Japan’s MEXT scholarship is one of Asia’s most generous — tuition, monthly stipend, and airfare. Two main tracks exist.
The two tracks
Undergraduate
- For high-school graduates
- 5 years (1 year preparatory Japanese + 4 years degree); 7 for medicine
- Japanese language prep included
Research (Postgraduate)
- For Bachelor’s holders wanting Master’s/PhD research
- 1.5-2 years, extendable with progress
- Can be in English if university offers English program
Benefits
- Full tuition waived
- Monthly stipend (approx ¥117,000 undergrad / ¥144,000 research — confirm current)
- Round-trip airfare
- Regional supplement in some cases
How to apply: two routes
- Embassy track: apply via Japanese embassy in your country (exams + interview)
- University track: nominated by a Japanese university (for research students already in contact with professors)
Most first-timers use the embassy track.
Timeline (embassy track)
- Apr-May 2026: Applications open
- May-Jul 2026: Document screening, written exams, interviews
- Early 2027: Final results, departure Apr/Oct 2027
Exams
Undergraduate: math, English, plus Japanese/physics/chemistry depending on field. Research: English + Japanese (basic), plus interview about research plan.
Tips
- Start 12 months early — documents and exams need prep
- Research plan (for research track) matters more than grades alone
- Learn basic Japanese even for English programs — it helps daily life and interviews
FAQ
Do I need to know Japanese?
Not for application, but you’ll study it during the preparatory year.
Can I choose my university?
You list preferences; MEXT decides based on placement.