Top Scholarships in Japan for Indian Students

Are you an Indian student dreaming of studying in Japan but worried about financing?

Don’t worry, you are not alone! Japan offers various educational opportunities, but financing your studies can be a significant concern. There is some good news: there are many scholarships in Japan for Indian students aiming to pursue their academic goals over here.

These scholarships go beyond covering tuition fees. They provide for living expenses, research grants, and more, ensuring you can focus on your studies without any financial worries. 

In this blog post, we will share some of the top scholarships in Japan for Indian students, whether you are interested in pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, or research programs.

Let’s get started!

Top scholarships in Japan for Indian students

While studying in Japan can be exciting, the financial aspect often challenges many students. However, the good news is that many scholarships are specifically designed to support Indian students pursuing their academic dreams in Japan.

MEXT Scholarship Japan

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) of Japan offers various scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate programs to international students, including Indian students.

Here are the seven MEXT scholarships in Japan:

Research Students scholarship

This is a graduate school-level scholarship (Research/master courses/Ph.D. courses)

Your age must be under 35 years, which means (Applicants must have been born on or after April 2, 1990).

Fields of Study

1. Humanities
2. Social science
3. Mathematical Science
4. Physics
5. Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
6. Biology and Biotechnology
7. Agriculture and Fishery
8. Environmental science
9. Pharmaceutical Science
10. Geology and Geoinformatics
11. Civil Engineering
12. Architecture
13. Material Science/Engineering
14. Electrical Engineering
15. Electronics and Communications Engineering
16. Mechanical Engineering
17. Aerospace Engineering
18. Robotics
19. Informational Technology
20. Sports Science

Eligibility criteria

• For the Master’s course/ Doctoral course (first phase), you should have your bachelor’s degree in the relevant field with a minimum of 70% marks. Ensure you have obtained your mark sheet and degree on or before September 30, 2025, for the October 2025 batch.
• For the Doctoral course (second phase), you should have your master’s degree in the relevant field with a minimum of 70% marks. Ensure you have practical research/ teaching/ work experience after obtaining the prescribed qualification on or before 30th September 2025 for the October 2025 batch. 

Term of scholarship

• For non-regular students, the scholarship period will start from April, September, October 2025 until the end of March 2027.

Note: Since last year, research-only (non-regular) courses have been abolished.

• For regular students who have enrolled in master’s, doctoral, or professional graduate courses, the scholarship period will be necessary to complete the respective regular course regardless of the arrival date.

Stipend

• If you are a non-regular student receiving preparatory education, your stipend will be 1,43,000 yen (approx. 78,600Rs per month).
• If you are a regular student enrolled in master’s or professional degree courses, your stipend will be 1,44,000 yen (approx. 79,200Rs per month).
• If you are a regular student enrolled in doctoral courses, your stipend will be 1,45,000 yen (approx. Rs 79,700) per month.

This scholarship covers your education fees and round-trip airfare, which means travelling from your home country to Japan and vice versa.

Schedule of the preliminary section

• Application deadline: 3 May 2024
• Application screening: May 2024
• You will receive the notification of your result of the Preliminary Application form in the 4th week of May. 
• Your written examination will be conducted on 15th June 2024
• Your interview will be conducted from June 15 to June 17.

Also read: How to apply for MEXT Scholarship To Study For Free In Japan?

Undergraduate Students Scholarship

• This is an undergraduate-level scholarship for undergraduate students pursuing their bachelor’s in any related field.

To be eligible, you must be born on or after April 2, 1999.

Fields of study

• Social Sciences and Humanities 
  

Social Sciences and Humanities – A

1. Law 2. Politics 3. Pedagogy 4. Sociology 5. Literature 6. History 7. Japanese Language 8. Others (excluding “1. Economics” and “2. Business Administration” “3. Others(Accounting, Financial Economics, etc.)”.)

