Scholarships for Studying in Japan: Every Option Explained

Japan is one of the most generous countries in the world when it comes to scholarships for international students. The government alone spends over ¥50 billion annually on student aid. And that's before you count university-specific awards and private foundation grants.

The problem isn't finding scholarships. It's knowing which ones exist, understanding the requirements, and actually submitting a strong application.

Here's every major scholarship option for studying in Japan, with real numbers, deadlines, and application tips.

MEXT: The Full Ride

The Monbukagakusho (MEXT) scholarship is the big one. Full tuition, monthly stipend, airfare. It's the gold standard, and it's available at every level — undergraduate, master's, PhD, and even Japanese language study.

What It Covers

• Full tuition at a national, public, or participating private university
• Monthly stipend: ¥145,000-¥147,000 for undergraduates, ¥143,000-¥148,000 for graduate students (roughly 70-,000/month)
• Round-trip airfare to Japan
• Settling-in allowance: ¥34,000 upon arrival
• Duration: 2 years for language students, 4 years for undergraduates, 2 years for master's, 3 years for PhD

Two Application Routes

Embassy Recommendation: You apply through the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country. This is the most common route.

Timeline:

• April-May: Applications open at your local embassy
• June-July: Document screening
• August: Written exam (Japanese, English, math, science — depending on your field)
• September: Interview
• December-January: Results
• April (following year) or October: Departure for Japan

University Recommendation: You apply directly to a Japanese university that has MEXT slots. The university nominates you to the government.

Timeline varies by university, but typically:

• October-December: Applications to the university
• January-March: University screening and nomination
• May-July: MEXT final selection
• October (following year): Departure

Who Qualifies

• Under 35 years old (for most categories)
• Completed 12+ years of education (for undergraduate) or hold a bachelor's (for graduate)
• Willing to learn Japanese (MEXT provides 1-2 years of language training if needed)
• In good health
• Not currently in Japan or previously funded by MEXT (with some exceptions)

Application Tips

1. Start with your study plan. MEXT wants to know exactly what you'll research or study and why it matters. Be specific.
2. Learn some Japanese. You don't need to be fluent, but showing effort (even N5 level) signals commitment.
3. Get strong recommendation letters. Choose professors who know your work well, not just people with impressive titles.
4. Research your target university. Contact potential advisors early. A professor who agrees to supervise you is a huge advantage for university-recommended MEXT.

What this means for you: MEXT is competitive but not impossible. Every year, students from across the Americas win it. The key is starting early — 12-18 months before your target enrollment — and having a clear academic vision.

JASSO: The Monthly Stipend

The Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) offers monthly stipends for privately funded students. It's not a full ride, but it helps.

What It Covers

• Monthly stipend: ¥48,000 (~20) for most students
• Duration: 6 months to 1 year (renewable)

Eligibility

• Enrolled in a Japanese university or language school as a privately funded student
• Good academic standing (GPA 2.3+ or equivalent)
• Financial need
• Not receiving other government scholarships worth more than ¥80,000/month

How to Apply

Most students apply through their university's international office. JASSO announces application periods twice a year (April and September/October). Your school will nominate candidates.

What this means for you: JASSO won't cover all your costs, but ¥48,000/month covers rent for most students outside central Tokyo. It's worth applying even if you have other funding.

University-Specific Scholarships

Most major Japanese universities offer their own scholarships for international students. These range from partial tuition waivers to full rides.

