Application Requirements to Study in Japan

To apply for admission (and for scholarships) you’ll typically need:

Completed application form (university/through embassy)

Financial proof/bank statements or sponsor letters

Sometimes, entrance exam results or additional tests (e.g. subject exams)

For scholarship applications: For scholarship applications: additional documents such as scholarship-specific forms, survey forms, commitment letters

For some programs, a Japanese embassy/consulate recommendation (for things like MEXT)

Academic transcripts & certificates (high school, bachelor’s, etc.)

Proof of language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/JLPT)

Statement of Purpose/personal essay

Letters of Recommendation (usually 2 or more)

Research proposal (for graduate/PhD programs)

Passport copy, identity documents

Health certificate/medical report

Passport-size photographs

Timelines matter: many scholarships require you to apply through the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country first. Later, shortlisted applicants submit documents to the university.

Study in Japan: Additional Tips

Here are some practical pointers to make your Japan‑study journey smoother:

Start early

Scholarship and admission deadlines can be 8–12 months before the semester starts.

Stay updated

Immigration rules, visa policies, scholarship schemes may change. Always refer to official Japanese government, embassy or university sites.

Optimize for Japanese + English programs

Having some Japanese proficiency boosts your profile and flexibility.

Leverage university support

Many universities have an international student office (ISO) that assists with housing, visa, orientation, and translation.

Apply for internal scholarships too

Even if you don’t get major scholarships, universities often offer smaller scholarships, tuition waivers or fee reductions mid-course.

Use the “designated activities” status

If you don’t find a job immediately, you may be allowed to stay for job hunting under certain visa categories.

Part-time work

International students are often allowed to work up to ~28 hours/week (during semester) after obtaining permission to engage in activities outside their status of residence.

Network & internships

Connect early with professors and your industry. Many research labs, companies, or government projects take interns, which often lead to job offers.

Be culturally adaptable

Embrace punctuality, formality, group harmony, and respect. Small gestures like greetings, bowing, removing shoes in homes, etc., go a long way.

Budget carefully

Japan can be expensive, especially in big cities. Monitor rent, transport, utilities, and food

Study in Japan Cost

Estimating costs is vital. Here's a breakdown of typical costs (these are approximate and vary by city, university, and lifestyle):

Tuition Fees

Type of Institution	Approx. Annual Tuition (JPY)	Approx. in INR*
Public/National University	¥535,800 – ¥642,960	~₹2.7–3.9 lakhs
Private University	¥800,000 – ¥2,000,000+	~₹4–12+ lakhs
Language/preparatory schools	¥600,000 – ¥800,000	~₹3–5 lakhs

* Exchange rates fluctuate; these are rough estimates.

Living Expenses (per month)

Rent & Utilities: ¥30,000 – ¥80,000 depending on city, shared/single occupancy
Food/groceries/dining: ¥25,000 – ¥50,000
Transport: ¥5,000 – ¥15,000 (depending on distance)
Other costs (books, health insurance, mobile, leisure): ¥10,000 – ¥20,000+

So monthly living might range from ¥70,000 to ¥150,000+ or more in expensive cities.

Total Approximate Annual Cost: Study in Japan

When you factor tuition + living + travel + miscellaneous expenses, the total could come to ¥1,200,000 – ¥2,500,000+ (i.e. ₹8–20+ lakhs) for many programs.

Scholarships/stipends can reduce or even eliminate tuition and sometimes part of living costs.

Scholarships to Study in Japan for Indian Students

MEXT Scholarship for Indian students: Indian applicants can apply via the Japanese Embassy in India. For research students, the stipend is around ¥143,000 – ¥145,000 per month, and tuition / fees are exempted.
Aichi Scholarship Program: Offered by Aichi Prefecture for master’s students from India in fields relevant to Aichi’s manufacturing industry. Monthly allowance of about ¥150,000.
JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization): Offers “Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-financed International Students” and other scholarships or stipends.
JEES Scholarships: For privately-financed students, offering modest monthly stipend (e.g. ¥40,000–¥50,000).
University scholarships in Japan: Many individual universities have dedicated Indian student scholarship schemes or general scholarships open to international students.
Private / Fellowship scholarships: Indian foundations, NGOs, or corporate scholarships may support Indian students going abroad.
Special / regional scholarships: Some scholarships incentivize students from specific states or with specific backgrounds (women in STEM, underrepresented regions, etc.)

