How to apply for Japanese university scholarships as an international student?

I'm a high school junior interested in studying in Japan, and I heard there are scholarships available for international students. Can anyone share details about applying to Japanese universities with scholarships? Any tips or personal experiences would be super helpful!

While I can't share personal experiences, I can certainly provide you with some general guidance on applying to Japanese universities as an international student. If you're looking to finance your studies in Japan, you're correct that there are numerous scholarships available for international students. The best place to start might be the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), which offers scholarships for international students who have been accepted into a Japanese university.

To apply for these scholarships, often, you will need to provide the following:

1. Proof of Acceptance: Most scholarships will require an acceptance letter from a Japanese university. As such, the first step is to apply and get accepted to a Japanese university.

2. Scholarship Application: Once you've been accepted, you can begin the scholarship application process. The JASSO, for example, offers a 'Monbukagakusho Scholarship' for which you have to complete an online application form, submit academic records, and a study plan.

3. Other Scholarships: Additionally, many Japanese universities offer their own scholarships, some of which are automatically considered upon admission. Others may require a separate application. For these, you'll need to visit the respective university's webpage to understand their process.

4. Residency Status: Some scholarships stipulate a certain type of residency status, typically 'Student.'

5. Language Proficiency: Be aware that some scholarships may require proficiency in Japanese, demonstrated by tests such as JLPT, EJU, or others. If the course of study is in English, they might require TOEFL, IELTS, or similar English proficiency tests instead.

Remember that the application process and requirements can differ significantly from one scholarship to another. Therefore, do extensive research on each scholarship's specific requirements, criteria, and deadlines.

Lastly, prior to starting your scholarship application, it might be beneficial to contact the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country, as they can often provide detailed advice and sometimes even administer scholarship programs themselves. Good luck with your scholarship search and future studies in Japan!