There are enormous possibilities for internships in Japan. Most Japanese universities have exchanges with institutions abroad, so if you’re looking to continue your studies in a particular field you should check with your school to see if they have any partnerships or exchange programmes. If you’re looking to gain experience in a specific field of business or industry, you should write directly to the branch of an appropriate Japanese company in your home country and enquire as to whether there are any openings exist. Agencies can assist you in finding a suitable placement for a small fee:

• http://www.internships-4u.com

The Japan Hospitality Internship Program was created to allow citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France, the UK and Germany to have access to paid internship work in the hotel industry. You can expect to earn enough money to live on, although no more than that. Consult their site:

• http://www.jhip.org/contact.html

The Pasona Internship Program was founded by the business entrepreneur Yasuyuki Nambu and allows outstanding undergraduate and graduate students from the US to undertake internships in Japanese firms. Acceptance on the internship programme is competitive, but if accepted all your travel and accommodation costs will be covered and you will receive a modest monthly wage. For more information:

• http://www.nambufound.com/#Program

You can also use the following databases to organise your own projects:

• http://www.yamasa.org/internships/index.html
• http://www.internabroad.com/Japan.cfm