Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship 2024

Introduction of the (MEXT) Scholarship 2024

Welcome to the 2024 University Recommended Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship – General!

This prestigious scholarship program offers an incredible opportunity for international students to pursue their academic dreams in Japan.

The School of Science at the University of Tokyo researches and teaches in different scientific fields to learn about how nature works and discover its fundamental laws.

Scientists are driven by curiosity and passion for knowledge rather than immediate practical applications.

Through this pursuit, we have gained a deep understanding of nature, contributing to the development of modern conveniences and expanding our perspective of the natural world and the universe.

Science forms the foundation of civilization and plays a crucial role in shaping the future.

In line with this, the School of Science is committed to creating and passing on knowledge, as stated in its Charter.

Read Also: DOST Junior Level Science Scholarships 2023

Friendly Advice by the Philippine Scholar Editorial Team

If you’re thinking about applying for the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship, here is some friendly advice to help you:

• Research the scholarship: Learn about the MEXT Scholarship program, including who can apply, what documents you need, and its benefits.

• Start early: The application process takes time, so it’s essential to begin preparing well in advance. Keep track of deadlines and give yourself enough time to complete the application carefully.

• Choose your field of study carefully: Consider your long-term goals and pick a study area that matches your interests and ambitions. Choose a program that you’re passionate about, and that will make the most of your scholarship experience.

• Improve your Japanese language skills: While not all programs require Japanese language knowledge, having a basic understanding will significantly enhance your time in Japan. Consider taking language courses or using online resources to improve your Japanese skills before you go.

• Write a solid personal statement: Your statement is a chance to show off your academic achievements, goals, and why you’re a good fit for the MEXT Scholarship.

Read Also: 7 Tips to Utilize Chat GPT in an Essay

• Seek guidance and support: Talk to your professors, mentors, or educational advisors for guidance during the application process. They can help you improve your application materials, provide advice, and share their insights about studying in Japan.

• Embrace Japanese culture: Japan has a rich cultural heritage, so try to learn about and respect their customs. Get familiar with Japanese etiquette, businesses, and social norms to make your transition to Japanese society smoother.

• Be proactive and open-minded: Make the most of your time in Japan by actively participating in academic and cultural activities. Attend seminars, join student clubs, and participate in community events to broaden your horizons, make connections, and create lasting memories.

Remember, the MEXT Scholarship is a unique opportunity to pursue your academic dreams in Japan. Good luck with your MEXT Scholarship journey!

Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship 2024

Benefits of the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship

(1) Allowance

The amounts of monthly stipend for AY2024 have yet to be determined.

As an example, the monthly amounts for AY2023 will be presented below. (These amounts are subject to change depending on the size of the annual fiscal budget each year, commodity prices, etc.)

AY2023 actual amounts

144,000 yen/month (for a student of a Master’s Program), or 145,000 yen/month (for a student of a Doctoral Program)(an additional monthly stipend of 2,000 or 3,000 yen may be added to those students undertaking study or research in some designated regions of the country).

The scholarship will not be paid to a recipient during a leave of absence or a long absence from his or her university.

(2) Traveling Costs

Transportation to Japan:

Recipients awarded travel allowance will be provided, according to the itinerary and route designated for them by MEXT, with an economy class air ticket from the international airport closest to their place of residence to one of the international airports of Tokyo (Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND)) (or an international airport the recipient’s host university normally uses).

Please note that the cost of transportation from the recipient’s residence to the nearest international airport; airport tax and surcharges; other special local taxes incurred by travelling; local travel expenses within Japan (including any costs if transferring by air); travel insurance premiums; baggage and unaccompanied baggage; are the sole responsibility of the recipient.

MEXT or the university will provide an economy class air ticket to Narita International Airport (NRT) or the closest international airport to the university from a third country through which the applicant obtained their “Student” visa, if Japan does not have an overseas diplomatic establishment in their country of nationality.

However, any costs incurred in travelling to the third country, travels within the third country and cost of accommodations incurred is the sole responsibility of the recipient.

