Scholarships in Japan

1. MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarships

Coverage Includes:

• Tuition Fees: Full coverage.
• Monthly Stipend: Varies by program level.
• Travel Expenses: Round-trip airfare to and from Japan.
• Health Insurance: Provided by the Japanese government.

Eligibility:

Academic Qualifications:

• Undergraduate: Must have completed or be in the final year of a bachelor’s degree.
• Graduate (Master’s/Doctoral): Must have completed a master’s or doctoral degree, respectively.
• GPA Requirement: Minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.
• Language Proficiency:
• Japanese Programs: Proficiency in Japanese (JLPT N2 or higher recommended).
• English Programs: IELTS minimum 6.5 or TOEFL minimum 80.

Other Requirements:

• Strong academic records.
• Letters of recommendation.
• Research proposal for graduate studies.

Application Period:

• Applications Open: Typically in April.
• Applications Close: Usually in May.

Note: Application processes may vary by country; check the Japanese embassy or consulate website in Bangladesh for specific dates

2. JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization) Scholarships

Coverage Includes:

• Monthly Stipend: Approximately ¥48,000.
• Tuition Fees: Partial coverage.
• Travel Expenses: Varies based on the scholarship type.

Eligibility:

• Academic Qualifications: Must be enrolled in a Japanese university or college.
• GPA Requirement: Generally, a minimum GPA of 2.5 out of 4.0.
• Language Proficiency:
• Japanese: Level 5
• English: Not always mandatory, but beneficial for certain programs.
• Other Requirements: Demonstrate financial need.

Application Period:

• Applications Open: Varies by institution, typically between April and June.
• Applications Close: Usually between July and September.

3. Japan Government (MEXT) Undergraduate Scholarship

Coverage Includes:

• Tuition Fees: Full coverage.
• Monthly Stipend: Approximately ¥117,000.
• Travel Expenses: Round-trip airfare to and from Japan.
• Health Insurance: Provided by the Japanese government.

Eligibility:

• Academic Qualifications: Must be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in an undergraduate program in Japan.
• GPA Requirement: Minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.
• Language Proficiency:
  • Japanese: Required for Japanese-taught programs (JLPT N5 or higher).
  • English: Required for English-taught programs (IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80).
• Other Requirements: Strong academic performance, research proposal for graduate studies if applicable.

Application Period:

• Applications Open: Typically in April.
• Applications Close: Usually in May

4. JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Scholarships

Coverage Includes:

• Tuition Fees: Full coverage.
• Monthly Stipend: Approximately ¥117,000.
• Travel Expenses: Round-trip airfare.
• Health Insurance
• Research Expenses

Eligibility:

• Academic Qualifications: Must be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in a Japanese university.
• GPA Requirement: Minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.
• Language Proficiency:

Japanese: Required for Japanese-taught programs.

English: Required for English-taught programs (IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80).

• Other Requirements: Relevant work experience may be required for certain fields.

Application Period:

• Applications Open: Varies by program and country.
• Applications Close: Typically between April and June.

5. Abe Fellowship for the United States of America

Coverage Includes:

• Tuition Fees: Full coverage.
• Monthly Stipend: Approximately ¥117,000.
• Travel Expenses: Round-trip airfare.
• Health Insurance: Provided by the Japanese government.

Eligibility:

Academic Qualifications

• GPA Requirement: Minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.

• Language Proficiency:

Japanese: Required for Japanese-taught programs.

English: Required for English-taught programs (IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80).

• Other Requirements: Commitment to contribute to international cooperation.

Application Period:

• Applications Open: Typically in April.
• Applications Close: Usually in May.

6. Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Scholarship

Coverage Includes:

• Tuition Fees: Partial coverage.
• Monthly Stipend: Approximately ¥80,000.
• Travel Expenses: Round-trip airfare.
• Health Insurance: Provided by the Japanese government.

Eligibility:

• Academic Qualifications: Must be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in a Japanese university.
• GPA Requirement: Minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.
• Language Proficiency:

Japanese: Required for Japanese-taught programs.

English: Required for English-taught programs (IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 70).

• Other Requirements: Demonstrated leadership and commitment to community service.

Application Period:

• Applications Open: Typically in June.
• Applications Close: Usually in August.

7. Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies in Finance

Coverage Includes:

• Tuition Fees: Full coverage.
• Monthly Stipend: Approximately ¥117,000.
• Travel Expenses: Round-trip airfare.
• Health Insurance: Provided by the Japanese government.

Eligibility:

• Academic Qualifications: Must be enrolled in a Japanese graduate program in finance-related fields.
• GPA Requirement: Minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.

Language Proficiency:

Japanese: Required for Japanese-taught programs.

• English: Required for English-taught programs (IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80).
• Other Requirements: Strong academic background and relevant work experience.

Application Period:

• Applications Open: Typically in April.
• Applications Close: Usually in May.

8. Japan Foundation Scholarships

Coverage Includes:

• Tuition Fees: Partial to full coverage.
• Monthly Stipend: Varies by program.
• Travel Expenses: Round-trip airfare.
• Health Insurance: Provided by the Japanese government.

Eligibility:

• Academic Qualifications: Must be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in a Japanese university.
• GPA Requirement: Minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.
• Language Proficiency:

Japanese: Required for Japanese-taught programs.

English: Required for English-taught programs (IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80).

• Other Requirements: Strong academic performance and commitment to cultural exchange.

Application Period:

• Applications Open: Typically in April.
• Applications Close: Usually in May.

9. University-Specific Scholarships

University of Tokyo – Graduate School Scholarships

Coverage Includes:

• Tuition Fees: Partial to full coverage.
• Monthly Stipend: Approximately ¥100,000.
• Travel Expenses: Round-trip airfare.
• Health Insurance: Provided by the Japanese government.

Eligibility:

Academic Qualifications: Must be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in a graduate program at the University of Tokyo.

• GPA Requirement: Minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.

• Language Proficiency:

Japanese: Required for Japanese-taught programs.

English: Required for English-taught programs (IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80).

• Other Requirements: Strong academic records and research proposal.

Application Period:

• Applications Open: Typically in April.
• Applications Close: Usually in May.

Kyoto University – International Undergraduate/Graduate Scholarships

Coverage Includes:

• Tuition Fees: Partial coverage.
• Monthly Stipend: Approximately ¥80,000.
• Travel Expenses: Round-trip airfare.
• Health Insurance: Provided by the Japanese government.

Eligibility:

• Academic Qualifications: Must be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in a program at Kyoto University.
• GPA Requirement: Minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.
• Language Proficiency:

Japanese: Required for Japanese-taught programs.

English: Required for English-taught programs (IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80).

• Other Requirements: Strong academic performance and leadership potential.

Application Period:

• Applications Open: Typically in April.
• Applications Close: Usually in May.

10. JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) – Japanese Studies Fellowship Program

Coverage Includes:

• Tuition Fees: Full coverage.
• Monthly Stipend: Approximately ¥120,000.
• Travel Expenses: Round-trip airfare.
• Health Insurance: Provided by the Japanese government.

Eligibility:

• Academic Qualifications: Must be pursuing a degree related to international development, public administration, or related fields.
• GPA Requirement: Minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.
• Language Proficiency:

Japanese: Required for Japanese-taught programs.

English: Required for English-taught programs (IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80).

• Other Requirements: Relevant work experience and commitment to development projects.

Application Period:

• Applications Open: Typically in April.
• Applications Close: Usually in May.

Tips for Securing Scholarships in Japan:

1. Start Early: Scholarship applications often have early deadlines. Begin your preparations well in advance.
2. Meet Eligibility Criteria: Ensure you fulfill all academic, language, and other specified requirements.
3. Strong Personal Statement: Highlight your academic achievements, leadership qualities, and reasons for choosing Japan.
4. Secure References: Obtain strong letters of recommendation from academic or professional mentors.
5. Maintain Excellent Grades: High academic performance increases your chances of securing competitive scholarships.
6. Apply to Multiple Scholarships: Diversify your applications to enhance your chances of receiving financial aid.
7. Research Thoroughly: Understand each scholarship’s specific requirements and tailor your application accordingly.
8. Prepare for Interviews: Some scholarships may require interviews; practice common questions and present yourself confidently.
9. Language Skills: Improving your Japanese language skills can significantly enhance your application, especially for Japanese-taught programs.
10. Consult Official Sources: Always refer to official scholarship websites or contact Japanese embassies for the most accurate and updated information.