The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation is a United Kingdom-based charity established in 1988 to support closer links between Britain and Japan. It was founded with a benefaction from Daiwa Securities Co Ltd.
Activities
The Foundation carries out its objective through the following activities:
making grants available to individuals, institutions and organisations to promote links between the UK and Japan in all fields of activity
awarding scholarships to young British graduates to study Japan and its language
organising a year-round programme of events to increase understanding of Japan in the UK
Location
The Foundation is based at Daiwa Foundation Japan House, a Georgiantown house designed by Decimus Burton overlooking Regent's Park in central London. Daiwa Foundation Japan House acts as a centre for UK-Japan relations in Britain by offering a programme of seminars, exhibitions and book launches as well as meeting rooms for Japan-related activities and facilities for visiting academics. Part of Daiwa Foundation Japan House, 13 Cornwall Terrace, was the home of Sir Arthur Lasenby Liberty, founder of Liberty & Co.. The Foundation is represented in Japan by its Tokyo Office, which provides local assistance to Daiwa Scholars and administers grant applications from Japan. It also handles general enquiries about the Foundation's programmes.
Daiwa Scholarships
Daiwa Scholarships
The is an educational programme that sends British graduates to Japan for 19 months. Daiwa Scholars spend 1 month studying Japanese language in the UK, 12 months studying Japanese language in Japan, 1 month on a homestay and 6 months on a work placement. Up to 6 Daiwa Scholarships are available each year. The programme was established in 1991 and was inspired by the belief that the exchange of young people would foster mutual understanding and support the long-term relationship between Britain and Japan. It is a core programme of the Foundation and through it the Foundation seeks to identify future leaders in their fields who will derive personal and professional benefit from obtaining an in-depth experience of Japan. Since 1991, 159 graduates from over 50 universities and over 60 different subject areas have completed the programme.
The is a programme established in April 2015 to fund postgraduate students of Japanese Studies on courses in either Japan or the UK. Applicants must be British citizens who are holders of a degree in Japanese Studies, defined as a course focusing primarily on the study of Japan and containing a substantial Japanese language component, and who are enrolled or enrolling in a Japanese Studies-related course in either Japan or the UK.
Grants
The Foundation provides funding through the following programmes:
Daiwa Foundation Small Grants
Daiwa Foundation Small Grants are available from £2,000-£7,000 to individuals, societies, associations or other bodies in the UK or Japan to promote and support interaction between the two countries. They can cover all fields of activity, including educational and grassroots exchanges, research travel, the organisation of conferences, exhibitions, and other projects and events that fulfil this broad objective. New initiatives are especially encouraged.
Daiwa Foundation Awards
Daiwa Foundation Awards are available from £7,000-£15,000 for collaborative projects that enable British and Japanese partners to work together, preferably within the context of an institutional relationship. Projects in academic, scientific, professional, cultural and educational fields are eligible.
Daiwa Adrian Prizes
Every three years, the Foundation makes prizes available in recognition of significant scientific collaboration between Japanese and British research teams.
Daiwa Foundation Art Prize
The Daiwa Foundation Art Prize is a triennial prize open to British artists resident in the United Kingdom who have not previously had a solo exhibition in Japan. In addition to an exhibition in Japan, the winning artist will be given a period of support and introductions to key individuals and organisations in the Japanese contemporary art world. The winning artist is also awarded a participation fee of £5,000. Recent winners are Marcus Coates, Haroon Mirza, Oliver Beer, and Kate Groobey.
Events
The Foundation has an ongoing programme of UK-Japan events based mainly at Daiwa Foundation Japan House in London.
Seminars
The Foundation organises an annual series of evening seminars based on a broad contemporary theme. Seminars draw on the experience and expertise of British and Japanese contributors to explore topics of mutual relevance and to stimulate debate amongst decision-makers. Themes have included:
Finding a Balance: Japan and the UK
Diversity in Japan and the UK
Power: An Essential Feature in Relationships
The Search for Contentment: Shifting Values in the UK and Japan
UK-Japan Cities of the Future: Regeneration and Urban Life
Education and Society
Japan's International Relations
Exhibitions
The gallery at Daiwa Foundation Japan House displays works by Japanese artists or British artists influenced by Japan. All exhibitions are free of charge.
Book Launches
The book launch series brings together experts to discuss new publications in the field of Japanese studies.
Voluntary groups
Daiwa Foundation Japan House provides space for voluntary groups with connections to Japan. Users of the meeting rooms and other facilities have included Asia-Pacific Technology Network; British Association for Japanese Studies; ; Sakura-kai, Japanese language classes; Hosei University; The Japan Society Art Circle; International Children's Bunko Association; Japanese Women's Association; Urasenke Foundation; and flower arranging groups.
