The first class of California-Japan Scholars, previously referred to as the California-Osaka Scholars Program, was organized with the assistance of the California Department of Education. California high school junior and seniors were chosen to participate on the basis of academic achievement and previous interest in Japanese society and culture.
One hundred California high school students spent three weeks in Japan studying Japanese culture, customs, language and history, and had the unique opportunity to live with host families in Osaka and interact with students like themselves. During their stay, the students visited the Toshiba Science Museum, Tokyo Tower, National Diet, Osaka Castle, and the Osaka Peace Museum.
