MEXT Scholarships

Presently, none of the MEXT Scholarships are open for application by “Embassy Recommendation” in Los Angeles.  However, please feel free to check below for past information and links to past application materials as a valuable means of familiarizing yourself with the application process, as well as for expected upcoming timelines. Some universities participate in MEXT’s “University Recommendation,” so you may wish to look into it by directly contacting the university of your interest.

Introduction

Some 102,000 students from approximately 160 countries and regions have studied in Japan under the Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho, or MEXT) Scholarship program, established in 1954. (Data is through fiscal year 2015).

The Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles accepts applications for Japanese Government scholarships from candidates who are U.S. citizens and reside or attend universities in Southern California* and Arizona only.

Please read the Application Guidelines for detailed information on the four MEXT Scholarships we administer.

If, after reading the Application Guidelines, you have further questions, please contact:

MEXT Scholarships Desk
350 S. Grand Ave., Suite 1700
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Tel: (213) 617-6700, ext. 336
Fax: (213) 617-6728
mext@ls.mofa.go.jp

If you are a U.S. citizen but do not live or study in our jurisdiction (Southern California* and Arizona), please click here to find the Consulate General of Japan to which you can apply for a MEXT Scholarship. If you are not a U.S. citizen (including foreign student or permanent resident) please inquire about MEXT through the Embassy of Japan in the country of which you have citizenship. Click here for a list of Japanese Embassies and Consulates.

About 7,500 Americans studied abroad in Japan during the 2016-2017 academic year. This includes exchange program participants, students with various scholarships, and privately financed students. For an introductory guide on studying in Japan, please see https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/doc/Library/StudyAbroadGuide_Spreads.pdf.

(*Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties)

■Research Student Scholarship (for program beginning in April 2024 or September/October 2024) - APPLICATION PERIOD CLOSED

Application Guidelines and Forms: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap_stopj-applications_research.html
Checklist
 

■Undergraduate Student Scholarship (for program beginning generally in April 2024) - APPLICATION PERIOD CLOSED

Application Guidelines and Forms: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap_stopj-applications_undergraduate.html
Checklist
 

■Specialized Training College Student Scholarship (for program beginning in April 2024) - APPLICATION PERIOD CLOSED

Application Guidelines and Forms: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap_stopj-applications_specialized.html
Checklist

Important Notes for Research Students, Undergraduate Students, and Specialized Training College Students scholarship applicants:

1. Applicants from Southern California and Arizona submit their completed application (all by hardcopy), with all the necessary documents which are listed in the links above, by the deadline, to this address:
          MEXT Scholarships Desk
          Consulate General of Japan
          350 S. Grand Ave., Suite 1700
          Los Angeles, CA 90071 U.S.A.

2. Deadline - Completed applications must be received by Wednesday, June 7, 2023, 12:00 p.m.

(Please note the 12:00 noon deadline.)

3. Exams - In-person written examinations are required of invited applicants are according to the dates below. (The Consulate General sends invitations by email after evaluating application materials.)

- Undergraduate scholarship:                                         Wednesday, June 21, 2023
- Specialized Training College scholarship:                  Wednesday, June 21, 2023
- Research scholarship:                                                  Friday, June 30, 2023

4. Interviews – Applicants selected for this step in the selection process must appear in person for the interview on the appointed date. (This is a correction.)
- All scholarships:                                                          Friday, June 30, 2023


5. In other matters of the application, please consult the Application Guidelines in the above links.
 



 

■Japanese Studies Students Scholarship (for program beginning in Japan in Sept./Oct. 2023) - APPLICATION PERIOD CLOSED.

Application Guidelines & Forms
Checklist

Important Notes regarding the Japanese Studies Students scholarships for those applying through the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles:
1. Submit your completed applications (all by hardcopy), with all the necessary documents which are listed in the link above, by the deadline, to this address:

          MEXT Scholarships Desk
          Consulate General of Japan
          350 S. Grand Ave., Suite 1700
          Los Angeles, CA 90071 U.S.A.

2. Complete your application according to the Application Guidelines, using the 2023 forms and other documents, and referring to the Checklist.  Select your preferred universities from the list provided in the “Course Guide of Japanese Studies Program” (2023).

3. Deadline (received by): Thursday February 16, 2023, 4:30 p.m.
    (Please note the 4:30 p.m. deadline.)

4. Examinations and interviews: Monday, February 27, 2023  

5. In other matters of the application, please consult the Application Guidelines in the above link.

*Exams and interviews take place at the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, and applicants selected for further consideration must attend in person on the prescribed day.

Attention Scholarship Applicants

 

There are other ways to study in Japan and other scholarship programs. For information, please visit:

• “Study in Japan: A Guide for U.S. Students” by the Embassy of Japan is a new, introductory guide. 
• “Study in Japan” by Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) is a thorough, regularly updated guide.
• “Scholarships for Study in Japan” by JASSO links to a pamphlet listing three different kinds of scholarships.

For further information, please contact the Scholarships Desk.