Best Scholarships in Japan for Indian Students 2026

Scholarships in Japan for Indian Students

Refer to the table below for detailed information on some of the best scholarships in Japan available to Indian students wishing to study there:

Note: The INR values are approximate and will change a bit depending on the exchange rate.

Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship

The Japan MEXT Scholarship 2026 is a prestigious, fully-funded opportunity for international students to study in Japan. With over 1,000 successful applicants from India each year, the program is highly sought after, but globally competitive with an approximate 5-10% acceptance rate. Here's what you need to know about this scholarship.

What MEXT Covers?   

The MEXT Scholarship is fully funded, so it covers all major expenses:

1. Tuition: It completely pays for your university entrance exam, enrollment, and classes.
2. Monthly Allowance: You get a monthly amount to live on (the amount depends on the program).
3. Travel: They pay for a round-trip plane ticket (economy class) from your home country to Japan, and back when you finish your studies.
4. Housing: While not always guaranteed, universities often assist with arranging or subsidizing dormitory accommodation.
5. Prep Education: Most embassy-recommended scholarships include a one-year preparatory course in the Japanese language and other subjects.

Who Can Apply?

The Eligibility criteria depend on the program type and specific embassy guidelines, but here are some basic requirements:

1. Nationality: You have to be a citizen of a country that has good relations with Japan (so, not Japanese citizens).
2. Age:  Specific age limits apply to each program, such as Undergraduate: 17-25 years, Research Students: under 35 years)
3. Grades: You need to have good grades. Usually, that means at least 70% for postgraduate programs and 80% for undergraduate ones (but it can be different).
4. Health: Applicants must be in good physical and mental health.

Types of Scholarship

MEXT has different kinds of scholarship in Japan for different levels of study:

1. Research Students: For master's or Ph.D. programs (around ¥143,000- ¥145,000 a month, or INR 84,000 - INR 85,000).
2. Undergraduate Students: For a bachelor's degree (around ¥117,000 a month, or INR 69,000).
3. College of Tech Students: For associate degrees or diplomas (around ¥117,000 a month, or INR 69,000).
4. Specialized Training College Students: For job training or certificate courses (around ¥117,000 a month, or INR 69,000).
5. Young Leaders Program (YLP) Students: For master's courses in certain fields, for young people who are already working (around ¥242,000 a month, or INR 143,000).
6. Teacher Training Students: For teachers who want to train in Japan.

How to Apply for MEXT Scholarship?

There are mainly two ways to apply:

1. Embassy Recommendation: This is how most people do it. The Japanese embassy or consulate in your country handles the initial steps, such as reviewing your application, administering written tests, and conducting interviews.
2. University Recommendation: Some universities in Japan can recommend students directly to MEXT. This usually happens when the university already has an exchange program with a school in your country.

If you're applying through the embassy (which is the usual way), here's what to expect:

1. Check Documents: You send in all the papers they ask for, such as the application form, school records, and reference letters.
2. Written Exam: If they like your application, you will take exams on certain subjects.
3. Interview: If you pass the exams, you will have an interview with people from the embassy.
4. Final Decision: MEXT decides who gets the scholarship based on all the results.

Note: You can find the application forms and specific rules on the website of the Japanese embassy.

Important Timelines and Deadlines

The deadlines for MEXT scholarship in Japan can be different each year, and they also depend on your country and the program you're applying for. So, it's really important to check the embassy website in your country to get the right information.

Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) Scholarships

Each year, lots of students get JASSO scholarships to study in Japan. In 2023, around 1.11 million students (30.5%) used a JASSO scholarship loan. Getting one of these scholarship for Japan can be tough because there's a lot of competition, and you need to have good grades. Here’s what you should know about the JASSO scholarship program, from what it covers to who can apply and when the deadlines are.

What JASSO Covers?

JASSO scholarships mainly give you money each month to help with living costs. They usually don't pay for things like admission or tuition. The amount you get each month changes based on the kind of scholarship you have and what you're studying.

Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship:

• ¥48,000 a month (about INR27,560) for college, graduate, and research students.
• ¥30,000 a month (about INR17,225) for students in Japanese language schools.

Student Exchange Support Program:

• ¥80,000 a month (about INR45,935) for short-term exchange students.

Who Can Apply?

To apply, you need to be a privately funded international student with a Student visa. You also need to have good grades and be in need of funds.

1. Grades: Usually, you need a GPA of 2.30 or higher from the last year.
2. Financial Need: Your monthly remittances (not including tuition) should be less than ¥90,000.
3. Nationality: Students from any country that has normal relations with Japan can apply.
4. Exclusions: You can't usually get this scholarship if you already have another scholarship that doesn't allow you to get money from multiple sources, or if you're on a MEXT scholarship.

Types of Scholarship

JASSO has scholarships for students seeking a degree or other long-term study (Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship) and for short-term exchange students (Student Exchange Support Program).

How to Apply for JASSO Scholarship?

Applications are not submitted directly by JASSO. Students can apply through their prospective institution before arriving in Japan by achieving a high score on the EJU and marking the relevant option. Alternatively, students already in Japan apply through the international student office of their enrolled institution.

Important Timelines and Deadlines

Deadlines are determined by the institution, not JASSO directly.

University-Specific Scholarships in Japan

Here's a list of some of the scholarships in Japan available for international students at certain universities. Keep in mind that grants info can change, so make sure to double-check the official institute websites for the most up-to-date details.

University of Tokyo Scholarships

1. Focus: They aim to bring in talented international students to different programs, especially for master's and doctoral degrees.
2. Benefits: Could be fully funded (covers tuition, gives you a monthly allowance, and pays for your flight) or partially funded (just the allowance), depending on the scholarship.
3. Who's Eligible: It really depends, but usually you need to have good grades, a related degree, and fit certain age/nationality requirements.
4. Types: This includes the University of Tokyo Fellowship (fully funded), MEXT Scholarship in Japan (through university recommendation), JASSO Honors Scholarship (allowance only for students paying their own way), and the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program.

Kyoto University Scholarships

1. Focus: They want to help international students who have great grades and need money. This covers different levels of study.
2. Benefits: Ranges from partial/full tuition waivers to a monthly living allowance, with fully funded options also available.
3. Who's Eligible: It's competitive and based on how well you did in school. The requirements are different for each program. For example, exchange students need to be accepted under an agreement between their home university and Kyoto University.
4. Types: Main ones are the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships (apply through the embassy or university), the JASSO Student Exchange Support Program (monthly allowance for short-term exchange students), and scholarships from private foundations.

Waseda University Scholarships

1. Focus: Providing a range of internal and external funding options for privately-financed international students enrolled in degree programs.
2. Benefits: Coverage varies from partial tuition reduction to full funding including tuition and a monthly allowance, depending on the award.
3. Who's Eligible: You usually need a Student visa and strong academic records . Many external scholarships also want you to be pretty good at speaking Japanese.
4. Types: There are Waseda scholarships (like the Partial Tuition Waiver and Merit Scholarship) and external scholarships that you can apply for through the university or directly to the foundation.

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) Scholarships

1. Focus: Attracting outstanding international students and reducing their financial burden, with a strong emphasis on academic merit and leadership potential.
2. Benefits: The primary scholarship is a tuition reduction, ranging from 30% to 100% of tuition fees, covering the standard duration of the program.
3. Who's Eligible: They look at your application, interviews, grades, and how much money you need.
4. Types: The big one is the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship, but students can also get recommended for MEXT Scholarships or the APU JASSO Scholarship after they enroll.

Foundation and Global Scholarships

These scholarships in Japan offer vital funding for global studies. They concentrate on peace (Rotary), development (ADB/JJ/WB), and specific fields to study in Japan (Honjo, JFUNU, JEES) for international students. They help with everything from tuition to living costs, so you can have a career in global leadership and research. Check the details below to see if you're eligible.

