I.
INTRODUCTION
HANDBOOK
2007
Summer Program in Japan
East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes (EAPSI)
For U.S. Graduate Students in Science and Engineering
East Asia and Pacific Program
Office of International Science and Engineering
National Science Foundation
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. Host Institution and Researcher in Japan
- Research Plan
- Facilities
- Other information
B. How to Set Up Other Professional Visits?
- Your advisor, professors, and colleagues in the United States
- Your Japanese host scientist
- Former EAPSI Japan alumni
- Publication search
C. Passport and Visa
D. Air Ticket
E. Stipend
- NSF's $4,000 Stipend
- Living Allowance in Japan
F. Housing Arrangements
G. Insurance
H. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
I. Business Cards (meishi)
J. Mobile Phones
K. E-mail Access in Japan
L. Health and Safety
A. Luggage
B. Arrival on June 12, 2007
C. Early Arrival
D. Orientation
The Summer Program in Japan for 2007 will be held during June 12 (Arrival) - August 22 (Departure), 2007. The Summer Program in Japan is derived from the merger of two previous programs: "Summer Institute" established in 1990 by the Science and Technology Agency and "Research Experience Fellowships for Young Foreign Researchers," established in 1995 by the Ministry of Education, and is part of NSF's East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes (EAPSI) for U.S. Graduate Students in Science and Engineering.
The Summer Program in Japan provides U.S. graduate students (U.S. Citizens or permanent residents) in science and engineering first-hand research experience in Japan, an introduction to the science and science policy infrastructure of Japan, and orientation to the Japanese culture and language. The primary goals of the program are to introduce students to Japanese science and engineering in the context of a research laboratory, and to initiate personal relationships that will better enable them to collaborate with foreign counterparts in the future. The program is administered in the United States by the National Science Foundation (NSF); (http://www.nsf.gov, http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?org=OISE) with co-sponsorship by the National Institutes of Health (NIH); (http://www.nih.gov, http://www.fic.nih.gov/) and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS); (http://www.jsps.go.jp/english/index.html). The Graduate University of Advanced Studies (Soken-dai in Japanese); (http://www.soken.ac.jp) coordinates the orientation and Japanese language courses, and also helps participants move to host institutions. The Japan International Science and Technology Center (JISTEC); (http://www.jistec.or.jp) provides additional logistical support. The NSF Tokyo Regional Office is a contact point for questions on various issues such as visas, host institutions, travel in Japan, and emergencies while participants are in Japan.
NSF Headquarters Office (Arlington)
Dr. Rick Nader, Program Manager
Ms. Michelle Jenkins, Program Technology Specialist
Ms. Arletha Mayfield, Program Assistant
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd., Suit 935, Arlington, VA 22230, U.S.A.
http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?org=OISE
Email: eapinfo@nsf.gov; rnader@nsf.gov; cjenkins@nsf.gov; amayfiel@nsf.gov
Tel: 703-292-8704
Fax: 703-292-9175
NSF Tokyo Regional Office
Ms. Akiko Chiba
National Science Foundation
Tokyo Regional Office
American Embassy, Tokyo
Unit 45004, Box 236, APO AP 96337-5004, Japan (for mail from the U.S.)
(Local address: 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420, Japan)
http://www.nsftokyo.org/
Email: achiba@nsf.gov
Tel: (03) 3224-5502 (within Japan), 011-81-3-3224-5502 (from U.S.)
Fax: (03) 3224-5507 (within Japan), 011-81-3-3224-5507 (from U.S.)
