APPLICATION GUIDELINESJAPANESE GOVERNMENT (MEXT) SCHOLARSHIP FOR 2024
RESEARCH STUDENTS / UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS (UNIVERSITYRECOMMENDATION) [SPECIAL SELECTION]
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan offers scholarships
to international students as Research Students and Undergraduate Students under the Japanese Government(MEXT) Scholarship Program (University Recommendation/Special Selection) as follows. This scholarshipprogram is adopted under a “Special Program that conducts priority placements for MEXT scholarshipstudents (hereinafter referred to an “adopted program”),” and is intended for those with period of priority
placements in FY 2024.
1. QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS(1) Eligibility:
Research Students: International students with outstanding academic achievements of graduate schoollevel who enter Japan as new students or those already staying in Japan.
Undergraduate Students: International students with outstanding academic achievements ofundergraduate school level who enter Japan as new students and those already staying in Japan.
* “International students with outstanding academic achievements” must have earned a Grade Point Average(GPA) of 2.30 or above in their degreed (for those who are employed) or currently enrolled courses, and beable to maintain that GPA while receiving the scholarship. Furthermore, applicants must meet any one of thelanguage requirements stated in (6) Language Proficiency.
* From the viewpoint of attracting the best international students, it is possible to nominate international
students presently residing in Japan for priority placement (hereinafter referred to "domestic
recommenders"). However, the number of domestic recommenders should not exceed 40% of total
candidates.
[Definition of "domestic recommenders"]① Those who are staying in Japan with a medium- to long-term resident status at the time of application.
Those who have their base of residence in Japan, not including tourists and short-term visitors who arestaying in Japan for the purpose of taking entrance examinations, etc. It is irrelevant whether the applicant
is residing in Japan from the time of after application to the start of scholarship payments.
② Applicants residing outside Japan at the time of application, but will come to Japan as a privately financed
international students before the start of receiving scholarship payments.
* If you are or will be in Japan as a privately financed international student, you must complete your programat the school you are enrolled or plan to enroll in before receiving scholarship payments.
* Travel expenses will not be paid for domestic recommenders, regardless of the reasons stated in ① and②. If applicants return to their country of nationality after applying under condition ①, however, there
are no exceptions if students return to Japan before scholarship payments begin.
(2) Nationality: Applicants must have the nationality of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan.
Applicants who have Japanese nationality at the time of application are not eligible. However, persons
with dual nationality who hold Japanese nationality and whose place of residence at the time of
application is outside of Japan are eligible to apply as long as they choose the nationality of the other- 1 -country and renounce their Japanese nationality by the date of their arrival in Japan (the acquisition of
student status).
(3) Age:Research Students: Applicants, in principle, must be born on or after April 2, 1989.
Undergraduate Students: Applicants, in principle, must be born on or after April 2, 1999.
Exceptions are limited to cases in which MEXT deems that the applicant could not apply within theeligible age limit due to the situation or circumstances of the applicant’s country (military service
obligation, loss of educational opportunities due to disturbances of war, etc.). Personal circumstances(financial situation, family circumstances, state of health, circumstances related to applicant’s university
or place of employment, etc.) will not be considered for exceptions.
However, for the Young Leaders' Program graduates who do not meet the above age requirements andwish to enroll in a doctoral course, they can apply only within five years after they have completed theprogram.
(4) Academic Background:Research Students: Applicants must satisfy the conditions for admission to either a master’s or doctoral
course at a Japanese graduate school. (Applicants who will certainly satisfy them at the time of enrollment
are eligible.)
Undergraduate Students: Applicants must satisfy any one of the following conditions.
① Applicants who have completed 12 years of schooling in countries other than Japan. (Applicants whowill certainly satisfy the above condition by the time of enrollment are eligible.)② Applicants who have completed their studies at a school equivalent to a Japanese upper secondary
school in countries other than Japan. (Applicants who will certainly satisfy the above condition by thetime of enrollment are eligible.)③ Other than the above qualifications, applicants who are eligible for enrollment in a Japanese university.
(5) Majors:
Research Students: Applicants should apply for the field of study they majored in at university or its related
field. Moreover, the fields of study must be subjects which applicants will be able to study and research at
the accepting universities.
Undergraduate Students: The fields of study must be subjects which applicants will be able to study at theaccepting universities.
(6) Language proficiency:
Applicants must satisfy any one of the following conditions to prove that they have sufficient Japanese or
English language ability.
Research Students:○Japanese①②③

