Japan Scholarships for International Students 2027

Going to Japan can be expensive. APU states that your tuition will be 1,300,000 yen per year.

Government scholarships (MEXT) have now all closed. MEXT applications were accepted during Spring and Summer 2026. There are two other scholarships still open but have no published deadline. One has no date listed for next year.

These dates were checked in November 2026. Dates can change, so please double-check them on the official website.

What Usually Comes Under Fully Funded?

Tuition – The MEXT scholarship is fully funded, with no tuition fees. Most scholarships only offer reduced tuition or a small monthly stipend.

Monthly Stipend – MEXT research students receive around 143,000–145,000 yen per month (Japanese Embassy India).

International Airfares – MEXT covers this. JASSO and universities do not.

Housing – One scholarship at APU covers 11 months of rent-free student housing.

Overall, most scholarships are partially funded. Only MEXT offers all three.

Scholarship Deadlines

JASSO Honours Scholarship – No deadline listed. Apply through your school.

APU Tuition Reduction – No 2027 deadline listed on the APU page. Apply early.

Kyoto University Tuition Exemption – No 2027–2028 date listed. Last year’s deadline was 15th March to 10th April 2026.

MEXT Embassy Recommendation (Research Students) – CLOSED. The deadline in India was 15th May 2026.

MEXT Embassy Recommendation (Undergraduate) – CLOSED. Applicants were screened by the embassy between May and August 2026.

Current/Open Soon

1. JASSO Honours Scholarship (Privately Financed International Students)

This is for pre-admission students. It is available for graduate, undergraduate, and some college-level courses.

Deadline – No deadline listed on the JASSO page. You apply through your school. Check with your Admissions Office.

Funding – Partial funding. This provides 48,000 yen per month. It does not cover tuition fees. Funding is available for 12 months if you start in April, or 6 months if you start in September/October. Funding can change every year (JASSO).

Note – JASSO does not accept student applications. Your school must be on the JASSO list. You need to prove that you have financial need. You must be pre-admitted, studying full-time, and enrolled in a degree programme. You cannot apply if you are a research student or non-degree student.

2. APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship (Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University)

This is for international undergraduate students (either first-year or transfer students). You must be enrolling in April or September 2027.

Deadline – No 2027 deadline listed on the APU page. Apply early. Check the official page for the deadline.

Funding – 30%, 50%, 65%, 80%, or 100% of tuition. This means first-year students pay between 390,000 and 1,300,000 yen per year. Transfer students pay between 450,000 and 1,500,000 yen. APU decides what percentage you receive. A 100% tuition reduction is not fully funded, as it covers only tuition.

Note – You must have Student Visa status. Your documents are assessed by APU along with a recorded interview. You also need to prove that your family has sufficient financial resources. You must write two essays (200 words each) and obtain a recommendation letter from someone who has known you for at least six months. You must pass an academic screening each semester. If you are from Japan, China, Indonesia, India, Korea, Thailand, or Vietnam, you can follow a special timeline for the housing scholarship. Check the official page.

3. Kyoto University Tuition Exemption

This is for current students at Kyoto University. It is available for undergraduate and graduate students.

Deadline – No 2027–2028 dates listed. Last year’s deadline was 15th March to 3rd April (data) and 6th to 10th April (documents) for the first semester. Expect similar dates (Likely).

Funding – First-semester tuition. The amount is not stated on the page. Check the official page. Results were announced in late July last year.

Note – You must be a current student. You cannot apply until you have been admitted. You must have high grades and face financial difficulties, or have family members who have died or been affected by a disaster. Undergraduates admitted in 2026–2027 or later cannot receive the admission fee and tuition exemption. Late applications are not accepted.

2027 Deadlines – Apply Next Year

4. MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship (Embassy Recommendation) (Research Students)

This is a graduate scholarship for master’s degrees, doctorates, and professional degrees. This is the only truly fully funded scholarship.

Deadline – CLOSED. The preliminary deadline in India was 15th May 2026. 2027 entrants were scheduled for April 2027 or September/October 2027. Each embassy will have its own deadline. Next year’s deadline will likely be in Spring 2027 (Likely).

Funding – Fully funded. This includes tuition, international airfares, and a monthly stipend. Master’s students receive 144,000 yen, and doctorate students receive 145,000 yen (Indian Embassy). Preparatory education students receive 143,000 yen.

Note – You must be under 35 years old and born on or after 2nd April 1992. You must have a bachelor’s degree with 70% or above, or 65% in Humanities and Social Sciences. Different countries may have different requirements. Check the official page of your embassy. Apply through your embassy.

5. MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship (Embassy Recommendation) (Undergraduate)

This is an undergraduate scholarship for next April.

Deadline – CLOSED for 2027. Recruitment took place in April–May 2026. Applicants were screened by the embassy between May and August. Check your embassy page.

Funding – Undergraduate funding details were not listed. Check the official page and Application Guidelines.

Note – You will start with a one-year preparatory course at a school chosen by MEXT. You will take exams at a university chosen by MEXT. Therefore, you cannot choose the University of Tokyo or Kyoto University. Your health certificate and recommendation letter must be sent to the embassy. A doctor must complete the health form.

Choosing the Right Scholarship

Check If It Fits Your Profile

Check your education level. MEXT Research and Kyoto University scholarships are mostly for graduate or current students. APU scholarships are for undergraduates.

Check whether you have financial need. Both JASSO and APU consider financial need. APU also considers your family’s financial situation.

Check your grades. MEXT Research requires 70% (India page).

Check Your Country

MEXT applications must be submitted through your own embassy or consulate in Japan. Requirements and deadlines will vary.

APU has a special housing scholarship timeline for seven countries.

Check your embassy page first.

Deadlines

MEXT Embassy deadlines are in Spring. Start preparing your transcripts and health certificate in January.

APU and JASSO have no set deadlines. Apply early.

Kyoto has a short application window in Spring. Late applications are not accepted.

Common Mistakes

Guide sites say the APU MEXT recommendation deadline is 5th November 2026. However, I could not find this information on APU pages. Check the official page.

Applying to the Wrong Place – JASSO does not accept student applications. MEXT forms should be submitted to your embassy. Sending them to Tokyo will get you nowhere.

Thinking a Partial Scholarship Is Fully Funded – JASSO only provides 48,000 yen per month. APU’s highest scholarship level only reduces tuition. You will still have to pay for rent and food.

Conclusion

None of the deadlines I could find are within the next few weeks. APU and JASSO have no dates listed. Apply early. Kyoto will likely have its next application window in March 2027. MEXT Embassy applications will likely open in April–May 2027 (Likely).

Ask one teacher who has known you for at least six months to write your recommendation letter tomorrow.