The recruiting and initial screening by a Japanese embassy (or consulate general, depending on the country) of a scholarship candidate is known as “Embassy recommendation”. Because the application process differs according to the country in which the Japanese embassy is located, inquiries should be made at the Japanese embassy or consulate general in the respective candidate’s country for details.

Japanese Embassies, Consulates and Permanent Missions – Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan

*Preparatory education for Chinese students who will study in Japan:
Candidates are recruited by Ministry of Education of China and adopted by Monbukagakusho (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan).

Schedule

Research Students (Graduate School), Undergraduate Students

Recruitment is made between March and May for those arriving in Japan in the next fiscal year (April, October). The initial screening (documentary examination, written test, and interview) is made at the embassy between June and August.
The embassy then recommends the selected candidates to the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) by the beginning of September.
The schedule is subject to change, so please check each application guide.

Japanese Studies and Teacher Training Students

Please click here.

Support Given by Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships

Please click here.

If You Have Passed the First Screening Conducted by the Japanese Embassy

Consulate General in your country and you wish to study at Okayama University, please follow the procedures below.

1. Choosing an academic advisor
   Please look for suitable prospective supervising professor(s) from Academic Research Staff. After gathering sufficient information from sources other than Directory of Researchers, contact directly the academic advisor whose research interests match those you wish to pursue in Japan. There have been cases when some international students quit their program and returned to their home countries after entering the University. Please do your research well in advance to avoid this unfortunate situation.

2. Applying for a “Letter of Acceptance”
   Only after passing the first screening conducted by the Japanese embassy/consulate general in the respective country may apply for a “Letter of Acceptance”. Email the following documents by the deadline, to the International Student Division, International Affairs Department (E-mail:<dde7046●adm.okayama-u.ac.jp> Please change ● to @ to send us an email). Please start the procedures for the acceptance letter as early as possible after passing the first stage.

   The expected deadline is be around middle of August. The deadline changes each year so we strongly recommend you to follow the directions from MEXT (Embassy/consulate) for the year you apply.
   Please note, we would not be able to accept your application after the deadline.

   *Preparatory education for Chinese students who will study in Japan / 中国赴日本国留学生：
   Because the screening process differs from the normal “Embassy recommendation”, inquiries should be made at the Japanese embassy or consulate general in China for applying for a “Letter of Acceptance”.

   All the below documents should be stamped by the embassy 　The certificate showing the first screening was successful issued by Japanese embassy or consulate general 　Documents requiring the seal of the Japanese embassy or consulate general: 　・Application Form for the Japanese Government (MEXT) international student scholarship 　・Application Form (Enclosures) 　・Field of Study and Study Program 　・Academic Transcript 　・Recommendation Form(s) 　・Medical Certificate 　・Graduation Certificate or Degree Certificate (or an attested document certifying that the applicant will graduate from the school, where applicable) 　・Thesis abstract