ASEAN–Japan Medical Scholarship Programme 2027–2035 Opens Applications
Students from ASEAN countries who dream of becoming medical doctors now have an exceptional opportunity to pursue their studies in Japan through the ASEAN–Japan Medical Scholarship Programme 2027–2035. This fully funded scholarship is supported by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW). The programme aims to strengthen healthcare capacity across Southeast Asia by educating future medical professionals at leading Japanese medical universities.
The scholarship is designed for undergraduate medical students and covers the complete cost of studying medicine in Japan, including tuition fees, living expenses, textbooks, and international travel.
Scholarship Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Host Country | Japan |
| Study Level | Undergraduate |
| Field of Study | Medicine |
| Scholarship Type | Fully Funded |
| Duration | 6 years of medical education plus 2 years of paid clinical training |
| Eligible Applicants | Students from ASEAN Member States |
| Sponsoring Organizations | ERIA and Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare |
The programme seeks to develop highly qualified doctors and public health professionals who will contribute to healthcare improvements in their home countries after completing their training in Japan.
Scholarship Benefits
Selected scholars will receive comprehensive financial support, including:
- Full tuition and admission fees
- Monthly living allowance
- Accommodation support
- Textbook expenses
- Health insurance support
- Round-trip airfare between the student’s home country and Japan
- Japanese language training where applicable
According to ERIA, living support may reach up to ¥120,000 per month, helping students cover accommodation, meals, and other essential expenses.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be citizens of an ASEAN Member State.
- Be enrolled as first- or second-year undergraduate medical students.
- Meet the language requirements of their application category.
- Demonstrate strong academic performance and leadership potential.
- Show a commitment to contributing to healthcare development in their home country after graduation.
The programme offers two application pathways:
Category A
- Selection process conducted in English.
- Open to eligible students from partner ASEAN medical faculties.
Category B
- Selection process conducted in English and Japanese.
- Requires Japanese language proficiency certification.
- Available exclusively to female students.
Required Documents
Applicants typically need to prepare:
- Completed application form
- Academic transcripts
- Educational certificates
- Personal essay
- Recommendation letter from their faculty
- English proficiency certificate (optional in some cases)
- Japanese language certificate (required for Category B applicants)
The essay should explain:
- Why the applicant wants to study medicine in Japan
- Their understanding of healthcare challenges in their home country
- Leadership and teamwork experiences
- Future career plans and contributions to the medical sector
Participating Universities
As announced by ERIA, participating institutions currently include:
- International University of Health and Welfare
- Tokyo Women’s Medical University (Category B applicants only)
Additional Japanese medical universities may join the programme during the 2027–2035 period.
Important Application Deadlines
Category A (English Selection)
- Application Deadline: 30 April 2026
Category B (English and Japanese Selection)
- Application Deadline: 31 August 2026
Applicants should carefully review the official guidelines and submit all required documents before the deadline.
Service Commitment After Graduation
A unique feature of this scholarship is its commitment to healthcare development in ASEAN countries. After completing medical studies and clinical training in Japan, graduates are generally expected to return to their home countries and work in the medical or public health sector for a designated service period.
Why This Scholarship Matters
The ASEAN–Japan Medical Scholarship Programme represents one of the most generous medical education opportunities currently available to ASEAN students. Beyond financial support, participants gain access to Japan’s advanced healthcare system, world-class medical education, and international professional networks. The programme is expected to help reduce healthcare disparities across the ASEAN region by training the next generation of medical leaders.
For more scholarship news, please read our Scholarships section.
