JAPANESE GOVERNMENT MONBUKAGAKUSHO:MEXTSCHOLARSHIP FOR 2015

RESEARCH STUDENTS
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT)
offers scholarships to international students who wish to study in graduate
courses at Japanese universities either as (non-degree) student or regular
student for a degree under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
Program for 2015 as follows.
1. FIELDS OF STUDY
Applicants should apply for the field of study they majored in at university or its
related field. And fields of study must be subjects which applicants will be able
to study and research in graduate courses at Japanese universities.
The fields of study may be restricted to particular fields by the Japanese
Embassy/Consulate General(hereinafter referred to as the Japanese diplomatic
mission).
A student who majors in medicine, dentistry or welfare science will not be
allowed to engage in clinical training such as medical care and operative surgery
until he/she obtains a permit from the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare
under applicable Japanese laws. Majors in traditional entertainment such as
Kabuki and classical Japanese dances, or in subjects that seek practical training
in specific technologies or techniques at factories or companies are excluded.
2. QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITION
(1) Nationality:
Applicants must have the nationality of a country which has diplomatic relations
with the Japanese government. Stateless persons can be applicants, too.
Applicants who have Japanese nationality at the time of application are not
eligible. However, applicants of dual nationality who reside outside of Japan is
eligible only if they will expatriate from Japan by the time of arrival in Japan.
Screening of applicants will be made at the Japanese diplomatic mission in the
country of applicants nationality.
(2) Age:
Applicants must have been born on or after April 2,1980.
(3) Academic Background:
Applicants must be a graduate from a Japanese university or have academic
ability equal or superior to that of a Japanese university graduate. A person will
be deemed to have academic ability equal or superior to that of a university
graduate, if he/she
1has completed or will complete a 16-year school curriculum in a foreign
country (or an 18-year school curriculum if he/she desires to enroll in a doctoral
course in the field of medicine, dentistry or veterinary science, or pharmacy
which is founded on a 6-year department or faculty); or
2is or will be aged 22 or older and has taken an individual entrance
qualification examination and has been judged by a Japanese graduate school as
being equal or superior in academic ability to a university graduate (or 24 or
older if he/she desires to enroll in a doctoral course in the field of medicine,
dentistry or veterinary science, or pharmacy which is founded on a 6-year
department or faculty).