Applicants must pass with N2 or higher in the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) at thetime of application.
Applicants must complete curriculums that meet the conditions for admission to master’s or doctoral
courses at Japanese graduate schools using Japanese as the main language.
Applicants are regarded by the accepting universities as having Japanese language ability equivalent- 2 -to or better than ①.
○English①②③

Applicants must pass or achieve scores in English language proficiency tests that correspond to B2
or higher level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) at the timeof application.
Applicants must complete school curriculums that meet the conditions for admission in masters’
or doctoral courses at a Japanese graduate school by using English as the main language.
Applicants are regarded by the accepting universities as having English language ability equivalent
to or better than ①.

Undergraduate Students:○Japanese① Applicants must pass with N2 or higher in the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) at thetime of application.
② Applicants are regarded by the accepting universities as having Japanese language ability equivalent
to or better than ①.
In cases of adopted programs such as “preparatory education and bachelor degree courses” in special
programs, applicants are expected to have Japanese language ability equivalent to or better than ①
at the time of completing the preparatory course.
○English① Applicants must pass or achieve scores in English language proficiency tests that correspond to B2
or higher level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) at the timeof application.
② Applicants must complete school curriculums that meets the conditions for admission in a Japanese
university using English as the main language.
③ Applicants are regarded by the accepting universities as having English language ability equivalent
to or better than ①.
③(7) Health:Applicants who are judged by the university to have no physical or mental conditions hindering theapplicant’s study in Japan.
(8) Arrival in Japan
April term: In principle, applicants must be able to arrive in Japan between April 1, 2024, and April 7,
2024. Departure from the home residence should be on or after April 1.
October term: In principle, applicants must be able to arrive in Japan during the period specified by theaccepting university within two weeks before and after the starting date (September or October) of theuniversity’s relevant academic term for that year.
Excluding cases in which MEXT deems as unavoidable circumstances, the applicant must withdraw fromthis scholarship program if the applicant cannot arrive in Japan by the end of the specified period above. If
an applicant will arrive in Japan before or after the specified period due to personal circumstances, travel
expenses will not be paid.
(9) Visa Requirement / Status of Residence: An applicant shall, in principle, newly obtain a “Student” visa at- 3 -the Japanese diplomatic mission located in the applicant’s country of nationality, and enter Japan with theresidence status of “Student.”
Please also note that if a grantee arrives in Japan without newly obtaining a “Student” visa, scholarshippayments will be cancelled. Moreover, as the Japanese government requires pre-arrival tuberculosis
screening for some countries, applicants obtaining a visa shall follow guidance at the overseas
establishment of Japan located in the applicant’s country of nationality.
* Visa requirements and status of residence for domestic recommenders
For those whose current status of residence is not “Student,” applicants must change their status ofresidence to "Student" at the local Immigration Services Agency in Japan by time of registration as
students at the accepting university. Even in cases of having other statuses of residence ("Permanent
Resident," "Long Term Resident", etc.), applicants must change their status to "Student" and begin theircourses of study as Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship students. It is important to note thatapplications for "Permanent Resident" or "Long Term Resident" status after status of Japanese
Government (MEXT) Scholarship student ends, may not be granted as a matter of course. Also, if studies
as Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship students begin without changing status of residence to"Student," scholarships will be canceled.
For those whose current status of residence is “Student,” they must complete the renewal procedures
before the expiration of their periods of stay. Additionally, in the event of changes in school enrollment,
notification must be submitted pursuant to the provisions of Article 19-16 of the Immigration-Control
and Refugee-Recognition Act.
(10) Non-Eligibility: Those who meet any one of the following conditions are ineligible. If identified
ineligible after being selected as a scholarship student, he/she must withdraw from the scholarship.
①
②
③

