Heiwa Nakajima Foundation Scholarship: Earn Up to ¥150,000 Monthly to Study in Japan
皆さん、こんにちは！(Hello everyone!)
Pursuing a higher degree in Japan is an exciting academic adventure, but managing the cost of living can be a significant challenge for self-financed international students. Akash, the creator of the Indori in Japan platform, consistently emphasises that while Japan offers world-class academic institutions, managing daily expenses in major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto requires careful financial planning. Average student expenses in Japan range from ¥100,000 to ¥250,000 per month, depending on rent, food, utilities, and location. To manage these costs, many students look beyond high-profile government programs like the MEXT scholarship and focus on prestigious private grants.
Among these private awards, the Heiwa Nakajima Foundation Scholarship is highly regarded for its substantial monthly stipend and structured support. Established through the philanthropic vision of Kenkichi Nakajima, the founder of Heiwa Corporation—one of Japan’s largest manufacturers of entertainment and gaming machines—the foundation was created to foster international peace and cross-cultural understanding. Born in Korea, Kenkichi Nakajima moved to Japan as a student in 1937 and worked in a defence factory during World War II. This experience inspired him to establish “Heiwa” (meaning peace) in 1949, with a focus on producing goods unrelated to conflict. The company was officially incorporated in 1960 and later created the Heiwa Nakajima Foundation (HNF) to support young global scholars.
Today, the Heiwa Nakajima Foundation Scholarship serves as a key financial resource for privately funded international students already studying at Japanese universities. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the scholarship program, including eligibility requirements, financial benefits, the selection process, and step-by-step application advice.
Critical Statistics: The Heiwa Nakajima Foundation Scholarship Program Matrix
The following table summarises the key statistics, financial metrics, and operational details of the Heiwa Nakajima Foundation Scholarship program:
| Parameter | Program Details & Empirical Metrics |
|---|---|
| Official Scholarship Name | Heiwa Nakajima Foundation Scholarship for Foreign Students (Nakajima Kenkichi Memorial Scholarship) |
| Sponsoring Body | The Heiwa Nakajima Foundation (HNF), Tokyo, Japan |
| Founder & Company Origin | Kenkichi Nakajima, Founder of Heiwa Corporation |
| Scholarship Category | Partial Financial Grant (Stipend-only; does not cover tuition or airfare) |
| Monthly Stipend Value | Undergraduate: ¥120,000 | Graduate (Master’s and PhD): ¥150,000 |
| Scholarship Tenure | Standard 1 Year (Non-renewable; from April to March of the following academic year) |
| Disbursement Method | Paid quarterly (accumulated every three months) via bank transfer to a Japanese account |
| Target Academic Levels | Undergraduate (typically 2nd to 4th year), Master's, and Doctoral degree programs |
| Annual Recipient Target | Total of 140 students per year (70 Undergraduates | 70 Graduate students) |
| Recent Selection Statistics | Selected 199 scholarship recipients from 845 applicants across all program categories |
| Total Annual Foundation Budget | Approximately ¥479.44 million allocated for student scholarships and academic research grants |
| Minimum Grade Point Average | Cumulative $2.30$ out of $3.00$ or higher on the standardised JASSO grading scale |
| Age Limit Criteria | No maximum age limit for applicants |
| Eligible Fields of Study | Open to all academic majors except practical vocational, design, cooking, or performance arts |
| Language & Application Format | Up to USD 10,000 for domestic or international doctoral fieldwork |
| Sylff Leadership Initiatives (SLI) | All forms must be handwritten in Japanese by the student using a black ballpoint pen |
| Reporting Commitments | Handwritten living and study status reports in Japanese must be submitted every three months |
| Official Foundation Address | Roppongi Hills Mori Tower 20F, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6120, Japan |
Who Can Apply for the Heiwa Nakajima Foundation Scholarship?
