For those who want to study or find a job in Japan, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) have implemented the "Career Development Program for Foreign Students in Japan".
The Japanese government and other institutions also have various other programs for foreign students and job-seekers in Japan.

Recently, the global business conducted by Japanese companies has been expanding. The Japanese government, universities and industry invite talented foreign students to study in Japan, thereby contributing to the development of high-level human resources who can serve as a bridge between Japan and the foreign countries.

The Japanese government supports the development of curricula by academic-industrial consortia and provides foreign students with government scholarships.　The program provides not only specialized education but also job-hunting support for outstanding foreign students from all over the world who are interested in working for a Japanese company ( a company operating in Japan or an overseas subsidiary of a Japanese company).

In this plan, the following two types of project are executed by several universities and regional consortia.

1. Advanced Education Program for Career Development of Foreign Students:

implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

Universities supported by industry provide educational programs including professional education programs as well as business Japanese-language education and job-hunting support, mainly for foreign students who are newly visiting Japan with the wish to work for a Japanese company.

2. Regional Internship Program for Career Development of Foreign Students:

implemented by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Regional consortia of NPOs, universities and companies provide educational programs including business Japanese language-education and job-hunting support, for foreign students who belong to universities or graduate schools in the region and wish to work for a Japanese company.

• Details at Career Development Program for Foreign Students in Japan (Project Support Center website)

Various scholarships for international students in Japan are provided by various organizations. Comprehensive information about scholarships are provided by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO).

• Details at Scholarships for International Students in Japan (JASSO website)

May 22, 2009

Americas Division, Trade Policy Bureau