④

⑤

Those who are military personnel or military civilian employees;
Those who cannot arrive in Japan by the date specified by MEXT or the accepting university;
Those who are previous grantees of Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship programs(including those who withdraw from the scholarship program after acquisition of student status).
However, this does not apply to those who wish to apply for Research Students program and meet
any one of the following conditions. In addition, since the Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarshipfor Privately-Financed International Students does not apply to the Japanese Government (MEXT)
Scholarship programs, the previous grantees can apply.
・those who have at least three years of educational or work experience following the end of thepayment of the previous scholarship and the start of this scholarship;・the past grantees of Japanese Studies Students program who have graduated or are going tograduate from universities in their home countries, Japan-Korea Joint Government Scholarship
Program for the Students in Science and Engineering Departments and Young Leaders’ Program;・those who have obtained or are expected to obtain a degree as undergraduate students of theJapanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship programs (university recommendation/special
selection).
Those who are currently also applying to another program under the Japanese Government(MEXT) Scholarship system. This includes the programs for which scholarship payments will
begin in FY2024;
Those who are planning to receive scholarship money from an organization other than MEXT
- 4 -(including a government organization of the applicant’s country) on top of the scholarship money
provided by MEXT after the start of the scholarship payment (the acquisition of student status);
⑥
⑦
⑧

⑨

Those who are expected to graduate at the time of application and cannot satisfy the condition ofacademic background by the deadline given;
Holders of dual nationality at the time of application who cannot verify that they will give up
Japanese nationality by the time of the arrival in Japan (the acquisition of student status);
Those who plan to, from the time of application for the MEXT scholarship program, engage inlong-term research (such as fieldwork or internship) outside Japan or plan to take a long-term leaveof absence from the university;
Those who have no intention to obtain a degree.