Note: Eligible applicants include those who otherwise satisfy or will satisfy
qualification requirements for admission to a Japanese graduate school. As a
general rule, a person who has completed a doctoral course may not apply
unless he/she seeks to obtain a degree.
(4) Japanese Language:
Applicants must be willing to learn the Japanese language, interested in Japan
and enthusiastic about deepening their understanding of Japan after arriving,
and capable of engaging in study and research while adapting themselves to life
in Japan.
(5) Health:
Applicants must be physically and mentally healthy enough to take graduate
studies at universities in Japan.
(6) Arrival in Japan:
In principle, applicants must be able to arrive in Japan between the 1st and 7th
of April 2015, or within two weeks of the date set by the receiving university for
the beginning of the semester (in principle, in September or October).
(7) Visa Requirement:
In principle, selected applicants must acquire College Student ryugaku,
visas before entering Japan. The visas should be issued at the Japanese legation,
located in the country of applicants nationality.
Applicants who change their resident status to any status other than College
Student after their arrival in Japan will immediately lose their status as
Japanese government scholarship student.
(8) Applicants who meet any or all of the following conditions are not eligible.
If identified after acceptance of the scholarship grantees, the applicants will
be required to withdraw from the scholarship:
1 If an applicant is a service member or a civilian employee registered on the
active military list at the time of his/her arrival in Japan;
2 Those who cannot arrive in Japan during the period designated by MEXT or
the accepting university;
3 If an applicant is a previous recipient of a Japanese government scholarship,
and, does not have educational research experience more than three years from
the first day of the month following the final payment of the previous
scholarship to the beginning of the payment of this scholarship, as of April 1,
2015 . This does not apply to the past recipient of &
scholarships who have graduated or are to graduate their universities in their
countries and the past students under the Yang Leaders Program;
4 If an applicant is, in principle, currently enrolled in a Japanese university or
other type of school with the resident status of College Student, or will be
enrolled in a Japanese university, etc. as another source or self-financed
international student between the time of application for this scholarship in
his/her country and the time the scholarship period is due to begin. This does
not apply to current self-financed international students at Japanese universities
who will complete their courses of study and return to their countries before the
end of the current fiscal year;
5 If an applicant is a grantee of a scholarship from other
organization(including any governmental organization of his/her own country)
than the Japanese government (MEXT) (Prospective beneficiaries are included);
6 Applicants who are expected to graduate at the time of application and,
cannot satisfy the qualifications and the conditions of academic background by
the deadline given;
7 Applicants of dual nationality who cannot prove their expatriation of the
Japanese nationality by the time of arrival; or
8 Applicants who wish, from the time of application, to conduct fieldwork or
internship outside of Japan, since this scholarship program is intended for
overseas students who wish to enroll in a Japanese university and do graduate
research in Japan.
3. TERM OF SCHOLARSHIP
The term of scholarship will differ as follows depending on the types of students
as accepted in Japanese universities.
(1) In a case where a grantee will enroll as a research student, part-time non-
degree student, or auditor, etc. (hereinafter referred to as Research Student
(no-regular student) after coming to Japan:
1 If a grantee comes to Japan in April 2015, his/her scholarship will be
payable for 24 months from April 2015 through March 2017;
2 If a grantee comes to Japan in October 2015, his/her scholarship will be
payable for 18 months from October 2015 through March 2017.
(In either case, the above-mentioned term of scholarship includes a 6-month
Japanese language training period for grantees who require such training)
(2) If a grantee enrolls as regular student in a master's course, doctoral course,
or professional graduate course for a degree after coming to Japan, regardless of
the time of his/her arrival in Japan the scholarship will be payable for a period
necessary for him/her to complete his/her regular course (standard course
term). (Plus a 6-month Japanese language training period for the grantees who
need such training.)
(3) The extension of scholarship period: If a grantee desires to proceed to a
regular graduate course for a degree from a Research Student (non-degree)
course, or to a doctoral course from a masters course or a professional graduate
course, he/she may have the term of his/her scholarship extended upon
successful examination by MEXT provided that he/she has outstanding
academic achievement that meets certain criteria.
Note1: A grantee cannot have the term of his/her scholarship extended as
Research Student.
Note2: If a grantee proceeds to a higher level of education without receiving
approval for an extension of the term of the scholarship, the scholarship will be
cancelled. He/she may, however, proceed to a higher level of education or
continue with his/her study as a privately-financed student.
Note3: A Research Student is not able to apply for extension of scholarship
period if he/she cannot proceed to masters or doctoral course by the end of the
term of Research Students scholarship. Entree in to higher courses in April
2017does not mean entrance by the end of the scholarship period.
Note4: If a grantee returns home without an extension though having applied for
extension of scholarship period (when a grantee fails his/her examination to
proceed to masters or doctoral course for a degree), the travel expenses to
return home will not be paid in general.
4. SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS
(1) Allowance:
Each grantee will be provided monthly with 143,000 yen(Research
Students(non-regular students),144,000yen (regular students in Masters
courses or professional graduate courses), or 145,000yen(regular students in
doctoral courses). An additional monthly stipend of 2,000 or 3,000 yen may be
provided to those undertaking study or research in specially designated regions.
However, the amount of allowance will be subject to change depending upon the
annual budget of the Japanese government for each fiscal year. The scholarship
will not be paid to a grantee who takes a leave of absence or is long absent from
the assigned university or the preparatory Japanese-teaching institution.
The scholarship will be cancelled for a grantee in the following cases.
Furthermore, if scholarship payments were made during the period the
following cases applied, the grantee may be ordered to return scholarship
payments received during that period:
1 If any of his/her application documents is found to be falsely stated;
2 If he/she is in breach of his/her pledge made to the Minister of MEXT;
3 If he/she is subjected to disciplinary action such as expulsion or removal
from register by his/her university or the preparatory Japanese-teaching
institution;
4 If it becomes definitive that the grantee will not be able to graduate(or
complete his/her course) within the standard course term because of his/her
poor academic achievement or suspension;
5 If his/her resident status of College Student as provided for in Paragraph
1-4 of Appendix to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
changes to any other status;
6 If he/she is provided with another scholarship(except for a scholarship
designated for research expenses); or
7 If he/she proceeds to a higher level of education without receiving approval
for an extension of the term of the scholarship.
(2) Traveling Costs
1 Transportation to Japan:
Each grantee will be supplied in general, according to his/her itinerary and
route as designated by MEXT, with an economy-class airplane ticket from the
international airport nearest to his/her home address* to the New Tokyo
International Airport or any other international airport that the assigned
university usually uses. Expenses such as domestic transportation from his/her
home address to the international airport, airport tax, airport usage fees, special
taxes on travel, or inland transportation within Japan will NOT be supplied.
*The address in the country of the grantees nationality stated in the application
form is in principle regarded as the recipients home address..
Note: Those who cannot arrive on the day that is described in "2.
QUALIFICATIONS (6) Arrival in Japan" shall not be paid the travel expenses
coming to Japan.
2 Transportation from Japan:
The grantee who returns to his/her home country within the fixed period after
the expiration of his/her scholarship will be supplied, in general, upon
application, with an economy-class airplane ticket for the travel from the New
Tokyo International Airport (or any other international airport that the assigned
university uses as a normal route) to the international airport nearest to his/her
home address.

