The Rotary Clubs of Northwestern Pennsylvania are seeking four professional men or women to visit Japan in March 2006 as part of a group study exchange program of the Rotary Foundation.

Applicants must be between the ages of 25 and 40 at the time of the trip, which will last about one month. They will be accompanied by a Rotarian team leader.

The exchange group will be hosted by a Rotary District in the Kanagawa Prefecture, which is south of Tokyo. They will tour Japanese businesses, industries, governmental offices, schools and recreational areas.

Each team member would be expected to spend five days in activities relative to their own professions.

The Rotary Foundation provides a round-trip air ticket, while Rotarian hosts in Japan provide meals, lodging and group travel. Team members pay only for personal and incidental expenses.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and must live or be employed within the Rotary district, which runs from the Cranberry Township and Mars area, north to Erie, and from the Ohio line east to Dubois or Leechburg.

Exchange members must be in good health, and the ability to speak Japanese would be preferable, but is not required. Relatives of Rotary members are not eligible.

In connection with this exchange, a group of Japanese is being hosted now in Western Pennsylvania.

The purpose of the exchange is to promote international understanding and goodwill through person-to-person contact.

For information, contact Arthur Towne, district chairman, at 724-658-6320 or ArthurTowne@adelphia.net.

Applications will be accepted through Aug. 15.