Japanese Studies

2024/12/27
This scholarship offers applicants the opportunity to spend a year continuing their study of Japanese language or culture at one of several universities in Japan.

Applications for this category are currently OPEN.

NOTE: The screening committee takes into consideration your ability to follow the guidelines and instructions.  Please follow the instructions carefully.

 
1. In principle, Japanese Studies scholars must return to their universities in their home countries after the completion of the program to finish their studies of the Japanese language and culture. Please refer to the detailed guidelines for the exception to this rule. Scholars who do not adhere to the guideline will be required to pay back the full amount of the scholarship. Please bear this in mind when you submit your application.
 
2. All submitted documents WILL NOT BE RETURNED. Should you foresee the necessity of keeping a copy of the requirements for your own purpose, it should be done BEFORE submitting your documents. To signify that you accept and agree to this rule, please include the Agreement on Document Submission when you send your application. Applications which do not have this agreement will not be assessed during the document screening.

3. Applicants can opt to fill up the application form in English or Japanese.
 
4. Certified true copies of the Academic Transcript of Records and Certificates of graduation of school/university may be submitted in lieu of originals. Notarized documents will also be accepted. Please ensure that information on certified documents can be clearly read. Furthermore, if the document is in a language other than English or Japanese, please provide a translation from the school/university.
 
5. CERTIFICATE OF HEALTH - Medical check-up may be undertaken in ANY hospital or health institution provided that the prescribed form (as linked below) is used. Please ask the doctor to fill in all the required data. As much as possible, please ask the physician to sign the form with their wet signature. If the hospital or health institution cannot provide a physically-signed form, the digital or scanned copy must be notarized or certified.
  • All applicants who have a history of tuberculosis must declare this in their certificate of health (item 4) and must be completely cured before they fly out for Japan. Else, they will have to withdraw from the scholarship.
  • After submission of documents, the applicant must immediately inform the Embassy of any changes in their health condition (e.g., contraction of serious disease, pregnancy, etc.), especially if this may significantly alter their life plans.
 
6. RECOMMENDATION LETTER: Letters with the wet signature of the recommender are most appreciated. If it is not possible for the recommender to physically sign the letter, the applicant may submit a notarized copy of the recommendation letter with an e-signature.

7. JAPANESE LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: For applicants who have passed the JLPT or other Japanese language exams (e.g., JFT-Basic, NAT-TEST), please make sure to indicate the details in your application form. Please also submit the certificate indicating both the level obtained and the exam score.

8. Due to the huge volume of applications received every year, we are unable to confirm receipt of documents from each applicant.  Please check with your courier service provider on how you can verify delivery/receipt of your documents. Inquiries on application status will not be entertained.
 
9. Only short listed candidates will be contacted to take the exams and interview at a location designated by the Embassy. It is the candidate's responsibility to secure the cost and means to take the written test and interview. Candidates for the written test must take precautions against infection by COVID-19 and follow the instructions of the test proctor.
 
10. Place all your documents in a single envelope or folder arranged according to the list. Number the documents (1 through 8) in the right upper corner according to their number on the list. Separate the originals and the copies and arrange by number.
 
11. Please mail your application package to the following address on or before the indicated deadline date below. Late applications WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
 
Attn: 2025 MEXT Scholarship Program (Japanese Studies Category)
Japan Information and Culture Center
Embassy of Japan
2627 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City 1300
 
In case the courier service asks for a specific point of contact, please show them this specific instruction. The Embassy is able to receive packages as long as the address is written correctly, like the one shown above.
 
 
Deadline (must be received by) February 14, 2025 (Friday)
Exam and Interview Date TBA
Qualifications 1. Filipino citizen
2. Applicants must be born between April 2, 1995 and April 1, 2007
3. Currently enrolled as an undergraduate student and majoring in fields related to Japanese language and/or Japanese culture.
4. Applicants must have majored in a field related to Japanese language/culture at a university for a total period of one year or more as of September 1, 2025.
 

Disclaimer: The application process for the 2025 Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship Program is subject to change under unavoidable circumstances.

Application Documents