Your Resource for Expat Living in Japan
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Welcome to TranSenz! My name is Travis and I am a bilingual American expat living in Japan. I’ve been an exchange student here and been stationed here with the US military in the past. Now, I’ve moved back permanently and live and work within the constraints of Japanese society. This blog is my place to share my experiences to help other expats integrate into their host community, or at least make the most out of their time in Japan!
In the blog posts, below, you can find all manner of experiences in Japan, but I’ve also collected some of the most relevant and important contact into a series of guides, linked from the pages below. If there’s something about Japan that you want to know but can’t find here, please leave a note in the comments below and I will be happy to add it to the list.
Enjoy!
Hi Travis, It s me again. I have contacted you back in march for some questions regarding the change of path within the same field.
Unfortunately I failed the entrance evaluation and I was told I can apply up to two universities while applying for the extension this week. However I saw that you said that if I were to move up to another university, I will lose the scholarship. I cannot comprehend how they give us the option to apply to other university but would withdraw the scholarship if we are admitted and move up. Please clarify. I was considering applying to other universities that will start in September 2021
Also, as you said, there is that section where the academic advisor have to explain the reason for change. I particularly do not have any relation or bond with him and doubt he would write anything in my favor. Moreover, as a research student there is no class or no lab available for this program. I did not want to lose/waste the year( next intake is in April 2022) and lose the opportunity of getting admission elsewhere because not only my supervisor and I have a strange relationship but also nothing guaranteed my admission to the same school next year. What would you suggest? PS: entrance evaluation are usually few questions about professional background, achievements and career goal related to the business field.
Hi Meeka,
I’m afraid I do not remember your situation exactly. Are you a University Recommended MEXT Scholar or an Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholar? If the former, then you can only extend your scholarship at your current university, but Embassy scholars are allowed to change. I’m also not sure what your current level of studies is. Research student? Master’s student? That makes a difference, as well.
I’m sorry, but without understanding some basic details about your situation, I do not think I can offer appropriate advice. If you can give me a little more background, perhaps I can help.
As for the comments from your advisor, though, in general, you would need to talk to your advisor about what you want him or her to write there, not just leave it up to them.
I look forward to hearing back from you.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you for your prompt answer.
I am an embassy recommendation who applied for a MBA ( no relation with my previous academic/professional background). I arrived late October but the evaluation process happened when I was still in my country of origin. (we had to submit the answers to the questions). So I am still officially a research student at the school I originally applied for but am not doing anything.(i am not auditing classes and no lab available for this department)
As for my advisor, I am the one who would usually ask to meet up and initiate conversation. I never genuinely have any suggestions or advice from him.
Can I continue with the process of applying for extension without fearing to lose the scholarship like you said? If yes, 1) should I necessarily put the school I am still registered in as first choice ( knowing that there would be no exam I can take part for next year (2021)? 2)if yes, In the worst case scenario, how many time am I allowed to apply for extension if I don’t get admission to the other universities I apply for? will I still be considered a research student of the first university?
Lastly, I heard chances of getting accepted to private universities are small, is that true?
Hi Meeka,
Thank you for your follow-up message.
Since you are an Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholar, you are allowed to apply to a different university when you apply for the extension, but in general, it is very difficult to apply to a different university when extending from research to degree student. In general, the only reasons I have heard of that being accepted in the past were if a student’s advisor retired, etc., and there was nobody else that could supervise them. Honestly, I do not know if not passing the entrance exam there would be sufficient reasoning for MEXT to allow the change. There is no harm in trying, though.
You are allowed to remain a research student for a maximum of three semesters if you arrive in the fall, so you could stay a research student for spring and fall 2021. Your last chance to move up to a degree program would be for a program beginning in spring 2022. If your current university only has one admission exam per year for you to move up to the degree program (i.e. no fall admissions) and there is no longer any possibility that you can pass, then it seems like it would be a waste of your time to put that university on your list this time. If you apply, but your extension is not approved (or you do not get accepted to the other universities), then you could apply again a year from now and, in that case, put your current university on your list. There is only one extension application per year, so you are allowed to apply for the extension a maximum of two times.
By the way, your relationship with your advisor sounds pretty normal to me. Of course it is always the scholar’s responsibility to be proactive and contact the advisor. You should be the one initiating conversations and meaning and putting together proposals then asking for the advisor’s feedback.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you very much for your time and answers.
Hi I want to apply to the Japanese studies student scholarship
Last year I tried to apply for the undergraduate position they turned away me away and sent a rejection email before I could test for it I think because they didn’t want art students. I guess I was a bit unguided, but I was hoping if you knew any tips or tricks specifically for the Japanese studies scholarship. I was hoping to apply the year after next, and I think my Japanese would be pretty good by then. How can I maximize my chances of getting it? Thanks.
Also one last question, can I try to reapply for the undergraduate position in 2021, then if that doesn’t work out can I try Japanese studies in 2022?
Also, the most important question, if they don’t want art students ( lol only thing I’m pretty good at ) what major can I go with so that they would totally want me? No heavy math related fields please. XD
Hi Sarah Rivera Burch,
My area of expertise is the scholarship for graduate students, not the undergraduate scholarship or Japanese studies scholarship, so for the specific application processes and guidelines, I would recommend that you review the guidelines from the Japanese embassy’s website in your country.
At the moment, it doesn’t sound to me like you have a strong focus for your studies in Japan. For example, you say that you want to major in art, on one hand, but also want to apply for the Japanese studies scholarship, which is only for Japanese language and Japan studies majors participating in a one-year exchange in Japan. One of the keys to a successful MEXT scholarship application is having a strong focus for something that you want to accomplish, not only during your studies but after graduation, and it should be something that contributes to the relationship between Japan and your home country. I would suggest that you figure that out before trying the application again, and only apply for the scholarship that makes sense for your goals.
I do not think it is likely that your application was rejected just because you were applying in the arts, though for the undergraduate scholarship it is not one of the focal fields, to be sure. It is possible to get a scholarship in arts, but you need to have a clear goal and a very strong application!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis San,
First, thank you very much for all your tips and website, it is very helpful!
I am an undergraduate business student planning to apply for the MEXT research student scholarship this year (May 2021), however I am finishing university in december 2021. I emailed the embassy about this matter, and they said that indeed I am able to apply for MEXT before completing my studies (finiship university in december 2021, and going for my master in japan in april 2022 hopefully) However, I worry that it might decrease my chances in winning the scholarship since I will not provide my official transcript for the first screening but will be able to provide it until december 2021, Do you that providing the unofficial transcript might decrease my chances for the scholarship? even if the embassy said that it possible?
Also, I am planning to do my capstone project in my last semeser (fall 2021), this one will not be related to my research in Japan, However the embassy is asking to provide an abstract of a project or a thesis done if we have one. Is it possible to send them an abstract of my capstone that is expected to be done in my last semester?
Finally, I have done one semester exchange in Japan, and I made contact with a professor there. And concerning the recomendation letters, I was thinking if I can provide one from the professor that I had in Japan, and one from my university. Do you think it’s a good idea?
And will my exchange semester grades also be calculated in the MEXT?
Thank you very much for your time,
Kindest Regards,
Meriem.
Hi Meriem,
I think I might have already seen your question on another article, so pardon me if I am repeating myself.
There is no problem at all with applying before you finish your current degree. That is very common and I do not think it puts you at any disadvantage in the screening.
One of the challenges you will face is in providing a thesis abstract, since you won’t have it done yet. However, if your topic has been approved and you have a direction already, you could write an abstract for a thesis that you haven’t yet completed, just indicate that it isn’t complete yet. If you don’t have a topic approved yet, then I would recommend that you contact the embassy to ask them what they would like you to submit in your case.
You are required to submit a recommendation letter from the university where you are enrolled. If you submit extra letters (e.g. from an exchange university) in addition to the required letter, it might not be considered, but it certainly shouldn’t hurt you.
Your exchange grades should only count toward the GPA calculation if they are printed on your home university transcript including the grade. If they are transferred as pass/fail grades, then they would not count. However, you should assume that the embassy will want you to also submit a copy of your transcript from your study abroad university and prepare that in advance.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis!
Thank you for all your hardwork!
I have a question. When I went to deliver my application documents (to an organization of my country that later would send the documents to the embassy) I met with a person who asked me about if I was planning to return to my country when the scholarship ends.
