Japan Scholarships for International Students

International students in Japan can apply for the MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship, JDS (for eligible government officials), the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program, university tuition waivers and internal awards, and JASSO or private foundation grants. Each scheme has its own eligibility, funding amount, and deadline, so confirm current details on the official announcement.

What scholarships are available for international students in Japan?

Japan offers five main scholarship categories: the MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship, JDS, the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program, university-based funding, and JASSO or private foundation awards. Government schemes cover the most, and university and foundation awards fill the gaps.

Here is the quick overview:

• MEXT: Japanese government funding for undergraduate, research, Master, and PhD study.
• JDS: Two-year Master level funding for young government officials from eligible countries, including Bangladesh.
• ADB-Japan Scholarship Program: Master level funding for citizens of eligible Asian Development Bank member countries at designated institutions.
• University funding: Tuition reductions, tuition waivers, research assistant income, and internal scholarships.
• JASSO and private foundations: Monthly allowances, mostly for privately financed students who are already enrolled in Japan.

Japan hosted 336,708 international students as of 1 May 2024, a rise of 20.6% on the previous year. Yet only about 4% held a Japanese-government or foreign-government scholarship. Competition for funded places is strong, so early planning matters.

Which type of scholarship fits my situation?

The right scholarship depends on your career stage, your employer, and whether you are already in Japan. Use this table to find your starting point.

Which scholarship should I choose? A full comparison

MEXT offers the most complete coverage, JDS offers a structured path for officials, and university and JASSO awards offer partial support. The table below compares the major options side by side.

MEXT amounts are based on the 2026 fiscal-year guideline and may change each year. Source and date checked: MEXT and Study in Japan, JASSO, ADB, and JDS Bangladesh official pages, October 2026.

What is the MEXT scholarship and how do I qualify?

MEXT is the Japanese government scholarship for international students, and it waives examination, admission, and tuition fees, pays a monthly allowance, and provides a round-trip economy-class air ticket. It is awarded through two routes: the Embassy Recommendation and the University Recommendation.

MEXT does not publish a single global acceptance ratio. The program is highly competitive, and selection rates vary by country, degree level, and route.

Monthly allowances, based on the 2026 fiscal-year guideline:

An extra 2,000 to 3,000 yen per month may apply in designated regions. Amounts change each year.

What is the difference between the Embassy Recommendation and University Recommendation routes?

The Embassy route is a competition run through the Embassy of Japan in your country, while the University route is a nomination handled by a Japanese university. Both can lead to the same funding, but the steps differ.

Bangladeshi applicants must follow the announcement published by the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh. For a deeper look at doctoral routes, read our guide on how to study a PhD in Japan from Bangladesh.

What are the MEXT eligibility requirements?

MEXT requires the right nationality, an age within the announced limit, a qualifying academic record, and good health. Check each item against your country guideline:

• Nationality: You must hold citizenship of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan.
• Age limit, research students: Generally born on or after 2 April 1992, which means under 35 on 1 April of the arrival year.
• Age limit, undergraduates: Generally born on or after 2 April 2002, which means under 25.
• Academic background: A qualification that matches the level you apply for.
• Academic performance: A strong record. The exact standard is set in the country guideline.
• Language evidence: English or Japanese, depending on the program.
• Health: You must be physically and mentally fit to study abroad.

Confirm the exact age rule in the country-specific 2027 guideline.

How do I apply for MEXT, step by step?

Applying for MEXT takes eight steps, starting with the official announcement and ending with placement.

1. Read the current MEXT announcement for your country and degree level.
2. Choose the Embassy or University route.
3. Gather your academic and identity documents.
4. Write your study plan or research proposal.
5. Submit your application before the deadline.
6. Complete the written exams and interview, if required.
7. Wait for the result and placement decision.
8. Prepare for your COE and student visa after selection.

What documents do I need for a MEXT application?

You typically need transcripts, certificates, a study plan, recommendation letters, a passport copy, and language evidence. Use this checklist, then confirm the exact list in the official guideline:

• Application form
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Research proposal or study plan
• Letters of recommendation
• Passport copy
• Language test score or Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate, where accepted
• Health documents, if listed in the guideline
• University acceptance letter, where the route requires it

Is the JDS scholarship right for me?

JDS is right for you if you are a young Bangladeshi government official in an eligible service seeking a two-year English-taught Master degree at a designated Japanese university. The Bangladesh program takes 30 Master scholars per year. JICE arranges air tickets, visas, and post-arrival support. Check the official country page for the exact financial package in the active cycle.

