Your Resource for Expat Living in Japan
Welcome to TranSenz! My name is Travis and I am a bilingual American expat living in Japan. I've been an exchange student here and been stationed here with the US military in the past. Now, I've moved back permanently and live and work within the constraints of Japanese society. This blog is my place to share my experiences to help other expats integrate into their host community, or at least make the most out of their time in Japan!
In the blog posts, below, you can find all manner of experiences in Japan, but I've also collected some of the most relevant and important contact into a series of guides, linked from the pages below. If there's something about Japan that you want to know but can't find here, please leave a note in the comments below and I will be happy to add it to the list.
Enjoy!
I’m Tom
I’m a holder of 1 year spuose of Japanese national resident card…. I have a daughter with my Japanese wife and she is currently pregnant with our second baby but unfortunately we had a misunderstanding that lead to divorce same year that my 1 year spouse resident was issued to me….. I apply for change of spouse resident to long term but my application was denied because I don’t have a custody of my child…
My 1 year spouse resident expired now and I was told to live the country within a month..
I met a lady who’s Japanese national , within some few weeks of relationships and we both agree to married … we both planning to married now
Question 1… I was order to leave Japan because my spouse visa expires but I’m planning to get married again with a Japanese national… what can I do ?
Hi Tom,
It sounds to me like you would have to leave Japan then apply for a Certificate of Eligibility and a fresh spouse visa.
Since you weren’t married when you were told to leave the country, it’s probably going to look to the immigration bureau like this is just a marriage of convenience to let you stay in Japan, so they might tell you that you have to leave anyway.
Of course, I guess there’s no harm in trying, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up for success.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
can you provide the list of MEXT universities? I included Sophia in my list but found out later that it is private.
Hi Sam,
There’s no problem with applying to a Private university for the MEXT scholarship. Any university in Japan should be acceptable!
MEXT says that it prefers to place applicants in National Universities, but in reality many students go to private universities each year, too.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi sir I’m Kris I’m a filipina and where planning to get married in japan. I have a temporary visitor visa and I was offloaded MAY 15,2017by an immigration officer in NAIA TERMINAL 1 when I was interrogated by an immigration officer he ask me if whom I’ll be staying and I said I’m going to stay with my fiance and he ask me again if what is my purpose in japan I said my purpose is going to marry my fiance. Then the immigration officer ask me why don’t I get a fiance visa he was really focused on that kind of issue all about my type of visa. Then he ask me if I have a invitation letter, passport copy but I said I don’t have those already because I already pass it to the agency who process my visa application form for requesting my visa in japan embassy. Then he gave me a compliance slip #1 is AUTHENTICATED AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT #2 PASSPORT COPY OF MY FIANCE #3 IS CFO #4 PROOF OF RELATIONSHIP. I am worried that I will be get offloaded again even if I will comply all the requirements that they want me to comply. What should I do?
Hi Kris,
I’m sorry to hear about your trouble.
As far as I know, there is no such thing as a “fiance” visa for Japan. It is certainly not an official category.
I know that in some countries, including the Philippines, there are special categories of “Temporary Visitor” visas for different purposes, but even then, I see no mention of a “fiance” visa on the website of the Japanese embassy in the Philippines.
Perhaps someone else with experience can give some insight?
One thing you didn’t mention in your comment is whether your fiance is a Japanese national, a permanent resident of Japan, or a long-term resident of Japan. If your fiance is not a Japanese citizen or a permanent resident, then that might be why they are being stricter with you. In that situation, you would not be able to change your status in Japan and would have to go home to the Philippines to apply for a Dependent Visa later.
Either way, if you get all of the papers that they require and bring those with the compliance slip, then you should not have a problem with being offloaded on your next visit. If nothing else, Japan is very strict about rules, even the rules that they make for themselves!
For you, and for anyone else reading this, I would highly recommend that you never give anyone your last copy of a document. If you have to submit documents to an agency to apply for your visa, be sure you keep a copy for yourself, just in case! No matter what it is. When you go back to Japan, be sure to bring two copies of each of the documents they asked you for. That way, even if they collect one, you will still have one to show later, if necessary.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi!!