Social Sciences and Humanities – B

1. Economics 2. Business Administration

Natural Sciences

Natural Science – A

Science (1. Mathematics 2. Physics 3. Chemistry)

Electric and Electronic Studies (4. Electronics 5. Electrical Engineering 6. Information Engineering)

Mechanical Studies (7. Mechanical Engineering 8. Naval Architecture)

Civil Engineering and Architecture (9. Civil Engineering 10. Architecture 11. Environmental Engineering)

Chemical Studies (12. Applied Chemistry 13. Chemical Engineering 14. Industrial Chemistry 15. Textile Engineering)

Other Fields (16. Metallurgical Engineering 17. Mining Engineering 18. Maritime Engineering 19. Biotechnology)

Natural Science – B

Agricultural Studies (1. Agriculture 2. Agricultural Chemistry 3. Agricultural Engineering 4. Animal Science 5. Veterinary Medicine 6. Forestry 7. Food Science 8. Fisheries)

Hygienic Studies (9. Pharmacy 10. Hygienics 11. Nursing)

Science (12. Biology).

Eligibility criteria

You must have scored at least 65% in 12th or 11th grade, and you may be given preference over other students if you are proficient in speaking the Japanese language.

Term of scholarship

• A scholarship student who attends a preparatory educational institution before enrolling in a university will receive support from April 2024 to March 2029. This period includes one-year intensive courses in the Japanese language and other essential subjects required to prepare for university admission.
• A scholarship student who directly enrols in a university without undergoing preparatory intensive courses (direct placement) will receive support for four years. 

However, the scholarship period extends to six years for those majoring in veterinary medicine or enrolled in a six-year pharmacy course. The scholarship duration commences from the university’s designated enrolment date.

There are up to 12 scholarships. (Approximately 12 applicants who successfully clear the initial screening will advance to the global final screening conducted by MEXT.)

This scholarship will provide you with a monthly allowance of 117,000 yen (Approximately 71,200) and round-trip airfare. Your Education fees are exempt from this scholarship.

College of Technology Scholarship

• The following scholarship is for the undergraduate level, leading to an Associate Degree(Diploma). You must have been born on or after April 2, 1999, to be eligible.

Field of study

You can choose the preferred field of study from among the courses listed below:

1. Mechanical engineering
2. Electrical and Electronic Engineering
3. Information, Communication, and Network engineering
4. Materials Engineering
5. Architecture
6. Civil Engineering
7. Maritime Engineering
8. Other fields

Eligibility criteria

You must have scored at least 65% in 12th or 11th grade, and you may be given preference over other students if you are proficient in speaking the Japanese language.

Term of the Scholarship

• From April 2024 to March 2028, the period encompasses one-year intensive courses in Japanese language, Japanese affairs, mathematics, and other essential subjects required to prepare for admission to a college of technology.
• The duration will extend to four and a half years, concluding in September 2028, for scholarship recipients specialising in maritime engineering.

There are up to 12 scholarships. (Approximately 12 applicants who successfully clear the initial screening will advance to the global final screening conducted by MEXT.)This scholarship will provide you with a monthly allowance of 117,000 yen (Approximately 71,200) and round-trip airfare. Your Education fees are exempt from this scholarship.

Specialised Training College Students Scholarship

• The following scholarship is for the undergraduate level and will lead to a certificate. You must have been born on or after April 2, 1999, to be eligible.

Field of study

You can choose the preferred field of study from among the courses listed below:

1. Technology
2. Personal Care and Nutrition
3. Education and Welfare
4. Business
5. Fashion and Home Economics
6. Culture and General Education 

Term of scholarship

The scholarship period will span three years, starting from April 2024, and will include a one-year Japanese language training period.

There are up to 12 scholarships. (Approximately 12 applicants who successfully clear the initial screening will advance to the global final screening conducted by MEXT.)

This scholarship will provide a monthly stipend of 117,000 yen (Approximately 71,200) and round-trip airfare. Your Education fees are exempt from this scholarship.

Japanese Studies Students

This program is exclusively for students studying Japanese language and culture at selected universities. The Embassy has already contacted these universities, so you don’t need to contact them individually. This scholarship is for the undergraduate level and will lead to a certificate.

