2020 MEXT Research Scholarship
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (Embassy of Japan in Syria)
1) What is the MEXT Research Scholarship?
The Ministry of Education, Culture Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT; Monbukagakusho) Research
Scholarship is a Japanese government scholarship that allows non‐Japanese citizens to spend 1.5 – 2
years studying in graduate courses at a Japanese university either as a non‐degree student or a degree
seeking student.
2) What are the kinds of MEXT scholarships?
There is only one of MEXT scholarships program available for Syrian citizens: Research Students
Program.
3) I’m under-graduate student can I apply for the MEXT scholarship?
Unfortunately you can't apply for the MEXT scholarship (Research Students Program), the Japanese
Government provides the Scholarship for post graduate students who intend to do research in Japan.
Students will start studying in Japan as research students, and will be able to receive a master, moreover
a PHD, at Japanese Universities in accordance with his/her research result in the future.
4) What are the benefits?
Each grantee will be provided monthly with: 143,000 yen (Students receiving preparatory education and
non-regular students), 144,000yen (Regular students enrolled in master’s courses or degree courses in
professional graduate schools), or 145,000yen (regular students enrolled in doctoral courses). A
supplemental regional allowance of 2,000 or 3,000 yen per month will be added to the monthly
scholarship amount for the grantees studying or conducting research in specially designated regions.
However, due to the situation of the Japanese Government’s budget, the amount of payment may be
subject to change each fiscal year. If a grantee is absent from the university for an extended period, the
scholarship shall be suspended for that period. Please see Guideline #6 for more information.
5) What are the stages of competition for the MEXT scholarship programs?
The first stage of the competition for the MEXT scholarship programs is the submission of applications
and all required documents. Applications are screened, and later all the students who have correctly
provided all documents are invited to take exams that are composed by MEXT. The applicants who get
the best results in the exam are invited for the interview with the commission of International Studies
Committee and the representatives of the Embassy of Japan.
The candidates selected by the joint commission should provide Health Certificates and all other missing
(if there are such) documents. After that the documents are sent to MEXT for the final screening. The
final decision from MEXT is received within half a year after the competition.
6) Where can application forms for MEXT scholarship programs be found?
Application forms for MEXT scholarship programs can be found on “Study in Japan” website
(http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/)
Frequently Asked Questions
Embassy of Japan in Syria
7) Where can examples of previous years MEXT exams be found?
Examples of MEXT exams from previous years can be found on “Study in Japan” website
(http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/)
8) Can results of TOEFL, IELTS or other English language exam certificates recognized
internationally be provided to prove applicant’s English language level?
Applying for any MEXT scholarship program, English language exam composed by MEXT is obligatory.
However, only in case the applicant has documents attesting to competency in English, he/she can
submit 3 copies of these documents. No original document necessary.
9) What fields of study are acceptable for the MEXT Research Scholarship?
Applicants should apply for the field of study they majored in at university or its related field. And fields
of study must be subjects which applicants will be able to study and research in graduate courses at
Japanese universities. The fields of study may be restricted to particular fields by the Japanese Embassy
or Consulate “Japanese diplomatic mission” in the applicant’s country.
Traditional entertainment arts such as Kabuki and classical Japanese dances, or subjects that require
practical training in specific technologies or techniques at factories or companies are not included in the
fields of study under this scholarship program. A student who studies medicine, dentistry or welfare
science will not be allowed to engage in clinical training such as medical care and operative surgery until
he/she obtains a relevant license from the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare under applicable
Japanese laws. Please see Guideline #2 for more information.
10) How do I apply?
All applicants should send their complete papers by DHL or Aramex or any other shipping company to
the temporary office of the Embassy of Japan in Syria at Beirut, or one of the Embassies of Japan in
Turkey, Egypt, Jordan or Saudi Arabia.
11) Should the documents translated into English language be validated by the notary?
Such documents as school graduation certificate, diploma or other similar certificates SHOULD BE
translated into English and validated by the notary. If there is no possibility to get other documents in
English language (signed and stamped), they should also be translated into English and validated by the
notary. Health Certificate should be filled in English.
12) Should an applicant submit Health Certificate together with all the documents?
Health Certificate should NOT necessarily be submitted together with all the documents. After the
screening process, the Health Certificate must be submitted only by those applicants whose documents
are sent to MEXT in Japan, for the final screening
13) Who is eligible to apply?
