Scholarship Guides MEXT Scholarship (Japan): How to Apply
Japan · Application Guide
MEXT Scholarship (Japan): How to Apply
The Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship supports international students studying at Japanese universities, from undergraduate to research (graduate) level. There are two main application routes, the Embassy Recommendation and the University Recommendation. Which one you can use depends on your nationality and the university. Applications never go directly to MEXT.
Administered by: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Government of Japan, recruited via Japanese embassies/consulates and partner universities
Written by Zain Aqdas, Founder and lead researcher, Scholarships AtlasLast updated 30 October 2026
What it covers
- Full tuition at the host Japanese university
- A monthly allowance for living expenses
- Return economy airfare between your home country and Japan
- Arrival and departure allowances (one-time)
- Travel allowance for a short pre-arrival visit in some cases
- Free or heavily subsidised accommodation (varies by institution)
Eligibility
- Nationality of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan (Embassy Recommendation applicants are screened by their home embassy)
- Age and academic requirements depend on the level: research/graduate students, undergraduate, college of technology, special training or Japanese studies applicants each have their own criteria
- For research students: a bachelor's degree or its equivalent
- Adequate Japanese and/or English proficiency depending on the chosen course
- Meet the specific conditions of the route you use (see steps below)
Application — step by step
- 1
Choose your application route: Embassy or University Recommendation
The Embassy Recommendation is the open, country-level route: apply through the Japanese embassy or consulate general in your home country. The University Recommendation is arranged directly between the applicant and a Japanese university (via recommended partner institutions and some graduate schools). Not every country or university offers both, so check before planning.
- 2
Embassy route: obtain and complete the application package
Contact the Japanese embassy/consulate general in your country for the application guidelines and forms (Application Form, Placement Preference, Field of Study and Research Plan, Certificate of Health, and a Recommendation Letter). Recruitment for those arriving in April or September/October is generally announced the previous early spring, and each embassy sets its own local deadlines.
- 3
Embassy route: submit to the embassy, not to MEXT
Return the completed forms, the Certificate of Health (completed by a medical doctor) and a Recommendation Letter to the embassy or consulate general. Do not send application documents directly to MEXT in Japan.
- 4
First screening by the embassy
The embassy conducts the first screening (written exam and/or interview) and forwards the selected candidates to MEXT in Tokyo.
- 5
Placement at a Japanese university
For research students, MEXT asks your preference for Japanese universities from among those accepting MEXT scholars, and works to secure a placement (this may require contact with a prospective supervisor).
- 6
Travel to Japan and begin study
Successful applicants arrive in Japan, attend any pre-departure orientation offered by their embassy, and begin their studies. Conditions of the award are set out in a grant certificate.
Typical documents needed
- MEXT application form for the level you are applying for
- Placement Preference Application Form
- Field of Study and Research Plan
- Certificate of Health (completed by a professional medical doctor)
- Recommendation Letter
- Academic transcripts / degree certificates as requested for your level
- Passport copy (for embassy submission)
Annual cycle
Dates move every year — always confirm on the official portal before planning around them.
- Early spring (varies by country)
- Embassy Recommendation recruitment announced for arrivals the following April/September-October
- Set by each embassy
- Application deadline and first screening (written exam / interview)
- Following months
- Embassy forwards candidates; MEXT placement at a Japanese university
- April / Sept-Oct next year
- Travel to Japan and start of studies