2/1/2024 Scholarships｜Planning studies in Japan｜Study in Japan Official Website

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Planning studies in Japan

HOME / Planning studies in Japan / Scholarships

Scholarships

In Japan, only a few scholarships cover all the costs of study; and most aim to cover just a portion of the student's living expenses and tuition fees.
Therefore, calculate the total expenses of studying in Japan to create a financial plan that does not rely solely on scholarships but rather your own funds
as well.

Click here to download "Scholarship for International Students in Japan" which summarizes the content of this webpage.

Types of Available Financial Assistance

Type Eligibility / Ability to Apply

Before coming to Japan / before entering a After coming to Japan / after entering a university, etc.
university, etc.

1. The Reservation Program for △ 〇

Monbukagakusho Honors
Although it is not possible to apply, students with Apply through the school. However, since the number of
Scholarship for Privately Financed
outstanding results on the EJU will be selected as students who can be recommended varies from school to
International Students
"reservists" only for some academic courses. school, some schools may not be able to apply.

2. Student Exchange Support △ 〇

Program (Scholarship for Study in
Be enrolled in a host university with a concluded Apply through the school.
Japan under Agreement)
student exchange agreement.

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3. Japanese Government 〇 △
(Monbukagakusho MEXT)
Individuals already in Japan as international students may
Scholarship
also apply under certain conditions

4. Scholarships from Local △ 〇

Governments, International
Only a few allow applicants to apply before coming The majority of scholarships must be applied for after
Exchange Organizations, etc.
to Japan. coming to Japan or after entering a university, etc.

5. School Scholarships and Tuition 〇 〇

Fee Reductions Systems
Some schools offer scholarships that students can Some schools offer scholarships that are available to
apply for prior to enrollment. students in Japan or can be applied for after enrollment.

Scholarship Details and How to Apply

1. Reservation Program for Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students

This program offers scholarships to privately financed international students enrolled in universities, graduate schools, junior colleges, colleges of
technology, professional training colleges and educational institutions with preparatory courses for entering Japanese universities, as well as Japanese
language institutions in Japan (hereinafter collectively referred to as "universities, etc."). To apply, such students must be outstanding in both academic
achievement and character, while encountering financial difficulties in pursuing their studies.

* Only those whose status of residence is Student are eligible for the International Student Scholarship (Monbukagakusho Scholarship for International
Students). Those who have a status of residence other than Student such as Dependent or Long-term Resident are not eligible.

Eligibility Monthly Amount Payment Period

・ Graduate schools (doctorate, master's) 48,000 yen In general, one year from April to March of the
・ Research students (graduate level) following year, or six months from October to
・ Undergraduate universities March of the following year
・ Junior colleges
・ Colleges of technology (third year and above)
・ Specialized training college (post secondary course)
・ Preparatory Japanese language course by private university and
junior college student
・ Advanced course by university, junior college, and technical college
・ University preparatory courses

・ Japanese language institutions 30,000 yen

Application Requirements and How to Apply

[Applying before coming to Japan or admission to universities, etc.]

Privately financed international students achieving excellent results in the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU)
and planning to enroll as regular students in Japanese university undergraduate schools, junior colleges, colleges of technology (third year or above) or
professional training college programs will be selected as reservation holders of the Reservation Program for the Monbukagakusho Scholarship for
Privately Financed International Students.

Individuals selected as reservation holders this program and later admitted as regular students in undergraduate universities, junior colleges, colleges of
technology (third year or above) or professional training schools within the designated period, as well as those recommended by the university or school to
JASSO as being so accepted and receiving a decision from JASSO, may receive scholarships.

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* Please click here for information on the reservation selection system.

How to Apply:

Taking the EJU in Japan: When applying for the EJU online (application), select "Apply " in the "Reservation Program for the Monbukagakusho
Scholarship for Privately Financed International Student " column.