Honjo International Scholarship Foundation

1. Focus: This Japanese scholarship for Indian students helps international students get their master's or doctorate in Japan so they can do well in university and help the world.
2. Benefits: A good monthly allowance to cover living costs.
3. Who's Eligible: You need to have great grades and, often, know some Japanese. There are also age limits, like under 29 for a master's and under 34 for a doctorate.

Rotary Peace Fellowships

1. Focus: Training leaders to solve peace and conflict issues at Rotary Peace Centers around the world.
2. Benefits: Full funding for master's or certificate programs in peace and development.
3. Who's Eligible: You need to be committed to peace, have leadership potential, and have some related experience.

ADB: Japan Scholarship Program

1. Focus: Training people to help promote growth and stop poverty in developing countries in Asia.
2. Benefits: Tuition, research money, travel costs, and a monthly allowance to live on at top universities in Asia.
3. Who's Eligible: You need to be from a developing country, age under 35, and have some work experience.

Japan Foundation for UNU (JFUNU) Scholarship

1. Focus: Research on global issues for the sake of the earth with the United Nations University (UNU).
2. Benefits: Full tuition, travel, and a living allowance for UNU master’s and Ph.D. programs.
3. Who's Eligible: You need to be from a developing country, have good grades, and be in a related field of study.

Japan Educational Exchange and Services (JEES) Scholarships

1. Focus: Helping international students (especially from Asia) who are studying in Japan in different fields.
2. Benefits: Monthly allowances, research support, and sometimes help with travel costs.
3. Who's Eligible: You need to know Japanese well, have good grades, and be in a program that matches what they're looking for.

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program

1. Focus: Training people from developing countries to study development-related fields.
2. Benefits: A full scholarship (tuition, travel, living costs) for master's degrees at partner universities.
3. Who's Eligible:From World Bank member developing countries, age under 35, commitment to development.

Conclusion

Summing up, getting a scholarship for Japan involves MEXT (which pays for everything), JASSO (which helps with living costs), and options at specific universities or private organizations. You need to start researching early, have good grades (often with an EJU score), and apply on time through places like the Japanese Embassy or the university you want to go to. Let Gradding.com Study abroad Consultants make things easier for you by running your application and connecting you to the right chances for a great study overseas experience.

FAQS:

1. Do I Need to Know Japanese to Get a Scholarship in Japan?

You can apply for master's and doctoral programs in English without knowing Japanese. However, if applying for the MEXT scholarship through the embassy, you'll need to take a Japanese test in the first round. Knowing some Japanese is helpful, and undergraduates typically take a year-long Japanese course upon arrival.

2. Can a 12th Pass Student Apply for a MEXT Scholarship?

Yes, students who have completed their 12th grade in India can apply for MEXT scholarships, provided they meet certain criteria, including age (17-25 years), academic performance (good grades in 12th grade), and other requirements. Applications are typically submitted through the Japanese Embassy in India.

3. Does the Japan Scholarship Cover Tuition Fees, Accommodation, and Airfare?

Yes, Japan scholarship for Indian students, MEXT are comprehensive and cover full tuition fees, a monthly living allowance (stipend), and round-trip airfare. They often also provide accommodation (such as dormitory housing) or a housing allowance, making these scholarships fully funded.

4. Can I Work Part-Time in Japan While Studying on a Scholarship?

Yes, MEXT scholars can obtain permission to work part-time (up to 28 hours per week during the academic term and more during breaks) to supplement their living expenses. However, it is crucial to secure a “Permit to Engage in Activities Other Than Those Permitted” from immigration.

5. What CGPA Is Required to Get a Scholarship in Japan?

While the specific CGPA requirements may vary, Indian applicants typically need strong results from their 12th grade (often between 65% and 80%). Maintaining consistently good academic performance and demonstrating proficiency or a willingness to learn the Japanese language can also enhance your chances of receiving a scholarship.