JDS Bangladesh eligibility for the 2026-27 cycle:

• Citizenship: Bangladeshi.
• Age: Under 40 as of 1 April 2026.
• Education: 16 years of education with at least a Bachelor degree.
• Results: At least two First Divisions or Classes, and no Third Division or Class.
• Service: Confirmed membership in an eligible service, such as BCS Cadres, Bangladesh Bank Class-1 officials, BJS officials, or specified Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division officials.
• Experience: At least two years of work experience.
• Language: IELTS is required, with 6.0 or higher preferable.
• Other awards: Applicants who currently receive, or are scheduled to receive, another scholarship are excluded.

Deadline: The 2026-27 Bangladesh deadline was 5:00 p.m. on 6 January 2026. Check for the 2027-28 announcement before you plan.

Obligations: JDS is a human resource development scholarship. Selected officials are expected to use their degree to contribute to development in Bangladesh after they return.

What other government and development scholarships exist?

The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program is the main additional option, and it supports citizens of eligible Asian Development Bank member countries at designated institutions. It offers about 130 graduate scholarships per year across designated institutions in Asia and the Pacific, including 17 institutions in Japan.

Can I get the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program?

You can apply if you are a citizen of an ADB borrowing member country that is also eligible for Japanese ODA scholarships, and you meet the academic and work experience rules. Eligibility requires:

• A Bachelor degree with a superior academic record
• Admission to an approved Master course at a designated institution
• At least two years of full-time work experience after your degree
• Proficiency in English
• Age 35 or younger, unless waived
• Good health
• A commitment to return home and work for at least two years

What it covers: Full tuition, a monthly subsistence and housing allowance, books and instructional materials, medical insurance, travel expenses, and research subsidies.

Monthly amount: ADB does not publish one universal yen figure, because partner institutions administer the awards. For example, Nagoya University listed 147,000 yen per month for 2025 and noted that the 2027-28 amount may change.

How to apply: Apply first to a designated partner institution. The institution evaluates and shortlists candidates, then ADB makes the final selection.

Can I get a scholarship from a Japanese university directly?

Yes, many Japanese universities offer international students tuition reductions, tuition waivers, research assistant positions, internal scholarships, or admission fee support. No national percentage or amount applies, so confirm with each international office.

Because about 96% of international students were self-funded in 2024, university and private awards work best as supplements. Do not treat them as guaranteed funding.

How do tuition waivers and reductions work?

A tuition waiver reduces or cancels part of your tuition after you are admitted, and each university sets its own rules. Many waivers are applied for after admission rather than at the time of application. Selection often depends on grades, financial need, or both. Ask the admissions office for the current waiver policy before you commit.

Which Japanese universities are known for international student funding?

Universities that act as ADB-JSP partners and those with English-taught programs tend to offer the most structured support. Seventeen institutions in Japan take part in ADB-JSP, and Nagoya University is one published example. Research each target university on its own official page, and ask its international office about:

• Tuition reduction or waiver policies
• Internal scholarships for international students
• Research assistant positions
• Admission fee support

Can a professor help me secure funding as a research student?

Yes, a supervisor can sometimes support you through research assistant roles or lab-funded positions, and early contact improves your chances. Send a short, focused email that introduces your background and research interest. Attach a draft proposal if the program invites it. Late contact is one of the most common reasons applicants lose funding opportunities.

What scholarships are available once I am already studying in Japan?

Students already in Japan can apply for JASSO awards and private foundation scholarships, usually through the university international office.

What is the JASSO scholarship and who can apply?

The Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students pays 48,000 yen per month, or 30,000 yen per month for students at Japanese-language institutions. The 48,000 yen rate applies to graduate, research, undergraduate, junior-college, technical-college, and eligible preparatory students.

• Eligibility: Privately financed international students with Student residence status, strong academic results, good character, and financial need.
• Payment period: Normally 12 months (April to March) or 6 months (October to March), depending on enrollment timing and your institution nomination.
• How to apply: Applications are normally made through your enrolled Japanese institution.

Are there private foundation scholarships?

Yes, many private foundations fund international students, and they usually have small intakes and strict deadlines. Your university international office keeps the most reliable list of current foundation awards. Ask about eligibility, award amount, nationality limits, and application dates.

Which scholarships can Bangladeshi students apply for?

Bangladeshi students can apply for MEXT through the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, for JDS if they meet the official criteria, for ADB-Japan through partner institutions, and for university-level awards. Self-funded study is also a common and realistic path.

How much does it cost if I do not get a scholarship?