Taking the EJU outside of Japan: Enter a "〇" in the designated box on the EJU application form.

＊Please click here for information on how to apply for the EJU.

[Applying after coming to Japan / after entering a university, etc.]

Eligibility:

・ The applicant must be enrolled as a regular student in a Japanese graduate school or have an undergraduate degree or higher and be enrolled as a
research student in order to conduct research activities at the graduate level.

・ The applicant must be enrolled as a regular student at a university, junior college, technical college, or special training college in Japan.

・ The applicant must be enrolled as a regular student in a major course or a special course for international students established by a Japanese
university, junior college, or technical college.

・ The applicant must be enrolled as a regular student at an educational institution that offers preparatory courses for admission to a Japanese university.

・ The applicant must be enrolled in a Japanese language educational institution with the aim of entering a Japanese university, graduate school, junior
college, technical college, or special training college.

Application requirements:

・ Applicants must earn grade point averages at least of 2.30 for the previous year, and are expected to maintain this level of performance during the
period of the scholarship.

・ The applicant must meet the following language standards in Japanese or English. (* Excluding special courses for international students, preparatory
courses, and Japanese language institutions.)

Japanese language proficiency: Pass the JLPT N2 level or higher, score 200 or higher on the EJU Japanese as a Foreign Language (Reading
Comprehension, Listening Comprehension, and Listening-Reading Comprehension), or score at least at the level of language proficiency otherwise
recognized by JASSO

English proficiency: B2 level or above in the CEFR

・ The applicant must be willing to cooperate with the survey on their academic career conducted by ETIC through their university or other institutions
after receiving the scholarship.

・ The average monthly amount of remittances (excluding entrance and tuition fees, etc.) must be less than 90,000 yen.

・ If the applicant has dependents living in Japan, their annual income must be less than 5 million yen.

・ The applicant must not be a recipient of a scholarship or other benefits that are restricted from being paid in conjunction with the scholarship.

・ Applicants must not be receiving assistance or other support under the JASSO Support Scholarships for Study in Japan.

・ The applicant must be aiming to enter a university or other higher education in the year following the year in which they receive the scholarship.
(Japanese language institutions only)

How to apply:

Confirm with the person in charge at your university, etc.

* Because the number of students who can be recommended varies from school to school, some schools may not be able to apply

2. Student Abroad Support Program (Scholarship for Study in Japan under Agreement)

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JASSO offers scholarship for qualified international students who are accepted by a Japanese university, graduate school, junior college, college of
technology or professional training college（hereinafter referred to as "Japanese school"）under a student exchange agreement or other student
exchange arrangement on a short-term basis from 8 days to one year between Japanese school and their home higher educational institution outside
Japan（hereinafter referred to as "home school"）.

Please contact the university you are currently enrolled at for information on applying for this program, etc.

Eligible Recipients Eligible Countries Monthly Amount Payment

and Regions Period

・ Individuals who are permitted by the host university based on the agreement on Countries with 80,000 yen From 8 days to
student exchange, etc. diplomatic relations 1 year.
・ Individuals who are unable to participate in the inbound program solely at their own with Japan
expense for financial reasons
(However, Taiwan
・ Individuals who can surely obtain the Student status of residence when participating
and Palestine are
in the host program (For those participating in an acceptance program of 90 days or
eligible)
less, any type of residency status is acceptable.)
・ After the completion of the program, individuals must return to their home institution
to continue their studies and obtain a degree from the home institution or graduate
from the home institution

・Individuals with academic performance character

・For individuals receiving scholarships other than this program for participation in the
Scholarship for Study in Japan under Agreement, the total monthly amount of the
scholarship must not exceed 80,000 yen

3. Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho MEXT) Scholarship

There are two ways to apply for a Japanese Government Scholarship: by applying to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
(MEXT) with a recommendation from a Japanese embassy or other Japanese diplomatic mission in your country, or by applying to the MEXT with a
recommendation from a Japanese university.

