MEXT SCHOLARSHIP - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
2025/4/15
1. Who can apply for the Japanese Government Scholarship?
The scholarship program is open to all nationalities of countries that has diplomatic relations with Japan. An applicant who has Japanese nationality at the time of application is not eligible. However, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines will only process applications for Filipino citizens.
Reference: Application Guidelines, QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS – Nationality
[Undergraduate: page 3; Research: page 1; Specialized Training: page 2; College of Technology: page 2]
[Teacher Training: page 1; Japanese Studies: page 1]
2. How do I know if my age is still qualified for the program?
In principle, applicants qualify for the program if they are still within the age limit.
[Undergraduate: page 3; Research: page 1; Specialized Training: page 2; College of Technology: page 3]
[Teacher Training: page 2; Japanese Studies: page 2]
3. What are the courses supported by the scholarship program?
For the Undergraduate, Research, College of Technology and Specialized Training categories, please refer to the FIELDS OF STUDY section on page 1 of the Application Guidelines for details on the supported courses.
For the College of Technology and Specialized Training categories, further details are also found in the Majors and Related Key Terms for Fields of Study document.
For the Teacher Training and Japanese Studies categories, further details are found in the Course Guides for each category.
4. I have an undergraduate degree but still within the age qualification, am I still eligible to apply to the Undergraduate, College of Technology or Specialized Training Programs?
Yes, applicants may apply to the program of interest even if they have already obtained an undergraduate degree. However, the applicant can only apply for one category.
References:
Application Guidelines, QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS – Academic Background [Undergraduate: page 3; Specialized Training: page 2; College of Technology: page 3]
Application Guidelines, QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS – Non-Eligibility [Undergraduate: page 4; Specialized Training: page 3; College of Technology: page 3]
5. I am an incoming grade 12 this school year and the possible graduation is in March 2024. Am I eligible to apply?
Those who will be able to finish 12 years of schooling on or before March 2026 can apply. In principle, applicants must be able to arrive in Japan between April 1, 2026 and April 7, 2026.
** Aspiring applicants for the Undergraduate or Specialized Training categories who will graduate after March 2026 are advised to apply in the next application process (i.e. 2027 program).
References:
6. Is there an application fee?
None, the application is free of charge.
7. I do not know how to speak Japanese. Can I still apply for the scholarship?
Japanese language proficiency is not a pre-requisite in the scholarship selection process for most categories. However, we highly encourage applicants to start learning elementary Japanese if they have not yet done so. In addition, Japanese language proficiency is a requirement in applying for the Japanese Studies category.
Reference: Application Guidelines, QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS – Japanese Language section
[Undergraduate: page 3; Research: page 2; Specialized Training: page 2; College of Technology: page 3]
[Teacher Training: page 1; Japanese Studies: page 1]
8. For Undergraduate Category applications, is there a list of universities accepting direct placement?
For the 2026 application cycle, direct placement options will be made available only to eligible applicants who pass the First Screening.
Reference: Undergraduate Category Application Guidelines, DIRECT PLACEMENT (pages 2-3) and APPLICATION DOCUMENTS (pages 7-9)
9. For Research Category applications, can we already contact universities and/or professors who are aligned to our research interest?
As much as possible, please do not contact universities and/or professors until the Embassy explicitly gives instructions for such.
Reference: Research Category Application Guidelines, THE PROCESS OF APPLICATION AND SELECTION (pages 5-6) and REQUEST OF PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE AND SUBMISSION OF A PLACEMENT FORM (pages 8-9).
10. To whom shall we ask for the recommendation letters? Is there a format for it?
Details on recommendation letters are found in the APPLICATION DOCUMENTS section of the guidelines.
Reference: Application Guidelines, APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
[Undergraduate: pages 7-9; Research: page 6-7; Specialized Training: page 6-8; College of Technology: page 7-8]
[Teacher Training: pages 6-7; Japanese Studies: pages 6-7]
11. Do we need to take an English proficiency test as the forms have fields requesting for English proficiency scores?
In lieu of an English proficiency test, applicants may submit a certificate of English as medium of instruction from their school. This will be accepted as a certificate of language proficiency, listed in the APPLICATION DOCUMENTS section in the guidelines.
For the 2024 applications for the Teacher Training and Japanese Studies categories, proof of English proficiency is not anymore required.
Reference: Application Guidelines, APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
[Undergraduate: pages 7-9; Research: page 6-7; Specialized Training: page 6-8; College of Technology: page 7-8]
12. Do I still need to prepare the number of copies required for each document even if not all documents are original?
Yes, the applicant must follow the number of copies for each document stated in the guidelines. For example, if the list asks for 1 original and 1 copy and the applicant is unable to give the original, 2 copies (i.e., 1 certified true copy and 1 photocopy) must be submitted. Certified true copies will be accepted in lieu of originals.
Reference: Application Guidelines, APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
[Undergraduate: pages 7-9; Research: page 6-7; Specialized Training: page 6-8; College of Technology: page 7-8]
[Teacher Training: pages 6-7; Japanese Studies: pages 6-7]
13. Is there a written exam? What subjects are covered in the exam? How can we best prepare for the exam?
A written exam is included, and the subjects are listed in the Application Guidelines. To prepare for it, you may refer to exams that were administered in previous years.
References:
The scholarship program is open to all nationalities of countries that has diplomatic relations with Japan. An applicant who has Japanese nationality at the time of application is not eligible. However, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines will only process applications for Filipino citizens.
