The Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) Scholarship allows students to study at a Japanese university with a scholarship from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. Through this programme, the University of Tokyo accepts students only as research students and undergraduate students. Applicants should follow the application guideline for the year in which they plan to apply.
Programme Snapshot
Programme: Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) Scholarship
Category: Scholarship
Host University: The University of Tokyo
Funding Body: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan
Country: Japan
Study Categories at UTokyo: Research students and undergraduate students
Application Routes: Embassy Recommendation and University Recommendation
About the Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship
The Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship is a programme that supports study at Japanese universities through a scholarship from the Japanese government. The University of Tokyo participates in this programme, but it accepts MEXT students only under specific categories.
At UTokyo, the available categories are research students and undergraduate students. Applicants should review the relevant application guideline for the year they are applying, because details depend on the application category and cycle.
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Study Categories at the University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo lists two categories for this scholarship route.
For research students, the category includes:
• Master’s programmes
• Doctoral programmes
• Professional degree programmes
• Graduate international research students
For undergraduate students, the category refers to regular undergraduate students. Undergraduate scholarship grantees are enrolled first at a preparatory school designated by MEXT for a one-year intensive course in Japanese language and other subjects needed for university preparation.
After completing preparatory education, undergraduate grantees proceed to a university designated by MEXT after passing its entrance examination.
Important Note for Undergraduate Applicants
The official University of Tokyo page explains that applicants who wish to enter UTokyo may not necessarily be able to take entrance examinations for UTokyo.
For undergraduate grantees, the university where the grantee takes the entrance examination is decided by MEXT in consultation with the university and the preparatory school. This decision considers several factors, including the results of the primary screening in the applicant’s home country, academic achievement at the preparatory school, the proposed major subject, and the receiving capacity of the university.
Application Routes
The University of Tokyo lists two application routes for the Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship. Both types should be applied for before coming to Japan.
The two routes are:
• Embassy Recommendation
• University Recommendation
Each route has a different process. Applicants should follow the route that applies to their scholarship category and recruitment process.
Embassy Recommendation
Under the Embassy Recommendation route, applications are made directly through Japanese embassies or consular offices outside Japan.
Scholarship recipients are recruited and initially screened by the Japanese embassy or consulate general, depending on the country. The application process differs according to the country where the Japanese embassy is located, so applicants should inquire with the Japanese embassy or consulate general in their country.
Applicants who pass the preliminary examination through their Japanese embassy or consular office and want to enroll at UTokyo must contact the relevant Graduate School. They should confirm the conditions and documentation needed, because requirements vary depending on the Graduate School.
Applicants should contact the Graduate School only after passing the preliminary screening at the embassy or consular office.
Acceptance Letter and Graduate School Contact
Applicants who require an acceptance letter should contact the department office listed in the Graduate School contact information. The University of Tokyo specifically notes that applicants should contact the department office, not prospective host researchers.
Some Graduate Schools set their deadline for issuing an acceptance letter earlier than the deadline designated by MEXT. Applicants should therefore check the website of the Graduate School they wish to enroll in.
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University Recommendation
Under the University Recommendation route, the University of Tokyo selects and recommends research students directly to MEXT as candidates for the Japanese government scholarship.
The official page states that the majority of applicants under this route are international students on inter-university student exchange agreements. The application period varies depending on the Graduate School, so applicants should contact the relevant department in the Graduate School of their choice.
How to Prepare Before Applying
Applicants should begin by identifying the correct application route and study category. They should also review the Application Guideline for the relevant year before preparing their application.
Key steps include:
• Confirm whether the Embassy Recommendation or University Recommendation route applies.
• Review the category available at the University of Tokyo.
• Check the application guideline for the relevant application year.
• Contact the appropriate Japanese embassy, consular office, or Graduate School as instructed.
• Follow the Graduate School’s instructions for required conditions and documentation.
Apply Here
Review the official programme details and follow the application instructions provided on the official page.
View the Official Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship at the University of Tokyo Page
