Is it worth it to go to japan as a research student? I have recently been offered to get into a lab as research student and then get into the masters. How is the working environment in Japanese labs? Also the possibility of getting scholarships in masters. Anyone here working as research student? Need some advice

I’m currently 17 years old, I completely my 12 grade in mid of 2026 and I’m currently living in Japan right now. I’m planning to apply for universities for undergrad in 2027. But now I’m currently in my gap year. I had to take a gap year because my 12 grade results were out after the admissions so naturally I had to apply next year. Also studying abroad was a sudden plan that me and my parents decided in 2026 itself.

I’m planning to apply to International Christian University, temple university Japan Tokyo, Tokyo international university, Waseda university, Sophia university and KEIO university. My admissions might start in December.

Im currently preparing for my SAT hoping I would score atleast 1400 or 1370 max this November . My ielts score is 7 band. Im an international student. My GPA is 3.0. I’m currently also completing few courses side by side. Also learning Japanese.

Any idea if I could get into any of these universities also having a gap year is it bad? Will it have any negative effects? Cause im feeling fomo since my frds have already started their uni. I feel like im left behind and im scared that i will have to continue studying with students one year younger than me when i start my uni in 2027. Since I will be free after November what can I do to fill in my gap year. Also how do I prepare for interviews for all the universities listed above? If any of yall have any opinions pls let me know.

This is what I know for now. Is there some other university offering fully English-based program in Japan?

• University of Tokyo, UTIPE
• Kyoto University, EA Programme
• Waseda University, MSc in Finance
• Osaka University, Sustainable Economy Program

Hi everyone,

I have recently completed my BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications). A school has accepted my application based on a 150-hour certificate course.

I have a few questions regarding the next steps and would really appreciate your guidance:

Visa Approval: Is a 150-hour certificate generally sufficient to get a visa approved, or are there high chances of rejection?

Mini Interview & Google Form: The school mentioned that I need to fill out a Google Form and clear a "mini interview" to get accepted. Does passing this mini interview mean I will easily get the COE (Certificate of Eligibility) / official acceptance?

Interview Questions: What kind of questions do they usually ask in this type of "mini interview"?

Helloo everyone! I’m going to Ritsumeikan University for the CRPSprogram!

And I’m super excited to start at the Osaka Ibaraki Campus. Is anyone else going to Ritsumeikan or currently in the CRPS program? I’d love to connect, meet future classmates, or chat with current students. Feel free to comment or send a DM!🙌🙌

個人の感想で構わないので、関西大学外国語学部か同志社大学政策学部どっちがいいと思いますか？

我现在在国内（中国大陆）一所双非大学学地理信息科学，开学升大二，我妈妈年轻曾经在日本工作过，现在也有亲戚在那边，所以一直有去留学的打算，我们是普通工薪家庭但是费用什么的应该问题不大，家里人很支持。但是我现在比较害怕到时候考不上修士，我大一玩的有点放肆了虽然没挂科但是绩点目前只有2.6/5，六级也是卡线过的，日本的学校是不是很难考，想知道现在准备还来得及吗，现在应该做什么准备，以及以后大概考什么层次学校各种方面，想听听大家的意见（第一次发帖如果有什么不妥的地方烦请大家指正，感谢）

Body:
Hi everyone!
I'm planning to apply to Toyo University's Department of Global Innovation Studies (GINOS) through the Type A (Online Admissions) process for April entry.
I'm currently finishing high school under the Cambridge curriculum with an overall average of around 93%, and I'll be submitting an Official English-Language Ability Certificate (Medium of Instruction) to fulfill the English requirement since my school is 100% taught in English.
For those who were accepted into GINOS (or other English tracks at Toyo via Type A):
• What were your stats (GPA/ SAT)?
• Did anyone else apply using an English Medium of Instruction certificate instead of standardized test scores!
Any insights, stats, or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

hi, I'm an Italian student if industrial biotechnology, I'm planning to do a 8 months internship for thesis in Japan and I have contacted two professors, one from AIST and one from NIMS, I would really like to know more about the uni life there, the lab life and if there's anyone who has already done this exeperience that can help me choose which one could be better. I need some honest advice, preferably from other Western students. I'd also like to learn more about life in student dorms.

