what is a research student in japan

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What is a research student?

I’ve red that some universities in Japan offer a non-degree program called research student. I want to know:

Why do students usually apply as a research student?

Do research students work on things that haven’t been done before? Or do they work on anything that interests them (of course) but that is not necessarily new?

How does a research student differ from a master student? What does a research student presents in his/her last year?

• graduate-school
• research-undergraduate
• terminology

• 10 Please provide the source from which you heard of the term "research student". –  Nobody Commented Jun 27, 2014 at 8:09
• 1 A research student is one who is learning how to research by doing research under the supervision of a more senior academic. Of course, if you're not simultaneously a bachelor, Master, or PhD student, then you're not going to get any formal qualification out of it. –  Moriarty Commented Jun 27, 2014 at 8:34
• @scaaahu, i've known about it from some Japanese universities websites... –  user3527764 Commented Jun 27, 2014 at 17:06
• 1 Comment as this is about a different meaning of the term "research student": I'm chemist in Germany. Our bachelor and master courses include internships in research groups before the theses projects are started. Those students are sometimes referred to as "research student"/Forschungsstudent (also "research intern"/Forschungspraktikant) in analogy to "bachelor student" (= students currently doing their their thesis project). –  cbeleites Commented Jan 6, 2015 at 12:12

2 Answers 2

I've only encountered the term "research student" in Japan (研究生), most (all ?) graduate schools in Japan offer it (see for example the Graduate School of Information Sciences of Tohoku University ). As I understand it

A student will apply as a research student if they wish to conduct research at the university under the supervision of a faculty member, but are not interested in taking classes or obtaining a degree. You could want to do this for example as a "gap year" between undergrad and Master's (or Master's and Ph.D.), this could be a way to get some research experience under your belt, and perhaps improve your application for Masters or Ph.D.

Anything goes, as long as it is agreed between the student and supervisor.

You are not required to present anything. Since there is no degree to be obtained, there are no requirements to be fulfilled.

is subjective.

• 2 " I've only encountered the term "research student" in Japan ", this is what I suspect and why I asked the OP to identify the source (see my comment above). –  Nobody Commented Jun 27, 2014 at 8:43
• You have mentioned that research student is not required to present anything , then on what basis he/she is going to be judged _ i mean if the research student did well or not? if he/she have agreed on a specific subject with his supervisor, then shouldn't he/she present what they have worked on during his/her stay in the university? –  user3527764 Commented Jun 27, 2014 at 18:47
• 2 Whether the student "did well or not" is very subjective, and depends on what his or her goals are. It would be pointless to require the student to do anything, because what if they just don't do it? The university can't really say "you don't get the degree", because you were not supposed to get one in the first place. –  fkraiem Commented Jun 27, 2014 at 18:58
• 1 That is also subjective. Different professors might have different standards (Shinichi Mochizuki requires anybody wanting to work with him to have studied all of Hartshorne's book first) and it probably also depends on your level. If you are applying right after undergrad, you will want at the very least to demonstrate that your subject of interest align with theirs (even better, to have a good term paper written about it). –  fkraiem Commented Jun 27, 2014 at 19:20
• 2 I've studied in Japan as a "research student". I had a scholarship to immediately start study Japan, but (living outside of Japan and all) hadn't yet sat the entrance exam for the masters program. I spent the research student year taking classes, researching for my masters, and preparing for the entrance exam. (The supervisor liked my masters research proposal and took me on as a research student with the understanding I would pass the entrance exam in a year and go on to complete the masters.) –  Robin Commented Jan 12, 2019 at 21:52

Usually, students who go through a research program, aim for a research project or a project the output of which may be a research report or a scientific publication. As far as this program is only offered in a few number of universities or research centers; I just want to add some comment to the questions you asked. In some universities, non-degree programs are offered as some students want to attend to the university not going through the official class-attending programs. I mean, in a non-degree program, the student may not have to attend all the courses offered in a degree leading program. The student has the opportunity to choose the courses he likes and the ones mostly near the field of research he likes to do. It may be noted that in a degree program, the student may have to pass a few number of courses which may be chosen by the group or department; but in a non-degree program, he has the opportunity to choose from a wide range of different courses which he likes more. I insist that that because these programs may not lead to a degree, each university may have its own regulations and the student may or may not have the opportunity to choose as many different courses as he wants. It is better to check the universities' websites. The answer the your question about why students apply for such programs varies. Some students prefer to enjoy the freedom of the program, choosing a number of courses and pass them,while they do some research activity in the research institute. Some researchers prefer to apply for this programs as they have passed some courses before and they are coming with a good research background; so they apply for a non-degree program just to expand their researches and do some publications at the end of the research period. Some other students are the ones who work in industry and do not have enough time to attend a complete degree leading program and have a research topic in mind; so they apply for such program and do research in the field of their desire. When we are talking about research , It means that we are looking for something new. When something is done before and the researchers looks for it; it is called research but the output may be a Review Paper not a Research Paper. A non-degree program may differ as a matter of time. The research period may be three months, six month, one year or more. But as the research non-degree program student does research under supervision of a professor at the university; the output should be something like a publish paper, conference paper or a research report or book. If the person applies for a non-degree program and does not have any publication at the end of the research period, why does he attend the university? The research student may take most of the research period , by talking to the other researchers and students at the university. Go to some courses and read as much as papers and reports as he can. Develop new ideas for his future projects and gain ideas to make his work better.

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Non-degree Research Student

• Non-Degree Research Student

International Student Admission Guide Non-Degree Research Student

＜IMPORTNAT NOTICE＞ (June 30, 2022) When COVID-19 situation gets worse and a non-degree research student admitted to the university cannot enter Japan due to the Japanese borer measures, please note that academic supervision has to take place online.

Non-degree research students are those persons who conduct research about a specific research topic under the guidance of an academic advisor. Upon receiving permission from their academic advisor or the instructor(s) in charge of courses, Non-degree research students are allowed to attend courses related to the research topic, but they cannot earn credits nor are they eligible to receive Master's or Doctoral degrees.

Prior to application, applicants must obtain the informal consent of the prospective academic advisor to supervise the research activities during the period of non-degree research student. The applicant is not required to come to Japan for selection process because it only proceed through a document screening process. Eligibility criteria clarifies that Non-degree research students must have bachelor's degree, and it is defined that the major purpose for being a Non-degree research student is to prepare for the graduate school admission.

Application Guide etc.

Please make sure to read following Application Guide carefully before getting ready with your application.

• Application Process Overview Chart
• Application Guide for International Non-Degree Students for AY 2025 Admission
• Graduate Course Websites/Contact Information

Application Process

1) procedures:.

Proceed with the application process in accordance with following steps. For more details, please refer to the "application Guide etc." above.

• Step1. - Obtain an informal consent from your prospective academic advisor and get the reference number from him/her that is required for web application process.
• * You need to submit a "Self-Declaration on Specific Categories" filled in necessary items with your resume or research proposal to your supervisor when you request for consent. Click here to download the form. https://coi-sec.tsukuba.ac.jp/export_control/specific-categories/
• Step2. - Complete web entries for Non-degree research student.
• Step3. - Submit required documents by post.

Link to WEB ENTRY *The Web application system will be updated in late August.

2) University Prescribed Forms

• Letter of Recommendation( PDF / WORD )
• Application Checklist for International Non-Degree Research Students for AY 2025( PDF )

Application Schedule

April 2025 enrollment.

• Web application Period September 17 (Tue) to October 4 (Fri) 15:00 JST, 2024
• Submission period of application documents (Must reach us) September 17 (Tue) to October 15 (Tue) , 2024
• Announcement of selection results Early December 2024

October 2025 Enrollment

• Web application Period March 12 (Wed) to March 28 (Fri) 15:00 JST, 2025
• Submission period of application documents (Must reach us) March 12 (Wed) to April 7 (Mon) , 2025
• Announcement of selection results Early July 2025

December 2025 Enrollment

• Web application Period May 26 (Mon) to June 6 (Fri) 15:00 JST, 2025
• Submission period of application documents (Must reach us) May 26 (Mon) to June 16 (Mon) , 2025
• Announcement of selection results Early August 2025

Application Fee

Applicants can make a payment for application fee (9,800yen) only by credit card, or at convenience stores in Japan. Please check the following payment guide and proceed from either payment site.

*With regard to the payment period, please refer to 4. (3) in University of Tsukuba Application Guide. Application will be invalid unless payment is made within the required time period.

Applicants Who Need to Obtain a Student Visa

Together with the application form and other required documents, the submission of application documents for the "Certificate of Eligibility" (COE) is needed to obtain a student visa you will be required if you pass. COE application documents must be sent by post during the application period together with other application documents.

Documents required for COE application

• Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and procedures for obtaining visas (English)( PDF )
• Checklist at the filing of COE application( PDF )
• Application for certificate of eligibility (4 sheets in total, 3 pages of application forms + 1 page of confirmation form) ( EXCEL ) * Handwritten applications will not be accepted.
• Application for certificate of eligibility (Entry example)( PDF )
• Request form for proxy for application for the certificate of eligibility( PDF / WORD )
• Written oath for defraying expenses( PDF / WORD )
• Written oath for defraying expenses (Entry example)( PDF )
• COE FAQs for non-degree research students( PDF )

Selection Result

• Contact Information
• Division of Student Exchange (International Student Exchange), Department of Student Affairs, University of Tsukuba
• Email: isc#@#un.tsukuba.ac.jp
• (Remove "#" from the above e-mail address before sending email.)
• *Our FAQ provides answers to the inquiries we often receive from applicants.
• Please check it before making an inquiry.

• Graduate International Research Students

International Research Students

Admission information for graduate international research students (kenkyusei) for 2025.

Last updated: May 24, 2024

A Graduate International Research Student (kenkyusei) is an international student admitted to the Graduate School of Science to study a specific subject under the supervision of a faculty member. Note that a "kenkyusei" is not entitled to receive any degree or qualification on completion of the program. If you wish to apply for admission as a candidate for a Master's or doctoral degree, see "Graduate Admissions Information" at: http://www.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/admission/

1. Qualifications for Applicants

One who holds foreign citizenship and who meets one of the following three qualifications listed below.

• One who has completed, or is expected to complete 16 years of education abroad before enrolling the University of Tokyo as a Graduate International Research Student.
• One who has been conferred a degree equivalent to that of a bachelor's degree or is expected to be conferred one before enrolling the University of Tokyo as a Graduate International Research Student from a foreign university or other foreign institution (limited to those whose comprehensive status of education and research activities have been assessed by the government of the said foreign country or a related organization), having completed a program with a completion period of three years or more.
• One who has been approved by the Graduate School of Science of the University of Tokyo as being academically equivalent or superior to a college graduate.

Those who apply as an Embassy Recommended Monbukagakusho Scholarship - hereinafter referred to as MEXT Applicants - for 2025 must meet one of the conditions1.-3. listed above and in addition must also have passed the preliminary selection organized by the relevant Japanese Embassy or Consulate General.

2. Application Period

* Please check the respective period carefully and prepare all the application documents listed in 3.

• From July 1 to 17:00 on August 9, 2024, by Japan Standard Time (GMT+0900) : for applicants wishing to enroll on April 1 or October 1, 2025, as Embassy Recommended Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship Students
• From October 25 to 17:00 on November 15, 2024, by Japan Standard Time (GMT+0900) : for applicants wishing to enroll on April 1, 2025, as Self-Supported Students
• From April 22 to 17:00 on May 9, 2025, by Japan Standard Time (GMT+0900) : for applicants wishing to enroll on October 1, 2025, as Self-Supported Students

Note: All application documents must arrive by the designated time and date of the application period.

3. Application Documents

Prepare all of the application documents listed below, and upload 1. in Excel format as it is and 2. through 10. in a single scanned PDF file .

Note: Before submitting an application, please contact a potential supervisor and obtain his/her consent to supervise you. The consent obtained here is the consent to be your supervisor if you are accepted and does not guarantee your acceptance.

• Application for Admission as a Graduate International Research Student
• Confirmation of degree or certificate of (expected*) graduation/completion issued by the university(ies) or college(s) attended (must state the name of the degree). * If you are expected to complete your current degree program after the application period, you must submit an official statement of expected graduation/completion issued by your university. In this case, successful applicants will be required to submit a certificate of graduation/completion officially issued by your last university attended, at the time of enrollment.
• Transcript of academic record issued by each of the university(ies) or college(s) attended.
• Recommendation letter written and signed by your current supervisor or individual who is familiar with your academic or scientific work. (Your recommender can directly submit the recommendation letter from the URL below.)
• Study Program (Form provided)
• Proof of your prior consultation with the potential supervising professor at the Graduate School of Science, such as a copy of correspondence emails.
• Statement of balance of your bank account (only required for Self-Supported Students)
• Financial Plan Questionnaire (Form provided, only required for Self-Supported Students)
• Certificate of preliminary selection issued by the Japanese Embassy/Consulate General (only required for MEXT applicants for 2025)
• Payment confirmation of Examination Fee Please refer to the section below for the details of payment confirmation. Payment confirmation of the Examination Fee Submit a screen capture of the "Result" page if using the e-shiharai online payment option.
• You need to attach a Japanese or English translation issued by the university if the document is not written in either of these languages.
• To view the above required documents (PDF files), you need "Adobe Reader" which may be downloaded from the Adobe site
• If you fill in your TOEFL score in the application form, please include a copy of Test Taker Score Report in your application.

4. Examination Fee

NOTE : Payment is possible only during the designated application period. Make sure to select "Graduate School of Science", "Admission for Graduate International Research Students", and "Graduate International Research Students JPY9,800" in the dropdown selection boxes. Note that these choices will not appear before or after the application period, when you cannot make a payment for this application.

• Payment confirmation of the Examination Fee (Last updated in May 2015)
• How to make a Payment of Examination Fee by Credit Card (Last updated in May 2023)

5. Application Submission Method & Contact Address

6. Selection Result

Applicants will be notified of the results at the following times:

• As soon as the decision has been made: for applicants (MEXT applicants for 2025) wishing to enroll on April 1 or October 1, 2025
• Around end of December, 2024: for applicants (Self-Supported Students) wishing to enroll on April 1, 2025
• Around June, 2025 : for applicants (Self-Supported Students) wishing to enroll on October 1, 2025

7. Period of Enrollment

Normally the period of enrollment for a Graduate International Research Student is six months, but applications for an extension of this period are possible. The total period as a Graduate International Research Student cannot exceed 2 years * .

* NOTE: For the Embassy Recommended Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship period, please be sure to check the APPLICATION GUIDELINES JAPANESE GOVERNMENT (MEXT) SCHOLARSHIP FOR 2025 (RESEARCH STUDENTS) published on MEXT's official website .

8. Other Important Points

• All submitted documents and your Application Fee are non-returnable.
• Admission Fee : 84,600 yen
• Tuition Fee : 173,400 yen (for 6 months)
• Graduate International Research Students are not in general eligible to purchase discount commuter passes or receive other student discounts.
• The University of Tokyo has established the "The University of Tokyo Security Export Control Regulations" in accordance with Japan's "Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act", and rigorously screens prospective international students based on these regulations. The University assumes no responsibility for cases in which admission cannot be granted or desired research activities are restricted, such as when the regulations apply or when a Certificate of Eligibility is not issued based on the judgment of the Immigration Services Agency. Details can be obtained from the following website: Office of Export Control (Japanese only) https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/adm/export-control/ja/rule.html
• The University of Tokyo shall use the personal information obtained through the application process only for the purpose of (1) Selection procedures, (2) Notification of results and (3) Enrollment procedures. For those who enroll, this personal information and the examination results used for admission selection shall also be used for (4) Educational Affairs (school registration, attendance, etc.), (5) Student Support (healthcare, career support, application procedure for tuition exemption and scholarships, use of libraries, etc.) and (6) the Management of tuition payment. The examination results used for admission selection may be used in future studies for the improvement of admission and education systems at the University of Tokyo.

9. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

A You can apply directly for the Master's/Doctoral course for international students without first being a "kenkyusei". You can also take the general entrance exam for Master's/Doctoral course in competition with Japanese students and foreign students who reside in Japan.

A There is a scholarship called the "Support Fund for International Students' awarded by The University of Tokyo Foundation, to which International Research Students are also eligible to apply. The stipend is 50,000 yen per month, and given for one year from April or for six months from October. Typically, one student (selected from Master's Course, Doctoral Course, and International Research Student candidates) from the Graduate School of Science receives this scholarship each year. The details can be found in the following website (Japanese): https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/adm/inbound/ja/finance-scholarships-fund.html

A There are only few scholarships research students can apply for before coming to Japan. Also, most of the scholarships are for students who are enrolled in Master's and Doctoral programs rather than for research students (kenkyusei). Even international students enrolled as degree candidates find obtaining scholarships to be quite difficult. Therefore, we recommend that if required students should obtain scholarships before leaving their own country.

A Students can obtain both the application form and detailed information at the Japanese Embassy/Consulate in their own country. (The University of Tokyo does not have the application forms.) The application form and all other required supporting documents must be submitted to the Japanese Embassy/Consulate General. Further details can be found by referring to the general https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/ryugaku/boshu/1415352_00005.htm published by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan, which can be obtained from MEXT's official website : https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/ryugaku/06032818.htm

• Go To Content
• Study in Kobe

Research Students

Students who wish to conduct specific research on a non-credit basis may enter Kobe University as research students by obtaining approval from the appropriate faculty or graduate school. Many of those who enrol as research students do so to enhance their scholastic ability to the level sufficient for admission to master’s or doctoral programs offered by respective graduate schools. Students must obtain approval in advance from their prospective advisor/professor at Kobe University.

