Questions about the MEXT scholarship? Ask them in the comments here or on the individual FAQ pages listed below!
FAQs Released so Far
Here are the links to the existing pages:
- Contacting Professors (Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship Application)
- Field of Study and Research Program Plan
Explanation
Given the recent volume of questions, I am afraid that I no longer have the time to answer each question one-by-one and get you the response you want in a timely manner.
Instead, I will group similar questions and answer them in articles or during live Q&A video sessions. I will then post those videos (and transcripts, for those of you who prefer to read) in the subject-by-subject FAQ articles linked below.
Get All the Answers, Fast
If you want advance notice of the live video sessions, click here to join my MEXT Scholarship Mailing List. I’ll also send you the 2018 sample MEXT application form as my way of saying thanks.
Tips to Get Your Questions Answered Faster
For each live video Q&A, I will focus on a specific topic – typically, whichever one has the most pending questions and the most interested readers. There are some ways you can get your question featured faster:
- Be clear. Let me know what type of application process (Embassy/University/Domestic Selection) you’re asking about, what level (Undergraduate/Graduate), what year, and any other relevant details. If I have to guess what you mean – or write back to you to ask you to clarify your question, it’s going to take more time.
- Be detailed. If your question is “Please help me with the MEXT Scholarship application” or “I don’t know where to start,” then read through the articles that exist on this site first. Specific questions that are easier to understand and research will get answered first. If your question seems like it’s asking for a half-hour sit-down chat, then it’s probably not possible for me to answer in the FAQ.
- Be original. If there is an FAQ for your question already, please watch/read what I have posted in there already. If you ask a question that’s just been answered, it will take me longer to circle back to it.
- Don’t be selfish. Questions that can help more people will get answered first. If your question is specific to only your case, it’s going to take me longer to get to it.
Can’t Wait?
If you’re really in a hurry, you can join the community of TranSenz Supporters on Patreon. These are people who generously donate to help me cover the site costs and production expenses for this website for as little as a few dollars a month.
As one small way of expressing my gratitude to them, I answer their questions on a priority basis, including individual questions.
If you are interested in becoming a TranSenz supporter (whether or not you want faster answers), you can get all of the details here.
Subject Specific FAQs
As I release and publish new Q&As and Q&A videos, I will post each of them on a separate page for that subject. Before posting a new question, please check to see if it’s already been answered, to save yourself some time!
If you can’t find an answer, you can post your question in the comments on the subject-specific page or on this page. Once I’ve created a new answer, I’ll reply to your comment with the link to where to find it.
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Hi Travis,
Thank you a lot for all the advise and information. I appreciate your work very much.
I have taken a look at the FAQ link that you sent. It was really helpful.
I still have one question in mind.
I am preparing to apply Masters program in September 2018 and I’m about to contact to the professors of the universities.
However, I don’t know if I should contact one after another or contact all of them simultaneously because in the MEXT application form, I could choose 3 universities to apply. Is there any rule mentioning I’m not supposed to do that? and what if when I do that, more than one professor accepts my request for researching at their university. What should I do?
If you have time, could you please answer the question. Once again thank you for your time.
Best Regards,
Nguyen Dinh Tai
Hi Nguyen Dinh Tai,
If you haven’t already passed the Primary Screening and started acquiring Letters of Acceptance, then it’s much too late to start applying for the scholarship that starts in September 2018 through the Embassy. That application process would have started last spring.
If you go through the Embassy-recommended MEXT Scholarship, you can apply to three or more universities. It’s fine to be in contact with all of them at the same time since, in the end, it is MEXT not you that will choose which university to place you in. However, I would recommend that you contact them all separately and tailor your approach to each university/professor!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello, please I have three questions.when is the deadline for the scholarship,what do I do after filling the form and what exam is required.Thanks
Hi Sadeeq,
First, you need to decide whether you’re going to apply for the Embassy-recommended MEXT scholarship (earliest opportunity will be spring 2018 application for the 2019 scholarship) or the University-recommended MEXT scholarship (next opportunity will be fall 2017 application for 2018 scholarship).
