Japan has a well-developed higher education system and attracts international students from around the world. International students can enter five main types of higher education institutions: universities, graduate schools, junior colleges, colleges of technology, and specialized training colleges offering postsecondary courses. These institutions include national, local public, and private schools, although admission availability and requirements vary by institution and program.
The tuition fees at many Japanese universities are comparatively lower than those charged by universities in countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States. Japan also offers scholarships and tuition exemption or reduction programs that can make studying there more affordable.
If you are interested in studying in Japan but are concerned about the cost, consider the following scholarship and tuition-support options.
Top Scholarships in Japan for International Students
| Scholarship Name | Scholarship Type | Eligible Degrees | Scholarship Value |
|---|
| MEXT Scholarship | Government scholarship | Bachelor’s
Master’s
Ph.D. | Tuition
Category-specific monthly stipend
Qualifying travel expenses |
| Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) Scholarships | JEES and privately funded scholarships | Varies by scholarship | Usually a monthly stipend; amount and duration vary |
| Waseda University Scholarships | University and external scholarships | Bachelor’s
Master’s
Ph.D. | Varies by scholarship |
| Japan Foundation for UNU (jfUNU) Scholarship | UNU-IAS scholarship | Ph.D. in Sustainability Science | JPY 120,000 monthly stipend for up to 36 months
Tuition may be waived |
| KUAS-E Scholarship | Kyoto University of Advanced Science | Bachelor’s
Master’s
Ph.D. | Up to 100% of school and admission fees
Super KUAS-E includes JPY 1,200,000 per year |
| Yokohama National University Scholarships | Yokohama National University | Primarily graduate students for the current tuition waiver; other awards vary | Full, half, or 30% tuition waiver for eligible graduate students
Doctoral waivers are full or half |
| Hokkaido University Scholarships | University, government, and external scholarships | Varies by scholarship | Varies by scholarship |
| Tuition Reduction Scheme | Ritsumeikan University | Bachelor’s
Master’s
Ph.D. | 20% to 100% tuition reduction under the current scheme through 2026 |
| Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarships | Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University | Bachelor’s
Master’s
Ph.D. | 30%, 50%, 65%, 80%, or 100% tuition reduction |
| Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program | World Bank Development Economics Vice Presidency | Master’s | Tuition
Monthly living stipend
Round-trip airfare and travel allowance
Health insurance |
| Global 30 Undergraduate Scholarship | Nagoya University | Bachelor’s | Full tuition for four years
Registration-fee reimbursement
Total stipend of JPY 500,000 over four years |
| Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship for Overseas Candidates | Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation | Bachelor’s
Master’s
Ph.D. | JPY 100,000 per month for undergraduates
JPY 140,000 per month for master’s and doctoral students
Eligible airfare reimbursement of up to JPY 250,000 |
1. MEXT Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Eligible Degree(s): Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D.
- Meet the MEXT Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys, including those of Chaw Su Thin from Myanmar and Jagreet from India.
MEXT is a comprehensive scholarship offered by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Depending on the scholarship category, it may cover tuition, provide a monthly stipend, and pay qualifying travel expenses. MEXT has undergraduate, research, teacher-training, Japanese-studies, college-of-technology, specialized-training-college, and Young Leaders’ Program categories. Application routes and eligible institutions vary by category, and applicants should follow the current guidelines issued by MEXT or the relevant Japanese embassy or university.
MEXT scholars demonstrate the range of academic pathways supported by the program. Ayush Dixit from India received the MEXT College of Technology Scholarship to pursue undergraduate studies in Information and Communication Engineering. Shripriya Maheshwari, also from India, received the MEXT Scholarship as a research student before entering a Master’s program in Information Sciences at Tohoku University.
Here is what MEXT Scholarship Scholars Say:
“It [MEXT Scholarship] fully covered my tuition at Waseda University, provided a monthly stipend, and included round-trip airfare between Italy and Japan.”
Agnese Dionisio
“For the MEXT Embassy-Recommended route, applicants do not apply directly to universities.”
Azeem Ullah
“This scholarship was based on the recommendation from the University of Tsukuba, so I was first admitted to the university before applying for the scholarship.”
Gardin
“After the initial screening, I appeared for a written test and an interview conducted by the embassy, which I successfully passed.”
Mazhar Iqbal
2. Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Eligible Degree(s): Varies by scholarship; current programs include awards for undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and other eligible students.