To apply for the scholarship, students must understand the specific eligibility criteria. The Heiwa Nakajima Foundation offers two distinct application tracks, each targeting a different group of international scholars:
1. The Foreign Scholarship Students Track (Standard University Track)
This is the primary pathway for international students already living and studying in Japan. This track is designed for privately funded, full-time undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in degree-seeking programs at Japanese universities. To qualify for this track, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Enrolled in a Regular Degree Program: Applicants must be enrolled as regular full-time students at a Japanese university. Undergraduate applicants are typically eligible in their second, third, or fourth year of study. Master’s and PhD candidates must be in a standard, degree-granting course.
- Holding a “Student” Visa Status: The applicant must hold a valid “Student” (Ryugaku) visa. Other residency categories, such as “Long-Term Resident” or “Dependent,” are not eligible.
- Academic Continuity: Students must have at least one full year of study remaining in their degree program from the start of the scholarship. Those who have already exceeded the standard period of study or have taken a leave of absence are not eligible to apply.
2. The Invited Foreign Scholarship Students Track (Exchange Track)
This highly specialised track targets undergraduate students majoring in Japanese language or Japanese studies at designated partner universities outside Japan. Under this track, selected students spend up to one academic year studying in Japan under an inter-university exchange agreement. Application materials and selection procedures for this track are sent directly to designated foreign universities, and students must be recommended by their home institutions.
Key Restrictions and Excluded Groups
Several groups of students are explicitly excluded from applying. Government-sponsored international students (such as MEXT scholars) and those receiving other major scholarships that exceed a nominal monthly threshold (typically ¥30,000) are ineligible.
Additionally, non-regular students—such as research students (Kenkyusei), non-degree auditing students, and those in short-term language or vocational certificate programs—do not qualify. The foundation also excludes students pursuing practical vocational training, such as fashion design, culinary arts, sports studies, or performance training in music or dance, focusing instead on academic research and degree-seeking studies.
Detailed Financial Benefits of the Program
The Heiwa Nakajima Foundation Scholarship is highly valued because it provides a reliable, high-value stipend that covers key living costs for self-financed students. It is important to note that this is a partial scholarship. The program is designed to help cover daily expenses rather than pay for all university-related costs.
Monthly Stipend Breakdown
The foundation provides a set monthly stipend that varies depending on the student’s academic level and their university’s specific agreement. The typical stipend structure includes:
- Undergraduate Level: Recipients generally receive a monthly stipend of ¥120,000. In some instances, depending on the university’s location or internal funding policies (such as at Saitama University or Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine), the stipend may be listed as ¥100,000 per month.
- Graduate Level (Master’s and PhD): Graduate scholars typically receive ¥150,000 per month. Similar to the undergraduate track, some partner universities list the graduate stipend as ¥100,000 per month, while certain major research universities (such as Kochi University) list graduate stipends up to ¥200,000 per month under specific foundation programs.
The Quarterly Payment Schedule
A unique aspect of the Heiwa Nakajima Foundation Scholarship is its payment schedule. Stipends are not transferred every month. Instead, the foundation accumulates and pays the scholarship quarterly (every three months) via bank transfer to the student’s domestic Japanese bank account.
This quarterly schedule means that while the overall funding is excellent, students must budget carefully to cover monthly expenses like rent, health insurance, and utilities, which are billed on a standard monthly cycle.
Excluded Educational Expenses
Because the program is a partial stipend grant, students must plan to cover other academic costs independently:
- University Tuition Fees: The scholarship does not waive or cover standard tuition or enrollment fees. Students remain responsible for paying these fees directly to their universities.
- Admission and Exam Fees: Any fees required for university entrance exams or enrollment registration must be paid out of pocket.
- Travel and Airfare: No travel allowances or flight tickets are provided under the standard track for foreign students already in Japan.
Academic and Language Eligibility Criteria
The selection process for the Heiwa Nakajima Foundation Scholarship is highly competitive. To be recommended by their university, students must meet high academic standards and demonstrate solid language skills.
Standardised Academic Performance Requirements
The foundation requires all applicants to maintain a strong academic record during the previous academic year. Specifically, students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.30 or above out of 3.00 calculated according to the standardised JASSO scale.
