Study in Japan from Mongolia: Scholarships, Admissions & Cultural Insights

Japan and Mongolia have enjoyed close diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties for more than half a century. Thanks to that partnership—and to programs such as the Embassy of Mongolia in Japan’s education initiative—a record 3,453 Mongolian students were enrolled in Japanese institutions in 2023. If you are considering joining their ranks, this guide will walk you through the numbers, the systems, the scholarships, and the lived realities of studying in Japan—from entrance exams to halal lamb hot‑pots in Takadanobaba. Every section below is tailored to questions Mongolian applicants ask us most.

Why Study in Japan from Mongolia

Japan offers more than 780 universities—including world‑ranked national stalwarts such as UTokyo—plus college‑of‑technology (kosen) campuses that combine academic rigor with hands‑on engineering. Courses are increasingly delivered in English, while Japanese language classes remain free or heavily subsidized for international students.

Career leverage  Japan’s labor ministry lists Mongolia as one of 13 “priority talent partners” for science and engineering. STEM graduates can convert a student visa into a five‑year Engineer/Specialist residence, and 77 % of JDS‑sponsored Mongolian alumni land positions related to their field within 12 months of graduation.

Geographic comfort  Direct flights Ulaanbaatar ⇄ Tokyo take 5 h 30 m; time‑zone difference is only +1 hour, cutting homesickness and jet‑lag. Seasonal climates are similar—dry winters, warm summers—so you will not be shocked by humidity the way many Southeast‑Asian newcomers are.

Financial accessibility  More than 150 Mongolians already draw Japan‑funded tuition waivers (JDS Scholarship, M‑JEED, KOSEN exchange). With cost‑of‑living indexes of 45.6 (Japan) versus 30.6 (Mongolia) you will spend more in Tokyo than in Ulaanbaatar, but scholarships, dormitories, and part‑time work (up to 28 h/wk) compensate for most students.

Quick Facts & Key Numbers

Metric	Japan	Mongolia ➜ Japan
Total universities (MEXT 2024)	786 (86 national, 93 public, 607 private)	-
International students (JASSO 2024 survey)	336,708	-
Mongolian students in JP (Embassy 2023)	-	3,453 (+9 % YoY)
Scholarship‑funded Mongolians	-	>150 (JDS, M‑JEED, etc.)
Average monthly dorm rent	¥35,000 – ¥55,000	-

Japan is one of only three OECD countries where the number of Mongolian degree‑seekers surpassed pre‑pandemic levels in 2024, illustrating robust demand and smooth visa processing.

Admission System: Mongolia vs. Japan

Categoría	Mongolia	Japan
Starting Date	1 September	4 April (main) / late Sept
Entrance Exam	Unified National Exam	UEJ + JLPT / campus test
Application Window	Jun – Jul	Oct – Jan (April intake) / Apr – May (Sept intake)
Language Requirement	Mongolian B2+	N2 (Japanese‑medium) or IELTS 6.0 (English‑track)
Tuition (national U)	≈ ¥260,000/yr	≈ ¥535,800/yr
Scholarship Gateways	MES merit list	Pre‑arrival EJU high score; embassy quota; university waivers

Tip — Many Japanese departments accept pre‑arrival admission: you submit scores from Ulaanbaatar and arrive only after receiving a formal offer, saving relocation costs.

Scholarships Exclusively for Mongolia

Below are country‑specific funds—separate from broad MEXT/JASSO awards—tailored to Mongolian nationals. Most cover full tuition and a generous living stipend of ¥120,000 – ¥147,000 per month.

1. JDS (Human Resource Development) Scholarship

Since 2001, JDS Mongolia has sent 432 fellows (12 PhD) to master’s and doctoral programs in governance, finance, and engineering. Applicants must be under 40 and employed by a public institution.

2. M‑JEED “1000 Engineers” Project

Launched 2014 via JICA and Mongolia’s Ministry of Education, the M‑JEED initiative funds dual‑degree master’s tracks at Kyutech, Toyohashi Tech, and others—producing 51 double‑degree graduates in its first cohort.

Cultural Gap & Adaptation Tips for Mongolia

Hierarchy vs. Egalitarianism  Nomadic ger life prizes elder respect, but Japanese classrooms take it further—professors are rarely challenged publicly. Voice disagreement in office hours instead.

Communication style  Mongolians value candor; Japan leans implicit. Before a group decision, anticipate indirect cues (“we might reconsider”) as soft refusals. Learning this saves countless circle‑back emails.

Part‑time work etiquette  Punctuality is measured in seconds, not minutes. Arriving even two minutes late to a combini shift may prompt a formal apology letter.

Student insight: “Universities provide advice until we adapt,” notes Enkhbold Maralgua in her JASSO Student Voice interview. Use orientation camps and “tutor” schemes to build a local support net quickly.

Religious & Dietary Support for Mongolia

Most universities run multifaith rooms, and Buddhist clubs host Tsagaan Sar events with free‐flow buuz. Dorm canteens list pork, beef, and lamb icons; if you observe halal, head to Mongolian Restaurant ULAAN BAATAR (Tokyo) or Little Lamb Sapporo. Many shops stock shuluun davs (Mongolian rock salt) and yak butter in their imported‑food aisle.

Student association YAMOH arranges halal barbecue nights and Buddhism‐friendly meditation retreats, helping newcomers settle dietary or religious concerns without bureaucracy.

Cost of Living: Mongolia vs. Japan

Item (per month)	Ulaanbaatar (¥‑equiv.)	Tokyo (¥)
Rent – 1 BR city‑center	≈ ¥60,000	≈ ¥130,000
Utilities & Internet	≈ ¥9,500	≈ ¥15,000
Meal in canteen	¥350	¥500
Transport pass	¥4,200	¥10,000
Cost‑of‑Living Index (Numbeo 2025)	30.6	45.6

A dormitory slot plus scholarship stipend usually nets a break‑even budget of ¥80,000 – ¥100,000 after rent. Many students further offset expenses via campus TA work (¥1,200/h) or weekend convenience‑store shifts.

Graduate Outcomes for Mongolia

Según MOFA’s 2023 ODA White Paper, over 70 % of Mongolian scholarship alumni work in governmental or STEM positions that shape national policy on renewable energy, digital‑services taxation, and ger‑district urban planning. The JDS Alumni Association hosts quarterly employability workshops in Ulaanbaatar and Tokyo.

Private‑sector placement is likewise strong: data from JASSO’s Job‑Hunting Guide 2026 show Mongolians have the second‑highest in‑Japan employment rate (24.3 %) among Asian cohorts, trailing only Vietnam.