Japan
Exchange Opportunities
Exchange with Hirosaki University
Exchange with Hirosaki University, Hirosaki
Up to three tuition-free places to participate in the programme for foreign students; good English language skills are required. Japanese language courses at different levels are available to all exchange students. In addition, attendance at regular courses may also be possible by arrangement. One-semester stays are possible. Basic knowledge of the Japanese language is required at the time of application.
Target group
Students of all disciplines who have completed four semesters of BA or ZP in law at the start of the programme.
Further information
https://www.kokusai.hirosaki-u.ac.jp/en/studyabroad02/sa02_page1/
Syllabus of the exchange programme 2025
Application deadline
Always at the beginning of December – Please note the information in the current announcement.
Exchange with Kobe University
Exchange with Kobe University, Kobe
Up to three tuition-free places in one of the study programmes offered; good English language skills are required. Knowledge at LEVEL N1 of the JLPT is generally required for participation in academic courses. Japanese language courses at different levels are available to all exchange students. In addition, attendance at regular courses may also be possible by arrangement. One-semester stays are possible. Basic knowledge of the Japanese language is required at the time of application, as well as a grade point average of at least 2.0.
Target group
Students of all disciplines who have completed four semesters of BA or ZP in law at the start of the programme.
Further information
www.kobe-u.ac.jp/en/study_in_kobe/admission/exchange_program.html
Factsheet Kobe University 2025
Application deadline
Always at the beginning of December – Please note the information in the current announcement.
Exchange with Osaka Gakuin University
Exchange with Osaka Gakuin University
Two study places free of charge for participation in the International Exchange Programme (two-semester language and regional studies programme), potentially with stipend for room and utility costs. Attendance at regular courses is generally also possible with appropriate language skills after consultation. One-semester stays are possible. Basic knowledge of the Japanese language must be available at the time of application.
Target group
Students of all disciplines who have completed four semesters of BA or ZP in law at the beginning of the programme.
Further information
www.osaka-gu.ac.jp
Factsheet Osaka Gakuin Univ. 2025
Application deadline
Always at the beginning of December – Please note the information in the current announcement.
Exchange with Sophia University
Exchange with Sophia University, Tokyo
Up to three tuition-free places to participate in the Regular Exchange Programme of Sophia University; in addition to English-language courses (TOEFL/IELTS/TOEIC required), language courses in Japanese can be taken. Knowledge at LEVEL N1 of the JLPT is generally required for participation in academic courses. Intercultural courses of the Department of German Studies are open to all German-speaking students. One-semester stays are possible. Basic knowledge of the Japanese language is required at the time of application, as well as a grade point average of at least 2.0.
Target group
Students of all subjects who have completed four semesters of BA or ZP in law at the beginning of the programme.
Further information
Sophia University
Factsheet Sophia University 2025: https://piloti.sophia.ac.jp/assets/uploads/2025/02/25A_FACT_SHEETSophia-6.pdf
Exchange Brochure Sophia Univ. 2025: https://piloti.sophia.ac.jp/assets/uploads/2025/02/25A_ExchangeBrochure-6.pdf
Application deadline
Always at the beginning of December – Please note the information in the current announcement.
Exchange with the Department of German Studies Sophia University
Exchange with the Department of German Studies at Sophia University, Tokyo
Two tuition-free places to study at the Department of German Studies at Sophia University. In addition to Japanese language courses, students can take intercultural courses offered by the Department of German Studies. Furthermore, it is possible to take courses in English offered by the Department of Foreign Studies and the Faculty of Global Studies (TOEFL/IELTS/TOEIC required). Basic knowledge of the Japanese language must already be available at the time of application.
Target group
Students of Japanese Studies
Further information
sophia.ac.jp
Factsheet German-Japanese-Exchange Program Sophia Univ. 2025: https://piloti.sophia.ac.jp/assets/uploads/2025/02/25A_FACT_SHEETSophia_German-Japanese_202502.pdf
Application deadline
Always at the beginning of December – Please note the information in the current announcement.
Exchange with Waseda University
Exchange with Waseda University, Tokyo
One (possibly two or three) tuition-free place in one of the study programmes offered; participation in English-language courses of the respective faculties is possible (TOEFL/IELTS required). Knowledge at LEVEL N1 of the JLPT is generally required for participation in academic courses. Participation in the Japanese Language Programme is also possible. In addition, attendance at regular courses may also be possible by arrangement. Basic knowledge of the Japanese language is required at the time of application, as well as a grade point average of at least 2.0.
Target group
Students of all disciplines who have completed four semesters of BA or ZP in law at the beginning of the programme.
Further information
Center for International Education,Waseda University
Factsheet Waseda University 2025: https://www.waseda.jp/inst/cie/assets/uploads/2025/01/2025-2026_EX_Factsheet_20250121.pdf
Application deadline
Always at the beginning of December – Please note the information in the current announcement.
