Top Fully Funded Scholarships in Japan for International Students

The major objective of fully funded scholarships in Japan is to cover the complete expenses of a student. So that students do not need to worry about financial stress and focus on their studies only. Check out 5 scholarships in Japan for Indian students.

When people think about study abroad destinations, US and UK usually come to mind first. But tuition fees and living costs in these countries are incredibly expensive. Also, with strict visa policies, many Indian students are looking for other options. Many students actually dream of studying in Japan. However, Indian students drop their plan to study in Japanese universities because of the overall expenses and the language barrier.

You can learn Japanese while studying in Japan. To offer you financial support, there are multiple fully funded scholarships in Japan for Indian students. MEXT Scholarship and the Aichi Scholarship Program are some of the popular scholarships in Japan. In this article, we will cover all the best government and private scholarships in Japan. Basically, we will tell you exactly how to apply for this financial support that pays for your entire tuition, your round trip airfare, and even your monthly living expenses.

Why Study in Japan?

Most of the time Indian students overlook Japan as a study destination. But now Japan is offering several advantages, which are hard to beat. Here is why it is the smart choice to study in Japan:

• Global Tech Leader: Japan is a powerhouse in robotics and automotive engineering. For Indian students, especially those in STEM fields, this means direct access to advanced laboratories and research facilities that are among the best in the world.

• No Language Barrier to Start: A common myth is that you must speak fluent Japanese to get admission in top universities of Japan. In reality, the government’s "Global 30" Project has pushed top universities to offer full degree programs taught entirely in English. This can make the transition smooth for Indian students.

• Safety and Peace of Mind: Japan is consistently ranked as one of the safest countries on the planet. With extremely low crime rates and a helpful society, you can focus 100% on your education without worrying about personal safety.

Ultimately, choosing to study in Japan offers a unique blend of high tech innovation and deep cultural tradition, providing an environment where you can grow both academically and personally.

5 Fully Funded Scholarships in Japan for Indians 

The main objective of fully funded scholarships is to offer complete financial support. Such scholarships cover Expenses related to tuition fee and cost of living. So that students do not need to worry about financial stress and focus on their studies only. Here are 5 scholarships in Japan that cover 100% of your expenses:

1. MEXT Scholarship (Monbukagakusho)

2. ADB-Japan Scholarship Program

3. Kyoto University iUP (International Undergraduate Program)

4. OIST Research Assistantship (STEM Specific)

5. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship (JJ/WBGSP)

Let's discuss these in detail:

MEXT Scholarship

Monbukagakusho MEXT Scholarships in Japan are offered to students who are applying for admission to Japanese universities. The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology sponsors MEXT. IT is one of reputed fully funded scholarships in Japan for Indian students:

What Does It Cover?

MEXT eliminates all financial risk for Indian families.

• Tuition Fees: 100% waived. It includes entrance exams and semester fees.

• Monthly Stipend: You receive YEN 117,000 to YEN 145,000 per month to cover rent and food. This varies slightly by region and academic level.

• Travel: Round trip economy class flight tickets from India (Delhi/Mumbai/Chennai/Kolkata) to Japan.

How to Apply for MEXT Scholarship

There are two ways to apply for MEXT scholarship for studying in Japan.

A. Embassy Recommendation (The Main Track)

This is the most common route for Indian students. You apply through the Japanese diplomatic mission in your region (Embassy in New Delhi or Consulates in Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru).

• Application Window: usually opens in April or May for the following year's intake.

• Selection Process: Document screening - Written Exam (at the Consulate)- Interview - Final Recommendation.

• Timeline: If you have applied in May 2025, you will fly to Japan in April or October 2026.

B. University Recommendation

You apply directly to a specific Japanese university. If they accept you and rank you highly, they nominate you to the government.

• Best For: PhD candidates who have already contacted a professor in Japan.

• Timeline: Varies, but usually October to January.

Eligibility for MEXT Scholarship

• Undergraduate: You need a strong academic record. Usually 80%+ in Class 12. You must be between 17 and 25 years old.

• Masters/Research: You must have completed 16 years of education (12+4). If you have a 3-year B.Sc/B.A. you may need to join as a "Research Student" first. A minimum of 70% in your Bachelor's degree is the safe benchmark.

• Age: Age limit is under 35 years.

ADB Japan Scholarship Program

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) partners with the Japanese government to offer the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP). This is a premier fully funded scholarship in Japan for Indian students who want to pursue a Master's degree in economics, management, science, and technology. India is also member of ADB group. 

