(JAPAN) — Japan announced plans to attract 5,000 Indian students over the next three years by rolling out new fellowships and scholarships, following a weeklong delegation visit by vice-chancellors from 30 Indian universities.
The push took shape after the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) led the delegation to Japan from January 12 to 17, 2026, with meetings spanning government and university counterparts.
Rationale and high-level approach
Japan framed the effort as a response to tightened visa rules in the US, UK, and Australia, and the delegation’s discussions included Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and universities such as the University of Tokyo.
Officials and university representatives involved in the talks linked the recruitment drive to a program design that starts with instruction in English before shifting toward deeper language preparation.
Under the outline shared after the visit, the first year of degrees would be taught in English, followed by Japanese language training aimed at fluency to meet employer expectations in Japan.
Program structure and opportunities
The structure targets students who want a clearer academic on-ramp while still building the language skills that employers in Japan often expect.
The initiative also points to job opportunities for Indian graduates who gain Japanese language skills and have relevant expertise, linking academic pathways to employability.
Alongside the student recruitment goal, participants described a parallel plan to increase Japanese student exchanges to India, with focus areas including yoga, spiritualism, and STEM subjects.
Academic links and institutional partnerships
Academic links form another pillar of the effort, with plans that include regular faculty exchanges and joint or dual degree programs.
This approach is meant to connect institutions and build longer-term research and teaching partnerships, creating repeat pathways for student cohorts rather than relying solely on one-off scholarships.
Delegation outcomes and stakeholders
The AIU-led delegation of vice-chancellors from 30 Indian universities provided the backdrop for these commitments, and meetings with MEXT and universities such as the University of Tokyo signaled government and campus-level coordination.
A senior educationist from the delegation confirmed Japan is rolling out these scholarships to motivate Indian students, and described the visit as “highly enriching.”
The trip also included meetings with Indian Ambassador to Japan Nagma Mohamed Mallick, with the stated aim of strengthening bilateral ties, student mobility, and research.
Scholarships and funding routes highlighted
Details released after the visit pointed prospective applicants to scholarship programs that already exist and remain open to Indian students, reinforcing the recruitment message with funding pathways that cover tuition and living costs.
- Mitsui & Co. Scholarship. A fully funded program lasting five years: one year of language study followed by a four-year university degree.
- MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship 2026. A five-year program through the Japanese Embassy in India combining a one-year preparatory phase and a four-year degree.
- ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP). A fully funded master’s pathway at universities including Kyoto or Keio.
- JEES T.Banaji Scholarship. Monthly support for Indian students across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral study.
Taken together, these scholarships and program features position Japan as offering both a recruitment target and multiple funding routes, combining new fellowships with established programs that specify monthly stipends, tuition support, and travel benefits.
Mitsui & Co. Scholarship — details
One highlighted option was the Mitsui & Co. Scholarship, described as a fully funded program lasting five years.
The structure includes one year of language study followed by a four-year university degree, with full tuition coverage as well as ongoing support.
Under the terms listed, the Mitsui & Co. Scholarship provides a JPY 145,000/month (~₹85,000) living allowance, up to JPY 25,000/year for accommodation, round-trip airfare from Delhi to Tokyo, and a JPY 50,000 arrival allowance.
Eligibility requirements include 80%+ in HSC/SSC and JLPT N3/N4.
The application window given for that scholarship ran from May 1 to June 30, 2025, underscoring that some programs operate on timelines that require early planning and document preparation.
MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship 2026 — details
Japan’s flagship government scholarship track featured in the list: the MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship 2026, routed through the Japanese Embassy in India.
The benefits described include 117,000 yen/month (~₹68,800), a full tuition exemption, and round-trip airfare.
The program runs as a five-year track, combining a one-year preparatory phase with a four-year degree, beginning in April 2026.
The guidelines indicate a preference for Japanese proficiency, tying selection more closely to language readiness, and applicants apply via the embassy with required paperwork including forms and a health certificate.
The guidelines for that scholarship were updated on October 23, 2025, marking the most recent reference point provided for applicants.
ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) — details
For students considering graduate study, Japan pointed to the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP), described as a fully funded master’s pathway at universities including Kyoto or Keio.
The terms listed cover tuition and provide a monthly stipend of approximately JPY 147,000/month (~₹80,000), along with support for books at JPY 100,000/year, insurance, and airfare.
The program applies to ADB borrowing members including India, and eligibility includes admission plus the requirement that applicants have no dual citizenship with developed countries.
Results were expected by May 2026, providing one of the few concrete decision timelines cited.
JEES T.Banaji Scholarship — details
Another scholarship highlighted was the JEES T.Banaji Scholarship, which offers JPY 100,000/month for Indian students in Japan across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral study.
Applications run through designated schools, and the period referenced for the scholarship spans 2025–2030.
Recruitment messaging and broader context
Japan’s target of 5,000 Indian students comes as countries compete to recruit internationally mobile students, and the delegation tied the new effort to policy shifts elsewhere.
Participants pointed to tightened visa rules in the US, UK, and Australia as a factor shaping student choices, placing Japan’s offer of fellowships and scholarships as an alternative route.
The delegation’s emphasis on an English-taught first year followed by Japanese language training reflects an attempt to lower barriers for students who may not start with advanced Japanese.
At the same time, the program’s focus on language fluency links directly to the stated aim of expanding job opportunities for graduates who combine Japanese skills with relevant expertise.
The plan to expand exchanges in the other direction—bringing more Japanese students to India—adds another dimension to the bilateral education relationship, with cultural and technical priorities named for exchange programming.
Japan’s approach leans on institutional partnerships rather than relying only on individual scholarship awards, using faculty exchanges and joint degree programs to anchor mobility in longer-term agreements.
What candidates should consider
For candidates weighing study destinations, the announced mix of program design, scholarship support, and post-study job prospects forms the core of Japan’s pitch.
The recruitment goal aims at Indian students over a three-year period, while the scholarships outlined include both undergraduate and graduate tracks with defined allowances and timelines.
Applicants seeking specifics were directed to check the Embassy of Japan in India website or the individual program guidelines, as Japan and participating institutions work to translate the recruitment target into enrollments and expand education links between the two countries.