JSPS
Mr. Hisashi Kato, Head
Ms. Hisae Takada
Overseas Fellowhip Division
International Programme Department
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
6 Ichibancho
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8471
Phone: 03-3263-4098
Fax: 03-3263-1854
E-mail: gaitoku@jsps.go.jp
URL: http://www.jsps.go.jp/english/index.html
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI)
Ms. Mineyo Iwase, Chief
The Office for Inter-departmental Activities
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies
Shonan Village
Hayama, Kanagawa-ken 240-0193
Phone: 0468-58-1503
Fax: 0468-58-1542
URL: http://www.soken.ac.jp/
A. Host Institution and Researcher in Japan
You should remember that host researchers and institutions are not paid to host you. Therefore your technical contributions to their program will be most appreciated. Many former Summer Program participants became highly recognized professionals after graduation and continue their relationship with host researchers in many productive ways. A few tips regarding host institutions and research plans are provided below.
Two months pass very quickly, and every year participants tell us that they wish they had another week or two to finish their research projects. They expressed that they "wasted" the first part of their stay discussing potential projects and not working on the actual project itself. Therefore you are encouraged to make an effort both to create a research plan and to discuss its viability with your host scientist BEFORE you depart to Japan. It is well worth the time and effort.
With your host researcher's agreement, you may choose to continue your on-going research work, or you may choose to work on their on-going or new research project. If you choose to work on a new research topic, it may be difficult for you to achieve tangible results by the end of the two-month period. To ensure a productive research experience, you may want to do the following:
After your research plan is made, you should check with the host researcher to confirm that equipment, facilities, and materials required for your research will be available to you during your visit. The month of August is usually summer vacation in Japan. Many students and faculty will be out of the office and some laboratories may close down equipment and facilities for renovation or cleaning during this period. Plan accordingly. You should also check to see if you can get an email address at your host institution and access to the library, fitness center, and other facilities.
You should ask your host researcher for information about possible professional visits during your stay (see section B) and housing arrangements (see section F).
You may get useful information about how to survive in the host institution from other U.S. students, research staff, or visiting faculty who are currently there or have been there in the past. Therefore, you may want to ask your host researcher to send you contact information about current or previous U.S. researchers in the host institution, if any.
B. How to Set Up Other Professional Visits
NSF encourages participants to visit laboratories outside of their host laboratory both to gain a broader understanding of the Japanese scientific community in their fields and to create contacts for future research collaboration. You should be aware that cultural differences between the United States and Japan become extremely important when it comes to setting up visits to other laboratories. In Japan, introductions are essential prior to visits, and these introductions are typically made by a mutually known third party. Four main resources for developing contacts in Japan are:
Your advisor, professors, and colleagues in the United States
Make sure you consult with your department advisor and other appropriate individuals before you leave home and develop a list of researchers you would like to meet while in Japan. Letters of introduction provided by primary advisors to the Japanese researchers are extremely useful in setting up research visits and this further solidifies potential research relationships.
Prior to your arrival, you should inform your host that you are interested in visiting other laboratories in Japan and ask them if they have suggestions as to which researchers would be beneficial to meet. If the host responds to this request, you can then politely ask if they would be willing to make necessary introductions. A junior scientist may not always be able to introduce you to a scientist who is senior to him/her. You should be sensitive to such limitations and the signals your host sends in this regard. Do not push too hard.
You may also get information for professional visits from former Summer Program participants who are in the areas of your interests. (See 2006 Award List.)
A publication search can help identify Japanese researchers within your field. In this case, you might send or fax a polite letter that introduces yourself, explains your research, and requests a visit while you are in Japan. Note, however, that this is not the normal way of doing business in Japan, so you should expect no response from some of the people you contact.
You will need a valid passport for travel to Japan. If you do not have a valid U.S. passport, application instructions and forms are available at the State Department Web site: http://travel.state.gov/. You should apply early (2-3 months before travel). You can request expedited processing with an additional fee.
Visas are not required for travel to Japan by an American citizen on a regular personal passport for stays of less than 90 days. Please note that if you plan on staying longer than 90 days, or if you do not hold a valid US personal passport, you may need a visa. You should check with the Japanese Consulate nearest you to make sure all your documentation is in order. (http://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/over/index.html)
If you need to apply for a visa, please contact your NSF program manager for a letter to the Consul General that you can submit with your visa application. Upon your request, NSF will send you the letter as soon as your host institution is confirmed by JSPS.