The method of receiving a recommendation from an embassy or consulate abroad is called an "embassy recommendation," while the method of receiving
a recommendation from a university and applying for a position is called a "university recommendation."

The contents differ slightly depending on whether you apply through the "embassy recommendation" or the "university recommendation," so the
information is divided into two categories depending on the application method.

Please note that in order to receive a Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho MEXT) scholarship, you must obtain the Student status of residence.

3-1. Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho MEXT) Scholarship <Embassy Recommendation>

Some application requirements are more detailed than those listed here, so please check with the Japanese embassy or other Japanese diplomatic
mission in your country.

The type and field of application may vary from country to country. Please check with the Japanese embassy or other Japanese diplomatic mission in your
country to see if there are any openings in the type and field you wish to apply for.

In addition, all required documents and interviews will be conducted by the Japanese embassy or other diplomatic mission abroad in your country.

> List of Overseas Diplomatic Establishments (external link)

Type Fields and Conditions Age Preparatory Monthly Payment Period

(when arriving Training Amount
in Japan) (Japanese * Base
Amount

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language
education, etc.)

Young Leaders [Areas] Generally None 242,000 yen 1 year

Program (1) Public Administration Course under 40
(2) Business Course
(3) Law Course
(4) Local Administration Course
(5) Medical Administration Course

[Conditions]
・ University graduate
・ Young administrative official from Asian
county/region with practical experience

Research students Field of study at university or related field 35 and under 6 months 143,000 to Degree students:
(Doctoral, (Only for those 145,000 yen Standard completion
master's, who need it) period + 6 months of
professional preparatory education
degree, non- or less
degree student) Non-degree students:
up to 2 years

Teacher training ・ Graduates from a university or teacher training 35 and under 6 months 143,000 yen Within 1.5 years
students school (Only for those
・ Teachers employed by primary and secondary who need it)
education institutions in their home country or
teachers (with at least 5 years of tenure)
employed by teacher training colleges (excluding
universities)
・ Applicants are required to return to their home
country and reinstate their position.

Undergraduate (1) Humanities A: Law, Political Science, 25 and under 1 year 117,000 yen 4 years, in addition to
students Education, Sociology, Literature, History, (Only for those 1 year of preparatory
Japanese Language, etc. who need it) training
Humanities B: Economics, Business
(excluding medical,
Administration, etc.
dental,
(2) Science A: Science, Electronics & Electrical
pharmaceutical, and
Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil
veterinary programs)
Engineering & Architecture, Chemistry, etc.
Science B: Agriculture, Health Sciences, Science
Science C: Medicine, Dentistry

Technical college Machinery, Electrical/Electronics, 1 year 3 years (3.5 years for

students Information/Communication/Network, merchant marine
Materials/Materials, Architecture, Civil only), in addition to 1
Engineering, Merchant Marine, etc. year of preparatory
training

Specialized Industry, Sanitation, Education and Social 3 years

training college Welfare, Commercial Practice, Clothing and
students Home Economics, Culture and Liberal Arts

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Japanese studies ・ Applicants must be enrolled in a university 18 to 30 None Within 1 year
students undergraduate program and have majored in a
field related to Japanese language and culture
for at least one year
・ Upon returning to their home country, students
must return to school.

* Tickets will be provided for travel to and from Japan. There is no need to pay an entrance fee, examination fee, or tuition.

* For the above-mentioned upper age limit at arrival in Japan (excluding YLP), only those whose birthday is on or after April 2 are eligible.

* Undergraduate and technical college students may select up to a third field of their choice.

* Specialized training college students may select only one major field of study of their choice. Your major field of study will be decided by MEXT in
consultation with the accepting university, etc., taking into consideration your preferences and the evaluation of your test and interview.

Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho MEXT) Scholarship <Embassy Recommendation Applications and Majors>

3-2. Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho MEXT) Scholarship < University Recommendation>

For university recommendations, not all universities in Japan are able to recommend international students.

