The JASRAC International Fellowship is a research and study funding program supported by the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers (JASRAC), providing grants for international scholars and researchers studying copyright law, music culture, and performing rights administration in Japan. JASRAC is Japan's largest performing rights organization (PRO), managing mechanical and performance rights for over 2.99 million works and distributing royalties to 79,765 writers and 3,025 music publishers domestically, plus 392,345 writers and 48,888 publishers internationally through 120 foreign sister organizations.
How JASRAC International Programs Work
JASRAC is not a traditional scholarship provider. It is a PRO that funds research, cultural exchange, and international cooperation through its partnerships with global organizations. The primary channels through which JASRAC supports international scholars and researchers include:
- CISAC Partnership: JASRAC has been a member of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) since 1960 and has held a seat on the CISAC Board of Directors since 1980. CISAC celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026 and represents more than 5 million creators worldwide. JASRAC serves as Vice-Chair of the CISAC Board and leads the CISAC Asia-Pacific Committee, creating opportunities for researchers to study cross-border copyright administration.
- International Royalty Distribution Network: JASRAC distributes royalties through 120 foreign sister organizations, including ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, PRS for Music, GEMA, and SACEM. Researchers studying international royalty flows, copyright law harmonization, or digital rights management can access JASRAC's distribution data and administrative frameworks.
- JASRAC Awards Program: While not a scholarship per se, JASRAC's annual awards program (established in 1982) recognizes works that receive the largest royalty distributions. The 41st JASRAC Awards in 2023 honored works including "DRIED FLOWERS" (Gold Award) and "Butter" by BTS (Foreign Work Award). This program provides insight into revenue patterns in the Japanese music market.
- Cultural Exchange Initiatives: JASRAC hosts and participates in international conferences, including the CISAC General Assembly held in Tokyo in 1984 and 2019. These events create networking opportunities for researchers and music industry professionals studying Japanese copyright systems.
Eligibility
- Graduate-level researchers or professionals studying copyright law, music business, or performing rights administration
- Affiliation with a university, research institution, or PRO
- Research proposal related to Japanese music culture, copyright systems, or international royalty distribution
- Contact with JASRAC or a sister organization is typically required to establish a research framework
Real-World Example
A doctoral student at a US university researching cross-border royalty distribution between Japan and the United States could approach JASRAC through ASCAP (a sister organization) to request access to distribution data and administrative case studies. The research could examine how JASRAC's collection of performance royalties for Japanese works performed in the US flows back to Japanese creators, and how ASCAP-collected royalties for US works performed in Japan reach American songwriters.
In fiscal 2022, JASRAC distributed royalties to 392,345 writers and 48,888 music publishers through its 120 foreign sister organizations. A researcher studying this network could quantify how much revenue flows between specific countries, identify bottlenecks in the distribution process, and propose improvements to cross-border copyright administration.
JASRAC's new Chairman, ISHIHARA Shinichi (elected April 2026), oversees the organization's current strategic direction, which includes digital rights management and fair remuneration for creators in the streaming era.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
Understanding how JASRAC operates helps independent artists who release music in Japan or collaborate with Japanese creators. Japan is the world's second-largest music market by revenue. If your music is performed, streamed, or sold in Japan, JASRAC collects royalties on your behalf and distributes them through your home PRO (ASCAP, BMI, PRS, GEMA, etc.).
For researchers and music business professionals, JASRAC's partnership network offers a unique case study in international copyright cooperation. The organization's 120 sister organizations span every major music market, making it a central node in global royalty distribution. Studying JASRAC's administrative practices can inform policy recommendations for improving royalty collection efficiency in other regions.
If you are a researcher interested in JASRAC's programs, contact the organization directly through their website or through your home PRO's international affairs department. Prepare a detailed research proposal outlining your objectives, methodology, and how your work will benefit the international music community.
Eligibility Criteria (plain terms)
The JASRAC Global Fellowships program (JASRAC International Fellowship) has specific eligibility requirements for its overseas research support program:
- You must be conducting research in copyright law or in a field related to copyright (including content industries, generative AI, or cultural policy)
- You must be affiliated with or employed by a Japanese university, graduate school, research institution, administrative agency, or law firm (contract type does not matter; part-time lecturers and contractors are eligible)
- You must be 50 years of age or younger at the time of application
- You must hold Japanese citizenship or permanent residency in Japan
- Your research must not be for the purpose of obtaining a degree or other qualification
- You must have the language ability and research skills to conduct your research at an overseas institution
- You must have permission (or be certain of receiving permission) from the overseas host research institution to conduct your research there
- You must not receive other economic support for the same research from national, local, or private organizations during the fellowship period (excluding salary from your home institution or host institution)
Deadlines
- 5th JASRAC Global Fellowships (2025 to 2026 cycle): Application period was October 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026. Selection results announced in early April 2026.
- 6th JASRAC Global Fellowships (2026 to 2027 cycle): Application period opened August 17, 2026. Check the JASRAC website for the specific closing date.
- Research activity must begin within 18 months of selection (between April 2026 and October 2027 for the 5th cycle).
Past Recipients
5th JASRAC Global Fellowships recipients (announced April 2026):
- Koijima Takahiro (Associate Professor, Komazawa University Faculty of Law): Researching the compatibility of text and data mining and generative AI learning with limitations on rights and the three-step test. Host institution: Queen Mary University of London (United Kingdom). Research period: April 2026 to April 2027.
- Sase Yuji (Professor, Gakushuin University Faculty of Law): Researching the construction of a multi-track dispute resolution system tailored to the characteristics of copyright disputes. Host institution: University of Canterbury (New Zealand). Research period: September 2026 to September 2027.
JASRAC publishes recipient names, research topics, host institutions, and research periods on its website upon selection. Earlier cycle recipients are also listed on the JASRAC culture page.
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Related Opportunities
- Performing Rights Organizations Directory to learn about PROs worldwide including JASRAC, ASCAP, BMI, and PRS
- Music Scholarships Directory for the full list of funding opportunities
- Korean Government Scholarship (GKS) for studying music at Korean universities
- Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your international streaming earnings
- Visit the JASRAC website for official information on their international programs and partnerships