The recipient’s residence is taken to be the current address given in the application. However, if a change of address is known beforehand (limited to within the recipient’s home country), residence will be taken as the latter.

Moreover, an air ticket will not be provided if the recipient travels to Japan from a country other than that of their nationality. Air tickets will not be provided for travel from a third country for any reasons other than for obtaining visas.

Transportation from Japan:

In principle, MEXT will issue airline tickets to recipients who return to their home country within the final month of the scholarship period as specified in “2. Period of Scholarship” above upon application following their graduation from university.

Recipients will be provided with an economy class air ticket for a flight from Narita International Airport (or an international airport the recipient’s university normally uses) to the international airport closest to their place of return (in principle, within their home country).

Please be aware that costs incurred for transportation from the recipient’s residence to the nearest international airport in Japan; airport tax and surcharges; other special local taxes incurred when travelling; local travel expenses within Japan (including any costs if transferring by air); insurance premiums for travel to Japan; sending baggage as well as unaccompanied baggage; are the sole responsibility of the recipient.

Recipients who return to their home country before the end of the scholarship period for personal reasons or because of items as stipulated in 4. Suspension of Scholarship Payment below will not be provided with return airfare.

Note:Traveling expenses will not be included in the travel allowance if a recipient decides to remain in Japan (for example; continuing the education at a higher level or entering employment in Japan) after the period of scholarship ends and temporarily leaves Japan.

(3) School Fees

Enrollment and Tuition fees will be exempted.

(4) Suspension of Scholarship Payment

The scholarship will be cancelled in the following cases. If a recipient receives the scholarship even though he or she is judged ineligible due to one of the following cases, the recipient may be ordered to return all or a part of scholarship money received.

Please note that payment of the scholarship may be stopped during the time while decision is being made on the disciplinary action.

1. If any portion of the recipient’s application documents is found to be false or wrongly stated.
2. If a recipient is in breach of his or her pledge made to the Minister of MEXT (Monbukagakusho).
3. Given life or more than one year of imprisonment with or without hard labor having been convicted of breaking the law in Japan.
4.  If a recipient is punished by expulsion, suspension, admonishment, or any other similar disciplinary action, in accordance with the university rules.
5. If a student is deemed not to be able to complete the program within the standard duration due to unacceptable academic performance, student’s suspension or student’s leave of absence.
6. If a recipient does not obtain a new “Student” status before arriving in Japan or the recipient’s resident status of “Student” changes to any other status.
7. If a recipient receives another scholarship (except for a scholarship designated for research expenses).
8. If a recipient proceeds to a higher academic program without obtaining permission to extend the scholarship period from MEXT.
9. If a recipient leaves the host university or is transferred to another graduate school.

Qualifications of the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship

(1) Number of Places

The number of applicants to be nominated by the Graduate School of Science to the University of Tokyo, as well as the number to be subsequently nominated by the University of Tokyo to MEXT, shall be finalized after the application period has closed.

In the last round (application for 2023 entrance) each Graduate School was allowed to nominate at most one applicant, and the University of Tokyo was allowed to nominate at most three applicants to MEXT.

(2) Eligibility

International students with outstanding academic records (*1) who wish to enter Japan in October, 2024 as a new student (*2) to study in the Master’s or Doctoral Program at the Graduate School of Science.

• (*1) Applicants who have already graduated from their latest degree program should have a final grade point of 2.30 or higher, while current students should have a grade point of 2.30 or higher for their current courses, and both should be expected to maintain the same academic standards during the course of the scholarship program.
  * Grade points shall be calculated according to a formula specified by MEXT.
  Furthermore, students must meet one of the criteria given under “(7) Language Proficiency” given below.
• (*2) Please refer to (11) Non-eligibility 5. to confirm your eligibility.

(3) Nationality

We are only able to nominate an applicant who holds one of the nationalities specified by MEXT.

This year’s nationality provisions have yet to be announced (the announcement is expected to reach us after the application period has closed), however, in the last round, only those who hold a nationality found on MEXT’s list of Priority Nationalities below were eligible for nomination.

