Scholarships to Study in Japan – With Yen Academy’s Expert Support

1. MEXT Scholarship (Japanese Government)

Overview:

Offered by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), this is one of the most comprehensive scholarship programs. There are seven categories, including undergraduate, research, teacher training, Japanese studies, technical colleges, specialized training colleges, and Young Leaders Program (YLP)

Benefits include:

• Full coverage of tuition and admission fees
• Monthly stipend to support living costs
• Round-trip airfare (in many cases)

Application Routes:

• Embassy Recommendation: Apply via Japanese embassy or consulate in your country. Typically involves document screening, exam, and interview
• University Recommendation: Apply via a Japanese university that endorses you, often the route for research and graduate-level programs

Eligibility Examples:

• Undergraduate: Generally, 17–25 years old, with 12 years of prior schooling
• Graduate/Research: Bachelor's degree holders (16 years of schooling) under around 35 years old

Must hold non-Japanese nationality (or renounce dual Japanese nationality) and be in good health

2. JASSO Scholarships (Japan Student Services Organization)

Programs include:

• Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students
• Student Exchange Support Programor short-term exchange students. These provide partial monthly stipends (e.g., around ¥48,000 for university students, ¥80,000 for short-term exchange students). Students apply after enrolling in a Japanese institution; these scholarships supplement personal funds rather than fully cover costs

3. University-Specific and External Scholarships

• Kyoto University: Offers MEXT scholarships (via embassy or university recommendation) and various internal awards—but deadlines often fall after matriculation
• University of Tokyo: Hosts some university-specific scholarships, some of which can be applied prior to or after arrival

• Hokkaido University: Offers competitive scholarships for students in English-taught programs—ranging from tuition discounts to full support—for both undergraduate and graduate levels

4. Specialized Scholarships & Programs

• World Bank–Japan Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP): For graduate-level students from World Bank–member countries. Covers programs such as Public Policy and Taxation at universities like GRIPS, Keio, Yokohama National
• Honjo International Scholarship: For master’s or doctoral students entering Japanese graduate schools. Applications accepted directly from abroad upon admission
• Ashinaga Scholarships: Grants full scholarships for orphans to study in Japan at high school or university. Open to selected countries including India
• AFS and Exchange Scholarships: Programs like AFS’s Yoshi Hattori Memorial Scholarship provide high school students from abroad opportunities to study in Japan

5. JET Programme (Not a Scholarship, but Opportunity)

• Although not a scholarship, the JET Programme offers paid placements as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs), Sports Education Advisors, or Coordinators for International Relations in Japanese schools and local governments.
• Requires a bachelor’s degree; offers salary, airfare, and benefits—effectively a paid way to live and work in Japan while gaining experience

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