Once you have decided on that, read through the articles I’ve written on both scholarship application procedures that cover all the requirements in detail. For deadlines, check with the embassy or university where you will apply!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi, I’m Hironmoy
sir,
i have 2 questions regarding the MEXT scholarship through embassy.
1) I am currently a 2nd year, 1st semester in B.Tech and will be applying for Research student in the 4th year. And my college gives certificate of grade between May and July.
This is a problem for me since the application period in my country for it is from April to May. So can i still apply for it through the result from my 2nd year ,2nd semester-4th year, 1st semester.
2) The grading system in my college is 10 level system where
DETAILS GRADE POINT
90<O<=100 10
80<A+<=90 9
70<A<=80 8
60<B+<=70 7
50<B<=60 6
40<C+<=50 5
30<C<=40 4
20<D<=30 3
10<E<=20 2
0<F<=10 1
So will above 70% or 80% calculate as 3.0 in MEXT scale? Or should i also give the grading system copied from wikipedia of my country(India) and signed by the Dean( In my college the principal is Registrar)?
Thankyou
Hi Hironmoy,
1) Yes, you can apply even if you don’t have your final results yet. MEXT will calculate your GPA based on the most recent 4 semesters of grades available.
2) It looks like you could convert your grades to a 5-level system.
A-0 = 3
B-B+ = 3
C-C+ = 2
D = 1
E-F = 0
That’s not official though, just how I would do it based on my experience. Of course, you have to convert the grades course by course, not your overall average.
You will need an official explanation of your grading system, so if it’s not printed on your transcript itself, then something signed by the dean would work!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello dear,
Thumbs up for your great work!!
My queries are regarding the University recommended MeXT scholarship for 2018 intake of graduate students in the field of Engineering:
1) Do I have to send the required documents along with filled application form through post to the desired university in Japan on my own behalf ( not involving my previous university or embassy)?
2) Have I to get an acceptance letter from supervisor of my choice first? And that letter is also to be sent along with application material?
3) I have not been involved in any studies since 3 years. Can I still apply? Also my thesis in Bachelors is not strong enough. Can I choose a field different from my thesis work?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Salman,
1. Yes, you handle the entire application directly with the university.
2. No, you are applying for acceptance and the scholarship simultaneously. However, in your field, you may want to try to contact the professor in advance just to get to know him or her and make sure that he or she is someone you want to work with for the next two years.
3. You can still apply even if you’ve been out of studies for a several years, but your degree does have to be related to what you studied in your bachelors. It doesn’t matter that much if your Bachelor’s thesis isn’t strong. It’s your Bachelor’s grades and your research plan for your Masters that are more important.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello, my name is Idrissa from Sierra Leone. Please, I have downloaded and filled the MEXT scholarship Application Form for 2018, but my problem now is how can I send the MEXT scholarship form when there is no email given to send it. Am little bit worried about it, can you please help me with it.
Thanks.
Hi Idrissa,
You cannot submit the application by email.
If you are applying via the Embassy, you would need to submit the application form to them, though it is past the deadline for this year’s application cycle.
If you are applying via University-recommendation, you would need to submit all of the application materials to the university based on the instructions on their website.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi ! I wanted to ask : After I finish filling the application form what should I do ? and where should I send it ? Thank you for help.
Hi Soumaya,
You would submit your application to the Japanese embassy if you are applying for the Embassy-recommended scholarship and to the university you want to attend if you are applying for the university recommended scholarship.
