2026 MEXT Japanese Studies Scholarship
2026/1/8
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) is now offering one-year scholarships to study in Japan for currently enrolled undergraduate students majoring in Japanese language, Japanese affairs or Japanese culture.
To apply, applicants must:
Application Schedule:
Application Guidelines and Forms:
Application forms and guidelines for the Japanese Studies Scholarship are available through the MEXT website, "Study in Japan". To download application forms and instructions, please visit the "Study in Japan" website at: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap-stopj-applications-japanese.html
Application Packet Checklist:
For applicants to maintain their candidacy, you must have the following in your initial application packet, due February 17:
Important:
All applicants that pass the interview must submit official transcripts as well as a completed Certificate of Health by March 9. Failure to do so will negatively affect your candidacy.
Past examination questions for the Japanese Studies exam are not readily available. However, you can prepare for the exam by referring to previous Japanese exams for other MEXT scholarships, available here (https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/scholarships/mext-scholarships/examination.html). Please be advised that these exams may not necessarily reflect the actual exam contents and difficulty.
Inquiries:
Contact the Public Information & Cultural Affairs section at: (808) 543-3111 or amy.shiromaCGJHNL@hl.mofa.go.jp
Please remove “CGJHNL” before sending inquiries via email.
To apply, applicants must:
- Hold U.S. citizenship
- Be born between: April 2, 1996 to April 1, 2008
- Be a current undergraduate student majoring in fields related to Japanese language or Japanese culture at a non-Japanese university at the time of arriving in and leaving Japan
- Must have studied Japanese language or Japanese culture at a university for a total period of one year or more as of September 1, 2026.
- Be able to arrive in Japan within two weeks before the first day of the study course set by the university (usually September or October)
- Must have sufficient Japanese language ability to take classes at a Japanese university in Japanese
Application Schedule:
- Application deadline - February 17, 2026 (Tuesday)
- Applications and all accompanying documents (excluding the Certificate of Health) must be dropped off no later than 4:00 pm at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Moore Hall 382
- Written exam - February 24, 2026 (Tuesday)
- The one-hour and forty minute (100 minutes) Japanese language exam will be held in-person at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Moore Hall Room 351.
- Interview – March 2, 2026 (Monday)
- Only applicants who pass the written exam will be granted an in-person interview.
Application Guidelines and Forms:
Application forms and guidelines for the Japanese Studies Scholarship are available through the MEXT website, "Study in Japan". To download application forms and instructions, please visit the "Study in Japan" website at: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap-stopj-applications-japanese.html
Application Packet Checklist:
For applicants to maintain their candidacy, you must have the following in your initial application packet, due February 17:
- Application Form for FY2026
- Placement Preference Application Form for FY2026
- Transcript (Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the initial application packet. However, candidates that pass the interview must submit official transcripts by March 9.)
- Certificate of enrollment
- One recommendation letter
Important:
All applicants that pass the interview must submit official transcripts as well as a completed Certificate of Health by March 9. Failure to do so will negatively affect your candidacy.
Past examination questions for the Japanese Studies exam are not readily available. However, you can prepare for the exam by referring to previous Japanese exams for other MEXT scholarships, available here (https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/scholarships/mext-scholarships/examination.html). Please be advised that these exams may not necessarily reflect the actual exam contents and difficulty.
Inquiries:
Contact the Public Information & Cultural Affairs section at: (808) 543-3111 or amy.shiromaCGJHNL@hl.mofa.go.jp
Please remove “CGJHNL” before sending inquiries via email.