2022 University Recommended Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship: Fully funded to the University of Tokyo

Applications are open for the University of Tokyo MEXT scholarship for the academic year 2022. The scholarships are offered for international students to pursue postgraduate (master & PhD) studies at the University of Tokyo. The ministry of education, sports, culture, science, and technology funds the scholarships. The University of Tokyo MEXT scholarship will cover the tuition fee, cost of traveling, and provide some allowance to the student. Japanese government scholarship is open to international students who have not received any other award or scholarship or do not reside in Japan nor studying in Japan already.

The University of Tokyo is a public-based research university in Tokyo, Japan. The university is known to have 10 faculties, and almost 30,000 students are enrolled, out of which more than 2,000 students are international students from different countries. According to QS Global Universities Ranking, the university ranks as the 24^th best university globally and the top university in Tokyo.

The universities of Japan and higher education system rank among the world’s top universities in terms of quality education and performance. This is one of the reasons that the ministry of education controls public policy and management of Japan. The standards are set accordingly to participate in the world-ranking competition of universities. There are 783 universities in total, while 70% of Japan’s youth complete their postgraduate studies, making Japan one of the world’s most educated nations.

1. Qualifications

(1) Number of Places

The number of mext scholarship 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 2021 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 for the MEXT Scholarship

International students with outstanding academic records (*1) who wish to enter Japan in October, 2022 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

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, having dual citizenship with another country, and plan on relinquishing their Japanese nationality before arrival, may apply.

COUNTRIES WITH DIPLOMATIC RELATION WITH JAPAN

(4) Age

In principle, applicants must be born on or after April 2, 1987.

(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 for the mext scholarship 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
  1. 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.
  2. Has completed an educational program whose primary language of instruction is English that satisfies the entrance requirements to the Master’s Program or Doctoral Program at the Graduate School of Science, the University of Tokyo.
• 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

Applicants must enter the country with the resident status of “Student”, having obtained the visa anew prior to traveling to Japan. The visa is to be issued by the Japanese embassy or consulate in the applicant’s country of nationality. Those who already have another residency status (permanent resident, long-term resident, etc.) will be required to return to their country of nationality, change their status to that of “Student” and then travel to Japan. Note that there is no guarantee that an application to change your resident status back to that of “permanent resident” or “long-term resident” etc. will be approved once you have completed your time as a Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship recipient.

Applicants should be aware that the scholarship will be cancelled if he/she arrives in Japan without a newly obtained “student” visa.

(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 at the time of arrival or at any point during the period of the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship;
2. An applicant to the mext scholarship 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. This ineligibility criterion also does not apply if the formerly received scholarship is of one of the following types: (i) Japanese Studies Student (as long as the applicant has since returned to and graduated from or is expected to graduate from his or her home university), (ii) Japan-Korea Joint Government Scholarship Program for the Students in Science and Engineering, (iii) Young Leaders Program. Also, for the purpose of this clause, the MEXT Honors Scholarship does not count as a Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship.
4. An applicant who is also applying for a Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship for another AY2022 program.
5. An applicant who (i) is already enrolled in a Japanese university, institution, etc. under the “College Student” visa as of the time of application, or (ii) is or plans to be enrolled in a Japanese university, institution, etc. as a self-supported international student between the time of application and the start of the scholarship period. This clause does not apply to self-supported international students who are currently enrolled or are expected to enroll at a Japanese university but can confirm at the time of application that they will return to their country of nationality, newly obtain a “student” visa before the start of the scholarship period, and travel to Japan on the new visa.
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. One who has completed a Doctoral program and does not plan on obtaining another degree.

(12) Other Provisions

While they are studying in Japan, applicants for the mext scholarship 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.

2. Period of MEXT Scholarships

(1)For a recipient who will enroll in a Master’s Program or Doctoral Program, the scholarship will be payable for the standard period of time necessary for the recipient to complete his or her program (standard course term), starting from October 2022.

• Master’s Program = October, 2022 – September, 2024 (2years)
• Doctoral Program = October, 2022 – September, 2025 (3years)

(2)Extension of the Scholarship Period

If a recipient in the Master’s Program desires to proceed to the Doctoral Program, the period of the mext scholarship may be extended upon rigorous examination by MEXT, provided that the student has achieved outstanding academic performance that meets certain criteria. Please note that not all applicants will automatically be given an extension for scholarship, and that you should be aware of further reservations listed below;

1. ① For the extension of the scholarship period to be approved, the recipient’s application for extension must be accepted as well as the recipient passing the entrance examination to the graduate school of their choice and accepting their enrollment as regular (degree-seeking) student.
2. ② The scholarship will be terminated if a recipient proceeds to another academic program without receiving permission for and extension of the scholarship (Note: it is possible for students to progress by becoming self-supported international students).
3. ③ Entering a graduate school of another university is not allowed when moving up to the Doctoral Program from a Master’s program. (However, entering a graduate school of another university as a self-supporting student is permitted.)

3. Scholarship Benefits

(1) Allowance

The amounts of monthly stipend for AY2022 have yet to be determined. As an example, the monthly amounts for AY2021 will be presented below. (These amounts are subject to change depending on the size of the annual fiscal budget each year, commodity prices, etc.)

AY2021 actual amounts144,000 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

① Transportation to Japan: Recipients awarded travel allowance will be provided, according to the itinerary and route designated for them by MEXT scholarship, 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 scholarship 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.

② Transportation from Japan:In principle, MEXT scholarship 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 or completion of their research. 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 MEXT Scholarship Payment

The mext 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. ① If any portion of the recipient’s application documents is found to be false or wrongly stated.
2. ② If a recipient is in breach of his or her pledge made to the Minister of MEXT (Monbukagakusho).
3. 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. ④ If a recipient is punished by expulsion, suspension, admonishment, or any other similar disciplinary action, in accordance with the university rules.
5. 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. ⑥ If a recipient does not obtain a new residence status of “College Student” before arriving in Japan or the recipient’s resident status of “College Student” changes to any other status.
7. ⑦ If a recipient receives another scholarship (except for a scholarship designated for research expenses).
8. ⑧ If a recipient proceeds to a higher academic program without obtaining permission to extend the mext scholarship period from MEXT.
9. ⑨ If a recipient leaves the host university or is transferred to another graduate school.

TO APPLY PLEASE VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE