University of Tokyo MEXT & JASSO Scholarships 2026: Full Tuition, ¥145,000 Monthly Stipend, Airfare Covered
JASSO 2026 Academic Year call announced Sep 11, 2026 | MEXT University Recommendation October 2026 entrance | Stipend, airfare, tuition, Japanese course covered | Official: u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/prospective-students/mext_scholarship
📑 Table of Contents
1. Overview - Two Tracks: Embassy vs University Recommendation 2. Key Details at a Glance - MEXT vs JASSO 3. MEXT Benefits - Stipend, Airfare, Tuition, Japanese Course 4. JASSO 2026 Call Announced Sep 11, 2026 - ¥48,000/Month 5. Eligibility - Who Can Apply for October 2026 Entrance 6. How to Apply - University Recommendation Route 7. Timeline & Documents - Forms, Recommendation Letter 8. Winning Tips & Professor Contact 9. FAQsUniversity of Tokyo, Japan MEXT & JASSO Scholarships 2026 call announced: JASSO Scholarships 2026 Academic Year call announced Sep 11, 2026, MEXT University Recommendation details available at u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/prospective-students/mext_scholarship. Stipend, airfare, tuition covered. The University of Tokyo is now accepting applications for prestigious 2026 Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship University Recommendation for October 2026 entrance. This is fully funded covering tuition waiver, monthly stipend ¥143,000-¥145,000 plus regional allowance ¥2,000-3,000, return airfare, and 6-month Japanese language course if required. JASSO Honors Scholarship offers ¥48,000 per month for privately-financed international students already enrolled.
1. Overview - Two MEXT Tracks at UTokyo
There are two application tracks for MEXT at University of Tokyo:
- Embassy Recommendation: Apply via Embassy/Consulate of Japan in your home country. Embassy does preliminary screening, then recommends to MEXT, then UTokyo issues admission. Application made in home country, different requirements per country. Highly recommended.
- University Recommendation (This Article Focus): For applicants who first come to Japan to pursue Master's/PhD degree for October entrance. You need strong recommendation from a professor of University of Tokyo. University conducts preliminary selection and recommends candidates to MEXT. MEXT expects scholars to start study in October only.
For 2026 intake, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, School of Science, Information Science and Technology and others have opened forms for October 2026 enrollment. Forms downloadable from k.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/exam/apr_sch/foreign_research_students/ etc.
2. Key Details at a Glance - MEXT vs JASSO
| Detail | MEXT University Recommendation 2026 | JASSO 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship University Recommendation General Selection | Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students (Gakushu Shoreihi) |
| Call Announced | Forms for Oct 2026 now downloadable (reference) | Sep 11, 2026 - School of Science announcement |
| Monthly Stipend | Master: ¥144,000, PhD: ¥145,000, Research: ¥143,000 + ¥2k-3k regional allowance for Tokyo | ¥48,000/month (Grad/Research), ¥30,000 Japanese language schools |
| Tuition | Full waiver by UTokyo | NOT waived - you still pay tuition |
| Airfare | Round-trip economy (return ticket upon graduation NOT provided in some SGU guidelines - check) | No airfare |
| Duration | Standard course duration (Master 2 years, PhD 3 years) + 6 months Japanese if required | April to March 12 months or Oct to March 6 months |
| Eligibility | First time to Japan, Master's/PhD October entrance, professor recommendation, GPA 2.3+ | Enrolled in UTokyo, GPA 2.3+ above, privately financed |
| Official Link | u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/prospective-students/mext_scholarship & k.u-tokyo.ac.jp | s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/current/info/7561/ |
3. MEXT Benefits - Full Breakdown
Monthly stipend (in 2024 reference, 2026 similar):
- Graduate students: 145,000 yen (Ph.D. program), 144,000 yen (Master's program), 143,000 yen (Research Student) - Approximately INR 78,000-80,000 or USD 960-970 per month
- Undergraduate: 117,000 yen/month
- Additional monthly stipend of 2,000 or 3,000 yen may be added for designated regions (Tokyo gets extra)
- For students placed in Tokyo (UTokyo location), additional regional allowance ¥2,000-3,000/month applies
Other benefits:
- ✅ Full tuition waiver at any Japanese national university (UTokyo covers tuition)
- ✅ Return airfare between home country and Japan (economy)
- ✅ No repayment obligation
- ✅ 6-month intensive Japanese course if required, under scholarship, before degree
- ✅ No application fee
UTokyo also offers: University of Tokyo Fellowship - monthly stipend ¥200,000 for outstanding self-supporting international PhD students in Graduate School of Science.
4. JASSO 2026 Call Announced Sep 11, 2026 - ¥48,000/Month
[Announcement] Call for Applications for JASSO Scholarships for the 2026 Academic Year - DATE 2026.09.11 from School of Science, University of Tokyo, Academic Affairs Group.