(11) Others: MEXT Scholarship will be granted those who are willing to contribute to mutual understanding
between Japan and their home country by participating in activities at schools and communities during
their study in Japan while contributing to the internationalization of Japan. They shall also make efforts
to promote relations between the home country and Japan by maintaining close relations with theuniversity attended after graduation, cooperating with the conducting of surveys and questionnaires, andcooperating with relevant projects and events conducted by the Japanese diplomatic mission after they
return to their home countries.
2. PERIOD OF SCHOLARSHIPThe scholarship period shall be the necessary period for the completion of the respective regular course.
However, if the university term begins (the acquisition of student status) in the middle of the month, thescholarship will not be paid for the month.
(ex.) The scholarship payments will begin in October 2024 if the university’s autumn term start date falls
on September 2, 2024.
*1 However, for adopted programs in “five-year doctoral courses,” the scholarship period from the firstyear to the second year will be considered as a master's course, and the scholarship period from thethird year to the fifth year will be considered as a doctoral course. Therefore, students must apply forextension of the scholarship period when advancing to the third year of the course.
*2 For adopted programs in “master’s course (doctoral course: first phase) and doctoral course (second
phase),” grantees can apply for extension of the scholarship period for advanced study in doctoral
course (second phrase) by using priority placement of the program.
*3 For adopted programs in either one of “bachelor degree courses,” “preparatory education and bachelor
degree courses,” “master’s courses (doctoral course: first phase),” and “professional degree courses,”
applications for extension of the scholarship period due to advanced study are not acceptable.
*4 Please note that if a grantee selected in the Special Selection (Research Students) applies NOT for
extension of the scholarship period after its period ends, BUT reapplies for the scholarship with
university recommendation in the General Selection (Research Students) etc., such a case falls under
the above item 1. (10) ③.
3. SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS(1) Allowance: The amounts listed below shall be paid depending on the course enrolled in. A supplemental
regional allowance of 2,000 yen or 3,000 yen per month will be added to the monthly scholarship amountfor the grantees studying or conducting research in specially designated regions. Due to the situation of the- 5 -Japanese Government’s budget, the amount of payment may be subject to change each fiscal year. If a
grantee is absent from the university for an extended period, the scholarship shall be suspended for that
period.
① Regular students enrolled in bachelor degree courses: 117,000 yen per month② Regular students enrolled in master’s or professional degree courses: 144,000 yen per month③ Regular students enrolled in doctoral courses: 145,000 yen per month.
(2) Traveling Expenses① Transportation to Japan: MEXT will stipulate the travel schedule and route, and provide an airline
ticket. However, MEXT will not provide an airline ticket for cases of domestic recommenders. The airline
ticket will be an economy-class ticket for the flight from the international airport closest to the grantee’s
residence (in principle, the country of nationality) to an international airport in Japan used on the normalroute to the accepting university. The grantee shall bear at his/her own expense all costs related to domestic
travel from the grantee’s residence to the nearest international airport, airport taxes, airport usage fees,
special taxes necessary for travel, travel expenses within Japan (including airline transit costs), travel
insurance expenses, carry-on luggage or unaccompanied baggage expenses, etc. The grantee shall also bearat his/her own expense travel and lodging costs incurred in a third country if the grantee must travel to athird country before coming to Japan for visa purposes because there are no Japanese diplomatic missions
in his/her country, and the Japanese diplomatic mission is closed in his/her country, or if there are no directflights from the grantee’s country of residence to Japan. MEXT will provide an economy-class airline
ticket from the grantee’s country of residence to the said third country, and from the third country to aninternational airport in Japan used on the normal route to the accepting university. In principle, the address
given in the space for “Your address before departure for Japan” on the application form shall berecognized as the “residence,” and the airline ticket will be arranged for a flight from the international
airport nearest to that address. Except for cases when the grantee must travel to a third country to obtain avisa, MEXT will not provide an airline ticket for cases of travel to Japan from a country other than the
grantee’s country of residence due to the grantee’s personal circumstances.
② Transportation from Japan: Based on the application by the grantee, MEXT will provide an airline
ticket to grantees who shall graduate or complete the accepting university and return to the home country
by the end of the final month of the period of scholarship (See “2. PERIOD OF SCHOLARSHIP”)
designated by MEXT. MEXT shall provide an economy-class airline ticket from the international airport inJapan used for the normal route to and from the accepting university to the international airport (inprinciple, in the country of nationality) nearest to the returning grantee’s residence. The grantee shall bearat his/her own expense all costs related to travel from the grantee’s residence in Japan to the nearest
international airport, airport taxes, airport usage fees, special taxes necessary for travel, travel expenses
within the country of nationality (including airline transit costs), travel insurance expenses, carry-on
luggage or unaccompanied baggage expenses, etc. If a grantee returns to the home country before the endof period of scholarship due to personal circumstances, or reasons stated in “4. SUSPENSION OF
PAYMENT OF SCHOLARSHIP,” MEXT will not pay for the returning travel expenses.
If a grantee continues to stay in Japan after the scholarship period has ended (ex. proceeding to further
education or being employed in Japan), travel expenses for a temporary return will also not be paid.
(3) Education Fees: Fees for the entrance examination, matriculation, and tuition at universities must be paidby the accepting university.
- 6 -4. SUSPENSION OF PAYMENT OF SCHOLARSHIP
Payment of the scholarship will be cancelled for the reasons given below. Should any of the following reasons
apply, the grantee may be ordered to return a part of, or all of, the scholarship paid up to that time. Payment of
the scholarship may also be stopped during the period up to the decision on the disposition of the matter.
① A grantee is determined to have made a false statement on his/her application;② A grantee violates any article of his/her pledge to the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Scienceand Technology;③ A grantee violates any Japanese laws and is sentenced and imprisoned for an indefinite period orfor a period exceeding 1 year;④ A grantee is suspended from his/her university or receives other punishment, or is removed fromenrollment; as a disciplinary action in accordance with school regulations of the accepting
institution;⑤ It has been determined that it will be impossible for a grantee to complete the course within thestandard period of study because of poor academic grades or suspension or absence from theuniversity;⑥ A grantee came to Japan without newly acquiring the “Student” residence status, or changed his/her