National university tuition is 535,800 yen per year, with an admission fee of 282,000 yen, based on a published national university fee schedule. Private universities range from roughly 800,000 to 2,000,000 yen per year. Treat this as an estimate, because fees differ by university, faculty, and program.

Living costs add to this. A university estimate based on the JASSO lifestyle survey puts daily living expenses at about 80,000 to 104,000 yen per month:

Costs were checked in October 2026. Request an itemized budget from your university before you decide.

Read more in our Master degree in Japan guide for Bangladeshi students.

Do I need IELTS or Japanese to get a scholarship?

No single rule applies, because language requirements depend on the scheme and the program. MEXT and universities may accept English-taught applicants without Japanese. JDS Bangladesh requires IELTS, with 6.0 or higher preferable. Japanese-taught programs may require JLPT or EJU results.

Accepted evidence may include:

• IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, Duolingo English Test, or PTE (varies by program)
• An MOI certificate from your previous institution (not accepted everywhere)
• JLPT results for Japanese-taught programs
• EJU scores for many undergraduate routes

Admission language rules and visa rules are separate things. Confirm each with the official source. See our full guide on studying in Japan without IELTS.

When should I start applying, and what is the typical timeline?

Start 12 months before your intended intake, because scholarship, admission, COE, and visa timelines all run on different calendars. Embassy rounds for MEXT often open in spring, so plan for the next round if the current one has closed. Use this backward plan:

Hello From Japan estimates about six to nine months from consultation to arrival. That is a service estimate, not a scholarship deadline.

What mistakes lower my chances of winning a scholarship?

The most common mistakes are late supervisor contact, a weak research proposal, and missed deadlines.

• Contacting supervisors too late
• Submitting a proposal that does not match the lab
• Missing announcement dates
• Assuming every scheme has the same rules
• Relying on outdated university lists
• Confusing admission requirements with visa requirements
• Skipping direct confirmation with the institution

How do I move from scholarship offer to visa?

After an offer, the accepting school applies for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), then you apply for the student visa and prepare to travel.

1. Confirm your admission and scholarship status in writing.
2. Your school applies for the COE through Japanese immigration.
3. Submit your visa application at the Embassy or Consulate of Japan with the COE.
4. Arrange housing, insurance, and travel.
5. Arrive and complete city registration and banking setup.

A scholarship or admission offer does not guarantee a COE or visa.

Frequently Asked Questions About Japan Scholarships

Can I study in Japan for free as an international student?

Study can be fully funded only through a full scholarship such as MEXT, which waives tuition and pays a monthly allowance. Most other options cover part of the cost. Plan for living expenses of roughly 80,000 to 104,000 yen per month if your funding does not cover them.

Is there a full scholarship for a Master degree in Japan?

Yes, MEXT, JDS, and ADB-Japan can provide strong funding for Master study. MEXT pays 144,000 yen per month for Master students, and ADB-JSP covers full tuition. Eligibility differs, so compare the current announcements.

Which Japanese scholarship is easiest to get?

No scholarship is easy, and competition depends on the year and your profile. MEXT does not publish a single acceptance rate, but it is highly competitive. University waivers and foundation awards may suit applicants who do not meet government scheme rules.

Can I apply for MEXT without a Japanese language certificate?

Often yes for English-taught programs, but requirements vary by route and program. Check your country guideline and the target university.

What GPA do I need for a Japanese government scholarship?

MEXT expects a strong academic record, and the exact standard is set in the annual country guideline. JDS Bangladesh is more specific: it asks for at least two First Divisions or Classes and no Third Division or Class.

Do Japanese universities give scholarships to self-funded students?

Yes, many universities offer waivers or internal awards to students who start without external funding. JASSO also supports privately financed students with 48,000 yen per month. Ask the international office what is available after admission.

Can I work part-time in Japan while on a scholarship?

Part-time work rules depend on your visa status and scholarship conditions. Check official immigration guidance and your scholarship terms before you take any job.

Is MEXT available for Bachelor students?

Yes, MEXT includes an undergraduate category that pays 117,000 yen per month. Applicants should generally be under 25, and the exam steps differ from graduate routes. Read the undergraduate guideline.

Can I apply for multiple scholarships at once?

Often yes, but receiving two awards at the same time is commonly restricted. JDS Bangladesh excludes applicants who currently receive, or are scheduled to receive, another scholarship. Read the conditions of each scheme before you accept.

What happens if I lose my scholarship or it ends?

You may need to find alternative funding, such as a university waiver, JASSO support, or personal funds. Ask your university international office early if your situation changes.