LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN JAPAN
IATSS Forum and LEAD India invite applications for the 71st and 72nd IATSS Forum Leadership Development Program in Japan. As the India Secretariat for the IATSS Forum, LEAD India is looking for young professionals from India who are not only committed to their work, but are also deeply curious about leadership, collaboration, communities, and the future of Asia.
The IATSS Forum is an 8-week fully sponsored residential learning experience in Japan that brings together participants from 10 Asian countries to engage in dialogue, group learning, cultural exchange, field exposure, and reflective leadership development. More than a training program, the Forum creates a space where people from different countries, professions, and lived experiences come together to think, learn, and grow collectively.
Program Mandate
Nurture the next generation of leaders across Asia through collaborative and interdisciplinary learning
Create opportunities for dialogue, exchange, and mutual understanding across cultures and professions
strengthen leadership rooted in collaboration, reflection, and social responsibility
Bring together participants from India, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam
Encourage participants to engage critically with questions related to society, sustainability, mobility, development, and regional cooperation
Facilitate learning through interaction with professors, practitioners, experts, local communities, and fellow participants
Program Details
Seminars and discussions
with professors, practitioners, and experts from diverse fields
Collaborative group studies
and thematic discussions
Communication and leadership
development exercises
Field visits
and experiential learning journeys
Cultural exchange
and immersion experiences
Opportunities for reflection
dialogue, and peer learning
Many alumni describe the Forum as a transformative experience that continues shaping their perspectives and leadership journeys long after the program ends.
Target Candidates
We are looking for individuals who demonstrate:
Leadership
- experience working with people, teams, or communities
- openness toward collaborative and co-creative leadership
- willingness to learn from diverse perspectives and backgrounds
Awareness & Commitment
- awareness of social, environmental, or community challenges
- motivation to contribute meaningfully within their own contexts
- curiosity about regional and global issues
Capacity & Potential
- professional experience, skills, and perspectives that can contribute to the learning environment
- openness toward reflection, dialogue, and continuous learning
- willingness to engage deeply with people from different cultures and professions
Attitude
- respect for diversity and different lived experiences
- adaptability within a shared residential learning environment
- enthusiasm toward collaborative learning and exchange
Selected candidates shall also be encouraged to contribute toward improving awareness and practices related to road safety in their communities.
Eligibility
35 years old or younger at the time of application
Currently be a full-time professional, self-employed, or freelance professional
Have at least 2 years of professional work experience
Possess sufficient English communication skills
Demonstrate cultural adaptability and openness toward living and learning abroad
Possess the physical and mental capabilities necessary to participate independently in program activities
Eligibility
- 35 years old or younger at the time of application
- Currently be a full-time professional, self-employed, or freelance professional
- Have at least 2 years of professional work experience
- Possess sufficient English communication skills
- Demonstrate cultural adaptability and openness toward living and learning abroad
- Possess the physical and mental capabilities necessary to participate independently in program activities
May – July
2027
September – November
2027
Annual Schedule
Program schedules and timelines are subject to change.
Application
Period
June 1 –
September 30, 2026
Screening
Process
- Document-based screening
- Interview-based screening
Shortlisted
Applicants
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews coordinated by LEAD India.
Documents Required for Application
Application Form
Basic Question Form
Essay
Recommendation Form
Certificate of English Proficiency
(if applicable)
All documents must be completed in English.
IMPORTANT NOTES
How to Submit Application Documents
Download & Prepare Documents
- Download the Application Booklet and required forms.
- Complete all documents in English.
- Convert all documents into PDF format before submission.
Online Submission
- Submit all application documents through the online application portal.
- Ensure all required documents have been completed in English and prepared according to the Application Booklet.
- For postal submission, consult in advance with your country secretariat listed on the last page of the booklet.
Interview & Final Selection
- Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews.
- Final selected participants will receive further communication regarding participation and travel processes.
Fully Sponsored by IATSS Forum
Round-trip airfare
Accommodation
Meals
Participation fees
Program-related travel and activities
Participants are responsible only for personal expenses.
The IATSS Forum was established in Japan in 1985 to cultivate future leaders across Asia.
The Forum brings together participants from 10 Asian countries under the philosophy:
"Thinking and Learning Together"
Over the years, the Forum has created a strong network of alumni across sectors including development, governance, business, education, research, sustainability, media, technology, and social change.
LEAD India is part of the global LEAD network committed to building leadership for sustainable development.
For over three decades, LEAD India has worked with individuals and institutions across sectors to nurture ethical, reflective, and socially conscious leadership.
As the India Secretariat for the IATSS Forum, LEAD India facilitates outreach, engagement, application support, and participant selection from India.
LEAD India
(IATSS Forum Country Committee – India)
E-133, 2nd Floor,
Greater Kailash-1
New Delhi – 110048, India
Jahnvi Rathod
jahnvi@leadindia.org