Tag: Education Scholarships Japan

How to Get Japan’s MEXT Teacher Training Scholarship 2026 (Complete Guide)

For teachers who dream of improving their teaching skills while experiencing a new culture, the Japanese Government’s MEXT Teacher Training Scholarship offers a valuable opportunity. Designed for teachers from overseas, this program allows you to study in Japan and gain exposure to advanced educational methods while building international academic connections.

The scholarship is funded by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and is specifically aimed at in-service teachers who wish to enhance their professional skills. Selected candidates will be enrolled in Japanese national universities, where they will focus on teacher training rather than degree-oriented study.

Embassy Request & Application Process

  • The Embassy respectfully requests the Ministry, in coordination with the Ministry of Education, to:
    • Select suitable candidates for the MEXT Scholarship
    • Follow the attached Application Guidelines
    • Choose candidates from teachers who wish to conduct research on school education

1. Screening & Examination

  • Applicants will first go through the First Screening conducted by the Embassy.
  • Shortlisted applicants will then attend:
    • A written examination (subjects: Japanese and English)
    • Interviews
  • The written exams and interviews will be jointly conducted by:
    • The Embassy
    • Ministry of Foreign Affairs
    • Ministry of Education
  • Date of exams and interviews: 20th February 2026

2. Submission of Documents

  • The Ministry is requested to:
    • Submit application forms and all required documents as stated in the Guidelines
    • Send them to the Embassy by 30th January 2026

3. Nomination of Interview Officers

  • The Ministry is also requested to:
    • Nominate officers to serve on the interview panel
    • Officers should be from:
      • Ministry of Foreign Affairs
      • Ministry of Education

Qualifications and Conditions (MEXT)

MEXT accepts international students who meet the following requirements.
The goal is to develop people who strengthen friendship between Japan and their home country and contribute to global development.

1. Nationality

  • Applicants must be citizens of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan.
  • Applicants cannot have Japanese nationality at the time of application.
  • Applicants with dual nationality (including Japanese) may apply only if:
    • They live outside Japan at the time of application
    • They choose their non-Japanese nationality
    • They renounce Japanese nationality before arriving in Japan
  • The first screening must be done at the Japanese embassy of the chosen nationality.

2. Age

  • Applicants must be born on or after April 2, 1991.
  • Exceptions are allowed only if MEXT accepts that the applicant could not apply earlier due to:
    • Military service
    • War or conflict
    • Loss of educational opportunities due to national circumstances
  • Personal reasons (money, family, health, job, or university issues) are not accepted for age exceptions.

3. Academic and Career Background

Applicants must:

  • Be graduates of a university or teacher training school
  • Have at least 5 years of teaching experience by October 1, 2026
    • Teaching must be at:
      • Primary schools
      • Secondary schools
      • Teacher training institutions (excluding universities)
  • University faculty members are not eligible.

4. Japanese Language Ability

  • Applicants must be willing to learn Japanese.
  • Applicants must:
    • Be interested in Japan
    • Be willing to understand Japanese culture and society
    • Have the ability to conduct research
    • Be able to adapt to life in Japan

5. Health

  • Applicants must submit a medical certificate in the official format.
  • The certificate must be signed by a doctor.
  • It must confirm that the applicant has no physical or mental conditions that would prevent study in Japan.

6. Arrival in Japan

  • Applicants must arrive in Japan during the designated period (usually September or October).
  • Arrival must be:
    • No earlier than two weeks before the course starts
    • No later than the course start date
  • If the applicant cannot arrive during this period for personal reasons:
    • Travel expenses will not be provided
  • If the applicant cannot arrive by the end of the specified period:
    • They must withdraw from the scholarship
    • Unless MEXT accepts the reason as unavoidable

comprehensive financial support

  • After arrival in Japan, 143,000 yen per month will be paid.

  • A supplemental regional allowance of 2,000 or 3,000 yen per month will be added to the monthly scholarship amount for the grantees studying or conducting research in specially designated regions. Due to the situation of the 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.

  • Education Fees: Fees for the entrance examination, matriculation and tuition at universities are weaved.

Travel Expenses

1. Travel to Japan

  • MEXT provides one economy-class airline ticket to Japan.
  • The ticket is from the nearest international airport to your residence (usually in your home country) to Japan, using a normal route.
  • MEXT decides the travel schedule and route.

2. Costs you must pay yourself

You must cover these expenses on your own:

  • Travel from your home to the nearest international airport
  • Airport taxes and airport usage fees
  • Special travel taxes
  • Travel costs within Japan (including domestic flights)
  • Travel insurance
  • Extra baggage or unaccompanied luggage costs

3. If you must travel through a third country

MEXT will provide tickets only in these cases:

(a) No Japanese embassy in your country, or it is temporarily closed

(b) No direct flight from your country to Japan

In these cases:

  • MEXT pays for flights from:
    • Your home country → third country
    • Third country → Japan
  • You must pay:
    • Travel costs within the third country
    • Accommodation in the third country

4. Residence rules

  • The address you write as “Current address” in the application is treated as your residence.
  • If you move within your country after applying, the “Address before departure for Japan” is used.
  • The flight will be arranged from the international airport closest to that address.

5. Important restrictions

  • MEXT will not provide a ticket if:
    • You travel from a country other than your nationality for personal reasons
    • You arrive in Japan outside the fixed arrival period
  • Route or schedule cannot be changed after the ticket is issued.

6. Travel from Japan (Return flight)

No changes to the route or schedule after the ticket is issued and MEXT provides a return economy-class ticket if:

  • You complete your course
  • You return home by the end of the scholarship period

The ticket is from:

  • A major airport in Japan → nearest international airport to your home residence

  • Applicants must be citizens of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan Japanese-Government-MEXT-Scholarship
  • Must be under 35 years of age at the time of application Japanese-Government-MEXT-Scholarship
  • Should be a graduate of a teacher training college or university
  • Must be an in-service teacher (currently working as a teacher)
  • Should have at least five years of teaching experience at a primary, secondary, or teacher training institution Japanese-Government-MEXT-Scholarship
  • Applicants must be in good physical and mental health
  • A strong willingness to learn about Japan and adapt to its education system is expected

Selection Process (MEXT)

1. First Screening

  • Conducted by Japanese diplomatic missions (embassy/consulate).
  • Includes:
    • Review of submitted application documents
    • Written exams in:
      • Japanese
      • English
    • Interview

2. First Screening Results

  • The date and time of result announcements will be informed separately by the embassy.
  • Reasons for results will not be explained.
  • Having a basic level of Japanese language ability is required to pass.
  • Passing the First Screening does not guarantee receiving the MEXT Scholarship.

3. Second Screening

  • Applicants who pass the First Screening are recommended to MEXT.
  • MEXT conducts the Second Screening.
  • Final candidates are selected from those who pass this stage.

4. Final Selection & University Placement

  • Final results will be announced on a date set by the Japanese diplomatic mission.
  • Successful applicants will be informed of their accepting university.
  • No objections to the university placement will be accepted.
  • If an accepting university is not decided by August 14, 2026, the applicant will be rejected.

For a teacher, MEXT is valuable because it invests directly in professional growth rather than just academic qualifications. It allows educators to observe new teaching methods, classroom management styles, and curriculum structures used in Japan, one of the world’s most respected education systems. Through hands-on training and research, teachers gain practical skills they can immediately apply in their own classrooms. Just as importantly, the program encourages reflection, adaptability, and cross-cultural understanding, helping teachers return not only more knowledgeable, but more confident, innovative, and globally aware in their approach to education.

For more information, visit the MOE official page.