Japan

• World-class universities with advanced technology and global research

• Programs in both Japanese and English

• Affordable tuition fees

• Generous scholarship opportunities for international students

• A unique blend of academic excellence and rich cultural experience

1. High-Quality Education and Technology Leadership

Japanese universities are globally respected in fields such as:

• Engineering and Robotics

• Architecture and Design

• Information Technology

• Business and International Relations
  
  

Top institutions include:

• The University of Tokyo

• Kyoto University

• Waseda University

• Tokyo Institute of Technology
  
  

2. English-Taught Undergraduate Programs

Many national and private universities now offer English-based degree programs (EBDP), especially for international students. No prior Japanese language proficiency is required to apply.

Examples:

• Waseda’s School of International Liberal Studies

• Keio’s GIGA Program (Global Information and Governance)

• Tokyo Tech’s Global Scientists and Engineers Program
  
  

3. Affordable Tuition Compared to Western Countries

Japan offers relatively low tuition fees:

• Public universities: ¥500,000–¥600,000/year (approx. IDR 55–70 million)

• Scholarships and tuition reductions are available from JASSO, MEXT, and universities
  
  

4. Scholarship Opportunities

Popular options include:

• MEXT Scholarship (full tuition + stipend)

• JASSO Scholarship

• University-specific merit scholarships
  
  

5. Safe and Culturally Rich Country

Japan offers a safe, clean, and organized environment, with a rich cultural heritage. It’s ideal for students interested in both modern life and traditional culture.

1. Language Barrier in Daily Life

Even in English-taught programs, most Japanese people do not speak English fluently. Students need to learn basic to intermediate Japanese for daily communication, part-time jobs, and internships.

2. Limited Work Opportunities Without Japanese

While Japan allows international students to work part-time (up to 28 hours/week), most jobs require Japanese language skills. This can limit work experience and networking.

3. Cultural Adjustment

Japanese social and academic culture emphasizes hierarchy, formality, and collectivism, which can be challenging for Indonesian students used to more casual environments.

4. Complex Application System

Applying to Japanese universities may require:

• EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission) if applying to Japanese-taught programs

• University-specific entrance exams or documents

• Extra administrative procedures (visa, guarantors, etc.)
  
  

5. Campus Life May Be Less Interactive

Compared to Western universities, some Japanese campuses may offer fewer student-led activities, though this is improving in English-based programs.

Japan is ideal for Indonesian students who are:

• Interested in technology, design, or international relations

• Independent and open to learning a new language and culture

• Looking for English-taught programs in Asia with affordable tuition and strong academic quality
  
  

However, those who prefer a fully English-speaking environment or stronger social interaction may need time to adjust.

• Undergraduate level university programs and junior colleges constitute the core of higher education institutions and generally take four years to complete (six years for medical, dental, veterinary, and a number of pharmaceutical programs), whereas junior college programs take two or three years to complete.

• University graduates are awarded a Bachelor's degree, whereas graduates of junior colleges are awarded an Associate degree. While many schools admit international students to degree-earning programs, there are also schools that accept short-term students such as auditing students, students taking classes without enrolling in the school or earning course credit, as well as exchange students.

• The academic year starts in April, but some universities offer fall admission in September or October.

• The different types of universities and junior colleges include national, public, and private.

• The number of private institutions is greater, as there are currently 86 national, 101 public, and 620 private undergraduate level universities, and 14 public and 295 private junior colleges.

• Including the admission and tuition fees, the total cost of the first year is approximately 820,000 yen for national universities, 930,000 yen for public universities, and 1,100,000 yen for private universities (excluding medical, dental, and pharmaceutical programs).

• The tuition for universities in the United States amounts to 3,600,000-4,900,000 yen (using the calculation 1 USD = 130 yen), and British universities charge approximately 1,800,000-3,600,000 yen per academic year (using the calculation 1 GBP = 150 yen), so comparatively speaking, the tuition for Japanese universities is much cheaper.

• Classes at Japanese universities and junior colleges are generally held in Japanese, however, in recent years, there has been an increase in the number of university (Bachelor's) degree programs taught entirely in English.

• In order to be accepted into a Japanese university or junior college program that is taught in Japanese, individuals must have passed the N1 or N2 JLPT examination in addition to scoring at least 250 points on the Japanese section of the EJU.

More details: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/learn-about-schools/universities/#anc01

Start by choosing your field of interest and deciding whether you want to study in:

• Japanese-taught programs (more options, EJU required)

• English-taught programs (limited programs, EJU not always required)
  
  

🔍 Popular Majors in Japan:

• Engineering (Mechanical, AI, Robotics, Civil)

• Computer Science & Data Science

• Business & Economics

• Architecture & Urban Planning

• Life Sciences / Medicine

• International Relations / Global Studies

• Art & Design

Top Scholarships:

1. MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship – Embassy Recommendation

   • Covers full tuition, monthly stipend (~¥117,000), airfare

   • Apply via Japanese Embassy in Indonesia

   • Website: https://www.id.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_id/sch_gakubu.html
     
     

2. Mitsui Bussan Scholarship

   • https://www.mbkscholarship-id.com/mitsui-bussan-japan-scholarship-step-by-step-2025/

3. Fast Retailing Foundation

   • Cover full tuition and living cost ( ~¥4.000,000)

   • https://www.fastretailing-foundation.or.jp/eng/scholarships/indonesia.html

4. University-Specific Scholarships

✅ SEPTEMBER 2025

• Applications Open for October 2026 Intake

• Many top English-taught programs open applications between September and December 2025 (e.g., UTokyo PEAK, Sophia FLA, Waseda SILS).

