The JICE Japan-Africa Youth Program – Professionals Japan Visit Program for Co-creation (Animation Production) offers African animation professionals an opportunity to travel to Japan for an approximately 12-day international exchange and professional learning experience focused on animation production, industry exposure, networking, cultural exchange, and collaboration.

Organized by the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) as part of the Japan-Africa Youth Program, the initiative is designed to bring together African animation professionals and Japanese anime creators, companies, organizations, and educational institutions.

For selected participants, program participation and travel expenses are free of charge, making this a significant opportunity for professionals seeking international exposure and connections within Japan’s globally influential animation industry.

The application deadline is Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 23:59 Japan Standard Time (JST).

About the JICE Japan-Africa Youth Program

The Japan-Africa Youth Program is an international exchange initiative promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and implemented as part of efforts to strengthen mutual understanding and relationships between young people from Japan and Africa.

The broader program focuses on allowing young people from both regions to learn from one another through direct interaction, observation, cultural experiences, and professional exchange.

The Professionals Japan Visit Program for Co-creation (Animation Production) forms part of this wider initiative and focuses specifically on professionals working in Africa’s animation industry.

The program recognizes the growing importance of animation and anime as creative industries capable of connecting cultures, creating economic opportunities, developing talent, and encouraging international collaboration.

Through the Japan visit, African participants will have the opportunity to gain first-hand exposure to Japan’s animation ecosystem while building relationships with Japanese professionals and organizations.

What Is the JICE Professionals Japan Visit Program for Co-creation?

The Professionals Japan Visit Program for Co-creation (Animation Production) is an international exchange and professional development initiative specifically designed for African animation professionals.

JICE plans to invite 20 individuals working at anime production companies in Africa to Japan for approximately 12 days.

Rather than being simply a tourism or cultural visit, the program is structured around professional exposure, networking, learning, cultural exchange, and the development of future partnerships between African and Japanese animation stakeholders.

Participants are expected to explore Japan’s anime production environment and learn more about the country’s animation-related industries and educational institutions.

The program also aims to create opportunities for African participants to connect directly with Japanese companies and creators, potentially laying the groundwork for future cooperation and co-creation.

Key Objectives of the Program

The initiative has several interconnected objectives.

1. Strengthen Japan-Africa professional networks

One of the central goals is to establish stronger relationships between animation professionals from Africa and Japan.

By bringing professionals together in Japan, the program provides an environment where participants can exchange ideas, discuss industry developments, identify areas of mutual interest, and explore potential future collaboration.

2. Increase exposure to Japan’s animation industry

Japan has an internationally recognized anime and animation ecosystem.

The visit is intended to provide African professionals with an opportunity to experience aspects of this ecosystem directly, including exposure to animation production sites, related industries, companies, and educational institutions.

This type of first-hand experience can provide insights that may be difficult to obtain through online research alone.

3. Encourage co-creation

The program is specifically framed around co-creation, meaning that the goal is not simply for African professionals to observe Japan’s animation sector.

Instead, the initiative seeks to encourage relationships through which professionals from both regions can exchange ideas and potentially develop future projects together.

This makes networking and relationship-building important components of the experience.

4. Promote cultural understanding

Participants will also have opportunities to deepen their understanding of Japanese culture, values, mindset, and cultural heritage.

At the same time, interaction between African and Japanese participants can contribute to greater awareness of Africa’s own creative industries and cultural perspectives.

5. Support future African leaders

The broader Japan-Africa Youth Program seeks to empower young people to become leaders capable of contributing to Africa’s future development.

For animation professionals, this means combining professional development with international exposure and intercultural exchange.

What Will Participants Experience in Japan?

The program is expected to last approximately 12 days, during which selected participants will take part in activities connected to animation, professional exchange, and cultural learning.

Although the exact itinerary should be confirmed in the official Draft Standard Itinerary and Application Guidelines, the announcement indicates that participants will have opportunities to explore:

• Anime production sites.
• Animation-related industries.
• Japanese animation companies and organizations.
• Educational institutions connected to the animation sector.
• Japanese cultural and social environments.
• Professional networking opportunities.
• Cultural exchange activities.
• Discussions and interactions with Japanese creators and industry stakeholders.

