Japan offers a range of fully funded Scholarships that provide monthly stipends to support international students during their studies — helping cover living costs, food, transport, and essentials in addition to tuition and travel. These opportunities span undergraduate, graduate, and specialized programs.
🎓 1. MEXT Scholarships (Japanese Government)
The Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship from Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology is the flagship fully funded scholarship for international students. It offers monthly living stipends depending on your program level.
🔗 Official Source (MEXT):
📍 https://studyinjapan.go.jp/en/
Monthly Stipends (Typical for 2026–27)
- Undergraduate students: ~¥117,000 per month
- Master’s / PhD / Research students: ~¥143,000–¥145,000 per month
- Teacher Training Program: ~¥143,000–¥146,000 per month
- Young Leaders Program (YLP): up to ~¥242,000 per month (special track)
Benefits
✔ Full tuition coverage
✔ Monthly living stipend (above)
✔ Round-trip airfare
✔ Health / insurance support
✔ Optional preparatory language study (varies by track)
📌 MEXT is one of the most generous government Scholarships in Asia. It’s highly competitive and applications are typically submitted via Japanese embassies/consulates or university recommendation tracks.
🎓 2. JASSO Scholarships (Japan Student Services Organization)
JASSO offers stipends to privately-financed international students enrolled in Japanese universities.
🔗 Provider: Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) — check university support pages or JASSO info.
Monthly Allowances
- Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship: ¥48,000/month for eligible undergraduates
- Exchange Support Program: Up to ¥80,000/year (varies by program)
👉 Note: JASSO awards are often supplementary and may not cover full living costs, but they add financial support on top of other scholarships.
🎓 3. University & Private/External Scholarships (Variable Stipends)
Many Japanese universities and private foundations award monthly stipends independently — though amounts and eligibility vary. Examples include:
📍 Fujii International Scholarship
- Monthly stipend (around ¥50,000) for eligible international students residing in Japan.
📍 University-Specific Scholarships
Some institutions (e.g., University of Tokyo, Kyoto University) offer university-level awards that include monthly stipends or living allowances as part of their scholarship packages.
💰 Typical Monthly Stipend Summary
| Scholarship Program | Monthly Stipend (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MEXT Undergraduate | ~¥117,000 | Standard for UG students. |
| MEXT Graduate / Research | ~¥143,000–¥145,000 | Covers Master’s & PhD levels. |
| MEXT Teacher Training / YLP | ~¥143,000–¥242,000 | Specialized tracks; YLP is high. |
| JASSO Scholarship | ~¥48,000 | Honors award; supplemental support. |
| Fujii International | ~¥50,000 | Foundation stipend. |
📌 Who Can Apply?
- International students from most countries
- Applicants for Undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD programs
- Varying eligibility depending on track (e.g., research experience for graduate categories)
📝 What Do These Scholarships Cover?
Depending on the scholarship, the coverage may include:
✔ Full tuition fee waiver (common with MEXT)
✔ Monthly living / research stipends (as shown above)
✔ Round-trip airfare (MEXT)
✔ Health and insurance support (MEXT and some university programs)
✔ Enrollment/entrance fees (MEXT)
📌 Why Consider Japan Scholarships
🇯🇵 Highly respected universities and research institutions
📚 Cultural, academic, and professional growth opportunities
💼 Networking and industry links in Asia’s tech and innovation hubs
🌏 Fully funded opportunities with living support
🎓 Multilingual programs (many English-taught, especially at the postgraduate level)
❓ FAQs
Do Japan scholarships pay stipends monthly?
✔ Yes — many scholarships like MEXT and JASSO provide monthly stipends to help cover living expenses.
Does MEXT cover tuition and airfare?
✔ Yes — MEXT covers tuition, offers a monthly stipend, and includes round-trip airfare.
Can I apply without IELTS?
✔ Yes, many Japanese scholarship applications (especially MEXT Embassy track) do not require IELTS at the initial stage. Acceptance often depends on MOI or alternative proof instead.
Are there scholarships for research students with higher stipends?
✔ Yes — research and specialized tracks (e.g., YLP) may offer higher monthly allowances.