Only a select number of universities approved by the MEXT can make recommendations to the MEXT, and only those universities that are judged to be
outstanding and deserving of the scholarship can make recommendations to the MEXT.

Therefore, if you are interested in applying for a scholarship with a recommendation from a university, you need to check first whether the school you are
interested in has a recommendation quota.

Application requirements and academic standards vary depending on the accepting university.

In addition, the scholarship period and eligibility may vary depending on the type of recommendation framework a university has, so please check with the
university you wish to enroll in for details.

Type Language and Application Requirements Age Restriction Monthly Amount Payment Period
* Base Amount

Research students English: CEFR B2 equivalent or higher 35 and under 143,000 to 6 months to within the
(Doctoral, master's, 145,000 yen standard completion
Japanese: JLPT N2 or equivalent*1
professional degree, period
non-degree
students)

Undergraduate 25 and under 117,000 yen

students

Japanese studies ・ JLPT N2 or higher 18 to 30 117,000 yen Within 1 year

students ・ Students who are enrolled in an undergraduate
course at a university in a foreign country at the time of
their arrival in Japan or return to their home country
・ Those who have studied Japanese language and
culture at the university for more than one year in total
・ Upon returning to their home country, students must
return to school
・ Those who have been recommended by their current
universities based on inter-university exchange
agreements, etc.

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*1: Japanese or English proficiency is required depending on the language of instruction at the university or other institution you wish to enter.

* Tickets will generally be provided for travel to and from Japan. However, airfare may not be provided depending on the type of recommendation quota
held by the host university.

* There is no need to pay an entrance fee, examination fee, or tuition.

* For the above-mentioned upper age limit at arrival in Japan, only those whose birthday is on or after April 2 are eligible.

For the selection process for university recommendations, each university will conduct its own screening of documents, examinations, interviews, etc.
Please inquire directly with the university to which you wish to apply for information on the selection process.

3-3. Cautions for Students Currently in Japan Receiving Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships through Recommendations

<Embassy Recommendations＞

Caution 1: Students must complete studies at their current school of enrollment and return to their native countries before the Japanese government
scholarship period begins.

Caution 2: Students must obtain new residence status for "Student."

<University Recommendations＞

While as a general rule individuals residing in Japan are not eligible to apply for university recommendations, there are certain exceptions to the
recommendation quota. Those wishing to apply for Japanese government (Monbukagakusho MEXT) scholarships with a university recommendation are
requested to confirm the details with the university to which they hope to enroll.

4. Scholarships from Local Governments, International Exchange Organizations, etc.

Application requirements and selection procedures differ depending on the organization providing the scholarship, so please check the "Scholarship for
International Students in Japan 2023-2024" for details.

Eligibility Number of scholarships available to apply Number of scholarships available to apply to

to before coming to Japan after coming to Japan

Doctoral Program 12 107

Master's Program 18 113

Professional Degree Program 1 13

Graduate-level Research Students 6 17

Undergraduate Universities 11 89

Auditing Undergraduate Students 0 3

Junior Colleges 2 32

Colleges of Technology 0 19

Specialized training colleges 2 16

Private University and Junior College Programs for 1 4

International Students

Japanese Language Institutions Other than Programs 2 8

for International Students

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Reference: JASSO "Scholarship for International Students in Japan 2023-2024"

5. School Scholarships and Tuition Fee Reductions Systems

There are many schools that offer scholarships and tuition reductions for international students.
Please check the list below or the school search system for scholarship data provided by universities.
> University scholarship data
> Scholarship and Tuition Fee Reduction System Search System
* For the most up-to-date scholarship data, we recommend that you check the website of the school you wish to enroll in or contact the school directly.

You can also search for scholarship information on the following website.
> Search for scholarship information (Japan Study Support )

Copyright © JASSO. All rights reserved.

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