sentences:  The Foundation's flagship program is the Mike Mansfield Fellowship, a first-of-its-kind exchange program that allows a select group of U.S. government officials the opportunity to build Japan expertise and networks that lead to collaboration and cooperation in U.S.-Japan relations.The fellowship was established by the U.S. Congress in 1994 to build a corps of U.S. civil servants with in-depth Japan expertise.During the year-long fellowship, participants gain proficiency in Japanese and learn how issues and policies are handled in Japan through postings in their counterpart agencies and ministries.