Scholarship

Deciding how to fund your degree in Japan can feel overwhelming, especially if you are evaluating multiple grant opportunities from government agencies, public organizations and universities. This page brings the most important information together in one place so you can quickly compare benefits, eligibility, and deadlines. We begin with nationally recognized scholarships such as MEXT and JASSO, then spotlight respected programs run by Rotary International. Next, we review smaller external and on-campus awards that often go unnoticed but can close your budget gap. Bookmark the links for easy reference while you prepare your application.

Major Scholarship

Major scholarships are large-scale programs funded by the Japanese government or global nonprofit foundations. Because they cover full tuition, a monthly living stipend, and round-trip airfare, competition is intense and the application calendar is fixed up to eighteen months in advance. The good news is that award conditions are clearly published in English and most documents can be submitted online through embassies or partner universities. If you are serious about studying in Japan, start with the four options below and track their deadlines with a spreadsheet so that nothing slips.

→ Major Scholarships in Japan for International Students

MEXT

MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) remains the flagship government scholarship. Research and degree students receive a full tuition waiver, an annual flight ticket, and a monthly stipend that currently starts at roughly ¥143,000 for master’s programs and ¥145,000 for doctoral programs. Applicants apply either through the Japanese embassy in their home country or via university recommendation. Screening focuses on academic transcripts, study plan, and Japanese or English proficiency. Because quotas differ by country, check the embassy guidelines early and schedule language tests well before the deadline. Official MEXT page

→ How to Win Japan’s MEXT Scholarship: A Step-by-Step Roadmap

JASSO

JASSO, an independent administrative institution under MEXT, offers the Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship and several short-term exchange grants. While the monthly stipend is modest—about ¥48,000 for one year—it can be combined with tuition or dormitory fee reductions from your host university. The program is designed for privately financed international students who have already secured admission, so the application is usually handled on campus after you arrive. Keep copies of your admission letter, residence card, and bank statements ready, because campus deadlines are strict and incomplete files are automatically disqualified. JASSO scholarship overview

→ JASSO Scholarship Application Guide: Proven Tips to Fund Your Studies in Japan

Rotary

Rotary International awards up to 130 fully funded Peace Fellowships each year for master’s or professional programs related to conflict resolution and development. Fellows study at one of seven partner universities worldwide and receive full tuition, housing, round-trip transportation, and placement funding for fieldwork in Japan or another host country. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, three years of work or volunteer experience, and a demonstrated commitment to community service. Interviews and endorsement by a local Rotary district are required, so start networking with clubs in your region at least six months in advance. Rotary Peace Fellowship

Yoneyama

The Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation targets self-funded students who will enroll at a Japanese university or graduate school the following April or September. Awards range from ¥140,000 to ¥160,000 per month for up to two years, plus a one-time supplemental allowance for arrival expenses. Unlike many private foundations, Yoneyama accepts applications directly from overseas and does not require Japanese university recommendation at the first stage. However, you must secure admission and submit your certificate of enrollment before funds are released, and basic Japanese proficiency (JLPT N4) is expected. Yoneyama Scholarship details

Scholarship	Provider	Monthly Stipend	Tuition	Link
MEXT	Government of Japan	¥143,000–¥145,000	Full	Details
JASSO	JASSO	¥48,000	Partial	Details
Rotary Peace	Rotary International	Full support	Full	Details
Yoneyama	Rotary Yoneyama Foundation	¥140,000–¥160,000	Full	Details

Minor Scholarship

Beyond the headline programs, hundreds of smaller scholarships are available from local governments, private companies, alumni associations, and the universities themselves. The awards usually cover a portion of tuition or living costs—anywhere from ¥30,000 to ¥120,000 per month—but their selection ratios are significantly higher because applicant pools are smaller and criteria are specialized. Keep an eye on municipal websites, chamber of commerce bulletins, and faculty newsletters for calls that match your nationality, field of study, or volunteer work. The two categories below illustrate where to start looking.

University-External Scholarship

External scholarships are offered by organizations that are independent of your university yet often require campus endorsement. Examples include local prefectural foundations, technology companies, and cultural exchange funds such as the Hitachi Scholarship or Tokyu Foundation Grant. Benefits vary, but a typical plan provides a one-time entrance fee waiver and a stipend of about ¥100,000 per month for one year. Because each sponsor sets its own age limits and research priorities, carefully read the guidelines, prepare recommendation letters that highlight community impact, and submit early to give your faculty office enough time for endorsement. UTokyo list of private scholarships

→ Beyond MEXT: 20 Hidden Scholarships That Can Fund Your Study in Japan

University-Internal Scholarship

Internal scholarships are funds managed by your host university and reserved exclusively for enrolled students. At the University of Tokyo, for example, the Graduate School of Science Fellowship pays ¥200,000 per month to outstanding PhD candidates. Waseda University operates more than twenty named funds that can cover 25–100 % of tuition or provide emergency support during unforeseen hardship. Selection is usually conducted twice a year, and you may apply for multiple schemes through the university’s online portal. Always attend the orientation session in your first semester so you understand the difference between automatic and competitive awards. UTokyo Fellowship | Waseda scholarship portal

→ Beyond MEXT: 20 Little-Known University-Backed Scholarships for Studying in Japan