My original plan is to work in Japan after I finish my postgraduate studies but I don’t know if that is something that is kind of “forbidden” or it is frowned upon. Is there any problem with working in Japan after finishing my postgraduate studies? or have I must to return to my country after I finish those studies? (I would prefer to still work as a “bridge” between the countries but while living in Japan).
Related information from the application guidelines states that “They shall also make efforts to promote relations between the home country and Japan by maintaining close relations with the university attended after graduation, cooperating with the conducting of surveys and questionnaires, and cooperating with relevant projects and events conducted by the Japanese diplomatic mission after they return to their home countries”. So I have doubts about it.
Thanks in advance for your response!
Hi Maria,
Delivering your papers to an “organization” that will submit them sounds a little suspicious. I assume that you have confirmed that the organization is officially authorized by the Japanese embassy as the only way to submit applications. But I have heard of applicants submitting the applications – and sometimes a fee – to an agency that says they will submit them, but it ends up being a scam. (If a fee is involved, it is almost definitely a scam).
Like I said, I assume you already checked this and know that you’re doing it right, but I did want to mention that for anyone else who reads this comment and might be in a less sure situation.
MEXT does not require that you return to your home country after the scholarship. However, in some cases, your local government might. I remember from working with applicants from Mexico in the past that they had to submit applications via their local government and it was mandatory that they return to Mexico after the scholarship. So, if that kind of requirement exists in your country, be sure you respond appropriately.
Like you said, MEXT wants you to be a bridge and you can do that in either country. As I have recommended in my article about how to maximize your chances for your MEXT scholarship, and in my book How to Apply for the MEXT Scholarship, you should have a specific goal in mind that you want to achieve in the first five years after graduation. If that goal requires you be in Japan, that’s fine. If you get asked about whether you will return, then you can answer by describing what you hope to accomplish after your graduation and where that requires you to be, but also state that if, during your studies, you come across a better way to contribute, then you may change your plans at that time. That shifts the conversation so it is not about location, it is about you wanting to make the biggest impact on the world around you that you can.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
At first, I would like to say thank you. Your job is so useful that I really don’t find the correct words to express my gratitude.
I am wishing to apply for MEXT scholarship (I have all the documents done) but to be honest I have one concern.
What may happen if I fail during my studies or if, for example, I need to return to my country (e.g. my father dies and I need to support my family)?
How much money would I need to refund to MEXT or what is the probability that MEXT will try to ask me to refund the amount that they invested in me?
I am kind of afraid of becoming a financial burden for my family (I know that I am a good student and that probably all things will go well but bad events also could happen).
Do you know what happen when things like these occur?
Sorry for my bad english and thank you so much for your reply in advance.
Hi JT,
Thank you for your kind words!
If you need to withdraw from the scholarship for personal reasons during your studies, typically you would just lose all future payments (and you would also forfeit the MEXT-funded plane ticket home). You would not have to reimburse the scholarship in that situation, but you would also not be eligible to resume it later.
If you were to lose the scholarship because of poor academic performance, technically the scholarship would be cut off as soon as it became impossible for you to graduate within the standard period of study. In that case, too, I have never heard of an applicant being forced to repay the scholarship.
The only situation I can think of where an applicant might be asked to repay the scholarship is if they were to lose it over a deliberate act in violation of the scholarship or the law, like lying on their application or being arrested in Japan, etc. Even in that case, it isn’t a guarantee that they would ask for money back.
As long as you are making your best honest effort toward your studies in Japan, you should have nothing to worry about!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis!
I have applied for the undergraduate Mext scholarship for 2021, however, I’m facing problems regarding what to study for the Maths A exam. Although there are 3 question paper available in the studyinjapan website but I’m still confused regarding what I should do since the test is near. Also I heard that there are a few countries that have already conducted the test so I wanted to know how tough is it going to be this year.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Shubham,
I don’t know what other advice I can give you other than to review the exams on the studyinjapan website and determine which parts of them you think you are weak at, so you can focus your studying there.
I have not heard back from anyone on the difficulty of this year’s tests, but maybe others can comment here.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Can you share some advice on how to write emails to Japanese professors? (e.g. formats, contents, and languages) I feel professors in the U.S. are much more responsive and proactive when it comes to replying to emails… In the meaning while, I don’t want to bother them too often.
Thanks,
Coconut
Hi Coconut,
Developing some templates for emails to professors is one of the things on my to-do list (particularly once I get to work on the next book in my Mastering the MEXT Scholarship series), but I have unfortunately not done so yet. I hope to do so soon, but it may not be in time for you.
For now, I recommend that you keep the emails short, focused on the benefit that you will bring the professor, and easy to reply to if you were receiving it. Keep in mind that unlike professors in the US, English is not the native or working language for most of the professors in Japan, so it takes extra effort to read and reply to a message in English.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis!
Many thanks for the tremendous efforts you’re deploying on this website, it has given me a profound insight about the MEXT scholarship.
As far as things are going, i’m graduating next year with a Master equivalent degree in International Trade, so i hopefully have plenty of time to prepare for my application. I have certain questions i’d like you to elicit, please:
First, do grades affect the chances of being accepted in the case of Research Students? Mine are average at best, that’s why they’re a matter of worry to me. If yes, is it possible to compensate through a solid Research Plan?
Second, do language proficiency degrees play at a considerable advantage for the candidate?
Third, what kind of questions shall a candidate expect at the interview? Are they questions related to his field of study, or rather broad questions used to assess the candidate’s speech ability, personality, self-confidence etc?
Many thanks in advance! Osewaninatteimasu!
Hi Aminee,
Thank you for your kind comments!
If you are graduating next year and want to continue your studies in Japan without interruption, I think this might be the time for your to apply (if the deadline has not already passed for you). The ongoing Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship Application process is for arrivals in the Fall 2021 Semester.
Grades are certainly a factor in your application, but before you obsess over them, have you converted your grades to the MEXT scale? Some applicants find that grades they thought were only mediocre actually convert to a quite decent score.
Grades are probably the primary objective criteria that exists to rank applicants before they even start reviewing other documents and it is possible that some applicants would be eliminated based on their grades alone (certainly if they were below the eligibility threshold) before the rest of the review. If you get past that point, though, yes, a strong Field of Study and Research Program Plan (as well as interview performance) can help increase your chances.
In my experience, language proficiency is more of a check box: Do you meet the threshold or not. So, an applicant with an 8.0 IELTS is not necessarily going to have an advantage over an applicant with a 7.5. However, having Japanese language proficiency can give you a boost, even if you are applying for a degree taught in English, since it indicates a stronger interest in Japan and probably a better ability to fit in to life here. For the Embassy-Recommended MEXT scholarship, there will be Japanese and English language proficiency tests during the primary screening, before the interview, and those tests will be the primary language proficiency factor for the primary screening process. Do not leave the Japanese test blank, even if you don’t know any answers!
I have an article about how to prepare for the MEXT scholarship interview, including questions that other applicants have shared from their experiences, that should help with that question.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
You sir, are one gem of a person. All my gratitude.
I was watching your latest interview on the Tokyo State of Mind channel and i heard you say that one of the main reasons people got rejected was because they were trying to apply to a Japanese-taught course while they had nil to little Japanese proficiency. Based on that, which level of the JLPT is the minimum to enroll?
Hi Aminee,
Thank you very much for your kind comments!
Typically, if you are trying to get into a graduate program taught in Japanese, you would need to have at least N2 level Japanese. Possibly N1 for programs in humanities.
A good way to search is to look up the program on the university’s website and find their admissions requirements for non-MEXT scholars. You can often find language proficiency requirements in there.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you very much!
Hello TranSenz,
Please, I have problem contacting the universities in Japan. I tried calling and emailing all to know avail. Please help, my deadline is fast approaching.
Hi Redeemer,
Why are you trying to contact Japanese universities at this point? You do not need to contact universities in Japan as part of the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship until after you have passed the Primary Screening. At this point, you only need to research the respective universities professors on your own to fill in their names in the Placement Preference Form.
(While it is always a good idea to start netwworking with your professors early, by this point in the application process, it is too late to worry about that, so just do what you have to to complete the requirements.)
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
I would be Grateful to you for the blogs and articles!
I had submitted Preliminary application form a week before to embassy, but yet there is no reply back regarding the submission. Do I need to mail them again for this concern.
Rukhsar
Hi Rukhsar,
I am sorry this reply is so late and I hope you have had your reply from the Embassy by now.
Every embassy handles their notifications differently. But in general, I would not expect a confirmation of receipt. It is most likely that they will not contact you with any information until they have screened your documents and determined whether or not you passed the document screening and will move on to the next stage of the application.
