KCC-JEE High School Essay Contest 2026

2026 High School Essay Contest

Kobe College Corporation Japan Education Exchange
Important Information - Please read and check I Agree to continue.
- Qualifications:
  -high school students who will be at least 16 years of age by July 1 2026
  -U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  -have formally studied Japanese language for at least one year by June 2026
- One (1) essay per student will be accepted.
- Essays MUST be composed on the prompt and follow the word counts listed below.
- The winner must have/obtain a valid passport before leaving the country and medical clearance is required with doctor’s signature (cost of passport and the doctor’s visit is the responsibility of the participant.)
I have read and agree to the above rules. I understand that if my essay does not follow the topic or submitted after the deadline, it will be disqualified.*

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Applicant Information
Full Name*

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Is the applicant able to study in Japan for four weeks in the summer of 2026?*

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Essay Prompt: write in 300 to 500 words

Select an object or artifact from Japan, either something made in Japan or authentically “Japanese” that sparks your curiosity. It must be a physical object, not a person, place, or idea. In the essay, which should be between 300-500 words in English, describe the object, why it intrigues you, and its background.

* Include a photograph or picture of the object/artifact at the top of the essay but you should not be in the picture.
Upload Your Essay (Do not write your name on your essay)*

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2026 High School Essay Contest