Note 1: If a grantee returns home without an extension though having applied
for extension of scholarship period, he/she will not be paid travel expenses to
return home in general.
Note 2: Insurance premiums for travel to/from Japan shall be borne by the
grantee.
Note 3: If a grantee continues to stay in Japan after the scholarship period has
ended, he/she will not be paid travel expenses to return home as the temporary
return.
(3) School Fees:
Fees for matriculation, tuition and entrance examinations at a university will be
paid by the Japanese government. If the grantee moves on to higher education as
a non-degree student or fails the entrance examinations, he/she will pay for
entrance examinations.
5. SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
(1) In cooperation with the governments of the applicants countries the
Japanese diplomatic mission will conduct primary screening of applicants by
means of submitted application documents, written examinations (language)
and interviews.

(2) Written examinations will be English and Japanese tests. The Japanese
examination must be taken by all applicants. and the English by those who wish.
Note1: The result of the Japanese examination will be used as reference data for
placement of university and Japanese-language education to be provided upon
applicants arrival in Japan.
Note2: In particular, if an applicant with limited proficiency in Japanese desires
to pursue fields of study such as Japanese linguistics, Japanese literature,
Japanese history, or Japanese laws fields that require sufficient knowledge of
the Japanese language he/she will not be selected as a grantee unless there are
exceptional circumstances.

(3) The following policy will apply to each screening:
1 Application documents: Must show that the applicant obtained academic
achievement higher than a certain level at the university he/she last graduated
from, and state the applicants desired research program in a detailed and
concrete manner.
2 Written examination: Must show that the applicant obtained scores better
than a certain level either in Japanese or English.
3 Interview: Must reveal that the applicant has a clear sense of purpose
relating to his/her study in Japan and has gathered information about Japanese
universities. Interview must also reveal that the applicant has sufficient
Japanese or English language ability to communicate with his/her adviser in
Japan. If the applicant desires to study a subject that requires higher Japanese
language proficiency, interview must reveal that the applicant has a
considerable degree of Japanese language proficiency.

(4) Results of the primary screening will be notified on the date separately
designated by the Japanese diplomatic mission.

(5) Each person who has passed this primary screening is required to contact
directly the Japanese university of his/her choice in order to obtain admission as
regular student for a degree or Research Student(non-regular student)in
graduate courses, or a letter of provisional acceptance as a research student
(hereinafter referred to as Admission) by the 29th of August. In order to obtain
Admission, candidates can gain information on contact office for international
students of each university, websites to search universities and researchers, etc.
from the Japanese diplomatic mission.
Note: Candidates are not allowed to contact Japanese universities after the 30th
of August.

(6) Each candidate must submit to the university of his/her choice a set of the
documents that are submitted to and returned by the Japanese diplomatic
mission (application, academic transcript of the university attended, research
program plan,etc.) all with a confirmation seal of the Japanese diplomatic
mission affixed, and a certificate of the primary selection issued by the Japanese
diplomatic mission. Additional documents may have to be submitted upon
request of the university.