To see the list of priority nationalities, please click here.

Also, applicants must have the nationality of a country with diplomatic relations with the Japanese government. Applicants who have Japanese nationality at the time of application are ineligible.

However, Japanese nationals that reside outside of Japan at the time of application, holding dual nationality with another country, and plan to renounce their Japanese nationality before arrival (equivalent to the time when they enroll as a student at a Japanese university), may apply.

(4) Age

In principle, applicants must be born on or after April 2, 1989.

(5) Academic background

Applicants must have the necessary qualifications to be admitted to the Graduate School of Science, the University of Tokyo as a Master’s or a Doctoral Program student.

(6) Field of Study

Applicants should apply for the field of study that they studied at their previous university or a related field. Applicants should select a field that they are able to research at their chosen host university in Japan.

(7) Language Proficiency

Applicants must meet one of the language requirements in either English or in Japanese as described below:

English

• Holds an English proficiency test score equivalent to B2 or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale (e.g. TOEFL iBT 72 or above, IELTS 5.5 or above).
  * To see what counts as “B2 or above on the CEFR scale”, please refer to the CEFR Equivalency Chart.:
  To see the CEFR Equivalency Chart, please click here.

Japanese

1. Has passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) with a score of N2 or higher.
2. Has completed an educational program whose primary language of instruction is Japanese that satisfies the entrance requirements to the Master’s Program or Doctoral Program at the Graduate School of Science, the University of Tokyo.

(8) Health

Applicants must be physically and mentally healthy enough to pursue their studies in Japan.

(9) Arrival in Japan

Applicants must, in principle, be able to arrive in Japan by a date specified by the accepting university which in principle shall be within two weeks before or after the first day of the semester (October 1) in the year specified by the accepting university.

If applicants cannot arrive in Japan by the date specified, they must withdraw their application unless under unavoidable circumstances as deemed by MEXT.

Furthermore, if applicants travel outside of the period specified above due to personal reasons, the cost of travel will not be paid.

(10) Visa Requirements

In principle, applicants should enter the country with a resident status of “Student” having obtained the visa prior to traveling to Japan.

The visa is to be issued by the Japanese embassy or consulate in the applicant’s home country.

The applicant should be aware that the scholarship will be cancelled if they arrive in Japan without a newly obtained “Student” visa.

It should be noted that any applicants who change their status from “Student” to any other residence status after their arrival in Japan will forfeit their right to be a recipient of the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship from the moment they apply to change their status.

(11) Non-eligibility

Applicants in the following categories are ineligible for the Japanese Government (MEXT) scholarship.

They must decline the scholarship offer if they are found to fall under any one of the following criteria upon their selection.

1. An active member of the military or a civilian employed by the military.
2. An applicant who is unable to travel to Japan within the period designated by MEXT or the University of Tokyo.
3. A former recipient of a Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship (including those who withdrew from the scholarship after coming to Japan) is ineligible unless he or she has had at least three years of educational or working experience since the month after completing the former scholarship period as of the beginning of the new scholarship period.
4. An applicant who is also applying for a Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship for another AY2024 program.
5. An applicant who is residing in Japan.
6. An applicant who expects to receive a scholarship from any source other than the Japanese Government (MEXT), including those from their own country’s government body, at or after the beginning of the scholarship period.
7. An applicant who is “expected to graduate by the entrance date” at the time of application but then cannot provide proof of completing a degree by the designated deadline.
8. A Japanese national who has dual nationality with another country, and is not able to provide proof of relinquishing Japanese nationality by the day of arrival.
9. An applicant who is, as of the time of application, planning a long period of fieldwork or internship in a country other than Japan or a long-term leave of absence, etc.
10. Those who do not intend to go on to regular (degree-seeking) programs
11. Those who do not plan on pursuing further academic degrees.

(12) Other Provisions

While they are studying in Japan, applicants are expected, as someone who will contribute to the globalization of Japan, to broadly participate in regional schools and activities to contribute towards the mutual understanding between their home country and Japan.

