Top 11 Great Scholarships to Study Abroad in Japan

Corresponding to the data issued by the educations.com (the reputable study abroad website portal), Japan has been graded as the second top country among other countries in Asia for most students looking for a rewarding studying abroad experience, low tuition fees, a high number of government scholarships given especially to the international students and the positive employability prospects both in Japan and overseas for the post-graduation. Japan is currently home to around 140,000 international students coming from all around the world. It is absolutely outstanding news for you who wish to pursue higher education in this land of the rising sun. 

As you might further recognize when you decide to study overseas, arrange carefully the financial aid and support in your destination country. Here, to help you succeed in your plan and realize your dream of pursuing higher education in Japan, please let us show you the most desirable and applicable scholarships for international students. Please also read carefully about the terms, conditions, and announcements provided on the scholarship website about the Covid-19 situations! Here are the 11 Great Global and Japanese Scholarships for you to get started.

1. Diversity Abroad Scholarships

The Diversity Abroad Scholarship is a scholarship cooperated with the AIFS Foundation. This program will offer $500 scholarships for fall and spring semesters as well as summer term. 5 scholarships are available for each semester and 2 scholarships are available for summer. This program is also available not only for studying but also internship program for you to try first living in the country you dream of. 

This program is eligible for community college and undergraduate students. According to their website service, the students going abroad for the full fall, spring, or summer terms are eligible to apply. Moreover, economically disadvantaged students, first-generation, students with disabilities, and ethnic and racially diverse students are strongly encouraged to apply. Please visit http://www.diversityabroad.com/overseas-ambassadors for application details and additional information that you might need. Please research and dig all the information carefully so that you can make your to-do list for preparing the application. If you are interested in studying in Japan, please learn more about the IES Abroad Diversity Scholarships through the following website, https://www.iesabroad.org/ Good Luck!

2. The Critical Language Scholarship

For you who have an enormous interest in language study only for a short-term period along with experiencing living in the country you admire, this scholarship will fit you. The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is a summer study abroad opportunity for American college and university students to learn languages essential to America’s engagement with the world. Under the information provided on their website, the CLS Program is stated as part of a U.S. Government effort to expand dramatically the number of Americans studying and mastering critical foreign languages. Students of diverse disciplines and majors are encouraged to apply. Participants are expected to continue their language study beyond the scholarship period, and later apply their critical language skills in their future professional careers. It is super great! If you have interested in this program, please visit the following website, https://clscholarship.org/ for more details on the application procedure and the details about the participant who joined the program. Hope you find that fruitful for you!

3. The Harry S Truman Scholarship

If you are a student who has a government interest, this scholarship is highly recommended for you. Applying for this scholarship and becoming the awardee of this honorable scholarship program would give you a chance to attend the graduate school in the country you are dreaming of. You could also make your leadership ability getting stronger.

Truman Scholars would receive up to $30,000 for graduate or professional school, take part in leadership development activities, and have special opportunities for internships and employment with the federal government. It is stated that the award may be used only for tuition, fees, books, room, and board, or other specifically approved expenses.

If you are interested in this scholarship, please visit the following website to get more details https://www.truman.gov/2021-2022-bulletin-information  

4. The Boren Scholarship

The Boren Scholarship is a scholarship provided especially for undergraduate students who pursue the study of languages in non-traditional regions for a summer, semester, or full academic year. As the Boren Scholar, you can learn a wide range of critical languages, including Japanese. Boren Awards are available to students of all proficiency levels who are committed to enhancing their skills In critical languages.

Please be aware that Boren Scholars are required to work in a position designed by the U.S. government for one year after accepting the scholarship.

Please visit the following link if you have interested in this scholarship program. https://www.borenawards.org/  

5. The Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences Fellowship

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences Fellowship (JSPS) is Japan’s premier research funding agency that would be the best for you if you want to be a researcher in Japan. This funding agency is actively supporting researchers to enhance cooperation in the global scientific field by funding research and encouraging researchers. Students majoring in all forms of science, including humanities, are highly encouraged to apply.

It is stated by this agency that JSPS carries out various programs that includes funding scientific research, fostering junior researchers, promoting international scientific exchange, and supporting the reform and globalization of universities. As JSPS works vigorously in carrying out this program, it focuses on supporting researchers in ways that give them a stable and sustainable environment for advancing their work in research life.