Can you please help me out with the procedure for pursuing PhD in Education from Tokyo university?
Hi Syeda Samreen Ruhi,
You can find their admissions information at the link below:
http://www.p.u-tokyo.ac.jp/english/admission-information
It looks like they do not accept applications for the University-Recommended MEXT scholarship. If you plan to apply there via the MEXT scholarship, you would have to apply using the Embassy-recommended MEXT scholarship, which starts at the Japanese Embassy in your country.
Their programs are taught in Japanese and require Japanese fluency, except for the PhD in Physical and Health Education. This requirement would apply whether you apply directly or via the MEXT scholarship.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Marilyn
Hello! Good day,
Straight question is.My husband japanese national apply already my COE just last month April 2016.And before he applied ,I was there in Japan ,enter tourist visa and came back here in philippines.Then,we are in the waiting period of our COE to grant.
My question is..Iam applying now as visiting relative in Japan..My husband send all necessary documents..
Is it okay to apply visting relative since i am waiting yet my coe to come?
I mean to say…is it not conflict?
Thank you and best of regards
Hi Marilyn,
That should not be a conflict.
If you get the CoE while you are in Japan on your visiting relatives status, then you should be able to take it to the Immigration Bureau and apply for a “Change of Status of Residence” to change your status to Spouse of Japanese National without having to leave the country and apply for a visa!
Best Regards,
Travis
Hi Travis,
I am now planning to apply MEXT scholarship 2018 via Embassy. I read all of your posts about MEXT and I follow all of your recommendations and instructions. It is very useful for me and thank you so much for your hard work. I have some worries that I contacted to my target professor last week….. introduction myself and my research as soon as I finished my study program. But I got no reply from him. Does it mean he shows no interest on my research? What should I do now? I’ll be waiting your reply. Thank you.
Hi Nyein,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Due to the volume of questions, I’ve started posting answers to common questions in an FAQ, instead of answering directly in the comments. I addressed your question in a new FAQ post at:
http://www.transenzjapan.com/blog/mext-faq-contacting-professors/
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello im Lorraine
I have a million questions but il ask a few…I studied an undergrad in Bsc Environmental Health and would like to pursue a masters in public Health. Which Universities would you recommend..
2. When you are a research student do you have to contact various professors at your universities of choice…
Hi Lorraine,
I don’t know specific programs off the top of my head, but I have a few links to websites that list all of the programs available in English in Japan in the article below, so I’d recommend you check those out!
http://www.transenzjapan.com/blog/embassy-recommended-mext-scholarship-2018/
2. It depends on the university and your goal. I also cover how to research and contact professors in the article above for networking purposes. If you just want to ask for a Letter of Acceptance, different universities have different policies, so I recommend checking out the websites for the schools you want to apply to.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
hi,, could you please help me how could apply for this sholarship, due to the application form is written in japanese language
Hi Joses,
All the forms (and instructions) are written in English and Japanese. I’ve written a post on the most recent version of the Embassy-recommended MEXT scholarship application form here.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi, I am Loren, I’m Filipina.I want to ask about how we can do marriage in Japan. My fiance is Japanese and one of the requirement for the marriage in Japan is the Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage. We need to get that in Philippine Embassy in Tokyo Japan. But one of the requirement to get the Legal Capacity to Contract marriage is the Residence Card. I dont have residence card because my visa is only Tourist Visa. Is it possible the Philippine Embassy will give us the Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage without a Residence Card? Is it possible we can get married in Japan?
Hi Lorena,
You should also be able to get Proof of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage from the proper authorities in your home country before traveling to Japan.
I do not know the rules of the Philippine Embassy, so I cannot say whether or not they will be able to help you if you are already in Japan on a tourist visa. You would have to contact them directly for be sure!
I think some other readers of this blog have gotten the documents while in Japan on a tourist visa, so hopefully they can comment and give you some helpful advice.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you for answering me. 🙂
I already got the legal capacity to contract marriage so we can do marriage here in japan now.
