The Honjo International Scholarship 2027 is one of the most competitive and respected private scholarships for international students who want to study in Japan at the graduate level. Unlike many scholarships that depend on university nomination, this program allows students to apply directly to the foundation, giving motivated and well-prepared applicants a rare level of control over their application journey.
If you are planning to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree in Japan and are looking for a scholarship that covers real living costs, not just tuition, this opportunity deserves serious attention. The Honjo International Scholarship Foundation focuses on academic excellence, research clarity, and long-term contribution to the applicant’s home country. It is not designed for casual applicants or those looking for short-term funding, but for students with a clear research vision and commitment.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the Honjo International Scholarship 2027, including benefits, eligibility, fields of study, application steps, timeline, and frequently asked questions. Since official dates for 2027 are not released yet, the timeline and structure are based on the most recent published cycle, so you can plan realistically and avoid last-minute mistakes.
Important: Dates mentioned in this article are based on the previous application cycle and are provided only to help you understand the expected timeline. Always verify the latest information on the official website before applying.
Benefits of the Honjo International Scholarship
One of the biggest reasons the Honjo International Scholarship stands out among Study in Japan scholarship options is its high monthly stipend. The scholarship is designed to fully support graduate students without forcing them to depend on part-time work unrelated to their research.
The monthly scholarship amount depends on the standard duration of your degree program:
| Degree Duration | Monthly Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 to 2 years | ¥230,000 per month |
| 3 years | ¥210,000 per month |
| More than 3 years | ¥180,000 per month |
This amount is significantly higher than many other private scholarships in Japan and is generally sufficient to cover rent, food, utilities, national health insurance, and daily expenses, even in major cities like Tokyo or Osaka if managed carefully.
Key benefits include:
- No repayment obligation. This is a grant, not a loan.
- Coverage for the full minimum degree period, as defined by your university.
- Possible travel grants for attending international academic conferences, subject to foundation rules.
- Prestige and credibility that strengthens your academic and professional profile.
A less discussed but important benefit is the long-term alumni network. Scholarship recipients are expected to stay connected with the foundation even after graduation, which often leads to academic collaborations, career opportunities, and institutional support that extend far beyond the funding period.
Eligibility Criteria
The Honjo International Scholarship has strict eligibility conditions, and applicants must meet all requirements. This scholarship is not flexible on age limits or language expectations, so reading this section carefully can save you from wasting months on an application that will be rejected automatically.
To be eligible for the Honjo International Scholarship 2027, applicants must:
- Be a non-Japanese citizen.
- Be enrolled or planning to enroll in a Japanese graduate school for a master’s or doctoral degree.
- Begin their degree program in April or Fall intake of the applicable academic year.
- Have a study period of more than 12 months.
- Meet the age requirement:
- Master’s applicants must start their program at 30 years or younger.
- PhD applicants must start their program at 35 years or younger.
- Demonstrate a clear intention to contribute to their home country after graduation.
- Have the ability to conduct a basic conversation in Japanese.
Interviews are conducted in Japanese without exception. Applicants who cannot communicate at a basic level in Japanese are effectively ineligible, even if their research is strong.
Another critical restriction involves scholarship overlap. Honjo scholars cannot receive other scholarships simultaneously, except for a very limited list such as MEXT, JSPS Fellowships, and specific JST programs approved for concurrent funding.
Field of Study
One of the most inclusive aspects of the Honjo International Scholarship is its openness to all research fields. There are no discipline-based quotas, which means students from engineering, social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and interdisciplinary fields all compete on equal footing.
However, openness does not mean neutrality. In practice, successful applicants usually demonstrate:
- A well-defined research question with clear academic relevance.
- A realistic research plan that fits the Japanese academic environment.
- A convincing explanation of how the research benefits their home country or global society.
Professional graduate schools are generally excluded unless the applicant can submit a research plan that meets academic standards. This effectively favors research-oriented programs rather than purely practice-based degrees.
A common mistake is assuming that science and engineering applicants have an advantage. In reality, the foundation values clarity and purpose over discipline. Humanities and social science applicants with strong Japan-related or globally relevant research themes often perform very well in selection.
How to Apply
The application process is entirely online and requires careful preparation. Many applicants underestimate the effort needed, especially for the research plan and video components.
- Confirm that you meet all eligibility requirements.
- Access the online application system during the application period.
- Fill in the application form and upload all required documents.
- Submit a two-minute research presentation video.
- Save your application number and generated PDF.
Required uploads include:
- A face photograph within the specified size limit.
- A two-minute video explaining your research plan.
- Academic transcripts in Japanese or English.
- A research proposal using the official template, primarily written in Japanese.
- A recommendation letter from your supervisor.
- Proof of admission or expected admission to a Japanese graduate school.
The research video is a key evaluation component. It tests not only your research clarity but also your ability to communicate concisely and confidently. Applicants who treat this as a formality usually fail to advance.
Even if your admission letter is not available by the deadline, you can still apply by submitting the expected date and emailing the document once received. However, missing this follow-up can invalidate your application.
Application Timeline and Deadlines
For the Honjo International Scholarship 2027, official dates have not been released yet. Based on the previous cycle, the expected timeline is as follows:
| Stage | Expected Period |
|---|---|
| Application Period | September to October 2026 |
| Document Screening Result | January 2027 |
| Interview | February 2027 |
| Final Results | March 2027 |
Interviews are usually conducted in Tokyo, with video interviews available for overseas applicants. Final results are published using application numbers rather than names, so keeping your number safe is essential.
FAQs
Can I apply for Honjo International Scholarship before getting university admission?
Yes. You can apply if you are in the process of obtaining admission, as long as you will enroll by the specified academic term.
Is Japanese language proficiency mandatory?
Basic conversational Japanese is mandatory because the interview is conducted in Japanese without exception.
Can I work part-time while receiving the scholarship?
Only limited academic-related part-time work such as teaching assistant or research assistant roles is permitted.
Is the scholarship renewable every year?
The scholarship is granted for the minimum required degree period and does not require annual reapplication.
How competitive is the Honjo International Scholarship?
Extremely competitive. Approximately ten students are selected each year from a global applicant pool.
For official clarifications, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the foundation’s published FAQs and contact the foundation directly using the inquiry form or email: Honjo International Scholarship Inquiry Page
If you are serious about studying in Japan and building a long-term academic career, the Honjo International Scholarship 2027 is not just financial support, but a mark of trust in your future potential.
If this guide helped you, share it with someone planning to study in Japan. What part of the application process feels most challenging to you right now?
Source:
www.hisf.or.jp
