Japan Internship Program 2026 for Foreign Professionals in Japan
Country: Japan
Category: Internship
Program Type: Online and In-person Internship
Application Deadline: June 30, 2026
Host Organization: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Eligibility: Foreign professionals from OECD/DAC-listed countries
The Japan Internship Program 2026 is now accepting applications from highly skilled foreign professionals interested in gaining work experience with Japanese companies. Organized under Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the program connects international participants with small and medium-sized enterprises in Japan through both online and in-person internship tracks. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn more about Japanese work culture and business practices.
Japan Internship Program 2026 Overview
The program aims to support the internationalization and overseas expansion of Japanese companies while providing foreign professionals with practical internship experience. Interns will be placed at Japanese SMEs through a matching process managed by the program office.
The online internship course will run from August 24 to September 18, 2026. It includes up to 20 internship days and approximately 80 working hours in total. Meanwhile, the in-person course offers two separate terms in Japan.
Internship Benefits
Participants selected for the in-person course will receive several forms of support before and during the internship.
✓ Round-trip airfare to Japan in economy class
✓ Travel and internship insurance
✓ Mobile phone for communication and safety
✓ Visa cost coverage
✓ Accommodation arranged by the host company
✓ Transportation arrangements between accommodation and workplace
For the online course, the office will provide the necessary computer, internet, and communication tools required for the internship activities.
Eligibility Criteria for Japan Internship Program 2026
Applicants must meet all program requirements listed by the organizers.
• Hold citizenship from a country on the OECD/DAC list excluding the People’s Republic of China
• Currently reside outside Japan
• Be between 18 and 39 years old as of August 24, 2026
• Be a university student in the final year or a university graduate
• Have Japanese proficiency at JLPT N3 or CEFR B1 level, or English proficiency
• Agree with the objectives and responsibilities of the internship program
In addition, applicants must be able to submit supporting documents such as enrollment or graduation certificates and recommendation letters after passing the document review stage.
Internship Schedule
The online course will take place between August 24 and September 18, 2026.
The in-person course includes the following terms:
• First Term: Arrival on October 7, 2026 and departure on November 26, 2026
• Second Term: Arrival on November 4, 2026 and departure on December 18, 2026
Each in-person internship may last up to 30 business days with approximately 7–8 working hours per day.
Selection and Matching Process
The Japan Office will conduct document screening and interviews in either Japanese or English. After the first interview, selected candidates will be matched with host companies based on their experience and preferences. Companies will then conduct a second interview before making the final selection.
Required Documents
Applicants may be required to submit the following documents during the process:
• Certificate of enrollment or graduation
• Recommendation letter
• Language proficiency documents or scores
The organizers may request additional documents before interviews.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the Japan Internship Program 2026 is June 30, 2026.
