Wichtige Stipendien in Japan für internationale Studierende

Dreaming of studying in Japan but worried about the price tag? The good news is that the country offers a generous range of scholarships that can lighten—or even eliminate—your financial burden. Below, you’ll find an up-to-date review of the most popular awards, how they work, and proven tips to make your application shine.

Government Scholarships: MEXT & JASSO

MEXT (Japanese Government) Scholarship

The flagship award from Japan’s Ministry of Education covers full tuition, a monthly stipend ( ≈ ¥120,000 – 146,000 ), round-trip flights, and preparatory Japanese lessons. You can apply either through the Japanese embassy in your home country or via a university recommendation. Start one year in advance and check the official Study in Japan portal for the latest application calendar. Competitive GPAs and a clear research or study plan are critical.

JASSO Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship

If you are already privately financed in Japan—or will join a school through an exchange agreement—the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) offers a monthly stipend of ¥48,000 – ¥65,000, normally for one academic year (up to 12 months). The award is not automatically renewed: if you need support the following year, you must submit a fresh application through your university and pass another screening. In special cases—such as holding the EJU Outstanding Performance Reserve Scholarship—an extra year may be granted, but only after a joint review by your university and JASSO. In short, treat it as a one-year award and be ready to re-apply annually. Applications are handled after you arrive in Japan, usually via your university’s international office; full details and student stories are available on the JASSO website.

University-Funded Awards You Can Secure From Overseas

UTokyo PEAK Scholarship

The University of Tokyo’s English-medium PEAK program offers four-year full tuition remission plus a ¥126,000 monthly living stipend to about ten exceptional undergraduates annually. See the official scholarship page for GPA and essay tips.

Other Campus-Specific Grants

• Kyoto University International Education Program Scholarship – partial to full fee waivers plus ¥120,000/month.
• UTokyo Fellowship for master’s & doctoral tracks (tuition + monthly grant).
• Private-university examples include APU International Student Scholarships und Waseda University Global Leaders Fund.

University awards often combine admission and scholarship review, so a strong application essay doubles as a funding pitch.

Corporate & Foundation Scholarships

ADB–Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP)

Targeting master’s students from ADB member countries, ADB-JSP funds full tuition, housing, health insurance, research, and travel for courses in economics, science, and management at designated Japanese universities. Applications run through host universities; the full list is on the ADB scholarship portal.

Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Scholarship

Japan’s largest private scholarship foundation offers ¥140,000–160,000 per month for master’s and doctoral students. Applicants must secure university admission first and have at least JLPT N4 level Japanese. Check the Rotary Yoneyama site for district-specific deadlines.

Scholarship	Coverage	Main Route
MEXT (Gov’t)	Tuition, flights, stipend	Embassy / University
JASSO Honors	Monthly stipend	Apply after arrival
UTokyo PEAK	Full tuition + stipend	Direct with application
ADB-JSP	Full package	Host university
Rotary Yoneyama	Stipend	Local Rotary district

Practical Tips to Boost Your Odds

Start Early & Know Each Timeline

Government and corporate awards open 12–18 months before enrollment, while many university grants close with the admission deadline. Create a spreadsheet (deadlines, required tests, referees) to avoid last-minute chaos. A former scholar’s breakdown on Medium is a handy reference: “How I Got the MEXT Scholarship.”