English
2023-2024

Basic Guide
www.studyinjapan.go.jp

Created: April, 2023. Not for sale. All rights reserved.

What kind of place is Japan? Japan is full of charmand is sure to bring you closer to achieving your dreams.

Number of international students
studying in JapanWhy Study in Japan?

approx.

Hot springs in winter (Ginzan Onsen, Obanazawa City)@Koichi_Hayakawa

Izumo Kagura ©iku

North America

Asia

Europe%Japanese
Nobel Prize winners

Financial contribution
to the UN

Middle East

%

%

%

Latin America

Africa%%Number ofindustrial robots
in operation

Oceania%

Japan has many
mountains and issurrounded by oceans,so you can enjoy thedramatic changes in
the natural scenerythrough spring,summer, autumn, andwinter.

Gross national incomerdrd
Number of Japanese universities
ranked in the top 1,000 of the QSWorld University Rankings 2023

In Japan, traditional
culture, such as sado,
kabuki, and budo coexist
with pop culture likemanga and anime.

World Cultural
and Natural Heritage sites

Yahiko-jinja Shrine Sumo Ring ©Yahikomura

Mount Fuji and autumn leaves by Lake Kawaguchi ©Koichi_Hayakawa

Calming time ©yuranii

Sushi

nd
Global Peace IndexthNumber of Japanese cities
ranked in the Top 10 Best Big Cityin the World

Number ofexported automobiles

cities(3rd place)nd
The Shinkansen Bullet Train

2

References: • Kids Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Various World Knowledge Ranking (https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/kids/ranking/index.html)• Condé Nast Traveler (Readers’ Choice Awards 2022)• Global Peace Index 2022
• UNESCO World Heritage List (https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/)• The Summary of Result on an Annual Survey of International Students in Japan 2022 (JASSO)• Japan Robot Association(https://www.jara.jp/data/index.html)

Japan’s convenient lifestyleand advanced medical
services are backed up by
one of the highest levels ofscience and technology inthe world. The Japanese
Government continues tofocus on further growthin the field of scienceand technology. The
supercomputers developedin Japan continue to beamong the best in theworld.

Washoku, thetraditional dietaryculture of theJapanese, isdesignated as anintangible cultural
heritage by UNESCO,
comprised ofingredients selectedbased on the season.
It is receiving a lot of
attention worldwide as
healthy and colorful
cuisine.

Takoyaki (Fried dumplings with octopus)

All photos are published with consent under a Creative Commons license (Attribution 4.0 International) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

3

Before coming to Japan to study, you must make some preparations!
Let’s look into Japan’s education and examination system and make plans.

Higher Education in Japan

7 Steps to Study in Japan
START

27

School Searchhttps://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/search-school/

Years of study

Age

Education System

STEP

Choose a school

Japanese or
English [Doctor’s Degree]

I want to learn theskills directly related
to work!

Higher Education

7

4
3

18

Japanese or
English [Master’s Degree]

I want to study mysubject of interest
from the foundation
to the practical level.

15

12
10
9
7

Age

6

6
1
Years ofstudy

15

Elementary /Secondary Education

18

Junior College

Professional
Training
College[Associate’s
Degree]1
A

STEP

Take the Test

Advanced
CourseSTEPTake the required test
JLPT, EJU, TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, IB, etc.

Japanese Language
Educational Institution /University Preparatory
Course[Diploma or
Advanced
Diploma]B<6~9 months before>Send necessary documents to school of choicePay application fee

Take the entrance exam

After passing the document screening,
have an interview and take the entrance exam

STEP

E

I studied in English
through to high school,
so I want to study in
English at university
as well!

Apply[Bachelor’s Degree]

College ofTechnology[Associate’s
Degree]★ I want to enter university
after learning Japanese!
★ I studied for 11 years
in my country. I want tostudy in the university
preparatory course
for one year and thenprogress to university.

STEP

Entry process
STEP

Travel preparations

High School
Junior High School
Elementary School

 eceive permission to enroll
R
Pay tuition fees pply for visaA
Purchase flight ticket and insurance

GOA L

F

I want to startlearning advanced
theories and practicalskills as early as
possible!

About the EJU
Examination for Japanese University Admission forInternational Students (EJU)

Notes : Years of study for each educational institution vary by department and course.
: Degree or title is displayed in brackets [ ].

• Higher education in Japan begins after completing six years of elementary, three years of junior high, andthree years of high school (total 12 years).
• International students wishing to enter Japanese higher education must complete 12 years of formal
education.
• Those with less than 12 years of formal education must first complete a one or two year university preparatory
course before entering higher education.

4<12 months before>Send for school information and application forms
Confirm admission requirements and examinations

D
C

Japanese or
English [Bachelor’s Degree]2

I want to study
so that I can start
work soon!

