Higher Education
Japan Education Pathways
2024~present
Japan Education Pathways is an extension of Japan-Ukraine University Pathways, a program launched in 2022 (see below). In spring 2026, a number of universities in Japan will recruit students with refugee backgrounds. Apply between August 25 and September 15, 2025!
Japan-Ukraine University Pathways
2022~2024
Japan-Ukraine University Pathways (JUUP) was launched in spring 2022 shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 18 universities in Japan offered to admit Ukrainian students as an emergency measure, and Pathways Japan and the Japan ICU Foundation co-managed the recruitment process. Most universities offered a full scholarship including tuition and fees, accommodation and stipend, while several offered a full-tuition scholarship and alternative forms of aid.
This program was replaced by Japan Education Pathways, which expanded the eligibility to a wider range of nationalities.
Syrian Scholars Initiative
2017~2022
The Syrian Scholars Initiative was launched in 2017 to support Syrian students at International Christian University (ICU), a private liberal arts college in Tokyo. The initial plan was to recruit six students over a four-year period (2018-2021) and offer a full scholarship throughout their undergraduate studies. The program was extended for a year, as it was difficult to recruit students during the pandemic. Ultimately, seven students were recruited between 2018 and 2022, and as of July 2025, five have already graduated and two remain at ICU.
In 2024, this program was replaced by Japan Education Pathways which opened the door to refugee students of multiple nationalities including Syrians.