JASWDC Announces the William & Margaret Breer Scholarship

WASHINGTON, DC — The Japan-America Society of Washington DC (JASWDC) is proud to announce the creation of the William & Margaret Breer Scholarship. This new initiative will award $10,000 to a college student from our community to support one full academic year of study in Japan. Applications for the inaugural 2026–2027 academic year opened on June 1, 2026 and will be accepted through July 31, 2026.

The scholarship honors the lifelong dedication and profound contributions of William “Bill” and Margaret “Peggy” Breer to U.S.-Japan relations. Bill Breer spent over 30 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, serving a total of 20 years in Japan, culminating in his role as Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) in Tokyo. Following his retirement in 1993, he served as Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Chairman of the Board for JASWDC. In 2007 the Japanese Government awarded him the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.

Peggy Breer’s work included training simultaneous interpreters on the techniques of translating written Japanese to English, and opening the Tokyo branch of Inlingua School of Languages, where she also worked as a teacher. Peggy was one of the founding architects of the Society’s National Japan Bowl®, to which she dedicated 30 years to serving as a member of the Japan Bowl Council, and helping to grow the competition from a localized affair into a premier, nationwide event.

“Bill and Peggy Breer’s lives demonstrate the value and long-term impact that can result from giving young people the chance to experience life outside of the United States, in a place like Japan,” said JASWDC president Ryan Shaffer. “We are so grateful for the chance to establish this scholarship in honor of the Breers, and in order to help foster a next generation of Americans who can contribute to global friendship and understanding that way that Bill and Peggy have.”

For full eligibility requirements, application procedures, and to submit an application, please visit jaswdc.org/william-margaret-breer-scholarship/.

 

About the Japan-America Society of Washington DC

The Japan-America Society of Washington DC is a 501(c)(3) educational and cultural non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the relationship between Japan and the U.S. at the grassroots, public diplomacy level. Through our Sakura Matsuri-Japanese Street Festival, National Japan Bowl, Japanese Language School, and community outreach events throughout the year, our programming strengthens US-Japan friendship and understanding in the National Capital Region.

 

Press Contact Information

William Denton, Communications Manager
wdenton@jaswdc.org