The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan will grant a number of student memberships with the aim of encouraging students to enter the journalism profession. The membership will entitle holders to take advantage of any events and FCCJ facilities that do not require financial obligation. Specifically, student members may attend press conferences and events as well as make use of the library. Students can attend luncheons by paying at the front desk. The membership does not include privileges for the restaurant/bar/sushi bar unless invited by a member and student members cannot be served alcohol without proper ID to prove they are 20 years of age. The Scholarship and Young Professionals Committee also plans to coordinate internships as well as opportunities for students to interact with member journalists.

The membership is open to any full-time undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in an accredited university program through at least March 2009 and has a serious interest in exploring journalism. It is open to both Japanese citizens and foreigners.

Students can apply by submitting an application form, a resume, a copy of a valid student identification card, a passport size photo and a short cover letter. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Students, who already have membership, may renew it by submitting a copy of a student ID card or a document showing expected graduation date and an updated photo.

Note: The student membership is treated as an FCCJ honorary membership and is subject to the policies of the club. Memberships are granted on a yearly basis and will expire on June 30, 2009. Membership will start on July 1, 2008. All applications received prior to that day may not be processed until that time. Processing may take to three-four weeks.

QUESTIONS: Please contact Takako Daibo at daibo@fccj.or.jp.

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan is a shadan hojin non-profit organization, established in November 1945, to promote friendship, harmony and mutual welfare among its members, to defend the freedom of the press, and to increase friendly relations between Japan and other countries. The first members were a group of journalists accredited to General Douglas MacArthur’s headquarters. The club has since grown to more than 300 working journalists, representing news organizations from around the world. FCCJ is run by an elected board of directors and appointed committees.