Programme for Specialists in Cultural and Academic Fields
Who can apply
Individuals who require Japanese-language proficiency to carry out their specialized work and research activities, in professions such as teachers, researchers at institutions of advanced education (e.g. universities, research centers), researchers for public sector organisations, librarians, curators, Master's and Doctoral candidates. Please contact the Japan Foundation London to enquire about eligibility.
This programme provides a six-month residential language course for specialists (researchers, postgraduate students, librarians, museum and art gallery curators, etc.) who need to improve their Japanese for academic or professional purposes.
Courses take place at our Japanese-Language Institute in Kansai, Japan. Tuition, accommodation and meals are included in the programme but UK based applicants bear their own return travel expenses to Japan. The programme is open to those who are in the field of Japan-related humanities and social sciences and who have a proficiency in Japanese, equivalent to or higher than level JLPT N4 (level 3 of the old JLPT).
Dates for FY 2026-27 programme:
Course Dates: 6 month course, from early-October 2026 to late-March 2027.
Application Deadline: Applications for this programme are now closed.
Notification of Results: Late April 2026.
For further details on this programme and application forms either contact the Japan Foundation London Japanese Studies Team or go to our Tokyo site.
Please contact the Japan Foundation London to discuss eligibility before applying.
Further information
Full guidelines and application details for this programme are available below.
Contact Information
For further information, and to discuss eligibility and the application procedure, please contact:
Junko Takekawa, Senior Arts Programme Officer
Junko_Takekawa@jpf.go.jp
General Enquiries
LO_info@jpf.go.jp
Phone: +44 (0)20 7492 6570