Most-Coveted Scholarships in Japan: There are several fully-funded scholarships in Japan with courses taught in Japanese language. Nonetheless, a small number of universities offer four-year undergraduate and maybe postgraduate degrees with courses taught entirely in English.
Since most international students are required to study Japanese at a language school before proceeding to their major program, MEXT while accepting applications from international students to study in Japan also offer scholarships to cover those extra study costs.
The main aim of Japan scholarships for foreign students is to foster human resources who will become bridges of friendship between applicant’s country and Japan through study in Japan programmes. In that, they will in turn contribute to the development of both countries and the wider world.
Most-Coveted Scholarships in Japan for International Students | The List
1. Government of Japan (MEXT) Scholarships for Research Students
The Japanese Government’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) offers scholarships to those who are enrolled in a master’s course, doctoral course, or professional graduate course at a graduate school, or who are conducting research in a specialized field at an undergraduate department, graduate school, institute attached to a university
Application Deadline: 5th January. Visit individual country embassies for more information.
Number of Scholarships: Not specified
Value of Scholarship: Fully funded tuition fees
Allowance: 143,000yen (Research Students(non-regular students), 144,000yen (regular students in Master’s courses or professional graduate courses), or 145,000yen(regular students in doctoral courses) per month. (In case the recipient research in a designated region, 2,000 or 3,000 yen per month will be added. The monetary amount each year may be subject to change due to budgetary reasons.)
2. Rotary Yoneyama Foundation Scholarships for International Students
The Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation awards scholarships to overseas students who aspire to study or conduct research in Japanese universities or graduate schools. Its scholarship fund is supported by the contributions of Rotarians throughout Japan. The Foundation is Japan’s largest private scholarship organization, both in terms of program scale and number of scholarship s awarded
Application Deadline: 16th October.
Number of Scholarships: several
Scholarship Value: Undergraduates: 100,000 yen per month
Masters students: 140,000 yen per month
Doctoral students: 140,000 yen per month
Only for the first year of the scholarship, a supplemental of 400,000 yen is provided upon arrival in Japan.
You may also be interested in Foundation for Education Scholarship at Soka University, Japan
3. United Nations – Nippon Foundation of Japan Fellowship Program for Developing Countries
The objective of the fellowship is to provide opportunities for advanced education and research in the field of ocean affairs and the law of the sea, and related disciplines including marine science in support of management frameworks, to Government officials and other mid-level professionals from developing States.
This is to help them obtain the necessary knowledge to assist their countries to formulate comprehensive ocean policy and to implement the legal regime set out in UNCLOS and related instruments.
Application Deadline: 15th September
Number of Awards: 10
Value of Award: Fully-funded. Fellows will receive a stipend in accordance with the cost of living in the country in which he/she will be studying; travel costs and other support.
4. University of Tokyo Global Science Course Scholarship for Transfer Students
Students who are accepted onto the Global Science Course (GSC) Undergraduate Transfer Program will be automatically offered the “School of Science Scholarship for Transfer Students”. This scholarship aims to help students pay for their annual tuition fees and support their living expenses.
Number of Awardees: A few
Value of Scholarship: 150,000 Japanese yen per month
5. Japan Africa Dream Scholarship Programme for African Students
The Japan Africa Scholarship (JADS) Program – capacity building in the energy sector through skills development for sustainable development– is a joint initiative by the AfDB and Japan.
This scholarship aims at providing two-year scholarship awards to highly achieving African graduate students to enable them to undergo post-graduate studies (i.e. a two-year Master’s degree program) in priority development areas on the continent and abroad (including in Japan). This JADS program is funded by the Government of Japan.
Application Deadline: Varies according to universities (Earliest date 30th April)
Number of Awards: Several
Value of Award: The scholarship program provides tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance.
6. Africa London Nagasaki (ALN) Scholarship for African Scientists
The scholarship funds a candidate to undertake an MSc in a subject relevant to the control of infectious disease in Africa at either the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki, Japan, or at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK.
Both residential and distance learning Masters courses are available at LSHTM. Candidates offered a course at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki will be required to reside in Japan for the duration of the course.
Application Ends: 30th September
Number of Awards: Four (4)
Value of Scholarship: Up to a maximum award of US$50,000 each to cover tuition fees, travel, and living expenses
Recommended: World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program
7. Rotary Peace Fellowship for Masters and Professional Programs
In just over a decade, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 900 fellows for careers in peace-building. The Rotary Peace Fellowship is designed for professionals with work experience in international relations or peace and conflict prevention and resolution. Fellows are committed to the community and international service and the pursuit of peace. Two types of peace fellowships are available:
Application Deadline: 31st May
Number of Scholarships: up to 100
Value of Scholarship: The Rotary Peace Fellowship covers:
-Tuition and fees
-Room and board
-Round-trip transportation
-Internship/field study expenses.