I would recommend that you check the website to see if they have an application timeline posted, such as when the tests and interviews will be or when they will notify successful applicants. If the notification date has passed or the test date is coming up soon, then it would be a good idea to contact them.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Sir Travis.
I am confused if I will put in the form that I have written a thesis. In our undergraduate curriculum we have research 1 and 2 subjects, however, due to the unexpected resignation of our research advisor during our research 1, we haven’t finished the chapters that are supposed to be finished at that time. When our new instructor came during our research 2, he advised us all to change our research topics. In that very short time, we do have an output submitted to his office, however, we haven’t presented or have an oral defense on it. Our college also said that during our batch, there were no publications at that time.
Thank you.
Hi Anjie,
If the research paper that you wrote was a requirement for your graduation, then it should be considered a thesis, even if it was not published. In that case, you should include it in the application form.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
Really appreciate your website, particularly in guides for MEXT Scholarship.
I have a question regarding MEXT Scholarship for Research Student via the embassy. Is it possible to apply for this scholarship without being a Research Student first and being a Master Student right away?
Thanks a lot.
Regards,
Aulia
Hi Aulia,
Yes, it is possible to apply for the scholarship for Research Students and start directly as a Master’s student. You have the option to check that box in the application form.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey travis, can you provide a sample of UG application form. They are already out for 2021. Some things are really a bit confusing on it so your sample will help us understand it better.I have already sent you the pdf of that application on your gmail.
Also what do we have to write in the remarks section in application when it asks for our whole education from primary to high school? Sorry for the poor presentation of question.
Sorry i forgot to ask that do we have to print the recommendation letter and application form after filling it or first print the empty one and then write from pen?
Hi Manish,
For the application form, I highly recommend completing it on the computer and then printing it (you’ll still need to sign it after printing).
For the Letter of Recommendation, assuming you are using the optional template, you would print it and give it to your reviewer to complete by hand. The reviewer could also choose instead to write a freeform letter on a computer, then print and sign it.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Manish,
My area of expertise is the scholarship for graduate students, so I have not created any resources specifically for the scholarship for undergraduates. I do not intend to do so until I am satisfied that I have laid out everything I can about the graduate scholarship, first.
However, there are many areas of crossover, so I think that the sample form for graduate students, as well as some of the explanations I offer in the articles on this site will still help with the undergraduate scholarship.
In the meantime, if you need some more specific advice, I hope that someone else with a stronger focus on the undergraduate scholarship can help you.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
I just sent package which includes all my documents to the Embassy for Undergraduate Program in Natural Science (Medicine,Dentistry and Pharmacy). Here my question and confusion is that i had never ever read Mathematics because my field of study is Biology and i’m a pre-medical student and in 1st Screening for Natural science B and C includes Mathematics along with Biology, Chemistry, English and Japanese exam. What i should to do at this point?
Hi Muhammed,
I would suggest that you prepare for the exams by trying the old sample exams that are available. If you find anything that you are weak at, study that area to improve your chances!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Travis i need some examples of Field of Study and Research Plan for Finance, i don’t know how to write it.
Hi Stefan,
Unfortunately, I do not have any sample plans in Finance that I can share, but I do have a template for what the Field of Study and Research Program Plan should look like, as well as a book dedicated to walking you through the process of writing it from the stage of having no idea all the way through a final FSRPP.
If you want to see what a research proposal looks like in your specific field, then I would suggest that you consult with a professor or researcher in that field to see if they can offer more specific advice.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
I want to apply for Undergraduate Mext Scholarship 2021 in Medicine.
Have you heard that Mext accept any student in Medicine?
Hi Hamza,
Most of the applicants I work with are applying for the graduate scholarship, so nobody has ever reported back to me about their success with the undergraduate scholarship. But Medicine is one of the allowable fields, so it should certainly be possible to earn the MEXT scholarship for it!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Send me the link to apply for my undergraduate scholarship
Hi Bollapelly Umadevi,
You will apply via the Japanese embassy in your country, so the link is going to be different for each country. I would recommend googling “Japanese embassy in [your country name]” to find their website and the instructions.
You can even add “MEXT Scholarship” to the end of that search.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi, so I was wondering if I could apply with my grade 11 (AS) of CIE GCE Alevels as I would get my result only in second week of Aug and I saw in my country’s embassy that deadlines are mostly in May or June. And also, is this scholarship available for April intakes only? Isn’t there one for Sept? Im so confused.
Hi Tara,
When you apply, you have to submit all of your grades that are available and released. So, if some of your grades won’t be released until after the application deadline, you would not need to submit those and can still apply.
It sounds like you are applying for the undergraduate scholarship. For undergraduates, only April arrival is possible. (This year, for graduate students only September/October arrival is possible.)
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
I am typing here, because I couldn’t find an e-mail adress to type you.
I am planing to move to Japan. I want to work in musical instruments stores. I am getting Japanese language courses to have basic communication in Japanese. I have vocational school of higher education associate diploma. I want to learn, Do I have a chance to work in Japan with this condition? What are the minimum requirements?
Thank you.
Hi Tolga,
This is the best way to reach me. I cannot answer questions by email, anyway, since there are just far more than I can address in a day. Here, at least, other people with the same question can find the answer!
I think you are asking about what the minimum requirements are to be able to get a working visa? Working visas are not my area of expertise, but you would have to find a company that is willing to hire you as a regular employee, so you would need to meet the skill requirements established by that company, including language ability and education history. The company is going to have to apply for a working visa for you, which can be a bit of work, so you would need to impress them enough for them to go through that effort rather than hiring someone locally.
It would be very difficult to get a working visa just to work as a store clerk, I think, since that is most likely to be the role of a part-time employee. You would probably need to qualify for some particular expert position (like teaching music lessons?) or a management position.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi, I am Manisha Das from Bangladesh. Could you please tell me when the MEXT scholarship 2020-21 circular will open for Bangladeshi students? I am looking for the scholarship as I have made a connection with a Japanese professor.
Here is another thing. I have a little problem in my passport. The spelling of my mother’s name is incorrect in passport and recently I have travelled in India with that passport (When I was applying tourist visa, I did not face any problem but few weeks later, I discovered the mistake). What shoould I do now?
Please give me some suggestion.
Thanks in advance
Manisha Das
Hi Manisha Das,
Unfortunately, all I can tell you is that the application process announcement has been delayed for everyone. I haven’t heard any confirmation from MEXT about when they will release the guidelines, but some embassies have speculated that it might be mid-May or in June. I will share that information here and on my mailing list as soon as I see anything confirmed!
About your passport, your mother’s name spelling wouldn’t be an issue for the MEXT scholarship. It’s not an item of the passport they would even look at, since parents’ names do not even appear in most countries’ passports. If you want to fix that for your own reasons, go ahead and do it, but in that case, I assume that you won’t have your final passport available until after the scholarship application deadline, so you would have to let them know that you are renewing it to change that information. It shouldn’t be a problem at all in either situation.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis! lately i ve been reading your blogs and i really took a liking into them because they help me accumulate informations about the MEXT scholarship. The japanese ambassy in our country set the minimal required grade to 16.5, equal (or at least close) to 3.5 GPA i just want to ask if this requirment change from a year to another.
Hi Othman,
MEXT has not released the official application guidelines for this year, so any guidelines or requirements you are seeing now are implemented independently by the Embassy. Individual embassies are permitted to do that, and that requirement could change from one year to another. When Embassies set local requirements, you must meet those requirements as well as the MEXT requirements.
I have heard of other embassies setting GPA requirements in the local GPA in the past. Since MEXT’s GPA requirement is hard to understand, they set a local requirement in order to quickly weed out applications that do not have much of a chance. In general, the grade they set is probably something that always converts to the MEXT minimum requirement or higher and is probably based on the performance of past years’ applicants, as well.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
thank you so much for answering my question i will continue checking the embassy.
and thanks for wishing me good luck i really need it : D
Hi! congratulations on your page, it is very ilustrating!! i’ve learned a lot about studying in Japan.
I have a few questions:
– can a MEXT Master Scholarship bring a husband and a baby to Japan? is there any daycare service given by the state or the university for Students who are parents?
– If my Husband and i, apply to the MEXT Scholarship, is there a chance we both are accepted?
– How much money is the MEXT Scholarship? can a couple live from it?
Thank you so much!!!!
Hi Yeniffer,
Yes, applicants can bring their families to Japan, but they have to arrive first on their own then apply for a Dependent Certificate of Eligibility for each of their family members so that they can then apply for visas. MEXT and your university will not provide any support for your family, so you need to be prepared to take care of everything on your own. (That includes childcare).