Japan Educational Exchanges and Services offers JEES-funded and sponsor-funded scholarships for eligible students in Japan. Some current awards accept undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students, while others are limited to particular degree levels, academic fields, nationalities, or designated institutions.
Scholarship amounts, durations, and selection requirements differ by program. Applications generally require a recommendation from the student’s university, and JEES does not normally accept direct applications or inquiries from students. Applicants should therefore consult their university’s scholarship office and the current JEES scholarship listings.
3. Waseda University Scholarships (Waseda University)
- Scholarship Page
- Eligible Degree(s): Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D., depending on the scholarship.
Waseda University offers internal scholarships and provides information about external and government-funded awards available to international students. Certain schools also offer awards such as the Partial Tuition-Waiver Scholarship.
Eligibility, application timing, and benefits vary significantly by scholarship and school. Awards may be based on academic performance, financial circumstances, or other selection criteria and may provide a tuition reduction, a fixed grant, or a monthly stipend. Applicants should review the scholarship information for their specific undergraduate or graduate school.
4. Japan Foundation for UNU (jfUNO) Scholarship (UNO-IAS)
Applicants admitted to the UNU-IAS Ph.D. in Sustainability Science may be considered for the Japan Foundation for UNU scholarship. There is no separate scholarship application form, but applicants must provide the requested scholarship information and documents as part of the program’s online application. Selected recipients receive a monthly allowance of JPY 120,000 for up to 36 months, and their tuition may be waived.
Applicants must be nationals of an official development assistance recipient country and demonstrate financial need. Applicants living in Japan under a working visa, those already enrolled in another doctoral program, and those who have previously earned a Ph.D. are not eligible. Admission to the program does not guarantee receipt of the scholarship because the award is competitive.
5. KUAS E-Scholarship (Kyoto University of Advanced Science)
- Scholarship Page
- Eligible Degree(s): Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D., depending on the program and intake.
Kyoto University of Advanced Science offers the KUAS-E and Super KUAS-E scholarships to a limited number of outstanding applicants. Current undergraduate KUAS-E awards provide 100%, 50%, or 20% reductions in school and admission fees, while postgraduate KUAS-E awards provide 100%, 50%, or 30% reductions.
The Super KUAS-E Scholarship provides a 100% exemption from school and admission fees and a stipend of JPY 1,200,000 per year. Scholarship recipients are selected during the admission process through a comprehensive evaluation and must continue to meet KUAS academic requirements. Eligible programs and award levels can change by admission intake, so applicants should consult the current scholarship and application guidelines.
6. Yokohama National University Scholarships (Yokohama National University)
- Scholarship Page
- Eligible Degree(s): Varies by scholarship; the current YNU tuition-waiver program primarily supports privately financed graduate international students.
Yokohama National University is a national university established in 1949 under Japan’s National School Establishment Law. It developed from several predecessor institutions and offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral education.
YNU provides a tuition-waiver program for eligible privately financed graduate international students. Successful applicants may receive a full, half, or 30% tuition waiver based on academic performance; doctoral students may receive a full or half waiver. The waiver is generally assessed by semester, is subject to limited quotas, and is not guaranteed to every eligible applicant.
Other university, government, and private scholarships may also be available, often after enrollment. Application documents and language requirements depend on the applicant’s academic program and the individual scholarship. Applicants should not use a general JLPT point requirement because the JLPT reports proficiency by level rather than through a universal 80-point admission standard.
7. Hokkaido University Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Eligible Degree(s): Undergraduate, Master’s, and Ph.D., depending on the scholarship.
Hokkaido University is a national research university whose origins date to Sapporo Agricultural College, founded in 1876. Its official institutional profile lists 12 undergraduate schools, 21 graduate schools, and 18,344 students, including international students, based on the university’s most recently published profile data.
The university lists several competitive scholarships for prospective and current international students, including MEXT scholarships and awards from university or private sources. Eligibility, duration, and coverage vary. Some awards provide tuition support and a monthly stipend, but applicants should not assume that every Hokkaido University scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, and living expenses or is restricted to students from developing countries.
8. Tuition Reduction Scheme (Ritsumeikan University)
- Scholarship Page
- Eligible Degree(s): Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D., subject to the applicable scholarship category.
The Ritsumeikan University Tuition Reduction Scholarship supports eligible international students by covering part or all of their tuition.
