Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Scholarship 2026 in Japan
- Omran Aburayya
- Oct 3
- 5 min read
If you are an international student planning to enrol in a Japanese university or graduate school in April, September or October 2026, the Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Scholarship (Overseas candidates) may be for you — applications are now open. This long-running Rotary-funded program offers a monthly stipend, arrival airfare support, and personal mentoring through local Rotary clubs (sewa clubs). Below you’ll find a everything to help you prepare a strong application.
🎓 Scholarship summary
Location: Japan (any MEXT-recognized university / graduate school).
Host institution: Individual Japanese universities / graduate schools — applicants must apply to their chosen institution independently before applying to Yoneyama.
Study level: Undergraduate, Master’s, Doctoral (regular degree-seeking programs).
Target group: Non-Japanese citizens residing outside Japan until entry; new entrants or transfers into degree programs for April / Sept / Oct 2026.
Fields of study: All academic fields eligible.
Value & coverage:
Undergraduates: ¥100,000 / month.
Master’s & Doctoral: ¥140,000 / month.
Airfare reimbursement (economy, one-way) up to ¥250,000 after arrival; limited one-day accommodation (up to ¥10,000) and local transit reimbursement rules apply. No tuition/entrance fee waiver is included.
Duration: Typically 2 years (depends on intake: April or Sept/Oct enrolment — see schedule).
Application period (2026 intakes): 13:00 JST, 1 October 2025 — 13:00 JST, 31 October 2025.
Result notification: To be notified by mid-March 2026 (certificate of eligibility issued by end of March).
🧭 Scholarship Overview
The Yoneyama Scholarship is a major Rotary-funded international scholarship in Japan that combines financial support and personal mentorship from Rotary members. It aims to foster academic excellence, cross-cultural understanding, and social contribution among international students. Scholars are expected to participate actively with a local sponsor Rotary district (their sewa club) — attending monthly meetings, submitting biannual reports in Japanese, giving talks, and engaging in community/Rotary activities. The scholarship is explicitly intended for degree students (undergrad, master’s, doctoral) and is not for research students or short-term trainees.
🧩 Structure & scholar activities
Monthly attendance at the designated sewa club meetings (minimum once per month).
Biannual scholar activity reports (September and the following February), submitted in Japanese.
Scheduled speeches (takuwa) and participation in district/club events.
Scholars sign a Pledge detailing obligations, leave rules (e.g., annual allowable days outside Japan), restrictions on additional scholarships, and grounds for termination.
💲 What the scholarship covers
Covered:
Monthly stipend: ¥100,000 (undergrad) or ¥140,000 (master’s/doctoral) for the standard scholarship period (generally two years).
Airfare & arrival costs: Reimbursement up to ¥250,000 for economy-class travel and related permitted costs (visa fees, reasonable domestic transit to accommodation, and one night’s accommodation up to ¥10,000), reimbursed after arrival upon submission of receipts.
Personal support: Local Rotary club mentorship, networking, and integration support.
Not covered / limitations:
Tuition and entrance fees are not paid by this scholarship (though university fee waivers granted by the university are acceptable in conjunction).
Research student / long-term trainee categories are not eligible.
You cannot receive other scholarships of the same nature concurrently (specific rules and permitted small grants apply; see guidelines).
✅ Eligibility criteria
Non-Japanese citizen and resident outside Japan until arrival (exceptions apply for very short prior stays).
Intending to enroll or transfer to a MEXT-recognized Japanese university/graduate school (regular degree programs) in April, September or October 2026.
Academic excellence plus demonstrated interest in cross-cultural understanding and communication skills.
Japanese language: ability to understand basic Japanese is expected — JLPT N4 level or above is desirable (submission of JLPT results is optional if not taken).
Age: born on or after April 2, 1981 (under 45 as of April 1, 2026).
Cannot be a previous Yoneyama Scholar.
