MEXT Japanese Studies Scholarship 2025 for USA Students

Do you have a strong interest in Japanese culture and language? Undergraduate students in the United States have a fantastic opportunity to spend a year at a Japanese institution immersed in Japanese culture and language through the MEXT Japanese Studies Scholarship 2025–2026. With a deadline of February 12, 2025, applications are currently being accepted. Here is all the information you require regarding this esteemed scholarship program!

Overview of Scholarships

The Government of Japan sponsors the MEXT Japanese Studies Scholarship, which offers:

One academic year of full tuition at a Japanese institution (beginning in September or October 2025).

airfare from the United States to Japan, round-trip.

a stipend each month to help with living costs in Japan.

This fellowship is intended for undergraduates who are keen to learn more about Japan and are studying in subjects linked to Japanese language or culture.

Eligibility criteria

Join our WhatsApp group

Join our Facebook group

International students who meet the requirements listed below are eligible to apply to study in Japan through MEXT. By studying in Japan, it seeks to build human resources who will serve as friendly links between the grantee's nation and Japan and who will further the growth of both nations as well as the global community.

Nationality: Candidates must be citizens of a nation with diplomatic ties to Japan. A candidate who was a citizen of Japan at the time of application is ineligible. On the other hand, dual-national individuals who are Japanese citizens and whose domicile at the time of application is outside of Japanese nationals may apply as long as they decide to adopt the nationality of the other countries and give up their Japanese citizenship by the time they arrive in Japan (i.e., when they obtain student status). The Japanese diplomatic mission in the nation where the applicant selects their nationality must host the first screening.

Applicants must, in theory, be between the ages of April 2, 1995, and April 1, 2007. Exceptions are restricted to situations where MEXT determines that the applicant's country's conditions (such as military service obligations or lost educational chances as a result of wartime disturbances) prevent them from applying within the acceptable age range. Individual circumstances (economic status, familial situation, health status,

Academic Background: Candidates must meet the three requirements listed below:

In theory, candidates must be enrolled as students in international (non-Japanese) universities when they enter and exit Japan
they must major in subjects pertaining to Japanese language and/or culture. As a result, individuals who are majoring in subjects other than Japanese language and culture and pursuing related studies about Japan (such as engineering, economics, agricultural science, architecture, and art) are not eligible;
Those who, as of September 1, 2025, have completed a year or more of Japanese Studies coursework at a university. Individuals who have completed Japanese Studies coursework at another university ought to present records (grade transcripts, etc.) that can attest to

See also YGS Conference in China 2025 | Fully Funded

Proficiency in Japanese Language: Candidates must be able to communicate in Japanese well enough to attend a Japanese university in Japan.

Health: Candidates must provide a medical certificate in the required format, signed by a doctor, certifying that they are free of any physical or mental illnesses that would prevent them from studying in Japan.

Arrival in Japan: In theory, candidates must be able to get to Japan by the specified time frame, which is often September or October, between the day two weeks before to the commencement of the course and the start date. Travel costs to Japan will not be reimbursed if the applicant is unable to arrive for personal reasons within the allotted time.

Procedure for Selection

There are multiple steps in the application process:

The deadline for submitting application materials is February 12, 2025.

Written test in Japanese at the Japanese Embassy in Washington, D.C., February 25, 2025.

Interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place in late February or early March of 2025.

The initial screening's results were revealed in late March 2025.

Late May 2025: Notification of secondary screening results from MEXT in Tokyo.

July–August 2025: Final placement and travel arrangements for beneficiaries.

September or October 2025: Departure to Japan to commence the program

See also Erasmus Mundus meta4.0 Scholarship in Europe 2025 | Fully Funded

UNAVOIDABLE SITUATIONS

The Japanese Government maintains the right at any moment before or

after communication of the final selection's results, to alter or cancel the scholarship, arrival date, and the contents of the application guidelines herein due to unanticipated or unavoidable circumstances.

Unavoidable circumstances are events whose consequences MEXT or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (including Japanese embassies and consulate-generals) could not reasonably prevent or control.

These events include, but are not limited to, acts of God, acts of government (including local government, henceforth referred to as government), acts of government authorities (such as restrictions on immigration or travel imposed by the Japanese government), or

other foreign countries’ government due to the event of infectious disease), compliance with law, regulations or orders, fire, flooding and torrential rain, earthquakes, acts of war (regardless of a declaration of war), revolt, revolution or rebellion, strike, or lockout

NOTES

Prior to leaving for Japan, grantees must learn the Japanese language and gain knowledge of Japanese weather, climate, customs, university education, and university conditions. They must also learn how the Japanese legal system differs from their home country's.

It is advised that the grantee bring at least US$2,000 with them to Japan in order to cover immediate living expenses and other necessary expenses, since the first installment of the scholarship payment will not be made for one to one and a half months after they arrive.

See also Zhejiang University CSC Scholarship 2025 in China | Fully Funded

Following each grantee's arrival in Japan, the scholarship funds will be deposited into the Japan Post Bank (JP BANK) bank account they opened. The scholarship funds will not be moved to another account.

Prior to their arrival in Japan, grantees who have had a medical examination and tested positive for contagious diseases, such as tuberculosis, must get treatment. If the grantee is not completely recovered by the time of arrival, their entry into Japan will not be authorized.