Your Resource for Expat Living in Japan
Recent Comments
- TranSenz on University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship Field of Study and Research Program Plan
- Swetha on University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship Field of Study and Research Program Plan
- TranSenz on MEXT Scholarship Application: Letter of Recommendation and Other Required Documents
- Aditi on MEXT Scholarship Application: Letter of Recommendation and Other Required Documents
- “I Have Questions About The MEXT Scholarship…” – NSYEFAHY | Study and Travel in Japan & Japanese Language on Sample MEXT Scholarship Field of Study and Research Program Plan with Analysis
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!
Hi!
Firstly, thank you for sharing and assisting as much as you do, you are a gem!! Secondly I have a question/ concern that perhaps your knowledge can help me better understand. I applied for my masters at Waseda Business School through MEXT. Thankfully I was accepted, but as a non-regular student. I will have to re-apply with the university again as a regular student for this master’s course, and my scholarship only stipulates funding for a non-regular student duration. The application deadline is closing soon and I wanted to know that is it possible that they won’t accept me into their master’s programme? If they do, what happens with regards to the scholarship? I’m stressing like crazy!
Thank you.
Hi Ammaarah,
Thank you for your kind feedback.
Can I assume that you applied via the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship and that you are not yet in Japan?
If you are accepted as a non-regular student, then you have up to two years of scholarship in that status if you arrive in Japan in April or up to 18 months if you arrive in the fall. (That includes the semester you spend in the Japanese language program, if applicable.)
During that time, you need to apply for admission to the degree program and also apply to extend your MEXT Scholarship. You need to pass both applications, then you would be admitted to the degree program and your scholarship period would be extended until the end of your Master’s degree.
If you do not pass the university’s entrance exam, then you can continue in the non-regular student status and try again for the next admissions exam. This is rarely necessary, though. In the meantime, you would need to make sure that you apply each time for both the admissions exam and the scholarship extension.
If you find that you cannot pass the Waseda admission exam and you are an Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholar, you are allowed to apply to up to two universities for the degree program when you apply for the scholarship extension, so you could choose one more to apply to and try to get in there, too.
The international office (or office that handles your scholarship at Waseda) should be able to give you more specific information about the required application processes.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
You are correct with your assumptions and thank you for that breakdown. I have a better understanding now, much appreciated!! Is there a certain period when one can apply for the extension, and do you apply through your university or you country’s embassy?
Kind regards,
Hi Ammaarah,
Yes, there is a specific period for the extension application and you apply through your university. The university should let you know when the extension application period opens. In general, it starts in December each year, but there is one additional extension application period in the late spring that is only for applicants who have just arrived in Japan in April and will extend beginning in the fall of that same year.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi,
I plan to study in Japan thanks to MEXT scholarship for undergraduate students but there are things I still don’t understand.
First, if I take the MEXT exam, should I also take the EJU, JPLT or the TOEFL ( admitting that english is not my first language) ?
Second, it’s written that we don’t need to know how to speak japanese but amongst the topics that we are going to pass, there’s “Japanese”.
Thanks for responding,
Hi Mathieu,
You do not need to take the EJU, TOEFL, or JPLT for the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship application for undergraduate students. If you have TOEFL or JLPT scores, by all means submit them, though!
During the Primary Screening, you will take the Embassy’s English and Japanese language proficiency tests, along with other subject tests, based on the field that you want to apply for. There is not a “passing” score, but you should try to do as well as possible, if you know any of the language. You won’t be disqualified for low Japanese ability, but having Japanese ability should be an advantage.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you for your clear answer.
But I have another question : is there any registered physician/doctor to get the certificate of health or may I go to whoever?
Hi Mathieu MATONGO,
Ideally, the physician who completes the form should be someone who has cared for you in the past and knows your medical history, but there is no particular list, so any practicing physician should be acceptable.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Thank you for all the help your blog has provided me throughout the application process.
I wanted to ask a few things:
1) I was asked to fill a similar questionnaire by MEXT. In the next couple of days, my professor asked me to change a few things in my research plan highlighting that some people were nervous about my research plan as I had mentioned a name of company that was funded by a military organization.
