In addition to financial help you can avail from your university in Japan, there are scholarship grants available for students from abroad. Numerous institutions in Japan provide monetary assistance to international students in need of grants, like the scholarship offered by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Learn more about it!
Table of Contents
- Brief Look at Japan Scholarships
- Japan International Cooperation Agency Scholarships
- Coverage of JICA Scholarship
- New Opportunity for Filipinos
- Summary
Brief Look at Japan Scholarships
Japan is generous in offering scholarships, whether it is by the government or private institutions, fully funded or partially funded, especially for international students struggling to cope with school expenses and to reward those with outstanding academic results. The Japanese Government usually presents the supplementary assistance to international students who are enrolled at a university. The qualification requirements and standards including scholarship stipend varies according to the type of scholarship and university.
Check out our numerous articles about various scholarships here.
Writer's Pick
Japan International Cooperation Agency Scholarships
One of the organizations offering scholarships is the Japan International Cooperation Agency or JICA. JICA’s main goal is to secure a better future for their scholars through their support system while upholding the quality of education at the same time. JICA’s scholarship grants are targeted towards students seeking postgraduate education in the country.
JICA offers scholarship grants to its affiliated graduate schools with a wide range of master’s or doctor’s degree courses related to Economics, Law, Policy Making, and International Studies.
Here are the scholarship programs available:
JICA Development Studies Program (JICA-DSP)
Launched in 2018, the JCA-DSP program is part of JICA’s existing Knowledge Co-Creation Program (KCCP) that provides for international students to participate in an affiliate or partner university to complete a master’s or doctor’s degree course. Other than improving themselves in fields of speciality, students are also able to learn about Japan’s history of growth as it develops with Western influence and embraces modernity, hence the name of the program. As of January 2021, there are 89 partner universities participating in JICA-DSP. Here are some of them:
The University of Tokyo
Master of Public Policy (MPP) Degree by Graduate School of Public Policy
Other than JICA’s compulsory subject on Japan Modernization, students can choose an elective from a list of subjects. The choices include Abenomics, various types of Case Studies into Japan’s market and business environment, and Japan’s Foreign Economic Policies.
Kyoto University - JICA Develop Studies Program
The program is focused on major issues relating to human resource and sustainable development both on a local Japanese level and global stage. The program boasts its invitation of experienced masters as guest lecturers to provide learned first-hand information to its students.
Kyushu University - JICA Development Studies Program “Understanding Japan”
A unique program that allows students to cover subjects from not just 1 graduate school. Subjects can come from graduate school of humanities, law, bioresources and bioenvironmental science, and engineering.
See details here.
Other Universities
The above is just a sample of the many participating universities, the full list is available on the JICA-DSP Website. Have a look!
JICA-DSP Program Requirements
To be eligible for the program, applicants must fulfill the following criteria:
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Candidates must be a JICA Scholar, i.e. a participant of JICA’s Knowledge Co-Creation Programs (KCCP) enrolled in a Japanese university degree program.
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Must have achieved the necessary academic qualifications for the course. To join a master’s course, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree; to join a doctor’s course, candidates must hold a master’s degree.
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Must be proficient in English.
Application Process
Once you have confirmed your eligibility for the program, proceed to inquire with the partner school you have graduated from or contact JICA’s overseas office located in your home country for more information about signing up for the program.
Sources for More Information
Innovative Asia Program
Targeted at scholars in study fields of science and technology, engineering, artificial intelligence, and other related fields, the program offers potential leaders the opportunity to undergo internship and to attend higher education in Japan.
The main goal of Innovative Asia is to gather young professionals to participate in the progressive development of the whole of Asia, as well as to improve the relationship between Japan and the recipient countries.
Program Requirements
To be eligible for the program, applicants must fulfill the following criteria:
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Candidates must be nationals of Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand or Vietnam.
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Candidates must have graduated or expected to graduate from 1 of the 60 partner schools listed on the website.
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Candidates must be a Monbukagakusho Scholar (MEXT Scholar).
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Candidates must not be more than 40 years old.
Application Process
Once you have confirmed your eligibility for the program, proceed to inquire with the partner school you have graduated from or contact JICA’s overseas office located in your home country for more information about signing up for the program.
Internship Program
Innovative Asia supports the master's or doctor's courses at several institutions in the country by offering immersive internship programs to graduate students. The internship period is usually up to 6 months with a 2 week minimum duration. Participants of Innovative Asia are required to finish the internship program before completion of their degree program.
※ Japan International Cooperation Agency, "'Innovative Asia' / Scholarship to Japan"
Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS)
Project JDS targets young intellectuals from recipient countries who aspire to contribute to the development and application of future social and economic matters.
Japan offers these aspirants access to programs in higher education at prestigious universities.
Program Requirements
At present, the recipient countries are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, the Republic of Kenya, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Uzbekistan, or Vietnam.
Applicant eligibility including factors like age, educational background, occupation, target group, language proficiency, and more differs for each recipient country. To confirm your eligibility status, check your country’s requirements list on the JDS Official Website. Also note that schedules and deadlines for every country’s application may vary.
As an example, let's take a look at JDS applicant requirements for the Philippines and Vietnam:
|
The Philippines |
Vietnam |
|
|
Nationality |
Citizens |
Citizens residing |
|
Age |
22 to 39 |
24 to 39 |
|
Occupation |
Government employees |
Government employees |
|
Work Experience |
At least 2 years |
At least 1 year |
|
Academic Background |
・Bachelor Degree ・No previous foreign |
・Bachelor Degree from ・No previous foreign |
|
English Proficiency |
Minimum IELTS 6.5 TOEFL PBT 550 TOEFL iBT 79-80 |
Minimum IELTS 5.5 TOEFL ITP 500 TOEFL iBT 61 |
※ JDS - The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship by Japanese Grant Aid, "How to Apply"
Application Process
Although the application process may differ slightly from country to country, generally it will be as follows:
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Application - Submit completed application form and supporting documents
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Academic Test - Take the standardized test for English proficiency (exemption may be possible in some cases) and mathematics (past math test sample questions and solutions available on website for reference/practice)
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First Screening - Document check
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Medical Check
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Second Screening - University interview
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Third Screening - Operating committee interview
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Approval - Wait for the final approval of the operating committee
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Orientation - Successful applicants will receive orientation before departure
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Travel to Japan
※ JDS - The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship by Japanese Grant Aid, "Selection Step"
Coverage of JICA Scholarship
JICA Scholarship Programs offer extensive assistance to its participating students. Their generous financial assistance includes the following:
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Fully funded tuition
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Provision of daily expenses throughout duration of study
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Transportation costs (including return trip to and from Japan), uniform fees (if any), and books are covered
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Costs for accommodation at a reasonable rate
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Reimbursement of research funds for research upon request
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Necessary expenses for language training will also be covered
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Sponsored internship programs
New Opportunity for Filipinos
The Philippines was added as one of the participating countries of the JDS Program in 2002. As of 2019, 382 Filipinos have participated in the 2 years master’s course. Thanks to the program’s overwhelming success, a new 3 year doctor’s course has been made available. The program’s lucky first intakes will embark on an educational journey to Japan spanning 2021 to 2023 - however, some changes may be in effect due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Check the website for details.
Summary
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provides a spectacular opportunity for international students in different regions of Asia. The scholarship program brings aspiring students closer to achieving their ambitions, and for the most part, pioneers the progression of developing countries. JICA’s initiative to help other countries overcome challenges and equip their future generation with knowledge to better their future is much appreciated.