The program is therefore particularly relevant to professionals who want to understand how Japan’s animation ecosystem operates and how African and Japanese creative professionals could collaborate.

Who Is the Program Looking For?

The call is specifically aimed at African anime creators and professionals working within anime production companies or organizations in Africa.

JICE intends to accommodate 20 participants in total.

However, the application structure is particularly important.

Applications are being sought from interested companies and organizations, with participation limited to a maximum of 10 companies in total.

Each participating company can send no more than two individuals.

The two participants are expected to consist of:

One company executive

The first participant should be a company executive who will act as the decision-maker.

This role is important because the program is designed to encourage organizational and business-level collaboration in addition to individual professional development.

One creative professional

The second participant should be a creative professional working in the animation field.

This allows the program to bring both organizational decision-making perspectives and hands-on creative expertise into the Japan-Africa exchange.

Geographic Eligibility: Who Can Apply?

The opportunity is specifically targeted at Africa.

JICE describes the initiative as targeting African anime creators, and the program is intended for young professionals in the animation industry from Africa.

Therefore, professionals and organizations operating within the African animation sector should pay particular attention to this opportunity.

However, the announcement provided does not list every eligible African country individually. Applicants should therefore consult the official Application Guidelines to confirm whether their specific country, organization, and professional circumstances meet all requirements.

In other words, the opportunity has a clear Africa-wide focus, but applicants should not assume that every organization automatically qualifies without checking the detailed guidelines.

How Many Participants Will Be Selected?

The program intends to invite 20 individuals to Japan.

At the organizational level:

• Up to 10 companies or organizations can participate.
• Each company can nominate a maximum of two participants.
• The two participants should include a company executive/decision-maker and a creative professional.

This structure means that the program is not simply seeking 20 unrelated individual applicants. It is designed to engage animation companies and organizations and facilitate meaningful professional connections between African and Japanese stakeholders.

Major Benefits of the JICE Japan Visit Program

Participating in the JICE Japan-Africa Youth Program can offer several professional and personal advantages.

1. Fully Covered Program Participation and Travel Expenses

One of the most significant benefits is that participation in the program and travel expenses are free of charge.

This can substantially reduce the financial barrier associated with participating in an international professional exchange program.

However, applicants should carefully distinguish between expenses covered by the program and personal expenses that remain their responsibility.

2. International Exposure

Selected professionals will travel to Japan and gain direct exposure to one of the world’s most influential animation ecosystems.

This can broaden their understanding of:

• Animation production.
• Creative industry structures.
• Professional practices.
• Industry collaboration.
• Animation-related education.
• Cultural influences on creative production.
• Potential international partnerships.

3. Networking With Japanese Animation Professionals

Networking is one of the core elements of the initiative.

Participants will have opportunities to interact with Japanese animation creators and related organizations.

For African animation professionals, these relationships could potentially contribute to future:

• Partnerships.
• Creative collaborations.
• Knowledge exchange.
• Business relationships.
• Co-production opportunities.
• Professional networks.

The program is particularly valuable for professionals interested in building connections beyond their domestic markets.

4. Exposure to Animation Production Sites

Participants are expected to have opportunities to discover Japanese anime production sites and related industry environments.

First-hand exposure can help professionals understand how animation projects are developed, produced, managed, and supported within Japan’s creative ecosystem.

5. Access to Animation-Related Institutions

The program also intends to expose participants to animation-related industries and educational institutions.

This can be useful for professionals interested in understanding the relationship between education, skills development, creative production, and the commercial animation sector.

6. Cross-Cultural Learning

The program is also designed to deepen participants’ understanding of Japan’s:

• Values.
• Mindset.
• Culture.
• Cultural heritage.
• Social systems.

At the same time, participants bring their own African professional and cultural experiences into the exchange.

This creates a two-way learning process rather than a one-sided study visit.

7. Potential for Future Co-Creation

The concept of co-creation is central to the program.

African and Japanese animation professionals can use the exchange to identify shared interests and explore ways of working together.

Although participation should not be interpreted as a guarantee of future contracts, funding, employment, or commercial partnerships, the relationships developed during the program may provide a foundation for future collaboration.

What Expenses Are Covered?

According to the announcement, participation in the program and travel expenses are free of charge.