This GPA is calculated by converting grades from the student’s previous university transcript into standardised JASSO grade points. Standard grading systems (like S, A, B, C, F or 100-point scales) are mapped to a 3-point system as follows:
- Excellent, Outstanding, or Grade A: 3 points
- Good or Grade B: 3 points
- Average, Fair, or Grade C: 2 points
- Passing or Grade D: 1 point
- Fail or Grade F: 0 points
The formula then multiplies the number of credits for each course by its corresponding grade point, sums the totals, and divides by the cumulative number of credits registered during that year. The final calculated GPA must be rounded to two decimal places. If a student’s previous grades do not cover a full year, the university will calculate the GPA using their most recent semester grades.
Language Proficiency and Written Application Requirements
While some scholarships allow students to apply entirely in English, the Heiwa Nakajima Foundation requires a solid command of Japanese. All primary application documents—including the application form, detailed resume, and study or research plan—must be handwritten in Japanese by the applicant using a black ballpoint pen.
Additionally, selected scholars must write and submit detailed academic and lifestyle reports in Japanese every three months. Because all official correspondence with the foundation is conducted in Japanese, students must be comfortable communicating in the language to succeed in the program.
Step-by-Step Application Roadmap
The Heiwa Nakajima Foundation Scholarship operates strictly on a “University Recommendation” (Daigaku Suisen) model. Individual students cannot apply to the foundation directly. Instead, universities handle the initial screening and nominate their top candidates.
This roadmap outlines the typical steps required to navigate the application process:
Step 1: Monitor Internal University Announcements (Late August)
The foundation distributes official application materials and guidelines to universities across Japan at the end of August. International students should check their university’s scholarship bulletin boards, log in to the student portal (like KULAS), or visit the international student support office in late August or early September to obtain these documents.
Step 2: Prepare the Handwritten Dossier (September)
Once eligibility is confirmed, applicants must prepare their application package. All standard forms must be handwritten neatly in Japanese. The package typically includes:
- HNF Application Form (Form 1): Providing personal details, visa information, family details, and a breakdown of current monthly income and expenses.
- Handwritten Personal Statement and Study/Research Plan: Detailing research objectives, reasons for studying in Japan, and career goals.
- Letter of Recommendation (Form 2): Completed and signed by the student’s primary academic supervisor.
- Academic Transcripts: Official transcripts showing the student’s GPA and grades from the previous academic year.
- Identity Verification: Copies of the student’s passport, student ID card, and residence card (showing active “Student” status).
Step 3: Complete the Internal University Selection (September to October)
Universities must limit their official nominations to a very small number of candidates—typically only one undergraduate and one graduate student per campus. The university’s selection committee reviews all submissions based on JASSO GPA, research potential, financial need, and Japanese language ability.
Step 4: Physical Submission to the Foundation (October)
Once selected as the official university nominee, the student’s complete application package is forwarded by the university’s international office directly to the foundation’s headquarters in Tokyo. The foundation’s board conducts a final evaluation based entirely on the written documents, without requiring additional tests or interviews.
Step 5: Final Notification and Payment Commencement (March to April)
The foundation officially announces the final selected scholars in March. Selected students receive their official award letters through their universities, and the one-year funding cycle begins in April.
Proactive Strategies and Practical Tips for Success
Because universities are typically limited to nominating only one or two students per campus, securing a nomination is highly competitive. To stand out during the internal screening process, students should consider several practical strategies:
1. Focus on Clear and Clean Japanese Handwriting
Since the application forms must be handwritten in Japanese, the presentation of the document is very important. Messy handwriting or excessive corrections can leave a poor impression on the selection committee.
To avoid mistakes, students should print out several practice copies of the forms. It is helpful to write out the initial drafts in pencil, have a language advisor or peer check them for grammar and vocabulary, and then trace over them neatly with a black ballpoint pen on the official application form.
2. Strengthen the Relationship with the Academic Supervisor
The recommendation letter (Form 2) from the student’s academic advisor is a key element of the application. A strong, highly personalised recommendation can significantly improve a candidate’s chances.