Graduate School (Master’s)

University (Undergraduate)Check necessary language skills and costs

Practical Skills & Experience

Graduate School (PhD)

8

5

STEP

Gather information
Research & Study

9

6

Joining a university or professional training college as a regular student

A test to determine if students possess the Japanese language skills and basic
academic abilities necessary to study at Japanese universities and other suchhigher educational institutions.

• Schedule
Held twice a year (June and November)• Location
Held in Japan and 14 countries and regions
around the world!

★ More than 60% of Japanese universities (90% of national universities) use EJU
test results when screening applicants★ Results are valid for two years★ Applicants with excellent EJU results are promised Monbukagakusho Honors
Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students (p.7)★ Test can be taken multiple times

EJU
https://www.jasso.go.jp/
en/ryugaku/eju/index.
html

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Let’s calculate the expenses for studying in Japan.
What are your expenditures? Will you receive a scholarship?
A financial plan with a little leeway is essential!

Tuition & Living Expenses

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Tuition Fees

Apply for the scholarships granted by the Japanese Government

Method 1* Amounts may vary by level. ** Amount for Japanese language school students• Approximate tuition fees for one year
540,000 yen

MEXT Scholarship

Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarshipfor Privately-Financed International
Students

Student Exchange Support Program(Scholarship for Short-term Study inJapan)

From 117,000 yen*

48,000 yen or 30,000 yen**

80,000 yen

Payment period

Entire period of international study

One year or six months

While participating in program

Applicable students

Graduate, undergraduate, collegeof technology, professional training
college, Japanese studies, and teacher
training students

Graduate, undergraduate, juniorcollege,college of technology,
professional training college, andJapanese language students

Graduate, undergraduate, college oftechnology, and professional training
college students studying in Japan for
one year or less

Screening process

Document screening, written
examination, and interview

Depends on the school

Document screening

Number available

UnpublishedAround 7,000 students

Around 5,000 students

Amount ofmonthly support

1,130,000 yen

Notes: Excluding medical, dental andpharmaceutical departments.
For the first year, additional fees for entry,
etc., must be paid separately.

Scholarships
https://www.
studyinjapan.go.jp/
en/planning/
about-scholarship/

Tuition fee exemption

Source:●M inistry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) -Survey on Student Fees and Other Costs for Students Entering Private Universities in 2021
(https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/shinkou/07021403/1412031_00004.htm)

Free flight ticket
Free preparatory
education

Living Expenses• Guide for living expenses
Living expenses are more expensive in large cities.

Example: 108,000 yen in Tokyo

Commute4,000 yen
Hobbies,entertainment
5,000 yen
Insurance,
medical expenses
3,000 yen

Grade-based

Student
dormitory
28,000 yen

Miscellaneous
expenses
8,000 yen

Utilities(electricity / gas /water) 7,000 yen

Privateapartment
53,303 yen

Rice (5 kg)
2,177 yenFood
28,000 yen

93,000 yen
per month

Ramen noodles
552 yenApples (1 kg)
556 yenCola (1ℓ)
250 yenHouseholdincome-based

For inquiries andapplications:

The Japanese embassy or consulate
in your country or the school
you currently attend

Method 2
Coffee at a café
543 yenRent
38,000 yen

Movie ticket
1,800 yenTaxi (4 km)
1,700 yen

References: Portal Site of Official Statistics of Japan, Retail price survey(Special wards of Tokyo, March 2023)
Dormitory expenses from Tokyo Japanese Language Education Center
Private apartment expenses are for a 20 m² apartment

Reference: L ifestyle Survey ofPrivately-Financed
International Students 2021 (JASSO)

Apply to a local government or private
foundation for a scholarship• There may be many specifications for home country, school
you will attend, and field of study.

Working part-time as a student

6

Be careful of international student agents
who emphasize that you can“earn a lot of money as a student in Japan!”
You can receive 3,000 yen per hour.

The average hourly wageis 1,000 yen.

As an international student you canearn 300,000 yen a month.

Students working part-time can expect
to earn around 59,000 yen per month.

Local government or private
foundation scholarships
https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/
planning/about-scholarship/

The school you currently attend

Method 3
Apply for an on-campus scholarship or use atuition fee exemption / reduction system
For university X

For university Y

Tuition fee exemption

82,000 yen per monthscholarship

For

For

Students with excellent
grades who would havedifficulty in paying fees
for financial reasonsStudents with excellent
entrance examination
results• Apply after joining a school in Japan.

• Available to a few to a few hundred students each year.
Search from the site below.

People with a residency
status of “Student” whoapply for “Permission to
Engage in Activity other thanthat Permitted by the Status
of Residence Previously
Granted,” may engage inpart-time work for up to
28 hours per week.

