FY2024 U.S. Embassy Tokyo: Mission Japan Media Study Tour for Japanese Journalists on Trilateral Security Cooperation

The U.S. Embassy Tokyo of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program for a media study tour for Japanese journalists on trilateral security cooperation. Following the historic August 2023 Trilateral Leaders’ Summit hosted by President Biden at Camp David, the United States, Japan, and Republic of Korea inaugurated “a new era of trilateral partnership,” and committed to strengthening trilateral security cooperation through enhanced trilateral defense exercises, improved information sharing, and increased cooperation on ballistic missile defense, including against DPRK missile threats. To better understand how the trilateral relationship is making strides, print journalists based across Japan will learn firsthand through a five-day media study tour on trilateral security cooperation with travel to Tokyo and Seoul (including the DMZ). They will engage with policymakers and experts from all three nations to gain a deeper understanding of how this enhanced cooperation is occurring and the significance that it plays to the region. The Japan-based journalists will also have an opportunity to meet and network with ROK journalist counterparts, forging important regional connections and facilitating networking connections among media professionals. The U.S. Embassy Tokyo invites proposals from eligible institutions to execute this program. Ground rules for meetings during the trip will be a combination of on-the-record, off-the-record, and background/Chatham House Rule. As much as possible, participating journalists will be encouraged to write articles for their readers around Japan. Proposals should include all cost associated with the program, including: - round-trip international airfare between Japan and the Republic of Korea - domestic travel expenses in Japan (round-trip transportation costs to/from the airport(s) for international departure) - ground transportation and gratuities in the Republic of Korea (e.g., chartered bus) - lodging in the Republic of Korea - ROK visa fee if necessary - overseas travel insurance - meals and incidentals - interpretation fees