• Check university websites for exact opening dates.

• 📝 SAT: Test date Sept 13, 2025 (if required by the program)

  • Registration Deadline: Aug 29, 2025
    
    

• 📌 Reminders:

  • Make a university shortlist (English-taught or Japanese-taught?).

  • Collect documents: passport, transcripts, predicted grades, school profile.

  • Some universities may accept SAT, IB, A-Level, or EJU scores for admission.
    
    

✅ OCTOBER 2025

• 📝 SAT: Test date Oct 4, 2025

  • Registration Deadline: Sept 19, 2025

• 📤 University Application Begins

  • UTokyo PEAK applications expected to open by early November.

  • Waseda, Keio, APU, and ICU also open their fall intake windows between Oct–Dec.
    
    

• 📌 Reminders:

  • Begin writing your personal statements and request teacher recommendations.

  • Research if your target university requires SAT or accepts EJU.

✅ NOVEMBER 2025

• 📝 SAT: Test date Nov 8, 2025

  • Registration Deadline: Oct 24, 2025
    
    

• 📤 Applications in Progress

  • Waseda University SILS, SPSE, GIGA – open for October 2026 intake

  • UTokyo PEAK opens applications around Nov 4 – Dec 4

  • Sophia University FLA applications open until early January
    
    

• 📌 Reminders:

  • If you're applying via EJU track, register for EJU June 2026 (registration opens in Feb 2026).

  • Start preparing required essays, portfolios, and take IELTS/TOEFL if needed.
    
    

✅ DECEMBER 2025

• 📝 SAT: Test date Dec 6, 2025

  • Registration Deadline: Nov 21, 2025
    
    

• 📤 Final Application Submissions for Some Programs

  • UTokyo PEAK: Deadline expected around Dec 4, 2025

  • Keio PEARL, GIGA, SFC: Some applications close in late December or early January
    
    

• 📌 Reminders:

  • Finalize and submit required documents.

  • Prepare for potential online interviews (some programs invite shortlisted applicants).
    
    

✅ JANUARY 2026

• 📤 Applications Close for Some Universities

  • Sophia University FLA deadline: early January

  • Waseda (some schools) may close around mid- to late January
    
    

• 📌 Reminders:

  • Track your submitted applications.

  • Continue SAT prep if retaking in March or May.
    
    

✅ FEBRUARY 2026

• 📥 Start Preparing for June 2026 EJU (if applicable)

  • EJU Registration Period: February – March

  • Required for Japanese-taught undergraduate programs (for April 2027 intake)
    
    

• 📌 Reminders:

  • Check email/portals regularly for interview invitations.

  • Work on required portfolio (for design/architecture) if needed.
    
    

✅ MARCH 2026

• 📝 SAT: Test date March 14, 2026

  • Registration Deadline: Feb 27, 2026
    
    

• 🎓 Interviews & Offers

  • UTokyo PEAK, Waseda, Sophia, and Keio may begin issuing interview invites and/or conditional offers
    
    

• 📌 Reminders:

  • Prepare final school documents and continue EJU or language prep if needed.
    
    

✅ APRIL 2026

• 🎓 Final Offers Released

  • Many English-taught programs will release results in April–May

  • Acceptance confirmations usually due 2–3 weeks after offer
    
    

• 📌 Reminders:

  • Once accepted, apply for student visa, dormitory/housing, and COE (Certificate of Eligibility)

  • Prepare for final exams at school (Ijazah SMA)
    
    

✅ MAY 2026

• 📝 SAT: Test date May 2, 2026 (last chance if required)

  • Registration Deadline: Apr 17, 2026
    
    

• 📤 Final Documentation

  • Upload/update your final grades (Ijazah SMA) once available in June

  • Submit visa documents to Japanese embassy
    
    

• 📌 Reminders:

  • Plan your arrival for October intake: most universities begin orientation in late September

💡 Most students take:

• Japanese + Math + Science → for STEM majors

• Japanese + Math + Japan and the World → for business or social sciences

Test Center in Indonesia: Universitas Indonesia (Center for Japanese Studies)

• https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/examinee/contact/asia.html

The EJU is held twice a year:

• June

• November

Registration typically opens 3–4 months before the test date.

For the latest schedule and application guide: https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/schedule.html

Scoring

• Scores range from 0 to 400 (Japanese), and 0 to 200 (other subjects)

• There is no official pass/fail, but each university sets its own minimum score

• The score is valid for 2 years

https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/examinee/procedure/subject.html

• Most national and public universities in Japan (e.g., University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Tohoku University) require EJU for programs taught in Japanese.

• Even some private universities (e.g., Meiji, Waseda – for Japanese-taught programs) may use EJU scores in place of their own entrance exams.

📌 Note: English-taught degree programs (like PEAK at UTokyo or APU) do NOT require EJU. They require IELTS or TOEFL instead.

Syllabus Overview for Each Subject 

https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/examinee/syllabus/index.html

Youtube Channel for EJU Mathematics Practice

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=theja+kurniawan

Study in Japan (JASSO Official)

https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/index.html

JASSO Language School List

https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/jlec/index.html

https://jasso.or.id/study-in-japan/pendidikan-bhs-jepang.html

EJU Exam Info

https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/about/index.html

EJU Syllabus

https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/examinee/syllabus/index.html

EJU Past Paper 

https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/examinee/pastpaper_sample/index.html

Japan Study Support (University Search)

https://www.jpss.jp/en/

Embassy of Japan in Indonesia (MEXT)

https://www.id.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_id/sch.html

Youtube Channel for EJU Mathematics Practice

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=theja+kurniawan