Study in Japan- What’s NEXT after MEXT?

It is spring in Japan, the land of the Rising Sun! ‘Tis the season for cherry blossoms, expected to peak from late March to early April, particularly in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, according to the final official forecast of the Japan Meteorological Corporation.

During our various stays in Japan, we were blessed to live in a community with parks and streets surrounded by/ lined with cherry trees. Imagine the daily delight of being amidst so much beautiful white, pink cherry blossoms!

Tourists are now in Japan, expecting to relish watching and having selfies amidst these beautiful spring blossoms! The present yen depreciation is attracting more tourists, Filipinos included, eager to take advantage of Japan’s cherry blossoms this season!

If you cannot yet afford to visit Japan and enjoy the cherry blossoms now, would you like to in the near future - as a student in Japan?

Not only will you enjoy cherry blossoms in spring but snow in winter as well as the golden leaves of autumn!

Mt. Fuji’s majestic sight and the beauty of other scenic and natural spots are worth experiencing as well!

There is the charm of the Japanese and their culture, then the wonder of their science and technology!

For those interested in studying and doing so in beautiful Japan, the Philippine Association of former Japanese Government Scholars in Cebu (PHILAJAMES-CEBU) is inviting you all this Friday, March 22, from 3-5 in the afternoon, for these two online events: 1) MEXT Scholarship Orientation, and, 2) Scholars’ Sharing on the topic, After MEXT, What NEXT?

MEXT refers to the Japanese Ministry ofEducation, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

These are several of the MEXT scholarships offered for the interested and qualified: Teacher Training, Youth Leadership Program (YLP), Undergraduate, Research, including graduate studies, Specialized Training, College of Technology and Japanese Studies Programs.

For more details, Ms. Jenny de Jesus Okada of the Japanese Information and Cultural Center will provide an orientation about these various scholarship categories.

The following Filipino scholars will also share their experiences and advice for prospective scholarship applicants:

Ms. Ashley Uy as a former YLP scholar of HItotsubashi University, Mr. Reymund Lara, Teacher Trainee at Tokushima University and Naruto University, and Dr. Luis Caňete, Research/Phd Graduate of Fukushima University.

If you are unable to join Event 1 this Friday, check this link of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines:https:// www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html

Prospective MEXT applicants may want to know what will happen after studying in Japan, after the MEXT scholarship.

These former MEXT scholars have agreed to share their experiences and journey after MEXT to guide and inspire the new MEXT scholarship applicants:

1)Dr. Jonathan Maglasang, now University Director for Research and Development,

Cebu Technological University (CTU),Ph.d.inAeronautics and Astronautics (Aerospace Engineering), Kyushu Universitiy, 2) Dr. Reggy Figer, Specially Appointed Associate Professor , Research Faculty of Media and Communication, Hokkaido Unversity, Ph.d, University of Tsukuba, 3) Dr. Inocencio Buot Jr., Professor and Head, Plant Systematics Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, CAS-UPLB, Phd Ecology (Plant Ecology), Chiba University, and ,4) Dr. Juvy Balingit Malonjao, Faculty, Industrial Engineering, CTU, Phd in Industrial Engineering and Management, Kanagawa University.

To review, Event 2 will be held from 4-5 p.m. after Event 1 which will run from 3-4 in the afternoon of March 22.

Consul General Hideaki Matsuo of the Consulate General of Japan in Cebu has kindly agreed to give some brief remarks for this occasion.

Due to more participants expected, (beyond 100), please note and kindly relay to all other interested this changed online link for the PHILAJAMES-CEBU events this March 22 from 3-5 p.m. in the afternoon:

Zoom meeting link;https://up-edu.zoom. us/j/99897465303

Meeting ID: 998 9746 5303 Passcode: 15482892 Please note that PRE-REGISTRATION is required. For inquiries about these March 22 PHILAJAMES-CEBU events, please contactceburce@gmail.com.