Eligibility

Undergraduate students.

Applicants must have a university degree (including junior college qualifications), or have successfully completed 14 years of school education outside Japan, or possess the equivalent academic qualifications as recognized by their choice of faculty.

Graduate Students (Master’s course)

Applicants must have a university degree, or have successfully completed 16 years of school education outside Japan, or possess the equivalent academic qualifications as recognized by their choice of graduate school. Those who are expected to graduate from a bachelor’s program are also eligible.

Graduate Students (Doctoral course)

Applicants must have a master’s degree or the equivalent. Those who are expected to graduate from a master’s program are also eligible.

Entrance Periods

Twice a year (April and October) for most faculties and graduate schools. (Exceptions: Faculty and Graduate School of Medicine: Every month Graduate School of Business Administration: April only)

1 year or less. This may be extended to one more year. The maximum duration should not exceed 2 years.

Selection Method

Students are selected based on the submitted documents (excluding medical forms) and an interview. However, the interview might be omitted for applicants residing overseas.

Admission requirements vary according to each Faculty and Graduate School. For details, please refer to the website of your Faculty or Graduate School of choice.

Please note: some Faculties and Graduate Schools do not accept research students.

How to Apply

 1. find your future supervisor.

Faculties and Graduate schools require students to find an academic supervisor to advise them during their period of research at Kobe University. Interested students should check to see which supervisor specializes in their field of interest and contact them directly. Some Faculties and Graduate Schools may require written consent from the prospective advisor.

How do I find an academic supervisor?

• Search within the Directory of Researchers in Kobe University Directory of Researchers in Kobe University.
• If the contact information is not available on the website of the Faculty/Graduate School, contact the Student Affairs Section of the relevant Faculty or Graduate School.

2. Obtain Application Information and Application Forms

When to request.

If the contact information is not available on the website of the Faculty/Graduate School*, contact the Student Affairs Section of the relevant Faculty or Graduate School.

• Some Faculties and Graduate Schools do not disclose application information on their websites. Please contact them directly for details.

Where and how to request

Applicants can obtain application forms either by visiting the office of each Faculty and Graduate School directly or requesting by post. When requesting by post, be sure to enclose a return envelope with the necessary stamps attached. Please address this envelope to the Student Affairs Section of the respective Faculty or Graduate School. Note:

• The return envelope should be a size that can hold A4- size (Legal size) without folding the forms.
• Please attach the necessary amount of stamps to the return envelope.
• For detailed information, please check the website of the relevant Faculty or Graduate School.

When to apply

Most Faculties and Graduate Schools usually have two admission periods a year. Note:

• The following are exceptions: Faculty and Graduate School of Medicine: every month; Graduate School of Business Administration: once a year.
• Please note that the application period for those who do not live in Japan and require a visa to come is different from those who are permanent residents of Japan.

Necessary documents

• Application form, curriculum vitae, medical examination report, university/high school diplomas, academic transcripts, photos, admission fee payment record
• Some Faculties and Graduate Schools require certificates indicating the students’ Japanese language ability and a copy of the Certificate of Residence etc.

Where to apply

Send the necessary application material to the Student Affairs Section of respective Faculty or Graduate School by post. This must reach us by the deadline. Late arrivals will not be considered for admission.

4. Selection

Students are selected based on the submitted documents and an interview. However, the interview might be omitted for applicants residing overseas.

5. Acceptance

How to find out the result.

Applicants will receive an admission notice and other information by post. Inquiries by phone are not accepted.

If accepted, applicants must make the payment of admission fee by bank transfer and submit the necessary documents.

6. Prepare for Coming to Japan

Passport and visa (when applicants reside overseas).

In order to enter Japan, international students must have a passport and a “College Student Visa”. Please refer to “Procedure for Entering Japan” for details on how to apply for the visa.

Secure Accommodation

There is University housing and other accommodation that students can apply for through the university, but these rooms are limited. Please use the “Kobe University Student Apartment Search System” to look for private apartments. This system has been established with Nasic National Student Information Center for Kobe University international students. Students can also use this search system to reserve an apartment from overseas. It is available in 4 languages (Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean) and will also support students with lease agreement. For more information please refer to “Housing information”.

Students can also search for apartment through Kobe University Co-op Service Center  after arrival in Kobe.

Reserve an airplane ticket and purchase a traveler’s insurance. (Recommended but optional)

7. after arriving in japan.

• Come to Kobe University during the designated period to complete the necessary entrance procedures.
• Participate in New Student Orientation
• Classes begin
• Make payment of Tuition fees 

For more information

• Intercultural Studies
• Human Development and Environment
• Business Administration
• Health Sciences
• Engineering
• System Infomatics
• Agricultural Sciences
• Maritime Sciences
• International Cooperation Studies
• Science, Technology and Innovation

MEXT Research Scholarship: How to Get a Master's Scholarship in Japan for Free Continuing Your Education on the Prime Minister's Dime

October 26, 2021 • words written by Emily Suvannasankha • Art by Aya Francisco

Are you open to continuing your education overseas? Does spending two to three years in Japan on the government's yen sound like a pretty sweet deal to you? If so, the MEXT Research Scholarship might just pique your interest.

It's a well-kept secret that the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, & Technology (MEXT, or Monbukagakusho ) in Japan gives out thousands of these full-ride scholarships to international students every year. In fact, there's a MEXT scholarship for just about every education level, from undergraduate and doctoral degrees to vocational training. This comprehensive guide will focus on the MEXT Research Scholarship for master's students, since that's the one I'm familiar with. I applied through an American consulate and was lucky enough to get the scholarship in 2019. I laughed, I cried, I penned a thesis amidst a worldwide pandemic. Now, at the end of my MEXT journey, I'm ready to share my advice and experiences with other potential beneficiaries of the Prime Minister.

So, how do you get your grubby paws on one of these scholarships? Honestly, it's a long road paved with bureaucracy that can be stressful to navigate, but I'll try to lower your blood pressure in this guide by laying it all out, step by step.

Who's a Good Candidate for MEXT?

Living stipend, travel expenses, embassy vs. university recommendation, should i be a research student or regular student, finding a graduate program in japan, coming up with a research idea, timeline of the application process, 1. writing your research plan, 2. filling out the placement preference form, 3. recommendation letter, 4. health certificate, 5. academic transcripts, 7. optional documents, 8. reaching out to professors, japanese and english language tests, interview tips, requesting letters of acceptance from professors, university placement, getting accepted into the grad program, congratulations, you got mext here's some advice, what is the mext research scholarship.

The MEXT Research Scholarship is a scholarship from the Japanese government that fully waives tuition for international students pursuing a master's and/or Ph.D. degree at a Japanese university. It's given out most commonly by consulates and embassies in countries with a diplomatic relationship with Japan, but some people go directly through a Japanese university. Scholars also receive a monthly living stipend.

Basically, MEXT lets you get a master's degree for free in Japan, as long as you have a strong application and a good bit of luck.

Each embassy has a predetermined — and often small — number of scholarships it's allowed to give out, so beating out the competition can be tough. For example, my consulate in Florida typically only has one slot open. Your chances will largely depend on who else is applying at the same time and place as you are, which is a roll of the dice no one can predict. But as long as you remain eligible, you can reapply again and again — which many people do — so if you really want it, don't lose hope.

Before you apply, it's probably a good idea to check whether you're even eligible. You can receive the MEXT scholarship if you're:

• A national of a country where MEXT scholarships are offered (Japanese nationals are not eligible)
• Born on or after April 2, 1987 (for the 2022 scholarship; it increases by one year every year)
• A university or college graduate who has completed at least 16 years of education

The official MEXT guidelines also state that you must pursue a degree in the same field as your previous studies or a related one, though this requirement tends to be flexible. But aside from just being eligible, who's truly a good fit for MEXT? As someone who's gone through it, I think an ideal MEXT recipient is an independent person who's relatively comfortable with Japanese culture and customs, interested enough in some topic to write a long master's thesis about it, and willing to learn to tackle the unique hurdles of life as a lone international student in Japan.

Personally, I've never grown so much or so fast as in the two years I've spent in Nagoya as a grad student. Learning a whole new set of cultural norms to navigate the intricacies of daily life in Japan alone has taken grit, perseverance, and no shortage of spur-of-the-moment vocabulary lessons. Even simple problems like fixing a power outage or finding cheap printing can turn into a physical, emotional, and financial puzzle for a non-native Japanese speaker on a student budget with no built-in family or friends nearby to rely on.

But if you're up for the extra challenge, I guarantee you'll come out a much more capable and confident person. And in exchange, you'll get a whole two to three years to travel, study, party, and make buddies from all over the world. So, if the prospect of getting a master's degree while building tons of character excites you, I say go for it!

That said, all the excitement in the world won't pay the rent. So how will you live to study another day as an empty-pocketed grad student? Happily, MEXT provides a monthly living stipend of ¥143,000 - ¥147,000, dropped directly into the Japan Post Bank account you'll open upon arrival. The small discrepancy depends on whether you're placed in a large metropolis where living is more expensive. For instance, since I live in Nagoya, the third largest city in Japan, I receive the maximum ¥147,000. You even get paid during school breaks when you're not actively taking classes, assuming you're still in Japan.

So how will you live to study another day as an empty-pocketed grad student? Happily, MEXT provides a monthly living stipend of ¥143,000 - ¥147,000.

Living on the stipend alone is totally manageable for most single people with no dependents or debt in their home countries. However, most MEXT students I know do work part-time for more spending money, or to pay off any extra expenses. I've survived both with and without a baito (part-time job) as a student and even managed to save money from the stipends without living like a monk. That said, your mileage will vary depending on your financial situation coming into Japan, as well as whether you plan to jet set off to Okinawa every weekend.

Unfortunately, you will need to bring about $2,000 of your own money in the beginning, as the stipends only kick in 1-2 months after you land. For me, I arrived in mid-September and didn't get my first stipend until the end of October. In the meantime, I had to pay for rent, insurance, food, and the many other expenses involved in moving to a foreign country myself. This delay is likely related to how schools confirm your continued presence in Japan for the stipend. My university has me hike all the way to campus to sign a sheet of paper every month, rain or shine, to ensure each payment arrives weeks later. So make sure you've got enough yen to live on until that sweet federal dough finally rolls in!

But how will you afford to get to Japan in the first place? Blessedly, for those of us from the opposite side of the world, travel expenses are also included. MEXT pays for your economy-class plane ticket to Japan and, if you want, boots you back to your country for free after graduation. This doesn't include trains to or from the airport or any extra bags, but train fare tends to be cheap, and I'd recommend packing light anyway. You'll get an invoice to pay some airport fees and taxes yourself as well, which for me amounted to about ¥8,900 each time. Also, airfare back home is only paid for once you complete the program, so any visits in between are on you.

Many students choose not to take the free ticket home and stay in Japan instead. In this case, you switch to either a Designated Activities Visa (a job-hunting visa) or a work visa if you've already gotten a job in Japan. And if you're planning on continuing MEXT to pursue a PhD in Japan (which is possible), you just apply to extend the scholarship and renew your student visa. My school's international student office confirmed my post-graduation plans about a dozen times during my last semester, so I certainly never felt alone or lost when deciding my next step.

Before Applying

Before you apply to MEXT, there are some decisions you should make so you know what to put on the application. These include whether to apply through an embassy or a university, whether you want an extra year as a research student, which grad programs you're interested in, and what you want your thesis topic to be.

First things first: You'll need to obtain a recommendation for the MEXT Research Scholarship from either a Japanese embassy/consulate general in your country or a Japanese university. Here are the differences:

• Embassy Recommendation: You apply through your local Japanese embassy or consulate general, meeting all their deadlines — which are typically earlier than university recommendation deadlines. If chosen for recommendation, the embassy sends your application to the Japanese ministry, which likely approves you for the scholarship, barring any disasters in the background check.
• University Recommendation: You search for a university in Japan that offers university recommendations for MEXT and apply directly to them, meeting all their deadlines — which are typically later than embassy recommendation deadlines. If chosen for recommendation, the university sends your application to the Japanese ministry, which likely approves you for the scholarship, barring any disasters in the background check.

You can try for either, but going through an embassy seems to be the standard method. The deadlines are earlier too, so it's often best to try applying to an embassy first and leave university recommendation as a last resort. I went through my local consulate general, so while a lot of my advice applies to both paths, this article will focus on getting a shiny embassy recommendation.

You've decided which authority you want to snag a recommendation from. But if you get that recommendation, how many years would you like your MEXT experience to last? Here's a buck-wild part of the MEXT scholarship: After landing, you don't even have to start school for a year if you don't want to. It's called being a research student, and several of my classmates have done it.

Research Student: You'll spend about three years on the MEXT Research Scholarship, receiving living stipends as long as you're in Japan and in good standing with MEXT. During your first year, while not yet enrolled in grad school, you may audit courses, take Japanese classes, and/or plan your thesis topic with your advisor. In your second and third years, once your grad program accepts you, you'll be enrolled as a regular master's student.

Regular Student: You'll spend about two years on the MEXT Research Scholarship, receiving living stipends as long as you're in Japan and in good standing with MEXT. From the moment you arrive, you'll be enrolled as a regular master's student.

Often, if MEXT recommends that you take six months of preparatory Japanese language classes before starting the master's program, that's what you'll do as a research student. Even so, frankly, there doesn't seem to be much (if any) supervision dictating what you do during that first year.

I chose not to be a research student and dove right into grad school as soon as I got to Japan. But from the looks of it, my friends who were research students enjoyed themselves quite heartily! So if you want an extra calendar year to learn Japanese, ponder what your thesis will be about, or climb Mt. Fuji with a band of other delinquents, you've got the option.

Alright, this is the part where things get real. In order to apply to MEXT, you must first sift through the tons of master's programs in Japan and pick which ones you want to attend.

If you're looking for a program taught in English, I recommend first considering programs that are part of the Japanese government's Global 30 (G30) Project . They're full-English degree programs to encourage internationalization in Japanese academia — perfect if the idea of taking master's-level classes in Japanese makes you violently ill. I attended a G30 program at Nagoya University, and almost all my courses were in English, with only a few I chose to take in Japanese.

Then, consult this School Search spreadsheet from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) that lays out the characteristics of every master's program in Japan. On the same page, JASSO also has a list showing only programs taught in English (under "University Degree Courses Offered in English"). Don't let the lengths intimidate you! You can easily narrow your search parameters and weed out the programs you don't want by using the spreadsheet filters. Grab a cold beverage and take a couple hours to peruse, googling the programs that look most interesting.

There might not be a master's program that completely aligns with your undergraduate major, especially if you're looking for one taught in English. In that case, if you still want the scholarship, you may have to get creative. For example, history majors might apply to a broader Cultural Studies program, or psychology majors could consider a Japan-in-Asia program that combines international affairs and societal Japanese studies. Admittedly, liberal arts majors have more flexibility in this area than STEM majors.

You can also choose a program based on who you want to be your academic advisor. Your advisor oversees your thesis, gives you research advice, and ultimately decides whether you pass thesis defense. Since your research will probably be fairly unique, it's okay if you can't find anyone whose specialty exactly matches yours — lots of my classmates studied topics way outside of their advisors' purviews and taught the professors a thing or two. As long as their research is in the same general academic field as your thesis, you should be fine.

The best grad program for you also depends on your — at this stage, tentative — thesis topic. Though I certainly didn't have it all figured out this early in the process, I knew I wanted to research something related to Japanese language and culture. So on the placement preference form, I put down three master's programs that included professors of Japanese sociolinguistics whose research seemed at least tangentially relevant to my idea.

But how do you come up with a research idea in the first place? From what I've seen, MEXT seems to like topics that:

• Are relevant, important, and/or potentially helpful to society today.
• Relate to Japan and (theoretically) further relations between your country and Japan in some way.

Nevertheless, not all ideas that get approved fall under both of those categories. Here are some examples from the MEXT scholars in my school's Linguistics and Japan-in-Asia Cultural Studies programs:

• Correlation between use of English loanwords and views on globalization among Japanese students (topic I got into MEXT with)
• English loanwords in Japanese LGBTQ+ and mental health activism on Instagram (topic I actually ended up writing my thesis on)
• Appropriation of Chinese culture in Japan
• The history and current state of performance art in Nagoya
• Gender and sexuality in eroguro 1 manga
• Language education and policy in Cape Verde
• Experiment on the effect of listening to music on language learning and retention
• Representations of gender and girlhood in Japanese cinema
• Veganism and vegetarianism in Japan

As you can see, MEXT topics really run the gamut. In my opinion, what we all have in common is we dug deep for something we cared about. Since a master's thesis is largely self-directed, consider subjects you find yourself thinking about often without being required to. For me, that's LGBTQ+ rights in Japan and Japanese-made English, or wasei eigo (it makes me chuckle). So, after workshopping ideas with my friends, I found a way to combine those two interests and research something I gave many hoots about. Every grad student struggles with deciding their thesis topic, but if you pick something you care deeply about, you can't go wrong.