It is not necessarily impossible for two spouses to be accepted for the MEXT scholarship, but in my experience, it is extremely rare and unlikely. It is very likely that the reviewers would only consider one of your applications seriously and that the other would be disadvantaged in the application. (Depending on your university, they might have another system like full tuition reduction that the other spouse could take advantage of, but there would probably not be a second living stipend in that situation.)
For details about the MEXT scholarship, I would recommend that you read my article introducing the scholarship and what it covers. The stipend can be enough to live on for a family if you are frugal and studying in a rural location. I knew a scholar who brought his wife and three children on his stipend, but that was in a rural area with low rents/cost of living (he got into government-subsidize housing for low income families, too). In a city, I think it would be much more difficult. I would recommend that you create a budget plan for the area that you want to live/study in to see if it would be possible for you.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi, I had a brief question pertaining to the exams, Mathematics A and Japanese. I’m interested in applying for the Specialized Training Scholarship but I’m not sure if it’s too imprudent and last minute. I honestly don’t have much official Japanese experience except the alphabet and very rudimentary Japanese. I know the applications will be going out sometime in May and interviews possibly in June. How long would you recommend potential applicants should study for the exams? Would two/three months be insufficient if studying daily? I’m sure this varies from person to person but just as a general direction.
Hi Lain,
My area of expertise is the MEXT scholarship for Graduate Students. I am not particularly familiar with the Specialized Training Scholarship or the specifics of that application process.
For any entrance exam, I would recommend that you study until you have mastered the material and can answer all questions in the sample tests with ease. How much time that takes is entirely up to you, your knowledge of the fields, and your study habits.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello travis, i would like do ask some questions related to this year’s mext selection.
So with this whole coronavirus lockdown arround the world and contries including japan closing it’s borders, is it possible for the mext selection to be postponed or even cancelled? I am asking this because i live in brazil and currently there is a countrywide lockdown. This week i called my local embassy in order to ask this same question which i am asking you now. They responded that they don’t know anything about how this year will be.
Do you have any idea?
Hi Josué Lopes,
Like your embassy said, there is no official word out about what MEXT will do. But the scholarship application period starting now will be for applicants who will arrive in Japan in April 2021 at the earliest, so the application should still go forward and borders should be opened by then. However, in the meantime, how the application is processed is a different story. They may need to figure out how they can process applications, interviews, tests, etc. remotely to get around lockdowns.
I have not heard any rumors about cancellation or anything about changes this year, but like you and many others, I am checking MEXT’s website every day to see if there is any news.
I will share it as soon as I hear anything.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello,
My name is Saurabh. I am from India.
I have received the University recommended MEXT 2020 scholarship (Spring Semester) for my doctoral studies at the University of Tsukuba.
I have completed all of the required documentation (including VISA).
I wanted to start learning the Japanese language.
However, I have a small query,
I would like to know if the University of Tsukuba provides Japanese language training for MEXT doctoral student as a part of the Scholarship program?
If there’s a training/course provided by the University, should I need to enrol for it separately or I will be enrolled in the language class as soon as the semester starts?
Could you please let me know?
Thanks!
Sincerely,
Saurabh
Hi Saurabh,
Congratulations on earning the MEXT Scholarship!
If you have questions about the specific university program, there is no better way to get the information than to ask the university directly. I do not know about the specific programs at any particular university.
If they told you that you would be starting in the Japanese language program for a semester, that is the official MEXT training program, but as to what classes or other assistance are available to you afterward, that is all up to the university, so you should ask them directly.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
Thank you for your reply.
I ask the university directly.
Thanks for the help.
Saurabh
Hello Travis!
I’m now working on the research plan and I had a couple of questions if you don’t mind.
So, I’m in Chapter 6 and you ask us to make a hypothesis. The thing is, because of the nature of my research question and field, I chose the Inductive approach, which, as you may know, doesn’t work with hypotheses and proving theories but rather works around research questions and then makes theories. So the question is, do I still have to write a hypothesis in my research plan even if I pretend to work with the Inductive approach? What would you recommend?
Another question I had is that, without going into many details, for my research I need to work with educational data, so when you asked us to pick a specific example, I chose the particular University I’m interested the most in as my target for data retrieval. The thing is though that in the end, we have to choose 3 possible universities, so I was wondering if I should adapt my research plan to each university changing my target example depending on which university I’m communicating to. In case it looks bad that I’m doing research on data from University ‘A’ when I’m talking to ‘B’ or ‘C’. What would you recommend?
Sorry for all the trouble and thank you for all your effort.
Hi Johnny Navarro,
I’m sorry that part wasn’t more clear. A hypothesis is not absolutely necessary. (And in many cases, such as hard sciences applicants where students have less control over their own research at this point, it may be impossible).
Most of the Field of Study and Research Program Plan documents I see do not include a hypothesis.
But in your case, if you have a research question, then I would think that you can still propose a hypothesis about what you expect the data to show about your research question. In most cases, your research will disprove your hypothesis, but it is the possible answer that you are testing.
I do not recommend that you adapt your FSRPP to each of the potential universities that you are applying to. That is going to make it harder to read and make that section of your FSRPP consume far more of the two-page limit than you can afford. Instead, is there any way to describe the data in more general terms so that one description can cover all three universities? For example, saying that you will review education data from selected courses at your university, without specifying the university or course name?
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis, thanks for your quick reply.
I didn’t want to get into much detail because I didn’t want you to feel like you are reviewing my application haha. But if I can bother you with a little more detail just to be clearer in general, I do have certain specific majors I want to do research on, so if I understand correctly, you would recommend mentioning the majors but not the universities themselves?
For example: “I will do research on educational data from Biology majors from universities in Japan.” (Just an example).
Would that be okay? That way I still would be mentioning the major I want to do research on, without mentioning any particular university.
I’m asking you because I wouldn’t like to sound vague to the scholarship reviewers, but it looks like being overly specific isn’t good either.
Thanks a lot!
Hi Johnny Navarro,
I don’t mind the detailed questions on here. Often details makes it easier for me to grasp your situation and answer better and faster!
In this case, yes, I think what you suggested sounds good. Mentioning that you want to study educational data related to a specific major, like biology, is perfect. You could go a little more in detail, such as specifying what specific field in biology and I would certainly mention mentioning the level of study (e.g. undergraduate).
In your proposed sentence, it sounds like you want to study educational data from multiple universities across Japan, but if you only intend to study the university where you are enrolled, you could say “. . . undergraduate biology majors at the university where I will be enrolled.” In the interview stage, you could then connect that statement to why you have chosen the three universities in your list.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
Thanks for your reply. I didn’t think about that, with your suggestion I would be able to show that I intend to do research on a single institution without mentioning its name. Thanks a lot!
What you said at the end got me a little curious though, about explaining why I chose three universities. Does that mean that I could just select one? Talking about the Embassy Recommendation btw, I thought I HAD to select three options.
Thanks again and sorry for the trouble.
Hi Johnny Navarro,
No trouble at all!
Sorry, what I had meant to say was that in the interview, you should be prepared to explain why you have selected the three particular universities that you listed in your Placement Preference Form – and it wouldn’t hurt to go so far as to explain the order, either.
You are supposed to select three universities. It is not absolutely required, but in some cases it can be frowned upon or hurt your impression with the reviewers if you select fewer than three. Unless you have a really solid reason (like that you have been in contact with the professor at one university for a while and are already collaborating), selecting fewer than three just makes it look like you have been lazy and not done your research about university availability.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis! i have come to japan on dependent visa. i have completed my Mphill in my home country. can i get admission in japan universities for PHD programme now? What should i do to continue my study? is there any scholarships for the persons who lives in japan on depent visa? kindly send me all details about the situation… thankyou!
Hi Ifra,
Yes, your are able to apply to universities in Japan while you are living here with a Dependent Status. If you enroll, you can also change your residence status to “Student”, which would be necessary for many of the scholarships I am aware of. I have an article about how to find universities and professors in Japan that teach in English that should help.
Since you are already living in Japan, you are not eligible to apply for the MEXT Scholarship, which is the pre-enrollment scholarship that I am most familiar with and is the subject of many of the articles on this page. You would have to leave Japan again (or have a plan to leave Japan again) to be eligible.
