Japan Foundation Support Programs for Specialized Japanese Language Training

Deadline: December 01, 2026

The Specialized Japanese-Language Training Program provides six months of intensive, practical Japanese-language training for professionals and graduate students conducting Japan-related work or research. Offered by the Japan Foundation’s Kansai International Center in Osaka, the FY2027 program is designed for eligible applicants based outside Japan who need Japanese proficiency for academic, professional, library, curatorial or research activities. Program Overview The program helps specialists develop the practical Japanese-language skills needed to perform professional work, undertake academic research and communicate within Japan-related fields. For FY2027, only the six-month course is available. Training is primarily conducted in Japanese. Participants use the language in activities connected with their individual research topics, professional responsibilities and academic interests. Applicants must have a specific Japan-related theme and be prepared to present the outcomes of their work during the program. Focus Areas

The program focuses on:

- Practical Japanese-language learning - Japan-related social sciences and humanities - Specialist research and professional activities - Academic research and communication - Library and information services - Museum and art-gallery curatorial work - Japan-related Master’s and Doctoral research - Professional and academic presentations - Japanese-language skills for workplace needs - Japanese-language skills for research activities - Interdisciplinary fields connected with Japan Interdisciplinary themes involving natural or applied sciences may be considered when they have a clear connection with Japan-related social sciences or humanities. Who Is Eligible? The program is open to eligible professionals and full-time graduate students based outside Japan. Applicants must fall within one of the recognised professional or academic categories and meet all applicable nationality, affiliation, research, language and health requirements. Eligible Professionals Professional applicants must be employed by an organisation outside Japan when they apply and when the program begins. They are expected to continue working with the same organisation after completing the training.

Eligible professionals may include:

- University professors - University instructors - Teaching assistants - Researchers at universities or research centres - Researchers at other higher education institutions - Public-sector research specialists - Government agency personnel conducting research-related work - Think-tank researchers and specialists - Full-time academic librarians - Full-time public librarians - Librarians employed by cultural exchange organisations - Full-time museum curators - Full-time art-gallery curators - Professionals regularly involved in Japan-related exhibitions - Professionals involved in international exchange programs concerning Japan Where required, professional applicants must obtain permission from an authorised representative of their affiliated organisation. Employment and Affiliation Requirements Professional applicants must maintain an employment relationship with their affiliated organisation at two important stages: - When submitting the application - When beginning the training program Applicants should also expect to return to and continue working with the same organisation after completing the course. These requirements ensure that the Japanese-language skills developed through the program can contribute to the applicant’s continuing professional responsibilities. Eligible Graduate Students - Graduate applicants must be registered as full-time Master’s or Doctoral students at a graduate school outside Japan. - They must retain full-time student status when applying and when the program begins. - Non-degree students are not eligible. - Graduate applicants must intend to write a Master’s thesis or Doctoral dissertation on a subject related to Japan. - Their research should require Japanese-language ability for activities such as reviewing sources, conducting interviews, using archives, communicating with specialists or presenting findings.

Eligibility for Final-Year Undergraduate Students

Certain undergraduate students may also be considered.

To qualify, an applicant must:

- Attend a university or college that awards a Master’s degree upon graduation - Be in the final year of the program - Be at least 22 years old as of 1 December 2026 - Conduct Japan-related academic work that meets the program’s subject requirements Applicants should consult the official guidelines to confirm whether their degree structure satisfies this condition. Eligible Academic and Professional Fields Applicants must work or study in a field related to Japan’s social sciences or humanities.

Relevant fields may include:

- Japanese studies - History - Politics - International relations - Economics - Sociology - Anthropology - Education - Literature - Arts and culture - Library and information science - Museum studies - Cultural heritage - Public policy - International exchange Interdisciplinary research involving natural or applied sciences may qualify when the work includes a substantial Japan-related social-science or humanities component. Required Research or Professional Theme Every applicant must have a specific and detailed theme related to Japan. The theme must be clearly connected to the applicant’s professional work, Master’s research, Doctoral research, library responsibilities, curatorial activities or international exchange work. A broad interest in Japan is not sufficient. Applicants should explain: - The precise subject they intend to examine - Why Japanese-language ability is necessary - How the training will support their work or research - What activities they intend to complete - What outcomes they expect to achieve - How they will use the acquired skills after the program Applicants must plan to deliver a presentation about the