What Does It Cover?

The ADB JSP eliminates financial barriers, allowing you to focus entirely on your studies.

• Tuition Fees: 100% covered. It includes full tuition, admission, and semester fees.

• Monthly Stipend: You receive approximately 147,000 JPY per month to cover living expenses in Japan. This includes a housing allowance.

• Travel & Allowances: Round trip economy class airfare, medical insurance, and a special allowance for books (approx. 100,000 JPY/year) and thesis preparation.

How to Apply for ADB Japan Scholarship

Unlike MEXT, you do not apply to the government or a bank directly. You apply through the university.

• Application Window: Varies by university, but typically falls between January and April for the September intake.

• Selection Process: Apply to a designated partner university (e.g., University of Tokyo, Tokyo Tech, Saitama University) - Indicate interest in ADB Scholarship - University nominates you - ADB approves.

• Timeline: You usually need to send your application at least 6 months before the semester starts.

Eligibility for ADB Japan Scholarship

• Education: You must hold a Bachelor's degree with a superior academic record.

• Experience: You must have at least 2 years of full-time professional work experience at the time of application.

• Age: Age limit is under 35 years.

Kyoto University iUP (International Undergraduate Program)

Kyoto University iUP is a unique 4.5-year program designed specifically for international students. It allows you to study at one of Japan’s top two universities with zero Japanese skills at the start. It is a highly competitive fully funded scholarship in Japan for Indian students.

What Does It Cover?

Program ensures you can study in Kyoto without money issue.

• Tuition Fees: 100% waived for 4.5 years. This includes the entrance and admission fees.

• Monthly Stipend: You receive up to 120,000 JPY per month during the preparatory course (first 6 months) and merit-based stipends thereafter.

• Travel: Does not explicitly cover airfare in all cases, but the stipend is sufficient to cover initial travel costs over time.

How to Apply for Kyoto iUP

Entire application process is conducted online.

• Application Window: Usually opens in November and closes in early December for the following year's October intake.

• Selection Process: Online Application - Document Screening - Interview (Online) - Final Offer.

• Timeline: If you apply in November 2025, you will begin the program in October 2026.

Eligibility for Kyoto iUP Scholarship

• Education: You must have completed 12 years of education. Excellent grades in Mathematics and Science are critical for STEM majors.

• Nationality: You must be a non-Japanese national (Indian citizens are eligible)

• Language Proficiency: Japanese language proficiency is not mandatory.  However, score of IELTS or TOEFL will be asked.

OIST Research Assistantship (STEM Specific)

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) offers financial support to PhD students. If you are a science or engineering student, it can be a good scholarship option for you.

What Does It Cover?

OIST treats its PhD students as researchers/employees rather than just students.

• Tuition Fees: 100% waived. You pay zero fees to the institute.

• Monthly Stipend: You receive a research assistantship salary of approximately 210,000 JPY per month.

• Travel & Support: Relocation allowance (flight + moving), housing support (subsidized rent), and conference travel funding.

How to Apply for OIST Research Assistantship

Admission to the PhD program automatically guarantees this financial support.

• Application Window: There are multiple intake periods, typically closing in November and April.

• Selection Process: Online Application - Document Screening - Admissions Workshop (Interviews often held at OIST in Okinawa with travel paid).

• Timeline: Offers are usually made a few months after the interview workshops.

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship (JJ/WBGSP)

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program is designed for mid-career professionals. It is a prestigious fully funded scholarship in Japan for Indian students who have experience in development-related fields.

Types of Expenses Covered

This scholarship provides funding for MS in Japan programs.

• Tuition Fees: 100% covered. Paid directly to the university.

• Monthly Stipend: You receive a monthly subsistence allowance to cover living expenses (amount varies by host country/city).

• Travel: Round trip air travel from India to the host university and a USD 500 travel allowance.

How to Apply for JJ/WBGSP

Check out step by step process required to apply.

• Application Window: Typically has two windows. Window 1 (Jan-Feb) and Window 2 (Mar-May).

• Selection Process: Apply to a Participating Master’s Program (e.g., at University of Tokyo and Keio University) - Receive an unconditional offer - Apply for the Scholarship online.

That's all about the list. With options like MEXT Scholarship, ADB-JSP, and the OIST Research Assistantship, financial barrier is completely removed. You can focus solely on your higher studies in Japan. To be eligible for these fully funded scholarships in Japan, you need to know all things before applying for it.