I changed my research plan and excluded any information regarding it because I had no intention of causing any misunderstandings. I mentioned something about Boston Dynamics in my previous research plan. Now, my result has been delayed. I contacted my embassy since all of the embassy recommended candidates have received their confirmations, they informed MEXT hasn’t contacted them yet with the result of my secondary screening. The embassy has suggested me to wait.
Do you know about such a case? I am stuck in a limbo, not knowing if I’ll be able to clear this final hurdle. I’d welcome any suggestions and information.
Thanks!!
Hi Dio,
I am sorry to hear about your situation. Unfortunately, I have never heard of another applicant in a similar situation before, so I don’t have any concrete references.
I assume the pledge form request came from the embassy then the request to change your FSRPP phrasing came from the university?
The changes are going to take time to get through the system for a final decision. There are probably several layers of bureaucracy at the university and MEXT level before a final decision is made. I cannot say for certain what that decision will be, but it is encouraging that they asked you to make the change, rather than rejecting your application outright. I don’t think they would have bothered to ask if there was no chance of your passing the screening in the end.
This probably isn’t what you want to here, but at this point, I think all you can do is to wait. I hope you hear the result soon! Please let me know how it goes.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you for your reply Travis. I think the questionnaire was sent by MEXT to the embassy, which was then forwarded to me. My country’s embassy told me that only my result wasn’t out yet. I don’t know what FSRPP is Travis, but yeah, first the embassy sent me the questionnaire and after couple of days the professor who granted me the LoPA contacted and instructed me to make changes to my research plan. I sent him the updated research plan, he mentioned it looks good, and that was the last contact I had with him. This was in December 2023.
Plus, I am supposed to join the university in Oct/Sept intake, maybe that’s another reason it’s getting delayed?
Hi Dio,
I’m sorry for the confusing shorthand. FSRPP is your Field of Study and Research Program Plan (or research proposal, in simple terms).
I had assumed that both the questionnaire and contact from your professor were more recent. If both were back in December, that seems like rather a long time.
Unfortunately, I don’t have any experience with a similar situation, so I do not know what to expect, but I hope you get an answer soon.
Typically, they should let both the spring arrival students and fall arrival students know their results at the same time, but it might be that they aren’t rushing your review because they have more time until your fall departure date. Still, I hope they don’t make you wait too long!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
A quick update. I just got the confirmation that I have passed the secondary screening. I can’t thank you enough for the materials you have provided on this blog relating to MEXT scholarship, your blog has been the most impactful resource in securing it.
Thank you again for timely replying to my queries, I hope all the blessings find their way to you and your family,
Thanks Travis for helping me, I am eternally grateful.
Hi Dio,
Thank you for your update!
I am relieved to hear that you got your final results and earned the scholarship.
Good Luck with your studies in Japan!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
I talked with a representative from my local embassy yesterday and she told me that there was no longer an option to use the scholarship to be a research student in Japan starting this year. Will you update your books since this no longer applies?
Also, I saw, some years ago, when I was reading your first book on MEXT, that you initially intended to publish a book specifically about the “University Recommended Application”. I know that it is still not out yet, but, is the information in your first book sufficient to prepare ourselves if we want to take that option?
Best regards,
Francis
Hi Francis,
I was aware that there was no longer an option to apply for “just” a research student scholarship since last year, but I have not seen anything official saying that research student status will become forbidden completely. (That would introduce a lot of complications, since not all degree programs accept new students in both semesters, and research student status can be a holding pattern while you wait for the semester when you’re allowed to start.)
I’m actually in the process of revising Book 1 now (with the others to follow) and I was going to include the update about no “Research Student Only” scholarships, but if there are further changes coming, perhaps I should wait until I can confirm. Did the representative say that the Research Student status would be eliminated entirely? Or just that all applicants had to intend to move on to a degree program in Japan? Any further details or references would be very helpful, if she shared them!
