Japanese government offers scholarships to CNMI students

The Japanese government is offering students in the CNMI who are U.S. citizens scholarships for three separate fields of study.
Based on information received by the Consular Office of Japan on Saipan from the Consulate General of Japan in Hagatna, Guam, the Japanese government is offering three separate scholarships under the categories of “specialized training college students,” “undergraduate students,” and “research students.”

Consular Office of Japan consul Hitoshi Kikuchi said that CNMI students could avail of these scholarships if they want to study in Japan.

“But they have to go through a preparatory stage and undertake written examinations,” he said.

Kikuchi noted that it is a great opportunity for students in the CNMI if they want to study abroad and it’ll depend on the chosen applicant if they want to stay in Japan to further their education.

They can choose from different fields of study such as technology, personal care and nutrition, education and welfare, business, fashion and home economics, culture and general education, and other fields.

All three categories have its own special requirements for turning in applications but all are required to be fully completed.

For those who want to study under “specialized training college students,” they will have to undertake a three-year scholarship course. They are required to hold U.S. citizenship, born between April 2, 1993, and April 1, 1998, have completed a 12-year regular course of school or equivalent to senior high schools in Japan, willing to learn the Japanese language and receive training in the Japanese language, and be able to leave for and arrive in Japan between April 1 and 7, 2015.

The specialized training scholarship also offers a monthly allowance of about a $1,000 or more, depending on the annual budget each year. They will also have a paid economy-class ticket to Japan according to the region where they will be placed in but any transportation within Japan will be at the student’s expense. Those who complete the three-year course will also be given a free plane ticket back, and all fees will be paid for, including entrance examinations, matriculation, and tuition.

For those who want to study under “undergraduate students,” they will have to undertake a five-year scholarship course. They also have the same requirements as the “specialized training college students.”

Students will be able to choose from a variety of fields of study such as social sciences and humanities and natural sciences. All school fees will be paid as well as a monthly allowance.

For those who want to study under “research students,” they are required to hold U.S. citizenship, born on or after April 2, 1980, be a university graduate, be able to leave for Japan between April 1 and 7, 2015, conduct research in the same or related field majored as an undergraduate, and be able to contact and obtain a letter of acceptance from a professor at the Japanese university.