Scholarships for students from Japan to study abroad

Finding a scholarship is one of the biggest concerns students have when embarking on their study abroad journey.

There are many scholarships or partial scholarships available to international students, but trying to find the right one for you can be difficult when faced with so much choice and different eligibility requirements.

Below is a list of just some of the scholarships available around the world for Japanese students who want to study abroad.

Most universities will have some form of bursary or scholarship aimed at helping international students, so be sure to research your chosen university’s funding options, as many institutions will have support available that is less widely advertised.

Find out more about scholarships for international students here. 

Scholarships in Canada for international students
Scholarships available in the UK for international students
Scholarships for international students in Australia and New Zealand
Scholarships available in the US for international students

Global

Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship – this programme supports both Japanese and developing country nationals undertaking postgraduate degrees related to international development.

University for Peace Asian Peacebuilders Scholarship – offers full funding for 30 young Asian professionals to study a postgraduate degree related to global politics and peacebuilding. The programme is split across the University for Peace in Costa Rica and Anteneo de Manila University in the Philippines.

UK

Chevening Japan – Chevening is the UK government’s international awards scheme. It offers a range of scholarships for Japanese students to study at a range of UK universities.

British Association for Japanese Studies (BAJS) – BAJS offers a range of awards to support students enrolled at UK universities undertaking research related to Japan. Their John Crump Studentship offers support to PhD students during the final stages and writing-up period of their degree in Japanese studies. Further awards and grants are available to support students in attending academic events and conferences related to Japan.

Japan Foundation Endowment Committee – offers a range of small grants towards projects that promote Japanese studies at UK universities.

University of Nottingham East Asia Undergraduate Excellence Award – this scholarship offers a £2,000-£7,000 reduction in tuition fees to high-achieving international students from East Asia in their first year of undergraduate study at the University of Nottingham.

The Sasakawa Japanese Studies Postgraduate Studentship Programme – launched by the Nippon Foundation, this programme supports the study of Japanese studies at UK universities. There are 30 postgraduate studentships on offer per year, each worth £10,000.

Scotland Saltire Scholarships – this scheme supports international students who wish to pursue a master’s degree in Scotland. Some 50 awards of up to £8,000 towards tuition fees are offered per year. The scheme is targeted at those who are studying within the disciplines of science, technology, creative industries, healthcare and medical sciences and renewable and clean energy.

US

Fulbright Japan – the Fulbright Commission offers a range of opportunities for Japanese students to study or work in the US at all degree levels.

Japan-United States Friendship Commission (JUSFC) Social Science Fellowships – JUSFC offers a range of grants to support social science research projects across US colleges. Projects must focus on modern Japanese society and political economy, Japanese international relations or US-Japan relations. Applicants must submit a budget of expected costs to be considered for partial or full financial support throughout their research project.

Australia

Australia-Japan Foundation Grants – a range of grants from the Australia Japan Foundation are available for Japanese citizens looking for further Japan-related scholarships in Australia.

Murdoch University International Welcome Scholarship – Murdoch University offers a range of scholarships to international undergraduate and postgraduate students, worth up to AUD$12,000.

Canada

S.Ubakata Fund for Japanese Students – this fund provides grants of up to CAD$700 to students from Japan who are enrolled at the University of Toronto. Grants are available to both undergraduate and postgraduate students in any year of study.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships – supports academically gifted international students at Canadian universities pursuing a doctorate degree. Up to C$50,000 per student is available over a three-year period.

Ontario Trillium Scholarship – offers 75 international PhD candidates up to CAD$40,000 annually to support their studies at participating universities in the province of Ontario, renewable for up to four years. Applicants are expected to have a strong academic record.