Do Indian students need a visa to intern in Japan?

Yes. Indian students need either a Cultural Activities Visa (for unpaid or research-based internships) or a Specified Skilled Worker / Engineer-Humanities-International Services Visa for paid work. The Cultural Activities Visa is the most common route for academic internships and takes 4-6 weeks to process. Apply through the Japanese Embassy in New Delhi, Mumbai, or Chennai.

How much does JASSO scholarship pay for internships in Japan?

JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization) Short-Term Student Exchange scholarships pay JPY 117,000 per month (approximately INR 65,000-70,000 at 2026 rates). This is for exchange students; standalone internship stipends vary by company -- large Japanese corporations typically pay JPY 150,000-250,000 per month.

Is Japanese language required for internships in Japan?

For tech internships at multinational companies (Sony, Fujitsu, Rakuten, Toyota research labs, LINE), English is sufficient. For most other sectors, JLPT N4 to N2 is expected. Research internships at Japanese universities can often be done entirely in English. Check the job posting language requirements carefully.

How much does it cost to live in Tokyo as an intern from India?

A month in Tokyo costs an Indian intern approximately INR 85,000 to 1,10,000 (JPY 150,000-200,000). Rent in a shared house (share-house) runs JPY 50,000-80,000/month. Food costs JPY 30,000-50,000, transport (Suica card, IC passes) about JPY 10,000-15,000. Osaka and Fukuoka are 15-20% cheaper than Tokyo.

Which Japanese companies hire Indian interns?

Indian students are hired most actively by tech and R&D-heavy Japanese firms: Sony, Fujitsu, NTT Data, Rakuten, LINE (now LY Corporation), Mercari, Toyota Research Institute, Hitachi, and NEC. Startups in Tokyo (especially in Shibuya and Shinjuku) increasingly hire in English. IIT and NIT alumni networks in Japan can help with referrals.

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Japan Internship 2026: Complete Guide for Indian Students

JASSO scholarships, visa routes, Tokyo living costs and how to land a placement -- everything an Indian student needs before applying.

7 June 2026 | 9 min read

Japan internships pay Indian students JPY 150,000-250,000 per month (INR 88,000-1,47,000) at large tech companies -- and the JASSO scholarship adds JPY 117,000/month on top for exchange-linked placements. The catch: you need a visa, some Japanese language helps outside tech, and housing in Tokyo costs JPY 50,000-80,000/month. Here is everything you need to know before you apply.

Why Japan for Indian students in 2026

Japan is one of the world's largest economies and a global leader in robotics, semiconductors, automotive technology, and consumer electronics. For Indian engineering, computer science, and business students, it offers a combination that few destinations match: world-class company experience, funded scholarship pathways, and genuine cultural immersion.

Key data points for 2026:

Japan issued 47,000+ student visas to Indian nationals in 2024-25, a 31% increase year-on-year
Sony, Fujitsu, NTT Data, and Rakuten actively recruit Indian interns for R&D roles
JASSO Short-Term Exchange Scholarship: JPY 117,000/month (approx. INR 65,000-70,000)
Japan's tech startup scene -- particularly in Tokyo's Shibuya/Shinjuku corridor -- increasingly hires in English

Funded programs and scholarships

Three main funded pathways exist for Indian students:

Program	Stipend	Duration	Who applies
JASSO Short-Term Exchange	JPY 117,000/month	3-12 months	Via partner university
MEXT Research Student	JPY 143,000/month	1-2 years	Research focus; direct apply
Company direct internship	JPY 150,000-250,000/month	2-6 months	Individual application

JASSO exchanges run through India-Japan institutional partnerships. Check whether your university (IIT, NIT, BITS, or affiliated deemed university) has a bilateral agreement with a Japanese host institution. IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, and BITS Pilani all have active Japan agreements.

Visa requirements for Indian students interning in Japan

Indian students need a visa for Japan -- there is no visa-on-arrival arrangement. The correct visa depends on the internship type:

Cultural Activities Visa (文化活動): For research-based or unpaid academic internships. Most common route for JASSO and university-exchange placements. Processing time: 4-6 weeks. Cost: approximately INR 1,500 (JPY 3,000).
Engineer / Humanities / International Services Visa (技術・人文知識・国際業務): Required for paid corporate internships where you perform technical work. Employer must sponsor the visa. Processing time: 4-8 weeks.
Student Visa with part-time work permission: If you are already enrolled at a Japanese university on exchange, you can work up to 28 hours/week including internship hours.

Apply at the Japanese Embassy in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, or Kolkata. Document checklist: passport (6+ months validity), Certificate of Eligibility from Japanese host institution, acceptance letter, bank statement (last 6 months), academic transcripts.

Cost of living in Japan: city comparison

Category	Tokyo (INR)	Osaka (INR)	Fukuoka (INR)
Shared house rent	35,000-47,000	28,000-40,000	22,000-33,000
Food (cooking + eating out)	18,000-29,000	16,000-26,000	14,000-24,000
Transport (IC card)	6,000-9,000	5,000-8,000	4,000-7,000
Phone + SIM	1,500-2,500	1,500-2,500	1,500-2,500
Leisure	6,000-12,000	5,000-10,000	4,000-9,000
Total per month	67,000-1,00,000	56,000-87,000	46,000-76,000

Note: Japan has dormitory housing at many universities that costs JPY 10,000-20,000/month -- dramatically cheaper than private share-houses. If you are going through an institutional exchange, always ask about dormitory availability first.

Japanese companies that actively hire Indian interns

Sony Global (Tokyo): Software engineering, AI/ML research, semiconductor design. English-friendly. Stipend JPY 200,000+/month.
Fujitsu (Kawasaki/Tokyo): IT infrastructure, cloud, cybersecurity. Active Indian intern hiring via IIT partnerships.
Rakuten (Tokyo): E-commerce tech, fintech, logistics AI. Full English workplace ("Englishnization" policy since 2010).
NTT Data: Systems integration, data analytics. Internship programme with Indian university MOUs.
LINE / LY Corporation (Tokyo): Mobile apps, AI, content platforms. Strong English culture, actively recruits from India.
Toyota Research Institute (Nagoya/Tokyo): Autonomous vehicles, robotics. Competitive but highly sought after by IIT graduates.

Want to see how an engineering student presents themselves for Japan-based roles? Review an example engineering profile on our platform -- the Living Profile format works particularly well with Japanese structured hiring processes.

How to apply: timeline and practical steps

9-12 months before: Identify target companies and university exchange programs. Check bilateral agreements at your institution's international office.
6 months before: Submit application to JASSO exchange (through your university) or directly to company internship portals.
3-4 months before: Apply for visa once you have the Certificate of Eligibility from your host. Book flights (Japan-India routes: Air India, ANA, JAL -- direct from Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai).
2 months before: Arrange housing (university dormitory, sakura-house.com, or hikari-house.com for share-houses).
1 month before: Activate Suica IC card (transport + payments), purchase a Japan SIM or pocket Wi-Fi (IIJmio or Aeon Mobile are cheapest).

The free internship toolkit includes a Japan-specific preparation checklist, cover letter templates, and guidance on Japanese business etiquette that hiring managers actually notice.

Ready to start your Japan internship journey?

Japan is one of the most rewarding -- and most underutilised -- internship destinations for Indian students. The combination of funded programs, world-class tech companies and a unique professional culture creates an experience that stands out on every CV.

Check out our guide to funded internships in Europe for Indian students as a comparison, and create your free profile to explore opportunities across 25+ destinations: app.internshipabroad.me/signup.