The Japan Youth Collective is back with an exciting new programme for 2025-2026
Love Japan? Want to meet new people and be part of something exciting? The Japan Youth Collective is your chance to explore, connect, and create! This unique, Japan-focused youth programme is for 16-19 year olds who are passionate about Japan. Over 8 months, members will work closely with The Japan Society to discover more about Japan, meet new people, and learn valuable skills.
Run by The Japan Society, the 2025-2026 Programme is funded by the Japan House London Trust and co-hosted at Japan House London.
Want to know more? Check out the blog from the 2023-2024 Collective, where members documented their monthly activities.
What is the Japan Youth Collective?
The Japan Youth Collective is a vibrant space for young people to connect, discover, and explore their passion for all things Japan, while gaining valuable skills for the future. Best of all, the programme’s activities are completely free of charge!
As a member, you’ll meet new friends, engage with and learn from Japan-related professionals, and take part in unique hands-on experiences. Whether you’re passionate about anime, history, language, or considering a future in Japanese Studies or a Japan-related career, the Collective is the perfect space to shape your interests and knowledge while deepening your connection with Japanese culture.
Together with the team, you'll help set the agenda—whatever your passion for Japan, we’re here to help you dive deeper!
Who is the Japan Youth Collective for?
The Japan Youth Collective is all about creating opportunities for young people who are passionate about Japan but might not have the chance to explore it fully. We want to bring together young people eager to learn and explore Japan in a supportive, engaging environment.
We're looking for members who:
✔ Are 16-19 years old and live in London or near the Greater London area
✔ Have a passion for Japan and a strong curiosity to explore more
✔ Have limited opportunities to learn about Japan on their own
One of the Collective's core aims is to open up Japan-related activities to a wider audience, so we will special considerations will be given to applicants who don't have alternative opportunities to learn about Japan. Check out the FAQs for more details.
Why Apply to be a Member?
Being part of the Japan Youth Collective is a unique opportunity to gain valuable experiences, make lasting connections, and explore all things Japan in a fun, hands-on way—all at no cost! You’ll have the chance to develop important skills while diving into exciting activities with like-minded peers.
There are lots of benefits to joining the Japan Youth Collective, including:
- Meet new people who share your love for Japan
- Build new skills for your future in a fun and inspiring way
- Learn from experts in Japan-related fields and explore opportunities
- Take part in One-of-a-kind experience–no Japanese skills required
- Enjoy exclusive acess to events with The Japan Society, at Japan House London, and more!
What's Involved?
The programme schedule kicks off with a 3-day, 2-night, residential orientation in August 2025, followed by regular fortnightly in-person meet-ups, with optional online and in-person activities, until the end of March 2026. In these sessions, members will dive into different aspects of Japan, develop practical skills, and engage with experts, all while immersing themselves in Japanese culture. Throughout the 8-month programme, members will collaborate with The Japan Society, along with professionals and cultural experts in Japan-related fields, leading up to a programme finale!
The programme is structured as follows:
- Orientation and Month 1 – Identify the Collective's key areas of interest in Japan
- Month 2 - 6 –Explore these topics and gain new insights as a group
- Month 7 - 8 – Prepare for the programme finale
Each month, there will be two meet-ups: one Collective Catch-up and one Japan Lab. Members will also have tasks to document their journey and practice their new skills.For more details about what the Collective will be doing and the programme, see our FAQs.
Apply to be a Youth Collective Member today!
If you’re passionate about Japan and want to learn more but aren’t sure this is for people like you, we strongly encourage you to apply! This opportunity is specifically designed for those who are underrepresented in this field. If this sounds like you, we want to hear from you!
Deadline for applications: Sunday 25 May 2025
Before applying, we recommend that you download and read our application guide to help better understand how to apply and make your application stand out!
As the application form cannot be saved and returned to, we recommend preparing your answers separately beforehand, and completing the form when you are ready.
Under 18s must also email a signed parental consent form to education@japansociety.org.uk before the deadline.