About this opportunity
Opportunity Overview
The METI Government of Japan Internship Program 2026 is a unique opportunity for highly skilled foreign professionals and students to gain professional work experience in Japan, learn from Japanese companies, and receive financial support. This fully funded program is designed to support the internationalization of Japanese companies and help talented foreigners find employment in Japan. With two formats - an Online Course and an In-person Course - interns will work with Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on projects related to engineering, research, sales, interpretation, legal, and accounting. If you're looking to experience Japanese work culture, build your CV, and possibly find a job in Japan, this internship is for you.
Benefits & Financial Aid
- Stipend: Online interns receive JPY 1,000 per day, while in-person interns receive JPY 3,000 per day.
- Tuition: Fully covered.
- Travel: In-person interns receive round-trip economy airfare to and from Japan.
- Accommodation: In-person interns are provided with accommodation during the internship.
- Language Training: In-person interns receive Japanese language training for three months before and after the internship.
- Insurance: Performance bond insurance, liability insurance, and fidelity insurance are provided.
- Visa Support: Assistance with Japan visa application is offered.
- Pre-departure Career Training: In-person interns receive pre-departure career training.
Eligibility Criteria
- Citizenship: Hold citizenship of a country on the OECD/DAC list (excluding China).
- Age: Between 18 and 39 years old as of August 24, 2026.
- Education: Be a final-year student or graduate of a university (undergraduate or graduate school).
- Language Proficiency: Sufficient proficiency in Japanese (at least JLPT N3 or equivalent) or English.
- Commitment: Able to devote themselves entirely to all training and internship activities, and participate reliably on specified activity days.
- Employment Status: Have not secured employment yet and have a desire to work in Japan.
- No Prior Participation: Have not participated in this project from FY2016 to FY2025.
Required Documents
- Certificate of Enrollment or Graduation: For current students, a certificate of enrollment is required. For graduates, a certificate of graduation is required.
- Language Proficiency Certificate: A language proficiency certificate (JLPT N3 or equivalent for Japanese; or English test scores) is required.
- Recommendation Letter: A recommendation letter from a university or faculty member is required.
How to Apply
- Review eligibility criteria to ensure you meet the requirements.
- Prepare required documents, including a certificate of enrollment or graduation, language proficiency certificate, and recommendation letter.
- Complete the online application through the official application portal (linked on METI website).
- Submit your application and required documents.
- If your application passes document screening, you will be invited for a first interview (conducted in Japanese or English).
- If you pass the first interview, you will be matched with potential host companies and may have a second interview (optional).
- If you are selected for the internship, you will receive a final acceptance notice and sign a contract with the JIP Office and host company.
- Complete pre-departure preparation (in-person course only), including visa support and pre-departure career training.
- Begin your internship according to the agreed plan.
- Submit daily reports and participate in all training sessions and final presentation.
- After the internship, complete questionnaires and cooperate with follow-up surveys.
- Submit your application using the Apply button below.
Ready to apply?