The Mansfield Fellowship Program was established to build a corps of U.S. federal government employees with proficiency in the Japanese language and practical, firsthand knowledge about Japan and its government. Through their placements, fellows develop networks of contacts in Japan and an understanding of the political, economic, and strategic dimensions of the U.S.-Japan relationship. The fellowship is for 1 year, beginning with a 7-week course of intensive language study and followed by 10 months of full-time work in Japanese government offices. Fellows are required to serve at least 2 years in the federal government after the fellowship.