As the JSPS Fellowship is a leader in fostering junior researchers for the next researcher generation, they provide several programs. If you are interested in becoming one of their fellows, please visit the following website to know more details https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/programs/index.html Hope it helps you!

6. MEXT Scholarships

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (Monbukagakushō: MEXT) is one of the eleven Ministries of Japan that composes part of the executive branch of the Japanese Government. MEXT’s goal is to improve the development of Japan concerning the international community. MEXT Scholarships are one of the most popular scholarships aimed at international students as they cover undergraduate and graduate studies and even offer Japanese language training for students for preparation before entering the university or college to study. Here are the details regarding this scholarship.

• Age: 17-21 years old (Undergraduate), under 35 years old (Graduate and Research Student)
• Subjects: Natural Science, Social Science, Humanities, Technology and many more for Undergraduate and similar or related subjects to the previous study in the home country for Graduate.
• Stipend: about ¥117,000/month for undergraduate (vary upon the city were living) and about ¥143,000/month for Master-Doctoral, Research Student and other non-degree courses.
• Duration Period: 4-5 years (Undergraduate), 2 years (Master), and 3-4 years (Doctoral).
• Application Procedure: apply through the embassy, designed university to university program with the special recommendation.

Please check more details at the Japanese Embassy Website of your home country. Here is the website of the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program for U.S. Citizens https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/mext-scholarship-info.html. (Good Luck with your scholarship research!)

7. JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization) Scholarships

JASSO is a well-known professional organization providing information of study in Japan among international students to foster a financially stable environment for international students to study. JASSO provides very valuable financial assistance and information. JASSO provides 2 types of scholarships for international; (1) JASSO offers “Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students” for international students who are accepted by a Japanese university, graduate school, junior college, college of technology, specialized training college, university preparatory course designated by Monbukagakusho: MEXT, or Japanese language institution and (2) JASSO offers scholarship for qualified international students who are accepted by a Japanese university, graduate school, junior college, college of technology（3rd grade or upper）or professional training college（hereinafter please referred to as “Japanese school”）under a student exchange agreement or other student exchange arrangement on a short-term basis from 8 days to one year between Japanese school and their home higher educational institution outside Japan.

JASSO provides monthly stipends of 80,000 yen (approximately $735) for the Student Exchange Support Program during 1 year period. In case for privately financed internationals, JASSO provides 48,000 yen (approximately $441) monthly for to those who eligible applying this program.

Please find more information related to the JASSO Scholarship program through the following link https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/by-style/pamphlet/index.html.  Hope this works for you!!

8. The Toshizo Watanabe Study Abroad Scholarship Program

If you are looking for a scholarship for undergraduate and graduate study, then this scholarship is the best for you! In accordance with the information written on their website, the Toshizo Watanabe Endowed Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to undergraduates/graduate students for a semester or year-long study abroad program in either the United States or Japan. A generous endowment gift of $10 million from Mr. Toshizo (Tom) Watanabe to the U.S.-Japan Council makes it possible to award scholarships to students for whom study abroad would not be possible without financial support.

The scholarship will support you up to the full cost of attendance in the study abroad program of the applicant’s choice. The scholarship program grants awards to recipients in amounts determined by financial need and other qualifications. 2020 marks the third year of support for American students studying abroad in Japan, and the fifth year for Japanese students studying abroad in the United States. If you are interested in applying for this scholarship, please check out more info through the following link https://www.usjapancouncil.org/watanabe-scholarship/ Good Luck!

9. Japan Educational Exchanges and Services – Mitsubishi Corporation International Scholarship (JEES Sponsor-Crowned Scholarship)

Although this scholarship is eligible for you who only already becoming a student at a university in Japan, we still would like to share this scholarship as another reference since this scholarship is well known as very welcome to internationals. According to the information provided, the Scholarship is intended to provide support for outstanding foreign students who are studying at Japanese universities; It is hoped that this will both help alleviate the financial concerns and enhance the learning effectiveness of the scholars. For your information, the main donor of this scholarship comes from a renowned company in Japan, namely Mitsubishi corporation..