When I initially started the series, I intended to publish seven books in it, including one each on the University and Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship application processes. But those processes change too much in the minor details each year, so I have decided not to cancel those books. Instead, I will keep updating the articles on this site each year with the necessary information for the application process details. In the meantime, the information in Book 1 is enough to get you started on planning how to approach the application in order to maximize your chances for success, particularly in combination with the articles here. Books 2 and 3 are also helpful for specific parts of the application, but if you do not need help with those sections, then Book 1 and the articles should be enough.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
Thank you for your answer.
I recall clearly that the representative told me that I could not use the scholarship to do semesters in Japan to complete a degree that I would have started in my own country. I am not confident that she said that “research student” is no longer a category. We had a dicussion over the phone so I may have misinterpreted the details, but like I said I am sure she said that I must use the scholarship to acquire a diploma in Japan.
Thank you for the updates about your books. I will do my best to prepare.
Hi Francis,
Thank you for sharing those details. That is consistent with what the rules are this year and is one of the changes that I have already made to the revised book draft!
I still have a little bit of work to do on it, but I will get the second edition out as soon as possible.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis. I hope you’re doing well.
I have a question about Mext scholars who want to proceed further study after the Mext scholarship period is over. definitely one option would be extending the scholarship, But assuming the worst case scenario, would it Be possible to move to next level of study self financially ? Is there any particular eligibility for that ?
Hi P,
As part of the scholarship extension process, you have to apply to the degree programs that you want to enter by following their application guidelines for fee-paying students. If they accept you, then even if your scholarship extension is not approved in the worst case, you would still be able to enroll in those degrees on your own funding.
The only thing to be aware of as far as MEXT is concerned is that if you continue on to a higher degree in Japan on your own funding after the MEXT Scholarship, MEXT will not pay for your flight ticket back to your home country. Otherwise, there are no restrictions.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
So you’re saying I need to apply for scholarship extension. If I get accepted by the university, I will be able to enroll. even if my request for scholarship extension is denied I can still pay for myself.
And for the record I though it might be helpful to mention this:
Under the “SUSPENTION OF SCHOLARSHIP” part in the guidelines for all couses, it is said that if you violate the following procedures, your scholarship will be cancelled and you have to pay all or part of it back.
The eighth number of these prosedures is this: “A grantee proceeds to a more advanced level of education without receiving approval for an extension of the period of the scholarship.”
Just checking if it’s still the same as what you said.
Hi P,
In my opinion, it is always worth applying for the scholarship extension (unless you are a University-Recommended MEXT Scholar and are opposed to staying at your current university.)
Separately to the scholarship extension, you have to apply for admission to the programs that you want to enroll in. Since the extension application and admission application are completely separate, even if you don’t pass the scholarship extension (unlikely), it should not affect the admissions decision.
As for the “Suspension of Scholarship” condition you listed, that only applies during your scholarship award period. In your case, you would be enrolling in the next level of degree after your scholarship payment period ends, so that condition does not apply.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Could you please tell me about the expected result announcement date for second screening ?
(Ug,Cot)
Hi Rela Dua,
From the application guidelines: “Applicants will be informed of the final selection results by the Japanese diplomatic mission in the applicant’s country by the end of January 2024.” (It’s the same for UG and CoT).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
I hope you’re fine , there are a lot of blogs on mext but only yours has specific information and , even though I am in high school reading your blog articles had sparked an interest about pursuing my studies in japan, further below I have written my queries:
What are the things taught during 1 yr language preparatory course (.pc) after a mext scholar is selected.
What level of jlpt n1-n5 would make up for the 1 yr (lpc) considering I want a direct admission.
In my neighborhood there aren’t any japanese classes or language schools which I can attend in-person although I have purchased rosetta stone japanese software for learning japanese , it has only 3 levels , would the software learning be sufficient for passing n1 test if not then What more ?
Hi Altamash,
Thank you for your kind feedback. It’s never too early to start preparing, especially if you want to become fluent in Japanese.
The one year language course is only for undergraduate-level scholars. For graduate level, it is a maximum of one semester.
I actually don’t know the precise curriculum, but I know there are readers of this blog who have gone through the program, so maybe they can chime in if they see this comment! But for undergraduate programs taught in Japanese, you can assume that you would need N1-level Japanese, so the program would be designed to get you there. (The one-semester program for graduate students, on the other hand, assumes that scholars will be studying in English, so that program is based on learning enough Japanese for daily life).
