Japan remains one of the leading study destinations for Vietnamese students, with more than 55,000 Vietnamese students enrolled there (2023 figures). This article brings together everything you need to plan for studying in Japan in 2025.
Routes for studying in Japan
1. Japanese language schools (日本語学校)
The most common route for complete beginners:
- Duration: six months to two years
- Requirements: JLPT N5 or equivalent (or simply a high school diploma)
- Tuition: ¥700,000 – ¥900,000/year
- Part-time work permitted: up to 28 hours a week during term, unlimited during holidays
2. Japanese universities (大学)
- Duration: four years (bachelor's), two years (master's)
- Requirements: JLPT N2 (or IELTS 6.0+ if the programme is taught in English)
- Tuition: ¥535,800/year at national universities; ¥800,000 – ¥1,200,000/year at private ones
3. Vocational and specialist colleges (専門学校)
- Duration: one to two years
- Requirements: JLPT N2 is generally recommended
- Popular fields: IT, graphic design, manga, cooking, tourism
- Tuition: ¥700,000 – ¥1,000,000/year
What studying in Japan actually costs, 2024–2025
Estimated for one year in Tokyo (the most expensive option):
- Tuition: ¥800,000
- Accommodation (international dormitory): ¥40,000 × 12 = ¥480,000
- Food and living expenses: ¥100,000 × 12 = ¥1,200,000
- Total: approximately ¥2,500,000/year (around 425 million VND)
In the regions (Osaka, Fukuoka, Sendai) costs are roughly 25–30% lower, at around ¥1,800,000 – ¥2,000,000 a year.
Income from part-time work: At 28 hours a week × ¥1,054/hour (the 2024 minimum wage), you can earn around ¥1,200,000 a year — a substantial offset against living costs.
Scholarships for studying in Japan
MEXT (Monbukagakusho) scholarship — the Japanese government
The most prestigious full scholarship. It covers:
- Tuition in full
- A living allowance of ¥117,000 – ¥145,000/month depending on the level of study
- Return airfare
- Deadline: usually April–May each year
Competition is intense — Vietnam receives only around 150–200 places a year across all categories.
JASSO scholarship (Japan Student Services Organization)
- ¥48,000/month (a non-repayable grant)
- For students already studying in Japan with a high GPA
University scholarships
Many Japanese universities (Keio, Waseda, Ritsumeikan) run their own scholarships for outstanding international students, waiving 50–100% of tuition.
The student visa process, step by step
- Choose a school and course of study, and submit your application
- Receive a letter of acceptance from the school
- The school applies to the Immigration Services Agency for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
- Receive the COE (one to three months) and take it to the Embassy of Japan in Hanoi
- Attend the visa interview and receive your student visa (two to four weeks)
- Fly to Japan, register your residence and obtain your residence card
Important points about part-time work
- The limit is 28 hours a week while term is in session — breaching it can result in your visa being revoked
- There is no hourly limit during the summer and winter holidays
- You must obtain permission to engage in activities outside your status of residence (資格外活動許可) as soon as you arrive
- Working at adult venues, pachinko parlours or hostess bars is prohibited — this is an immediate breach