Scholarships & Grants
Scholarships are not designed to supply all of the costs required for international studies, with most meant to provide partial support for living costs, tuition, and other major expenses.
It is vital to compile a detailed estimate of your study costs and establish a reliable financial plan that includes personal or sponsor funding.
Types of Financial Aid
Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
Inviting international students to study in Japan at state expense since 1954. Includes 7 programs: Research Students, Teacher Training, Undergraduate, Japanese Studies, College of Technology, Specialized Training College, and Young Leaders Program (YLP).
How to Apply: Apply via Japanese embassy recommendations abroad or directly through Japanese hosting universities.
JASSO Scholarships
Japan Student Services Organization provides two types: Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students (MEXT Honors Scholarship) and Student Exchange Support Program under exchange agreements.
How to Apply: Submitted and processed through your hosting educational institution in Japan.
Local Government / Private Foundations
Offered by local prefectures, international associations, and private corporations. Reflects company objectives, exchanges, or given study disciplines in specific districts.
How to Apply: Most require applications after arrival, but some accept international submissions.
On-Campus Scholarships & Tuition Fee Exemption / Reduction Systems
Waivers, tuition exemptions (30% to 100%), and institutional grants offered internally by universities to support self-financed students facing financial need.
How to Apply: Inquire at your school's student affairs division during application or enrollment.
Application & Timeline Matrix
Most scholarships are applied for after arriving in Japan. However, certain local governments, associations, and foundations accept pre-arrival applications.
| Type | Before Coming / Entering University | After Coming / Entering University |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students | △ Although it is not possible to apply directly, students with outstanding results on the EJU will be selected as "reservists" only for some academic courses. | 〇 Apply through the school. However, since the number of students who can be recommended varies from school to school, students at some schools may not be able to apply. |
| 2. Student Exchange Support Program (Scholarship for Study in Japan under Agreement) | △ Be enrolled in a higher educational institution in a foreign country or similar institution that has established a student exchange agreement with a Japanese host university. | 〇 Apply through the school. |
| 3. Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho MEXT) Scholarship | 〇 Apply through Embassy recommendations or University recommendations. | △ Individuals already in Japan as international students may also apply under certain conditions. |
| 4. Scholarships from Local Governments, International Exchange Organizations, etc. | △ Only a few scholarships allow applicants to apply before coming to Japan. | 〇 The majority of scholarships allow applicants to apply after coming to Japan or entering a university etc. |
| 5. School Scholarships and Tuition Fee Reductions Systems | 〇 Some schools offer scholarships that students can apply for prior to enrollment. | 〇 Some schools offer scholarships that are available to students in Japan or can be applied for after enrollment. |
Application and Screening Steps
Check eligibility: school level, age, nationality, major, host institution, etc.
Look up details about the scholarship and find out how to apply.
Fill out application documents. Submit CV, transcripts, health certificates, supervisor recommendations.
Based on documents alone, or written tests (general knowledge, Japanese language) and interviews.
Notified directly by the foundation or through the host school.
Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
MEXT invites international students to study in Japan at state expense. Applications can be made via Embassy Recommendation or University Recommendation.
| Program | Embassy Rec | Univ Rec *1 | Level | Duration | Japanese Prep *3 | Monthly Allowance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Students | Yes | Yes | Graduate School | Embassy: Irregular (within 2 years) / Regular (standard year + 6 months language). Univ: standard year. | 6 months (if needed) | ¥143,000 ~ ¥145,005 / month |
| Teacher Training | Yes | No | Undergraduate level | Within 1 year and 6 months including Japanese language education | None | ¥143,000 ~ ¥145,005 / month |
| Undergraduate Students | Yes | Yes | Undergraduate level | Embassy: 5 years (7 years for medicine/dental/vet/pharma). Univ: standard school year. | 1 year (ABK College or Osaka Univ) | ¥117,000 / month |
| Japanese Studies | Yes | Yes | Undergraduate level | One academic year | None | ¥117,000 / month |
| College of Technology | Yes | Yes (Kosen recommendation) | Undergraduate level | 4 years including Japanese language training (4.5 years for merchant marine studies) | 1 year (JASSO Tokyo Center) | ¥117,000 / month |
| Specialized Training College | Yes | No | Undergraduate level | 3 years including Japanese language training | 1 year (Bunka Institute or JASSO Osaka) | ¥117,000 / month |
| Young Leaders Program (YLP) | No | No | Graduate school level | 1 year | None | ¥242,000 / month |
*1 Not all universities maintain their own recommendation quotas.
*2 Recommendations from official overseas recommending organizations.
*3 The institutions offering "Preliminary training of Japanese etc." may change.
※ Scholarship Perks: Tuition fees are fully exempted and round-trip airfare travel allowances are provided.
JASSO Scholarships
1. Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students
Offered to privately financed international students demonstrating outstanding academic performance and character, but experiencing financial difficulties.* Note: Only individuals holding a "Student" status of residence are eligible.
Application Requirements & Methods
Students achieving excellent results in the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) and planning to enroll as regular students can qualify for the Honors Scholarship Reservation Program.
How to Apply: Under EJU registration (in Japan: select "Apply for Reservation Program" online; outside Japan: enter "〇" in the designated box on EJU form).
Must be enrolled as regular/research students in a university, graduate school, college of technology (3rd year+), specialized training college, or certified language school.
- Grade point average must be at least 2.30 for the previous year.
- Language: Pass JLPT N2+, score 200+ on EJU Japanese, or prove CEFR B2+ level in English.
- Must agree to cooperate with the post-scholarship academic career survey conducted by ETIC.
- Average monthly remittances (excluding entrance/tuition fees) must be under ¥90,000.
- Dependents' annual income in Japan must be under ¥5,000,000.
- Must not receive other restrictive scholarships or Support Scholarships from JASSO.
2. Student Exchange Support Program (Scholarship for Study in Japan Under Agreement)
For inbound international exchange students accepted under short-term (8 days to 1 year) student exchange agreements between a foreign university and a Japanese host institution.
Recipients Requirements
- Accepted by host school based on exchange arrangements.
- Unable to participate solely at own expense due to financial reasons.
- Must obtain "Student" visa (any visa acceptable for programs ≤90 days).
- Must return to home institution to obtain degree after the program.
- Outstanding academic grades and character at home institution.
- Other external scholarship allowances must not exceed ¥80,000/month.
- * Countries with diplomatic relations with Japan (Taiwan and Palestine are eligible).
Local & Private Foundation Scholarships
Local prefecture governments and international associations award district-bound scholarships. Private foundations offer grants based on company domains, subject categories, or regional exchanges.
Search Scholarship ListingsOn-Campus & Tuition Reduction Systems
Many educational schools support international students with dedicated in-house scholarships or tuition fee exemptions/reduction systems (waiving up to 100% tuition based on academic/need evaluations).
Download School Data Sheet