In the past, any Malaysian wanting to study a postgraduate degree in Japan would have to depend on the Monbukagakusho Japanese Scholarships provided by the Japanese Government.

But from this year onwards, this will no longer be the case as Malaysian students can now apply for scholarships offered by the Asia Japan Alumni (ASJA) and the Japan Graduates’ Association of Malaysia (JAGAM).

The scholarship will pay for two to four years of postgrad study in Japan, plus up to a year of intensive Japanese language training if the successful candidate does not have a reasonably stong command of the Japaese language. A ¥134,000 (RM4,357) monthly allowance will be provided during the intensive Japanese language programme, while ¥172,000 (RM5,591) per month will be provided during actual postgraduate study.

Besides a return air ticket to Japan, the successful candidate will also be awarded a special settling in allowance of ¥75,000 (RM2,430) upon arrival in Japan.

Interested candidates must be between 18 and 35 years old, and should optimally be interested in immersing in Japanese culture.

Applications for next year will close on June 20. For more information, visit JAGAM’s web site.