The school you intend to study
at in Japan(50% or 100%)(for four years)

For inquiries and applications:

For inquiries and applications:

The school you intend to study
at in Japan or the relevant group

The school you intend to study at in Japan

7

Companies wanting the best and brightest people regardless ofnationality are on the rise, and there is an increase in hiring ofinternational students. Come and work in Japan in the future!

Work in Japan

Interview

From international student to employee(Numberof people)

Number of people changing from “Student” resident status
to one of the working resident statuses

30,00028,97425,00020,00015,00012,95810,0005,000

Top 10 occupations for international students

Rank

Job description

1

Translation and interpretation

2

Planning (marketing research)

3

International trade4

Management (non-executive)

5

Information & communications technology

6

Corporate sales

7

Planning (public relations, advertising)8

Technology development

9

Accounting

10

Care worker

0
2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Looking for work
Job hunting in Japan is quite unique.
Therefore, it is essential that international
students seeking employment begin
preparations well in advance. Use the sites
below to begin gathering information.
Job Hunting Guide forInternational Students(JASSO)https://www.jasso.
go.jp/en/ryugaku/after_
study_j/job/guide.html

8Open forProfessionals (JETRO)
https://www.jetro.
go.jp/en/hrportal/

2019

2020

Reference: “ Employment status of international students
in Japanese companies in 2021” (Immigration
Services Agency of Japan)

2021(Year)

Interview

I want to bring
Japan’s civilengineering technology
to Rwanda!

I could focus
on my studies thanks
to the scholarship!

Rumanzi HypoliteTokyo Institute of Technology, Graduate
School of Civil Engineering Master’s
Course (At the time of this interview)

Ioannis Gkolfinopoulos

NIT (KOSEN), Maizuru College(At the time of this interview)

My country faces the problem that, even if we want toimprove infrastructure, we lack skilled architects andengineers. That is why I came to study in Japan, known
for its high levels of education and engineering, so I
can take my skills home and contribute to my country’s
development. I was worried about living in Japan and had
a few troubles, but there was always someone aroundto help me out and I’m so grateful to them. Now I’m
studying civil engineering at a college of technology andplan to advance to university, if possible going on to amaster’s degree. My dream is to create a construction
company back home, and teach the skills and culture I
learned in Japan to the younger generation.

I think being free from financial worries while in Japanis the key to focusing on my research, so I applied
for a MEXT scholarship. The amount of support andguidance given to students at Japanese universities isreally impressive. On the other hand, the crush of the
rush-hour commute is quite surprising! Japan is a uniquecountry where tradition and technology coexist. I thinkwesterners are likely to experience a lot of culture shock
coming here, so learning about the language and culture
is very important. The MEXT scholarship guarantees asmooth life as a student, so why not give it a try yourself.

Japanese University Life
Enjoy a fulfilling life
as an international
student in Japan!
KIAULAKITE PAULINA
Department of Psychology,
Faculty of Human Life andEnvironmental Sciences(At the time of this interview)

Learn Japanese language andcorporate culture to become amust-have employee!
AustinI came to Japan in 2012 and entered the University of Tokyo to study
political science after completing a preparatory course. I now work
as a freelance programmer.
Although it depends on your chosen major, Japanese university
offers a lot of freedom, and you can even take part in a variety of
extracurricular activities such as internships. Additionally, thanks to
the new graduate hiring system, Japan is the easiest country in whichto shape your first career among advanced countries. To succeed inJapan, rather than becoming Japanese, you should make the mostof your unique strengths as a foreigner. The language skills learned
through studying and working in Japan as well as the understandingof this unique culture are sure to become irreplaceable strength.
If you want to become a sought-after employee in this world ofadvancing globalization, I really recommend studying and working
in Japan.

I was inspired to become an international student
in Japan during my first visit to the country as a
middle school student. I was fascinated by theculture and size of Tokyo, and felt that I would
enjoy studying here.
I joined the Department of Psychology, Facultyof Human Life and Environmental Sciences,
Ochanomizu University, after passing the MEXT
Scholarship and studying Japanese for one year at
the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. Ochanomizu
University is a relatively small national university,
so foreign students are not treated differently fromJapanese students in the classroom. There is also
no difference in the curriculum and class content
when compared to that of other Japanese university
students studying psychology. While this can makesome tasks and tests seem difficult, it also meansthat there is much to learn. I also feel that my life asa student is quite fulfilling, and I often enjoy goingout with the Japanese friends I have made.

↑Self study language cafe held during thelunch break. We all get along very well.
←A photo taken at a tourist site in Kyobashi.
I’m surrounded by Japanese culture!

A typical day●8:00 - Wake up●12:10 to 13:20 - Lunch

I wash my face and eat breakfast.

