The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan announced on Sunday that applications have opened for the Japanese government’s 2027 MEXT scholarship program for Afghan students.
In a statement, the embassy said the deadline for
applications is May 26 for the scholarship offered by Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
According to the embassy, the Japanese government will
directly oversee all evaluation and selection procedures, emphasizing that the
process will be conducted independently and based on merit.
The embassy added that Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan will
assist in collecting applications and facilitating written examinations, but
will not be involved in the final selection of candidates.
Japanese officials said recipients will be chosen fairly and
without discrimination based on religion, language or ethnicity. Detailed
information about eligibility criteria and the application process has been
published on the embassy’s official website.
The MEXT scholarship is offered annually and provides Afghan
students with opportunities to pursue higher education and academic research at
universities in Japan. Afghan students have previously used the program to
study fields such as engineering, medicine, social sciences and technology.
The announcement comes as Afghanistan’s education sector
continues to face significant challenges following restrictions imposed by the
Taliban after returning to power in 2021. Female students remain barred from
universities and most secondary schools, prompting widespread international
criticism.
International organizations and foreign governments have
repeatedly raised concerns over restrictions on women’s education, warning of
long-term economic and social consequences. Aid agencies estimate that millions
of Afghan girls remain deprived of formal education.
Japan has continued its humanitarian and development engagement
with Afghanistan, including support for education, healthcare and emergency
assistance programs, and has emphasized the importance of inclusive education
for the country’s long-term stability.
