Frequently Asked Questions

INDEX

1. I cannot receive the account activation email from the online application system.

Check out your spam mailbox.
Some servers may refuse to accept the email from this system. Try signing up with another email address, like webmail.

2. I have not taken an entrance examination to enter university in Spring 2025. Can I apply?	If you are going to take an entrance examination to enter university in Spring 2025, you are eligible to apply.
3. Since I am about to take the entrance exam, I will not be able to upload my acceptance letter before the application deadline.	Input the estimated date of the entrance examination result announcement.
4. I am not currently enrolled in the university, but I will take an entrance examination to enter in Spring 2025. Can I apply?	Yes.
5. Should I go back to my home country as soon as I graduate from the university?	A few years of work in Japan or other countries before returning to your home country is allowed.
6. Which university and graduate course can I apply to?	You have the flexibility to choose any university and graduate course in Japan that aligns with your academic and personal goals.
7. Can I apply for undergraduate programs through the “Scholarship for Foreign Students” program?	The scholarship program does not offer scholarships for undergraduate international students.
8. Which nationalities are eligible to apply for this scholarship?	The “Scholarship for Foreign Students” program is open to non-Japanese citizens of all nationalities.

9. I cannot upload a photo.

Check out the following things.

10. My supervisor from Spring 2025 has not yet been determined.

Input “To be determined.”

11. Should I input the academic result of the graduate school I am currently attending?	If you can get the academic results, input them. If you cannot get them, you can leave the table blank.
12. Should I count the credits I earned at the university I attended as an exchange student?	If the credits are necessary for graduation, count them as well.
13. Should I input Kosen’s (Technical College’s) academic result?	If you transferred from Kosen to a university, count the units you earned in Kosen.
14. I graduated from two universities. Should I input both academic results?	You may enter both or one of them. If your grades from the first university are “certified” by the second university, please enter the total of both grades.

15. The input field of universities is insufficient.

Input in the “Other academic background” or “Other remarks” field at the bottom of the page.

16. Should I input about the family living in my home country?

Input about your parents and siblings. If you are married, provide information about your spouse and child(ren).

17. Can I write it in English?	No, write it in Japanese. If you do not confidence to write in Japanese, you can upload a research plan written in English optionaly. A research plan written in Japanese is required.
18. Can I increase the pages of the template?	The research plan should be written within a disignated pages.
19. Can I insert figures?	Yes.
20. How much should I write in detail?	Selection committee members are professionals in each academic field. However, since it is difficult to cover every detailed academic area,writing concisely is favorable.
21. I don’t have academic achievements yet. What should I write?	Write “Nothing” or leave the space blank.
22. What are the activities in society?	They could be a volunteer, sports, or cultural activity that you were highly evaluated on.

23. Is there a template for a recommendation letter?	No.
24. Should I have a recommendation letter written by the professor who will supervise me from Spring 2025?	Either the new supervisor or the previous one is acceptable.
25. Is the recommendation letter in English acceptable because my supervisor is a foreigner?	Yes, it is.
26. Is a seal (stamp) needed in the recommendation letter?	A recommendation letter writer should put a seal (stamp) or a signature when you upload it yourself.
27. A recommender wants to send the letter directly to the Honjo Foundation without handing it to me(the applicant). Is it acceptable?	Yes. Input the recommender’s name instead of uploading the letter into the online application form.

31. Is the interview test conducted in English?

No. It is conducted in Japanese. However, it is not to evaluate language skills.

Candidates should prepare an oral explanation about themselves and their research in the easy Japanese language.

32. I will be out of Japan on the day of the interview test.

Interview tests can be conducted online if the candidate cannot be at the interview site.

33. I want to apply for a scholarship at your university.	Our foundation only provides scholarships; we are not affiliated with any educational institution.
34. Does the Honjo Foundation offer support for research in non-degree programs?	Our foundation does not provide support for research in non-degree programs.
35. Does this scholarship cover university tuition fees and initial travel costs (e.g., a plane ticket to Japan)?	Our scholarship program provides a monthly stipend only and does not cover additional costs such as university tuition fees or initial travel expenses.

28. The page does not proceed though there is no error found.	The auto-translation system installed on your PC may cause disturb the correct work of the online application system. Remove it and log in again.
29. I cannot find my application number. How can I retrieve it?	Your application number will be automatically generated and sent to your registered email address upon successful completion of the online application process.
30. Can you confirm the acceptance of my application?	No. If you click the “Application” button on the last page and PDF files are generated automatically, your application is completed.