Japan is known for its rich culture and heritage. The country is home to many temples and beautiful scenery, including mountains, rivers, and parks. You will find yourself immersed in nature as you visit different prefectures of Japan. Even in major cities, you can find temples, gardens, and parks where you can enjoy nature in the middle of a bustling urban environment.
If you want to study in Japan, you can benefit from the diverse people you meet, local food, and universities and colleges that offer a wide range of programs. Nursing education in Japan is regulated through formal education pathways and national licensure requirements, so students should carefully check each program’s curriculum, language requirements, and licensing outcomes before applying.
Many Japanese institutions offer undergraduate and graduate courses in nursing, and there are opportunities to develop your career in different specializations after completing the required education and licensure steps. If you want to learn more about becoming a nurse in Japan, read on below to find the updated requirements and step-by-step process.
Steps on How to Apply for a Nursing Program in Japan
Step 1. Know the Qualifications for Becoming a Nursing Student in Japan
To become a nursing student in Japan, you generally need to have completed high school or an equivalent level of education before applying to a university, junior college, or nursing training school. Common routes toward nurse licensure include a four-year university program, a three-year junior college program, or a three-year nursing school or training school program. After completing the required curriculum, you must pass Japan’s national nursing examination and obtain a license from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare to practice as a nurse in the country.
If you wish to further your career, you can pursue additional education or certification pathways to become a public health nurse, midwife, certified nurse specialist, certified nurse, or certified nurse administrator, depending on your qualifications and career goals. Some universities also offer school nurse teacher pathways. For instance, the School of Nursing at Chiba University offers undergraduate and graduate nursing education, while Tokai University has an undergraduate nursing department and a graduate nursing major. Admission requirements vary by institution, but applicants should expect Japanese-language entrance procedures, document screening, interviews, examinations, or other faculty-specific requirements.
Step 2. Make a List of Japanese Nursing Schools
Choosing a nursing school requires a list of criteria. To help you choose the most suitable school, start by listing your priorities. First, list your location considerations. Do you want to study in a city or the countryside? Which prefecture in Japan would you like to live in? These are some of the questions you may want to ask yourself when choosing the right school. If you want a more affordable student lifestyle, compare tuition, housing, commuting costs, and average living expenses in regional cities as well as in major urban areas.
In connection with location, tuition and living costs are important when studying nursing in Japan. Knowing the location and possible costs will help you determine whether you are financially prepared. The type of school also matters because tuition and fees vary among national, local public, and private universities. Another point to add to your list is your chance of admission. If you believe you qualify for the program, then you can add that nursing school to your list of choices.
Lastly, the school’s size and nursing curriculum are important factors to consider. Your choice will depend on whether you prefer a large university or a smaller college. What matters most is the nursing curriculum offered, the clinical training opportunities available, the language of instruction, and whether the program prepares students for the licensure or career pathway they plan to pursue.
Step 3. Pass the Language Tests Needed
A bachelor’s degree in nursing is commonly offered in Japanese. Graduate nursing programs also often require Japanese, although language requirements vary by university and program. To study nursing successfully in Japan, you should build strong Japanese language skills. English is not always widely used in daily life or in clinical settings, especially outside major international environments, so learning Japanese will help with classes, hospital training, daily life, and communication with patients and faculty members.
If you do not have sufficient Japanese proficiency, you may need to take Japanese language courses before applying. For instance, at Tokai University, undergraduate courses are conducted in Japanese, and students without sufficient Japanese skills are advised to begin with the Japanese Language Course for International Students before pursuing undergraduate study.
Step 4. Make Sure That You are Financially Prepared
Fulfilling education requirements is only the beginning. A bigger and equally important part of preparation is meeting the total cost of study. If you are on a budget, consider comparing public universities, private universities, and schools outside the most expensive city centers. The cost of living can vary by region, housing type, and lifestyle, so students should prepare for tuition, admission fees, housing, food, transportation, insurance, textbooks, and personal expenses.
As mentioned, the type of school affects tuition. National and local public universities are often less expensive than private universities, but fees still vary by institution and student category. The official Study in Japan website lists approximate first-year academic fees of around JPY 820,000 for national undergraduate universities, around JPY 910,000 for local public undergraduate universities, and around JPY 1,300,000 for private undergraduate universities, excluding medical, dental, and pharmaceutical programs.
Osaka Metropolitan University lists an undergraduate application fee of JPY 30,000, a combined enrollment and registration fee of JPY 282,000 for Osaka prefectural citizens and their children or JPY 382,000 for others, and annual tuition of JPY 535,800. Students should always check the latest fee page of their chosen university because tuition and admission fees may change.
To help meet the costs of studying nursing in Japan, many nursing schools and universities offer scholarship programs and financial aid. If you meet the qualifications, you can apply for these programs to help with your budget. If your visa status and schedule permit, international students may also apply for permission to work part time. In general, students must receive permission to engage in activities outside their student status and must follow the working-hour and job restrictions set by immigration rules.
Step 5. Prepare and Obtain All documents for the Application
After choosing a school and setting a budget, start preparing your documents as early as possible. For complete details about studying nursing in Japan, always check the faculty or department website for the current list of requirements. You can also contact the admissions office directly to confirm the required documents, entrance examinations, language requirements, deadlines, and whether international applicants are eligible for the specific nursing program.
Step 6. Submit Your Application to Your Preferred Nursing School
After completing the requirements, submit your application to your preferred nursing schools according to each university’s official instructions. The application process usually includes submitting application documents, having them reviewed, taking required examinations, completing an interview if required, and waiting for the results.
For many undergraduate programs in Japan, international applicants may need to take the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU). JASSO administers the EJU twice a year, in June and November. Some universities use EJU scores as part of their international student selection process, while others require their own entrance examinations, interviews, or document screening. Always follow the latest application guide for the nursing school you choose because dates and requirements vary by university and faculty.
Step 7. Apply for a Japanese Student Visa
It is best to start the student visa process early after receiving admission instructions from your school. In most cases, the school accepting the international student acts as the proxy for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application in Japan. The Embassy of Japan in the United States states that obtaining a COE can take one to three months, and the official Study in Japan website explains that a visa application is submitted to a Japanese embassy or consulate after the COE is issued.
Required documents can vary depending on your nationality, country of residence, and local Japanese embassy or consulate. In general, applicants with a COE should prepare a valid passport, visa application form, photograph that meets the embassy’s specifications, Certificate of Eligibility, and any additional documents requested by the embassy or consulate. When applying for the COE or visa, you may also be asked for proof that you can cover your expenses while studying in Japan, such as a bank balance certificate, income certificate, or scholarship documentation.
A visa application may be possible without a COE, but Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that applicants without a COE may need to submit many verification documents and that processing can take several months. Because requirements can change, always check the website of the Japanese embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence and follow the instructions from your accepting school.
We hope this article serves as a guide for your application to study nursing in Japan. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students and Study in Japan for more study options!