To find out the level required for direct admission, you should check the admissions requirements of the university that you want to apply to, since it will ultimately be their decision. In general, you need a higher language ability for undergraduate work than graduate. I would expect it to be N1 for most programs, especially humanities, social sciences, medicine, etc. It might be as low as N2 for some math and science programs.
Unfortunately, I’m really not a good resource for how to learn Japanese. I learned by immersion, first as a high school exchange student (who arrived with practically zero knowledge) then later built my fluency up through working here. So, I don’t have any experience with structured courses. You can probably find some other websites or blogs that are more focused on Japanese language learning and would be a better resource than I am!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Can I still apply for the undergrad program if my result is not announced by the deadline?
If so then how do I write it in the marks form?
Hi Abdullah,
Yes, it is possible to apply before you graduate, as long as you will graduate and complete your degree before the start of your MEXT Scholarship. (So, if you apply in 2024 for the scholarship to start in 2025, you could apply as long as you will graduate and your final results would be available before the end of March 2025.)
I’m afraid that the “marks form” is not an official MEXT form and I am not familiar with it. I have heard of something like that being used in certain countries by the local embassy. If you would like me to look at it, please send me a link to the webpage with the form and instructions.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello TranSenz, should I apply for an undergrad degree in the mext university recommendation. On study in Japan website, It was written that undergrad students can also apply for university recommendation
Hi Manal,
Undergraduate-level University-Recommended MEXT Scholarships are only available through the PGP programs.
You can find the lists of current PGP programs (programs selected in 2021, 2022, and 2023) in my recent article about how to apply for the university-recommended MEXT Scholarship. The undergraduate programs are generally listed on the last page of each of those documents.
If one of those programs meets your field of interest, then you can apply.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis 👋, i hope you are doing well.
I’m here to ask few questions (idk I someone asked them before) regarding master’s degree program.
1. For instance, if my major is lifescience, so do I need to contact a professor in the same department or any will be good as long I have similar research interest?
& if I get a LOA from a professor from department of chemistry then do I have to do my masters in chemistry only?
2. I have 3 year bachelors degree, so will it affect my chances of selection for master’s program (as it is mentioned that 16 years of education or a bachelor degree is required for master’s)?
Thank you so much in advance for your time and consideration.
Hi Denji,
1. The name of the major/department is less important than the contents of the curriculum and the compatibility of your research proposal with your advisor’s field. Two universities could use different names for the exact same course of studies (especially if they are in different countries). So, you do not need to limit yourself to contacting professors in Life Sciences, but you do need to make sure the professor’s research topic is similar enough that they are going to be interested in supervising you.
You will also need to choose your major from the program that your advisor is affiliated with. So, if your advisor is in the department of chemistry, you would need to choose a major that department offers. Check their curriculum carefully to make sure it is compatible with your interests.
2. If you completed a 3-year bachelor’s degree in a country where that is the standard length of study, then you are eligible to apply for a Master’s degree in Japan. There will be no disadvantage compared to someone who completed a 4-year bachelor’s in a country where that (and 16 years of study) is the norm.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you so much for your valuable response.
However, I got one more questions which I didn’t found anywhere,
Is there any Japanese University which offers Direct PhD/Doctoral program?
Hi Denji,
I’m afraid I’m not sure I understand the question. Could you explain what you mean by a “Direct” PhD/Doctoral program?
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hii Travis
I want to apply for MEXT undergraduate next year in Natual science B (Nursing ) so i have some doubts about primary screening .I want to know that with application form which documents should submit to embassy . Or what should i write on application form when they asked ,What was the triggered having interest in Japan? Or what thing i contribute to my home country and Japan.
Can you please help me out of this confusion
Hi Yashvi,
For the documents to submit to the embassy, I recommend that you check the application guidelines as well as the instructions on the embassy’s website when they are released. That will likely not be until April, though, so in the meantime, you can check the guidelines from this year.