If you want to research something related to Japan (usually a good bet), think about what facets of Japanese culture intrigue you, what problems in Japan you'd like to help solve, and what unique skills or background you bring to the table that might benefit Japan.

And whether you want to do Japan-specific research or not, try brainstorming some topics you're so fascinated by that you could read about them into the wee hours of the night. After all, that is much of the grad student experience, so it helps to enjoy those hours.

Still, keep in mind that lots of people end up changing their topic well into their first or even second year of grad school. I didn't even land on my final idea until about four months before my thesis was due! And though I don't recommend waffling quite that long, you can absolutely tweak and/or overhaul your original idea with your advisor's help, if need be.

Basically, remember that while the topic you apply to MEXT with is important, it's not the be-all end-all of what you'll actually write. You just need to show the committee you can conjure up a solid-sounding research plan and have a strong idea to start out with, even if it changes over time.

Hopefully, you now have an initial idea of which graduate programs and thesis topics may appeal to you. But how much time will this application process take, exactly? If you want to apply for MEXT, prepare for the long, long haul. Embassies typically open up submissions in spring of the year before you'd enroll in grad school, so the whole ordeal takes at least a year. Make sure you've got something to do in the interim, as well as a Plan B if it doesn't work out.

According to the official MEXT guidelines, here's a rough timeline of the application process for someone who applied in 2021:

The exact dates vary between embassies, and during the pandemic, the process may differ a bit from previous years. But one thing's for sure — you'll be emailing the embassy or consulate a lot , so I suggest building a friendly rapport with whoever's on the other end of those long email chains. Not only because it's the kind thing to do, but also because it's possible they'll be one of your interviewers.

Applying for the Scholarship

Now you have an idea of what kind of program MEXT is and whether it might be a good fit for you. So if you do decide to take the plunge, here's a list of documents you'll need to prepare and things you'll need to do in order to apply for MEXT. Since the process is so lengthy and bureaucratic, I recommend setting aside at least a few months to prepare your application. This will give you ample time to research grad programs, gather all the required documents, and run your research plan by a trusted friend or mentor. Some parts, like the health certificate and recommendation letter, will take days or weeks to complete, so getting a head start will massively behoove you.

The research plan is by far the most important part of your application. It's the basis of your argument on why they should shell out the big bucks for you to study in Japan, so invest time into polishing it as much as possible.

That said, you don't have to be a genius to write a good one — I didn't have an ounce of experience in statistics or data collection when I wrote mine. Just explain in clear academic language what you want to study and how you hypothetically plan to do it.

Some common research methods I've seen are:

You can focus on one of these methods or combine multiple. Be sure to mention how your research will contribute to an existing field of study, cite your sources, and emphasize how being in Japan and/or learning from your professors will facilitate your plan.

Also, if you're proficient enough in Japanese, you can submit a Japanese version of your research plan. Personally, I translated my English plan into academic Japanese, then posted it in chunks to Lang8 — now HiNative — to have it corrected by native speakers. I toiled over this for weeks, so I wouldn't recommend it if you're not at least intermediate-advanced in Japanese already. It's definitely not necessary, especially if you want to attend an English program. But if you can pull it off, it will impress them.

If you're so inclined, you can even include a semester-by-semester or month-by-month timeline of the full two to three years of your trip. The interviewers know your plans will change somewhat once you get to Japan and you find out what's realistic — I don't even dare look back at my timeline because of how much of it didn't end up happening. So don't worry if it feels like you're drawing blueprints with your eyes closed. At this stage, they just want to see that you're dedicated enough to come up with a detailed, reasonable preliminary plan for your research.

In addition to spelling out what you want to research, you'll also need to tell MEXT where you'd like to do that research. You get to specify up to three grad programs you'd like to attend in order of priority on the Placement Preference Form . However, it's super common for the government not to pick your first choice, especially if it's a private university, so make sure you're truly okay with ending up at any of them. Also, I do recommend putting down three universities instead of just one or two. It gives the government options, which makes the embassy more likely to recommend you.

You can also fill in the name of the professor you'd want to be your advisor at each university. If you've already contacted them, great! You should email them to get their preliminary approval before the interview at least (more about that later), but at this stage you can put their name down regardless. Bear in mind that you'll submit this form again if you pass the primary screening, so you can change the universities or update the order at that time.

How will the MEXT panel tell whether you're capable enough to perform the academic feats you outlined in your proposal? Partially through a recommendation letter from the president/dean of the last university you attended or a previous academic advisor (i.e., any professor). In short, hunt down a school official who can wax poetic about your outstanding achievements and winning personality. For example, I asked my Japanese professor from undergrad to write mine. It's free format, but make sure the letter has an official-looking letterhead and signature before sending it in a sealed envelope.

Also, like with most Japan-related ventures, you'll need to score a clean bill of health. Print out the MEXT Certificate of Health and have a doctor or physician fill it out to the best of their ability. You'll be required to bend over backwards in a few unusual ways — namely the chest x-ray, blood test, and urine sample — so get this done early to leave time for the results to come back. Some doctors have been known to scratch their heads upon sight of the form, which is written in English and Japanese, and question why it wants you to do so much. Thus, I recommend going to a family doctor you know well or a trusted facility with all the necessary equipment to make it as painless of an experience as possible. Handing over your bodily fluids is never fun, but rally, trooper, it's for a good cause.

You've proven you're healthy and cool enough to impress at least one school official — but what about your grades? MEXT requires academic transcripts of any higher education you've completed, the grading scale at your previous college(s), a copy of your degree or prospective graduation certificate, and the standard MEXT application form found on your embassy's website. Japanese higher education tends to be on the lenient side when it comes to grading, so you probably don't need a 4.0 GPA, as long as your grades have been decent enough.

Since this is Japan, you'll of course also need to glue a proper 4.5 x 3.5 cm photo of your face onto the application form. If your country isn't touting a headshot booth on every street corner (unlike Japan), try ordering photos from your local drugstore and trimming one down to size. I'm pretty sure the employees at a certain Walgreens in Orlando know my face by heart after printing it so many times for Japan applications.

We've gone through all the mandatory documents you'll need to gather, but you may also include optional documents to illustrate any relevant capabilities to the panel. These include abstracts of any theses you've already written, a certificate of language proficiency (from the JLPT , TOEFL, IELTS, etc.), a recommendation letter from your employer, and/or photos or videos of art or music you've created, if it's connected to your research project.

Okay, here's the slightly intimidating part of preparing to apply for MEXT. Like I said, you have to email professors yourself to ask whether they'd consider accepting you as their advisee if you get the scholarship. Yes, this is way, way in advance. But it's okay — many professors are familiar with the long MEXT process and are used to answering this question from prospective students.

I started shooting out emails in May of 2018, after submitting my application but before the interview. The timing is up to you, but if you show up to the interview with preliminary approval from at least one professor, it will help convince them you're a safe bet.

Primary Screening

Once you've built your leaning tower of documents, it's time to send it in and wait to hear the results. The MEXT process consists of two screenings: the Primary Screening from the embassy and the Second Screening from the Japanese government. But really, your only job is to pass the primary screening by submitting a strong enough application to score an interview, and then passing that interview. After that, the embassy or consulate does the legwork for you.

Before you interview, the embassy gives everyone a timed Japanese test and a timed English test, mostly on grammar and vocabulary. Essentially, they're making sure you're proficient enough in the language you want to take classes in (English or Japanese), as well as hopefully familiar enough with Japanese to at least communicate at a beginner's level. Most of the MEXT scholars I know are not N1-N2 level at Japanese even after living here, so you don't need to blow them away. Even so, any extra talent you can whip out will inspire confidence that you're capable of surviving in Japan on your own.

So you've shown the interviewers you're capable of speaking the language you want to take grad classes in. Now for the part of the MEXT process you've probably been having nightmares about: the interview at the consulate. You can expect about a 20-30 minute interview, and if it's in person, you'll leave all your electronics in a security box at the entrance. Dress professionally, especially considering how much moolah you're asking them to give you! I wore a simple collared black dress, which went over fine. Usually there are three interviewers; I had two native Japanese speakers and a native English-speaking consulate official I'd been exchanging emails with.

失礼します "Excuse me" ありがとうございました "Thank you"

If you're able, tossing out a shitsureishimasu (失礼します, "excuse me") when you sit down and an arigatougozaimashita (ありがとうございました, "thank you") when it's over may impress them, or at least show you've looked up Japanese interview etiquette. But the main portion of the interview will be conducted in English, and they may not use Japanese with you at all. One interviewer asked me how the Japanese test was in Japanese, and I quipped that it was easy — just kidding! — which she seemed to get a kick out of. Regardless, if you don't speak any Japanese in the interview, it's typically no big deal, especially if you want to attend an English program.

Most of the interview questions are predictable, like:

• Why do you want to study this topic?
• How will your research benefit Japan?
• How confident are you in your ability to live independently in Japan?
• Why have you chosen these master's programs?
• Are these programs taught in English or Japanese?
• Have you contacted any professors at these universities yet? (Hopefully yes!)
• What's your Plan B if you don't get the scholarship?

For these questions, prepare a clean, concise answer that you can expand on if necessary. The interviewers probably aren't experts on your subject, so no need to inundate them with jargon. If you clearly explain why your research is an important contribution to the field, how flexible you are in tweaking your plan if need be, and how committed you are to being a cultural ambassador to Japan, you've done all you can do.

But as any embassy-recommended MEXT scholar can tell you, you'll probably get a hardball question asking whether you'd freak out and flee Japan if something alarming happened. For instance, mine was, "If North Korea sent a missile over Japan while you were there, what would you do?" I answered, "Well, if I'm gonna die, might as well die in Japan!" Then we all had a good laugh, and one interviewer offered to attend my funeral. So if you suspect your interviewers have a sense of humor, don't be afraid to throw in a well-timed joke. As long as you've dressed nicely and acted politely, some genuine light-heartedness can go a long way to endearing you to the panel.

Back when I applied, I was so riddled with anxiety about the interview that I wanted to be as prepared as humanly possible. So, true to my neurotic form, I typed up a 20-page document of my answers to potential questions and recited them until I could (and probably did) describe my love for the Japanese language in my sleep. And honestly, I think it helped.

You don't have to obsess over memorizing your answers quite as much as I did, but some careful forethought and rehearsal will make you feel calmer and more prepared, despite the pressure of the interview.

Second Screening

If the embassy passes you through the primary screening and recommends your application to the Japanese government, the MEXT board will be the one who gives you the final approval. Not much to worry about here in the second screening, assuming they don't discover any undeclared crime in your past.

While you're waiting for the ministry to declare you worthy, you'll need to gather Letters of Acceptance (LoA) from all the professors you put on your placement preference form. On these letters, the professors write why they're tentatively willing to be your advisor, should you be placed at their university.

My consulate gave me a template to email the professors, which they filled out and sent back as hard copies to my address. I then forwarded them to the consulate via — you guessed it — more snail mail. But I hear some universities do it all digitally now, so you may not have to lick as many envelopes as I did.

Then, once you've passed the second screening, MEXT will notify you of which university you'll be attending. It'll be one of the schools you put on your final Placement Preference Form, but other than that, the choice is up to the head honchos in the Japanese bureaucracy. For me, the news of my fate graced my inbox about six months after I passed the primary screening. Unsurprisingly, MEXT tends to place students at public universities more often than private ones. It's improbable that they'll waive expensive private school tuition for you if they can find you a spot at a cheap public university instead. For example, private Waseda University was my first choice, but MEXT sent me to my second choice, public Nagoya University. No hard feelings, Abe-san. As long as you're open to being plopped at any one of your choices (and likely slumming it at a public university like the rest of us), you're good to go.

It's almost all over — you've been approved by the Japanese government, accepted by at least one professor, and placed at a Japanese university. But before you set sail for the Land of the Rising Sun, there's one more step: applying to the master's program itself and passing any entrance exams or interviews the program may require. I sent my program the same full application I'd sent the consulate, a copy of my passport, an extra letter of reference, and my final acceptance letter from MEXT. Since I was a MEXT scholar, the admission fees were waived.

Then came a quick Skype interview, where they asked me basic questions like what I wanted to research, why I was interested in their program, and why I picked my advisor. I actually lost my voice beforehand and had to type all my answers, which one of the professors read aloud in a booming British accent (I've never sounded better!). In my program, the interviews are mostly to make sure the students speak English well. And from what I've gathered, even if you don't perform perfectly on the interview or entrance exam, you'll likely get in anyway if you're flaunting the gold seal of approval from MEXT.

If you've successfully gotten the scholarship, congratulations! Enjoy being a sugar baby of the Japanese ministry — I know I have. Here's some extra advice for your life as a MEXT scholar:

Get Your School's Help for Housing

Your university may make you live in a dorm for at least the first few months. I moved out of mine after six months because, well, I wanted to drink chūhai 2 freely in a place that wasn't crawling with undergrads. Getting your own apartment as a foreign student can be tricky, so ask for help and take advantage of any apartment-hunting services your school offers. Also, finding an English-speaking realtor at Minimini or Sumitomo — one who's used to working with international students in the area — could help you understand all the fine print and avoid unnecessary fees.

Know That Japanese Grad School Is Pretty Chill

Japanese grad school might defy your expectations, especially if you're accustomed to a more active, less passive education system. In my program, if you show up to class and do the report and/or presentation at the end of the semester, you get an A. The one time I had to take a test, the professor assured us he would not let us fail. Your experience may vary depending on whether your professors embrace a more Western or Japanese teaching style, but generally, I found it to be way more relaxed than in the U.S.

Join a "Circle" To Make Friends

If your school has an international connections club or "circle" (サークル) 3 , joining is an excellent way to make friends. Everyone there is presumably interested in socializing with foreigners, and it's likely that at least some speak English well. Before the pandemic KO'd my social life, cultural exchange events were my main way of meeting internationally-minded Japanese students outside of my all-foreigner grad program.

Never Miss the Deadlines for Proving Your Presence in Japan

As mentioned, my university requires me to sign a sheet at the student support desk every month to prove I'm still in Japan. Otherwise, my stipend doesn't come. If I sign by the first deadline in the first few days of the month, the money arrives at the end of the month. If I sign by the second deadline at the end of the month, the money comes several weeks later. This applies even during school breaks. I know people who have missed the deadlines and lost whole stipend checks, so for the sake of your wallet, try to stay on top of this.

All in all, despite my MEXT experience getting taken down a few notches by a global catastrophe, I still don't regret all the effort I put into getting here. So if you love Japan but loathe the thought of teaching English to small children on the JET Program , MEXT might be a promising option for you. It's not the easiest road to living in Japan, and you may not get the scholarship on your first try. But if you truly want to pursue a master's degree in Japan, it's worth jumping through all the hoops.

You may now be thinking about applying for this program. If so, listen to this podcast episode that we recorded. Emily shares her experience through the MEXT research scholarship that she couldn't cover in this article.

For more information, check your local embassy or consulate's website. And if the latest information isn't available yet, here's a helpful pamphlet from the Japan Student Services Organization . May the funds be with you!

A Japanese genre of art and literature focused on "erotic grotesque nonsense" and taboo subjects.  ↩

A carbonated fruit-flavored Japanese alcoholic drink, derived from the words "shōchū highball."  ↩

A club or group of (usually) college students or working adults with a common interest.  ↩

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Postgraduate International Research Student (non-degree)

Definition:.

A Postgraduate International Research Student (Kenkyusei in Japanese) is a non-degree-pursuing student who studies a specific subject under the supervision of a faculty member of the Graduate School. Postgraduate international research students can also prepare for the entrance examination of the master's or doctoral program, usually for 1 year. During this period, postgraduate international research students can also learn Japanese useful for campus activities and daily life.

Entering this program does not guarantee applicant's entrance into our master's or doctoral programs. If the applicant wish to enter one of our master's or doctoral programs, he/she will need to take an entrance examination. Please refer to the following URL for more details: https://www.i.u-tokyo.ac.jp/edu/entra/entra_e.shtml

How to apply?

First you must decide to which department you want to apply, and under which professor to take academic instruction. You can contact professors in Graduate School of IST from the following webpages: https://www.i.u-tokyo.ac.jp/edu/intro/index_e.shtml http://www.i.u-tokyo.ac.jp/news/search_e/search-a_e.shtml

Please contact the professor directly by email and get an informal acceptance from him/her. We recommend you attach your research plan (you can use Form 2 if you would like), official transcripts, graduation/completion certificate, recommendation letter and CV so that the professor can make a judgment. When you receive the informal acceptance (by e-mail, a letter etc.) from the professor, please make sure to keep it with you because you will need it when you apply online.

Period of Application

Winter semester (October 2024) entrance → Mon. April 22, 2024 to Fri. May 10, 2024 Summer semester (April 2025) entrance → Mon. October 21, 2024 to Fri. November 8, 2024

School expenses for the International research student program

Examination fees →　9,800 Japanese Yen Admission fees →　 84,600 Japanese Yen Tuition → Summer term 173,400 Japanese Yen, 　　　　　 Winter term 173,400 Japanese Yen (As of April 2023)

Application Guide

Admission Application Procedure for October 2024 and April 2025 ( In Japanese / In English ) Research Plan (Form 2)

CoE Application procedure ・Please download the procedure and the forms from your "My Page" on WEB Application System.

