Japanese Universities aiming to secure prominent researchers from abroad could soon be eligible to receive financial assistance from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
The initiative hopes to draw in researchers departing the United States, following the actions by Donald Trump’s administration to impede certain international student enrollments and reduce research staff.
Hoping to bolster Japan’s science and technology sector, the government is planning to invest approximately ¥100 billion to secure foreign research talent, with investment returns from the University Endowment fund among the planned sources of capital.
What The Initiative Entails
The ministry’s plan involves accepting a minimum of 100 researchers. It will allocate funds to universities and research institutes to cover the necessary personnel costs and research expenses for recruitment.
This financial support is designed to last for a period of three years. Project leaders will be granted an annual sum of ¥30 million per person, postdoctoral researchers ¥15 million and graduate students will receive approximately ¥5 million. The ministry has incorporated ¥1.7 billion for associated costs within its fiscal 2026 budget request.
Faculty of Engineering Building, University of Tokyo
US Instability Intensifies Race for Talent
The global competition for high-level research talent has intensified due to the situation in the US, where there have been attempts to block international student admissions at renowned institutions like Harvard University, as well as significant staff reductions at research organizations and cuts to university subsidies.
The instability was acutely felt during the summer when new visas for certain employment categories, including the H-1B specialty occupation visa critical for researchers, were suspended.
These researchers can bring new knowledge, create innovative projects and train the next generation of academics and scientists, so it’s no wonder they are in demand.