Ritsumeikan traces its origins to a private academy established in Kyoto in 1869 by Kinmochi Saionji, who later served twice as prime minister of Japan. Kojuro Nakagawa established the Kyoto Hosei School in 1900, and the institution adopted the name Ritsumeikan University in 1913.
Under the current scheme, eligible students may receive a tuition reduction ranging from 20% to 100%, depending on their degree level, scholarship category, and assessment. However, Ritsumeikan states that the current Tuition Reduction Scholarship for International Students will end in 2026, and the arrangements for later academic years have not yet been finalized. Applicants entering after 2026 should verify the system applicable to their enrollment year.
9. Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarships
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University is a private university in Beppu, Oita Prefecture, Japan. APU opened in 2000 through a collaboration involving the Ritsumeikan Trust, Oita Prefecture, and the City of Beppu. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a multicultural learning environment.
International applicants who will obtain a student visa may apply for the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship as part of their admission application. Current award levels cover 30%, 50%, 65%, 80%, or 100% of tuition for the standard period required to complete the degree, subject to the scholarship’s continuation requirements.
Here is what Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarship Scholars Say:
“This scholarship made studying in Japan far more accessible for me and helped reduce a significant portion of the financial burden.”
Justin Manual Adhinegara
“After submitting the required documents, I attended an in-person interview in Jakarta, where two interviewers from APU assessed my goals, academic background, and overall suitability for the scholarship.”
Justin Manual Adhinegara
10. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program is funded by the Government of Japan and administered through the World Bank’s Development Economics Vice Presidency. It supports eligible citizens of specified developing countries who have relevant professional experience and are applying to an approved, development-related master’s program.
Applicants must be admitted unconditionally, except for funding, to a participating master’s program for the applicable application cycle. The program is not limited to universities in Japan and does not accept applicants from every academic discipline. Current eligibility rules generally require a bachelor’s degree earned at least three years before the deadline and at least three years of qualifying paid development-related work completed after that degree, subject to limited exceptions for applicants from designated fragile and conflict-affected states.
The scholarship provides tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, a travel allowance, and health insurance. There is no general 3.5 out of 4.0 GPA requirement stated in the current World Bank eligibility criteria. Participating programs and application dates change each year, so applicants should check the current cycle before applying.
11. Global 30 Undergraduate Scholarship at Nagoya University
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship amount for a bachelor’s degree: Full tuition for four years, reimbursement of the registration fee after enrollment, and a total stipend of JPY 500,000 over four years.
- Meet the Global 30 Undergraduate Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys such as that of Indranil Enkhtuvshin and other recipients.
The Global 30 Undergraduate Scholarship at Nagoya University covers four years of tuition, reimburses the registration fee after enrollment, and provides a total stipend of JPY 500,000 over the four-year scholarship period. Because the JPY 500,000 is the total stipend rather than an annual payment, the award should not be described as covering all living expenses.
Applicants who want scholarship consideration must submit the scholarship application form and an income statement with their Global 30 program application. Applicants who submit the required scholarship documents during the admission period are considered for the award, and selection considers academic and nonacademic achievement, extracurricular activities, and financial need. The relevant program-application deadline also serves as the scholarship-document deadline.
12. Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship for Overseas Candidate
- Scholarship Page
- Eligible Degree(s): Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D.; research students are not eligible.
The Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship for Overseas Candidates supports international students who plan to enroll in an eligible Japanese university or graduate school. Applicants must identify and apply to their intended Japanese institution themselves before applying for the scholarship. Graduate applicants must also submit a recommendation from a prospective supervisor or professor at the targeted graduate school.
For 2026 enrollment, the scholarship provides JPY 100,000 per month to undergraduate students and JPY 140,000 per month to master’s and doctoral students. Research students are not eligible. The foundation may also reimburse eligible economy-class travel expenses to Japan up to JPY 250,000 after the recipient arrives and submits the required receipts. Applicants are expected to have basic Japanese proficiency, approximately JLPT N4 level.
The foundation commemorates Umekichi Yoneyama, who lived from 1868 to 1946. The scholarship program became the Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation in 1967 and supports non-Japanese students studying or conducting research at Japanese higher education institutions. It is not named for a person called John W. Yoneyama.
We hope this article helps you identify scholarships that match your academic plans and financial needs. To learn more about Japan, visit our Study in Japan guide for additional articles and tips. You can also explore these Available Programs for International Students!