JSPS will provide you with a round-trip discount economy fare ticket between the major airport nearest to your present address and the New Tokyo International (Narita) Airport. Travel dates are set for June 12 arrival in Japan and August 22 departure from Japan. You can only request travel on different dates for research purposes (extend your research at the host institution, visit other laboratories, field trip, etc.) and all travel must be completed within 90 days. However, if you request different travel dates, you must pay for any difference in fare. As for any other changes of airline ticket, we will provide case by case consultations for you.
JSPS's official travel agency, the Kintetsu International (Kinki Nippon Tourist Co., Ltd.), will open their web page sometime in April so that you can make arrangements for your travel to Japan. Information on reserving airline travel will be provided by NSF at the EAPSI orientation meeting. Please do not make separate, independent travel arrangements. There is no mechanism to reimburse you for independent purchases of tickets.
Note that all participants are expected to arrive at Narita International Airport on June 12, 2007 and move to International Garden Hotel Narita. (See section III.A.)
Kinki Nippon Toursit Co.,Ltd
Global Business Management Branch
Tokyo Kintetsu Bldg. 6F
19-2, Kanda-Matsunaga-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8641
Phone : +81-3-5256-1581
Fax : +81-3-5256-1588
E-mail: jsps-summer-gbm@or.knt.co.jp
Kintetsu International: http://www.knt.co.jp/kokusai/top.htm
Attn: TBD
An official NSF EAPSI award will be issued by the Division of Grants and Agreements. The award notification will include instructions about how to request electronic transfer of the $4,000 stipend.
As a recipient of the $4,000, you must make sure that you will not be double-funded from NSF sources. You must consult with your advisor to verify this. For example, if you are the recipient of a NSF Graduate Fellowship Award, you should consult with your university's Coordinating Official (CO) for the Graduate Research Fellowships. The CO should then contact NSF's Fellowship Program Officer. If you will continue to receive Graduate Fellowship funding during the Summer Program period (the usual case), then you will be issued a zero dollar NSF EAPSI award (no $4,000 stipend) and will receive the airline ticket and in-country expenses through the Summer Program. Questions concerning tax liabilities cannot be answered by NSF and should be directed to the Internal Revenue Service.
A living allowance and a domestic research travel allowance (for transportation between Tokyo and host institute, and for professional visits) will be provided by JSPS. These funds will be remitted to your host scientist's bank account. You can expect an amount of about 592,500 yen (living allowance: 534,000yen and research travel allowance: 58,500yen). The following expenses will be paid directly by JSPS: room charges for hotels in Narita (12 June) and Tokyo (21 August); and meals and accommodation in Soken-dai (13th June to 18th June.) Using the allowances to be provided by JSPS, You are responsible for all other expenses such as lodging and meals in your host institution, transportation to your host institute and elsewhere, and incidental expenses. NSF, JSPS or Soken-dai will not offer safe deposit boxes and you will be responsible for handling this large amount of cash by yourself.
You must bring at least U.S. $500 to cover incidental (and any unexpected) expenses until you receive JSPS's allowances. You are advised to exchange at least U.S. $500 to Japanese yen at the Narita Airport or International Garden Hotel Narita. Money exchange is not available at Soken-dai during the orientation.
You should ask your host scientist in advance for detailed information about housing facilities and arrangements in the host institution, such as international lodging or dormitories. While JSPS will ask your host researcher (or host administration office) to arrange your housing at the host institution, it is ultimately your responsibility. Please be aware that some institutions do not have housing facilities. You must make payments for the lodging at your host institution or at other arranged locations according to their rules and procedures. If you will make your own housing arrangement other than the lodging facilities at the host institution, you need to notify your host institution as soon as possible.
