Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) is accepting applications for the MEXT University Recommendation Scholarship for September 2027 enrollment — full tuition, 144,000 JPY monthly allowance, and travel included. Deadline: November 5, 2026.
What Is the MEXT University Recommendation Scholarship?
The MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) University Recommendation Scholarship is Japan’s premier government-funded graduate scholarship, awarded to outstanding international students on the recommendation of Japanese universities.
APU (Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University) in Beppu, Japan — one of Japan’s most internationally diverse universities — nominates eligible candidates from its own applicant pool for this scholarship. You apply to APU first, and APU recommends the strongest candidates to MEXT for final award.
The scholarship covers full tuition, full admission fees, a monthly subsistence allowance of 144,000 JPY (including housing), and economy class airfare between your home country and APU.
Application deadline: November 5, 2026
Enrollment: September 2027
What the Scholarship Covers
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Admission fee | Fully covered |
| Tuition fees | Fully covered |
| Monthly allowance | 144,000 JPY (includes housing — approximately $950–$1,000 USD/month) |
| Travel expenses | Economy class airfare at start and end of programme |
144,000 JPY per month is a comfortable living allowance in Beppu, where APU is located — a city with significantly lower costs than Tokyo or Osaka.
Who Can Apply?
Required:
- Currently residing outside Japan and intending to come to study
- Be a national of an MEXT-designated country; check APU’s official list for your country’s eligibility
- Born on or after April 2, 1992
- Achieved a GPA of at least 2.30 on a 3.00 scale at your most recent university
- Must hold a Student visa status in Japan during the programme
Not eligible if:
- Currently on active military duty or employed as civilian military staff
- Previously received a Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship — unless you have more than 3 years of educational or work experience since completing that scholarship, or were a recipient of certain designated programmes
- Receiving any other scholarship concurrently that has not been approved for combination with MEXT funding
How the Process Works
The MEXT University Recommendation scholarship at APU is for September enrollment only — there is one application round per year.
Step 1: Apply to APU Graduate School by November 5, 2026
Submit your graduate application to APU. Indicate clearly that you wish to be considered for the MEXT University Recommendation scholarship. APU reviews all applications and selects suitable candidates to recommend to MEXT.
Step 2: APU nominates selected candidates
Applicants selected for nomination are notified alongside their APU admissions results.
Step 3: MEXT makes final award decisions
Final scholarship decisions are made by MEXT by the end of June in the year of enrollment. Note: timing may vary depending on MEXT’s circumstances.
English Proficiency Requirement
English proficiency test scores are required. Only scores from tests taken on or after March 15, 2025 will be considered valid for this application. Check APU’s application guidelines for accepted test types and minimum scores.
About APU
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University is one of Japan’s most internationally oriented universities. Located in Beppu, Oita Prefecture, approximately 80% of APU’s student body is international — creating a genuinely multicultural campus environment with instruction in both English and Japanese.
APU’s Graduate School offers programmes in Asia Pacific Studies and Management — both available in English, making it accessible to international applicants without Japanese language proficiency.
Beppu is a mid-sized city in Kyushu, southern Japan — famous for its hot springs and known for being significantly more affordable than major Japanese metropolitan areas. The 144,000 JPY monthly allowance goes considerably further in Beppu than it would in Tokyo or Osaka.
Important Notes for 2027 Applicants
- Scholarship conditions may change for the 2027 cycle — always verify current requirements on MEXT’s official website and APU’s scholarship pages before applying
- The MEXT University Recommendation is competitive — APU selects only the strongest candidates to nominate, and MEXT makes the final decision from those nominations
- This scholarship cannot be held concurrently with most other scholarships — check explicitly before applying if you are holding or applying for other awards
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | MEXT University Recommendation (UR) Scholarship |
| Host University | APU (Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University), Beppu, Japan |
| Enrollment | September 2027 |
| Application Deadline | November 5, 2026 |
| Monthly Allowance | 144,000 JPY (including housing) |
| Tuition | Fully covered |
| Travel | Economy class airfare included |
| Age Requirement | Born on or after April 2, 1992 |
| GPA Requirement | Minimum 2.30 on a 3.00 scale |
| Eligibility | MEXT designated country nationals, residing outside Japan |
| Final Award Decision | By the end of June 2027 |
For more information and application:
Visit the official website of the MEXT University Recommendation Scholarship at APU Japan 2027