Reference: Application Guidelines, QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS – Nationality
[Undergraduate: page 3; Research: page 1; Specialized Training: page 2; College of Technology: page 2]
[Teacher Training: page 1; Japanese Studies: page 1]
2. How do I know if my age is still qualified for the program?
In principle, applicants qualify for the program if they are still within the age limit.
- For Undergraduate, College of Technology, or Specialized Training College – born on or after April 2, 2001
- For Research and Teacher Training – born on or after April 2, 1991
- For Japanese Studies - born between April 2, 1994 and April 1, 2006
[Undergraduate: page 3; Research: page 1; Specialized Training: page 2; College of Technology: page 3]
[Teacher Training: page 2; Japanese Studies: page 2]
3. What are the courses supported by the scholarship program?
For the Undergraduate, Research, College of Technology and Specialized Training categories, please refer to the FIELDS OF STUDY section on page 1 of the Application Guidelines for details on the supported courses.
For the College of Technology and Specialized Training categories, further details are also found in the Majors and Related Key Terms for Fields of Study document.
For the Teacher Training and Japanese Studies categories, further details are found in the Course Guides for each category.
4. I have an undergraduate degree but still within the age qualification, am I still eligible to apply to the Undergraduate, College of Technology or Specialized Training Programs?
Yes, applicants may apply to the program of interest even if they have already obtained an undergraduate degree. However, the applicant can only apply for one category.
References:
Application Guidelines, QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS – Academic Background [Undergraduate: page 3; Specialized Training: page 2; College of Technology: page 3]
Application Guidelines, QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS – Non-Eligibility [Undergraduate: page 4; Specialized Training: page 3; College of Technology: page 3]
5. I am an incoming grade 12 this school year and the possible graduation is in March 2024. Am I eligible to apply?
Those who will be able to finish 12 years of schooling on or before March 2026 can apply. In principle, applicants must be able to arrive in Japan between April 1, 2026 and April 7, 2026.
** Aspiring applicants for the Undergraduate or Specialized Training categories who will graduate after March 2026 are advised to apply in the next application process (i.e. 2027 program).
References:
- Application Guidelines, QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS – Academic Background
[Undergraduate: page 3; Specialized Training: page 2; College of Technology: page 3] - Application Guidelines, QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS – Arrival in Japan
[Undergraduate: page 4; Specialized Training: page 3; College of Technology: page 3]
6. Is there an application fee?
None, the application is free of charge.
7. I do not know how to speak Japanese. Can I still apply for the scholarship?
Japanese language proficiency is not a pre-requisite in the scholarship selection process for most categories. However, we highly encourage applicants to start learning elementary Japanese if they have not yet done so. In addition, Japanese language proficiency is a requirement in applying for the Japanese Studies category.
Reference: Application Guidelines, QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS – Japanese Language section
[Undergraduate: page 3; Research: page 2; Specialized Training: page 2; College of Technology: page 3]
[Teacher Training: page 1; Japanese Studies: page 1]
8. For Undergraduate Category applications, is there a list of universities accepting direct placement?
For the 2026 application cycle, direct placement options will be made available only to eligible applicants who pass the First Screening.
Reference: Undergraduate Category Application Guidelines, DIRECT PLACEMENT (pages 2-3) and APPLICATION DOCUMENTS (pages 7-9)
9. For Research Category applications, can we already contact universities and/or professors who are aligned to our research interest?
As much as possible, please do not contact universities and/or professors until the Embassy explicitly gives instructions for such.
Reference: Research Category Application Guidelines, THE PROCESS OF APPLICATION AND SELECTION (pages 5-6) and REQUEST OF PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE AND SUBMISSION OF A PLACEMENT FORM (pages 8-9).
10. To whom shall we ask for the recommendation letters? Is there a format for it?
Details on recommendation letters are found in the APPLICATION DOCUMENTS section of the guidelines.
Reference: Application Guidelines, APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
[Undergraduate: pages 7-9; Research: page 6-7; Specialized Training: page 6-8; College of Technology: page 7-8]
[Teacher Training: pages 6-7; Japanese Studies: pages 6-7]
11. Do we need to take an English proficiency test as the forms have fields requesting for English proficiency scores?
In lieu of an English proficiency test, applicants may submit a certificate of English as medium of instruction from their school. This will be accepted as a certificate of language proficiency, listed in the APPLICATION DOCUMENTS section in the guidelines.
For the 2024 applications for the Teacher Training and Japanese Studies categories, proof of English proficiency is not anymore required.
Reference: Application Guidelines, APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
[Undergraduate: pages 7-9; Research: page 6-7; Specialized Training: page 6-8; College of Technology: page 7-8]
12. Do I still need to prepare the number of copies required for each document even if not all documents are original?
Yes, the applicant must follow the number of copies for each document stated in the guidelines. For example, if the list asks for 1 original and 1 copy and the applicant is unable to give the original, 2 copies (i.e., 1 certified true copy and 1 photocopy) must be submitted. Certified true copies will be accepted in lieu of originals.
Reference: Application Guidelines, APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
[Undergraduate: pages 7-9; Research: page 6-7; Specialized Training: page 6-8; College of Technology: page 7-8]
[Teacher Training: pages 6-7; Japanese Studies: pages 6-7]
13. Is there a written exam? What subjects are covered in the exam? How can we best prepare for the exam?
A written exam is included, and the subjects are listed in the Application Guidelines. To prepare for it, you may refer to exams that were administered in previous years.
References:
- Application Guidelines
- SELECTION section [Undergraduate: page 7; Specialized Training: page 6; College of Technology: page 6; Teacher Training: pages 5-6; Japanese Studies: page 6]
- FIRST SCREENING section [Research: page 7]
- Past Examination Questions