Other scholarships at Japanese universities typically become available after you enroll. The university will conduct one or two large, annual application screenings for all available scholarships for international students. They will use the results of that screening to rank order their students and then nominate students for the various scholarship opportunities based on their order and what they are eligible.
Since this process is entirely determined by the university, I cannot describe it in detail here. But like any other scholarship application, your past grades and future research plans are the biggest factor in the applications.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis!
I am Fatinah, a special education teacher from Indonesia. Thank you very much for all of the articles you’ve written here, I am enjoying them right now while preparing my second attempt for Research Student Scholarship. I have accepted by a professor at the University of Tsukuba. My research topic is about a comparative study educational system in Japan and Indonesia.
I have a situation and do need your advice.
On my first attempt, I put my research timetable plan on the Field Study and Research Plan Form. I wrote that the data collection will be started in September in Indonesia while I am on the application process or before going to Japan. Then last week, I just realized a point on the Eligibility Criteria that the research plan should not take data outside Japan or long-term leave of absence from the university. I think, perhaps my research timetable plan is one of the reasons my application was rejected last year.
Right now, I am collecting data needed in Indonesia as my Professor’s suggestion about the research. We hope the data already collected before I apply for the scholarship. According to this condition, is it okay if I write on my research timetable plan that I already have the data from Indonesia? And as my professor suggested to me, I can do data analyzing when I am in Japan and do collection data needed about Japan’s education system.
Thank you very much, Travis.
I am sorry for bothering you and writing this long comment.
Best regards,
Fatinah.
Hi Travis!
Sorry, one other question.
What if I only wrote one university on the Placement Preference Form due to I have accepted by a professor from university I targeted?
Thank you again,
Best regards,
Fatinah
Hi Fatinah,
Since you are already working with that professor and they are offering guidance, I think that makes sense to only fill in one professor.
In that case, I would amend my previous comment – when you refer to having already collected data in Indonesia, you can go so far as to say that you did so in cooperation with that professor (provided that the professor agrees). If your FSRPP indicates that you have already started working with the professor in question, then that should raise fewer questions about why you only list one professor/university in your Placement Preference Form.
If your embassy requires you to list multiple professors/universities, you could also always list more than one, but simply not apply to them for Letters of Acceptance after the Primary Screening.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis!
I’m here to drop MEXT info in Indonesia due to the Covid-19 issue. MEXT Scholarship Application Submission in Indonesia is not opened yet and still waiting for the next announcement. The Embassy of Japan will inform the application submission time on June.
Regards,
Lisfatul Fatinah
Hi Lisfatul Fatinah,
Thank you for your update! This is one of the first times I’ve heard any suggestion about when the guidelines might (finally) be released. It’s going to be an interesting, shortened process this year. All the more reason to make sure you’re as prepared as possible.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Fatinah,
If I understand correctly, you are collecting data now in Indonesia and will collect further data in Japan for comparison, after arrival, right?
In that case, I would recommend that in your Field of Study and Research Program Plan that you only talk about the step of collecting data in Japan and in the data analysis/methodology section, talk about how you will compare that to data that you have already collected from previous research in Indonesia. (As of the time you arrive in Japan to start the research described in the plan, you will have already collected the data, so using the past tense makes sense).
That has the added benefit of helping you stand out since you have existing research that other applicants wouldn’t have and are more prepared for your studies in Japan.
Does that make sense for your situation?
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis, I am sorry for my delay to respond.
Only mention what I will do with my research right after arriving in Japan makes make sense for my situation. Thanks for the suggestions. As you suggest me to list more than one professor/university, I am still working on it, Hopefully I get them quickly.
Another question I had is in my country, all of the documents should be in A4 paper size, but my academic transcript is in legal size which is bigger than A4. So, on my last attempt, I should fold my academic transcript. In your opinion and experience, does my academic transcript paper size affect my application?
By the way, my professor from the University of Tsukuba gave me a letter that says he is ready to be my supervision if I have been accepted by MEXT. Is this letter required to put on my applications?
Thank you very much for your helps.
Hi Lisfatul Fatinah,
I’m glad I was able to be helpful!
About the A4 paper, there is nothing that you can do about your transcript, so you do not need to worry about that. I would recommend folding it in half so that it fits within the size of an A4 sheet of paper when you turn it in. That will allow you to fit it inside the same envelope or document protector and keep it from sticking out and getting damaged. But it’s not going to affect your application in any way.
You do not necessarily need the letter from your potential supervisor, but it also cannot hurt to put a copy of it in the application. You can also mention at the interview stage that you are already in contact with the professor.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
OK, Travis. Thank you for your suggestion.
Hi, Travis. Thank you very much for your answers. It helps me a lot. I am sorry for delaying to respond and I didn’t realize that my reply before are not posted well.
To only mention on my FSRPP about what I will do after arriving in Japan and ask my professor’s permission to mention his name on our work does makes sense for my situation. I’ll catch it up.
About the put 3 universities on Preferences Application Form, I’ll also catch them up and hopefully I get them quickly. But it’s little bit confusing for me because on the other article (if I’m not mistaken and I forgot it’s on the article on on your comment), you mentioned that it’s okay to only put 1 university as long as we already have had work with the professor. Then which one I should do?
Another question is I graduated in 3.5 years from 4 years bachelor program. On the other article you tell us that it still means 4 years, but which one I should write on my application? 3.5 years or 4 years?
Next, in my country all application must be on A4 paper size, but my academic transcripts are on legal paper size. I need your opinion as expertise does my academic transcripts’ paper size affect my application?
By the way, Travis, my professor from University of Tsukuba sent me a letter that says he are ready to be my supervisor if I have been accepted by MEXT Scholarship Program. In your opinion and based on your experience, is this letter required to put in my applications?
Thank you for your very kind heart. Sorry for the bunches of questions.
Best regards,
Fatinah
Hi Fatinah,
It is OK to only put one university in the Placement Preference Form in your situation, since you are already in touch with a professor there and have a letter from the professor agreeing to supervise you, but I have also heard of some embassies being unhappy when applicants only put one and insisting that they include the full three. So, it wouldn’t hurt to know the names of two back-ups to fill in if necessary. (Even in that case, there is no requirement that you actually contact all three universities after the primary screening, so you could choose to only reach out to the one).
For your years of of study, since it is only 3.5 years of actual study, your years of study must match the start and end dates, so you will have to put 3.5 there, but in the remarks section at the bottom, you can explain that you completed a 4-year program of study one semester early and so you have completed a 16 year program of study.
I answered the transcript question in your last comment, but it is not a problem. MEXT understands that there is nothing you can do about documents issued by the university.
Finally, yes, go ahead and include a copy of the letter from your professor (perhaps you could attach it to the Placement Preference Form with a paper clip, etc., as an explanation as to why you have listed only one university).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis, thank you for all of your advices. It’s really help me a lot. I am still preparing my application and checking every single paper I need to put in the application. Now, I am also waiting for the MEXT announcement about the application procedure this year due to the Covid-19 issue. I even check Japan Embassy’s website everyday more than twice. Hahaha. I hope, I can drop my good news here soon. Again, thank you very much, Travis! But I know, “thank you” is really not enough for all of your kindness.
Warm regards,
Fatinah
Hi Fatinah,
Thank you for your feedback! I’m only checking the MEXT website for announcement once per day, but between the two of us, that’s a pretty good frequency.
Please do let me know if you catch the embassy’s announcement before I catch MEXT’s.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi would like to ask if I can apply for a longterm visa. Ive been to Japan twice under visiting relatives visa. My mother (unmarried to japanese) was living in Japan for more than 20 years, I have a half sister (japanese citizen, 22 y.o) Is there any chance to live with them? I am married with 5 y.o son. Or applying for a student visa is our only chance to live and work there?
Hi Elyssa,
It sounds like you are probably over 20 years of age. As a legal adult, you would not be able to apply for a Dependent Visa, etc., through your mother. You need to find some other justification for your residence in Japan, such as enrolling in a school (though only do that if you are actually interested in studying!) or finding a job that will sponsor a working visa.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
I want to apply for MEXT PhD scholarship 2021.
1. Is it mandatory to submit both undergraduate and Post graduate documents?
2. Can you explain to me if my referees use their own format to write recommendation letter to me?
Hi Gemechu Bedassa,
1. Yes.
2. Are you applying for the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship or University Recommended MEXT Scholarship? In general, both should allow freeform letters of recommendation, at least as of the last cycle. However, for the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship, there are specific requirements about what that letter needs to include. I would recommend reading the articles that I have written about each type of scholarship for more information.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi sir madam
My Wife Is In Japan 5 year Ago In Student VISA But She Already Replaced Working VISA In Last 6 Month
In June and She Already Submit All Document For depended Visa In September 13 But Now November 27 Not Any Call From Immigration Office ???
