Applications Now Open for the Ashinaga Spring-Summer 2026 Internship Program!

Ashinaga Foundation offers internship opportunities twice a year, in the Spring-Summer and Fall-Winter terms. We are now accepting applications for the Spring-Summer 2026 internship!
This program is open to university students, graduate students, and young professionals from around the world who are passionate about driving meaningful change through non-profit initiatives.
Interns at Ashinaga can gain a variety of skills and gain invaluable experiences through the program. As an intern, you get to:

• Join a dynamic and diverse cohort of international interns and staff,
• Gain hands-on experience in administrative in a team of your choice,
• Learn the inner workings of a Japan-based non-profit organization,
• Work flexible, part-time hours at your convenience,
• And most importantly, contribute directly to the educational journeys of Ashinaga Scholars!

Interns based outside of Japan will have their internship conducted fully remote, while interns based in Japan may be offered a hybrid or in-person arrangement. Additionally, interns are eligible for a ¥1000 per working day stipend.
To date, we have had over 550 interns from over 90 global universities in several dozen countries!
*Note that Ashinaga does not sponsor interns’ stays in Japan. Hybrid and in-person positions are open to those who will be based in Tokyo for the duration of the internship through their own means.

INTERNSHIP DATES 
11 May – 31 July 2026 
Possible two-month extension period based on team needs and intern performance, from 3 August – 25 September 2026
Application deadline: Sunday, 27 February 2026 11:59PM Japan Time (GMT+9)

Teams open for intern positions: 
Ashinaga Africa Initiative Department
Career Development and Graduate Relations (CDGR) Team
Student Relations Team (SRT)
Recruitment
Data & Systems Team
International Marketing
General Positions
International Internship Alumni (IIA) Team
Japan Education Support Department
Primary and Elementary Education Support Team

Past Intern Voices 
Hear what our interns have to say about their experience with Ashinaga!

“I have been interning with the Career Development and Graduate Relations (CDGR) Team since October, and it has already been a super enriching experience! So far, I’ve had the chance to contribute to the AAI Peer-Mentorship Program, support the improvement of Scholars’ resumes for the Profiles Book, and take part in broader career development research. One of the things I love most about this role is the variety in my tasks and everything I learn from them. Working on Scholars’ resumes gives me a boost of motivation and inspiration, while the Peer-Mentorship Program has introduced me to the exciting dynamics behind translation coordination, email automation processes, and cross-team communication within Ashinaga.”
— Jodie Steiner, Fall-Winter 2025-26 CDGR Intern

I am currently interning with the IIA team, where my role involves organizing networking events for interns, assisting internship coordinators with administrative and program-related task, and attending in-person events. What I enjoy most about this role is the opportunity to interact closely with other interns and teams, and to help create spaces where people can connect meaningfully.

Throughout this internship, I have learned how to work in tandem with many people across teams, which has taught me the importance of balancing flexibility with structure when collaborating closely with others. I’ve also developed a better understanding of how ideas move from concept to execution, especially when coming up with initiatives from scratch. Being encouraged to think creatively has been both challenging and motivating, pushing me to step outside my comfort zone and trust my ideas.
— Marisa Shibata, Fall-Winter 2025-26 IIA Intern

If you are interested in educational equity, global impact, and the mission of non-profit organizations, we strongly encourage you to apply! Join us and contribute to Ashinaga’s work from wherever you are.
Please refer to our application site linked below for detailed descriptions of the intern positions.
https://ashinagainternship.my.canva.site/en-home