But now i dont know what is the next step after we get married in japan government. I think we need to go again in japan embassy to do the Report of Marriage. Am I right with that?
Hi Lorena,
Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you.
Once you have the legal capacity to contract marriage, your next step is to submit your report of marriage to the city hall where your fiance lives.
For more information, check out my article on international marriage in Japan!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis
Thanks for your posts about MEXT information. I am currently applying for MEXT (embassy recommendation). I have problems with choosing University and supervisor. I am applying for professional graduate course (MBA).
My questions are
1) I still need to write the research plan for MBA as I don’t think MBA needs research plan.
2) Few people apply for MBA course under MEXT (I guess). How about the acceptance rate?
3) I can’t find the information about the research field I want to do and the supervisor on the website. Should I ask the graduate school about the supervisor?
3) Along with the request for letter of acceptance, the supervisor requests the other docs like IELTS, GMAT certificates? Because, I haven’t still get those certificates and I am planning to take in July. (That sounds stupid though)
All of MBA programs request GMAT. Do you think I should change the course of study from Professional graduate course to Master course?
Thanks in advance.
I am waiting for your reply.
Hi Phoo Pwint,
1) Yes, you would still need a research plan, regardless of your field of study. In your case, though, your research might be a culminating project or business proposal or something like that, rather than a thesis.
2) In my personal experience, I never had anyone apply to my university for a MEXT scholarship for an MBA (probably because ours was only offered in Japanese), so I can’t comment on the acceptance rate.
You probably already know this, but some universities also offer an academic master’s degree in Management that is separate from their MBA program. If you go for the academic degree, it might increase your chances, but I don’t know if that’s what you want. I would recommend double-checking with the Japanese embassy in your home country to make sure they will allow you apply for a MEXT scholarship for an MBA. They may have restrictions.
3) If they don’t have any information on their website, yes, you can contact them and tell them you’re planning to apply for the MEXT scholarship and need to identify a potential advisor in your field. They may not want to help you out until after you pass the primary screening, though.
3) This is going to vary from university to university. Check their website for their admissions requirements (or ask when you call them). You can’t ask them for a Letter of Acceptance until you pass the primary screening (approximately late July/early August, depending on your country), so if you can get your test scores by then, you’ll be fine.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Thank you for putting up the website and sharing useful information about the MEXT scholarship! I just got an e-mail from the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, Waseda University that I passed their second (final) screening and will be nominated by the university for a priority graduate program. At this point, I would like to know the possibility of not getting selected for the Monbukagakusho screening of the Japanese government. What are the chances of not making it to the final round? Looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Hi Ferth,
Thank you for your kind comments!
Once you pass the university’s screening and are nominated, then you area all-but guaranteed to receive the scholarship. I have never heard of someone getting nominated and not getting the scholarship in the end.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi =)
I am concerned about my eligibility for the program, especially for the “Military Affiliation” part. My father is a retired soldier and my brother is currently active in duty, does that make me ineligible for the scholarship program?
Hi Maan,
Sorry if I was unclear: military affiliation only applied if you are an active duty member of the military yourself or a civilian working for the military at the time you come to Japan.
If you have family members in the military or if you previously served in/worked for the military, that is not a problem and won’t hurt your eligibility.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey Travis!
Direct placement is for students who would like to enter a specific university right? So I am just asking if is it mandatory to fill that portion of the application form?
Hi Andrea,
You’re right, that form is optional.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey Travis!
I think I have a huge problem. My sister is telling me that the application form that I’ve sent was the form which was used back in 2016. I am very anxious right now and I don’t know which one is correct. Can you send me a link of the correct format of the application form asap?
Hi Andrea,
The form did change rather significantly this year. Hopefully the Embassy will give you a chance to submit the new one instead!
You can get the 2018 forms at the links below.
Graduate Scholarship: (Download everything with a Word or Excel icon)
Undergraduate Scholarship: Download the third file from the top (Application Form) and second from the bottom (Medical Form).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis!
I just sent my application form yesterday for the scholarship for undergraduates. But I am still a little bit uneasy about the Japanese Exam. How are we going to take it? Would it be in Japanese Language? and what are the things that we must review for it?
