Purpose of Establishment

The Frances & Sachio Semmoto Foundation aims to provide financial assistance to talented students of demonstrated financial need from Asia Pacific nations, who seek to pursue postsecondary education in Japan. We aim to provide the means by which such students may grow to become the future leaders of their nations, thereby fostering mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and our Asia Pacific neighbors.

During the 1960’s when overseas higher education remained out of reach for the vast majority of Japanese students, I was fortunate enough to study abroad in the United States as a part of the Fulbright Scholar Program. Through this experience, I encountered a globally minded ethos of social consciousness that was deeply rooted in liberal American values. The formative experiences during this time strongly informed my own values and philosophy and contributed significantly to my decision to found DDI Corporation (Currently KDDI Corporation and one of the leading Japanese telecom companies), as well as several other companies.

I strongly believe that Japan, a nation that has benefitted enormously from the world’s goodwill during its postwar reconstruction, and more recently, following the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, holds a responsibility to give back to the global community. It is with this purpose that we have founded the Frances & Sachio Semmoto Foundation to provide students from Asia Pacific nations, who otherwise would not have the means to fulfill their educational goals, access to postsecondary education in Japan.

It is my hope and desire, that these students will have such formative experiences as I did during my studies as a Fulbright scholar, and that they will grow to become global leaders with strong ties to, and a deep understanding of Japan.

[August], 2017
Sachio Semmoto