With an eye toward the future of global peace, and a deep passion for contributing to a better world of young educators, the Japanese Language Scholarship Foundation ("Aurora" Foundation) was established in 1998 as a non-profit 501(c)(3)organization.

 The primary goal of the foundation is to assist United States citizens, who are either Japanese language teachers or graduate students of Japanese language education or pre-service Japanese language teachers currently studying to obtain a teaching credential for teaching Japanese, to experience living in Japan and have the opportunity to participate in various educational programs during their stay to help them to further their understanding of the Japanese language and culture.

 The Aurora Foundation created one more award in 2001, the "Aurora Challenge Grant" to celebrate the millennium. The grant is awarded to a USA citizen who resides in California and has a unique dream, in any field of endeavor, which is related to Japanese culture and which would never be possible to realize without traveling to Japan. The Aurora Foundation hopes to help the winner enhance the pursuit of their truest, most heartfelt dream by providing the opportunity for what could be a once in a lifetime experience. By awarding this grant, we share the dreams of the winners - dreams that will make a positive impact, contributing to global harmony and intercultural appreciation of mankind.

Furthermore, to encourage our younger generations, the Aurora Foundation has held USA National Japanese Language High School Speech Contest annually since 2004. The winner is invited to the Japanese Speech Award contest held in Tokyo, Japan.

 Every year, the foundation holds several fundraising events. These events include the Japanese Film Screening in April and the Benefit Dinner & Auction along with the Benefit Concert in Autumn. Each year a renowned Japanese singer comes to the USA to entertain people in Los Angeles.

 The Aurora Foundation is currently recruiting new Aurora Club members. The Aurora Club promotes Japanese-American Cultural Exchange, and holds various events that provide opportunities to exchange knowledge, and to support international educational development.  The purpose of the Aurora Club is to deepen friendship ties between the various Aurora club members, and to help support the Aurora Foundation.

 For more details about the Aurora Foundation visit
 http://www.jlsf-aurora.org or contact Aurora Foundation by e-mail or
 fax at creatent@aol.com, and fax: (323) 969-9425.