How much money does a MEXT student receive, and is it sufficient for everyday living expenses?
Receiving the MEXT scholarship (Japanese government scholarship) is an excellent accomplishment that we should be proud of. Is the monthly allowance, however, adequate for our daily lives in Japan? We aspire to visit Japan so that we can immerse ourselves in Japanese culture, travel, sample traditional delicacies, and visit Japanese museums and attractions such as Tokyo Disney Land.
A MEXT undergrad student receives slightly more than $1,000 USD, but a MEXT research student receives approximately $1200 USD. So perhaps the money we receive from the MEXT scholarship is insufficient to allow us to enjoy all of these activities.
One’s monthly outgoings can go as follows:
- rent in a dorm room is $300 USD, including utilities.
- rent in a modest studio apartment is 550 USD, utilities are 130 USD, and internet is 130 USD (total cost is 680 USD).
- Transportation costs between $80 and $170.
- 350-500 USD for food
These expenses often exceed the scholarship. Also, I didn’t include any travel, museums, or even the school admittance tax (about $300 USD).
Managing savings
There are always cheaper options out there, cheaper housing, riding bikes to school to save money on transportation, and so on. You might even be able to save money on meals It is a little extreme though.
According to the MEXT guideline application paper, you should bring roughly $2000 USD to Japan. This is a far higher sum than one can anticipate, yet it is true that money may make your life much more comfortable. However, I feel that a little less, such as 700 or 1000 USD, will suffice, because you can always find ways to save money on the first month there, such as talking to your hostel and ask them to let you pay the rent when you earn your first scholarship.
Conclusion
MEXT scholarships can cover your daily expenses in Japan, but they are limited, so you must be careful with your money. Try to save for emergencies, tax admission, and the time when you will move out of the dorm and into your own apartment. They have a rule that you can only stay in a student’s dormitory for two years. Finally, I believe that getting a part-time job or doing some freelance money-making activities is the simplest option.