Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships Frequently Asked Questions

2025/1/27

Table of Contents:

General Information

● How do I know about the scholarships’ offer?
The scholarships are open every year in January for Teacher Training Students and in April for other programs. Announcements are done on the Embassy’s website and social media pages [Facebook and Twitter (X)]

● Does the Government of Japan have any bias when it comes to one’s field choice of study?
No, it does not.

● What does it mean when you ask for certified copies of various documents?
Certified copies mean photocopies that have been signed, dated and stamped afresh (certified/attested) by one’s previous schools a maximum of 6 months before the application window opens. This is because we DO NOT accept one’s original documents.

● If one carried out their previous studies abroad, how do they get their papers certified?
The Embassy of Japan’s Scholarships Desk DOES NOT accept scanned copies of any documents. Prospective candidates should liaise with their previous schools and ask for certification of the papers.

● Can one email the application papers?
No. All applications are to be sent via post office, hand delivered or delivered by courier to the Embassy’s premises.

●Which hospitals should one go to for the medical check-up?
You can go to any health facility.

● Can one apply for a certain category if they fall short of just one requirement?
No. All requirements should be met for one to qualify for a certain category. This includes the age and grades of certain subjects as stipulated.

● Is it important to know the Japanese language before you are awarded the scholarship?
No it is not. This is because when you get to Japan for your studies, your course work covers the language course, which will be done in the first few months.
Learning the Japanese language will also be important in your communication in the foreign country.

● Are the studies in Japan conducted in Japanese language only?
Depending on the university one attends, studies are conducted in both the Japanese and English language.

● Can one choose what exams they can sit for?
No. The kind of exams one has to sit for depends on what course they have chosen. This information is always included in the Application Guidelines document.

● Can one be exempted from sitting for the English paper if s/he has previously done the English Proficiency tests like TOEFL?
No. Every candidate who is shortlisted for the exams has to sit for the set English paper.

● How will I know that I have been shortlisted?
You will be contacted through the phone number you have listed in your application forms. It should be noted that ONLY shortlisted candidates are contacted.

● I do not know the Japanese language. How can I sit for its exam?
The Japanese language exam should not be of any worry. It is not compulsory for one to know the language. The other exams are what a candidate should focus more on.

● How do I prepare for the exams?
One can get past papers and answer sheets for their revision, from the Study in Japan website.

● Can I come back home (Kenya) for holidays?
Yes, you can, provided that you finance the expenses on your own. The Government of Japan ONLY caters for the air ticket when you travel to Japan to begin your studies and when you travel back home, after you complete your studies. Travel arrangements in between are catered for by the student.

● How do I get in touch with the Embassy on the Scholarships?
Any inquiries on the scholarships are addressed to the Scholarships Desk, Japan Information and Culture Centre (JICC), which is located within the Embassy’s premises. Contact details are:

Postgraduate (Research) Students

● What does Research Student mean?
Research Student is the general term used for the courses that involve research (Research-non degree student, Masters student and PhD student)
It should be noted that Research non-degree student stands for a candidate who wants to go carry out their project in Japan. This category is not available to Kenyan prospective students.

● Some courses in Kenya do not have the degree ranking. What should an interested applicant do?
For such cases we look at your grades on the academic transcripts provided.

● When filling in the Research Application form, how do I fill in a professor’s name and I do not know him/her?
The section that requires you to fill in the professor’s details is left blank during the application stage. This stage comes after you’ve successfully passed through all the selection processes. However, you are advised to begin your own research on the universities and professors.

● What documents need certification?
   1. Undergraduate/masters’ transcripts copies
   2. Undergraduate/masters’ graduation certificate copies

● What is the difference between an Abstract and a Proposal, with regard to the Research Scholarships?
An Abstract is a brief summary of what your course work/project was in your previous level of education or a summary of what you are presenting as your proposal.
A Proposal is a detailed document that shows your plan for your intended study in Japan.

● Can one apply for the scholarships if they have not yet graduated?
Unfortunately, it is not possible. However, consideration is given to those prospective candidates who graduate in June and get their graduation certificate in July. This is because the scholarship process ends in August. Thus by then ALL documents, including the graduation certificate, have to have been delivered to complete one’s application. If you cannot obtain your physical graduation certificate, an official certified letter of completion can be submitted in its place during early stages of the application process.

● Can one apply for the Japanese Government Scholarships when they have not yet cleared their HELB loan?
Yes, they can. There is no relation between the two.

● What courses are on offer for those applying for Research scholarships?
All fields of study are offered under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship. However, the field of study a candidate applies for should be the same or related to that which the candidate studied at Undergraduate/Masters’ level.

● How do I get admission for the Masters or Doctoral course in a Japanese university?
Applicants are required to submit proposals, on their intended research plan, together with their application forms. This plan is what an applicant uses in searching and contacting a university and a professor.

● Is it possible for an applicant to get a scholarship to proceed to PhD after their Masters’ course work?
Yes it is possible. It all depends on your academic performance.

● Can one postpone their admission date from April to October, or vice-versa?
It is not advisable to do so. This is because your professor would already have your study plan (time-table) worked out for you. However, if the reason is justifiable, changes might be made. You must have informed your professor on any changes.  Always be in touch with your professor.

Undergraduate, College of Technology and Specialised Training College Students

● Does an Undergraduate or College of Technology or Specialised Training College scholarship student get to choose the university or college which they want to be placed at?
No. The Ministry in charge of the scholarships together with the universities’ boards will find the suitable university or college for you.

● For those who do not have the KCSE certificate copies, what do they present?
The result slip copies are also acceptable since the same information is contained in the certificate.

● What are academic transcripts?
This is a summary record of your academic performance from Form one to Form four. Your former school prepares this for you.

● What documents need certification?
   1. Academic transcripts copies (Form 1-Form 4)
   2. School leaving certificate copies
   3. KCSE Result slip/certificate copies

● Can former IGCSE students apply for the Undergraduate, College of Technology and Specialised Training College Scholarships?
Yes, they can. Provided that their academic performance is at par with the KCSE requirements. 

● If one has attended more than one primary/secondary school, what details should be filled in the provided slots for education?
For primary school (Elementary School), list the last school attended.
For high school, in the Lower Secondary school slot you can fill in the first school and fill in the second school in the Upper Secondary school slot.

Teacher Training Students

●  What documents need certification?
   1. Academic transcript copies for each academic year
   2. Graduation certificate copies

● Where can I find the Course Guide of Teacher Training Program
You can search for the Course Guide of Teacher Training Program from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) website.

● Can I stay on in Japan once I am through with my studies?
Applicants must return to their home country by the end of the final month of the scholarship period and resume their work as a teacher at his/her educational institution. It is for this reason that a certificate of employment from your present employer is one of the required documents when you make your application.

● What does the Research Plan entail?
The research plan is a detailed proposal that shows your plan for your intended study in Japan.

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