日本・ウクライナ日本語学校パスウェイズ2027年度募集
Application is open from Thursday, 23rd July to Friday, 14th August, 2026.
*The application period starts one day later than planned.
If you are interested in applying, please read this web page carefully and apply.
Before you make your application, please refer to Programme Guidance 2027 for JULP.
Also, please check Frequently Asked Questions when preparing your application.
What is Japan-Ukraine Japanese Language School Pathways (JULP)?
Japan Ukraine Language School Pathways (JULP) is a program for admitting students who have fled Ukraine due to the Russian aggression, to language schools in Japan. From 2022 to 2026, 139 Ukrainian students and their family members were admitted to Japan through this program with the support from private language schools, supporting companies, NGOs, individuals and local communities. Selected students study tuition-free in the two-year program, which is considered the minimum required to reach a level of Japanese necessary to enter university or find employment in Japan.
In April 2027 recruitment, around 15 Ukrainian applicants will be offered an opportunity to join this program.
Program Overview
Recruited students will be placed in one of the Japanese language schools across Japan.
The program will provide the following:
・Pre-departure Japanese language classes before traveling to Japan
・Airfare to Japan
・Support for visa issuance and residence permit
・Tuition at a Japanese language school for two years (worth USD15,000)
・Stipend for the first six months
・Introduction of part-time job opportunities and housing
・Educational and career consultation every three months to enter university or find employment
*Please note that students are expected to work part-time to cover their rent and living expenses. Pathways Japan and language schools will help you find part-time work.
*After completion of the program, students are expected to apply to universities or find employment.
We will organize online Info Sessions on the date below
28th(Tue) Jul 12:00 -13:30 PM (Ukrainian time)
If you are interested in taking part, please register here.
Eligibility
- Must reside in Ukraine and seek evacuation to Japan or fled to other countries after 24th February 2022 (Those already in Japan are not eligible to apply).
- Must be single or can travel alone without accompanying families (The Japanese government does not issue visas for accompanying family members for language students.)
- Must have completed the secondary education (equivalent of high school education in Japan) or be expected to complete the secondary education by March 2027
- If you are a high school graduate, you must be 26 years old or younger; if you are a university graduate, you must be 33 years old or younger.
- Must have studied or been studying Japanese
- Must agree to work part-time at an entry-level job to cover your own living expenses in Japan
- Must not have a financial obligation to support family members (Students should expect part-time work to cover only their own living expenses, and not to support their families.)
- Must be able to submit the following documents:
a)Document describing your refugee background (e.g. letter explaining the difficulty of staying in or returning to your home country, issued by an NGO or an expert. If this cannot be obtained, the candidate can write his/her own statement.)
b)International Passport copy (If you do not currently have a valid international passport, you may apply without one, but you must obtain one by January 2026)
c) High school graduate certificate or equivalent document
d) High school transcript for grades 10-12 or equivalent document
e) (If you are a university student or graduate) University certificate and transcript for registered terms
f) Recommendation letter (*This letter should not be written by family members, relatives or friends.)
Supporting Organizations
Pathways Japan – Implementing Organization
It is a Japanese non-governmental and non-profit organization, supporting people with refugee experience abroad to be admitted to Japan and get higher education and employment. PJ succeeded the Language School Pathways Program From Japan Association for Refugees (JAR) on 1st July 2021.
Japanese Language Schools – Host Educational Institution
In 2027, around ten language schools are planning to admit youth with refugee backgrounds to learn Japanese language for 2 years from April 2027 to March 2029.You can refer to the website of the partner schools.
Japan ICU Foundation – Funding and Host Organization
The Japan ICU Foundation (JICUF) is a US non-profit organization based in New York. Since 2016, JICUF has partnered with JAR, and later with PJ, to administer the Syrian Scholars Initiative (SSI), a scholarship program for Syrian students to study at International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo, Japan. JICUF currently provides funding to administer Language School Programs for Syrians, Afghans and Ukrainians. It also manages Japan Education Pathways for refugee-background youth living in Japan to access a scholarship to study at universities in Japan.
Application Timeline
| 28(Tue)Jul 18:00-19:30 JST (12:00-13:30 Ukrainian time) | Online Info Session |
| 22(Wed)Jul-14(Fri)Aug | Application Period |
| 14(Fri)Aug-27(Thu)Aug 2026 | Document screening |
| 11(Fri)Sep 2026(Planned) | Announcement of first round results |
| TBD | Trial Japanese language classes (online) |
| 14(Mon)Sep-25(Fri)Sep 2026 | Interview (online) by Pathways Japan (second screening) |
| 8 (Thu) Oct 2026 (Planned) | Announcement of second screening result |
| 23(Fri)Oct-30(Fri) Oct | Interview (online) by Japanese language schools (third screening) |
| 6 (Fri) Nov 2026 or later | Announcement of final results |
Note: Policy Change Regarding the Required Japanese Language Proficiency
The Government of Japan has recently introduced a new requirement for students enrolling in Japanese language schools from October 2026 onward.
Under this policy, applicants must demonstrate Japanese language proficiency equivalent to CEFR A1 or higher at the time of the entrance assessment. This requirement also applies to applicants for the Pathways Japan program.
The assessment will be conducted by the Japanese language school during the admission interview. Applicants who are assessed as not yet having reached the required A1 level will need to continue studying Japanese and may be asked to postpone their enrollment until July 2027 or April 2028.
Steps After Selection
| Between 9 Oct and mid Nov 2026 | Application for a school and residence status in Japan |
| Mid Nov 2026 – Mar 2027 | Preparatory Japanese online classes |
| Last week of Mar 2027 | Travel to Japan |
| Second week of Apr 2027 | School starts |
How to Apply
Application is open from Thursday, 23rd July to Friday, 14th August, 2026.
*The application period starts one day later than planned.
*The link of application will be published here
Before you make your application, please refer to Programme Guidance 2027 for JULP.
Also, please check Frequently Asked Questions when preparing your application.