Government of Japan 2021 Young Leaders Program in Governance

Published: 21 Oct 2020

Applications are open for Young Leaders Programme (YLP) for 2021 academic year. These scholarships are available for international students to pursue master’s program in the field of Public Administration/Public Policy, Local Governance, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration and Law from October 2021 in Japan.

 The Young Leaders Programme (YLP) aims to contribute to the fostering of future national leaders in Asian and other countries. In addition, while deepening the participants’ understanding about Japan, it should help form a network among national leaders, contributing to the establishment of friendly relationships and improved policy planning activities among Asian and other countries, including Japan.

Launched in 2001 by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of the Government of Japan, the Young Leaders Programme (YLP) is a yearlong academic scholarship program that aims to prepare and empower young professionals from all over the world for future leadership roles in their respective fields.

 The deadline of the applications differs according to the country. Please contact with Japanese embassy or consulate general in your country.

Government of Japan MEXT Masters Scholarship

Application Deadline	Not Specified
Country to study	Japan
Type	Masters
Sponsor	Japanese Government
Gender	Men and Women

Benefits of Government of Japan MEXT Masters Scholarship

1. Allowance: Each grantee will be provided monthly with 242,000 yen during the term of the scholarship. However, the amount of allowance will be subject to change depending upon the annual budget of the Japanese government for each fiscal year. The scholarship will not be paid to a grantee who takes a leave of absence or is long absent from the assigned university.
2. Traveling Costs:
3. School Fees: Fees for matriculation and tuition will be paid by the Japanese government.
4. Accommodations:

Requirements for Government of Japan MEXT Masters Scholarship

1. Nationality: Applicants must be nationals of countries eligible for the Young Leaders Programme (YLP).
2. Age: Applicants must be, in principle, under 40 years of age, as on 1st October, 2020 (i.e. born on or after 2nd October 1979).
3. Academic Background: Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized/accredited university or college, and have achieved shown excellent academic performance.
4. Work Experience: At least 3 years of full-time work experience in public administration (preferably 5 years or more).
5. English Proficiency: A minimum TOEFL-iBT score of 79 (TOEFL-PBT score of 550), IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.
6. Health: Applicants must be in good health.
7. Visa Requirement: In principle, selected applicants must acquire “College Student” (ryuugaku) visas before entering Japan. The visas should be issued at the Japanese legation, located in the country of applicants’ nationality.  Applicants who change their resident status to any status other than “College Student” after their arrival in Japan will immediately lose their status as a Japanese government scholarship student.
8. Applicants who meet any or all of following conditions are not eligible. If identified after acceptance of the scholarship grantees, the applicants will be required to withdraw from the scholarship:

Application Documents

1. Application for Admission
2. Photographs
3. Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
4. Recommendation Letter from the recommending authority
5. Recommendation Letter from the applicant’s direct superior at work
6. Recommendation Letter from the applicant’s superior at work, or supervising professor of the university
7. Certificate of Health
8. Official degree certificates or certified copies of diplomas from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
9. Essay explaining applicant’s aspirations and future plans following program  completion
10. Certificate of Citizenship
11. Family Register
12. Copy of the Passport
13. English Proficiency Certificate
14. Answer to the Essay Questions

Application Deadline

Not Specified

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Japanese Government on www.mext.go.jp to apply