How to apply/Notes:

Some scholarships must be applied through the Japanese embassy in your home country; others are applied after entering the university.
The number of slots is limited, so a good academic record, strong SOP/research plan, and early application help.
Screening may include essays, interviews, or exams.
Scholarships may have conditions like maintaining good grades, limiting travel back to your home country, or restricting part-time work.
Even with scholarship all expenses might not be covered fully — plan for contingencies.
It’s good to check the Japanese Embassy in India website and the scholarship section of each university for India‑specific opportunities and deadlines.

Highest-Paying Jobs in Japan

These tend to be roles in high-demand sectors, senior positions, or jobs requiring specialized skills. Some examples:

Executive/C‑Suite roles (CEO, CFO, CTO)
Specialist engineers/AI/robotics experts
Pharmaceutical/biotech research leads
Strategy/Management consultants
Senior finance/investment banking professionals
Patent attorneys, IP lawyers
IT architect/cloud/machine learning engineers

Salaries in these roles can reach ¥10 million to ¥20+ million per year (or more), especially in Tokyo and with multinational firms. The exact compensation depends heavily on experience, role, industry, and company scale.

Popular Jobs in Japan and Average Base Salaries

Here are some in-demand roles and rough base salary ranges (these are approximate and can vary widely depending on location, company size, and experience):

Job Role	Typical Entry / Mid-level Base Salary (JPY per year)	Commentary / Notes
Software Engineer / Developer	¥4,500,000 – ¥9,000,000+	Many IT firms in Tokyo, Osaka pay premium packages
Data Scientist / Machine Learning Engineer	¥5,000,000 – ¥12,000,000+	Especially in AI, fintech, autonomous systems
Mechanical / Electrical / Robotics Engineer	¥4,000,000 – ¥10,000,000+	Particularly in automotive, robotics, electronics
University / Research Faculty	¥5,000,000 – ¥12,000,000+	For professors or senior researchers
Business / Management Consultant	¥6,000,000 – ¥15,000,000+	Top consultancies pay well
Financial Analyst / Investment Banking	¥6,000,000 – ¥15,000,000+	With bonuses, this can be higher
Project Manager (IT / Construction)	¥6,000,000 – ¥14,000,000+	Depending on project scale
English / Language Instructor (full-time)	¥3,000,000 – ¥5,000,000+	E.g. via programs like JET (¥3.36 million first year)

Note: Part-time jobs (for students) often pay hourly (e.g. ¥800–¥1,400+ depending on role and location)

FAQs

Yes, in many cases. Several universities offer English-taught programs, especially at the master’s or PhD level. But knowing Japanese helps with everyday life, internships, job prospects, and some programs require or prefer it.

Typically up to 28 hours per week during term time (with permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence).

No guarantee, but Japan is increasingly open to allowing international graduates to stay and work. Many universities and companies recruit graduates, and visa policies may let you transition from student to work visa under certain conditions.

Usually April is the main intake, with some programs also allowing October/September intake.

Very competitive. The number of slots is limited in each country. Strong academic record, language skills, well-prepared documents, and early application are vital.

You can self-fund, seek private scholarships, or apply for tuition waivers/internal scholarships from universities. Many students combine part-time work and scholarships. Also, choose more affordable universities or locales to study in Japan.

Ideally 10–12 months in advance. Scholarships and admissions have early deadlines, often a year ahead of the intake.

Yes. For example, the Indian embassy in Japan or Japanese embassy in India may announce India-specific slots for MEXT. Prefectural scholarships like the Aichi scholarship are also targeted to Indian students. Always check embassy announcements.

Study in JAPAN

Know more about Best Universities, Programs, Scholarships, Eligibility and Cost

Why You Should Choose to Study in Japan

Eligibility Criteria to Study in Japan

Academic qualifications