with students from around the world," said John Morton, vice president for community colleges.  "I am confident that both Chiaki and Fili will succeed in their pursuits and return to Hawai‘i to further their education at UH Mānoa."