4. Living in Japan

Tuition and Fees

Academic fees for the first year are comprised of admission fee, tuition fee, facility and equipment usage fee. The average tuition fees are summarized below. The admission fee is required for the first year.

University Undergraduate, National

¥ 535,800

University Undergraduate,
Private (Science & Engineering)

¥1,141,213

University Undergraduate,
Private (Literature & Education)

¥918,098

University Undergraduate,
Private(Law, Commerce & Economics)

¥ 871,550

Tuition and fees in Japan are very competitive when compared with some other counties, as are the tuition and fees exemptions and scholarships offered by the Japanese government and many higher educational institutions.

Scholarships

Besides the scholarships provided by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology(MEXT), there are "Honors Scholarships" for privately financed international students provided by JASSO, and scholarships provided by local governments and private organizations. In addition, some universities have their own scholarships, and tuition and fees reduction or exemption systems. However, the majority of scholarships in Japan only sponsor part of the student's tuition and fees, and/or daily expenses. There are very few scholarships offering full coverage of the student's necessary expenses, and it is important to properly budget the amount required for study in Japan and not to rely solely on scholarships. It is essential to plan your budget while bearing in mind self-funding.

Scholarships for International Students in Japan: http://www.jasso.go.jp/study_j/scholarships_sfisij_e.html

Accommodations

There are many types of accommodations for international students. One of them is private housing (assigned housing) operated by JASSO and student housing operated by local governments and universities. About 86% of international students stay in private housing. If you look for private housing, you can consult with your school's international student office or go directly to a real estate agent in the area where you plan to stay.
For more information on accommodations operated by public organizations, please see the website below.

http://www.jasso.go.jp/ihouse/index.html (Japanese only)

Medical Insurance

International students (non-Japanese nationals) who plan to stay in Japan for more than a year must be enrolled in the "National Health Insurance" scheme. You need to register at your nearest local city office and pay the insurance premium. The premium varies according to local councils and one's income. However, The estimate price is approximately ¥20,000 per year. Once registered with the National Health Insurance, you will only pay 30% of any total medical bills. It is important to note that treatments uncovered by the insurance scheme have to be paid in full at your own expense. In addition, other types of insurance may be required for students who conduct scientific experiments for their studies.

Employment Opportunities after Graduation

Under the scheme of the "300,000 International Students Plan", providing employment opportunities after graduation for international students is an important issue. Therefore, JASSO publishes a recruitment booklet, "Job Hunting Guide for International Student" and an e-news letter, "Japan Alumni eNews", while holding seminars on employment issues. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's website also provides useful employment-related information. More information is available through the centers below.
Student Employment Comprehensive Support Center: http://job.gakusei.go.jp/F/F2000200.asp(Japanese only) Tel: +81 (0)3-3589-8609
Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners: http://www.tfemploy.go.jp/(Japanese only) Tel: +81 (0)3-3588-8639