Online Application Procedures

1. prepare the necessary materials for your application..

Check the Application Guide and prepare the necessary materials for your application. This may include your transcripts, certificates, photograph, the proof of your examination fee payment (See 3. below), etc.

2. Enter and check the details of your application through the application system below.

(*Available from 4/22)

Enter WEB Application System for International Research Students here.

■Notes on Photograph Data■

・Upload your photograph to the 'WEB Application System'. ・This photograph will be used for your student ID card after your enrollment. ・Prepare a photograph as guided below: 　　－Format: jpeg 　　－Size: length 308 pixels × width 236 pixels　　 　　－A clear photograph taken within the past 3 months that shows your upper body 　　　facing forward with your head uncovered, with plain background 　　－Must be different from your passport photo

3. Pay your examination fee.

1) E-shiharai.net (by credit card): Refer to the ' How to make Payment of Examination Fee at E-shiharai.net ' and pay your examination fee as instructed.

→Click here to navigate to 'E-shiharai.net'. 【Available period: 4/15-5/10】

Notes: ■On "School Selection" page, choose "The University of Tokyo (Graduate Schools)". ■Examination fee is 9,800 JPY.

4. Submit (Upload) your application documents.

【Important】 Application documents must be submitted only by uploading the files to the WEB Application System. (*No need to mail them by post.)

5. Submission of Recommendation Letter

Request the letter from your recommender in advance of your application.

【Submission Procedures】

1. Examinees should register the necessary information about the examinees themselves and their recommenders through the ' Registration Form for Recommender ' . (*Available from 4/22)

2. The URL for uploading the recommendation letter will be notified to the recommender by email.

3. The recommender should upload the recommendation letter to the website indicated in that email. 【The deadline for uploading the recommendation letter】 5/17 (Fri), 2024

4. After the recommender completes uploading, both the recommender and the examinee will receive a confirmation message by email.

Notes on Applying

• After the application process is completed, no changes to the documents will be accepted and the examination fee will not be refunded under any circumstances.

Office of International Relations, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology The University of Tokyo TEL: +81-3-5841-4478 istoir.t(at)gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp

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• PhD Study in Japan – A Guide for 2024

Written by Ben Taylor

Japan welcomes thousands of international students each year, many of whom are PhD students attracted by the country’s world-class reputation for technology and innovation, as well as its exceptional heritage sites.

A PhD in Japan represents an excellent opportunity to hone your research skills in a safe, stable society that values education very highly.

This page will give you an introduction to everything you should know about studying a PhD in Japan, with information on the Japanese university system, the structure of a doctoral programme and how fees, visas and PhD scholarships in Japan.

PhD opportunities in Japan – what’s on offer for 2024?

Futuristic cities, stunning nature and fascinating history. . . Japan has plenty to occupy curious PhD students looking for a truly unique destination in which to pursue a doctoral programme.

The Japanese government has a long-standing commitment to increasing the numbers of international students in the country, setting itself some ambitious targets to meet. This drive goes hand-in-hand with Japan’s excellent universities, many of which are ranked among the best in Asia.

These are a few of the best reasons to study a PhD in Japan this year:

• World-class universities – There are a clutch of Japanese universities in the top 100 of the various global university rankings, and the country also performs well in regional metrics.
• Quality of life – Japan is rightfully famous for its high quality of life and it provides a safe, efficient environment for PhD students.
• International outlook – Along with its ambitious targets for international student numbers, the Japanese government has introduced the Top Global University Project, which gives extra funding to 37 universities to help develop links with other top universities from around the world.
• Technology – Japan has long embraced technology, making it an ideal place for PhD students who want to innovate in any number of scientific fields.

Coronavirus updates for international students at Japanese universities

For the latest information on the impact of coronavirus on studying a PhD in Japan, please check the official Study in Japan website for updates.

PhD life in Japan

Want to know more about what it's like to live in Japan during a PhD? Our detailed guide covers everything from accommodation and living costs to culture and entertainment.

Japanese universities

There are currently over 600 universities in Japan, around 74% of which are private institutions. The three main types of universities are:

• Private universities – Private universities have been established by independent organisations and each have their own unique education and research strengths. Over the years, they have greatly contributed to the development of Japanese higher education.
• National universities – These have been established in all local prefectures (the equivalent of local councils in the UK) to make sure that each region of Japan has access to quality higher education. Such institutions are an important part of the Japanese government’s Top Global University Project, promoting the globalisation of Japan’s higher education sector.
• Public universities – Established and managed by local public entities or public university corporations, public universities provide higher education opportunities to local people and act as intellectual and cultural centres.

Graduate schools

Since their introduction to the Japanese higher education system in the mid-20th century, graduate schools have trained doctoral candidates at some of the country’s top universities. As a relatively small percentage of students in Japan become postgraduates, these specialist graduate schools play a significant role in training the next generation of teaching and research staff.

Japanese university rankings

Japanese universities perform strongly in the various global league tables – there are six universities in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings, for example. Japan also features heavily in regional rankings covering the rest of Asia.

Do rankings matter for PhD study?

University rankings can help you choose a PhD project or programme, provided you know what to look at. Our guide explains how to use rankings as a prospective postgraduate.

PhD structure

In Japan, PhDs usually take place within a specialist graduate school associated with a university. Much like the rest of the world, a Japanese doctorate is an advanced research qualification.

PhD programmes

PhDs in Japan are often split into two phases – the first phase is aimed at graduates and incorporates a Masters qualification as part of the programme. The second phase is designed for student who already have a Masters. If you study a Masters as part of your PhD, you’ll gain a total of 30 credits.

Programme length

Japan’s academic year begins in April, with the first semester running until September. The second semester begins in October and finishes in March.

For holders of Masters degrees, a PhD lasts a minimum of three years (four years if your research project is in the areas of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry or veterinary science).

At some institutions, students also have the option to study for a PhD directly after their four-year undergraduate degrees, although the duration of a PhD is then five years. There are also additional requirements in the first two years of study which consist of taught courses, a project proposal and an examination.

Supervision

Before applying for your PhD, you should contact a potential supervisor at a Japanese university in advance, telling them about your research plans and why they’d be the perfect fit. You should also send them a letter of recommendation from your current (or previous) academic advisor.

Professors command a great deal of authority at Japanese university and the supervisor-supervisee relationship is more akin to a master-disciple interaction. If you feel you need to challenge your supervisor, do so with the highest level of diplomacy and respect.

There is also a strict hierarchy within research teams which is determined by age and position, with post-docs commanding more seniority than PhD students who, in turn, are considered as seniors to masters and undergraduate students. As such you may find that discussions within a research teams are generally top down rather than on an equal footing.

Professors are often busy with administrative, pastoral and other activities, delegating their day-to-day supervisory role to junior academics, post-docs or even final year PhD students. As a PhD student, you will be expected to be an independent researcher and the support you receive is likely to be minimal. In this context, your graduate school will provide the training structure you need.

Assessment and examination

PhDs in Japan are typically assessed based in the quality of the doctoral thesis, as well as a public oral examination similar to the viva . Sometimes you may also have to make a formal presentation about your thesis.

Fees and funding

PhD study in Japan is relatively affordable and there are plenty of funding options for international doctoral students .

In national universities, the PhD tuition fees for pursuing a doctoral programme in Japan are fixed by the Ministry or by local authorities for public universities. They are currently:

• National universities: ¥820,000 (USD $5,508) per year
• Local public universities: ¥900,000 (USD $6,043) per year

In private universities, annual tuition fees range from approximately ¥800,000 to ¥1,000,000 (USD $5,372-$6,715).

Additional expenses

All international PhD students are required to enrol in the National Health Insurance system. This is done through the office which has processed your residence registration. The annual premium varies depending on where in Japan you live.

Optional expenses include:

• University student health insurance
• Personal accident insurance
• Personal liability insurance

PhD scholarships in Japan

There are several PhD scholarships in Japan available to international students. Some of these you’ll apply for before you arrive, while you can apply for others once you’ve arrived (with, however, no guarantee of securing the funding). The most prestigious research scholarships are those awarded by MEXT.

• Japanese Government (MEXT) Postgraduate Scholarships – Applied for through the Japanese embassy in your home country, these highly selective scholarships provide return air fare, university fees, a monthly grant of ¥143,000 (USD $960), an optional six-month course in Japanese and help finding accommodation. The scholarships are available in all subject areas.
• The Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students – These scholarships, awarded by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), provide a monthly allowance of ¥48,000 (USD $322) for graduate students who do not hold a scholarship (from any source).
• Scholarships offered by local authorities and private organisations

Living costs

The Japanese government estimates that the average monthly living cost of an international student in Japan is ¥93,000 (USD $624).

For more information, check out our guide to living in Japan as a PhD student .

PhD funding in Japan

Our guide to PhD funding in Japan has more information on PhD scholarship opportunities and how to pay for your doctorate.

Applying for a PhD in Japan

PhD students are normally referred to as ‘PhD students’ (no surprise there!) but the term ‘research students’ will normally mean visiting PhD students (i.e. for six to 18 months) so be aware of this when you apply for admissions.

Entry requirements

You should have a Masters degree or an international equivalent . Alternatively, if your university offers the option, you may be able to enter a five-year PhD programme directly after a four-year undergraduate programme such as a Bachelors.

You might have to sit an entrance examination in your subject area or provide a graduate entry test score such as GRE , so check what the practice is at your chosen university.

Some universities apply a minimum age policy. However, if you believe you have the necessary qualifications but are too young then it is worth speaking to the international office or the body responsible for admissions at your university.

Language requirements

Unless your PhD requires you to demonstrate Japanese proficiency, you are most likely to be asked to provide evidence of proficiency in the English language through an English language test , such as TOEFL or IELTS.

If you studied your Bachelors or Masters in English, this will usually be considered proof of English proficiency.

Even if your programme isn’t taught in Japanese, it’s worth learning some Japanese so you can communicate with your peers, at least informally. If your level of Japanese is only basic, then use English to talk about your research.

Application process

Visit your prospective university’s website and, if available, submit an admission inquiry form, along with your CV. Alternatively, if an email address is available (it might not), then contact individual supervisors to discuss your preliminary research plans. Once you are sure this is the right programme for you, submit the application form.

An admission panel will review your application based on your qualifications, documents supplied and test scores (such as GRE and language proficiency, if applicable). Some departments operate a two-stage selection process so you may be invited to an interview (face-to-face or by telephone) if selected at this stage.

These are some of the documents you’re likely to supply as part of your PhD application:

• Official diplomas of your previous degrees
• Official transcripts (you may also be asked for a copy of your Bachelor or Masters dissertation)
• Graduate entry test score and language proficiency certificates (if applicable)
• At least two letters of recommendation (generally from a senior member of staff such as a department head or academic advisor)
• An up-to-date CV
• A research proposal
• A medical certificate
• Three passport-style photos
• A photocopy of your valid passport
• A certificate of non-Japanese Registration, if you already live in Japan

What happens during a PhD interview?

Your interview for a PhD in Japan will follow a fairly standard format (even if the actual process takes place online). Our guides explain what happens at a PhD interview and look at some of the questions you might be asked .

Student visas

If you live outside Japan, you’ll need to apply for a “Student Visa” once you have your PhD offer.

You will need to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility for a Status of Residence (COE). Once this has been issued, you can formally apply for your visa

You can apply for your visa at your nearest Japanese embassy or consulate. There are a few documents you’ll need to supply as part of your application:

• A letter of admission from your university
• A valid passport
• A completed visa application form

You might also be required to show proof that you have enough money to support yourself while living in Japan.

Registering with the local authorities

All foreign nationals must register with the municipal authorities in their local area within 14 days of arrival, regardless of their nationality and visa requirements.

Studying a PhD in Japan represents a fantastic opportunity to produce research in one of the world’s most technologically advanced countries. What’s more, Japan has the third biggest economy in the world, meaning that there are plenty of exciting career possibilities for talented postgraduates – like you!

If you want to work in Japan after your studies, you’ll need to apply for a suitable employment visa that fits your skills and plans. You can find out more on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan’s website .

Find a PhD in Japan

Ready to start browsing some current PhD opportunities in Japan ? Alternatively, you can look at our other guides to PhD study abroad .

Our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice

You may also like....

Japan is a fantastic place for PhD study, offering many financial incentives for international students. This guide will take you through the cost of studying a PhD in Japan and all the key funding opportunities.

What are the best universities for PhD study in Japan? Our guide looks at the latest league tables to identify top-ranked Japanese universities and help you discover the best doctoral research opportunities in your subject.

Read about the language requirements and recognised tests for PhD study at Japanese-speaking universities.

What's it like to live in Japan during a PhD? Our guide covers accommodation, student living costs, working and other key information.

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• Faculty List
• Hokkaido University

Faculty of Humanities and Human Sciences, Graduate School of Humanities and Human Sciences, and School of Humanities and Human Sciences, Hokkaido University

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At the Graduate School of Humanities and Human Sciences and the School of Humanities and Human Sciences, it is possible for students who would like to study specific fields in order to either further their studies or prepare for the entrance examination into a degree-seeking graduate program to enroll as ”Research Students.” However, enrollment as a research student is not a pre-requisite for taking the examination for entrance into graduate programs. Research students can study their own field of interest while also attending Japanese language courses offered by the International Education and Research Division. Research Students can enroll in April or October. While this is a one-year course, it is possible to extend one’s time as a research student by filing a “Request for an Extension of Research Period.”

Research students conduct research under the guidance of a supervisor. When given approval from their supervisor, research students may attend regular classes (subject to the dean’s approval).

The research student system is a program which allows for students to concentrate on their research work for a set period of time without earning credits.

Japanese Page

Application

Applicants must be university graduates or graduate school graduates. (Including prospective graduates.) For the updated information on the program and submission deadline, please see Application Form.

Language Proficiency

International applicants must be proficient in the Japanese language as most classes are conducted in Japanese.

Admission Procedure

Applicants should submit the pre-inquiry documents below to the Pre-Admission Support System within the application period. The Pre-Admission Support System is an online system for applying for informal acceptance. Pre-inquiry documents submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Please do not contact any professors directly. The  Pre-Admission Support System will confirm by email that the pre-inquiry documents have been received.

Prospective applicants who are of foreign nationality are advised to refer to the “Admission of International Students (Research Students)” (update June 24, 2024),  before lodging their applications. The procedure of the following three steps is required for application.

• Online Application Online Application site
• Submission of application form

April and October

Financial Status

There are two statuses for international students to study in Japanese universities, regarding a tuition fee waiver and exemptions of other expenses.

Kokuhi-Ryugakusei (MEXT Students by Embassy Recommendation)

A Japanese government (Monbukagakusho) scholarship student. A Kokuhi-Ryugakusei usually starts his/her career in Japan as a Kenkyusei. 

To apply for a “Letter of Acceptance” for the MEXT Scholarship

In order to obtain a “Letter of Acceptance” from our Faculty, please send us the following documents BY EMAIL, after you pass the primary selection by the Japanese embassy in your country.

• Application Form for a Letter of Acceptance on MEXT Scholarship Program (Downloadable from here)（June 24, 2024 update））
• Certificate of the primary selection issued by the Japanese embassy
• The same documents as those submitted to the Japanese embassy upon application

【NOTES】 *MEXT students by Embassy Recommendation will enter the university as research students. In order to become regular degree students, MEXT students are required to take entrance examinations and be accepted to the graduate school during their period as research students. *Document screening for issuing a Letter of Acceptance usually takes around four weeks. *We will not accept your application after the deadline on Friday, August 9, 2024. (Expect the 2025 Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship (Research Students through Embassy Recommendation) conducted by the Embassy of Japan in China.) *We will inform you of the result of screening by email. If you pass the screening, we will send your Letter of Acceptance by email to the email address listed on the “Application form for a Letter of Acceptance on MEXT Scholarship Program.” Please let us know if you would like us to send your Letter of Acceptance by postal mail in addition to sending it by email.

< Where to send application documents> [email protected] Please write “MEXT Scholarship Application” in the subject line and attach all the documents in PDF format.

< Deadline > Friday, August 9, 2024. 5:00PM (Japan Standard Time) Note: The deadline of 2025 Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship (Research Students through Embassy Recommendation) conducted by the Embassy of Japan in China.） →Friday, August 30, 2024. 5:00PM (Japan Standard Time)

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Students who financially support themselves.

Contact Information

Students Affairs Section Email: [email protected] (Open 10:00-12:00 and 13:00-17:00 from Monday to Friday. Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays)

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Admissions & Aid

Research Student, Foreign Special Research Student, and MEXT Scholarship Student

Research Student

This system allows students to enroll in a graduate school of Sophia University for the purpose of receiving research guidance in a specific field. Students may audit courses, but cannot earn degrees or credits.

Research Student and Foreign Special Research Student

The research student system has two types of statuses: research student and foreign special research student. Each has different application qualifications, etc. , but in both cases, a research theme must be decided at the time of application. If accepted, the student will be assigned a faculty advisor according to the subject of his/her research and major field of study.

Please refer to the “General Information for Research Students” page on Web Piloti for the main differences between a research student and a foreign special research student and application guidelines, including application criteria.