Check with the embassy or university directly for their submission instructions.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Transenz,
Was wondering if it’s allowed to change the arrival period from September to April? As I thought the Japanese language training starts at the same time school starts…… knowing now that this is not the case, now I want to arrive in April!!!!! 🙁
Also, since I indicated September on the application form and so I had to contact universities stating September, surprisingly, the LOA I got stated April as the period of arrival. Will this affect my application in any way?? 🙁 Though I’d love to arrive in April and take the 6-month language training and start the program/school on September…
The application instructions state:
“(In either case, the above-mentioned the period of scholarship includes a 6-month period of Japanese language training for grantees who require such training.) In cases of arrival in Japan other than those periods specified above, MEXT will decide such cases separately on a special basis.”
“In principle, a change in the arrival period is not permitted after the submission of the Application.”
omg I am so worried…
Hi Ginger,
I would recommend that you contact the embassy to ask about changing the arrival period. As far as I understand, the arrival month that you stated was your “desire,” and the letter from the university that accepts you will be the final answer. The embassy should be able to give you more information about that, but it shouldn’t hurt your application if your desired arrival period and the university’s letter of acceptance don’t agree at this point – there should still be time to correct it one way or another if you contact them right away.
It isn’t yet decided whether you would take the Japanese language program. Your university would decide that when MEXT contacts them to ask them to accept you.
When MEXT contacts universities to ask them to accept applicants formally, the universities have to return a sheet answering yes or no for each applicant and designating whether the applicant should take the Japanese language program or not. (In most cases where applicants have no Japanese language program, they will tell you to take it).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hii Travis..
First I want to thank u for this blog and all ur hard work..
Second I have 1 question : Is there any (paid off) scholarships to study Architecture (undergraduate) in Japan except the embassy recommendation for MEXT?…..
I am studying Architecture in Egypt now…but I want to get my bachelor degree from Japan…
I applied for MEXT 2018 but I had a problem with some stubbed paper so my paper got rejected…
I cant apply for the MEXT next year because of my age and I would lose all years I attended here in Egypt…
what do u think?… is there a way to apply for any scholarship?
I have already tried to reach u by mail but u didn’t answer…
hoping to find a good solution with you….
and best of luck to you my dear…
Hi Mohammed Ramadan,
Thank you for your kind comments.
I am not aware of any other full scholarships for international students at the undergraduate level in Japan in any field.
I would recommend that you finish your undergraduate degree in Egypt then apply for graduate studies under MEXT later. (I have significantly more experience with the graduate scholarship and hope I could be of assistance then!)
Also, I’m more than 3 months behind on email. I get far more questions every day than I can possibly respond to, so I have had to stop answering individual inquiries there. If you have a question, you can leave it on the blog or, if it’s urgent, you can become a TranSenz Supporter for priority responses or contact me about coaching.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thanks Travis a lot for the reply…
I hoped to find a way getting my undergraduate degree from Japan… but no problem then..
I think I will take ur advice and apply for the research after finishing my undergraduate degree… and thanks again my friend…
Hi Travis,
We cannot thank you enough for your help, we really do appreciate it. your blog really helped me through embassy-recommendation application process. Unfortunately the embassy rejected me this year, so now I’m going to apply for Uni-recommendation.
My inquiries are :
1) I’ve read in the comments that it is not okay to apply for more than 1 university at the same time, but I’m afraid that I will lose opportunities especially if 2 universities application time are in the same month!
2) do I apply to one university and if they rejected me I apply for another ?
Thank you so much.
Hi F.M.W,
I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t pass the Primary Screening for the Embassy, but I admire your determination to go for it again for the university recommendation.
Unfortunately, for the University-recommended MEXT scholarship, you can only apply to One university per year. The application periods (including the application evaluation period) for all universities overlap, so it is not possible to apply to more than one.
In order to make sure you don’t miss an opportunity, I’d recommend that you really take your time to evaluate your target universities and even start trying to build relationships in advance.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Please Travis, I would like to know some universities in Japan that uses MEXT SCHOLARSHIP because I want to apply as an undergraduate student through universities in Japan
Hi Malik,
Unfortunately, there is no university-recommended application for the undergraduate scholarship. You will have to apply through the embassy in your country.