8. Joint Japan World Bank Group Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) for Students in Developing Countries
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is open to women and men from developing countries with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts who are applying to a master’s degree program in a development-related topic.
JJWBGSP offers scholarships for over 200 Preferred Programs spanning a wide array of development topics and for 14 Partner Programs at universities in the U.S., Africa, and Japan in key areas of development, including economic policy management, tax policy, and infrastructure management.
Application Deadline: 12th April
Number of Awards: Several
Value of Scholarship: The JJ/WBGSP scholarship provides annual awards to cover the cost of completing a master’s degree or its equivalent; air travel + $500 travel allowance for each trip; tuition and the cost of basic medical and accident insurance usually obtained through the university; a monthly subsistence allowance to cover living expenses, including books.
9. Keio University Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) for Masters Students in Developing Countries
Since 1996, the Graduate School of Business and Commerce of Keio University has been training promising tax personnel in the field of tax policy and administration with its Master’s Degree Program in Taxation Policy and Management.
This program brings together the cooperation of Keio University, the National Tax Agency of Japan (NTA), and the World Bank in an alliance between public and private institutions. Keio University, a leading private university in Japan, established the program as one of the partnership programs of the Joint Japan /World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP).
Application Deadline: 31st October
Number of Awards: 5
Value of Award: The JJ/WBGSP scholarship provides the recipient with the following benefits:
Economy class air travel between your home country and the host university at the start of your study program and immediately following the end of the scholarship period. In addition to the two-way air travel, scholars will receive a US $500 travel allowance for each trip;
Tuition for your graduate program and the cost of basic medical insurance usually obtained through the university.
A monthly allowance of JPY 152,000 to cover living expenses, including books.
10. MIF Research Fellowship for Natural Science, Engineering and Medicine
The Matsumae International Foundation (MIF) has started the Research Fellowship Program building upon the founder’s concept of , “Towards A Greater Understanding of Japan and a Lasting World Peace”.
Application Deadline: 31st August
Number of Awardees: Twenty (20)
Value of Scholarship: Stipend for research and stay, Insurance, Air transportation (a round-trip air ticket to/from Tokyo), Lump-sum on arrival
11. University of Tokyo Scholarships for International Students
The University of Tokyo provides international students with scholarships that cover school expense exemptions, scholarships, emergency loans, and student discounts. The purpose of this scholarship is twofold: to financially support Self-Supported International Students whose academic performance is outstanding and to increase the number of students from abroad.
Application Deadline: 1st April – 1st May
Number of Awardees: few
Value of Scholarship: 150,000 yen monthly stipend.
12. Japan-WCO International Scholarships for Young Customs Officials
The Japan-WCO Human Resource Development Programme (Scholarship Programme) provides Customs officials from developing countries with an opportunity to pursue Master’s studies and training in Customs related fields in Strategic Management and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) at the Aoyama Gakuin University (AGU) in Tokyo, Japan.
The Master’s degree program comprises two segments: an academic segment and a practical segment. The academic segment starts with focused teaching of foundational skills in strategic management and IPR. The practical segment is taught in co-operation with the Japan Customs, including the Japan Customs Training Institute.
Application Deadline: August
Value of Awards: Full tuition payment
A monthly stipend of 147,000 yen as well as accommodations, transportation, medical treatment, insurance, and various miscellaneous expenses related to your study at AGU.
13. ABE Initiative Masters Scholarship + Internship Program for African Students
The objective of the ABE Initiative master’s degree and internship program is to support young personnel who have the potential to contribute to the development of industries in Africa. This program offers postgraduate opportunities for young African men and women to study at master’s courses in Japanese universities as international students (hereafter referred to as participants) and experience internships at Japanese enterprises.
Application Deadline: August to October
Value of Scholarship and Internship:
Tuition at Japanese university master’s degree programs (and research student), round-trip airfare
Allowances for living expenses, outfits, shipping, etc.
14. Japan Foundation United Nations University (JFUNU) Scholarships for Ph.D. Students from Developing Countries
The Japan Foundation for United Nations University (JFUNU) Scholarship addresses pressing global issues of sustainability, climate change, development, peace-building, and human rights through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that integrates the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
The program is intended for recent graduates, professionals, and practitioners, offering the unique opportunity to study at a global university within the framework of the United Nations.
Application Deadline: 27th April
Value of Scholarship: The JFUNU scholarship covers the full tuition fees, and provides a monthly allowance of 120,000 JPY for living expenses for a maximum of 36 months. Travel costs to and from Japan, visa handling fees, and health/accident insurance costs must be covered by the student.