residence status to one other than “Student.” In case of domestic recommenders, they begin studies
as Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship students with a status of residence other than“Student” or changed his/her residence status to one other than “Student.”⑦ A grantee has received another scholarship (excluding those specified for research expenditures);⑧ A grantee proceeds to a more advanced level of education without receiving approval for an
extension of the period of the scholarship;⑨ A grantee withdraws from his/her university or transfers to another university;⑩ A grantee’s annual GPA is below 2.30 or the grading standard set by the university.
5. RECOMMENDATION PROCEDURES AND SELECTION(1) Recommendation
Presidents of each university must recommend to the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology, those international students who are deemed both exceptional and in need of scholarships,
after screening at the university. Recommendations must be processed with the necessary documents inthe appendix form(s), with rankings of the nominees for each priority placement for the adopted programs.
The procedures should be in accordance with the “Notes of Recommendation for Japanese Government(MEXT) Scholarship for 2024 Research Students/Undergraduate Students (University Recommendation)[Special Selection].”(2) Selection
Among those recommended by the president of each university, the selection committee will decide thecandidates for the scholarship. Based on this, MEXT will decide the scholarship grantees and periods ofscholarship.
After the grantee are selected, the university presidents should direct them to contact each Japanesediplomatic mission.
(3) Application Documents
Research Students:- 7 -① Documents to be submitted to the MEXTa) Recommendation Form for MEXT Scholarship Students (Research Students [Special Selection])【Appendix Form 1】b) Nomination List【Appendix Form 2】c) Report of comprehensive performance evaluation【Appendix Form 3】d) Record of admission and selection in the program【Appendix Form 4】e) Application Form (with photo)【Appendix Form 5】f) Field of Study and Research Plan【Appendix Form 6】*1 The above a) to d) must be prepared by the university; a) and c) should be prepared for each
recommended students, while b) and d) for each adopted program. The university must obtain above, e)
and f), from the applicant, irrespective of whether the request is made in paper or electronic format.
*2 The photos must be taken within the last six months, should be 4.5 x 3.5 cm in size (to include upper
body, full face and no hat). Applicant nationality and name must be written on the back, and the whole
pasted on the designated place on the application form. Electronic data can be acceptable.
*3 Attach one original copy of each of the above materials to the official document and submit them to
MEXT.
② Documents requested by the university from students will be managed on campus (1 copy of each must
be kept)g) A copy of applicant’s passport (or a copy of a certificate of family register, certificate of citizenshipor other identification issued by the government of his/her home country);h) Official academic transcript(s) for all years of last university/graduate school attended (issued by theuniversity/graduate school attended);i) Certificate(s) of (prospective) graduation or a Diploma of last university/graduate school attended;j) Document(s) attesting to the applicant’s outstanding academic achievements at the last university
attended;k) Recommendation letter from dean (or above) at the current university or other institutions (to thepresident of the accepting university)l) Abstracts of theses (should be concise and to the point)m) Proof of language ability that meets any one of the conditions in above 1. (6) Language Proficiency(ex. a TOEFL, IELTS or JLPT score report or a language of education certificate)*4 Regarding the above k), if a GPA cannot be calculated from the transcript, only in case that the abovek) clearly states that his/her grade ranking at the university/faculty or graduate school is within the top
30%, MEXT deems that the applicant’s academic achievement is equivalent to a GPA of 2.30 orabove. If the university recommends such student, a copy of the above k) must be submitted to MEXT
(See also 4. (4)③ of the appendix “Notes of Recommendation”).
*5 Regarding the above m), for Research Students who meet conditions for language proficiency throughJapanese ability no. ③ or English ability no. ③, the accepting university must indicate the reasons
why it has judged the applicant to have such language proficiency in the designated area of “c) Reportof comprehensive performance evaluation” and submit attached document(s) that determine grounds
for the judgement to MEXT. The university should keep the above m) of those who meet either ofthese conditions for language proficiency by Japanese ability no. ① or ② or English ability no. ①- 8 -or ②.
Undergraduate Students:① Documents to be submitted to the MEXTa) Recommendation Form for MEXT Scholarship Students (Undergraduate Students [Special Selection]【Appendix Form 1】b) Nomination List【Appendix Form 2】c) Report of comprehensive performance evaluation【Appendix Form 3】d) Record of admission and selection in the program【Appendix Form 4】e) Application Form (with photograph)【Appendix Form 5】*1 The above a) to d) must be prepared by the university; a) and c) should be prepared for each
recommended students, while b) and d) for each adopted program. The university must obtain above e)
from the applicant, irrespective of whether the request is made in paper or electronic format.
*2 Photos should be prepared in the same manner as “*2” in “Research Students” above.
*3 Attach one original copy of each of the above materials to the official document and submit them to
MEXT.
*4 If a GPA cannot be calculated from the transcript, only in cases in which a “letter or others from dean athigh school/university/faculty attended” clearly states that his/her grade ranking at the highschool/university or faculty attended is within the top 30%, MEXT deems that the applicant’s academic
achievement is equivalent to a GPA of 2.30 or above. If the university recommends such student, a copyof the above letter (or other) must be submitted to MEXT (See also 4. (4)③ of the appendix “Notes ofRecommendation”).
② Documents requested by the university from students will be managed on campus (1 copy of each must
be kept)f) A copy of applicant’s passport (or copy of a certificate of family register, certificate of citizenship orother identification issued by the government of his/her home country);g) Official academic transcript(s) for all years of last high school/university attended (issued by thehigh school/university attended);h) Certificate(s) of (prospective) graduation or a Diploma of last high school/university attended;i) Proof of language ability that meets any one of the conditions in above 1. (6) Language Proficiency(ex. a TOEFL, IELTS or JLPT score report or a language of education certificate)j) Certificate of enrollment (for those currently enrolled in a university or other institution)k) Official academic transcript (if the applicant is currently enrolled in a university or other institution,
an official academic transcript from their university can be submitted) (optional)*5 Regarding the above i, for Undergraduate Students who meet conditions for language proficiency
through Japanese ability no. ② or English ability no. ③, the accepting university must indicate thereason why it has judged the applicant to have such language proficiency in the designated area of “c)Report of comprehensive performance evaluation” and submit attached document(s) that determine
grounds for the judgement to MEXT. The university should keep the above i) of those who meet eitherof these conditions for language proficiency by Japanese ability no. ① or English ability no. ① or
②.