You must have been born between April 2, 1994, and April 1, 2006.

There are only two fields of study: Japanese Language and Culture.

Students registered as undergraduates at the chosen universities and have studied the Japanese language or culture for more than one year are eligible. The term of the scholarship is one year from October.

This scholarship will provide a monthly stipend of 117,000 yen (Approximately 71,200) and round-trip airfare. Your Education fees are exempt from this scholarship.

You can contact your university or college to learn more about your application period.

Young Leaders Program Student Scholarship 

This scholarship in Japan is for students under 40 who are pursuing master’s courses in the fields listed below.

Field of Study

• School of Government
• School of Local Governance
• Business Administration
• Law

Qualification

Persons recommended only by the following recommending bodies in India:

• Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
• Ministry of Law and Justice
• Confederation of Indian Industry
• Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
• Government officials
• Legal professionals
• University Graduates with at least 2-3 years of work experience
• University Graduates with at least four years of work experience

The term of this Japan government scholarship is one year, starting from October 2024.

This scholarship will provide a monthly stipend of 242,000 yen (Approximately INR 142,400), which may be subject to change, and round-trip airfare. Your Education fees are exempt from this scholarship.

T.Banaji Indian Students Scholarship

It is one of the best scholarships in Japan for Indian students who are considering pursuing graduate studies in Japan. Here is a breakdown:

• Offered by Japanese Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES)
• It provides a monthly stipend of 100,000 JPY (approx. 54,205 Rs) till course completion.

Eligibility

• Must be an Indian student
• Enrolled in an undergraduate, master’s program, doctoral program, and others (professional degree programs) in Japan.
• Your place of residence at the time of application must be in Japan.

The application period is from October to December every year, and the deadline for applying for this scholarship is December.

JT Asia Scholarship

This scholarship in Japan is available to students from Asian countries like India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, Korea, Taiwan, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Bhutan, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Mongolia, Laos, and Timor-Leste who are applying to private universities.

It is a merit—and need-based scholarship offering a grant of up to 150,000 JPY per month, which also covers your tuition fee.

The deadline to apply for this scholarship, open to undergraduate and graduate students (Master’s and PhD), is 31 January 2025.

Sato Yo International Scholarship

Students from ASEAN countries and Southwest Asia pursuing a Master’s or undergraduate degree can apply for this scholarship in Japan. 

Undergraduate students will receive a monthly stipend of 150,000 JPY, while postgraduate students will receive 180,000 JPY monthly. However, applicants must have a good command of the Japanese language.

Aichi Scholarship Program

Aichi Prefectural Government offers this scholarship in Japan and students belonging from Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, The Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, or Vietnam.

This scholarship offers you a monthly living allowance of 150,000 JPY, travel expenses to and from Japan or a round-trip fare, and school expenses (entrance examination fee, entrance fee, tuition). The duration of this scholarship is two years and six months.

The application period for this scholarship is generally from Late February to mid-May, and the deadline to apply in Japan is May.

YKK Leaders 21

The Yoshida Scholarship Foundation offers this scholarship opportunity to candidates from ASEAN countries. However, you must first gain admission to specific educational institutions, including the University of Tokyo, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Keio University, Waseda University, Kyoto University, Doshisha University, Kwansei Gakuin University, Nagoya University, Osaka University, and Kyushu University. 

Additionally, you should pursue Master’s or Doctoral studies in Natural Sciences or Engineering. A monthly spouse allowance of 20,000 JPY is also provided. 

Japanese scholarships for Indian students offer equal opportunities, enabling them to realise their academic aspirations and reach new heights. 

Conclusion

In summary, scholarships in Japan for Indian students offer outstanding opportunities to pursue academic excellence. 

From the renowned MEXT scholarships to specialised grants like the T.Banaji Indian Students Scholarship and JT Asia Scholarship, Japan provides some of the top scholarships in Japan for Indian students. 

These programs cover tuition, living expenses, and travel, demonstrating Japan’s commitment to supporting international education and fostering global talent.