Hope to receive a reply soon. By the way Thank you very much for all your guidance Travis 🙂
Hi Andrea,
Unfortunately, I don’t have any experience with the Japanese test for undergraduates. Hopefully someone else can offer an answer!
I worked at a university, not the embassy, so we never dealt with the language test or undergraduate scholarship applicants at all, I’m afraid.
I would expect it to include both reading and listening and to get progressively more difficult as you go on, but beyond that, I can’t say anything for sure.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi i would like to ask something im from the Philippines and i married with a japanese citizens last december 2016 and now his livng in japan his trying to apply for a COE but he can’t comply it because he is only 2months there and he cant apply for income tax my concern is it is ok that my mother in law would be my guarantor ang who would be apply for Coe hope you can help me
Hi Juvy,
Yes, your mother-in-law or father-in-law can be your guarantor and you should have no problem with the CoE application. That’s how I did it!
In that case, your husband would still apply for the CoE, he would just have to submit your mother-in-law’s tax statements and your mother in law would also have to fill in the Letter of Guarantee.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
I have some confusion regarding the scholarship. I currently study Bachelor of Engineering(Degree) in Curtin University and will be graduate in end of 2018. I plan to take Japanese Language Studies in Japan first then go for Master studies in Japan university. Which scholarship should I apply?
Thank you for your support.
Regards,
Wesley
Hi Wesley,
Many Japanese universities offer Master’s Degrees in Engineering taught in English, so you wouldn’t necessarily have to learn Japanese first. Rather, you could study Japanese while working on your Engineering degree at the same time.
My recommendation would be to apply for the MEXT graduate scholarship via Embassy Recommendation. If you apply via the embassy, you can be placed in a 1-semester Japanese language program prior to starting your degree studies, so that way you get the best of both worlds. That semester isn’t going to be enough for you to be able to complete your studies in Japanese, but it will help you with daily interaction.
If you want to start your studies in April or October 2018, you would start your scholarship this summer. If you want to start in 2019, you still have a year to prepare (but it’s good time to start researching programs and networking with target professors).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis;
I hope you are doing fine! I have read comments in your website and they are too helpful!
Me and my friend have been recommended(passed the first screening) by Tottori university for MEXT approval under university recommendation scheme. We are waiting to hear the result the coming April 2018. But I am bit worried if MEXT will reject one of us since we are from the same country (Ethiopia) and the same professor/university. Kindly advise on this one.
Thank you!
Hi Christian,
I saw you left the same question on another post and answered it here.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis, I would like to ask you a question.In fact, after my high school leaving certificate have been studying English literature. On the third year when i was about to complete my bachelor degree i failed. So I registered in a new university in a program to earn a professional bachelor degree in marketing and management without doing the first and second year. So after a year of study I complete the bachelor degree. So I would like to konw in the case that I want to apply for Mext scholarship with themy bachelor degree, how can I procede with my grade certificates? For it has been said in the instructions that we should submit our grade certificate of the three consecutive years of studies, so I’m asking myself if I can take my first and second years grade certificates that I earn in English liteature to combine with the one of the bachelor degree in management. Please make it clear for me. Thanks!
Hi Jack,
It sounds like you would be considered to be a transfer student for purposes of the application, since you started your professional bachelor’s program from the third year.
Transfer students have to submit all of their transcripts/grade certificates from both before and after the transfer. So, you can’t just leave out the one year that you failed. You would have to submit your certificate from the Bachelor degree in management as well as all three years from the degree in English literature.
For the purposes of eligibility, only the grades earned after your transfer will count, but the grades from before your transfer will also be calculated and recorded.
Good Luck,
Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
I’m an American currently in Japan on a tourist visa. I’m planning on getting married to a permanent resident here in Japan. We are both going to the United States to visit family and friends. She’ll come back to Japan within a week and I’ll stay in the US for a couple months. I’m planning to come back and want to get a spouse of permanent resident visa in Japan.