The question about the trigger for your interest in Japan and what you can do to contribute to your country and Japan are both very personal questions, particular to you, so I can’t tell you what to say. But I do have some advice for how to say it in my article about how to fill out the application form for the graduate-level scholarship (since those question are in that form, too).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis, I have received two letters of acceptance and hopefully will be able to go to Japan! I want to research properly about life in Japan now, and one thing that comes to mind is health insurance. I have a set of questions:
1) Does the scholarship cover it?
2) And is the medical system in Japan good, as to receiving immediate treatment if required, regular tests?
3) Is is easy to find doctors speaking in English?
Hi Ava,
Congratulations on receiving the two LoPAs! You should have no problems securing the scholarship, now.
The healthcare system in Japan is great and one of the top reasons that my wife and I chose to live/raise our family here instead of my home country (the US).
1) You will be enrolled in the National Health Insurance (It is mandatory for anyone residing in Japan more than 3 months). I think you have to pay the premium each month out of your scholarship stipend amount, but it is very affordable. It does vary slightly depending on where you live in Japan, but I think that when I last worked with MEXT scholars, it was only around 1500-2000 yen per month.
Current MEXT Scholars: I would appreciate any comments replies about what your insurance cost is and how you pay it!
National Health Insurance covers 70% of any bill for treatment or prescriptions (other than optional/cosmetic surgery type things). You could choose to get additional, private insurance on top of that, but I really don’t think it’s necessary. Healthcare costs here are quite low. I remember once going to the hospital and getting an x-ray, blood tests, and a few others and still only paying about 5000 yen out of pocket.
2) Very good, in my opinion. I have never had any trouble getting seen when I needed to, even in emergencies.
3) This is the only problem. . . It depends on where you live. In a big city, it might be easier (and your university international office should have some information about what hospitals/clinics have English-speaking doctors). But in rural areas, medical care available in English is limited. This is particularly true for mental health care.
That said, I live in a fairly rural area and even hospitals where they do not advertise that they have English-speaking doctors, a few doctors have tried to speak with me in English.
If you find yourself in an area with limited English health care available and you are comfortable doing so, I recommend asking a Japanese friend to accompany you so that they can translate/assist.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello travis. First of all, thanks a ton for all the help. I have cleared the primary screening from CoT category. I big credit for this goes to all the help I got from your blogs and question you directly answered. So, thanks one more again.
So, I had a doubt that’s been bugging me for quite a while. I read you book and it says profession like puclic servant and professor has high rate of success. So, I followed your advice and mentioned that I want to return to my country and join civil services, since I really don’t have a idea what I want to do in future. But now my peers are telling me that I shouldn’t have mentioned this because japan is in a population decline and hence they would like to take applicants who want to stay. Is this true and if yes then does this affect my chances of clearing the second screening.
Hi Rs,
Congratulations on passing the primary screening! That should be the most significant part of the application and screening process.
I do not know where your peers got that idea, but I have not heard anything of the sort.
Yes, Japan is in a population decline, but the country as a whole seems highly resistant to immigration in order to solve that issue. The job market in general is not very receptive to hiring foreign nationals unless they are fluent in Japanese or the job is a highly technical one where the supervisors could be expected to speak some English (programming, computer science fields, etc, come to mind). Even in that case, there isn’t much possibility of making a lifelong career here (again, unless you become fluent in Japanese), so it seems entirely reasonable to want to return to your home country in the future, even if you spend a few years working in Japan, first.
I do not think the goal you stated will hurt you in any way.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi
Thanks for what you done for us,my question is about arrival in Japan , can I choose to arrive in Japan either in April or September?
Eg: as I applied this year 2023 can I choose to arrive in Japan in September 2024(for que September section)
Hi EzeAuSahel,
Assuming that you are applying for the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship for Research Students, then in the application form, you can submit your preference for whether you would rather arrive in April or September 2024. Ultimately, though, it is up to the university and they will put your arrival semester when they complete the Letter of Provisional Acceptance.
(If you applied for the undergraduate scholarship, you must arrive in April and if you apply for the University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship you must arrive in Fall, so there is no choice in those cases.)
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thanks very much,