I eat lunch at the cafeteria with friends,
and then study in the library or chat in
the classroom.

●10:00 - Go to school
My commute is short because I
live close to the university!

●13:20 to 16:30 - Afternoon classes
I carefully listen to the instructor andtake notes.
●16:30 to 18:30 - Time with friends●10:30 to 12:10 - Morning classes
I attend classes with friends.

I often spend time with my Japanese
friends after school. We often go to
Ikebukuro because it is close to theuniversity, and we eat dinner or go to
karaoke together.

9Study in Japan Website
The Study in Japan website provides the information you need to study in Japan, including how to prepare, life
as a student in Japan, and scholarship information. You can also search for a school that meets your needs
according to your major of choice, language used in classes, and school location.
In addition to those who wish to study in Japan or wish to find a school to attend, we also recommend thiswebsite for those still not sure whether they wish to study abroad, or are still choosing which country to study in.

Q. I have attended a Japanese school. Can I apply to

Q. Please tell me about the process of

you can take the international student
A. Whether
entrance exam or not is decided by the school. Thosethe entry requirements, create a research proposal,
A. Checkand confirm what documents need to be submitted.

the international student entrance exam?

who have graduated from a Japanese high school,
and those who hold both Japanese and anothernationality should inquire about the entrance exam
before applying to the school.

Study in Japan Website
https://www.
studyinjapan.go.jp/en/

Study in Japan Fairs
Study in Japan
https://www.
studyinjapan.go.jp/
en/other/event/JASSO International Offices

Jakarta Summitmas Tower II, 2nd
Floor Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Kav.
61-62, Jakarta 12190 INDONESIA

Indonesia

1016/3, 10F Serm-mit Tower, 159 AsokMontri Rd., Bangkok 10110 THAILAND

Thailand

Korea

10

Tel : (+66) 2- 661-7057
E-mail : info@jeic-bangkok.org
Web : https://www.jeic-bangkok.org/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/JASSO.
Thailandthe application period, necessary
documents, and entrance
examination?

of the application process and entrance
A. Details
examination can be found on the school’s website

These are valuable opportunities where you can speak directly withschool representatives.
The Study in Japan Fair is held online and in-person every year.
For more information, visit the Study in Japan website.

At each of the five JASSO international
offices, you can consult with us in personor by telephone or email. We also havevarious reference materials regarding
studying in Japan.

Q. How should I look for and confirm

Tel : (+62) 21-252-1912
E-mail : info@jasso.or.id
Web : http://www.jasso.or.id/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/jasso.
indonesia
Instagram :https://www.instagram.com/jasso.
indonesia/
WhatsApp : https://api.whatsapp.com/
send?phone=62212521912

4th Floor, CornerStone Building, 16
Phan Chu Trinh, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi,
VIETNAM

VietnamTel : (+84) 24-3710-0226
E-mail : info@jasso.org.vn
Web : http://www.jasso.org.vn/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/JASSO.
Vietnam#702 Garden Tower, 84 Yulgok-ro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul 03131 REPUBLIC
OF KOREA

A-7-5, Northpoint Offices, Mid Valley
City, No.1, Medan Syed Putra Utara,
59200 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA

Tel : (+82) 2-765-0141
E-mail : jasso@jasso.or.kr
Web : http://www.jasso.or.kr/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/JASSO.
Korea
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/jasso.
korea/

Tel : (+60) 3-2287-0812
E-mail : enquiry@studyinjapan.org.my
Web : http://www.studyinjapan.org.my/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/JASSO.
Malaysia

Malaysia

or admission guidelines. Once you have decided
on a school, check their website or admission
guidelines.

entering graduate school.

Generally, you must find an instructor yourself. Someinstitutions require you to have informal acceptance before
application, so confirm this with your chosen institution assoon as possible.

Q. Please tell me about the high school international
exchange program and scholarship.

groups below offer support for high school international
A. Theexchange.
• AFS Intercultural Programs
URL: https://afs.org
Note: Use the “Find AFS in your Country” function to inquire at your local
office.

• YOUTH FOR UNDERSTANDING
URL: http://yfu.or.jp

We truly believe that everyone can findsomething worthwhile by studying in Japan.
Japan Student Services Organization(JASSO) provides the following support
programs for international students• Scholarship provision• Running Examination for Japanese
University Admission for International
Students (EJU)• Collection and provision of information
on studying abroad[Edited and published by]
Independent Administrative Institution, Japan
Student Services Organization (JASSO)
Information Services Division, Student
Exchange Department
2-2-1 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8630
E-mail : infoja@jasso.go.jp
Tel : (+81) 3-5520-6111
Web : https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/ja/• Japanese language education• Housing support

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