Every university in Japan works with MEXT (it is the Ministry of Education, after all), but for the undergraduate scholarship, you typically do not get to choose the university yourself.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Please, I went to the Ghana-Japan embassy today to receive more details concerning the MEXT scholarship for undergraduate students. The person over there told me that the time for submission is over. I asked him whether there was another way out. He told me that I can apply it through a particular university this year specifically this month. So please I would like you to enlighten me on how to apply for such scholarship and how to go by it please.
Thank you
Hi Malik,
As far as I know, the person at the embassy was mistaken. I know you can apply for the scholarship for graduate students directly through a Japanese university, but I have never heard of that process existing for undergraduates.
I’m afraid the best option you have is to try again next year.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey thanks for your detailed articles.
My question is regarding the research plan. My background in research coming from undergraduate level isn’t too high yet it seems like I need to know how to develop a plan and what techniques to use in a lab. I’m speaking from a science overview, do you have any advice for someone inexperienced ?
Hi Zahra,
I wrote an article on what you should include in the Field of Study and Research Program Plan that you might find helpful. I am planning to cover the process in much more detail in an upcoming book, but that will not be in time to help you this year, I’m afraid.
But my best advice for you is to find someone who is experienced in research that can help you, like a professor from your undergraduate program or another mentor in academia.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Good day Travis
Thank you for been helpful thus far,
I am a citizen of Nigeria and I applied for the MEXT scholarship for 2018, to the Nigerian-Japan embassy, I’m yet to get a response
I submitted on the 7th of June
How do we know we have been selected
Your reply will be deeply appreciated
Hi Jude,
If the embassy hasn’t contacted you, then I would recommend that you contact them to ask!
Good Luck,
Travis from TranSenz
Where is the application form for 2018?
Hi Jesca,
You can get the application form from wherever it is you’re applying to (i.e. from the Embassy if you’re applying for the Embassy-recommended MEXT scholarship or from the University if you’re applying for the University-recommended MEXT scholarship).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi there!
Do you have any information regarding the announcement date for the Undergraduate Level of MEXT through University Recommendation this year (2017/2018)? I’ve been looking around for a while and haven’t found any information regarding it so far.
If it could be of any use, I applied for the G30 program at Kyushu University, which is set to start this October, and received the recommendation notification on March along with the results for the screening. I’ve submitted the forms on May as well, and am currently still waiting anxiously for the announcement.
Hi Athelis,
Unfortunately, there is not University-recommended undergraduate MEXT scholarship. The undergraduate program scholarship application only goes through the embassy (and is only available in some countries).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis, I’m applying for the MEXT scholarship via embassy recommendation and I have been call to the interview and they are asking me to send them a document indicating my hobbies, extra-curricular activities, personality description and life experiences supporting it, and I’m not sure how I should fill it, and how much should I mention, for example I like anime, is it ok if I say it?. Thank you in advance.
Hi Alejandra,
I’m afraid my comment is much to late to help you, but for the sake of future applicants, I’ll offer my advice.
Yes, it’s OK to be detailed (and it’s OK to list anime). This document is most likely going to be a conversation starter.
However, for everything you list on there, think in advance how you can connect it back to your research and your academic and professional goals for studying in Japan. Then, no matter what they talk about, you’ll be able to steer the conversation back to highlighting why you’re the best candidate for the scholarship.
Good Luck,
Travis from TranSenz
Hi i participate in mext scholarship (undergraduate) and i will pass the exam i wanna to ask you how I prepare for the exam and thank you
Hi DjerdM,
The exams you need to take are based on your subject areas. For preparation, you can find old exam questions at:
http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/toj/toj0302e-32.html#1
That’s an official government site and completely legitimate, so that should be a good resource.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
We cannot thank you enough for your help, we really do appreciate it. your blog really helped me through embassy-recommendation application process. Unfortunately the embassy rejected me this year, so now I’m going to apply for Uni-recommendation.