This is an important feature of the opportunity for professionals who may otherwise face significant international travel costs.

However, not every expense is covered.

Expenses participants are responsible for

Participants are specifically expected to cover personal expenses, including:

• Transportation between their home and the airport.
• Passport issuance fees.
• Other personal expenses not covered under the program.

Applicants should therefore avoid interpreting “free of charge” as meaning that absolutely no personal expenditure will be required.

The official Application Guidelines should be reviewed carefully for the complete list of covered and non-covered costs.

Application Documents Required

JICE has provided several documents that applicants should review before completing the application.

These include:

1. Application Guidelines

The Application Guidelines contain the detailed requirements, instructions, and conditions governing the application process.

2. Letter of Understanding

Applicants should also review the Letter of Understanding to understand the commitments and conditions associated with participation.

3. Handling of Personal Information

This document explains the handling of personal information associated with the program and application process.

4. Draft Standard Itinerary

The Draft Standard Itinerary provides applicants with an indication of the expected structure and activities of the Japan visit.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to read all four documents before submitting an application.

How to Apply for the JICE Japan-Africa Youth Program

Interested companies and organizations should complete the official online application process.

The application requires applicants to provide the information requested through JICE’s online application system.

Applicants should ensure that all required information is prepared before starting or completing the online form.

Important Application Warning

JICE has issued an important warning concerning the online application system.

If applicants spend an extended period completing the form, the application may not be submitted properly.

To reduce this risk, JICE strongly recommends preparing written responses and other text in a separate word-processing document before entering the information into the online application form.

A practical approach would be to:

1. Read the Application Guidelines completely.
2. Identify every question requiring a written response.
3. Draft responses in Microsoft Word or another word processor.
4. Proofread all responses.
5. Gather the required information.
6. Open the official application form.
7. Copy and paste prepared responses into the relevant sections.
8. Review the completed form carefully.
9. Submit the application well before the deadline.
10. Confirm that the submission has been completed successfully.

This approach can also reduce the risk of losing carefully prepared information if the online form session expires.

Application Deadline for the JICE Japan-Africa Youth Program

The application deadline is:

Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 23:59 Japan Standard Time (JST).

Applicants should pay close attention to the time zone.

The online application system will automatically close at 23:59 JST, meaning applicants should not wait until the final minute to submit their applications.

Because applicants are based across Africa and may be operating in different time zones, it is advisable to convert the deadline into local time and submit the application considerably earlier.

For applicants in Kenya, for example, Japan Standard Time is ahead of East Africa Time, so the application should be submitted before the equivalent local deadline rather than relying on the date alone.

Selection Process and Notification of Results

According to JICE, the results are expected to be announced in early October 2026.

However, this schedule is tentative and may change depending on the number of applications received.

Applicants should therefore monitor communications from JICE after submitting their applications.

The announcement does not state that all eligible applicants will automatically be selected. Given the limited number of available places—20 participants—the application should clearly demonstrate why the applicant and their organization are appropriate for the program.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

Because the number of participants is limited, applicants should approach the application strategically.

1. Understand the purpose of the program

Before applying, applicants should understand that this is not simply a tourism opportunity.

The program is designed around:

• Professional exchange.
• Animation industry exposure.
• Japan-Africa relations.
• Networking.
• Cultural understanding.
• Co-creation.
• Future collaboration.

Applications should therefore demonstrate genuine professional interest in these areas.

2. Clearly present your animation experience

Applicants should ensure that their professional background is presented clearly and accurately.

Where relevant, they can demonstrate their involvement in:

• Anime production.
• Animation creation.
• Creative direction.
• Animation business management.
• Production management.
• Story development.
• Character design.
• Visual development.
• Other relevant animation-related activities.

The exact eligibility requirements should be checked against the official guidelines.

3. Demonstrate interest in Japan’s animation ecosystem

Applicants should be able to explain why exposure to Japan’s animation sector is relevant to their professional development and organizational objectives.

4. Think about co-creation

Since the program emphasizes co-creation, applicants should consider how their organization or creative work could contribute to future collaboration between African and Japanese professionals.

5. Prepare written responses in advance

This is particularly important because JICE itself recommends preparing text separately before entering it into the online application system.