MEXT Scholarship Student

MEXT scholarship students are international students who are accepted and enrolled in the Japanese Government scholarship provided by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). This program offers several different types of scholarships, but only embassy-recommended scholarships are available for applicants living abroad who wish to study in Japan.

MEXT Scholarship for International Students

This scholarship is provided by the Japanese government’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. There are several different types of government-sponsored scholarships, but Sophia University only offers embassy-recommended scholarships to applicants living abroad who wish to study in Japan.

Normally, international students selected through the Japanese Government Scholarship Embassy Recommendation Program will be admitted as research students. To become a student of a regular course (Master’s or Doctoral course), you must take and pass the entrance examination of the graduate school of your choice during the period you are enrolled as a research student. The period of enrollment as a research student is 2 years (from April to March of the following year) for those enrolled from the spring semester, and 1.5 years (from September to March of the following year) for those enrolled from the fall semester.

If you wish to enroll at Sophia University as a Japanese Government (MEXT) scholarship student, please see the “Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship [Embassy Recommendation]” page on Web Piloti.

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• How to Survive as a Research S…

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How to Survive as a Research Student at a Japanese University

Do you realize that technical skills are not the only thing you need to prepare in the Japanese research environment? Let's hear some non-technical tips based on real-life experiences that will help you survive in one of the best research environments in the world, JAPAN!

Author: Achmed Shahram Edianto | Published date: 1 May 2020

Advancement in science, technology, and research is the impression of most people about the Japanese education environment. With more than 700 universities, from undergraduate to post-doctoral programs, Japan always becomes an attractive destination for international students around the world to study abroad or to support their research. Japanese Higher education system provides a broad variety of majors, great facilities and research funding to support student's research. Thus,  according to Japan Student Service Organization (JASSO) approximately 300,000 international students come to Japan in 2018, not only to get a degree or learn the Japanese language but sometimes join the research student program just to get access to the best research facilities.

Unseen Barriers behind the Enormous Advantage

Perhaps, many articles have shared about the technical aspect of the Japanese research world. For instance, there is much information on how to connect with Japanese professors as your future supervisor, how to get the scholarship/ funding, how to choose the right university, and so on. But, have you heard about tips that help you to survive in the Japanese research world that is not only thinking about scientific issues but also on basic things? Which one, I think, will really improve your everyday research life? Not much, or maybe none, I suppose. Apart from technological ability, non-technical factors such as social skills are also important to help you succeed in the Japanese research environment.

Students who engage in research activity in Japan, either Master student , PhD student or research student (short-period student) have to work closely with their Sensei /Kyoujyu (先生／教授) as their supervisor. Usually, this Sensei is the person in charge of the laboratory and makes the basic rule of how the student studies and works in the lab. Of course the rules between each faculty or major could be different. Experimental labs would need more research activities in the lab compared to the social scientist or even engineering, which can be more in the field for a survey or maybe just doing desk study everywhere and make them more flexible (as long as the internet connection is available). As a matter of fact, different labs under the same major can have different rules due to each Sensei’s interests and needs. In the context of discipline for example, different labs from different majors, somehow can also have a similarity. 

We have interviewed some senior year students/ senpai and friends from different labs, regarding unfortunate student cases that have serious problems with their research work or even their future education, just because of their lack of knowledge on tiny things or their close-minded behavior. So, here are few underrated yet useful tips to live in the Japanese research environment, based on the real-life observations of international students:

Manners are important, getting to know your supervisor is way more important

A freshmen PhD student from a university in the northern part of Japan being ignored by his supervisor/ sensei for 1 YEAR !!! Why does his sensei do this? Simply because of miscommunication !!! One day, at the beginning of the new semester, he had just arrived for a couple of days in Japan and didn't have a Japanese phone number. His sensei sent him an email to come to the lab to discuss his research plan, but unfortunately, this student has to go to the government office to take care of administration problems and since he had no access to the internet, he missed this message. On the other hand, his sensei had waited for hours without any clue, until his sensei realized that he never came. Long story short, he read the email at the end of the day, asking an apology to his sensei but still got ignored. Because his sensei thinks that he has wasted his sensei’s time.

Some of you may think that this is not a big problem, and some will think that this is completely the student's fault, how about you ??? Before we conclude everything, let's try to understand the big picture. Although, not all sensei have a similar concern, for some conservative Japanese sensei manners and politeness is a really big deal. Usually, they will treat their students as a professional office worker. For example, the student has to come to the laboratory before sensei comes and go home after their sensei going home or doing every work that sensei asked. Japanese students will see this as a piece of common knowledge, but for an international student, they might think this is an inconvenience or even odd. But rather than arguing about who is right or who is wrong, let's agree that an international student must understand the basic culture of their new society if they want to survive. Also, it is important for the new student to get to know their sensei , because they will work together for a long time, and building a good relationship is sound realistic, isn’t it?

Bring your diversity, respect the differences

Another difficulty that new students frequently encounter is the concept of the student-supervisor relationship and its effect on their study. As I mentioned earlier, some of the Japanese sensei is moderate. It reflects on how they build the relationship with the student (more horizontal relationship, not vertical) and the way they guide their student’s research. With this approach, the student will get more flexibility to explore their knowledge, how to overcome the problem and how to decide their logical framework, without too worry with their sensei . On the other hand, conservative sensei will take more intervention in your work, determine what you should do and control your research. Does that mean the moderate one is better than the conservative? Or the conservative is better than moderate? The answer simply depends on the student itself. 

If you are a type of student that feels more productive if you have the freedom on your work, maybe it will be hard for you to work with a supervisor that takes full control of your work. But, is it the end of your world? Not really. You can still bring your idea to your sensei in a respectful way, with proper manners, so that your sensei will learn something from you and you will definitely learn something from your sensei . You are still you, and you respect the way your supervisor thinks at the same time.

The other story is coming from my interview with a senior student that told a story about a brilliant International student who joined a master program in Japan that has a major issue with his sensei , only because of his inability to open his mind. This student said that his sensei rejected all of his ideas, didn't help his research at all, and eventually blamed the education system in Japan. Whereas other perspectives said that this student didn't want to listen to any input or suggestion from his sensei, and being more close-minded. This student's problem was never solved, he moved to other laboratories with a new supervisor. Yes, he is not experiencing the same problem with his new supervisor. But yet, this student hasn't changed at all, still hard to accept ideas from the supervisor, which is affecting his work progress and his future education goal.

One thing that we can learn from this story is how important it is to accept the differences. No matter where you come from, no matter how brilliant you are, differences are everywhere. Learning how to deal with it, will not only help your future work but also make you wiser. Because research is about collaboration, not competition. 

Final Words of Advice

I hope all of these stories and tips can help students to be more aware about simple things that are usually forgotten in their preparation process.  Always remember that preparation is important, so does adaptation.  If you are looking for more tips on Student life in Japan, you can check other articles on JPort. Click here for more articles about life in Japan!!!

Welcome to the Japanese research world and ENJOY !

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The University of Tokyo

Website for International Students

Research Student

Research students are those who conduct research on specific subjects at UTokyo’s faculty/graduate school. No degrees or qualifications are awarded to research students after the completion of a research term. Qualifications may vary depending on the faculty/graduate school. For details, please contact the faculty/graduate school you wish to attend.

Center for Global Education

International Student Handbook

Government-approved information site

• MEXT Scholarship for 2025 Embassy Recommendation

Application for Research Students - Embassy Recommendation

Embassy recommendation procedure.

Recruitment for those arriving in Japan in April 2025 or September/October 2025 is made between April and May of the previous year. First screening is conducted between May and July by the Japanese Embassies or Consulates General. As the application process and specific schedule differ according to the country of your nationality, please inquire the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General in your country for details. DO NOT send any application documents directly to MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) in Japan.

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Charting Your PhD Journey in Japan: Admission, Lifestyle, and Balancing Work with Study

Japan, with its unique blend of ancient culture and technological innovation, offers a compelling environment for ambitious PhD students. Whether you’re diving into cutting-edge research or exploring the bustling streets, life as a doctoral candidate here is full of potential. But to truly thrive, understanding the ins and outs of admissions, budgeting for your lifestyle, and mastering the Japanese language is key.

Advantages of Pursuing PhD in Tokyo

Application Process and Timeline for a PhD Program

Can You Apply From Overseas?

List of English PhD programs offered by Universities in Japan

Navigating financial waters: living as a phd student, working while you learn, mastering japanese: a strategic move for phd students in japan, the key to professional opportunities, advantages of pursuing a phd in tokyo.

There are many advantages to pursuing an English-speaking PhD or master’s degree in Tokyo. Here are just a few:

• High-quality education: Tokyo’s universities are renowned for their academic rigor and research excellence. Many of these universities are ranked among the top institutions in the world.
• Cultural immersion: Tokyo is a vibrant and exciting city with a rich cultural heritage. Pursuing a degree in Tokyo will give you the opportunity to experience Japanese culture firsthand.
• Networking opportunities : Tokyo is a global hub for business and innovation. You will have the opportunity to network with leading professionals worldwide.
• Career prospects: A degree from a prestigious university in Tokyo will give you a competitive edge in the job market.

Application Process and Timeline for PhD Programs

Embarking on a PhD in Japan starts with navigating the admissions process. Programs in English are widely available, particularly in science and technology, economics, business, and various interdisciplinary fields. Admission requires a relevant master’s degree, a well-defined research proposal, and often proficiency in English or Japanese. The admission process for PhD programs in Japan typically varies from university to university. However, the general steps involved in the application process are as follows:

• Meeting Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must hold a master’s degree or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. Check the program website for specific admissions requirements and deadlines.
• Submitting Application Documents: Required documents may include transcripts, recommendation letters, research proposals, and language proficiency test scores (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS).
• Participating in Entrance Examinations: Some universities conduct written examinations or interviews to assess candidates’ knowledge and aptitude for research.

The application deadlines for English-speaking PhD and Master’s programs in Tokyo typically range from April to June. However, it is always best to check with the individual university for the most up-to-date information.

Can You Apply from Overseas?

Applications for English-speaking PhD and Master’s programs in Tokyo can typically be submitted from overseas. The application process is usually online, and you must submit the required documents digitally. However, some universities may also require you to send a physical copy of your application materials.

Additional Considerations

• Admissions requirements: Each university will have its own admissions requirements for English-speaking PhD and Master’s programs. These requirements may vary depending on the program, but they typically include a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
• Language proficiency: While most English-speaking Ph.D. and Master’s programs in Tokyo do not require Japanese language proficiency, having some basic Japanese language skills is always a good idea. This will help you navigate daily life in Japan and make the most of your experience.
• Funding: There are a number of funding opportunities available for international PhD students in Japan, including scholarships, fellowships, and teaching assistantships. It is important to research these opportunities carefully and apply for those you are eligible for.

Scholarships

Scholarships such as MEXT, Rotary Yoneyama Foundation Scholarships, or university-specific grants are vital in supporting your academic journey. They cover everything from tuition fees to living expenses, allowing you to immerse in your studies and the rich culture of Japan. Read what each scholarship offers below!

1. The Japanese Government ( MEXT ) Scholarship

This scholarship is offered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT). There are scholarships available for privately financed international students, as well as those under student exchange agreements. The application for the 2024 MEXT Japanese Studies Scholarship will open in January 2024 . Value of Award:

• 100% of tuition (covered by the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship)
• 145,000 JPY per month for living expenses (amount subject to change)
• Economy class air travel between the home country and APU at the beginning and end of the program. 

2. Rotary Yoneyama Foundation Scholarships

This scholarship is provided for future students of Japanese universities and graduate schools. This program serves two different application periods. If your expected enrollment is April 2024, the deadline is March 1, 2024 . If the expected enrollment is September/October 2024, the deadline is August 1, 2024.

Value of Award:

• 100% of tuition 
• The scholarship provides a monthly stipend for the duration of time, for Doctoral students: 140,000 JPY per month for two years

3. Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Fellowship

This fellowship is awarded to postdoctoral researchers who are conducting research in Japan. The JSPS offers two different programs long-term and Short-term; the application period is from mid-April to June 7, 2023 .

• 200,000 JPY per month for living expenses
• Leave for childbirth and childcare: Fellows are allowed to suspend their research for childbirth and childcare and are offered a path back into the laboratory. They can also choose to work short hours while on such leave.

4. The Fulbright Specialist Program Japan

This is a partial funding international scholarship provided by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for international students. For those candidates that met all eligibility requirements, you may apply to join the Fulbright Specialist Roster twice every 12 months . If you were not approved with your first application, you may reapply immediately and be included in the next peer review panel cycle. 

Additionally, the Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) offers about 135 graduate scholarships annually for studies in economics, business and management, science and technology, and other development-related fields. 

As a PhD student in Japan, you’re allowed to work part-time up to 28 hours a week during term-time and full-time during vacations. This can supplement your scholarship and provide real-world experience, but it’s essential to balance this with your study commitments.

For PhD students aspiring to work in Japan, proficiency in the Japanese language is invaluable. It paves the way for greater job opportunities, deeper cultural integration, and successful networking. 

Get the Full Japanese Experience

– Cultural Integration: Understanding the language is the first step to truly immersing yourself in Japanese culture and society.

– Work Eligibility: Many employers prefer or require proficiency in Japanese to navigate the local business environment and workplace culture.

– Networking: Speaking Japanese opens up a wealth of networking opportunities that are otherwise inaccessible, helping you to build valuable connections for your career.

If you’re a PhD aspirant in Japan with an eye on the job market, gaining proficiency in Japanese is more than just an academic requirement—it’s a strategic career move. The ability to communicate effectively in Japanese can significantly broaden your professional horizons and make you a compelling candidate in the job market, both during and after your PhD studies.

Our Language Courses: Tailor-Made for Your Success

Recognizing the importance of Japanese language skills for PhD students in Japan, our part-time and online courses are designed to fit into a busy academic schedule:

– Part-Time Japanese Courses These are ideal for PhD students who want to balance their research with language study. With flexible class times, you can learn Japanese without compromising your academic commitments.

– Online Japanese Courses For maximum flexibility, coto’s online Japanese courses allow you to learn from anywhere, at any time. This means you can advance your language skills even during fieldwork or if you’re on a research trip.

As a PhD student in Japan, your success isn’t solely determined by your academic achievements; it also hinges on your ability to navigate the local language and culture. By integrating Coto Japanese language courses into your study routine, you’re not just preparing for your dissertation defense—you’re setting the stage for a flourishing career in Japan. So, take the first step towards unlocking your full potential in the Japanese job market with our dedicated language courses, crafted to help you excel in both your studies and your professional life.

Test your Japanese level!

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Study and Research Opportunities in Japan

Featured opportunities in japan.

The long and short-term academic programs are available in Japan across many universities and educational centers. International students and researchers may apply to BA, MA, Ph.D., and postdoctoral research programs in Japan. Moreover, summer schools and conferences are excellent academic activities that make Japan an attractive destination for scholars and scientists. Many programs also come with fully-funded scholarships and fellowships, as well as travel grants and financial aid. Thus every student, researcher, and professor can always find a suitable program in Japan and apply.

Scholarship Opportunities

• Young Leaders’ Program, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan
• Scholarships for Ph.D. in Sustainable Science, JFUNU
• Ting Hsin Scholarship at Waseda University
• Scholarship for International Students, Kochi University
• Japan-International Monetary Fund Scholarship
• Japan Human Resource Development Scholarships for Asian Developing Countries
• Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students
• The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
• The Kyoto University of Advanced Science, Undergraduate scholarship
• GIGA scholarships for undergraduate students, Keio University
• DOCOMO International Student Scholarship
• Sato Yo International Scholarships for Students in developing countries
• Japan-WCO Human Resource development program
• Non-Japanese Graduate Scholarship for Women

Fellowships

• Rotary-Peace Fellowships
• Canon Foundation research fellowships
• Ishibashi Foundation/The Japan Foundation Fellowship for Research on Japanese Art
• UNESCO/KEIZO Obuchi Research Fellowship Program
• CSEAS Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Japan JSPS Bridge Research Fellowship
• Visiting research fellowship Kokugakuin University
• The Matsumae International Fellowship program
• International Affairs Fellowship in Japan
• Abe Fellowships in Journalism
• Daiohs Memorial Foundation Scholarships for International Students
• MetCenter Grant Programs
• Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research in Kakenhi
• Toyota Foundation International Grant Program
• Toshiba Foundation Grants
• Japan International Cooperation Agency Grants
• The Japan Foundation ASIA Center Grants & Fellowships
• The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership Grant Program
• The Japan Social Development Fund Grants

Summer programs

• Okayama University Summer Program
• Kumamoto University Summer Programs
• Hokkaido JaLS Summer Program
• KCP International Summer Language school
• World Campus International Summer Programs in Japan
• Meiji University Japanese language summer program
• EF International Language Campuses
• KIIS 2 weeks in Japan program
• IBS Virtual Japanese Summer
• Teenage Japanese Courses Abroad, CESA Language abroad

What does it feel like to be an international student in Japan?

Japan is willing to welcome international students to their national universities.  In 2003, 100,000 international students were studying in Japan, and the government set the target to increase this number to 300.000.

There are adopted policies and strategies to promote the academic goodwill of the country for international students. For example,  there are many course schemes taught partially or entirely in English. Also, many universities hire specific staff whose responsibility is to assist international students.