Exchange with Meiji Gakuin University
Exchange with Meiji Gakuin University, Tokyo/Yokohama
Two tuition-free places in one of the study programmes offered; prerequisite is a good knowledge of English (TOEFL/IELTS required) or a basic knowledge of Japanese (at least two semesters). Knowledge at LEVEL N1 of the JLPT is generally required for participation in academic courses. In addition, attendance at regular courses may also be possible by arrangement. Japanese language courses are offered at various levels. A grade point average of 3.0 is required.
Target group
Students of all disciplines with four completed semesters of BA or ZP in law at the start of the programme. If you are interested, please contact .
Further information
meijigakuin.ac.jp
International Student Program Guide: https://www.meijigakuin.ac.jp/en/international/resource/meijigakuin_ISPguide.pdf
Application deadline
Always at the beginning of December – Please note the information in the current announcement.
Exchange with Tokyo University
Exchange with Tokyo University, Tokyo
Up to two tuition-free places in one of the study programmes offered; prerequisite is a good knowledge of English (TOEFL/IELTS required). Knowledge at LEVEL N1 of the JLPT is generally required for participation in academic courses. In addition, attendance at regular courses may also be possible by arrangement. Japanese language courses are offered at various levels.
Target group
Graduate students from Fachbereich II or III at Trier University
Further information
www.globalkomaba.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/inbound/study/programs/exchange_programs/index.html
Application deadline
Always at the beginning of December – Please note the information in the current announcement.
For students of Japanese Studies, further exchange places in Japan are also available within the framework of partnerships of the subject Japanese Studies. Further information is available here.
Scholarships
Language and Practice in Japan
Program objective
The objective of the program is to offer German graduates the opportunity to participate in a language and practice-oriented program in Japan. Scholarship holders are given the opportunity to learn the Japanese language from scratch and to experience the culture and economy of the country firsthand. The DAAD, as a higher education organization, and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) see this program as a contribution to the development of experts on Japan in business, administration, and industry.
Who can apply?
The target group is primarily those with little or no experience of Japan who are interested in pursuing a career in a German-Japanese context. However, those with in-depth knowledge of Japan are also welcome to apply.
The application requirement is at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, natural sciences, engineering, law, political science, economics, social sciences, or architecture.
Medical, humanities, and arts subjects are excluded.
The DAAD would also like to encourage interested parties who already have professional experience to submit an application.
You can also apply if you are not a German citizen. The requirements can be found in our important scholarship information under Section A, Point 1.
What is funded?
A two-week preparatory course in language and regional studies at a German language institute for applicants with little or no knowledge of Japanese
An approximately ten-month language course in Japan (at a language school selected by the DAAD), supplemented by excursions to learn about the country and visits to research institutions and companies
A six-month internship at a Japanese or German-Japanese company or at an administrative institution in Japan
The DAAD branch office in Tokyo is responsible for organizing the supporting program during the stay in Japan. Scholarship holders are responsible for finding their own internship placements. The branch office can assist with the placement process.
The internship is an integral part of the program.
Those interested in exclusively language training are referred to the program Scholarships for the Study of Asian Languages.#
Duration of funding
This scholarship is generally valid for a period of approximately 16 months:
Preparatory course at a German language institute, if necessary
Language course in Japan: beginning of October to end of June
Internship in Japan: beginning of July of the following year to end of December
The scholarship cannot be extended.
Scholarship benefits
The scholarship includes the following benefits:
A monthly scholarship rate determined by the host country: Scholarship calculator (the rates for doctoral students apply to this program). The scholarship rates are subject to change for scholarships awarded for the 2025/2026 academic year.
Travel allowance
Health, accident, and personal liability insurance
Coverage of the costs of the preparatory course (including pocket money) for applicants without prior knowledge
Coverage of the costs of language lessons in Japan
A challenging accompanying program
Link
Scholarships from the Japanese government (MEXT) for research stays in Japan (from 2027)
Program objective
The objective of the program offered by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) is to enable German graduates to study in Japan as part of a research or supplementary or postgraduate program.
Who can apply?
German graduates from all disciplines are eligible to apply.
What is funded?
Funding is provided for study visits to Japan as part of a research or supplementary/postgraduate program. Applicants are responsible for finding a suitable host institution.
For recipients who do not have sufficient Japanese language skills, a six-month intensive language course accompanying their studies is included. The course enables everyday conversation – English is sufficient for research purposes.
Duration of funding
One-and-a-half or two-year research or study visit from
April 2027 to March 2029 or
October 2027 to March 2029
However, upon application to the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) during the first year of funding, the duration of the scholarship may be extended under certain circumstances to allow for the completion of a full doctorate with funding from MEXT.
Scholarship benefits
Depending on the academic degree, the scholarship includes the following benefits:
A monthly scholarship payment of between 143,000 and 145,000 yen (as of 04/2020)
Return flight tickets
Tuition fees
The scholarship amount provided by the Japanese government is supplemented by the DAAD with a flat rate of 50 euros per month for Japanese health insurance during the first two years of funding.
