The Embassy of Japan reopens the call for its MEXT program for Argentinians who want to pursue tertiary, university, or graduate studies at Japanese universities. The applications close on June 12, 2026, and each scholarship can amount to up to 15 million pesos annually.
Sixty-two years ago, the first Argentinian student arrived in Japan under the scholarship program of the Japanese Ministry of Education (MEXT). Since then, over 578 Argentinians have had that experience. In 2026, the Embassy of Japan in Buenos Aires opens the call again, with three modalities available and a registration deadline that ends on Tuesday, June 12.
Each scholarship covers round-trip airfare, tuition fees, entrance exams, a monthly allowance for accommodation and personal expenses, and health insurance. Depending on the category and the receiving institution, the total benefit can reach 15 million pesos annually.
“We are excited to see how the interest of young Argentinian professionals in knowing Japan from the inside grows year after year,” said Noemí Murakami, in charge of scholarships at the Embassy. Currently, around ten Argentinians travel each year through this program.
The selected candidates begin their studies in April or October, depending on the admission semester, at universities and institutes designated by the Japanese government. All applicants must be of Argentinian nationality and go through a process of evaluations and interviews.
Among the former scholars is Mariana Varela, who completed a master's degree in Media & Governance at Keio University and now leads the User Experience Research area at Banco Santander Argentina. Agustín Pinchevsky, a graduate of the Bunka Institute of Language in Tokyo in translation and interpretation with a focus on business, described his experience as “a countless number of unique and unforgettable experiences” that enriched both his career and personal life.
The three categories of scholarships in the program target different profiles:
a. The postgraduate scholarship (Kenkyuryugaku) lasts one and a half to two years, includes six months of Japanese, and is aimed at university graduates up to 34 years old whose research topic relates to their discipline.
b. The university degree scholarship (Gakubu) allows for the completion of a full five-year degree —with a prior year of intensive Japanese— for students between 17 and 24 years old who have completed or are in secondary education.
c. The technical scholarship (Senshugakko) offers a three-year tertiary program in areas such as technology, nutrition, fashion, or education, also for candidates between 17 and 24 years old. It includes a year of intensive Japanese.
Inquiries can be directed to the official embassy site at ar.emb-japan.go.jp or to the email centro-beca@bn.mofa.go.jp.
Marcos González Gava is a co-founder of Reporte Asia and has specialized in commercial and financial negotiations, as well as cultural matters with the People's Republic of China.
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