Uniqlo unveils scholarships for graduate studies in U.S.

Major clothing retailer Uniqlo Co. announced a $1.6 million scholarship program to help young Japanese aiming to become business leaders and fashion designers to enroll as graduate students at three prestigious U.S. institutions.

The program, called Tomodachi-Uniqlo Fellowship, offered in partnership with the U.S. government, will enable up to 10 Japanese to study at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, the Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons The New School for Design for two years from next fall, Uniqlo said Tuesday.

Uniqlo President and Chairman Tadashi Yanai said at a press conference, "Young people need to be more outgoing," inviting aspiring youth to sign up for the program.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos said he expects students who will study on the scholarship to enhance their skills and become leaders in the global economy.