Another significant aspect of convenience is that  Japan organizes many exchange programs. Also, instead of the standard Japanese academic year, which starts in April,  international students can start their studies from September , as accustomed in many foreign countries. 

You might have already explored from the above links that the  Japanese government broadly supports international students by covering not only study expenses but also living and other related ones. 

What do you need to enter a Japanese university?

The entry requirements differ per university and per program you apply to study in Japan. However, the typical approach of 95% of national universities and 65% of public universities requires  EJU, which stands for Examination for Japanese University for international students  for undergraduate studies.

Be sure to carefully check the entry requirements, as some universities may require you to take an additional test other than EJU. The cost of those tests may vary near US$67-$125 and is offered twice a year. 

EJU is a standard test for assessing the students' basic academic abilities in science, math, and "Japan and the world." You may feel disappointed at this point, as exams are additional stress at the end. However, from another perspective, this test is a second chance to succeed in your academic career, even if your GPA is not high. 

In the case of Master's and Ph.D. programs, entry requirements are set by each university. Usually, they are assessments of academic abilities or previous academic progress. For graduate program applications, you will be required to submit a CV, research proposal, statement of purpose, recommendations, previous awards, etc.

In both study levels, you might be required to pass TOEFL or IELTS if the course is taught in English, and the Japanese-language proficiency test , if the course is in Japanese. 

Japan Universities

You have around 780 university options in Japan, the majority of which are private. The nation's strongest Universities are considered to be  the University of Tokyo  ( 24th in the QS World University Rankings 2021),  Kyoto University  (38th), and  Tokyo Institute of Technology  (56th).

In addition to the mentioned ones, Japan has 38 universities ranked in the global university rankings for the current year. Filter the rankings by country-Japan to receive the whole list of the best Japanese universities.

The oldest university of Japan is considered  Komazawa University,  founded in 1592 in the Tokyo Metropolis urban area. The 428-year-old Komazawa University exists up to current. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees in numerous study areas.

Among other academic opportunities in Japan, you have the chance to apply to Komazawa, enjoying the oldest academic culture of one of the best Asian countries.

Get the Reddit app

So you want to move to Japan, but you're confused about where to even begin? You've found the right place. Whatever your reasons for coming to Japan (or if you're not sure if Japan is right for you) we can help. Before posting, please read the wiki — especially the visa page.

Research Student in Japan

Hello,I am a current undergraduate student planning to graduate May 2024. I am planning to pursue a one year master's program after graduation at the same university I currently attend. I found out that it's possible to take one semester off of study, and I have always wanted to pursue study abroad in Japan for some extent.

I have looked into research for this but a lot of the websites are conflicting. I know that my university does not offer any opportunities for study abroad in Japan (specifically Tokyo area). I have sent emails to a few universities asking about these opportunities (Keio, Waseda, Kyoto), and received responses that are...cryptic. Has anyone been able to do a research study (or some sort of study abroad), between their undergraduate and master's program?

It seems many people go into these programs planning to do their masters in Japan, which I have no interest in. I would prefer to go as a normal student, but as that's not possible, this seems to be the best loophole?

Furthermore, how difficult is it to get into these programs? I am a dual citizen so I am unsure if that will affect my chances. I have a decent GPA at my current university and was wondering if that is enough to enter into these programs.

Thanks for any responses

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• Society ›
• Education & Science

Science and research in Japan - statistics & facts

Science and technology basic plan, growth slowdown of r&d, key insights.

Detailed statistics

R&D expenditures Japan FY 2013-2022

Ratio of R&D spending to GDP Japan FY 2012-2021

Number of researchers in R&D Japan FY 2012-2021

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Science & Research

Further recommended statistics

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R&D expenditures Japan FY 2013-2022

Research and development (R&D) expenditures in Japan from fiscal year 2013 to 2022 (in trillion Japanese yen)

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Ratio of research and development (R&D) expenditures to the gross domestic product (GDP) of Japan from fiscal year 2012 to 2021

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Share of scientific paper publications Japan 2021, by field

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Number of people who newly obtained doctoral degrees in Japan from academic year 2011 to 2020

Expenditure

• Premium Statistic R&D expenses Japan FY 2013-2022, by institution type
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Number of patent registrations at the Japan Patent Office from 2014 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Number of utility model applications at the JPO Japan 2014-2023

Number of utility model applications at the Japan Patent Office from 2014 to 2023

Number of utility model registrations at the JPO Japan 2014-2023

Number of utility model registrations at the Japan Patent Office from 2014 to 2023

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Number of trademark applications at the Japan Patent Office from 2014 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Number of trademark registrations at the JPO Japan 2014-2023

Number of trademark registrations at the Japan Patent Office from 2014 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

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Number of design applications at the Japan Patent Office from 2014 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

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Study in Japan in 2025: A Guide to International Students

Updated On Aug 29, 2024

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Get set to study in Japan with the help of this article that explains A-Z about your student life and scholarships there!

Table of Contents

Why study in japan.

• Japan’s Need for Skilled Workers in 2024

Intakes of Japan Universities for International Students

Documents required to study in japan, best universities in japan for international students, living expenses and cost of study in japan for indian students in 2024, study with japan government scholarships in 2024.

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Choosing to study in Japan, the country of the rising sun is one of the best decisions as it is a country well-known for its high standard of education and cutting-edge technology. Whether you're interested in pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or even doctoral degree program in Japan, you'll discover a wide range of options available.

Japan universities for international students welcome more than 250,000 of them from all over the world each year! So, let us help you be one among them by explaining in this blog about all the amazing benefits of choosing to study in Japan.

If you have always dreamt of living in a bustling economy filled with vibrant lifestyles and working opportunities, studying in Japan could be your best option! With an impressively low unemployment rate of merely 2.6% by the year 2024, along with being ranked as the helping one to create a successful career!

Japan’s Need for Skilled Workers in 2024

As of 2024, Japan is in the process of hunting for specialized skilled workers because of two reasons: an ageing population and a low fertility rate. Hence, the country is facing a real shortage of young workers, and this opens gaps in their labour market. Because of this, to increase its economic growth, Japan is ready to hire 8,00,000 foreign workers in the days to come with specialized skills beginning with fiscal 2024.

Now, the universities in Japan for international students offer excellent programs related to certain industries, encouraging academic and professional development. Hence, considering work opportunities in Japan in these industries listed below, specializing in them can land them in amazing careers shortly.

The Japanese industries students can prefer specializing in are:

• Automobile Repair & Maintenance
• Agriculture
• Fishery and Aquaculture
• Healthcare and life sciences
• Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery
• Machine Parts and Tooling

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There are 2 main kinds of university intake periods in Japan for the international students to enrol in. They are:

• Universities that take 2 intakes
• Universities that take 3 intakes

While planning to study in Japan as an international student, try to gather all the following mentioned documents before you get set to apply.

• Valid passport
• Bachelor’s program: 12th grade/diploma
• Master’s program: Bachelor’s degree
• Completed application form
• Receipt of the application fee
• Photographs
• Personal Statement of Purpose
• 2 Letters of recommendation
• IELTS/TOEFL/GRE/SAT/ACT scores (whatever is required)

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Getting into one of the top Japanese universities is a dream for international students and hence, we have curated a list of the best Japan universities for international students that offer popular programs in English-language in the table below.

The average monthly cost of living in Japan for India students ranges from Rs. 60,000 to 75,000 in 2024. These expenses cover essential needs such as accommodation, food, transportation, and other key utilities, forming the basic living expenses in Japan.

Look at the following tables to learn more precise details about the living expenses and cost of study in Japan especially for Indian students.

Living Expenses in Japan for Indian Students

Before we talk about the study cost in Japan for international students, did you know Japan is often cheaper than other G7* countries?

These countries, as we know are a group of leading economies, boast top universities and big job opportunities; but they also come with higher costs unlike Japan, which is also one among them.

Let us now see the study cost in Japan which is an affordable alternative for studying in a G7 country!

Cost of Study in Japan for Indian Students

G7* The G7 countries include advanced economies like Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Students often choose these countries as they have the best universities and vast research facilities.

Japan offers many scholarships from over 140 private organizations, universities, and local governments that are ready to provide funding opportunities to deserving students.

These scholarships cover various needs, from living expenses to full tuition and additional benefits like round-trip airfare as well. Out of the 140, we have explained to you about the two major scholarships below.

Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho MEXT) Scholarship

Note: This scholarship is available to international students already in Japan under specific conditions.

Japan Student Services Organisation (JASSO) Scholarship

Note: Known as the Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship, JASSO helps privately financed international students facing financial difficulties with excellent academic performance.

Now that you know all the ins and outs of everything related to pursuing your study in Japan, it is equally important to plan your budget and the perfect field of study for a successful career in the country, so get set to it accordingly. Cheers!

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Student Guide

Apply for a 2–6-month research internship in Japan!

Master’s degree students can work either on their MSc thesis or other research topics (further information: [email protected] ). Please note, your study right has to be valid through the entire internship. NII covers 5,700 JPY per day as sojourn expenses (about 35,11 €/day). Interns accepted for this call are encouraged to start March 1st, 2025. See guidelines and offered internship positions: https://www.nii.ac.jp/en/about/international/mouresearch/internship2024-2/index.html  

Send your application with the attachments to Anita Bisi ( [email protected] ) by October 2, 2024 . (NII application form, CV, transcript of records, information about communication/correspondence with the NII supervisor/s)

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• Published: 27.8.2024
• Updated: 28.8.2024

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Field Research When There Is Limited Access to the Field: Lessons from Japan

Graduate students in the Department of Political Science, Trevor Incerti, Colin Moreshead, and Hikaru Yamagishi and Japan Foundation CGP Postdoctoral Associate in East Asian Studies, Charles T. McClean, were among a team of researchers who recently published an article with the Cambridge University Press on “ Field Research When There Is Limited Access to the Field: Lessons from Japan .” 

How can scholars conduct field research when there is limited access to the field? This article first identifies how limited and uncertain field access can affect field research and then provides recommendations to address these challenges. We focus on conducting field research in Japan because of our substantive expertise, but we believe that the problems and solutions outlined in this article are applicable to a broad range of countries. Our hope is that this article contributes to the developing literature on conducting research during times of emergency and to the larger literature on best practices for field research.

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Japan University Rankings 2023

The  Times Higher Education  Japan University Rankings 2023 are designed to answer the questions that matter most to students and their families when making one of the most important decisions of their lives – who to trust with their education.

The methodology includes 16 performance indicators, with three of the metrics drawing on the  THE  Japan Student Survey.

View the Japan University Rankings 2023 methodology

The ranking is led by Tohoku University for the fourth consecutive year, while International Christian University enters the top 10 for the first time (at number 10).  

Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) now tops the resources pillar, pushing the University of Tokyo down to number two.

Kyoto University tops the outcomes pillar again, while International Christian University leads on engagement, and Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) is the pacemaker for environment.

The 2023 ranking includes 271 universities. Pillar scores are provided only when the university is in the top 200 for that pillar, and those ranked between 150 and 200 are given a banded score.

The metric on international exchange programmes uses scores from the 2021 ranking because of the instability caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, as explained  here .

Read our analysis of the Japan University Rankings 2023 results

To raise your university’s global profile with  THE , contact  [email protected]

To unlock the data behind THE ’s rankings, and access a range of analytical and benchmarking tools, contact  [email protected]

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• Introduction
• Conclusions
• Article Information

Graphs show temporal fluctuations of SMRPs of middle-school (A), high-school (B), and university (C) students and mean of SMRPs (D) from 2007 to 2022 in Japan. Statistical significance was set at P  < .05 for trends of SMRPs detected by joinpoint regression analysis. In panel D, P values were calculated using linear mixed-effect model with Scheffe post hoc test.

a P  < .05 vs middle-school students of same sex.

b P  < .05 vs male students of same school group.

c P  < .05 vs high-school students of same sex.

Graphs show fluctuations of SMRPs associated with school-related factors (A), underachievement (B), worrying about the future (C), and conflict with classmates (D). Statistical significance was set at P  < .05 for trends of SMRPs detected by joinpoint regression analysis.

Graphs show fluctuations of SMRPs associated with health-related factors (A), depression (B), and other mental illness (C). Statistical significance was set at P  < .05 for trends of SMRPs detected by joinpoint regression analysis.

Graphs show fluctuations of SMRPs associated with family-related factors (A), conflict with parents (B), and severe verbal reprimand (C). Statistical significance was set at P  < .05 for trends of SMRPs detected by joinpoint regression analysis.

eAppendix. Supplemental Methods

eTable 1. SMRPs of Middle-School Students Disaggregated by Motives and Sex During 2007-2022

eTable 2. SMRPs of High-School Students Disaggregated by Motives and Sex During 2007-2022

eTable 3. SMRPs of University Students Disaggregated by Motives and Sex During 2007-2022

eFigure 1. Average of SMRPs Caused by Major 7 Categorized Motive and Impactable Subcategorized Motives of Students From 2007-2022

eTable 4. Summary of Joinpoint of SMRP Caused by Suicidal Motives, Sex and School From 2007-2022 Analyzed by Joinpoint Regression Analysis

eFigure 2. Age-Dependent Ratio of Prevalence of Mental Disorders Between 2017 and 2020

eReferences

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Okada M , Matsumoto R , Shiroyama T , Motomura E. Suicidal Mortality and Motives Among Middle-School, High-School, and University Students. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(8):e2328144. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.28144

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Suicidal Mortality and Motives Among Middle-School, High-School, and University Students

• 1 Division of Neuroscience, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Mie University, Tsu, Japan

Question   What factors are associated with the increasing number of suicides among individuals younger than 30 years in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Findings   In this cross-sectional study of 12 396 middle-school, high-school, and university students, from 2007 to 2022, suicide mortality rates have consistently increased since the late 2010s, with major associated factors including school-related, health-related, and family-related problems; however, the factors associated with suicide among students change according to their life stage (ie, life cycle).

Meaning   These findings suggest that designing and implementing school-based suicide prevention programs that are effective for the specific vulnerabilities in psychological and social developmental stages of middle-school, high-school, and university students can contribute to suicide prevention for students.

Importance   The suicide mortality rate per 100 000 population (SMRP) consistently decreased before the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Japan and then unexpectedly increased during the pandemic. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.

Objective   To identify trends in and factors associated with suicidal mortality and motives among students in Japan from 2007 to 2022.

Design, Setting, and Participants   In this cross-sectional study, data on SMRPs among Japanese middle-school, high-school, and university students were obtained from the government suicide database Suicide Statistics of the National Police Agency.

Main Outcomes and Measures   Age-dependent and temporal fluctuations in annual SMRPs, disaggregated by suicidal motive (7 categories and 52 subcategories), sex, and school, were analyzed using linear mixed-effect and joinpoint regression models, respectively.

Results   Total suicide numbers from 2007 to 2022 were as follows: 760 male middle-school students, 635 female middle-school students, 2376 male high-school students, 1566 female high-school students, 5179 male university students, and 1880 female university students. The mean (SD) student populations from 2007 to 2022 were as follows: 1 752 737 (81 334) male middle-school students, 1 675 572 (78 824) female middle-school students, 1 648 274 (67 520) male high-school students, 1 614 828 (60 032) female high-school students, 1 652 689 (32 724) male university students, and 1 229 142 (57 484) female university students. Among male students, the leading motives were school-related factors (underachievement and worrying about the future), followed by family-related and health-related motives. Among female students, school-related and family-related motives decreased, but health-related motives showed an age-dependent increase. The SMRPs of middle-school male students and female students were almost equal (mean [SD], 2.7 [1.0] vs 2.4 [1.4]), but the age-dependent increase in SMRPs among male students was pronounced (mean [SD], high-school vs university male students, 9.1 [2.4] vs 19.6 [3.0]; high-school vs university female students, 6.1 [2.4] vs 9.6 [1.8]). However, the incidence of suicide among high-school students associated with health-related motives was greater in female students. The majority of suicides associated with major impactable suicidal motives (school-related, health-related, and family-related motives) began increasing before the pandemic. Changes in SMRP associated with interpersonal relationships, such as conflict with classmates or parents, were not significant, but the rates increased greatly during the pandemic.

Conclusions and Relevance   School-related, health-related, and family-related problems were major motives, whereas the impacts of health-related and family-related motives increased and decreased with age, respectively. Notably, most SMRPs associated with major impactable motives (underachievement, conflict with a parent or classmate, and mental illnesses) had already begun increasing in the late 2010s, indicating that recent increasing SMRPs among school-aged individuals were associated with pandemic-related factors and other factors affecting this generation before the pandemic. It may be inappropriate to uniformly apply research findings based on school-aged individuals to school-based suicide prevention programs for students in middle school, high school, and university.