What kind of preparations should we do to make the process go as smoothly as possible? Specifically should we submit or do anything while I’m still here in Japan? Anything we can do while we’re both in the USA to make this easier? I’m sure the questions may have been answered before, or be in the posts you’ve written. Apologies for having to repeat the information again. Basically want to get married and get a spouse visa, appreciate the help! Thank you.
HI JD,
I hope I’m understanding this right: you will get married in Japan before traveling to the US, correct?
My instructions on getting married in Japan were based on the assumption that your spouse was a Japanese national, so not everything in there will apply. For one thing, permanent residents do not have a koseki tohon so your spouse will not need to submit that. Instead, you will both need to submit proof from your home countries that you are eligible to be married. (I described the process for Americans in the article above).
I would also recommend checking with the city hall where your spouse has registered her residence to see if they have any additional requirements.
It may not be the most romantic idea, but you are able to go ahead and get legally married at any time and, for the purpose of moving on to the Certificate of Eligibility phase, I recommend it.
Once you have your proof of marriage, you can start the Certificate of Eligibility application process. I would recommend submitting that application approximately 4 months before you plan to return to Japan on a permanent basis. That might mean submitting it before you both leave for the US.
You can find all the requirements for that application in the article linked above. It does differ slightly for Spouse of Permanent Resident (again, because your spouse does not have a koseki tohon and will instead have to submit proof of marriage from her home country government).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi! I would like to ask something. I invited my daughter and my partner (child’s father but we’re not married) a tourist visa. Unfortunately, the father was not guaranteed a visa while our daughter got her tourist visa. I am japanese citizen living in Japan, I gave birth in the Philippines and didn’t reported the birth of my daughter coz no one told me what to do, and I didn’t know. She’s now 2 years old and I applied for tourist visa then will apply for eligibility once she come here. What breaks my heart is our daughter got her visa while the father is not, luckily this Feb. my mom went to Philippines so there she is who can accompany my daughter if the father was not guaranteed visa. Lastly, I read your article Married by Mail. Is it possible to marry my partner by mail? He’s in Phil. while I’m in Japan. I can’t go there soon since our daughter will be coming here. I hope you can help me. Thank you!
Hi A*O,
I got married by mail when both my wife and I were living overseas, so I know it is possible.
I would recommend you go to your city hall and ask for the Marriage Registration Form. Ask them what paperwork you need to submit if your husband isn’t able to come with you to submit it.
I listed the paperwork that we needed in the International Marriage in Japan article. You are going to need his original signature on the Kon’in todoke and a copy or certified copy of his passport (check with the City Hall) and you’ll need proof from the Philippine government that he is eligible to be married. Your city hall will tell you if they need anything extra, but that was all we needed to submit.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello,
Sorry, I don’t know if you would know, but my fiancee is Japanese and I am American. I have student loan debts still here in America, but was wondering if I am still somehow able to marry in Japan and stay there? I told her I wouldn’t think so, but am not sure. If you happen to know anything about that type of situation I would love to hear from you. Thanks!
Hi Nate,
It sounds like you have two different questions in there.
Marriage procedures in Japan do not ask about your debt or financial situation, so you should not have a problem there.
You should also be able to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility to apply for a “Spouse of Japanese National” visa. In that case, even if you have personal debt, if you can find a financial supporter, or a job that pays you enough to cover your expenses after debt, then you should be able to pass the application procedures.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi i hope someone can help me i am a nikeijin 3rd gen. I apply coe for my husband and then he apply for her visa in the phil. the embassy told me that her application refer to mofa in tokyo ..did anyone here have the same situation? Its been 2months but sadly no decision yet.,,,why they need to refer in mofa? Coe is already granted… im realy worried to be denied pls help
Hi Ann,
I’m afraid I’ve never heard of a situation like that before.
The only thing I can think of is maybe there was some error or irregularity in your husband’s application.
I did actually see one situation where someone’s paperwork was held up because he had the same name as a wanted terrorist. I think the same problem could happen if your husband had the same name as someone who had been deported from Japan in the past, etc., so MOFA has to confirm that he is a different person.
That would be an unfortunate coincidence.
I hope you get good news soon!
– Travis from TranSenz