✍🏻 Application procedure — step-by-step
Apply to your chosen Japanese university / graduate school first. You must already have applied (or plan to) and upload a copy of your university admission application or acceptance letter to the Yoneyama application system. If acceptance will be announced after the Yoneyama deadline, state the schedule and submit the acceptance copy as soon as available.
Register and submit documents via the Rotary Yoneyama online application portal (dedicated forms on their site) between 13:00 JST, 1 Oct 2025 and 13:00 JST, 31 Oct 2025. Applications uploaded after the deadline will not be accepted.
Prepare and upload all required documents (described below). Incomplete submissions will be rejected.
District Selection Committee screening — selection is done by the Rotary district where the university is located; interviews (web or phone) may be arranged with applicants and/or supervisors. Final selection notifications are sent by mid-March 2026; certificate of eligibility issued by end of March.
Arrive in Japan by the designated deadline: for April intake arrive by March 31, 2026; for September intake by August 31; for October intake by September 30. Failure to arrive by the deadline typically forfeits eligibility.
🗂️ Documents required
Applicants must submit the prescribed forms (in Japanese or English). If applying to more than one institution, submit a full set for each. Mandatory items include:
Application form (prescribed form with a recent 4cm × 3cm photo; applicant signature).
Research plan (prescribed form) — required for both undergraduates and graduates. Do not use generative AI to write your plan; it must be your original work.
Essay: “Why I chose to study in Japan. My future plan after studying in Japan.” (prescribed form). No AI-generated text.
Recommendation letter (prescribed form; signed by the recommender). For graduate applicants a letter from the prospective supervisor is required when possible.
Copy of acceptance letter from the prospective Japanese institution (mandatory — if not available yet, submit proof you have applied and later provide acceptance copy by the deadline).
Copy of the admission application form or examination ticket submitted to the Japanese institution (if acceptance letter is not submitted).
JLPT result copy (if applicable) — not mandatory if you haven’t taken JLPT.
Application guidelines of the prospective university (if acceptance letter not yet available) or other proof of examination schedule.
⚠️ Important: the Foundation explicitly warns not to submit documents that are not requested and that false/fraudulent documents will lead to disqualification and possible repayment of scholarship funds.
📆 Selection & timeline
Application window: 1–31 October 2025 (13:00 JST).
District screening and interviews: October → January (district committees may interview applicants or supervisors; some interviews/web panels typically occur in January).
Results notification: By mid-March 2026; certificate issued by end of March 2026 (conditional on meeting admission and arrival requirements).
Arrival in Japan deadlines: March 31 (for April intake), Aug 31 (for Sept), Sept 30 (for Oct). Scholarship payment begins the month the scholarship commences.
💡 Tips to strengthen your application
Apply early to your target university and secure a copy of your application/acceptance as requested — this is mandatory.
Write clear, genuine essays and research plans (no AI): explain your motivation for studying in Japan, concrete research/academic goals, and how you’ll contribute to cross-cultural exchange and social contribution (Rotary values).
Show Japanese language effort even if JLPT not taken — courses, self-study, or any certificates help. JLPT N4 is a desirable baseline.
Obtain a strong recommendation (for graduate applicants ideally from the prospective supervisor).
Learn about Rotary and the Yoneyama Foundation — interviewers ask about the foundation’s purpose and your ability to engage with the sewa club. Study the foundation website and local Rotary activities.
🗂️ Resources
❓Common FAQs
Q — Can I hold another scholarship at the same time?
A — Generally no for scholarships of the same nature; limited exceptions and small grants are defined in the guidelines. If you receive overlapping scholarships you may have to choose or repay overlapping amounts.
Q — Are tuition/fees covered?
A — No. The stipend is for living costs; tuition is not paid. Some universities may separately offer tuition waivers (which are acceptable).
Q — What happens after the scholarship ends?
A — Yoneyama Alumni Associations (many groups in Japan and overseas) provide networking opportunities; scholars are encouraged to maintain ties with Rotary and participate in alumni and Rotary activities.