From 2009 to 2019, Japan’s governmental comprehensive regional suicide prevention programs 1 - 9 were associated with an approximately 30% decrease in the suicide mortality rate per 100 000 population (SMRP). The main frameworks of suicide prevention programs were enhancing regional (prefectural and municipal) welfare and social safety nets and protection systems, including personal and telephone and internet consultations, development of gatekeepers, enlightenment, and specific interventions. 3 - 5 However, the SMRP increased after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. 1 , 2 , 10 - 14

During the initial stage of the pandemic (2020-2021), the SMRP of working-age male individuals continuously decreased, but SMRPs for working-age female individuals and individuals younger than 30 years increased. 1 , 2 , 10 - 14 The SMRP was 2.5 times greater among male individuals vs female individuals during 2009 to 2019, 4 , 6 but the differential decreased to 2.0 in 2021, 10 , 12 , 13 indicating that the increase in SMRP during the pandemic was more pronounced among female individuals. Indeed, before the pandemic (2016-2019), the SMRPs were 2.5 among individuals younger than 20 years and 3.8 among those aged 20 to 29 years; during the pandemic (2020-2022), SMRPs were 17.2 among those younger than 20 years and 21.3 among those aged 20 to 29 years. 1 , 2 , 10 - 14 Therefore, the young generation (ie, individuals aged <30 years) is currently considered a high-risk group. 10 - 15 With the SMRPs of the young generation increasing, both the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare enhanced school mental health supporting systems and developed crisis line resources using the internet 16 , 17 ; however, the increasing trends in SMRPs in the young generation remain unsuppressed. 10 Thus, governmental suicide prevention programs could not decrease SMRPs in the young generation. 4 , 5 , 18 In addition, the mechanisms underlying the increased SMRPs and reasons why suicide prevention programs could not decrease SMRPs in the young generation should be elucidated.

Valid analyses of direct causality for increasing SMRPs in Japan are needed for evidence-based implementation of suicide prevention programs. 10 - 12 , 19 - 21 Schools have been considered to be the most effective organizations for modifying environmental and psychological factors associated with suicides via standardized suicide prevention programs. 19 , 22 , 23 The underlying mechanisms in adolescent suicides are complicated owing to their complex contexts, including specific physical, psychological, social, and educational developmental statuses. 24 Therefore, it might be inappropriate to uniformly apply findings obtained from research on adolescents to suicide prevention programs for middle-school, high-school, and university students. We investigated temporal fluctuations in SMRPs disaggregated by suicidal motive, sex, and school, as published in the government suicide database, Suicide Statistics of the National Police Agency (SSNPA). 25

This cross-sectional study adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology ( STROBE ) reporting guideline. The medical ethics review committee of Mie University waived requirements for informed consent and ethical approval because these are publicly available governmental data.

Annual suicide numbers disaggregated by motive, sex, and school in Japan from 2007 to 2022 were obtained from the SSNPA. 25 , 26 SSNPA provides annual suicide numbers in Japan disaggregated by various factors, including sex (male and female), school (middle school, high school, and university), and suicidal motives (7 categories: family, health, economic, employment, romance, school related, and other motives, with 52 subcategories) (eTables 1, 2, and 3 in Supplement 1 ). 8 , 16 , 18 , 25 - 29 The detailed methods of the investigation of suicidal motives are explained in the eAppendix in Supplement 1 . Annual student populations in middle school, high school, and university from 2007 to 2022 (denominator for SMRP derivation) were obtained from the School Basic Survey, a government database of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. 30 SMRP was calculated by dividing the annual suicide numbers of the target group by the annual populations of the same target group in the same year (eg, the annual suicide number among male university students in 2020 was divided by the total number of male university students in 2020). SSNPA released annual suicide numbers for which motives were determined.

In this study, the trends, discontinuity, and their effect size of SMRPs of male and female middle-school, high-school, and university students from 2007 to 2022 were analyzed by joinpoint regression analysis (JPRA) using the Joinpoint Regression Program version 5.0.2 (National Cancer Institute). 10 , 12 , 31 , 32 The differences in SMRPs among sexes (male and female students) and schools (middle school, high school, and university) from 2007 to 2022 were compared using linear mixed-effect models with the Scheffe post hoc test using SPSS statistical software for Windows version 27 (IBM). 11 , 13 The detailed statistical methods are described in the eAppendix in Supplement 1 . Two-tailed P < .05 was considered statistically significant.

Total suicides from 2007 and 2022 reported in SSNPA were as follows: 760 male middle-school students, 635 female middle-school students, 2376 male high-school students, 1566 female high-school students, 5179 male university students, and 1880 female university students (eTables 1, 2, and 3 in Supplement 1 ). The mean (SD) student populations from 2007 to 2022 were as follows: 1 752 737 (81 334) male middle-school students, 1 675 572 (78 824) female middle-school students, 1 648 274 (67 520) male high-school students, 1 614 828 (60 032) female high-school students, 1 652 689 (32 724) male university students, and 1 229 142 (57 484) female university students. Considering that each student accounted for approximately 2% to 3% of the Japanese population (eTables 1, 2, and 3 in Supplement 1 ), the student SMRPs were smaller than the national-level SMRP. Student SMRPs of both sexes showed an age-dependent increase ( Figure 1 ). SMRPs of middle-school students were almost equal between male and female students (mean [SD], 2.7 [1.0] vs 2.4 [1.4]) but the age-dependent increase in SMRPs among male students was pronounced, and male high-school and university students showed higher SMRPs than female students (mean [SD], high-school vs university male students, 9.1 [2.4] vs 19.6 [3.0]; high-school vs university female students, 6.1 [2.4] vs 9.6 [1.8]) ( Figure 1 and eFigure 1A in Supplement 1 ).

SMRPs of middle-school students of both sexes consistently increased during 2007 to 2022, further increased in 2014 and 2021, and were detected as joinpoints by JPRA ( Figure 1 and eTable 4 in Supplement 1 ). SMRPs of high-school students of both sexes turned from unchanging to increasing in 2017. The female university student SMRP turned from decreasing to increasing in 2016, whereas that of male students consistently decreased from 2009 to 2021 but sharply (although nonsignificantly) increased in 2022, because JPRA cannot analyze slope between only 2 periods ( Figure 1 ).

Among male students, school-related factors were consistently the leading motive (372 middle-school students [49%], 1089 high-school students [46%], and 2193 university students [42%]) (eFigure 1A in Supplement 1 ). Among female middle-school students, school-related factors were also the leading motive (289 students [45%]). Impacts of school-related (493 students [32%]) and health-related (523 students [34%]) motives were almost equal in female high-school students, whereas health-related factors (725 students [39%]) were the leading motive among female university students, followed by school-related factors (eFigure 1A in Supplement 1 ). Impacts of other suicidal subcategories in school-related, health-related, and family-related motives on SMRPs are indicated in eFigure 1 in Supplement 1 .

Among school-related factors, underachievement was consistently the leading motive for suicide among male students, followed by worrying about the future and conflict with classmates (eFigure 1B in Supplement 1 ). Among female students, the rank-order of impacts of school-related motives transformed with age, shifting from conflict with classmates (77 students [26%]), underachievement (58 students [20%]), and worrying about the future (46 students [16%]) among middle-school students; to worrying about the future (126 students [25%]), conflict with classmates (103 students [21%]), and underachievement (92 students [19%]) among high-school students; and finally to worrying about the future (207 students [38%]), underachievement (174 students [32%]), and conflict with classmates (68 students [13%]) among university students (eFigure 1B in Supplement 1 ).

SMRPs associated with school-related motives among female middle-school and university students began increasing in 2012 and 2016, respectively. Those of male students changed from decreasing to increasing in 2020 ( Figure 2 and eTable 4 in Supplement 1 ). Those of male and female high-school students increased in 2016 and 2019, respectively.

Of note, SMRPs associated with conflict with classmate of female middle-school and high-school students were greater compared with male student in the late 2010s. Suicides among male and female university students associated with conflict with classmates increased greatly in 2022 ( Figure 2 ).

Among health-related motives, depression and other mental illnesses were leading factors associated with student SMRPs. Their impacts increased in an age-dependent manner (eFigure 1C in Supplement 1 ). SMRPs of female high-school students associated with health-related motives, including depression and other mental illness, were markedly higher than in male students ( Figure 3 and eFigure 1C and eFigure 2 in Supplement 1 ).

SMRPs associated with health-related factors among male and female middle-school students began increasing in 2020 and 2012, respectively ( Figure 3 ; eTable 4 in Supplement 1 ). SMRPs associated with health-related factors among male and female high-school students turned from decreasing to increasing in 2017, whereas those of male and female university students turned from decreasing to increasing in 2018 and 2015, respectively ( Figure 3 ). SMRPs associated with health-related factors, including depression and other mental illnesses, among female middle-school and high-school students were already larger than in male students in the late 2010s. SMRPs associated with depression and other mental illness among high-school female students displayed positive discontinuation synchronized with the COVID-19 outbreak ( Figure 3 ).

Among family-related factors, except for male middle-school students, conflict with parents was the leading factor associated with student SMRPs (153 male high-school students [42%], 118 male university students [31%], 85 female middle-school students [50%], 113 female high-school students [42%], and 53 female university students [34%]), followed by severe verbal reprimand (95 male high-school students [26%], 83 male university students [22%], 47 female middle-school students [28%], 58 female high-school students [22%], and 19 female university students [12%]), and conflict with other family members (21 male middle-school students [10%], 35 male high-school students [10%], 43 male university students [11%], 17 female middle-school students [10%], 43 female high-school students [16%], and 30 female university students [19%]) (eFigure 1D in Supplement 1 ). Severe verbal reprimand was the leading factor in male middle-school students (105 students [49%]), followed by conflict with parents (62 students [29%]) and conflict with other family members (21 students [10%]) (eFigure 1D in Supplement 1 ). Remarkably, SMRPs associated with other suicide motives increased in an age-dependent manner, whereas the age-dependent increase in SMRPs associated with family-related motives was indistinct; rather, their impact decreased in an age-dependent manner.

SMRPs associated with family-related motives of middle-school and high-school students increased in the early 2010s, but those of university students did not significantly change ( Figure 4 and eTable 4 in Supplement 1 ). SMRPs associated with conflict with parents in groups other than middle-school and university male students increased from the late 2010s, whereas those in middle-school and university male students showed large increases that were not statistically significant after the pandemic outbreak ( Figure 4 ). SMRPs associated with severe verbal reprimand of middle-school students of both sexes consistently increased from 2007 to 2022. SMRPs of high-school and university students showed no significant change, but a sharp increase was observed in male high-school students in 2022 ( Figure 4 ).

This cross-sectional study elucidated the sex-dependent and school-dependent specific features of SMRPs among students in Japan from 2007 to 2022. First, SMRPs increased with age from middle school to high school to university. SMRPs of male and female middle-school students were almost equal, but the age-dependent increase in SMRPs among male students was more pronounced than that among female students. Second, from 2007 to 2022, SMRPs among middle-school and high-school students of both sexes increased, but the majority of joinpoints of enhanced increasing trends (school-related, health-related, and family-related motives) were detected before the pandemic. SMRPs among female university students turned from decreasing to increasing in 2016; however, that of male students consistently decreased from 2009 to 2021, but then increased sharply in 2022. Similar increasing patterns (sharp increase) of SMRPs associated with subcategorized motives were predominantly observed among male students. These findings indicate a disproportionate increase in SMRPs among female students before the pandemic outbreak. 10 - 13 Third, generally, SMRPs for male students were larger than those for female students; however, the SMRPs associated with health-related factors, including depression and other mental illness, for middle-school and high-school female students were greater than those for male students. Furthermore, the SMRP associated with conflict with parent among middle-school female students was larger than that among male students. Accordingly, mental health impairment of female middle-school and high-school students plays an important role in their increased SMRPs. Regarding the increased SMRPs around the pandemic in Japan, it should be emphasized that they are exceptional in the global context. Thus far, most studies from other Organisation for Economic and Co-operation and Development countries have reported that SMRPs at the national level and in the young generation were decreasing or remained unchanged during the pandemic. 33 - 37

In the late 2010s, SMRPs associated with health-related factors, including depression and other mental illness, increased among female middle-school and high-school students compared with male students. Therefore, increasing internalization symptoms or disorders of female students may be an underlying factor associated with increasing SMRPs among female students. In the relevant literature, 38 the age of onset of internalization disorders was approximately 15 years; there was no sex difference in their prevalence during elementary school. During high school, the prevalence of internalization disorders was significantly higher in female than in male students. 39 , 40 Temporal fluctuation patterns between the prevalence of internalization disorders and increasing SMRPs associated with health-related factors are remarkably consistent. Furthermore, the Patient Survey of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare reported that the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in female students aged 10 to 24 years in 2020 increased compared with that in 2017 (eFigure 2 in Supplement 1 ). 41 Internalization symptoms are established suicidal risks. 42 - 44 Anxiety plays important roles in the transition from suicidal ideation to suicidal behaviors 43 and is a factor associated with lifetime risk of suicidal ideation and behaviors. 44 Retrospective studies in which families were interviewed reported the presence of psychiatric disorders in 90% of individuals who died by suicide. 45 Students perceive increasing their internalization symptoms at the transition from middle school to high school, with larger impacts on female than male students, who are focusing on future academic and career options with age. 46 , 47 Therefore, the peculiar mentality of high-school students probably contributes to increasing SMRPs associated with health-related and school-related factors and the pronounced increase in SMRPs in female students in the late 2010s. In addition, the stress factors associated with the pandemic, 48 including the psychological burden of the pandemic itself and poor adaptation to school closures or changing educational opportunities, might adversely affect the mental health and resilience of high-school female students, resulting in increases in their SMRPs associated with depression, other mental health issues, and worrying about the future.

However, suicides, including suicidal ideation and behavior, are rarely explained by a single factor, and most contemporary theories of suicide emphasize interactions among several biological, environmental, social, and/or psychological factors. 19 , 49 Accordingly, adding the increasing SMRP associated with internalization symptoms and disorders to increasing SMRPs associated with school-related (underachievement and worrying about the future) and family-related (conflict with parent and severe verbal reprimand) motives can reveal a part of the complicated interactions behind increasing SMRPs among students.

Recently, perfectionism, whereby parents, educators, and students themselves highly expect to perform well in school, has become widespread in Western and East Asian countries, since good educational achievement is thought to lead to good life outcomes, including well-being, physical and mental health, and occupational status. 50 To achieve good educational performance, parents tend to adopt attitudes with low levels of emotion and high levels of parental control or overprotection, called affectionless control . 50 Both affectionless control and excessive schoolwork pressure have been established as factors associated with increased risks of internalizing symptoms and disorders, self-negative affect, and suicide among students and adolescents. 47 , 51 - 54 In Europe, male and female students perceive increased schoolwork pressure with age; however, this pressure increases more for female students. 47 During elementary school, female students report experiencing less pressure than male students, but the reverse is true during middle school and high school. 47 Therefore, in Japan, the negative vicious cycle among affectionless control, perfectionism, and mental health impairment has also probably developed as a social and educational problems, similar to that in Western countries. 50 - 54 Furthermore, the consistently increasing SMRPs among middle-school male students associated with severe verbal reprimands and underachievement, as well as that among high-school students associated with conflict with parent, underachievement, and worrying about the future, suggest the possibility that both affectionless control and excessive schoolwork pressure might also contribute to the increasing SMRPs among these male students. Therefore, the long-term increasing trends in the SMRPs of male and female students in Japan are consistent with worldwide trends. 20 , 21

Governmental comprehensive suicide prevention programs via schools and communities have implemented enhanced support for students and children who have been bullied and abused. Considering the 8-fold increase in the incidence of bullying and abuse in Japan from 2007 to 2021, 55 governmental comprehensive suicide prevention programs may have contributed to preventing SMRPs associated with bullying and abuse, since SMRPs associated with abuse and bullying did not increase from 2007 to 2022. However, governmental comprehensive suicide prevention programs have not listed addressing internalization symptoms or disorders, affectionless control, or excessive schoolwork pressure as priorities. 16 Suppressive control of excessive schoolwork pressure and affectionless control may help to prevent suicides associated with family-related, school-related, and health-related factors among students. However, controlling internalization disorders and symptoms through interventions to prevent affectionless control or excessive schoolwork pressure may potentially violate the basic dignity of individuals and lead to unanticipated adverse reactions to the individual’s psychosocial development. 56 Therefore, even if an effective prevention method is established, its implementation requires sufficient discussion.

Interpersonal relationships at school and in one’s family play important roles in the mental state of individuals as both risk and protective factors for suicide, 19 , 22 and the impacts of these relationships transform both quantitatively and qualitatively with age. 19 , 22 , 57 In this study, the impactable suicidal motives associated with interpersonal relationships were conflict with parents or classmates and severe verbal reprimands. Impacts of conflict with parents and severe verbal reprimands on the SMRP decreased at the transition from high school to university, whereas those of conflict with classmate increased from middle school to high school. During adolescence, individuals ordinarily decrease their time with parents and establish complicated relationships with peers by increasing their time with peers. 58 Therefore, long-term or frequent school closures may disrupt the psychosocial development of students via interpersonal relationships. 59 Indeed, in a recent study, 60 43% of students said their lives were worse, 30% said they were unchanged, and 28% said they were better during school closures; however, 15% said they were worried, 22% said they were indifferent, and 64% said they were looking forward to seeing classmates and peers again after lockdown lifted. These findings suggest that social restriction, including school closures during the pandemic, had not affected all students in the same way. Increasing time spent with parents because of school closures can easily be understood as a factor associated with increased risk of suicide among students with poor-quality relationships with their parents. Conversely, the absence of face-to-face interaction during school closure could actually be protective (at least in the short term) for students with poor-quality peer relationships or internalization symptoms. Therefore, the increasing SMRPs associated with conflict with classmate among male high-school students and university students of both sexes in 2022 indicates the possibility that the establishment of interpersonal relationships owing to resuming school attendance or normalization of the class format may be more burdensome for some students with internalization or poor-quality relationships. Further studies to explore this hypothesis may provide useful information for improving suicide prevention programs in schools.