15. United Nations/Japan Long-term Fellowship Programme for Developing Countries
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Government of Japan in cooperation with the Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) have established a United Nations/Japan Long-term Fellowship Programme on Nano-Satellite Technologies for nationals of developing countries or non-space-faring nations.
The Programme will provide extensive research opportunities in nano-satellite systems through the use of the nano-satellite development and testing facilities available at Kyutech.
Application Deadline: 28th January
Number of Awardees: Up to two students in the Master’s course and up to four students in the Doctorate course.
Value of Scholarship: The selected candidates will each receive a grant under Japanese government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) scholarship (Research Students) of about 145,000 yen per month for the duration of their fellowship study to cover housing, food, local transportation, and other expenses.
16. The University of Tsukuba Program in Economic Policy (PEP) Scholarships for Developing Countries
Applications are open to apply for Program in Economic and Public Policy (PEPP) studies at the University of Tsukuba through the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) of the World Bank.
The objective of the Program in Economic Policy (PEP) is to provide, within the time frame, training, and the necessary skills for the conception, design, and implementation of development policies. Focus is on International Development with a trans-disciplinary approach to the economic and social problems of developing countries and former socialist countries.
Application Deadline: 28th February
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of Scholarship: Full tuition, monthly stipend, national health insurance
Round trip air travel (economy class) between the home country and Japan, plus a travel allowance of US$ 500 for each one-way trip
Other program expenses such as Japanese lessons, educational trips, internships, etc.
17. Kochi University of Technology (KUT) Special Scholarship Program SSP for Doctoral International Students
The Special Scholarship Program (SSP) was established in 2003 in order to support the advanced research of the university by enlisting the help of highly capable students especially students from foreign countries. Every year in April and October, the university enrolls selected doctoral students for specific research projects.
The students pursue the doctoral course in English (excl. Japanese students) while at the same time assisting their host professor as a research assistant (RA). Through this program, KUT wishes to expand and deepen international ties with academic and educational institutions all over the world.
Application deadlines: March and September
Number of Scholarships: Fifteen (15)
Value of Scholarship:
Exemption from 30,000 yen entrance examination fee, 300,000 yen enrollment fee and 535,800 yen/year tuition fee
To support living expenses, 150,000 yen/month is paid for research project work.
150,000 yen is provided for travel and initial living costs. (given only to international applicants who are living outside Japan, and who have, or have the intention to acquire, “Student” status of Japanese residence at the time of entry into Japan)
18. KUT Japan Doctoral Scholarship Program for International Engineering Students
The Special Scholarship Program (SSP) was established in 2003 in order to support the advanced research of Kochi University of Technology by enlisting the help of highly capable students especially students from foreign countries.
Every year in April and October, the university enrolls selected doctoral students for specific research projects. The students pursue the doctoral course in English (excluding Japanese students) while at the same time assisting their host professor as a research assistant (RA).
Application Deadlines: March and September
Number of Awards: Not more than 3
Value of Scholarship:
Exemption from 30,000 yen entrance examination fee, 300,000 yen enrollment fee and 535,800 yen/year tuition fee
To support living expenses, 150,000 yen/month is paid for research project work.
150,000 yen is provided for travel and initial living costs. (given only to international applicants who are living outside Japan, and who have, or have the intention to acquire, “Student” status of Japanese residence at the time of entry into Japan)
19. AUW International Fellowship Program for Women Leaders
The Japanese Association of University Women (JAUW) International Fellowship Programme offers Fellowships to Women from any part of the world to carry out research or advance study in Japan. This program is to offer core funding to financially help you come and stay in Japan when you have found that it is preferable or very important for you to stay in Japan to further pursue your ongoing study/research.
Application Deadline: 31st March
Number of Awards: Up to two fellowships will be awarded under this Program.
Value of Scholarship: The program will allow a maximum of 2 recipients, each winning between Yen500,000 and up to Yen1,000,000 to support transportation to and from Japan and cost for her stay in Japan.
20. Japan Student Services Organization (JSSO) Follow-up Research Fellowship
The Japan Student Services Organization provides the Follow-up Research Fellowship for former international students in Japan to researchers who have previously come to study in Japan from a developing country, region, etc.
The aim of the fellowships is to give an opportunity to researchers to conduct short-term research with academic advisors at universities (except junior colleges) in Japan. Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) is an independent administrative institution established under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology.
Application Deadline: 30th November
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Award: Round-trip Airfare, Daily allowance (¥11,000/day) for the recipient and Remuneration for cooperation (up to ¥50,000) for the research advisor