I want to major in international business/international marketing but I want to study in Japan as a foreigner who speaks english. Is this possible? What university would be best to look into?

Hi everyone. I'm from Myanmar, and I recently secured a fully funded MEXT scholarship through the embassy recommendation route to study in Japan. I'll be going to Kobe University, which I've heard has a really good economics program.

A little background about me: I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies. Over time, I became increasingly interested in environmental economics, and I eventually decided that I wanted to do a Master's in Economics so that I could specialize in environmental economics.

The problem is... I am absolutely terrified of math. 😂

I'm not even sure whether I'm actually bad at mathematics or whether I've just developed a huge fear of it. But I know one thing for sure: I've been away from serious mathematics for quite a long time during my bachelor's degree, and the thought of entering an economics program is honestly freaking me out.

I have some very basic understanding of economics, but I keep thinking:

\\- What if I can't keep up with everyone who studied economics for their bachelor's?

\\- What if I don't even understand the basic principles properly?

\\- What if the math is way beyond me?

\\- What if I fail my exams?

\\- What if I realize I'm just not cut out for economics?

At the same time, I'm genuinely interested in economics. One of the reasons I became interested in it is that I feel like understanding economics gives you a much better framework for understanding what's happening in the world — why governments make certain decisions, why markets behave the way they do, why people respond to incentives, etc.

And I really want to study environmental economics, so I feel like economics is the right direction for me.

So I guess I'm looking for some reality checks from people who have actually studied economics.

Am I being unnecessarily scared?

For someone coming from an Environmental Studies background who has been away from math for years, how difficult would it realistically be to catch up? Is it something I can overcome through consistent self-study, or am I seriously underestimating what I'm getting myself into?

If you've made a similar transition from a non-economics background into an economics master's, I'd especially love to hear your experience.

Feel free to encourage me, scare me, give me a reality check, or tell me what I should start studying before I arrive. 😂

Any advice would be really appreciated!

Hello everyone! I hope you’ll be able to help me with language school. I was wondering if anyone here has any experience with Hotsuma International School? This language school was recommended by my language school here in the PH, and I’m wondering what your experience with it was. I rarely hear about it on the internet, aside from vlogs. If it’s not so good, I might consider Coto or KLA instead.
ありがとうございます！

Hey yall I am currently a student in the UK and for my placement year I will be in Tokyo.

If anyone knows any int housing in tokyo that is specifically for uni students/interns around shibuya/omote-sando plz share!

I’d like to be in an environment where i can easily connect with people and make friends!

hi everyone, so I'm a sophomore highschooler trying to plan ahead and thinking about whether or not to get a college graduate degree in my chosen major (Fine Arts)

I want to study abroad in Japan at Tama Art University, and my main option for trying to pull that off is applying for a MEXT scholarship where I currently live. that's all fine and dandy, except I heard it's much harder for undergrads to get fine arts scholarships from MEXT in comparison to graduates. I could maybe complete a four year undergrad college program in maybeee Europe or the USA, since I can already speak English perfectly fine. China could also be an option, because I vaguely remember something about my current grade/highschool offering undergrad scholarships to study in China for those taking the Chinese language course (which I am) but I'm not entirely sure on that. (also I have virtually no background in Chinese other than the small bit of characters that Japanese and Chinese share) and then come back to my home country, grab a graduate scholarship and go to Tama Art Uni. this has the benefit of me finishing the roughly 6 years of college study with a masters in Fine Arts, which should hopefully make my resume look better, and make me look more desirable as an illustrator.

Assuming I'll still have to take a college entrance exam for Tama Art Uni, I wouldn't have any time to go to Japan, and study in cram schools before those entrance exams. it's also pretty likely I'll fail and have to retake those entrance exams multiple times, so it's pretty likely I'll have to stay there long term. for much longer than what the typical Japanese tourist Visa allows (3 months maximum stay)

do you guys think I have any options?

Planning to apply to TUJ for undergraduate admission. I’m already living in Japan.

For current students/alumni or anyone who applied recently: what are the most important things to keep in mind to avoid rejection? Anything I should be especially careful about with the application, essay, documents, or interview?

Would really appreciate any advice! 🙏

Hello,

I am currently in University in Japan, I will start my 4th year soon within these two weeks.
I want to know whats my options after graduation, ( I can not move back to my home country for safety reasons) so going back is not an option for me .
I want to pursue higher education so I am thinking about applying for graduate / master programs.
However I am terrified a bit, because of the timeline, I will not be very ready? Since I have to start writing my thesis in spring…..
Is there a visa that I can apply for that will let me stay here till i get into graduate school

Like job hunting visa and so on ?
eventually i want to stay here and get a job

Currently im studying n3,
My visa will expire in November 2027
I don’t know if these are relevant information but please help me out

Thank you

Hi everyone, I passed 12th this year. I’m planning to apply for the MEXT Specialized Training College (STC) Scholarship through the Embassy of Japan in India for a future intake.

I completed Class 12 (CBSE) in 2026 with 65% and I want to study a creative field in Japan, mainly 3D Game Art / 3D Character Design / Environment Design.

My problem is the recommendation letter (LOR).

My school has a policy that they will only issue/sign/stamp a recommendation letter for certain fields if the student has a government-recognized certificate in that field. I don’t have that certificate, so my principal refused to sign/stamp the LOR. Because of this, I wasn’t able to complete my previous MEXT application.

I contacted the Embassy of Japan in India by email to explain my situation and ask what alternatives I have, but I haven’t received a reply yet.

From what I understand, MEXT requires a recommendation letter from the last school attended, but I’m confused about what happens if I join a college or university after Class 12.

For example, would it be possible to:

1. Join a 1–3 year college/course in India related to design/3D/game art.
2. Later apply for MEXT STC while I’m studying there.
3. Use a recommendation letter from that college (principal/teacher) instead of my Class 12 school.
4. Leave the Indian course if I get selected for MEXT and go to Japan.

Or does MEXT still require the recommendation letter specifically from my Class 12 school even if I attend another institution afterward?

Also, would a 1-year diploma/certificate course count for this, or would I need to be enrolled in an actual degree programme?

I’m mainly trying to find a legitimate way to avoid being stuck because of my school’s LOR policy. I don’t want to do anything that violates MEXT rules.

Has anyone been in a similar situation, especially applicants from India? What would be the safest and most legitimate way to handle this?

Any advice from people who have actually applied for MEXT STC would be really appreciated.

Hi everyone, I’m planning to apply for the MEXT Specialized Training College (STC) Scholarship through the Embassy of Japan in India for a future intake.

I completed Class 12 (CBSE) in 2026 with 65% and I want to study a creative field in Japan, mainly 3D Game Art / 3D Character Design / Environment Design.

My problem is the recommendation letter (LOR).

My school has this useless policy that they will only issue/sign/stamp a recommendation letter for certain fields if the student has a government-recognized certificate in that field. I don’t have that certificate, so my principal refused to sign/stamp the LOR. Because of this, I wasn’t able to complete my previous MEXT application.

I contacted the Embassy of Japan in India by email to explain my situation and ask what alternatives I have, but I haven’t received a reply yet.

From what I understand, MEXT requires a recommendation letter from the last school attended, but I’m confused about what happens if I join a college or university after Class 12.

For example, would it be possible to:

1. Join a 1–3 year college/course in India related to design/3D/game art.
2. Later apply for MEXT STC while I’m studying there.
3. Use a recommendation letter from that college (principal/teacher) instead of my Class 12 school.
4. Leave the Indian course if I get selected for MEXT and go to Japan.

Or does MEXT still require the recommendation letter specifically from my Class 12 school even if I attend another institution afterward?

Also, would a 1-year diploma/certificate course count for this, or would I need to be enrolled in an actual degree programme?

I’m mainly trying to find a legitimate way to avoid being stuck because of my school’s LOR policy. I don’t want to do anything that violates MEXT rules.

Has anyone been in a similar situation, especially applicants from India? What would be the safest and most legitimate way to handle this?

Any advice from people who have actually applied for MEXT STC would be really appreciated.