University of Tokyo

• UTokyo Fellowship: Full tuition waiver + ¥200,000/month stipend for graduate students
• MEXT University Recommendation: UTokyo nominates students directly
• Private foundation scholarships: 50+ foundations offer awards specifically for UTokyo students

Waseda University

• Waseda University International Student Scholarship: 30%, 50%, or 100% tuition reduction
• JASSO Honors Scholarship: ¥48,000/month for self-funded students
• Private scholarships: 30+ options available through Waseda's database

Kyoto University

• Kyoto University iUP: Full scholarship for undergraduate exchange students
• Graduate tuition waivers: Up to 100% for qualifying international students
• JASSO and private foundation scholarships: Multiple options

Other Notable University Scholarships

• Keio University: MEXT university recommendation + Keio-specific awards
• Osaka University: Osaka University Fellowship (¥144,000/month for graduate students)
• Tohoku University: Tuition waivers for up to 50% of international students
• Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU): Tuition reduction scholarships (30%, 50%, 65%, 80%, or 100%)

What this means for you: Check your target university's website for international student scholarships. Many have separate application deadlines — some as early as 12 months before enrollment. Contact the international office directly if the information isn't clear online.

Private Foundation Scholarships

Japan has hundreds of private foundations that fund international students. Some are small (¥50,000/year), others are substantial (¥200,000/month). Here are the major ones:

Large-Scale Foundations

• Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation: ¥140,000-¥200,000/month for graduate students
• Panasonic Foundation: ¥150,000/month for graduate students in science/engineering
• Hitachi Foundation: ¥150,000/month for graduate students
• Mitsubishi Foundation: ¥150,000/month for graduate students in natural sciences
• Ajinomoto Foundation: ¥150,000/month for students in nutrition, food science, or life sciences

Mid-Size Foundations

• Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program: Full tuition + living expenses for development-related fields
• Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program: Full funding for master's students from developing countries
• Canon Foundation: €1,500/month for research students
• Tobu Foundation: ¥120,000/month for graduate students

How to Find and Apply

1. Check your university's scholarship database. Most Japanese universities maintain a list of private foundations their students can apply to.
2. Ask the international office. They know which foundations are actively accepting applications.
3. Apply early. Many foundations have deadlines 6-12 months before the funding period.
4. Prepare a strong research proposal. Private foundations often fund specific fields or research areas.

What this means for you: Private foundation scholarships are less competitive than MEXT because fewer students know about them. If you're a graduate student, these are worth pursuing aggressively.

Other Funding Options

Tuition Reduction Systems

Most Japanese universities offer tuition reduction for international students, even if you're not on a scholarship:

• National universities: 50% or 100% tuition reduction based on financial need and academic performance
• Private universities: 30%, 50%, or sometimes 100% reduction

This isn't technically a scholarship — you apply after enrollment, and it's based on your grades and financial situation. But it can cut your costs dramatically.

Part-Time Work

On a student visa with work permission, you can earn up to 28 hours per week. At ¥1,100-¥1,500/hour (typical rates in Tokyo), that's ¥120,000-¥168,000/month before tax. Enough to cover living expenses, though not tuition.

Read our part-time jobs guide for details on finding work legally.

Education Loans

Some countries offer government education loans that cover study abroad. Check with your home country's education ministry or student finance authority.

Application Timeline

Here's a rough timeline for scholarships targeting April enrollment:

When	What to Do
18 months before	Research scholarships, start Japanese study, contact potential advisors
12 months before	Apply for MEXT embassy recommendation, university-specific scholarships
9 months before	Apply for private foundations, prepare for entrance exams
6 months before	MEXT exam results, apply for JASSO through university
3 months before	Final scholarship decisions, arrange housing, apply for visa

The Bottom Line

Japan is one of the most fundable study abroad destinations in the world. Between MEXT, JASSO, university awards, and private foundations, there's enough money on the table that many students study here for free — or close to it.

What this means for you: Start researching scholarships 12-18 months before your target enrollment. Apply for MEXT first (it's the most generous). Then layer on university scholarships and private foundations. And don't forget tuition reduction — it's available to most international students who maintain good grades.

Want help building your scholarship strategy? Read our complete guide to studying in Japan or book a consultation with an advisor who knows the Japanese scholarship landscape.

Ready to build your scholarship application? Talk to an advisor — we'll help you identify every funding opportunity you qualify for.