My inquiries are :
1) I’ve read in the comments that it is not okay to apply for more than 1 university at the same time, but I’m afraid that I will lose opportunities especially if 2 universities application time are in the same month!
2) do I apply to one university and if they rejected me I apply for another ?
Thank you so much.
Hi F.W.M
I’m sorry to hear that you weren’t able to make it through the Embassy’s primary screening. The level of competition at a particular embassy can vary wildly from year to year, based on the number of applications (and slots) they receive. For what it’s worth, I’ve heard of applicants getting through on their second or third try, so I would definitely encourage you to keep trying!
1) That is correct, you can only apply to one university per year through the university-recommended scholarship.
2) By the time you get the results from one university, it would be too late to apply for a second.
So, the best thing to do is to make sure your single application under the university-recommended scholarship is very strong. I would also recommend trying to build a relationship with your desired faculty supervisor at that university in advance, if you can!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
do i have to apply for MEXT scholarship and to a Japan university all at once ; or MEXT will place me into a university of her choice. i am an international student to enroll in an undergraduate degree. i am in Swaziland
Hi Mzamane,
For the undergraduate MEXT scholarship, you just apply to the Japanese embassy in your country. MEXT will determine later what university to place you in.
Best Regards,
Travis
Can you please make a faq on the Interview and particularly the examinations (english and japanese language exams) for the embassy mext scholarship?
Thank you!
Hi George,
I did write an article on the Interview after receiving your comment. However, the English and Japanese language exams are simply language proficiency exams, so there isn’t much I can offer on that subject.
Here’s an official JASSO website that has old MEXT exams questions and answers, including the language exams.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey Transenz!
My question is related to post-nomination. I am currently a nominee for a university-recommended PGP MEXT scholarship. I have made a couple of friends who are also nominated under the PGP, but nominated by different institutions. Some of them were contacted by their unis for accommodation and visa-related matters in early-June 2016 (as you know, results for PGP aren’t even out yet). I am just wondering whether this is supposed to happen BEFORE the results are released. If yes, do you recommend me to contact my institution to ask about it? Or is this a case-by-case basis, whereby certain unis prefer to settle it prior to the release of the results, while others do it after. Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks alot! Appreciate your amazing work!!
Hi K,
For the PGP-category, if you are nominated by the university, you are all-but guaranteed to receive the scholarship, so that might be why your friends’ universities were contacting them before the results were out (especially if housing is limited at their institution). However, I would say that definitely is not the normal course of action, so you don’t need to be worried.
At my university, even though we knew nominees were essentially guaranteed the scholarship, we did not contact them in any way until after the official results were out.
Unless you have heard that other students from your same university have been contacted, I would say that you don’t need to worry and can wait for the official results!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis, I really appreciate your effort in guiding people with your blog. It is really helpful.
I live in Afghanistan. The deadline for the MEXT scholarship is tomorrow. I am going to apply for the undergraduate scholarships, but there are some things that are bothering me. First, I saw the past papers of its examination and they were really tough. I don’t think we will be able to compete on an international level especially if there aren’t any quotas for Afghanistan ( are there any quotas). Second, I’m worried about my age which is 21 now and will 22 on December. I spoke with the Japanese consulate and they said it was ok. However, I’m not sure. Furthermore, I’m an undergraduate at a university here in Afghanistan that adds in hurting my chances of getting accepted.
I also don’t know what to write in the present status box. As I’m not in a school and I’m neither employed. 1-What kind of impression do you have of Japan? 2-What is your career plan after studying in Japan?
Finally, do you think it would be better for me to choose social sciences because they have fewer subjects to be tested in compared to Natural sciences where there are 5?
Again, thank you for your effort.
Hi Adam,
I answered several of your questions on another page, but it looks like you added a few.
