Daiwa Scholarships and Daiwa Scholarships in Japanese Studies

Daiwa Scholarships 2027: Language Study, Homestay & Work Placement in Japan – apply by 3 December 2026

The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation is a UK charity supporting UK-Japan links through awarding Daiwa Scholarships and Daiwa Scholarships in Japanese Studies; offering grants to support UK-Japan collaboration and organising events including seminars, and exhibitions at its London headquarters.

The flagship Daiwa Scholarships programme was established in 1991. It is a unique 19-month programme of language study, work placement, and homestay in Japan, following a month of Japanese language study in the UK.

It offers talented and outstanding British citizens with strong leadership potential the opportunity to acquire Japanese language skills, and to access expertise and knowledge relevant to their career goals.

No previous experience of Japan or Japanese is necessary, but an interest in and angle on Japan is essential.

There are no upfront costs or fees. The Foundation pays all tuition fees and also contributes with a monthly stipend (to cover living expenses) and private medical insurance.

With expertise in an average year ranging from swords to spin chemistry to history to railway engineering, these Scholars are set to achieve great things. Some of them will no doubt remain actively engaged with Japan throughout their careers, but we are confident that all of them will be imbued with an enduring love of Japan.

Language study in Japan is undertaken at a Japanese language institution in Tokyo chosen by our Trustees.

A one-month Homestay is spent with a family outside Tokyo at the end of the first year.

The Work Placement is organised in consultation with each Scholar, and with the help of the Foundation’s Tokyo Office.

Candidates must be: British citizens

Those with a degree in Japanese are ineligible for this programme, but may consider the Daiwa Scholarships in Japanese Studies.

Benefits
The Foundation covers:
Return flight to Japan
Accommodation in Tokyo whilst the Scholar is seeking a flat
All tuition and examination costs
A living allowance for the duration of the Scholarship which is to cover accommodation and living costs for a single person: Yen 280,000 per month (rent is around Yen 80,000 per month)
Private medical insurance
Support from the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation’s Liaison Office in Tokyo

Application Timetable / Programme date details
3 December 2026: Application deadline
February and March 2027: Interviews

–Week of 8 February: First-round interviews

–Week of 15 February : Those who pass the first-round will be asked to sit the Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) online

–15 and 16 March: Final interviews

From End of July/August 2027: 1- month Japanese language course in London

September 2027: Departure for Japan

A Daiwa Scholarship flyer can be found here.

More information: https://dajf.org.uk/scholarships/daiwa-scholarship

Scholar profiles can be found here.

Testimonials are available here.

Blogs written by Scholars while on the programme can be found here.

Daiwa Scholarships in Japanese Studies 2027: Funding for postgraduate studies – apply by 28 January 2027

This is a postgraduate Scholarship programme to support the study of Japanese Studies in either Japan or the UK. Only British citizens who hold or are completing a degree in Japanese Studies, defined as a course focussing primarily on the study of Japan, and containing a substantial Japanese language component are eligible to apply.

There are no upfront costs or fees. The Foundation pays all tuition fees and also contributes with a monthly stipend (to cover living expenses). Private medical insurance is taken out to cover those studying in Japan.

Applicants who hold (or are completing) combined honours courses where Japanese Studies accounts for at least 50% of the course may also apply. The Scholarship will cover university fees (home student fees in the case of studies in the UK) for the course in question, plus living expenses. Living expenses will be payable at a rate of £1,400 per month for periods spent in the UK, and ¥280,000 per month for periods spent in Japan.

Candidates for the Daiwa Scholarships in Japanese Studies must be:

– British citizens

– holders of an Honours degree in Japanese Studies, defined as a course focussing primarily on the study of Japan, and containing a substantial Japanese language component (or completing such a course)

More information: https://dajf.org.uk/scholarships/japanese-studies

Queries can be directed to scholarships@dajf.org.uk

Testimonials can be found here.