(7) MEXT will conduct a secondary screening based on the results of the primary
screening conducted by the Japanese diplomatic mission, and select applicants
as MEXT scholarship grantees whose placement of universities was made.
Note1: Applicants who have passed the primary screening at a Japanese
diplomatic mission are not necessarily accepted as MEXT scholarship grantees.
Note 2: Applicants who were not accepted by any universities which the
applicants named in their Placement Preference Form, will not be selected as
MEXT scholarship grantees.
6. PLACEMENT AND RESEARCH GUIDANCE AT UNIVERSITY
(1) Placement of a grantee at a university will be made following a relevant
request which was made to the university by the applicant who has passed the
primary screening and obtained Admission. MEXT will request the universities
named in the Placement Preference Form to accept the grantee, and place
him/her there upon its approval in principal ( candidate who has received
admission to a regular course for a degree will be placed directly in such course
without needing to pass through a Research Student(non-degree) period).
If a candidate wants to enter either a public or a private university other than
national university, the grantees preference specified in the Placement
Preference Form may not be met due to budgetary reasons concerning school
fees, etc. Moreover, any objection by a candidate to the decision will not be
allowed.
In case a candidate is not able to request Admission to any universities due to
bad communication circumstances, MEXT will discuss with the universities
which a candidate named in the Placement Preference Form. However the
candidate may not be accepted nor may he/she selected by the universities and
them by MEXT if his/her research program plan is vague, unclear, or insufficient
in content , or his/her desired major field presents difficulty from the
perspective of research guidance in Japan. In this case, any objection by a
candidate to the decision will not be allowed.
(2) Research guidance such as lectures, experiments and practical training at
universities is basically conducted in Japanese.
(3) If a grantee is judged to be insufficient in Japanese language proficiencies by
the receiving university, usually he/she will be placed in a Japanese- language
training institution designated by the university of placement or MEXT for the
first six-month period after his/her arrival in Japan. Upon completion of the
language training the grantee will be placed at a university for advanced
education. If a grantee has poor achievement in the language training course and
is considered unfit for advanced education at the university, scholarship
payment will stop. (See 4.(1).)
(4) If a grantee is deemed by his/her recipient university to be sufficient in
Japanese language proficiency for conducting his/her research in Japan, he/she
may be placed in the university as Research Student (non-degree) or a graduate
student for a degree without going through Japanese-language training.
(5) If a grantee desires to move on to a regular course for a degree from a
Research Student (non-degree) course, or to a doctoral course from a masters
course or a professional graduate course, he/she needs to take an entrance
examination provided by the relevant university and pass it. To continue
receiving the MEXT scholarship after advancing to a higher level, the grantee
must undergo another screening examination and be awarded an extension of
the scholarship. (See 3.(2).)
A grantee cannot apply for an extension of scholarship term while being
enrolled in a Research Student (non-degree) course.
(6) If a grantee desires to step up to a regular course for a degree from a
Research Student non-degree course, in principle, he/she must move on to the
graduate school of the university at which he/she is studying as Research
Student. If proceeding to the graduate school is deemed to be inappropriate
given the grantees major field or ability, he/she may be allowed to transfer to
another graduate school provided that he/she is admitted to enroll in.

Note 1: Under the educational system of Japan, a typical master's course lasts for
two years subsequent to graduation from a university (i.e. after completion of a
16-year school curriculum), and a typical doctoral course lasts for three years
after completion of a master's course. If a student has completed such two-, or
three-year course, obtained necessary credits, and passed the final examination
after submitting his/her graduation thesis, he/she will be given relevant degrees.

Note 2: In the fields of medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, and pharmacy
which is founded on a 6-year department or faculty, most of the universities
offer only 4-year doctoral courses. For admission to such doctoral course an
applicant is required to have completed an 18-year school curriculum. If an
applicant completed a 16-year school curriculum, he/she is required to have
engaged for two or more years in research activities at universities or research
institutions subsequent to completion of the 16-year curriculum, and to be
deemed by a graduate school in Japan as being academically equal to an
applicant who completed an 18-year curriculum.