Furthermore, they are expected to maintain a close link with the universities they studied at even after they have graduated and cooperate in various manners, such as answering questionnaires etc.

Also, on returning to their home country, they must take part in the various activities organized by the Japanese government’s missions overseas to enhance the relationship between Japan and their home country.

Application & Screening of the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship

(1) Application Documents

		(Copy)
1)	Application form (must be in double-sided print) Please click here for download * Note that applicants may be required to submit the original application form in January 2024.	1
2)	Field of Study and Research Plan Please click here for download	1
3)	Letter of recommendation from “dean or above” * This letter must fulfill all of the following conditions: The name of the addressee stated in the letter must be “the President of the University of Tokyo” The letter must be printed on your university’s letterhead. The letter must be written by and signed by a dean or above. Digital signature is not acceptable.	1
4)	Passport-type photo taken within the last 6 months (4.5 x 3.5 cm, upper-body, full-faced, without a cap) Write name and nationality on the back and glue it to the application form. A photo in electronic data format is acceptable.	1
5)	An official transcript from the last university attended (at undergraduate or graduate level). If you are currently enrolled in a university (at undergraduate or graduate level), please submit an official transcript of the last degree program (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD) that you have graduate from, as well as an official transcript of your current degree program. You must also submit (an) official document(s) that specifies and explains the grading system(s) if it is not indicated in your transcript(s).	1
6)	Proof of language ability certifying that one of the Language Proficiency conditions apply (for example, a TOEFL, IELTS or JLPT score report or a language of education certificate from your previous university) * See 1. Qualifications (7) Language Proficiency	1
7)	Abstract of graduation thesis(should be concise and to the point)	1
8)	Official statement of (expected) graduation of the last university attended. * If you will graduate from your current program after submitting your MEXT application, you must submit an official statement provided by your university that indicates the date of your expected graduation.	1
9)	A copy of the student’s passport (The page with photo)	1

Note:

Application Instructions

• Applicants must submit the required documents for MEXT Scholarship after completing their admission application for entering the Master’s/Doctoral Program, following the “Instructions for International Students applying to the Graduate School of Science (Special Selection for International Applicants)”.
• These documents must be written in either Japanese or English. They must be created in A4 format using software such as MS Word and must be printed double-sided (duplex printing). A document written in any other language must be accompanied with a Japanese translation.
• Submitted documents will not be returned.
• An application passed the submission deadline is not acceptable.
• An application will not be considered unless all application forms and necessary documents are completed correctly and all accompanying documents are complete.
• In some countries, a graduation certificate and other documents are issued by a government administrative office. In this case, the University of Tokyo may need to confirm with a student’s previous university that the certificate issued contains no erroneous information.

(2) Nomination Process

After nomination by the Graduate School of Science, nominees for the MEXT selection will be decided in a selection process for the entire University of Tokyo.

After the University of Tokyo nominates its candidates, the grantees will be decided upon screening at MEXT.

Application Submission Method & Contact Address

Applicants must submit the required documents to apply for the MEXT Scholarship after applying for admission to the Graduate School of Science (Master’s/Doctoral Program).

For an application to count, both MEXT scholarship application and the Graduate School of Science admission application must be completed before the application deadline through the respective online forms.

Electronic Application

To submit the electronic application, applicants must upload all application documents through the designated application form, as instructed below, before the application deadline.

Note that other forms of submission such as via email will not be accepted.

How to submit your application electronically

Complete your electronic application through the online application below, following all of the following instructions: 1. You must scan in each item of the application documents listed in 4 (1) and upload it in the file format designated in the application form (such as PDF). 2. Upload all of your application documents and submit your electronic application before the application deadline:Online Form for MEXT Electronic Application 3. Be sure to check the contents of the automated email that you receive upon submitting your electronic application.

Application deadline for the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship

From October 10 to October 31, 2023, Japan Standard Time. The electronic application must be submitted within the application period.

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Source: School of Science, The University of Tokyo