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)

* 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.

*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.