- 9 -

【 Notes of ①② 】
・Documents must be written in Japanese or English, or translation into the Japanese language must be
attached when prepared in other languages. All documents should be in A4 format using a word
processor or other, if possible.
・Submitted documents will not be returned.
・Nomination List and Application Form are often filled out incorrectly. It is the responsibility ofuniversities to ensure that the contents of the submitted documents are checked by more than
one person and there are no errors prior to submission. If any of the above application documents
are incomplete or inaccurate, or if the accompanying documents are not included, the application will
not be processed. (If an applicant is determined to have made a false statement on his/her application
after being selected, his/her selection may be cancelled.)
・Any documents submitted after the designated deadline will not be accepted.
・Acting administrative officials or other government offices issue a certificate of graduation or othercertificates in some countries. Accepting universities should confirm contents carefully with theuniversity attended.
・Proper document management must be used for documents kept by university so as to be submitted
upon request from MEXT.
6. APPLICATION PERIOD AND NOTIFICATION OF GRANTEES(1) Grantees who will arrive in Japan during the April term, 2024 (Research Students/ Undergraduate Students)
Application Period: Friday, January 5, 2024 – Tuesday, January 16, 2024 (must be received by this date)
Notification of Grantees: by the end of February (planned)(2) Grantees who will arrive in Japan during the October term, 2024 (Research Students)
Application Period: Thursday, February 22, 2024 – Monday, March 4, 2024 (must be received by this date)
Notification of Grantees: Mid-June (planned)(3) Grantees who will arrive in Japan during the October term, 2024 (Undergraduate Students)
Application Period: Monday, May 20, 2024 – Monday, May 27, 2024 (must be received by this date)
Notification of Grantees: by the end of July (planned)
Notes 】
・Submitting documents after the application period, replacing documents, amending documents after thesubmission, withdrawing applications, reapplying for the program and changing rankings in the nominees
list are not permitted.
・The grantees will be notified to the president of each university via official announcement. MEXT will
not notify the grantee himself/herself of the results.