Can I Know What Happen
Hi Dipesh,
The usual processing time for a CoE is up to 3 months, so if your wife submitted the documents in September, it is still within the standard processing time.
However, this year, I have heard that the Immigration Agency has been taking longer and longer to process applications and many are taking over 3 months.
Once three months have passed, your wife could contact the Immigration office where she applied to see if they can give her an update on the progress, but in my experience, usually they refuse and just tell you to wait.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Good day sir,
I married a japasene here in our country Philippines. The problem is my husband doesn’t have a regular work in japan his only a partime job. The reason why he cant get a regular job is because he is sick, he has epilepsy. He tried to apply for a regular work in his hometown but sadly all of them refuse his application. He desperately want me to live with him in japan. I ask alot of consultation office in japan via facebook but all of them told me that it is impossible for me to get a COE because my husband doesn’t have a regular job. Can i get COE if my parents in law guarantor me on my application?
Hi Tina,
It should be possible for you to get a CoE with your parents-in-law as your guarantor/financial supporter. That was how I applied when I first came to Japan. (My wife was also living abroad and had no employment in Japan).
Eventually, I was the one who found full-time work in Japan first, so by the time that I applied to renew my period of stay, a year after arriving in Japan, I was my own financial supporter, with my wife as guarantor.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Is it possible to get 90% of approval from the immigration if my parents in law will be my guarantor for my spouse of japanese visa? Because i badly want to be with my husband to take care of him because he is sick. My parents in law is willing to guarantor my visa. They also allowed us to stay in there house until my husband can find a regular job and can sustain our need. Im just afraid that this not enough reason to grant my coe.
Hi Tina,
Approval from the Immigration Bureau is not a matter of percentages. You either get it or you don’t.
If your husband does not have regular income, I think it should be possible for your parents-in-law to serve as your guarantor and financial support. In general, Immigration only cares that you have a sustainable financial situation and will be able to support yourselves.
However, you may want to have your husband call the local immigration office to consult with them about your situation. If he does that, you’ll be able to get more official answers than the suggestions that I can offer. If he talks to them on the phone, then they won’t ever associate his name with a particular case, so it shouldn’t hurt you in any way to check!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
One last question sir. What is the difference between registering our marriage in japan and entering our marriage to my husband’s kosekitohon? Because our marriage is already registered to my husband place ( city hall ). does it mean that my husband need to go back to city hall so that our marriage will be recorded to his koseki?
Thank you.
Hi Tina,
If you registered your marriage at your husband’s city hall, then it should already be reflected in his koseki. That is an automatic update and you do not need to do anything extra to make sure that it gets reflected. When your husband gets the copy of his koseki tohon from the city hall, the marriage should already be recorded there.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi sir,
Can you tell me what dose ” Name of graduate School ” means in the Placement Research Form. I will be thankful if you can help me.
Hi Hisham,
Within any university, there are multiple graduate schools, such as the “Graduate School of Life Sciences” or the “Graduate School of Political Science.” They might also be called “faculties” in other systems, but in Japan, “faculty” is used for undergraduate colleges and “graduate school” is used for the different graduate level organizations.
You should be able to find that information quite easily when you search for the faculty member to be your potential adviser.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
I am presenting you my heartfelt appreciation that you have helped me in many ways to complete University recommended MEXT scholarship application form. Luckily, I have been accepted and also nominated by University for MEXT Scholarship. I am little bit tense about the final announcement by MEXT in this July. What could be the usual result if University nominated someone for MEXT ?
Thank you again.
Hi Ethan Hunt,
Thank you very much for your feedback! Messages like yours make my day and are the reason I keep working at this blog every day.
In every case I have ever heard of, all students who were nominated to MEXT by the university received the scholarship in the end, so you should have nothing to worry about.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
Thank you very much for your reply, I’m very happy to get such mental support from you and this is the way you really care about us.
Regards
Hi Ethan,
Thank you very much for your feedback! I am glad to hear that you have found this site so helpful.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
I appreciate your work a lot. Thank you for helping me submit my application.
I, unfortunately, was recommended by Todai to receive the MEXT scholarship, however I did not passed MEXT screening.
Do you have any idea why? Me (and my family) do not have any criminal record and I have visited many countries (including Japan) with no issues.
I heard that there was a sudden cutback in the MEXT budget and half the candidates were not selected. Could this be the reason?
Thank you!
Hi Leonardo,
I’m very sorry to hear that! I’m also extremely surprised!
I have never heard of anyone recommended by a university not receiving the scholarship in the end. And I was also not aware that results were out already for this year. You are the first one to bring that to my attention.
Since I was not yet aware of this situation, I would certainly like to investigate further and see if I can find any information for you (and the many other applicants that I’m sure were impacted). Do you know what type of MEXT scholarship you were nominated for? Was it general category, PGP, or perhaps Top Global University? (If it was the latter, then it would have been the scholarship that did not include travel fees to Japan).
Any information you feel comfortable sharing, such as links to the university’s announcement, or the email they sent you, would be very helpful for me to try to track this down and get you an answer as to what might have happened.
I am very sorry again to hear about your situation. I hope I can help you figure it out so that you have better success next year!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Thank you for your message. Because of you, I am more hopeful of trying again next year.
I will share all information I have with you by email.
Thanks again,
Leonardo
Hi Travis ,
Hope you are doing well. Could you please tell me why there are many timing differences in the announcement of MEXT Scholarship (University Recommended) results at various Universities?
What are the basic differences between the general category and PGP MEXT scholarship and also the possibility to get Scholarship from both categories?
Although, I have been recommended by my University to the Ministry of Education, still now I am not getting the result where many students got their results. Its really killing me. However, International Student Affairs sent me an email that middle of the July they will announce the final result of MEXT Scholarship.
Hope you will answer me soon and Thank you so much for your kind attitude.
Regards
Ethan
Hi Ethan,
I think the answers to your questions are related.
The PGP scholarship is for specific programs that have been pre-approved by MEXT for a certain number of slots per year for a three-year program. That number of slots is guaranteed each year, so as long as a university with a pre-approved PGP program only nominates that number of slots, and all of the candidates are eligible, then they would all pass, with just a cursory screening.
For the general category, the number of nominees a university can submit varies each year and is based on the number of international graduate students at that university and the change in number from the previous years, as I explained in an article about slots. While MEXT gives an estimated number, it can change if there is a problem with MEXT’s budget.
There is also a Top Global University category of scholarship at the moment and MEXT has a rule about the total number of scholarship awardees that can be present at any of the applicable universities at a time.
So, since those categories are completely unrelated in budget categories and the results of one are not dependent on the other, the results can be released at different times.
If you got an email saying that the results will be out in mid-July, that should not be a cause for worry. That release date would apply to everyone in your scholarship category. It does not indicate anything about your particular application.
Japan is hosting the Rugby World Cup this summer and “Sports” falls under MEXT’s authority, so my guess is that they’re a little busier than usual!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis San,
You said at the end who is usually recommended by University to MEXT get the scholarship. I am pleased to inform you that finally, I have been officially accepted as a MEXT Scholar. I am very grateful to you. Your blogs, articles all were the true weapons for me to survive in this competitive and challenging race.
Take care Travis San. I will keep in touch with you.
Regards
Hi Ethan,
Congratulations!
You are the first person to write back this year to let me know that you were successful with the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship, and I am thrilled to hear it!
Although I did write that almost everyone nominated by the university receives the scholarship in the end, I have been hearing disturbing stories this year about slots being cut dramatically and without warning, so I have been concerned.
Do you know whether your nomination was through the General Category or PGP (specific pre-approved program)?
Thank you again for sharing this good news.
Good Luck with your studies in Japan!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis San,
Thank you for well-wishing to me. I have been accepted as a Doctoral Student in the Graduate School of Medicine and was nominated through PGP category.
Take Care.
Regards
Hi Ethan Hunt,
Congratulations!
I think in all the years of working on this blog and conversing with applicants, you are the first I’ve known who got into a graduate school of medicine through the MEXT scholarship. I am very happy to hear that you earned the scholarship.
Good luck with your move to Japan and starting your studies here!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear TranSenz
I am Karthik doing my Master’s (Material Science) in India. I am in my first year o my program. I planned to do my Ph.D. in Japan and also to avail MET Scholarship.