This study has several limitations. Because it is impossible to collect suicide motives directly from the decedents, the suicide numbers disaggregated by suicidal motives in the SSNPA may be incorrectly estimated owing to a potential bias. However, to eliminate subjectivity as much as possible, the police investigate suicide motives based on evidence, suicide notes, official documentation (eg, medical certificates and clinical recordings), and testimony from the decedent’s family.

Although motive-unidentified suicides were homogeneous among schools and between sexes, motive-unidentified suicides might be biased toward overestimating or underestimating the results of the analysis. Despite these limitations, the SSNPA is evaluated as the most reliable governmental suicide database in Japan, since data were collected by the National Police Agency using consistent investigational methods from 2007 to 2022.

The findings of this cross-sectional study suggest the importance of interaction among affectionless control, excessive schoolwork pressure, and increasing prevalence of internalization symptoms for understanding the basis for increasing student SMRPs during the late 2010s and the pandemic in Japan. The suicidal motives of students transform with advancing psychosocial developmental stages (eg, family-related motives decrease, and school-related and health-related motives increase with age). These complicated interactions among suicidal motives probably play important roles in the recent fluctuation of SMRPs in 2 increasing phases, a long-lasting increase from the late 2010s and synchronization with the pandemic outbreak. Therefore, rather than uniformly applying adolescent-based research results to school-based suicide prevention programs for middle-school, high-school, and university students, it can contribute to effective suicide prevention of students to design and implement programs that are tailored vulnerabilities of each developmental stage.

Accepted for Publication: June 30, 2023.

Published: August 7, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.28144

Open Access: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the CC-BY License . © 2023 Okada M et al. JAMA Network Open .

Corresponding Author: Motohiro Okada, MD, PhD, Division of Neuroscience, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Mie University, Tsu 514-8507, Japan ( [email protected] ).

Author Contributions: Dr Okada had full access to all of the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

Concept and design: All authors.

Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data: Okada, Matsumoto, Motomura.

Drafting of the manuscript: All authors.

Critical review of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Okada, Matsumoto, Shiroyama.

Statistical analysis: Okada, Matsumoto, Motomura.

Obtained funding: Okada, Matsumoto.

Administrative, technical, or material support: Okada, Shiroyama.

Supervision: Okada.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: None reported.

Funding/Support: This study is supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (grant 23K06987 to Drs Okada and Matsumoto) and Regional Suicide Countermeasures Emergency Enhancement Fund of Mie Prefecture (grant 2023-40 to Dr Okada).

Role of the Funder/Sponsor: The funders had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Data Sharing Statement: See Supplement 2 .

Additional Contributions: We thank Japan Medical Communication ( https://www.japan-mc.co.jp ) for English language editing.

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Study reveals the benefits and downside of fasting

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Low-calorie diets and intermittent fasting have been shown to have numerous health benefits: They can delay the onset of some age-related diseases and lengthen lifespan, not only in humans but many other organisms.

Many complex mechanisms underlie this phenomenon. Previous work from MIT has shown that one way fasting exerts its beneficial effects is by boosting the regenerative abilities of intestinal stem cells, which helps the intestine recover from injuries or inflammation.

In a study of mice, MIT researchers have now identified the pathway that enables this enhanced regeneration, which is activated once the mice begin “refeeding” after the fast. They also found a downside to this regeneration: When cancerous mutations occurred during the regenerative period, the mice were more likely to develop early-stage intestinal tumors.

“Having more stem cell activity is good for regeneration, but too much of a good thing over time can have less favorable consequences,” says Omer Yilmaz, an MIT associate professor of biology, a member of MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, and the senior author of the new study.

Yilmaz adds that further studies are needed before forming any conclusion as to whether fasting has a similar effect in humans.

“We still have a lot to learn, but it is interesting that being in either the state of fasting or refeeding when exposure to mutagen occurs can have a profound impact on the likelihood of developing a cancer in these well-defined mouse models,” he says.

MIT postdocs Shinya Imada and Saleh Khawaled are the lead authors of the paper, which appears today in Nature .

Driving regeneration

For several years, Yilmaz’s lab has been investigating how fasting and low-calorie diets affect intestinal health. In a 2018 study , his team reported that during a fast, intestinal stem cells begin to use lipids as an energy source, instead of carbohydrates. They also showed that fasting led to a significant boost in stem cells’ regenerative ability.

However, unanswered questions remained: How does fasting trigger this boost in regenerative ability, and when does the regeneration begin?

“Since that paper, we’ve really been focused on understanding what is it about fasting that drives regeneration,” Yilmaz says. “Is it fasting itself that’s driving regeneration, or eating after the fast?”

In their new study, the researchers found that stem cell regeneration is suppressed during fasting but then surges during the refeeding period. The researchers followed three groups of mice — one that fasted for 24 hours, another one that fasted for 24 hours and then was allowed to eat whatever they wanted during a 24-hour refeeding period, and a control group that ate whatever they wanted throughout the experiment.

The researchers analyzed intestinal stem cells’ ability to proliferate at different time points and found that the stem cells showed the highest levels of proliferation at the end of the 24-hour refeeding period. These cells were also more proliferative than intestinal stem cells from mice that had not fasted at all.

“We think that fasting and refeeding represent two distinct states,” Imada says. “In the fasted state, the ability of cells to use lipids and fatty acids as an energy source enables them to survive when nutrients are low. And then it’s the postfast refeeding state that really drives the regeneration. When nutrients become available, these stem cells and progenitor cells activate programs that enable them to build cellular mass and repopulate the intestinal lining.”

Further studies revealed that these cells activate a cellular signaling pathway known as mTOR, which is involved in cell growth and metabolism. One of mTOR’s roles is to regulate the translation of messenger RNA into protein, so when it’s activated, cells produce more protein. This protein synthesis is essential for stem cells to proliferate.

The researchers showed that mTOR activation in these stem cells also led to production of large quantities of polyamines — small molecules that help cells to grow and divide.

“In the refed state, you’ve got more proliferation, and you need to build cellular mass. That requires more protein, to build new cells, and those stem cells go on to build more differentiated cells or specialized intestinal cell types that line the intestine,” Khawaled says.

Too much of a good thing

The researchers also found that when stem cells are in this highly regenerative state, they are more prone to become cancerous. Intestinal stem cells are among the most actively dividing cells in the body, as they help the lining of the intestine completely turn over every five to 10 days. Because they divide so frequently, these stem cells are the most common source of precancerous cells in the intestine.

In this study, the researchers discovered that if they turned on a cancer-causing gene in the mice during the refeeding stage, they were much more likely to develop precancerous polyps than if the gene was turned on during the fasting state. Cancer-linked mutations that occurred during the refeeding state were also much more likely to produce polyps than mutations that occurred in mice that did not undergo the cycle of fasting and refeeding.

“I want to emphasize that this was all done in mice, using very well-defined cancer mutations. In humans it’s going to be a much more complex state,” Yilmaz says. “But it does lead us to the following notion: Fasting is very healthy, but if you’re unlucky and you’re refeeding after a fasting, and you get exposed to a mutagen, like a charred steak or something, you might actually be increasing your chances of developing a lesion that can go on to give rise to cancer.”

Yilmaz also noted that the regenerative benefits of fasting could be significant for people who undergo radiation treatment, which can damage the intestinal lining, or other types of intestinal injury. His lab is now studying whether polyamine supplements could help to stimulate this kind of regeneration, without the need to fast.

“This fascinating study provides insights into the complex interplay between food consumption, stem cell biology, and cancer risk,” says Ophir Klein, a professor of medicine at the University of California at San Francisco and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, who was not involved in the study. “Their work lays a foundation for testing polyamines as compounds that may augment intestinal repair after injuries, and it suggests that careful consideration is needed when planning diet-based strategies for regeneration to avoid increasing cancer risk.”

The research was funded, in part, by Pew-Stewart Scholars Program for Cancer Research award, the MIT Stem Cell Initiative, the Koch Institute Frontier Research Program via the Kathy and Curt Marble Cancer Research Fund, and the Bridge Project, a partnership between the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT and the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center.

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A new study led by researchers at MIT suggests that fasting and then refeeding stimulates cell regeneration in the intestines, reports Katharine Lang for Medical News Today . However, notes Lang, researchers also found that fasting “carries the risk of stimulating the formation of intestinal tumors.” 

MIT researchers have discovered how fasting impacts the regenerative abilities of intestinal stem cells, reports Ed Cara for Gizmodo . “The major finding of our current study is that refeeding after fasting is a distinct state from fasting itself,” explain Prof. Ömer Yilmaz and postdocs Shinya Imada and Saleh Khawaled. “Post-fasting refeeding augments the ability of intestinal stem cells to, for example, repair the intestine after injury.” 

Prof. Ömer Yilmaz and his colleagues have discovered the potential health benefits and consequences of fasting, reports Max Kozlov for Nature . “There is so much emphasis on fasting and how long to be fasting that we’ve kind of overlooked this whole other side of the equation: what is going on in the refed state,” says Yilmaz.

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Questioning restrictions on physical activity for those at risk of preterm birth

Two undergraduates conducting research this summer gathering data from patients for a study by penn medicine physician beth leong pineles..

Restrictions on physical activity and even complete bedrest are frequently prescribed for pregnant patients by doctors or suggested by others to prevent preterm birth, even though both practices have been proven ineffective and in some cases even harmful.

Beth Leong Pineles , a maternal-medicine doctor at Pennsylvania Hospital and an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Perelman School of Medicine , is conducting a study of activity restriction during pregnancy with the goal of “deimplementation” in the Penn Medicine system and ultimately nationwide. The long-term goal is to use exercise as a tool to reduce preterm birth and improve the overall health of pregnant women.

Penn undergraduates Ellie Mayers and Gladys Smith were involved in the first stage of the study's research with Pineles during the summer. The goal is to determine the prevalence of bedrest and activity restriction, starting with the patient population at Penn Med, through an in-person survey of pregnant patients.

Smith, a second-year from Williamsburg, Virginia, is a student in the College of Arts and Sciences who plans to go to medical school. Mayers, a third-year from Beachwood, Ohio, is in the School of Nursing with plans to become a midwife and is also pursuing a minor in the history of health and humanities, a collaboration between Nursing and the College.

The research opportunity, which provides a $5,000 award for each student, is through the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program , a 10-week summer program supported by the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF).

In-person research

Mayers and Smith were assigned to work at Penn Maternal Fetal Medicine Washington Square and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. They read patient charts to determine who was considered at high risk for preterm labor, including those who previously delivered preterm, are pregnant with more than one baby, have certain conditions affecting their cervix, or who have had preterm contractions.

They then asked those patients to complete the survey. For the best response rate, face-to-face is better than phone calls, texts, or emails, Pineles says, noting that her goal is to get at least 300 survey responses. “It’s a better experience for the students. It’s more engaging. They like to talk to the patients and be involved in the clinic, and they get some exposure to medicine,” she says. “And they’re helping. They’re doing a great job getting a lot of survey responses.”

Mayers and Smith are planning to continue the research next semester and into the future, invited by Pineles to stay with the project. Pineles says she expects the entire deimplementation project to take about three more years.

“There’s a wealth of data that we can look at in a multitude of different ways,” Pineles says. “So, if Ellie and Gladys want to continue to be involved, that would be great. We can continue to work together, answer new questions, and publish more papers.”

Mayers says she’s seen a “different view of health care” doing research versus clinical work as a nursing student. “It’s been super interesting to see a snapshot of time when the ultimate goal of the research is to solve these problems,” informing actions “that nurses and doctors are going to implement,” she says. “And I love science. I love talking to people. I'm very social, and I just want to help people. I feel like that all culminated in my interest in nursing.”

Smith says asking the research questions and being in the clinic has steered her towards pursuing a “more social science-based way of thinking regarding medicine.” She says working with Pineles “has cemented my desire to go to medical school. Being in the clinic with her has made it seem more immediate and achievable.”

Understanding activity restrictions

The survey asks patients to describe their high-risk conditions, what advice they were given about physical activity during their pregnancy, and who gave that advice, among other questions about their health. “We don't know what women are being told. We don't know who's telling them. And I think it’s important to know that if we're going tackle the problem and understand it better,” Pineles says.

Physical activity restriction can include limits on walking, working, sexual activity, exercising. Bedrest can mean the patient doesn’t even get up to go to the bathroom. Some negative complications can include muscle atrophy, deep vein thrombosis, mental and emotional stress, boredom and loss of social connections, and potential financial losses.

Studies have shown that pregnant women who were given activity restrictions “actually had worse outcomes in their pregnancy and were more likely to deliver prematurely,” Pineles says. “We really don't see any benefit of activity restriction. We have several national guidelines about exercise and physical activity and pregnancy, and all recommend against bedrest and recommend against routine activity restriction.”

Pineles is deploying her study survey nationally “to get a national prevalence of activity restriction during pregnancy, which has not been done,” she says. They received the expected 1,500 responses on the national survey, distributed by a marketing service through social media, she says.

Mayers and Smith used the national survey data for the research posters they will present at the CURF Research Expo on Sept. 16, and for abstracts they each submitted to the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine national conference.

Interest in medical care

Mayers says she wanted to be a nurse as long as she can remember, coming from a long line of nurses, including her grandmother and great-grandmothers. Also, Mayers spent much of her early years in hospitals surrounded by medical professionals because her younger sister needed treatment as an infant. “Doctors are amazing, but it was always nurses that were with my family constantly and are the ones that I really have memories of,” Mayers says, adding that her sister will be a first-year at Penn this fall.

Mayers says she previously wasn’t interested in research, but at Penn she learned about various possibilities, including a Ph.D. in nursing. “I've been lucky in that the Nursing School has prepared me really well to do a lot of aspects of this research. I am very comfortable interacting with patients in a variety of ways,” Mayers says, noting that she was on an OB/GYN rotation last semester. “I was quick in understanding different conditions and in understanding how to read the chart and look at the overall patient profile.”

Specifically, Mayers says she is interested in reproductive health, both the clinical and political aspects. She’s the co-president of Penn’s chapter of Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health and also is a member of Penn Hillel and the Kite and Key Society . Ultimately Mayers says she wants a career as a midwife or a women's health nurse practitioner.

The research is interesting to Smith because she may want to pursue OB/GYN in her medical career. She once visited her mother’s friend when she was pregnant on bed rest, who lost her baby shortly thereafter. “That specific memory was jarring to me and is what made me particularly interested in this research opportunity,” Smith says, “because every mom is trying their hardest to maximize the chances that their baby will be healthy.”

She also wanted a summer experience that would allow her to directly interact with patients, seeking a position in which she could “understand what providers are doing, actually get to see the influence of the research being done.”

Smith also works at the Center for Autism Research at the Roberts Center for Pediatric Research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia .

Smith says that conducting the patient survey was “extremely daunting” initially; she worried that the way she was speaking with the patients was inhibiting them from participating, and so she adjusted her script and her approach throughout the summer.

“Ellie is outspoken and very comfortable working with patients. Using her as a role model during the first few weeks was really helpful because I could model my attitude and my body language to be more like hers,” Smith says.

Pineles started her own research when she was an undergraduate at University of California, Irvine, so she wanted to provide the opportunity for Penn undergraduates. Mayers and Smith are the first undergraduate research assistants she has recruited since joining Penn Medicine two years ago from University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Pineles was at the University of Maryland for residency and the University of Southern California for her M.D. and Ph.D.

“The young students are so eager and interested, and it's a good way to get them involved and get started on something of their own,” Pineles says. “I always ask them to come up with their own project. What question can you ask with the data that we have that seems interesting? What do you want to know?”

Personal research interests

Mayers’ project is focused on who is giving the advice and how likely it is that patients will follow the advice depending on who is giving it. “Are we seeing a statistical difference in the wellbeing of the patient if it's a health care professional who prescribed it or if it's someone else?” Mayers says.

Smith’s project is looking into health equity, specifically regarding variance between different racial and ethnic groups’ agreement with and adherence to their prescribed activity recommendations. “My question is also social science-based,” Smith says. “I’m curious as to why these disparities might exist and how we might go about eliminating them.”

Both Mayers and Smith also have shadowed Pineles during her workday in the hospital, which has had an impact on them both. “I can’t imagine a more formative experience after my freshman year of college,” Smith says. “I've learned so much, especially shadowing and actually seeing patients in Labor and Delivery,” Smith says.

Mayers says that Pineles has been a “really excellent mentor” as an attending physician at Penn Med. “That's a connection that I hope I’m going to have for a really long time, and I hope to continue to build on,” Mayers says, “She’s someone that when I enter the workforce will look out for me and already is providing me with professional development opportunities.”

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Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences

Picturing artistic pursuits

Hundreds of undergraduates take classes in the fine arts each semester, among them painting and drawing, ceramics and sculpture, printmaking and animation, photography and videography. The courses, through the School of Arts & Sciences and the Stuart Weitzman School of Design, give students the opportunity to immerse themselves in an art form in a collaborative way.