METI Government of Japan 2026 Internship Programme for Foreigners

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan has officially opened applications for the 2026 Japan Internship Programme (JIP) for foreign nationals interested in gaining work experience with Japanese companies.

The programme is targeted at highly skilled foreign professionals from countries listed under the OECD/DAC list, excluding the People’s Republic of China. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to intern with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Japan through either an online or in-person internship track.

Applications will close on June 30, 2026.

The internship programme is designed to support the internationalisation of Japanese companies while also helping foreign professionals gain exposure to Japan’s business environment and work culture.

Who Can Apply

According to the official details released by the organisers, applicants must meet several eligibility requirements to qualify for the programme.

Interested candidates must:

• Be citizens of eligible OECD/DAC countries
• Be between 18 and 39 years old as of August 24, 2026
• Be final-year university students or graduates
• Have Japanese language proficiency of at least JLPT N3 level or English proficiency equivalent to CEFR B1
• Show interest in working in Japan
• Not currently reside in Japan
• Not have participated in the programme between FY2016 and FY2025

The organisers also stated that applicants must support the objective of helping Japanese companies expand internationally and build overseas networks.

Candidates are expected to possess knowledge or experience in areas such as:

• Engineering
• Research
• Interpretation and translation
• International sales
• Legal services
• Accounting and business support

Internship Categories

The programme will be offered through two different formats.

Online Course

The online internship will run from August 24 to September 18, 2026.

Participants will complete up to 20 days of activities, amounting to roughly 80 total hours. Daily activities are expected to range between two and eight hours.

The final presentation session is scheduled for September 18.

In-person Course

The physical internship programme will be held in Japan under two separate terms.

First Term:

• Arrival: October 7, 2026
• Departure: November 26, 2026

Second Term:

• Arrival: November 4, 2026
• Departure: December 18, 2026

Participants in the in-person programme will engage in internship activities for up to 30 business days.

Benefits for Selected Interns

The Japanese government will provide several forms of support to successful applicants.

For both online and physical internships, interns will receive:

• Cross-cultural training
• Crisis management training
• Follow-up sessions
• Japanese language support
• Insurance coverage

Participants in the online programme will also receive:

• Daily allowance equivalent to JPY 1,000
• Laptop and equipment support
• Wi-Fi and communication tools

Meanwhile, selected participants travelling to Japan will receive:

• Daily allowance of JPY 3,000
• Round-trip economy flight tickets
• Visa support
• Accommodation support
• Transportation support
• Mobile phones for emergency communication
• Japanese language training before and after the internship
• Career training before departure

Host companies in Japan will additionally provide accommodation arrangements, utilities, commuting support, and work equipment during the internship period.

Selection Process

The application and matching process will happen in several stages.

The process includes:

1. Document screening
2. Interview with the JIP Office
3. Interview with the host company

The organisers explained that selected candidates will be matched with companies based on their experience, preferences, and the company’s activity plans.

Applicants who successfully pass all stages will receive official acceptance notifications from the organisers.

The final selection results are expected:

• Around late July for the Online Course
• Around mid-August for the In-person First Term
• Around early September for the In-person Second Term

The organisers also clarified that once a match has been confirmed, applicants cannot withdraw from the programme.

Important Notice for Applicants

The organisers warned that submitting an application does not guarantee placement with a host company.

They also stated that:

• The internship does not count as formal employment
• Interns must complete the programme to receive certification
• Internship outcomes may be published publicly because the programme is funded by the Japanese government

Applicants are advised to carefully review all requirements and conditions before applying.

How to Apply

Applications are currently ongoing and interested candidates can submit their entries through the official application portal before the June 30, 2026 deadline.

Apply here:

Japan Internship Programme Application Portal