I’m really confused about your situation. You say that you are an undergraduate student, which to me means that you are enrolled in a university as an undergraduate, but then you said that you are not in a school. Which is it? Do you mean that you want to apply for the undergraduate scholarship but that you are not yet a student now?
If you are not working or in school, then your “present status” would be “unemployed.”
I think you should choose your field based on what it is you want to do after you earn your degree. If you haven’t figured that out yet, then maybe it’s too early to start thinking about applying for the scholarship.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi!! I have applied for MEXT via embassy recommendatio as an undergraduate and the deadline was 26 of may, but i have not yet received notification for the first screening result. Does it mean that i have missed the scholarship?? Since the first interview will be on 16 of june??
Hi Johnson,
In some countries, I’m afraid the embassies only notify successful applicants. Other times, they just take a while.
It’s really impossible for me to say what is the case, so I’d recommend you contact them directly if you have any questions about your results!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi there, I’m wrapping up my application form, and everything is done except for the ‘study program in Japan’ part. In the ‘MEXT Scholarship: Field of Study and Research Program Plan’ article you wrote, you said that the study program ‘should cover two years for a Master’s Degree and three for a Ph.D.’.
I am currently applying for a scholarship for a research student position, which would take a year. My plan is, of course, to advance to a two-year Master’s program afterwards. My question, therefore, is the following: should I write a program that covers only the 1 year as a research student, or 3 years as a Master’s student?
Hi Rutger,
I’ve put together an FAQ about the Field of Study and Research Program that I hope will answer your question.
Check out the link above!
Good Luck,
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi my name is Richcarde and I just sent my application for the undergraduate scholarship, now waiting for the embassy to call me.. I made a mistake, I gave the original form of the certificate of health so what do you think I should do as I know this certificate is required when applying for letter of acceptance? As I didn’t apply for direct placement, do I still need the letter of acceptance?
Thank you for answering
Hi Richarde,
Hopefully your situation has been resolved by now.
In any case, since you’re applying for the undergraduate scholarship, you do not need to apply for a letter of acceptance. That is only part of the process for the graduate scholarship application.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
I want to ask your opinion… I am currently waiting for MEXT acceptance after being nominated by Osaka University.
When I ask the assistant of my professor, he said that Osaka University has received the result from MEXT. Howevwr, up until now I have not received any news and the assistant said to wait until he receive from the headquarter/admission office.
Is this a sign that my application getting rejected or am I reading it too far?
Thank you for your concern.
Yours sincerely
Hi Evan William Chandra,
I hope you’ve heard good news by now. This is way too late to help you, but since there is another results release date coming up for the PGP candidates, it might help them to answer.
Some universities have a few internal procedures they go through before releasing the results to applicants. Usually, it has more to do with the universities being bureaucratic than your results!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
What are the chances of an alternate recipient getting the scholarship (specifically for the Young Leaders Program)? Will MEXT notify alternate candidates that all slots have been taken, or I still have to wait for the deadline (they said they will notify me no later than july 28)? Also, I just noticed that there are not alot of info regarding YLP here. Thanks!
Hi Dindin,
I’ve never worked with the YLP program, which is why I haven’t written about it. I only have experience with the scholarship for graduate students.
That said, for alternates in the scholarship for graduate students, you can only move up from “alternate” to primary candidate if one (or more) of the primary candidates decides to withdraw before the deadline.
It really won’t be decided until July 28, so don’t expect any information before then.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis
How hard is to enter a phD course being a MEXT university recommended research student?
How difficult is it to obtain the scholarship extension?
Thanks a lot
Hi Frederico,
If you were a PhD-level research student, it should generally be very easy to pass the PhD entrance exam at the university and extend your scholarship to cover your PhD. Most students do it in their first semester as research students.
The “entrance exam” in most cases consists of just filling in an application form, nothing difficult. The only way I could think of that you could get turned down was if you showed up and really made the university angry or couldn’t do your research at all.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz