[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 77 (Friday, April 19, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 28839]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08410]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 12379]


Exchange Visitor Program

ACTION: Notice of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) between the 
Government of the United States and the Government of Japan and waiver 
of a regulatory requirement.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Visitor 
Program regulations, the Assistant Secretary for Educational and 
Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State, has waived a 
regulatory provision to establish an international exchange program to 
promote closer cooperation between the people of Japan and the people 
of the United States. The program authorizes an exception under the 
Specialist category regulations to permit Japanese language and culture 
specialists to stay up to 36 months in the United States on a J-1 visa.

DATES: This action was effective on April 5, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rebecca Pasini, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for Private Sector Exchange at 2200 C Street NW, SA-5, 5th 
Floor, Washington, DC 20522 via telephone: (202) 826-4364, or via 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States and Japan have established 
a new program in accordance with existing Exchange Visitor Program 
regulations (22 CFR part 62), including regulations applying to the 
Specialist category (22 CFR 62.26). Through the program, the United 
States supports the purposes of the Fulbright-Hayes Act by facilitating 
the exchange of Japanese language and culture specialists to observe 
U.S. institutions and methods of practice in their educational fields 
and to share their specialized knowledge of Japanese education with 
their U.S. colleagues. The Japan Specialist Program will expand 
educational and cultural exchange opportunities between the people of 
the United States and Japan, promote the interchange of knowledge and 
skills among foreign and U.S. specialists, and foster long-term mutual 
understanding and international cooperation with U.S. communities 
across the United States. The MOC will authorize an exception under the 
Specialist category of the Exchange Visitor Program regulations to 
permit qualifying Japanese specialists to conduct their programs for up 
to 36 months in the United States on a J-1 visa.
    During their program, exchange visitors from Japan will share their 
specialized knowledge of Japanese language and education in the United 
States at community based, non-profit organizations, U.S. Government 
offices, secondary schools, or post-secondary academic institutions 
offering Japanese, and similar types of institutions to increase U.S. 
local communities' understanding of Japan, its culture, and language. 
Selected experts in Japanese culture and language will gain a better 
understanding of U.S. culture and society and promote mutual enrichment 
by enhancing U.S. knowledge of Japanese culture, language, and 
educational systems.
    Consistent with this program, the Assistant Secretary for 
Educational and Cultural Affairs waives certain provisions set forth in 
22 CFR 62.26. Regulations at 22 CFR 62.26(i) provide that specialists 
shall be authorized to participate in the Exchange Visitor Program for 
the length of time necessary to complete the program, which shall not 
exceed one year. Accordingly, the Department waives subsection (i) of 
22 CFR 62.26 with respect to this program to allow participants to 
conduct their programs for up to 36 months.

Lee A. Satterfield,
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 
Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2024-08410 Filed 4-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P