MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, CULTURE, SPORTS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (MEXT), JAPAN
Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships
full · bachelors, masters, phd
- Fully FundedScholarship type
- Japanese universitiesHost country
- Undergraduate–PhDStudy levels
- ~¥117k–145k/moLiving allowance
- Embassy or university routeApplication
- Japanese course includedLanguage support
At a glance
full
Funding
€9k
Max amount
May 29, 2027
Deadline
Countries with diplomatic relations with Japan
Country
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan
Provider
The Japanese Government (MEXT/Monbukagakusho) Scholarships are the flagship scholarships of Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), supporting international students to study at Japanese universities. They span several categories — Research Students (master's and PhD), Undergraduate Students, and specialised tracks such as College of Technology, Specialised Training, Teacher Training, and Japanese Studies. The scholarships are fully funded: they cover tuition, a monthly living allowance (around ¥117,000–¥145,000 depending on level), and round-trip airfare to Japan, with no repayment obligation. Many programmes include a funded preparatory Japanese-language course, and study can be in Japanese or, increasingly, in English-medium programmes. MEXT has operated since 1954 and is one of Asia's longest-running government scholarships. There are two main application routes: the embassy recommendation (apply through the Japanese embassy/consulate in your home country, opening in spring) and the university recommendation (apply through a Japanese university). The embassy route is the most common for new applicants and involves document screening, written examinations, and an interview.
What's covered
- Tuition — Full tuition fees (and entrance/exam fees) at the Japanese university.
- Monthly allowance — ~¥117,000/month (undergraduate) up to ~¥145,000/month (doctoral); rates reviewed periodically.
- Airfare — Round-trip economy airfare between your home country and Japan.
- Japanese language training — A funded preparatory Japanese-language course where required.
- No repayment — No repayment or mandatory service obligation.
How to apply
For the embassy route, apply to the Japanese embassy/consulate in your country during the spring window; for the university route, apply through a Japanese university that nominates MEXT candidates.
- Choose category & route — Pick your category (research/undergraduate/specialised) and route (embassy or university).
- Prepare documents — Assemble transcripts, a field-of-study/research plan, and certificates per the guidelines.
- Submit to the embassy/university — Apply to the Japanese embassy (spring) or the university per its timeline.
- Written examinations — Embassy applicants sit written tests (e.g. Japanese and/or English, plus subject tests).
- Interview — Shortlisted applicants are interviewed by the embassy or university.
- Placement & final approval — Secure a university placement (letter of acceptance); MEXT gives final approval and you travel to Japan.
Eligibility
NationalityCitizen of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan; not a Japanese national.
Age (guideline)Typically under ~25 for undergraduate and under ~35 for research students (varies by year/category).
Academic recordA strong academic record meeting the category's requirements.
Health & languageGood health; willingness to learn Japanese (English-taught options exist for some programmes).
RouteApply via embassy recommendation (home country) or university recommendation (Japanese university).
The embassy route opens in spring (~April–May) for study starting the following year; the university route follows each university's timeline. You generally cannot hold MEXT alongside another major scholarship.
Eligible countries
Countries with diplomatic relations with Japan
Deadlines
2027 intake (embassy route, typical)2026-05-29
Selection
Embassy-route applicants are screened on documents, then sit written examinations and an interview at the Japanese embassy; primary candidates seek a university letter of acceptance, with MEXT giving final approval. University-route candidates are selected and nominated by the Japanese university. Selection weighs academic record, the study/research plan, and fit with a Japanese host.
Verified sources
- MEXT Scholarships — Study in Japanstudyinjapan.go.jpofficial
About the provider
MEXT — Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology — administers the Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho) Scholarships to promote international exchange and cooperation in education. Operating since 1954, it is one of Asia's longest-running and most respected government scholarships, delivered through Japanese embassies and universities worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What are the MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarships?
+
The Japanese government's flagship scholarships, funded by Japan's Ministry of Education (MEXT), for international students to study at Japanese universities at undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels — fully funded with no repayment.
Who is eligible?
+
International students from countries with diplomatic ties to Japan, within category age limits (guideline: under ~25 undergraduate, under ~35 research), with a strong academic record and good health.
What does MEXT cover?
+
Full tuition and entrance/exam fees, a monthly living allowance (~¥117,000–¥145,000 by level), round-trip airfare, and a funded preparatory Japanese-language course where needed — with no repayment.
What are the two application routes?
+
The embassy recommendation (apply via the Japanese embassy/consulate in your home country) and the university recommendation (apply via a Japanese university). The embassy route is most common for new applicants.
When is the deadline?
+
The embassy route typically opens in ~April–May for study starting the following year, with tests and interviews over the summer. University-route timelines vary; check the specific university.
Do I need to speak Japanese?
+
Not necessarily — many programmes offer English-medium study, and MEXT includes a funded Japanese-language course. Some categories and tests still involve Japanese, so ability helps.
How competitive is MEXT?
+
Competitive, especially on the embassy route, which involves document screening, written examinations, and an interview before university placement and final MEXT approval.
Which study levels are covered?
+
Undergraduate, research students (master's and PhD), plus specialised tracks like College of Technology, Specialised Training, Teacher Training, and Japanese Studies.
Is there a service or repayment obligation?
+
No — MEXT scholarships carry no repayment and no mandatory service requirement, though scholars are encouraged to maintain ties with Japan.
Can I choose my university?
+
On the embassy route you indicate preferences and, if selected as a primary candidate, secure a letter of acceptance from a Japanese university. On the university route you apply to a specific institution directly.
When do studies begin?
+
Depending on the programme and university, intake is usually in ~April or ~September/October of the year after you apply.
Where can I confirm current details?
+
On MEXT's Study in Japan pages and the Japanese embassy in your country, which list the levels, embassy and university routes, stipend amounts, and current schedules — figures here are estimates, so check the live information.