To apply through the Japanese diplomatic mission, applicants must:
a) Syrian Nationals including Palestinian-Syrian
b) Holders of Bachelor degree with a minimum average point of 70% (including graduates of academic
year 2018/2019)
c) Under the age of 35 (born after April 2nd, 1985)
d) Fluent in English or in Japanese
Please see Guideline #3 for more information.
14) I live abroad. Can I apply for the MEXT Scholarship?
You can apply for the MEXT Scholarship from abroad by sending you papers by (DHL or Aramex or any
other shipping company) to the temporary office of the Embassy of Japan in Syria at Beirut, or one of
the Embassies of Japan in Turkey, Egypt, Jordan or Saudi Arabia.
However, if selected for an interview, you MUST sit for the interview and exams on the designated day
at the embassy to which you submit the documents. Interviews must be done in person. But, in
accordance with the situation, you could have an online interview. Priority will be given to applicants
who are not long-term residents in Japan.
15) I am Syrian citizen/ not resident in Syria Can I still apply?
You can still apply for the MEXT Scholarship, but you will need to do so through the Japanese diplomatic
mission responsible for your country/area (The available countries are: Amman, Turkey, Saudi Arabia
and Egypt) if you don’t live in one of the listed countries, please apply to the temporary office of the
Embassy of Japan in Syria based in Beirut. To find information about the Japanese Embassies, Consulates
and Permanent Missions, please see this link:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/mofaserv.html
16) Can I apply online due to the circumstances of the civil war in Syria?
Unfortunately, we do not accept online submission for the time being, only by post.
Please follow the instructions in the link below to find all the information:
https://www.sy.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/c_000002.html
17) Can I submit only copies not original for the request document for the scholarship
due to the circumstances of the civil war in Syria?
Unfortunately, all documents should be original. Copy of the graduation certificate or the degree
certificate obtained from the last university attended is acceptable if the copy is attested by an
authorized official of the university. No exception will be made.
Please follow the instructions in the link below to find all the information:
https://www.sy.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/c_000002.html
18) When and where do MEXT exams and interviews take place?
Regarding the time and place of MEXT exams and interviews, successful candidates of the document
screening will be informed by phone or e-mail personally, thus please provide CORRECT contact
information in the application.
19) For Research Studies, how can I choose which university to apply to in Japan?
Ask your professors if they can suggest universities to apply to in Japan. If your current professor or
previous professors are not able to assist you in deciding where to go, you may go to the Japan Student
Services Organization (JASSO) website (www.jasso.go.jp) where they have a search engine of all the
universities in Japan. The search engine can help you find a university which offers the program of study
you wish to pursue.
20) Do I need to have admission in the three universities which I will select for the first
stage?
Only students who pass the primary screening can be allowed to contact the Universities in Japan. So
you are just required to fill in the form, NOT to contact the Universities in Japan at the application stage.
21) When does the academic year begin and end in universities in Japan?
The academic year in Japan begins in April and ends in March of the following year. In most cases, the
year is divided into two semesters, the first lasting from April to September and the second from
October to March.
22) What is the application timeline?
Applicants will be required to take 4 steps to pass. Those are (1) the Documentary Screening (by mid-
July), (2) Language Examination (by end of July), (3) Interview (by end of July), these steps are conducted
by the Embassy, and (4) Final Screening conducted by the MEXT in Tokyo. Details regarding each step
after the Documentary Screening will only be informed to successful applicants due to security reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Embassy of Japan in Syria
23) The Application asks for a copy of my senior thesis; however, I did not write a senior
thesis. What should I do?
We are aware that many college students do not write a senior thesis. Instead, we ask that you submit a
copy of a major paper or project you have completed that is used as basic data for evaluation of the
applicant’s academic ability. Besides, it would be desirable if it relates to your intended field of study in
Japan.
24) Is it necessary that I have majored in the Field of Study I intend to pursue in Japan?
Applicants should apply for the field of study they majored in at their university, or a related field. Your
field of study must be a subject which you will be able to study, and take graduate‐level courses in, at a
Japanese university.
25) To what extent should I make my Field of Study and Research Program Plan?
The Research Program Plan should be something you would feel comfortable submitting as a Research
Proposal to a graduate school in Syria. While we understand research focuses may change, you should
give us a specific account of your intended research topic, methodology, and how your research fits into
current research being done in the field. You must also tell us why this research must be done at a
Japanese university.
26) Can the MEXT Research Scholarship lead to a degree?
