The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) of Japan offers scholarships to international teachers who wish to conduct research on school education at designated Japanese universities as Teacher Training Students under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program as follows.
1．Eligibility
MEXT accepts applications from international students for study in Japan who satisfy the following qualifications and conditions. Its aim is to foster human resources who will become bridges of friendship between the grantee’s country and Japan through study in Japan and who will contribute to the development of both countries and the wider world.
- A Ghanaian National residing in Ghana
- Under the age of 35 as of 1 April 2016 (born on or after 2 April 1981)
- Graduate degree from universities or teacher training colleges with a total mark of second class upper division or higher
- Teaching experience for at least five years in elementary, junior high, senior high schools or in teacher training schools in Ghana
- Willingness to learn the Japanese language and have the ability to do research in Japanese
(1) Nationality:
Applicants must have the nationality of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan. An applicant who has Japanese nationality at the time of application is not eligible. However, persons with dual nationality who hold Japanese nationality and whose place of residence at the time of application is outside of Japan are eligible to apply as long as they choose the nationality of the other country and renounce their Japanese nationality by the date of their arrival in Japan. The First Screening must be conducted at the Japanese diplomatic mission in the country of which the applicant chooses the nationality.
(2) Age:
In principle, applicants must be born on or after April 2, 1989. Exceptions are limited to cases in which MEXT deems that the applicant could not apply within the eligible age limit due to the situation or circumstances of the applicant’s country (military service obligation, loss of educational opportunities due to disturbances of war, etc.). Personal circumstances (financial situation, family circumstances, state of health, circumstances related to applicant’s university or place of employment etc.) will not be considered for exceptions.
(3) Academic and Career Background:
Applicants must be graduates of universities or teacher training schools and have worked as teachers at primary/secondary educational institutions or teacher training schools (excluding universities) in their home countries for a total period of five years or more as of October 1, 2024. In-service faculty members in a higher education institution are not eligible.
(4) Japanese Language Ability:
Applicants must be willing to learn Japanese. Applicants must be interested in Japan and be willing to deepen their understanding of Japan after arriving in Japan. Applicants must also have the ability to do research and adapt to living in Japan.
(5) Health: Applicants must submit a health certificate in the prescribed format signed by a physician attesting that the applicant has no physical or mental conditions hindering the applicant’s study in Japan.
(6) Arrival in Japan: In principle, applicants must be able to arrive in Japan by the designated period (usually September or October) between the day two weeks before the course starts and the starting date of the course. If the applicant cannot arrive in Japan during the specified period for personal reasons, travel expenses to Japan will not be paid. Excluding cases in which MEXT deems as unavoidable circumstances, the applicant must withdraw from this scholarship program if the applicant cannot arrive in Japan by the end of the specified period above which decided by MEXT or the accepting university.
(7) Visa Requirement:
An applicant shall, in principle, newly obtain a “Student” visa at the Japanese diplomatic mission located in the applicant’s country of nationality, and enter Japan with the newly obtained residence status of “Student”. Accordingly, even if the applicant already has other residence status (“Permanent resident,” “Long-term resident,” etc.), the applicant must change it to the “Student” status and re-enter Japan. Moreover, the applicant should be aware that after expiration of the status as a MEXT Scholarship student and even if the student again applied for their original resident status of “Permanent resident” or “Long-term resident,” such resident statuses might not be necessarily granted. It should be noted that if the grantee comes to Japan without newly obtaining the “Student” visa, the provision of the scholarship will be stopped.
(8) Return and continue to work after the end of the scholarship period:
Applicants must ensure that they return to their home country after the end of the final month of the scholarship period and resume their work as a teacher at his/her primary/secondary educational institution or teacher training school. Applicants shall utilize the results of their research on school education in Japan. If a guarantee fails this condition, he/she may be ordered to return the entire amount of the scholarship paid during the scholarship period. Those who are uncertain about returning and resuming their work after the end of the scholarship period should not apply for this program.
2. Form Distribution
Qualified candidates may download application forms from link below;
https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap-stopj-applications-teacher.html
3. Application Form Dispatch
Completed application forms should be sent to;
The Registrar, Scholarship Secretariat
P.O.Box M75, Accra
Tel: 0302 662681/662732
4. Deadline for Form Submission
(NB: Only short-listed applicants will be informed of further procedures)
Course Guide of Teacher Training Program
Course Guide should be downloaded from the link below;
https://www.mext.go.jp/content/20231222-mxt_kotokoku02-000033234-12.pdf
NB: Please note the following:
The scholarship schedule COULD BE CHANGED OR EVEN CANCELLED depending on prevailing circumstances.
Only shortlisted applicants will be informed of further procedures.
Only shortlisted applicants will submit medical certificate. The Embassy of Japan in Ghana will inform those who will submit the medical certificate.
Please DO NOT use the forms for the previous year.
*Previous exam papers for written exams are available from the link below;
https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/scholarship/application/examination.html
For more information, please contact;
Embassy of Japan in Ghana (Public Relations/ Cultural Section)
Dr. Hideyo Noguchi Street, West Cantonments
Tel: 0302765060/1
E-mail: prudence.kuuridong@ar.mofa.go.jp