Note 3: Professional graduate schools were implemented in 2003 designed to
develop profound learning and outstanding ability that support professions that
require sophisticated expertise. The standard required duration of study is two
years. In some fields of study, the duration is less than two years but more than
one year. Upon completion of the course a masters degree (specialized
occupation) will be conferred.
Among the professional graduate schools are graduates schools of law. This
school requires the standard duration of study of three years. Upon completion
of the course a student will be granted the degree of Doctor of Law (specialized
occupation).

Note 4: Entrance examinations given by a graduate school vary from one
university to another. In general, applicants have to take examinations in two
foreign languages, his/her major subject, and an essay test.
7. APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Each applicant must submit the following documents to the Japanese diplomatic
mission by its specified date. One set is required to be original documents. The
other two sets may be photocopies thereof.

original copy
(1)
1circled
number
Application Form (a prescribed form) 3

(2)
2circled
number
Placement Preference Form (a prescribed
form)
1

(3)
3circled
number
Field of Study and Research Program Plan
(a prescribed form)
1 2
(4)

Photograph (4.53.5 cm, taken within the
past six months, upper body, full-faced,
uncapped.
Write your name and nationality on the
reverse and paste them onto the
Application Form (3 originals) and
Placement Preference Form.
Digital photographs are also acceptable.)

4
(5)
4circled
number
Academic transcript of each academic
year of the last university attended
(issued by the
university attended)
1 2
(6)
5circled
Graduation certificate or degree
certificate of the last university attended
1 2
number (or an attested
document certifying that the applicant
will graduate from the school, where
applicable)
(7)
6circled
number
Recommendation from the principal or
the adviser of the last university attended
1 2
(8)
7circled
number
Recommendation from the present
employer (if currently employed)
1 2
(9)
8circled
number
Medical certificate on the prescribed form
issued by the medical institution
1 2
(10)
9circled
number
Abstracts of theses 1 2
(11)
10circled
number
Photograph showing applicant's own
works of art or a recorded CD of musical
performance (only for those majoring in
fine arts or music)
1 2

Note 1: These documents must be written in either Japanese or English. A
document written in any other language must be attached with a Japanese or
English translation.
Note 2: Photographs attached to the original application must be originals;
copies are not acceptable.
Note 3: Field of Study and Research Program Plan should describe concretely
and in detail the applicants own research program because it will serve as
important materials for placement of the applicant at a university.
Note 4: The academic transcripts of the last university attended should be
prepared to show the grade scale applied and the grades earned by the applicant
on all the subjects studied for each year studied at a university
department/faculty and a graduate school. (A degree certificate or a graduation
certificate simply showing the ranking of the applicant at graduation will not
substitute for academic transcripts.)
Note 5: The graduation certificate and the degree certificate obtained from the
last university attended may be substituted for by a photocopy thereof provided
that the copy is attested by the authorized person of the university.
Note 6: For abstracts of the theses, abstracts of the graduation thesis and
presented papers will suffice. Please note that these abstracts will be used as
basic data for evaluation of the applicants academic ability.
Note 7: Number the documents from 1 to 10circled number in the right upper
corner.
8. NOTES
(1) Each recipient is advised to learn the Japanese language and to acquire basic
information on Japanese climate, geography, customs, university education, and
social conditions in Japan, as well as about the differences between the Japanese
legal system and that of his/her home country before departing for Japan.

(2) The recipient should bring approximately US $2,000 or the equivalent to
cover immediate needs after arrival in Japan since the scholarship will be paid a
while later.

(3) Accommodations:
1 Residence halls for international students provided by universities.
Some universities have residence halls for international students. The grantees
enrolled at national universities where such facilities are available may reside, in
these residence halls under certain conditions. However, because of the limited
number of rooms, some of these facilities may not be able to accommodate all
the students who wish to live in them.
2 Private boarding houses or apartments.
Those who are not able to find accommodation in the aforementioned facilities
may live in regular dormitories of the university or in a private boarding
house/apartment.
It is very difficult for grantees with dependents to find appropriate housing in
Japan. The grantee is advised to arrive in Japan alone first to secure housing
before having his/her spouse and/or family come over to Japan.

(4) The English texts attached to the Application Guideline and the Application
Form are for convenience only. English expressions do not change the Japanese
content, so if you have any questions about the content of the written text, you
should inquire at the Japanese diplomatic mission.

(5) More detailed information on this scholarship program is available at the
Japanese diplomatic mission in your country.