The Government of Japan has awarded 11 Pakistani students MEXT Research Scholarships for the 2026 academic year, enabling them to pursue higher education in Japan.
Japan awards 11 MEXT scholarships for 2026; reception held
ISLAMABAD, Mar 26 (APP):The Government of Japan has awarded 11 Pakistani students MEXT Research Scholarships for the 2026 academic year, enabling them to pursue higher education in Japan.
The announcement was marked on March 26, 2026, at a reception hosted in Islamabad, where new scholars and alumni gathered to mark the occasion.
The scholarships are granted under the MEXT programme run by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
The selected students will study for Master’s and Doctoral degrees at universities in Japan. In addition to these 11 awards through the embassy, several Pakistani students also receive MEXT scholarships each year through direct applications to Japanese universities.
The reception was hosted by Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Akamatsu Shuichi, at his official residence. The event brought together members of the MEXT Alumni Association of Pakistan and the new scholarship recipients. The ambassador congratulated the students and wished them success in their academic journey.
In his address, he said Japan places focus on education and has welcomed Pakistani students under the MEXT programme for many years. He encouraged the students to learn from both academic work and daily life during their stay in Japan.
Speaking about bilateral relations, the ambassador referred to the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, where Pakistan’s pavilion received attention and helped introduce the country to visitors in Japan. He noted that visits by Pakistani officials during the event contributed to renewed engagement between the two countries.
The ambassador also outlined three areas of focus for future cooperation: people-to-people exchanges, economic links, and cultural promotion, including Japanese food. He said public interaction remains central to relations between the two countries.
He added that ties between Pakistan and Japan are supported by 74 years of diplomatic relations, development cooperation, business presence, and public trust. He also pointed to the growing number of Pakistani students learning the Japanese language, reflecting increasing interest in education opportunities in Japan.
