Scholarships to study abroad in Japan: MEXT, JASSO and corporate scholarships

🔄 Cập nhật lần cuối: 08/10/26

Japan is one of the most popular study abroad destinations for Vietnamese people, with a rich scholarship system from governments, organizations and businesses. Understand each type clearly scholarship to study abroad in Japan – MEXT, JASSO, school scholarships and Enterprise scholarships – helps you choose the right path, prepare at the right time and avoid unfavorable commitments.

MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship

MEXT (Monbukagakusho) is full scholarship of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. According to Study in Japan, the scholarship has 7 categories: research students, teacher training, university, Japanese studies, technical college (kosen), professional school (senmon) and Young Leaders Program (YLP).

Benefits

• Free tuition.
• Monthly allowance: according to the latest announcement, about 117,000 yen (undergraduate and equivalent), 143,000–145,000 yen (doctoral student), 242,000 yen (YLP). Specific levels are listed in each year's admission guidelines.
• Round-trip airfare for candidates recruited through official nomination channels abroad.

Two application submission channels

1. Nominating Embassy: The Japanese Embassy/Consulate General selects and initially screens through application review, written exam, and interview. In Vietnam, for example, for the 2027 school year, the Japanese Embassy announces admission in April 2026, written exam and interview in June, interview results in July. The schedule usually repeats in a similar rhythm each year.
2. Nominating university: Japanese school has an exchange agreement and has a quota for nominating candidates, then MEXT makes the final selection. This channel does not apply to some areas.

The embassy written exam usually includes English, Japanese and optional specialized subjects. Preparing a good study/research plan is the deciding factor – see How to write a research proposal.

JASSO scholarship for self-funded international students

The Japan Student Assistance Organization (JASSO) administers scholarships for international students already in Japan or on exchange:

Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship

• 48,000 yen/month for graduate, undergraduate, college and most fields; 30,000 yen/month for Japanese language school.
• The period is usually one year (April to March) or six months.
• Conditions: good academic performance and character but financial difficulties; residence status "Study abroad"; Previous year GPA from 2.30; Japanese N2 or higher (or EJU Japanese from 200 points, or English CEFR B2 depending on the program); The average amount of money families send is less than 90,000 yen/month.
• Usually paid through the school you are attending, not directly.

Exchange scholarships by agreement

80,000 yen/month for short-term exchange students from 8 days to 1 year according to agreement between Vietnamese and Japanese schools. See more Short-term student exchange scholarships.

Scholarships to study abroad in Japan from businesses and organizations

In addition to MEXT and JASSO, international students can also find:

• School tuition reduction scholarships: many schools partially reduce tuition for international students with good performance or difficult circumstances; search list on Study in Japan.
• Scholarships from local governments and international exchange organizations: conditions and procedures vary by organization.
• Private and corporate funds: many funds established by Japanese corporations or organizations provide monthly scholarships to international students studying in Japan, often paid through schools.
• Corporate scholarships with work commitment: businesses pay tuition fees, in return you commit to working for them after graduation. Popular in some industries such as nursing and care.

Note: For corporate scholarships with commitments, read the contract carefully: commitment time, salary, reimbursement terms if leaving early. Avoid “scholarships” advertised by intermediaries without a clear contract – see How to find reputable scholarships. If you are interested in the model of learning by doing, read it Study abroad in Japan while studying and working.

Compare scholarships

Frequently asked questions

Can I submit MEXT if I don't know Japanese?

Maybe, depending on the situation. Some streams accept applicants who study in English or have a preparatory Japanese course at the beginning of the course. However, knowing Japanese is a big advantage when taking the exam and when living in Japan.

Can I submit MEXT while studying in Japan?

Embassy channel for people abroad. International students in Japan can learn about school nominations or JASSO scholarships.

Can the JASSO scholarship be combined with other scholarships?

There are often provisions for concurrent receipt of other scholarships. Check with your school's international student office before submitting.

What risks do corporate scholarships have?

The biggest risk is binding and indemnification clauses. Please request a clear written contract and consult a professional before signing.

Conclusion

Scholarships to study abroad in Japan are very diverse: MEXT for those who want a full scholarship before leaving, JASSO and school scholarships for self-funded international students, and many corporate funds. Choosing the right type and carefully reading the conditions will help you study abroad sustainably. Once you have residence status, VeDuHoc supports you via hotline/Zalo 090.1800.918.

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