Studying in Japan is highly sought after, and several prestigious scholarships offer full funding to cover all major expenses for international graduate and undergraduate students. These awards eliminate financial barriers, allowing scholars to focus on world-class education and research. The opportunity to study at renowned Japanese universities, combined with generous financial support, makes these programs highly competitive and life-changing for future global leaders.
The Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship is widely recognized as the most expansive and comprehensive option, but it is supported by several other highly sought-after full-funding programs from foundations and international bodies. These premium fully funded scholarships demonstrate Japan’s national commitment to fostering academic exchange and cultivating talent from around the world.
To successfully secure funding, applicants must strategically target the program that best matches their academic level, research field, and nationality. The three most generous fully funded scholarships are the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship, the Honjo International Scholarship Foundation, and the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP).
1. Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
The MEXT Scholarship is the most renowned and expansive fully funded scholarship offered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). It covers nearly all expenses from travel to tuition for multiple study levels.
Scholarship Coverage
The MEXT Scholarship is comprehensive, covering three main areas:
- Full Tuition Exemption: MEXT covers 100% of the tuition fees for the entire program, including entrance examination fees and preparatory language training, if required.
- Monthly Stipend: Recipients receive a monthly living allowance. For Research (Master’s/PhD) students, this is approximately ¥143,000 to ¥145,000 JPY per month. Undergraduate students receive approximately ¥117,000 JPY per month.
- Travel Expenses: The scholarship provides a round-trip economy-class airfare ticket from the international airport nearest your home residence to the international airport nearest your Japanese university.
Apply now for Japanese Government Scholarship.
2. Honjo International Scholarship Foundation
The Honjo International Scholarship Foundation (HISF) offers a highly competitive graduate scholarship known for its generous monthly stipend, allowing great financial flexibility.
Scholarship Coverage
Honjo awards one of the highest monthly stipends available:
- Monthly Stipend: The amount varies by program length, ranging from ¥180,000 to ¥230,000 JPY per month for the duration of the Master’s or Doctoral degree.
- Additional Support: The scholarship provides a travel grant to cover expenses for attending an international academic conference.
Eligibility Criteria
The scholarship is specifically for Master’s and Doctoral students.
There are three core eligibility rules:
- Academic Level: You must be enrolled in or planning to attend a Master’s or Doctoral program at any Japanese university.
- Age Limits: Strict age limits apply (Master’s applicants must be under 30, PhD applicants must be under 35 at the start of the program).
- Japanese Ability: You must be able to conduct a basic conversation in Japanese, as interviews are held in Japanese.
Apply for Honjo International Scholarship Foundation.
3. ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP)
The ADB-JSP is a partnership between the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japanese Government, focused on graduate studies in development-related fields.
Scholarship Coverage
The ADB-JSP provides full financial coverage for selected Master’s programs at designated Japanese universities.
- Full Financial Support: The scholarship covers tuition fees in full, a generous monthly stipend (including housing allowance), economy-class airfare, and medical insurance.
- Eligible Fields: Programs primarily focus on development, including Economics, Business and Management, Science and Technology, Law, and Public Policy.
Explore our guide to Required Documents for Fully Funded Scholarships.
4. University-Specific MEXT (University Recommendation)
Many top Japanese universities receive quotas from the MEXT to nominate exceptional international students directly for full scholarships.
- Target Institutions: Top institutions, including Kyoto University, Osaka University, and the University of Tokyo, receive quotas to recommend students directly to MEXT for full funding.
- Benefits: This pathway offers the same full financial coverage as the Embassy-recommended MEXT Scholarship (tuition, stipend, travel).
- Application Advantage: This route often bypasses the initial written MEXT exams, focusing instead on securing acceptance from a prospective academic supervisor at the university.
Start application process for Fully Funded Scholarship Opportunities at Top Universities.
5. INPEX Scholarship
The INPEX Scholarship Foundation offers a generous, fully funded graduate scholarship aimed at strengthening international ties.
- Target Applicants: A fully funded graduate scholarship for students from Indonesia, Australia, and the UAE.
- Coverage: The award covers all costs, providing a substantial monthly stipend of ¥160,000 JPY, round-trip airfare, full tuition, and a preparatory allowance.
- Duration: The scholarship typically supports students for up to two years and eight months for Master’s degree programs.
Exploare our guide to University Scholarships for International Students.
6. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP)
The JJ/WBGSP is a prestigious program for professionals from developing countries pursuing development studies.
- Target Level: This program funds Master’s study in development-related fields.
- Eligible Countries: The scholarship is exclusively for professionals from World Bank developing member countries with relevant work experience.
- Host Institutions: The program funds study at approved Japanese universities that offer specialized, development-focused Master’s programs.
These fully funded scholarships provide the highest level of support, enabling top international students to pursue academic excellence in Japan.