What are the things I should Concentrate from now on? Can I contact professors from now on to university recommended MEXT?
I will complete my MAster’s in 2020 so which will e the best time to apply?
Thank you.
Hi Karthik,
When you apply depends on when in 2020 you will finish your degree. You need to have finished your degree by the time you arrive in Japan to start the scholarship. (But you do not necessarily have to have the degree awarded. Sometimes award ceremonies happen several months later. As long as you have met all the requirements for the degree before you arrive in Japan, you should be fine.)
If you will finish your degree in August 2020 at the latest, then you are eligible to apply for the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship application process that is going on now, or the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship application process that will begin in the fall.
If you plan to apply for the ongoing process, I recommend you get started with completing the forms right away! If you will apply in the fall or in a later year, then you should start working first on your Field of Study and Research Program Plan, then start reaching out to professors in Japan to being networking once you have a draft of that plan complete.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello and thank you so much for this research plan guide!
I have questions concerning the timeline or time table:
for my case, I would like to a apply for a doctoral degree, and I’m afraid if I write about detailed steps and time of my work that I finish before 3 years ( including a 2nd research for confirmation that you mentioned in “specific research plan” section of “Mext Scholarship field of study and research program plan elements”)
So my questions are:
Should the research fit 3 years (no less) for doctoral?
Should a Time table be according to a schedule of the desired Japanese University? if yes, I could’t get a schedule from my 1st choice University. what should I do?
Do I have to add something like “other activities” to the table besides my research or should I stick with the research only?
Do you have an example about a Doctoral research plan including a timeline in it? preferably a Scientific research
Hi Kheira,
Thank you for your kind words!
Yes, your research plan should be for the full three years of your doctoral program. As far as I know, graduating early is not an option.
I recommend factoring in the timetable of your first choice university if possible, but all I am referring to in that case is looking at the degree progression schedule at the university. For example, some universities will post a timeline saying when they expect you to take coursework, when you should be focused on research, etc. Some may also indicate when the deadline is for submitting your dissertation for approval (e.g. 6 months before the end of your degree). Those are the kind of factors I recommend you include if possible. If that information is not available, then do not worry about it.
You do not need to add “other activities”, it is just something that is nice to have and I cannot think of any reason to leave it out.
Unfortunately, I do not have any examples of doctoral research plans. The only plans I have been able to find that past applicants posted online were for Masters’ degrees. While some previous applicants have shared their plans with me for review, they have not given me permission to share them with anyone else.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
I’m a graduate art student currently enrolled in CG/digital arts. I’d like to apply for the MEXT scholarship in a master degree but since my major is pretty uncommon in academics, I can’t seem to find any master program in that field.
In my research of a program, I have stumbled across this school (https://www.tca.ac.jp/creative/course/manga_world/concept_art_illust.html) which has the exact field of study I was looking for. However since it’s a 4 year “advanced specialist” program, do you know if this could qualify for the MEXT Research scholarship ? Since my Japanese is pretty bad I am struggling with the information displayed, please tell me if you have any information that could help,.
Thanks a lot in advance!
Oh also, I have noticed that the TCA school has an English hub http://www.jikei.asia/com/en/course/creative.html which links to multiple schools “-CA” (OCA for Osaka, FCA for Fukuoka, NCA for Nagoya and SCA for Sendai) that have pretty much the same program, could this possibly have some value in my search ?
Hi Alex,
Unfortunately, this program would not qualify. The schools you identified are not universities, they would be considered colleges of technology and the level would be below that of a bachelor’s degree.
If you are interested in the study of CG and digital arts, I know there are some universities that offer grad programs in those fields taught in English, but very few. If you are interested in practical training, though, you would not find that at a graduate school.
I have an article about how to find universities and professors in Japan that teach in your field in English that might help you identify programs.
Unfortunately, if you find a page that only has information available in Japanese, such as the sites you linked, that’s a good indication that you would have to be fluent in Japanese in order to enroll there.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi transenz
Thanks for sharing the link for mext scholarship sample document. I would like to know that the application process will be available online?
Hi Mega,
Typically, for the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship, the application is released sometime in mid-April, so it could be any time now.
I recommend that you keep checking the Japanese embassy in your country’s web site on a daily basis.
Of course, the application process does not change much from year to year, so you can get started preparing now by following my guide on applying for the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship from last year.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello travis, please shed more light on these, can An HND holder applied ?
Hi Adenira Adeshola,
I would recommend that you read through the various articles around this site for more information on the scholarship. Perhaps starting with the article on eligibility would help answer your question.
I do not know what a HND is – in Japan, that’s the name of an airport. When you approach Japanese universities, be sure to use the terminology that would be understood there!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
I would like to thank you for this website as articles here helped me to do all the paperwork and apply for MEXT program through Tsukuba University. I just recently had an interview with the professor and I am currently waiting for the results, but whatever’s the outcome, I am really grateful for all your work! It is really kind of you to provide not only information but also feedback for anyone who asks you something here in the comments.
Thank you!
Hi Lunache,
Thank you very much for your kind words and feedback! It means a lot to me to hear back from applicants like you who have put the ideas I shared into practice.
I hope you hear good news from your interview, soon.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
I would like to know about the MEXT scholarship ( university recommend). I’ve already selected by university and I also sent all documents to my professor. But I don’t have any language certificate. I didn’t send it. do you think I can get the scholarship?
I’ve already prepared and took the test for it.
Can I follow up that document?
How do you think?
Can you advice me?
Hi May Phyo,
If the university has accepted your application and confirmed that it has nominated you to MEXT to receive the scholarship (Congratulations!), then you do not have to worry about the language proficiency certificate. That is something the university reviews, and you have already passed that stage. (There is flexibility in MEXT’s guidelines for the university to say that per it’s individual evaluation, you exceed the language proficiency level of a person with B2 language ability).
However, there is also the clause that you need to meet the language proficiency requirements as of the time that you start the degree, so since you have already registered for the test, I would recommend that you continue to move forward with taking it. That way, you will have a formal certificate if it is ever requested later.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi! Interesting website and very informative!
I have a question. My partner and I are both on instructor visas in Tokyo, but eventually when we marry and settle down, I am planning to be a full time housewife.
We plan to get married in japan (and that will be a challenge on its own because we’re from different countries too)
It is possible to apply for a dependent visa here in japan yes? Will the process be the same (coe and then dependent visa) in this case?
Hi Nikki,
After you get married, assuming that you are still both living in Japan and do not plan to leave in the meantime, you will apply for a “Change of Status of Residence,” instead of a CoE. The Change of Status application is essentially identical to the CoE application, except that the application form itself is slightly different on the first page, and the process does not require you to leave Japan. You would submit the Change of Status application to the Immigration Bureau and when it is approved, you would receive your new Residence Card with the new status at that same office. No visa required.
I hope that helps!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
hi
when i was filling up the application I put my wifes last name instead of mine, they send us post asking for some lacking requirements 2 times but they didnt ask about the names, its been 2 months and a half and i was thinking if is it okay.. its making me worried and sad
hoping for some answers thank you!
Hi Vickson,
The general application processing period for a CoE is 1-3 months, so you are still within that range. Since you had to send in supplementary documents twice, it is no surprise that it is taking toward the long end. As long as your documents met the requirements, you should have no cause for worry.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis, I’m vignanou from Benin , thanks for the blog and all . I want to apply for college of technology students but i don’t see anything about this on the blog!
Hi Vignanou,
Thank you for your kind words.
This blog is focused specifically on the MEXT scholarship for Research Students. I have not researched or created any resources specifically for the College of Technology scholarship.
Some of the guidance here, including the instructions in the sample forms, may still be helpful to you, but please keep in mind that it is not specific to your scholarship type.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
Your blog has been exceptional and extremely helpful. I am about buying your book, but before that, I desire to ask some questions:
1) My school issued me a statement of result when I graduated but plans to issue a certificate when she holds her convocation later in the year (graduation certificates can only be issued during convocations). Question is: Can I use the statement of result when applying for the scholarship? Or is it a must to use the graduation certificate when applying (which means I might miss this year’s application process)?
2) Regarding the application, it’s stated that we should submit our original documents and they will not be returned. In my country (Nigeria), students are only issued a single copy of each credential. As a result, submitting original documents to MEXT is tantamount to letting go of one’s credentials. As a result, I intend submitting coloured photocopies of these documents. Am I safe?