Doing so can make the application process more efficient and reduce the possibility of losing information.

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Why This Opportunity Matters for Africa’s Animation Industry

Africa has a rapidly developing creative economy, with animation and digital storytelling offering opportunities for cultural expression, employment, entrepreneurship, technology development, and international collaboration.

Programs such as this can help connect African creative professionals with established international ecosystems.

The value of the opportunity goes beyond the approximately 12-day visit.

Participants may return with:

• New professional contacts.
• Greater understanding of international animation practices.
• New perspectives on creative production.
• Cultural knowledge.
• Ideas for future projects.
• Potential avenues for collaboration.
• Greater international visibility.

For participating organizations, sending both a decision-maker and a creative professional can also create a bridge between organizational strategy and practical creative production.

Visit HERE to learn more about the JICE Japan-Africa Youth Program 2026.

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Information
Program	JICE Japan-Africa Youth Program – Professionals Japan Visit Program for Co-creation (Animation Production)
Organizer	Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE)
Program Focus	Animation production, professional exchange, networking and co-creation
Target Region	Africa
Target Group	African anime creators and young animation professionals
Number of Participants	20 individuals
Participating Companies	Up to 10 companies/organizations
Participants per Company	Maximum of 2
Participant Structure	One company executive/decision-maker and one creative professional
Destination	Japan
Duration	Approximately 12 days
Program Fee	Free of charge
Travel Expenses	Free of charge, subject to program conditions
Personal Expenses	Participants responsible for certain personal costs
Application Deadline	September 8, 2026, at 23:59 JST
Expected Results	Early October 2026
Application Method	Online application form
Program Category	International exchange and professional development opportunity

Important Things Applicants Should Remember

Before submitting an application, applicants should keep the following points in mind:

1. The opportunity is specifically focused on Africa’s animation sector.
2. The program intends to select 20 individuals.
3. Applications are being sought from companies and organizations.
4. A maximum of 10 companies can participate.
5. Each company can have no more than two participants.
6. The participant combination should include a company executive/decision-maker and a creative professional.
7. The visit to Japan is expected to last approximately 12 days.
8. Program participation and travel expenses are free of charge.
9. Personal costs such as transportation between home and the airport and passport issuance fees are not covered.
10. The application deadline is September 8, 2026, at 23:59 JST.
11. The online application system will automatically close at the deadline.
12. Applicants should prepare written responses in a separate document before completing the online form.
13. Selection results are expected in early October 2026, although this is subject to change.
14. Applicants should carefully review the official Application Guidelines before submitting their applications.

Official Application and Further Information

Applicants should rely on JICE’s official materials for the most accurate and complete information concerning eligibility, documentation, program conditions, and selection.

Application deadline: September 8, 2026, at 23:59 JST

For questions, applicants can use JICE’s official inquiry form. JICE states that inquiries should be submitted through the form rather than by telephone and that inquiries received on weekends or Japanese national holidays will be answered on the next business day.

Conclusion

The JICE Japan-Africa Youth Program – Professionals Japan Visit Program for Co-creation (Animation Production) presents a valuable international exchange opportunity for professionals working in Africa’s animation industry.

With plans to bring 20 African animation professionals to Japan for approximately 12 days, the initiative combines professional exposure, cultural exchange, networking, industry learning, and the possibility of developing stronger connections between African and Japanese animation communities.

A particularly attractive feature of the program is that participation and travel expenses are free of charge, although selected participants remain responsible for certain personal costs. The program’s emphasis on co-creation also makes it relevant to professionals and organizations interested in developing international relationships rather than simply gaining short-term exposure.

However, the number of places is limited, with participation restricted to up to 10 companies and a maximum of two participants per company. Organizations interested in participating should therefore prepare carefully and ensure that their nominated executive and creative professional align with the objectives of the program.

Most importantly, prospective applicants should not wait until the final day. The online application system closes automatically at 23:59 JST on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Preparing written responses in advance, reviewing the official guidelines carefully, and submitting the application early can help avoid technical or time-zone-related problems.

For African animation professionals seeking international exposure, Japanese industry connections, cultural learning, and opportunities for future creative collaboration, this program could provide a valuable platform for building stronger links between Africa’s emerging animation industry and Japan’s established anime ecosystem.

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