The decision to set up the MEF was then, and is today, based on Mitsui Australia’s desire to achieve two objectives. Firstly, our parent being one of Japan’s leading companies and Mitsui being a responsible corporate citizen, we sought to make a meaningful contribution to the betterment of society. Secondly, a desire to build stronger ties and promote mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Australia, by introducing students to aspects of Japanese culture, history, business, industry and contemporary lifestyles.

The MEF selects a total of eight students per year from eight universities around Australia to participate in a tour of Japan held from late November to early December. The objective of the 21 day tour is to help develop and expand the field of knowledge and friendship between our two countries as well as to broaden the tertiary education of Australian students.

Participating universities

In 2009 the following universities will participate:

Macquarie University (NSW)
University of Western Sydney (NSW)
University of Wollongong (NSW)
LaTrobe University (VIC)
RMIT University (VIC)
Griffith University (QLD)
Murdoch University (WA)
University of South Australia (SA)

Tour details

The 21 day tour consists of visits to culturally and historically significant locations,industrial sites, factories, offices, schools and universities. The tour offers opportunities for people-to-people exchange through a home-stay, as well as the opportunity to socialise with Japanese university students recruited to join Mitsui as graduates. All transport, accommodation, and activity fees are born by the Mitsui Educational Foundation, and participants are accompanied by a Japanese speaking chaperone from Mitsui Australia.

Cities and regions visited include:
Tokyo
Hakone
Kyoto
Nara
Hiroshima

Factories and offices visited include:
Nippon Steel Corporation
Toyota Motor Company
Sharp Corporation

Homestay
One of the most rewarding aspects of the tour is an arranged home-stay. For three days students stay with a Japanese family in the city of Chigasaki, Kanagawa allowing a close up view of everyday Japanese life.

Selection Process and Criteria

Our criteria for nominees are:

a) be outstanding ambassadors for Australia at all times whilst in Japan
b) be academically capable, but selection is not contingent on high academic achievement
c) can clearly demonstrate a keen interest in learning broadly about Japan, and could most benefit from this MEF experience
d) are full time undergraduate students, second year or more, from any campus and faculty in your university’s nominated state or territory
e) are Australian citizens.

Note: Japanese language ability and/or study of Japan are not required for participation in the tour.

Other than providing a written report of 4,000 words on impressions and experiences in Japan, the student is in no way obligated to Mitsui or the Foundation on their return to Australia.

To apply
Applications for the 2009 program have now closed. Details of participating universities and application procedure for the 2010 program will be announced in March 2010.

Trustees

Mitsui & Co. (Australia) Ltd. Trustees
Mr Atsushi Oi - Chairman & Managing Director. Mr Toshiro Nakada - Deputy Managing Director.

External Trustees
Mr John Menadue AO - Formerly Australian Ambassador to Japan, CEO Qantas Airways Ltd and Director, Telstra.
Professor WIlliam Purcell, Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (International), University of Technology Sydney.
Mr D Lex Webb - Former Senior Executive, National Australia Bank.
Mr Michael Wynter - Partner, McCullough Robertson.