The Mitsui U.S.A. Foundation Scholarships in Tennessee ProgramEach spring, we notify principals and guidance counselors at high schools statewide about the Mitsui USA Foundation Scholarships in Tennessee Program. The Mitsui U.S.A. Foundation Scholarships in Tennessee Program supports the aspirations of globally-minded high school seniors from all across Tennessee. The Mitsui USA Foundation Scholarships in Tennessee Program was established by Mitsui USA Foundation to provide educational opportunities to college-bound high school seniors and promote cross-cultural understanding between Japan and Tennessee. The Japan-America Society of Tennessee serves as administrator for the Scholarship Program. Four $5,000 freshman-year scholarships are funded and awarded to successful applicants who plan to enroll in four-year Tennessee public colleges or universities - Austin Peay State University, East Tennessee State University, Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee State University, Tennessee Technological University, The University of Memphis - or within the University of Tennessee systems. |
Recipients of The 2025 Mitsui U.S.A. Foundation Scholarships in Tennessee
 | From an early age, William Kitts sought an international relations career and looked for opportunities to learn about different cultures. In Knoxville, William joined the Bearden High School Model United Nations Club, broadening his understanding of global perspectives. He has volunteered at the Knox Asian Festival and Greek Fest and as an English tutor. At the University of Tennessee Knoxville, William will study political science, accounting with a focus on international law and Japanese. |
| Katherine Nichols loves learning new languages. Katherine has been studying Japanese for three years. She is going to Japan this summer and is looking forward to increasing her language skills and returning to Knoxville with more to share with her community about Japan. Katherine believes knowing languages will be useful in her career as a climate scientist, collaborating with scientists from other countries. She will major in geology and environmental studies at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. |
| Also from Knoxville, Rachel Peterson embraces her mother's Japanese heritage and the American heritage of her father. Rachel will study medical laboratory science at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, and she dreams of becoming a surgeon who can connect with all of her patients, practicing in the U.S. and Japan. She is bilingual and will be able to communicate with patients and colleagues in both countries, so there will be no language problems like she has witnessed. |
| Tyler Raffety has a passion for public service and would like to be involved in public policy decisions, particularly affecting rural Tennesseans. The proud Monroe County resident will attend the University of Tennessee Knoxville. He is excited about attending UT Knoxville, a university with a prestigious policy program - The Baker School for Public Policy. Tyler hopes to participate in The Baker School ambassador program in Japan and to work in government affairs after graduation. |