JASSO Scholarship details:
- Application period: April (for current students), forms distributed April 2026, and October for prospective
- Eligibility: Students enrolled in University of Tokyo (including research students) are eligible. GPA of 2.3 or above
- Monthly stipend: Graduate/Research student: 48,000 yen (in 2018 reference, 2026 same), 30,000 yen for Japanese language schools
- Scholarship period: April to March 12 months, or October to March 6 months
- Other: Provided by Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) to limited number who meet conditions. Number informed after enrollment. Does NOT pay tuition - you still pay enrollment and tuition if you receive ¥48,000 JASSO reservation (important difference vs MEXT)
- Application: Through UTokyo, via International Team, Academic Affairs Group, Room 275, 2F, Science Building 1, Hongo Campus. Email via International Liaison Office.
Also: JASSO offers 30% discount from university and JASSO Scholarship 48,000 yen (350 USD) per month for half a year (some student testimonial).
5. Eligibility - Who Can Apply for October 2026 Entrance
MEXT University Recommendation eligibility (General Selection):
- Must be international student first coming to Japan to pursue Master's/PhD degree for October entrance 2026
- Needs strong recommendation from a professor of University of Tokyo for Japanese government screening
- GPA 2.3 or above (academic performance coefficient)
- Age, nationality requirements per MEXT guidelines (generally born on or after April 2, 1991 for 2026)
- Must have completed 16 years education for Master, Master degree for PhD
- Cannot be receiving other scholarship exceeding ¥120,000/month (if paid annually divide by 12)
- Cannot be recipient of SPRING GX or BOOST-NAIS grants simultaneously (per Information Science and Technology rules)
- Must be willing to learn Japanese and engage in cultural exchange
For Embassy Recommendation: Application made in home country, embassy/consulate responsible, different requirements per country. UTokyo does NOT provide details - inquire directly at embassy.
6. How to Apply - University Recommendation Route Step-by-Step
Step 1: Find Professor & Get Informal Acceptance - Contact UTokyo professor in your field (School of Science, Frontier Sciences etc). Send CV, research plan, publications. Get strong recommendation - mandatory.
Step 2: Prepare Documents (Designated forms downloadable for Oct 2026):
- Application form and Study plan (designated forms from k.u-tokyo.ac.jp)
- Recommendation letter from Dean of current university - addressed 'Dear President of University of Tokyo' on university letterhead, no specific format but must recommend for MEXT
- Form 4 Academic Performance Index, Form 5 Conditional Acceptance, etc.
- Transcripts, graduation certificate, research plan, etc.
Step 3: Submit Online - Online application submission period: Monday, October 19 until Friday, October 30, 2026 at 17:00 JST (example from Information Science and Technology Graduate School - varies by school). Detailed procedure available sometime after September 1, 2026.
Step 4: University Screening - UTokyo conducts preliminary selection, recommends to MEXT. MEXT does final screening.
Step 5: Result & Enrollment - Start October 2026, take Japanese course if required for 6 months.
7. Timeline & Important Notes
- Sep 1, 2026: Detailed procedure for Oct 2026 entrance available
- Sep 11, 2026: JASSO 2026 Academic Year call announced (School of Science)
- Oct 19-30, 2026: Online application submission (example timeline - check your graduate school)
- April 2026: JASSO forms distributed for current students
- Oct 2026: MEXT scholars start + Japanese intensive course if required
- Note: If you wish to apply for extension instead of General Application at end of scholarship period, must consider point ③ of paragraph (10) in guidelines.
- Disclaimer: Machine translated by DeepL may contain errors - always check Japanese official source.
8. Winning Tips
Professor Contact is Key
MEXT University Recommendation requires professor recommendation. Email professors early with specific research interest matching their lab. Attach research proposal aligned with their work. Strong recommendation from UTokyo professor is essential for Japanese government screening.
Academic Performance Index
Calculate GPA correctly using MEXT formula. Need 2.3+ minimum, but successful applicants have 3.0+. Include all grades.
JASSO as Backup
If not selected for MEXT, apply for JASSO ¥48,000/month via International Team after enrollment. Also consider UTokyo Fellowship ¥200,000/month for PhD in Science, and private foundation scholarships (100+ foundations listed on UTokyo scholarship website).
Embassy Track Parallel
Apply for both Embassy Recommendation (via Japanese Embassy in your country) and University Recommendation to double chances. Embassy deadline typically May-June 2025 for 2026 entrance.
9. FAQs
Q: Does MEXT cover airfare?
A: Yes, round-trip airfare covered. Some SGU guidelines say return ticket upon graduation will NOT be provided - check your school's guidelines. Arrival ticket always covered.
Q: JASSO vs MEXT difference?
A: MEXT = full tuition + ¥145k stipend + airfare. JASSO = ¥48k stipend only, no tuition waiver, no airfare. JASSO for privately-financed students already enrolled.
Q: Can I apply directly to MEXT?
A: No, you apply via Embassy or via UTokyo professor who recommends you. No direct application to MEXT headquarters.
Q: When does MEXT start?
A: MEXT University Recommendation expects scholars to start in October only (not April).
Q: Is Japanese required?
A: No, but you can take 6-month intensive Japanese course under scholarship if required. English programs available (GSGC etc).
🎓 Ready for UTokyo MEXT & JASSO 2026?
Full tuition + ¥145k/month + airfare - Japan's most prestigious university
Go to Official UTokyo MEXT PageOfficial: u-tokyo.ac.jp | JASSO Call Sep 11 2026 | s.u-tokyo.ac.jp | Verified Sept 2026 | Copyright-free guide
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