Students should schedule a meeting with their supervisor to discuss their research progress and career goals. Providing the supervisor with a summary of their study plan makes it easier for them to write a detailed, compelling recommendation letter.
3. Emphasise Cultural Exchange and International Understanding
The Heiwa Nakajima Foundation was created to promote global peace and cross-cultural exchange. In the personal essay and statement of purpose, applicants should explain how they plan to participate in international exchange and build connections between Japan and their home country.
Highlighting past participation in university cultural events, volunteer work, or international student groups helps show an active interest in the foundation’s core mission.
4. Manage Concurrent Scholarship Limitations Strategically
Because the foundation does not allow concurrent major awards, applicants must coordinate their applications carefully. If a student is applying for multiple private scholarships, they should check their university’s internal nomination policies.
Securing a nomination for a scholarship with a high monthly stipend, like the HNF, is often a more effective strategy than applying for several smaller, less stable grants.
JAXA Internship FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Q1: Who can apply for the Heiwa Nakajima Foundation Scholarship?
The scholarship is open to privately funded international students enrolled full-time in regular degree-seeking programs (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD) at participating Japanese universities. Applicants must hold a valid “Student” visa, have at least one year of study remaining in their program, and maintain a strong academic record. Non-regular students, exchange students, and research students (Kenkyusei) are not eligible for the standard track.
Q2: Is the HNF Scholarship fully funded, and what expenses does it cover?
No, the scholarship is a partial financial grant that provides a monthly stipend only. It does not cover university tuition fees, enrollment fees, or travel expenses like international airfare. Undergraduate scholars typically receive ¥120,000 per month, while graduate scholars (Master’s and PhD) receive ¥150,000 per month to help cover daily living costs.
Q3: How is the stipend paid, and are there any budgeting challenges?
The stipend is paid quarterly (every three months) via bank transfer to the recipient’s Japanese bank account, rather than in monthly instalments. Because of this quarterly payment schedule, students must budget carefully to cover ongoing monthly costs, such as rent, utility bills, and food expenses, while waiting for the next quarterly transfer.
Q4: Can students apply directly to the Heiwa Nakajima Foundation?
No, direct individual applications are strictly prohibited. The scholarship operates exclusively through the “University Recommendation Track” (Daigaku Suisen). Students must obtain the application guidelines and forms from their university’s international student office, complete the internal university screening, and secure an official nomination from their institution.
Q5: What are the language requirements and reporting commitments for selected scholars?
Applicants must have a good working command of the Japanese language. All primary application forms must be handwritten neatly in Japanese using a black ballpoint pen. Additionally, once selected, scholars must write and submit detailed progress and living condition reports in Japanese every three months to maintain their funding.
Conclusion: Actionable Next Steps for Applicants
The Heiwa Nakajima Foundation Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for privately funded international students to secure their living expenses and focus fully on their studies in Japan. By offering up to ¥1.8 million per year for graduate research, this non-repayable grant provides outstanding financial support.
To build a strong application, students should take several key steps:
- Check the JASSO GPA: Calculate the previous year’s GPA using the JASSO formula to ensure it meets the minimum requirement of 2.30 out of 3.00.
- Acquire the Official Forms: Visit the university’s international student office in late August or early September to pick up the HNF application package.
- Draft and Review the Study Plan: Write a detailed research and study plan in Japanese, and seek feedback from a language advisor or peer to ensure correct grammar and presentation.
- Coordinate with Your Supervisor: Share your academic progress and career goals with your advisor to secure a strong, detailed recommendation letter.
With careful preparation, attention to handwriting, and a clear study plan, international scholars can successfully navigate the university recommendation process and secure this prestigious scholarship.
✍️ Bonus: Need Help Starting?
✅ Job hunting tips and real listings for foreigners in Japan
✅ Visa guidance made simple—no confusing search
✅ Resume & cover letter templates (Japanese & English formats)
✅ Life in Japan explained — from rent to ramen
✅ Travel guides & city recommendations for every kind of explorer
✅ Work culture insights to help you adjust and thrive