During the orientation period, you will stay at the dormitory of Soken-dai, except on the nights of the Home-Stay (June 15-16 (see section III.C.)
You will be provided insurance arranged by JSPS. The insurance will cover residual disability benefit, death benefit, medical expenses, personal liability, and rescue coverage. Details of the insurance coverage and claims procedure will be provided during the orientation period.
H. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
Unless a written agreement has been specifically negotiated with the host institution and the host scientist prior to arrival, all matters related to the intellectual property rights of a student participating in the Summer Program shall be dealt with in accordance with the rules set forth in the U.S.-Japan Agreement on Cooperation in Research and Development in Science and Technology of 1988. Appendix IV of that Agreement, which deals with Intellectual Property Rights, is available to participants upon request. Based on the Agreement, the following are the general rules designed for the protection of and rights to intellectual property, furnished or created, as a result of students' participation in the Summer Program in Japan. The participating student will be required to protect any business-confidential information obtained while at the receiving hosting institute. It is possible to have any business-confidential information protected by contracting a mutual written agreement between an American student participant and the receiving institute concerned. However, the final determination of the need for contracting such a written agreement is left with the individual parties concerned. If and when a receiving institute has its own established rules (for protection of business- confidential information), those existing rules should be incorporated into, or referred to as the basis of any written agreement to be contracted between the parties under the Summer Program. All the rights to inventions made by a student participant during and after the Summer Program, based on the research training at the receiving institute, will belong to the receiving institute. If and when a student participant wishes to publish a report based on the research training at the receiving institute, he/she will be required to obtain the prior consent of the receiving institute.
NOTE: If Summer Program participants wish to negotiate IPR provisions, they should contact appropriate individuals at their host institute and their host scientist PRIOR to arrival in Japan. If no specific inquiries or requests for negotiation are received by the host institute in advance of the arrival of the participant, all intellectual property will be considered the property of the host institution.
It is a customary and important practice in Japan to offer your meishi, or business card when meeting someone for the first time. As a Summer Program participant, it will be useful for you to have your own meishi. Your business card should include your name, title, university address, phone/fax number, and email address in U.S., as well as contact information in Japan.
You may want to arrange for mobile phone service during your stay in Japan, particularly since the use of such phones has become ubiquitous. Mobile phones may be purchased for a nominal cost (starting from about 3,000 yen), and temporary, prepaid service arranged through companies such as: NTT DoCoMo, au, or vodafone. Your host scientist can direct you to the local office of one of these companies after your arrival at your research site.
Upon your request, your host researcher may arrange to issue an email address at the host institution. Please consult with your host researcher. If you bring your laptop computer with you, you can plug it into the Internet line or use wireless connection at Soken-dai during the orientation period from 13-18 June.
For your health, generally, consider the following, as appropriate:
If you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, bring a second pair of glasses or a spare set of contact lenses with you for backup. You may also wish to bring a copy of your corrective lens prescription in the event you must have glasses made. Please don't count on finding your specific brands of eye care products overseas--take them with you.
Advise your personal physician of your trip (both destination and time abroad). Ask your health provider to review your vaccination record and any other medical needs you might have. You should do this at least 4-6 weeks prior to departure. The U.S. Government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintain a traveler's Web site with health information and travel advisories; the URL is http://www.cdc.gov/travel/eastasia.htm.
If you take prescription medications regularly, and will be traveling with prescription drugs, please bring a signed script or letter from your physician indicating your medical need(s) for the drug and identifying the drugs you will possess in-country. If you are diabetic (with insulin and syringes), or allergic (with epinephrine pens for anaphylaxis) you should look into the requirements for international travel with these paraphernalia.
Various travel safety information and guidelines can be accessed at: http://www.firstgov.gov/Topics/Usgresponse/Travel_Safely.shtml.