Applicants can choose to apply for either (a) a non‐degree Research term (b) a Master’s degree (c) a
PhD or (d) a professional degree such as a JD or MBA. Please note that applicants who apply for a degree
program may need to take an additional entrance exam by their desired university/faculty at their own
expense. Alternatively, applicants can apply for the non‐degree Research term and then, while at the
university in Japan, apply for a Master’s, doctoral or professional degree program at that university. If
accepted into a degree program, the MEXT Scholarship will then extend to cover the degree program.
27) What is the difference between an Embassy Recommendation and a University
Recommendation?
University Recommendations for the MEXT Scholarship are when a university in Japan recommends a
student for the scholarship. This is a separate application and acceptance track from the
Embassy/Consulate recommendations. You will need to directly contact a university in Japan to inquire
about university recommendations.
28) What is the recommendation by the Embassy of Japan to get MEXT scholarship and
how to receive that recommendation by the Embassy of Japan?
The recommendation by the Embassy of Japan is one of the ways to receive Japanese MEXT government
scholarship. In order to get the recommendation by the Embassy of Japan a person must participate in
the MEXT competition announced by the Embassy of Japan. Competition consists of the application to
desired type of scholarship which meets the qualifications of the applicant, examination composed by
MEXT, and participation in the interview. The best applicants are recommended to the MEXT by the
Embassy of Japan.
IMPORTANT: the final screening and decision regarding scholarship are made by MEXT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Embassy of Japan in Syria
29) Is there minimum average point?
Yes. Holders of Bachelor degree with a minimum average point of 70% (including graduates of academic
year 2018/2019). For more information regarding the GPA scale please review the below table:
Quality of Performance Letter Grade Grade point Percentage
Excellent A 4.0 94 – 100%
Excellent A- 3.7 90 – 93%
Very Good B+ 3.3 87 – 89%
Very Good B 3.0 83 – 86%
Very Good B- 2.7 80 – 83 %
Good C+ 2.3 77 – 79%
Good C 2.0 73 – 76%
Good C- 1.7 70 – 72%
Satisfactory D+ 1.3 67 – 69%
Satisfactory D 1.0 60 – 66%
Failure F 0.0 0 – 59%
30) Do I have to provide both recommendation letters from previous academic teacher in
Syria and from my current work manager?
If possible, yes. If not, please provide us with only a recommendation letter from your current work
manager.
31) Where can I find information about universities/professors in Japan?
You can begin by searching or browsing the Research Map of Japan (http://researchmap.jp/search/)
which lists researchers in Japan by name, field, university, and location. You can also look at the Program
for Leading Graduate Schools (http://www.jsps.go.jp/j‐hakasekatei/saitaku.html; in Japanese), which
lists programs endorsed by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (it also promotes humanities
and social science programs).
32) What exams must be taken for the Research Scholarship?
Please see Guideline #10.2 for more information.
33) Do I need to know Japanese to get the scholarship?
Applicants must be fluent in English or in Japanese. If you wouldn’t know Japanese at the application
stage, you are kindly advised to start learning Japanese after you succeed in the final exam.
34) Do all Scholarship recipients take the 6‐month intensive Japanese language course
upon arrival in Japan?
Your university in Japan will decide whether they want you to take the Japanese language course before
beginning your research term or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Embassy of Japan in Syria
35) Can I take my family with me?
Yes, Research Scholarship recipients may bring their families with them. However, most universities will
be unable to provide or arrange housing for families, so you will need to find housing on your own.
Additionally, we strongly encourage you to have your family join you a month or so after your own
arrival, so you can be ready for arranging housing and other arrangements for your family. Kindly note
that any special allowance for family members will not be provided.
36) Can I have my application materials returned to me?
Unfortunately, NO. Once application materials have been submitted to us at the Japanese diplomatic
mission, they cannot be returned under any circumstances. We encourage you to make copies of all
your application materials.
37) Do medicine students in dentistry or welfare science have to obtain a permit from the
Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare under applicable Japanese laws during the
application stage to engage in clinical training such as medical care and operative
surgery?
Applicant doesn’t need such permission at the application stage, orientation will be held after visiting
Japan.
38) How many copies of the application materials do I need to submit?
Please see Guideline #9 for more information about the required materials and how many originals vs.
copies we require of each document. Please refer to the check sheet on our Web page. Successful
applicants will possibly be required to submit additional documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Embassy of Japan in Syria