The eligibility for this scholarship are the following:

• Student with citizenship of a country other than Japan and who is paying their own expenses
• Someone who intends to study in Japan as an official undergraduate student, graduate student or doctoral student.
• This scholarship only need submission through university recommendation without interview and Japanese level including any major course in Japanese university
• Scholarship Amounts
  Undergraduate: ¥100,000/Month
  Graduate / Doctorate: ¥150,000/Month
• Scholarship Period
  (1) undergraduate : From April 2018 until obtaining bachelor’s degree(Maximum of 2 years)
  (2) graduate : From April 2018 until obtaining master’s degree (Maximum of 2 years)
  (3) doctoral : From April 2018 until obtaining doctoral degree(Maximum of 3 years)

Please be aware that, since the scholarship is university recommendation type, the guideline is provided at each academic affair of university in Japan. Please contact the academic affair of university you are going to enter and apply through them.

10. Honjo International Scholarship Foundation

Honjo International Scholarship Foundation is also very recommended for you to apply since it is also one of the top-level scholarships provided by the Japanese Foundation. When you are intending to pursue a Master’s and Doctoral Course in Japan, then this scholarship would fit you!

Following the guideline provided on their website, the applications can be submitted from abroad as long as an applicant is accepted to Japanese graduate school. So, please find first your destination university and grab the Letter of Acceptance from your university. All nationalities and research fields are warmly welcomed. Applicants may directly apply to the foundation without pre-selection by the university..

Please take a note of the important opening period of this scholarship below:

• Fall Scholarship: April 1– April 30
• Spring Scholarship: September 1 – October 31

The scholarship will be provided every month throughout the minimum period required to acquire the degree. The amount of scholarship depends on the differs based on the period as below:

• 　¥200,000 per month for 1 ~ 2 years degree
• 　¥180,000 per month for 3 years degree
• 　¥150,000 per month for 4 ~ 5 years degree

Here, we share you what to do if you want to apply:

1. Please carefully confirm that you are eligible to apply for this scholarship.
2. Let’s Enter the “web application system” provided by the foundation. Then, please fill out the application form and upload the required documents.
3. Once the documents are submitted, the application number will be issued for you, and PDF version of your application form will be created. Please save the PDF file carefully as you will need it when the result is announced on our website.

Further, please be aware and read carefully any information provided on the web application system and the full guideline. Please go to the following link to check out more details of this scholarship (https://www.hisf.or.jp/en/scholarship/foreigner/) Hopefully you would enjoy your study with stable finances in Japan.

11. Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation Scholarship

Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation Scholarship is one of the most looked for by an international student who pursuing academic studies and/or research in Japan. 

When you are becoming the Yoneyama Scholars, you would be able to experience directly the Japanese culture and customs, enabling them to form bridges between your home countries and Japan. 

As stated on their website, this scholarship emphasizes the three attributes: (1) academic performance, (2) intercultural understanding, and (3) communication ability. Not only you can receive financial support during your study, as the Yoneyama Scholars you would also enjoy the warm fellowship and encouragement from their host Rotary clubs and counselors. Scholars of this scholarship foundation will be selected via recommendations by designated universities. This scholarship is a typical university recommendation. Please Find more information regarding this scholarship program at the following link (http://www.rotary-yoneyama.or.jp/english/scholarships).

It is a piece of good news for you! Please be in mind that this scholarship provides financial support for internationals starting from the undergraduate, master until doctoral courses. Please read carefully the details below:

• Undergraduate Course
  Scholarship amount: 100,000 yen per month
  Eligible Person: 3rd and 4th year undergraduate students, 5th and 6th year students in the fields of medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine. Those who are or will be enrolled in a designated school as of April, 2022.
  Grant Periods: 1-2 years (please check out more the condition regarding the applicable terms)
• Master Course
  Scholarship amount: 140,000 yen per month
  Open to 1st and 2nd year students of a master’s program.
• Doctoral course:
  Scholarship amount: 140,000 yen per month
  Eligible Person: Open to 2nd and 3rd year students of a doctoral program, and 3rd and 4th year students of a doctoral program in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine. Grant Periods: 1-2 years (Please check out more the details from the link provided above).

Summary

• These top 11 great scholarship opportunities present preferences to perform studying abroad in Japan with a fully funded scholarship possible for you.
• These top 11 highly recommended scholarships are the key for you to study abroad in Japan for free.
• Surely, these excellent 11 list of outstanding scholarships would erase any hesitations in your mind and heart to be one of the international scholar in Japan.