You are also encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/home.asp
You should divide your luggage into two groups; the first luggage group should include things you will need during the orientation period, and the second should include things you will not use until you reach your host institution. The second group of luggage can be delivered directly to your host institutions. Kintetsu Int'l Ltd. will facilitate the transport of luggage to host institutions from the International Garden Hotel Narita on June 12 and 13.
For participants who will travel in Japan prior to the start of the Summer Program, you may wish to use ABC Inc. or other delivery service to deliver luggage directly from Narita Airport to your host institute. ABC's desk is located in the reception area just outside of customs clearance at the airport. In either case, a suitcase delivered from Narita to various locations throughout Japan would cost about 2,000-4,000 yen, including insurance coverage of up to 300,000 yen in total value. For an additional small fee, ABC will also store luggage for deliver on a specified date. The phone number for ABC Inc. is as follows:
ABC Inc.
Narita (0476) 34-8484
Tokyo (03) 3545-2800
Toll free within Japan (0120) 9191-20
ABC Inc.: http://www.abc-sky.co.jp/index.html
All participants in the Summer Program are expected to arrive at Narita International Airport and move to the International Garden Hotel Narita on your own on June 12, 2007. The hotel is 15 minutes via a free multi-hotel shuttle bus from bus stop # 16 (Terminal 1) and bus stop #26 (Terminal 2) at the Narita International Airport, or 10 minutes by taxi. You are required to stay at the designated hotel with the same schedule.
International Garden Hotel Narita
241-1 Yoshikura, Narita-shi, Chiba 286-0133
Phone: (0476) 23-5522 (from within Japan)
011-81-476-23-5522 (from outside Japan)
Fax: (0476) 23-5533 (from within Japan)
011-81-476-23-5533 (from outside Japan)
Web homepage: http://www.ishinhotels.com/garden-narita/en/
Students who arrive in Japan before June 12 are required to join the program on June 12 at the International Garden Hotel Narita. You can access the hotel via the shuttle bus from the airport, or alternatively, there is a free multi-hotel shuttle bus from Keisei Railway's Narita train station.
On June 13, you will move by bus from the International Garden Hotel to the Shonan Village Center in Hayama for the Opening Ceremony, where you will stay for the one-week Orientation Program.
Soken-dai will provide day-to-day logistic support during the Orientation. The Orientation Program will be held in a conference room at the Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Soken-dai), which is located adjacent to the Shonan Village Center. The orientation will include Japanese language instruction.
|
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies |
Shonan Village Center |
IV. Daily Schedule (as of February 21, 2007; subject to change)
2007 Japan Summer Program
|
Dates |
Location |
Activities |
Housing |
|
6/12(Tue) |
Narita, Japan |
Arrival |
|
|
6/13(Wed) |
Soken-dai, |
Move from Narita to Hayama by bus |
|
|
6/14(Thur) |
Soken-dai, |
Special lecture |
|
|
6/15(Fri) |
Soken-dai, Hayama |
Japanese language |
House of host family |
|
6/16(Sat) |
Soken-dai, Hayama |
Home-Stay |
House of host family |
| 6/17(Sun) | Soken-dai, Hayama | Home-Stay | Dormitory of Soken-dai |
|
6/18(Mon) |
Soken-dai, Hayama |
Special lecture |
|
|
6/19(Tue) |
Host Institution |
Move to host institutions |
Housing facilities of the host institution |
|
6/20(Wed) - 8/20(Mon) |
Host Institution |
Research experience at host institutions |
Housing facilities of the host institution |
|
8/21(Tue) |
Tokyo |
Move to Tokyo from host institutions (a.m.) |
|
|
8/22(Wed) |
Narita |
Departure |
All participants are required to submit a report on research work carried out during the program. The forms will be given during the orientation period and it should be written on A4 size paper before August 21, 2007.
Participants are required to submit a Final Report to NSF no later than December 1, 2007. Instructions on submitting the NSF Final Report will be provided to you.
Other useful information can be obtained from the following web sites:
Click here to go to NSF/Tokyo Homepage Top Menu