Tokyu Foundation Scholarship: Gateway to Graduate Success in Japan

The Tokyu Foundation Scholarship isn’t just another financial award—it’s a gateway to Japan’s top graduate programs, decades-long cross-cultural exchange, and a powerful alumni network that spans the Asia-Pacific. Whether you dream of advancing cutting-edge research or building bridges between Japan and your home country, understanding how this privately funded program works will help you decide if it’s the right fit. Below, we unpack the scholarship’s history, mission, benefits, and application tips in five concise sections.

Origins & Evolution of the Tokyu Foundation Scholarship

Born in 1975 as the Tokyu Foundation for Foreign Students, the program was the brainchild of Tokyu Group chairman Noboru Gotō, who envisioned “true friendly neighborly relations” between Japan and the wider Asia-Pacific. In April 2019 the scholarship arm merged with two sister charities to form the broader Tokyu Foundation, yet its core mandate—supporting outstanding international graduate students—remains unchanged. Over 45 years it has welcomed roughly 20 new scholars per year, assisted 947 students from 28 countries, and disbursed more than ¥2.82 billion in aid, producing alumni who now lead in academia, business, and government.

The Railway-to-Higher-Ed Connection

Tokyu Corporation began as a regional railway, but its social-impact philosophy quickly expanded into education. The scholarship’s emphasis on graduate-level study reflects Tokyu’s belief that advanced research is a catalyst for societal progress throughout Asia.

Mission & Core Values: Fostering Global Talent

The scholarship’s stated mission is to “cultivate individuals with an international perspective and promote cross-cultural understanding.” Practically, that means:

• Empowering researchers who can explain complex work in Japanese and English.
• Encouraging scholars to engage in biennial field trips, cultural workshops, and networking events.
• Building a community dedicated to sustainable, inclusive growth across Asia-Pacific.

Why the Asia-Pacific Focus?

Japan’s long-term prosperity is intertwined with its neighbors. By equipping future leaders in science, engineering, policy, and culture, the Foundation aims to seed partnerships that outlast any single research project.

Scholarship Package at a Glance

Item	Details (2025 Intake)
Monthly Stipend	¥180,000
Support Period	Up to 2 years
New Scholars / Year	≈ 20
Eligible Degrees	Master’s & PhD
Nationality	Asia-Pacific countries
Language	Japanese interview required

Beyond the stipend, scholars participate in cultural excursions—like tea-ceremony workshops at the Gotoh Museum of Art—and career seminars hosted by Tokyu Group companies. Note that receiving another scholarship over ¥360,000 per year generally disqualifies applicants.

Key Eligibility Tips

• Age Limits — Master’s applicants must be under 35; PhD applicants under 40 as of April 1 in the award year.
• Enrollment — You must already be admitted to (or enrolled in) a Japanese graduate school.
• Research Fit — Topics with regional impact—sustainability, smart mobility, public health—tend to score higher.

Life as a Tokyu Scholar

Scholarship obligations go beyond study. Every two months, awardees gather for exchange days that can include lab visits, regional tours, or leadership workshops. Alumni credit these events for accelerating their Japanese proficiency and professional networks. Among the 300+ PhD graduates to date, many now advise ministries, run start-ups, or teach at leading universities across Southeast Asia.

Alumni Snapshot & Program Impact

947 graduate students from 28 countries have received the Tokyu Foundation Scholarship since 1975, and ≈ 300 of them have completed PhD degrees—fueling a network that now spans academia, government, and fast-growing tech firms across the Asia-Pacific.

Top Host Universities (1975-2021)	Alumni (#)
The University of Tokyo	209
Tokyo Institute of Technology	83
筑波大学	65
早稻田大学	62
庆应义塾大学	42

Leading Home Countries	Alumni (#)
China	202
South Korea	185
Taiwan	144
Malaysia	45
Thailand	44

Every December the Foundation hosts a Joint Reunion where current scholars dine and swap research insights with Japan-based alumni (OB/OG), reinforcing career ties and peer mentoring. Quarterly newsletters and the annual “Tokyu International Family” report keep the 900-plus alumni community connected world-wide.

How to Apply & Stand Out

Applications open each September 1 – 30. Download forms from the Tokyu Foundation official site and submit directly (your university cannot nominate you). For sample timelines and FAQs, the University of Tokyo GSFS notice 和 Tokyo Tech bulletin provide clear English guidance.

• Craft a Japan-ready proposal. Reviewers interview only in Japanese, so practice summarizing your research in about 3 minutes.
• Show regional impact. Link your work to Asia-Pacific challenges—renewable energy grids, disaster resilience, public-health tech.
• Engage with Tokyu’s values. Mention sustainability, smart mobility, or community building—core themes of the Tokyu Group.

With preparation, the Tokyu Foundation Scholarship can finance your studies 和 open doors to a lifelong professional community in Japan and beyond. Good luck!