【

7. UNAVOIDABLE CIRCUMSTANCESIn the event of unavoidable or unforeseen circumstances, Japanese Government reserves the right to change
or cancel the arrival date, scholarship, and contents of the application guidelines here within, at any time
before or after notification of the results of the final selection.
Unavoidable Circumstances are defined as events whose effects could not reasonably be prevented orcontrolled by MEXT including but not limited to acts of God, acts of government (including local
government, hereafter referred to as government), acts of government authorities (including limitations on- 10 -

travel or immigration enacted by the Japanese government or other foreign countries’ government due tothe event of infectious disease), compliance with law, regulations or orders, fire, flooding and torrential
rain, earthquakes, acts of war (regardless of a declaration of war), revolt, revolution or rebellion, strike, or
lockout.
8. NOTES(1) The accepting university must make sure that every grantee is informed of the period of scholarship, theconditions for the scholarship, period of arrival in Japan and procedures (e.g., visa acquisition) before
student arrivals to Japan. In particular, it must be thoroughly explained to the grantees that they may bedisqualified from being MEXT Scholarship Students if their annual GPA falls below 2.30 or below thegrading standard set by the university. The university should also instruct grantees, before departing forJapan, to learn the Japanese language and acquire information about Japanese weather, climate, customs,
university education, and conditions of the university to attend in Japan, as well as about the difference
between the Japanese legal system and that of his/her home country.
(2) An applicant should confirm enrollment procedures with their accepting university in advance.
(3) As the first installment of the scholarship payment will be made from one month to one and a half months
after the grantee’s arrival in Japan, the accepting university should instruct grantees to bring at least
approximately US$2,000 with him/her to Japan to cover immediate living expenses and other necessary
expenses. (Grantees must be informed if additional expenses are necessary due to regional or university
circumstances.)(4) The accepting university must require grantees to enroll in National Health Insurance (Kokumin Kenko
Hoken) upon arrival in Japan.
(5) Accommodations for those selected with university recommendations and Japanese educations must be
provided by the accepting university.
(6) Although an applicant is selected as a scholarship student, he/she may not be able to leave his/her country
due to their country’s circumstances. The accepting university should understand the situation and makesure that the grantee can arrive in Japan within the prescribed period (and take particular note that it may
take considerable time to obtain exit permissions or passports in Myanmar, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan andthose in which there are no Japanese diplomatic missions). The grantee should be informed in advance thathe/she must withdraw from this scholarship program if he/she cannot arrive in Japan by the end of thespecified period.
(7) If an applicant is selected as a scholarship student, they must be informed of the following:・Information regarding the MEXT Scholarship Students (name, gender, date of birth, nationality, accepting
university/graduate school/undergraduate school, field of specialty, period of enrollment, career path after
completion of scholarship, contact information [address, telephone number, e-mail address]) may beshared with other relevant government organizations for the purpose of utilization for international
students programs implemented by the Japanese Government (support during period of study in Japan,
follow-up survey, improvement of the international student system). Information regarding MEXT
Scholarship Students (excluding date of birth and contact information) may be included in publicity- 11 -

materials prepared by the Japanese Government for promoting the acceptance of international students inJapan, particularly in order to introduce former MEXT Scholarship Students who are playing active roles
in countries around the world;
・These matters are included in the Pledge stipulating rules and regulations which MEXT ScholarshipStudents must comply with and submit when they have been granted the Scholarship. The applicant whocomplied with the Pledge will be selected as a MEXT Scholarship Student.
(8) If an applicant is judged not to meet the conditions for landing in Japan, he/she may be rejected.
(9) For those applying for a “Student” visa at the Japanese diplomatic mission located in the applicant’s countryof nationality, MEXT will request special treatment so that the accepting university need not apply for thecertificate of eligibility separately.
For those applying for a “Student” visa at the Japanese diplomatic mission located in a country other than
the applicant’s country of nationality, the application procedure for the certificate of eligibility is the
responsibility of each university.
(10) Other than above matters, the details and other notes of the recommendations should be referred to the
Appendix “Notes of Recommendation.”(11) In addition to the regulations stipulated in this Application Guidelines, those that are necessary to
implement the Japanese Government Scholarship programs shall be determined by the Japanese
Government.
(12) The English texts attached to the Application Guidelines and the Application Form are for complementary
use only. English expressions do not change the Japanese content.

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