3) A successful scholar from my country stapled his documents together (attached/supporting documents) ditto his passport. However, you made mention of never stapling the passport and instead use glue. Please, with your experiences, which do you recommend (including attachment of supporting documents)? Additionally, how will the embassy’s officials ditto MEXT know if my details are written at the back of the passport if I glue it (passport) to the document?
4) Regarding contacting advisors, is it appropriate to build-up a relationship with them before the application process commences and make no mention of applying for the scholarship? That’s, I intend communicating with academic supervisors before the application process is open so I could confidently choose three supervisors on the placement form and contact them for LOA after passing the primary screening (hopefully)?
Once again, I’m sincerely grateful for your writeups regarding this scholarship program.
Regards.
Hi Gerrard59,
I saw your questions on another post and answered them there first.
Please be patient. I get more questions than I can possibly answer each day and it takes a while to catch up. I have options for faster responses under the “Coaching” link at the top of the page, if you are desperate for a quicker reply.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi travis i would like to ask you that i applied for twice n i get rejected beacause of my documents mistake first i applied when i was studying semon gakkou and then again i applied after i got my working viza,but i failed both time because off some documents mistake,now i knew the mistake and i made the correct paper so what should i do for reapplying should i wait for some time or i can apply now. Waiting for your reply
Kalpana lamsal,
I’m not sure I understand what you are applying for. This comment is on the top page of my website, but I have articles about many different kinds of application processes, from scholarships to visas. Could you please leave your question on the article about the application process you are talking about? That will help me figure out how to answer it.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis!
I am planning to apply for a graduate program & scholarship in Japan in September of this year (2019) to enroll in 2020; while searching for universities and study programs I found about the PGP-Priority Graduate Programs that some universities have. My original plan was to apply last year (2018), back then I found that the program I was interested in Tokyo Tech was also a PGP program, but due to responsibilities in my current job I was not able to meet the deadline. So now that I am getting all my docs and doing some updates in the requirements and paperwork without being in a hurry I found that the list in the MEXT webpage does not longer have that program in the PGP list. So I was wondering if the program expired or was dropped form the PGP, or if the list in the MEXT webpage only includes the new programs that were added. If that is the case, is there a way to check all the programs available for the PGP including programs that were added in previous years but are still available?
This is the list I found in the MEXT site: http://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/ryugaku/kokuhi/tokubetu/07032702.htm
However, I don’t know if that only includes the new ones, or if that list is the most recent available.
Thanks and regards!
Hi Luis,
That list you linked is actually really old and the programs listed there are no longer valid. You can find the current list of programs selected in 2018 in the pdf below:
http://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/ryugaku/boshu/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2018/12/04/1411539_1.pdf
(Direct pdf link to MEXT’s site).
All PGPs are selected for a period of three years, including their selection year, so the programs in that PDF, which were selected in 2018, would have been able to accept applicants in 2018 as well as 2019 and 2020. Typically, since programs are selected for three years, there would be three valid lists at any time, but MEXT did not select any new PGPs in 2017 or 2019, so the 2018 list above is the only one.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis 🙂
I am interested in applying MEXT postgraduate scholarship. However I’m currently having a chronic illness which needs a routine medical checkup of 4 months. Will this greatly affect my chance of getting a scholarship?
Hi Jane,
As long as the checkups are routine and your doctor in your home country is comfortable signing off that you are fit to study in Japan and continue your checkups there, then there should be no problem.
Unless you are comfortable undergoing your check-ups in Japanese, you might want to consider concentrating your search for universities on large cities that would be more likely to have English-speaking medical personnel at their hospitals.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello,
Need an advice how to fill up Application form for COE spouse visa.
– What should be the strongly recommend answer for Intended length of stay?
Looking forward for your help Sir.
Many thanks!
Hi Jackie Yokoi,
It depends on your proof of financial resources. Basically, you should show enough resources to maintain the same monthly level of support for the entire duration of your stay.
In general, though, I recommend applying for a longer period of stay, even though the Immigration Bureau might decide to give you a shorter period of stay in the end. In my case, I applied for 3 years, which was the longest available period then, but the Immigration Bureau gave me only one year because my resources were based on my savings and were only enough for a year. I was able to find a job and earn a salary, so when I applied to extend my stay a year later, I got a three-year period then.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Thank you very much for your website,
I applied through embassy, and got 2 admissions from 2 universities, and now I am waiting for the result of the second screening. I searched on the internet and I found some people saying that always some people get omitted from the embassy group in the second screening. Do you think it is true? What is the chance of not being accepted in the second screening? should we be worried about it and take this possibility seriously?
In addition, some students have heard some news from their universities about their registration processes, but one of my friends said he found out where he had accepted when embassy told their group. Is it mandatory for universities to contact students to announce that?
Sorry I asked a lot of question 🙂
and again thank you very much for your awesome website
Hi Parsa,
Actually, I have never heard of anyone being eliminated during the Secondary Screening. As far as I know, the only way for that to happen would be if MEXT determined your research topic was inappropriate (such as research into weaponry) or if you had a criminal record in Japan that would prevent you from getting a visa.
I would not be worried at all about the possibility of not getting the scholarship at this point.
I am working on the final touches of an article about the Secondary Screening, University Placement, and timing of results and plan to publish it tomorrow. I think that will answer your questions about the contact from the university :), I just have to ask you to check back in 24 hours (or if you are subscribed to my MEXT mailing list, you’ll get an email when it’s live!)
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you very much for your quick response!
I am relieved to hear that from you.
So I am very lucky :). I’ll wait for another awesome article of yours then :).
Thank you!
Hi Parsa,
Thanks for waiting. You can find the article here!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Sir Travis..I just recieved my Coe last month my husband sent to my country..I will apply to get a spouse visa this month ,my question is can i also apply for my 4 years old son to get his tourist visa together my application for spouse visa and when we are in japan can my husband apply COE for my son so that he cannot go back to my country and he can go to school in japan and we will live together..is it possible that my son will get a tourist visa ?? Im hoping for your reply Sir..Thank you
Hi Melody,
Please pardon the indelicate question, but is your son from your current marriage or a previous marriage?
If your son is also the son of your Japanese husband, then he would be able to apply for a Child of Japanese National CoE for your son.
If not, then you should apply for a CoE for a “Long-Term Resident” CoE for your son. Your husband can and should apply for this CoE and send it to you in advance so that you can apply for the right visa for your son before you arrive. The instructions (in Japanese) are at:
http://www.moj.go.jp/ONLINE/IMMIGRATION/ZAIRYU_NINTEI/zairyu_nintei8_02.html
I do not know if it would be possible to change your son’s status from tourist to long term resident while in Japan, since I do not have any direct experience. I think that even if you plan to apply to change his status after you reach Japan, your husband in Japan should move ahead with the CoE application. If you apply to change his status in Japan with a CoE, that could make the process much more smooth.
Unfortunately, I do not know much about applying for a tourist visa. That process does not go through the Immigration Bureau in Japan (which is where I have experience). Instead, it is processed by the individual Japanese embassies according to their policies and can vary from country to country.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you for the response sir.My son father is japanese also but were not married.. We separate 2 years ago..My ex boyfriend acknowledged his son only in the philippines he didnt register my son in japan city hall..Another question sir,what if my husband apply COE this month for him but it takes １-3months Processing time and the expiration of my COE is february so i need to go to japan as soon as possible before my COE EXPIRE..What if im already in japan then the COE of my son is already issued ?? Can i take a vacation to get my son from my country even i just came to japan ?? Thank u and waiting for your response Sir..
God Bless
Hi Melody,
For your husband in Japan to apply for a “Child of Japanese national” CoE for your son, he would first have to legally adopt him. So, I think applying for the “Long-Term Resident” process that I mentioned last time is best.
In either case, you do need to arrive in Japan before the expiration of your CoE. Once you are in Japan and have completed your Residence Registration (gotten your address recorded on your Residence Card) then you would be free to leave and reenter the country as you wish.
You should have two options regarding your son, if his CoE is not issued in time for you to apply for his visa before you leave Japan.
1) Apply for a tourist visa for him to go with you. If the CoE is issued while he is in Japan with you and his Tourist status is still valid, then you should be able to take the CoE and a Change of Status of Residence application to the local Immigration Bureau to apply to change his status without leaving the country. However, there is no guarantee that you would be able to complete that application. It would be a judgement call by the Immigration Bureau.
2) If you have family that you can leave your son with in the Philippines, you could come to Japan first, then return to the Philippines immediately after you finish your own registration to collect your son, apply for his visa, and bring him to Japan with you.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz