Scholarships and Tuition Support for International Students at Japanese Language Schools: JASSO Honors Scholarship, LSH Asia Scholarship, Local Government and School Programs

Many people want to study at a Japanese language school but worry about tuition and living costs. In Japan, there are scholarships that international students at Japanese language schools can apply for. However, not everyone receives one. There are conditions, limits on the number of students, and a selection process. This guide explains the main scholarships that Japanese language school students can apply for, what to ask your school, and what you can prepare before going to Japan.

We checked the official pages listed below on 13 November 2026. Scholarship amounts, conditions, and application periods can change. Before you apply, check the latest information from the organization that offers the scholarship and from the school where you are enrolled. This guide does not guarantee that you will receive a scholarship or be admitted to a school.

If you want to learn about all types of scholarships, see also the guide to scholarships for studying in Japan. This guide focuses only on students at Japanese language schools.

Can international students at Japanese language schools apply for scholarships?

If you meet the conditions, you can apply. However, not every student or every school is covered. The main scholarships that Japanese language school students can apply for are as follows.

• The JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization) scholarship for privately financed international students
• Scholarships from private organizations (example: the LSH Asia Scholarship)
• Scholarships from local governments and international exchange groups
• Scholarships and tuition reductions run by the Japanese language school itself

According to Study in Japan (JASSO), you apply for most scholarships after you arrive in Japan, through the school where you are enrolled. Many scholarships cover only part of the costs. Do not expect a scholarship to pay for all of your study abroad costs.

Comparison of the main scholarships

1. JASSO Honors Scholarship for privately financed students: 30,000 yen per month

JASSO gives this scholarship to privately financed international students who have good grades and need financial support. For students at Japanese language education institutions, the amount is 30,000 yen per month. In principle, the payment period is 1 year from April to the following March, or 6 months from October to the following March.

The main conditions for Japanese language school students are as follows.

• You are enrolled at a Japanese language education institution aiming to go on to a Japanese university, graduate school, junior college, college of technology, or the specialized course of a vocational school.
• You are a privately financed international student and your status of residence is "Student".
• Your grade evaluation coefficient for the previous school year is 2.30 or higher, and you are expected to keep that level during the payment period.
• The money sent from home (not including admission fees, tuition, and similar costs) is 90,000 yen or less per month on average.
• If you have a supporter living in Japan, that person's annual income is less than 5 million yen.
• You are willing to cooperate with the survey on your future path that JASSO conducts through the school.

The conditions on Japanese or English ability do not apply to students at Japanese language education institutions. While you receive the scholarship, you must sign the enrollment confirmation form at the school's office every month.

You apply through the school where you are enrolled. The number of students each school can recommend is set according to the number of international students enrolled, so at some schools you may not be able to apply. After you enter the school, ask the school staff whether there is a call for applications.

2. LSH Asia Scholarship: 20,000 yen per month for 5 months (100,000 yen in total)

The LSH Asia Scholarship is a scholarship for students at Japanese language education institutions, run by the non-profit organization LSH Asia Scholarship Foundation. The foundation's application guidelines for fiscal year 2026 include the following.

• Amount: 100,000 yen per person (5 months, from August to December 2026). The Study in Japan (JASSO) search site says 20,000 yen per month, for 5 months, with no extension.
• Who can apply: students from Asian countries with the "Student" status of residence. "Asia" follows the regional classification of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so Nepal and Bangladesh are included.
• School conditions: a Japanese language education institution that is listed in a Ministry of Justice public notice or has been certified by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and that has at least a certain number of students.
• Student conditions: as of 1 July 2026, you have been enrolled at the recommending school for about 3 months or more, and you plan to stay enrolled for at least 6 more months from that date. Your attendance rate is 90% or more, and your attitude toward study is excellent. You do not receive another scholarship now or during the payment period, and you do not plan to.
• How to apply: through your school. A handwritten essay in Japanese (400 to 800 Japanese characters) is required for the selection.

The application period for fiscal year 2026 was 1 to 31 July 2026, and it had already ended as of 13 November 2026. For the timing, number of places, and conditions of the next call, check the latest application guidelines of the LSH Asia Scholarship Foundation and your school's notice. Conditions may change from year to year.

3. Scholarships from local governments and international exchange groups

Local governments and international exchange groups sometimes offer scholarships or tuition support for international students who study in their area. The Study in Japan (JASSO) search site lets you search together for schools' own scholarships and tuition reduction programs, and for scholarships from local governments, international exchange groups, and private scholarship foundations. When we checked on 13 November 2026, it listed 1,033 entries. The "course" search condition includes "Japanese language education institution".

The search site lists, for example, scholarships in regions such as Yamagata, Ishikawa, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, and Oita prefectures. However, who is eligible differs for each program. Some programs are only for university undergraduates. Please check one by one whether a listed program also covers Japanese language school students.

Depending on the program, there may be conditions like the following.

• You study or live in a specific prefecture, city, or town.
• You have lived in that area for a set period.
• You do not receive another scholarship.
• You take part in community exchange activities.

The search site has a note saying that it does not list every scholarship. Some programs are not listed, so also ask the school you want to enter.

4. Scholarships and tuition reductions run by Japanese language schools

Some Japanese language schools have their own scholarships, or reductions of the admission fee and tuition. The amounts and conditions differ greatly from school to school. Some are for students with good grades or attendance, and some are decided by the conditions at the time of admission. Some can be applied for before enrollment, and some after enrollment.

What to ask the school you want to enter

1. 1Do you have scholarships or tuition reductions for international students?
2. 2Can students from my country apply?
3. 3Can I apply before enrollment, or only after?
4. 4What are the amount and the period?
5. 5About how many students receive it each year?
6. 6Are there conditions such as attendance rate or Japanese ability?

Ask the school not only whether a program exists, but also how many students were selected in the previous year, what grades or attendance rate are needed, and how the selection is done.

Can I apply before going to Japan?

Many scholarships for Japanese language school students are applied for through the school, after you come to Japan and enter the school. For that reason, quite a few programs cannot be applied for while you are still in your home country. On the other hand, a school's own tuition reduction and similar programs can sometimes be applied for before enrollment.

Even if you do not receive a scholarship, make a financial plan first so that you can pay tuition and living costs. A guide to estimated costs is in the guide to the cost of studying in Japan from Nepal.

What you can prepare for scholarships

• Keep studying Japanese: Depending on the program, your Japanese ability and study results may be looked at.
• Take attendance seriously: Scholarship conditions may include grades and attendance. Attendance rates are explained in the guide to attendance rates at Japanese language schools.
• Think about your plans for further study: The JASSO scholarship is for students who aim to go on to further study. For how to go on, see how to go on to a university or vocational school after language school.
• Ask the school early: Application periods can be short. As soon as you enter the school, ask the school staff.
• Check the conditions: Some scholarships cannot be received at the same time. Before you apply, check the required documents and the conditions for receiving more than one.

Frequently asked questions

Can students from Nepal or Bangladesh receive scholarships?

Nationality alone does not exclude you. The JASSO scholarship is for privately financed international students who meet the conditions. For other scholarships, the eligible countries or regions may be set for each program, so check the application guidelines.

Do Japanese language school students receive 30,000 yen every month?

No. 30,000 yen per month is the amount of the JASSO scholarship. Not every Japanese language school student receives it. It is for people who meet the conditions, are recommended by the school, and are selected.

Do I have to repay the scholarship?

The JASSO scholarship and the LSH Asia Scholarship explained in this guide are grant-type scholarships that you do not have to repay. However, there may be conditions to follow after receiving it, or a duty to report. Check the information for each program.

Can I not apply unless I have passed the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)?

It depends on the program. For the JASSO scholarship, the Japanese ability condition does not apply to students at Japanese language education institutions. Other programs may look at Japanese ability or grades.

Can I receive a scholarship before going to Japan?

Many scholarships for Japanese language school students are applied for after enrollment. Ask the school you want to enter directly whether any program can be applied for before you go to Japan.

Can a scholarship alone cover tuition and living costs?

In general, it is difficult. Many scholarships cover only part of the costs. Prepare enough money, including travel costs, admission fee, tuition, and housing costs.

Next steps

In the list of Japanese language schools, compare locations and costs, and ask the schools you are interested in whether they have scholarships or tuition reductions. For the whole process of choosing a school, see how to choose a Japanese language school. This site does not guarantee admission or receipt of a scholarship. This site is free to use.