MANILA - The Japanese Embassy in Manila announced Friday that applications for teacher training and Japanese studies in Japan are now open under the country's scholarship program for 2020.

In a statement, the embassy said teacher training is an intensive year-long program that aims to develop the participants’ capacities in educational administration, educational methods, specialized subject research, and practice.

Those who want to apply for this course should be:

• A Filipino citizen
• Born on or after April 2, 1985
• At least has (5) five years of teaching experience in primary or secondary schools as of October 1, 2020
• Currently employed as a teacher in an elementary or secondary school
• Interested in and willing to learn about Japanese culture

Application forms and more detailed guidelines for this course can be downloaded from this site.

Japanese studies, meanwhile, is a one-year advanced Japanese language and cultural exchange program designed for undergraduates. At the end of the course, participants are expected to have deepened their knowledge and understanding of Nihongo and Japanese culture, the Japanese embassy said.

Those who wish to apply for this course must be:

• A Filipino citizen
• Born between April 2, 1990 and April 1, 2002
• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate student and majoring in fields related to Japanese language and/or Japanese culture

Application forms and other guidelines for this course may be downloaded through this link.

The Japanese embassy said applications must be submitted in person or via courier to the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) at 2627 Roxas Boulevard in Pasay.

Deadline for submissions is on January 24, 2020.