The METI Japan Internship Program is among the best opportunities available to international students and young professionals through the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Government of Japan. The duration of the internship is up to 20 days for the online course and up to 30 business days for the in-person course. This internship will provide an allowance, training, insurance, round-trip airfare for in-person interns, accommodation, visa support, transportation support, and work environment support. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the METI Japan Internship Program 2026, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a detailed step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
The METI Japan Internship Program is designed for highly skilled foreign professionals who want to gain practical work experience with Japanese companies. Through this program, interns will work with small and medium-sized enterprises in Japan, learn about Japanese business culture, and develop professional skills for future career opportunities in Japan.
METI Japan Internship Program Summary
- Institute: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Government of Japan
- Location: Japan / Online
- Host Companies: Small and medium-sized enterprises in Japan
- Number of Host Companies: Maximum 80 companies
- Internship Period:
- Online Course: August 24 – September 18, 2026
- In-person Course First Term: October 7 – November 26, 2026
- In-person Course Second Term: November 4 – December 20, 2026
- Internship Deadline: June 30, 2026 (JST)
Internship Focused Areas
The METI Japan Internship Program is open to highly skilled foreign professionals from different academic and professional backgrounds.
- Engineering, Research, Interpretation, Overseas Sales, Business Development, Legal, Accounting, Information Technology, Management, and other professional fields related to Japanese companies.
Interns will be matched with Japanese companies according to their experience, skills, preferences, and the internship plan of the host company.
METI Japan Internship Program Benefits
The METI Japan Internship Program will provide the following benefits to its interns:
- Training Programs: Cross-cultural understanding training, crisis management training, mid-term follow-up training, and Japanese language training for selected interns.
- Insurance: Insurance coverage will be provided during the internship period.
- Online Course Allowance: JPY 1,000 per day of internship activities.
- Online Course Support: Necessary equipment, such as a PC, dedicated email address, Wi-Fi, and file-sharing system support, may be provided.
- In-person Course Allowance: JPY 3,000 per day of stay in Japan.
- Travel Expenses: Round-trip economy class airfare to Japan will be provided for in-person interns.
- Visa Support: Support will be provided for visa acquisition, and the related cost will be covered according to the program rules.
- Accommodation: Accommodation will be arranged during the internship period at the host company.
- Living Support: Furniture, appliances, bedding, tableware, and utilities such as Wi-Fi, electricity, water, and gas will be arranged.
- Transportation Support: Transportation between the airport, host company, training facilities, accommodation, and workplace will be supported.
- Mobile Phone: A mobile phone will be provided for emergency communication with the office and host company.
- Work Environment: A computer, desk, and other required work environment support will be provided for internship activities.
METI Japan Internship Program Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must fulfill the following criteria for the METI Japan Internship Program:
- Required Languages: Japanese or English
- Eligible Countries: Countries listed on the OECD/DAC list, excluding the People’s Republic of China
- Applicants must hold citizenship of a country listed on the OECD/DAC list, excluding the People’s Republic of China.
- Applicants currently residing in Japan are not eligible for this internship program.
- Applicants must agree with the purpose of the program and be willing to contribute to the internationalization of Japanese companies.
- Applicants must have sufficient proficiency in Japanese or English. For the Japanese language, JLPT N3 / CEFR B1 level or higher is generally required.
- Applicants should generally be between 18 and 39 years old as of August 24, 2026.
- Applicants must be current students in their final year or graduates of a university, undergraduate program, or graduate school.
- Current students must be able to submit a certificate of enrollment and a recommendation letter from their university or faculty member after passing the document review.
- Graduates must be able to submit a certificate of graduation and a recommendation letter from a faculty member or affiliated institution after passing the document review.
- Applicants must be able to submit language certificates, qualification certificates, or other required documents if requested after document screening.
- Applicants must be able to participate fully in all training programs and internship activities.
- Applicants applying for the in-person course must be able to travel to Japan according to the schedule arranged by the program office.
- Applicants must not have secured employment yet, or if already employed, they must have a strong desire to change jobs to Japan.
- Applicants must not have participated in this program from FY2016 to FY2025.
How to Apply for the METI Japan Internship Program?
Applications to the program must be made through the official online application form.
- Visit the official METI Japan Internship Program website.
- Open the application overview page for foreign talent.
- Carefully review the internship overview, eligibility criteria, schedule, benefits, and important points.
- After reviewing the internship overview, the entry button will become clickable.
- Click the entry button and register your email address.
- You will receive an email containing the URL to the application form.
- Fill in the required information in the online application form carefully.
- Submit the application form before the deadline.
- After submission, you will receive an “Application Complete” email at your registered email address.
- Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for the next stages of the selection and matching process.
Required Documents for METI Japan Internship Program
Applicants do not need to submit all documents at the initial application stage. However, after passing the document screening, the JIP Office may request individual documents before or after the interview.
The following documents may be required:
- Certificate of enrollment for current students
- Certificate of graduation for graduates
- Recommendation letter from a university, faculty member, or affiliated institution
- Language proficiency certificates, if available
- Qualification certificates, if applicable
- Documents required for visa processing for in-person interns
- Other documents requested by the JIP Office
Applicants are advised to prepare these documents in advance so they can submit them on time if they are selected for the next stage.
Website
To learn more about the METI Japan Internship Program, please visit the official website:
