MEXT 2026 (Singapore): How to Write the Field of Study & Research Plan (Without Buzzwords)
TL;DR
A Singapore-friendly, source-first writing guide for the MEXT Research Students “Field of Study and Research Plan” form: what the official form actually asks for, how to structure your two pages, and how to make your plan specific without…
21 Jan 2026, 00:00 Z
Reviewed by
Marcus Pang·Managing Director (Maths)
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> **Q:** How do I write the MEXT “Field of Study and Research Plan” without sounding generic?
> \
> **A:** Treat the official form as a checklist, not as a “paper”. It only asks two things: **(1) your past/present field of study**, and **(2) your research theme + plan in Japan** — within a strict page limit. This guide shows how to fill those two parts with concrete, Singapore-student evidence.
> **TL;DR (90 seconds)**
> - Start from the official application page (it contains the form you must follow): https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap-stopj-applications-research.html
> - The official form is here (FY2026): https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/_mt/2025/04/05-2026_Research_Studyplan.pdf
> - The form’s own warning matters: plagiarism or fraud can cancel selection retroactively — don’t copy templates.
> - Your target outcome is simple: a two-page plan that makes it obvious **what you’ll study**, **why Japan**, and **how you’ll execute**.
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*Status:* Last reviewed 2026-01-21. This is a writing guide, not an official guarantee. Always follow the latest instructions on the official pages linked above.
If you’re applying from Singapore, read these alongside this writing guide:
* MEXT (Singapore) embassy guide: https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/MEXT-Scholarship-Singapore-Embassy-Guide-2026
* Embassy vs University recommendation (track chooser): https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/MEXT-Embassy-vs-University-Recommendation-Guide-2026
* Professor outreach (Singapore): https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/MEXT-Research-Singapore-Professor-Outreach-Email-Strategy-Guide-2026
---
## 1) First, read the official form like a checklist
Download the form and read the “Guide” section at the top:
* https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/_mt/2025/04/05-2026_Research_Studyplan.pdf
What the form (FY2026) makes clear:
* this sheet is used for selection and university placement (so clarity matters)
* it has a strict length (the form tells you to keep it within two pages)
* it warns against plagiarism/fraud
Your goal is not to impress with fancy vocabulary. Your goal is to make your plan easy to evaluate.
---
## 2) The form only asks two sections — write them in order
### Section 1: “Past and present field of study”
This section is where Singapore applicants often underwrite.
Don’t just list subjects. Show the *direction* of your learning.
Use bullet-style sentences (clear, not long):
* **Academic foundation:** what you studied that directly supports your research area (modules, syllabus areas, key skills).
* **Evidence of interest:** a project, paper, internship, research attachment, competition, or self-driven exploration that is clearly connected.
* **Skills you can actually use:** data analysis, lab techniques, programming, literature review, fieldwork, writing.
* **Your current level:** what you *can* do now, and what you still need to learn.
If you’re earlier-stage (e.g., you haven’t done formal research yet), it’s okay — but don’t pretend.
Instead, write:
* “Here’s what I’ve done so far.”
* “Here’s the gap.”
* “Here’s what I plan to learn in Japan to close it.”
### Section 2: “Research theme and plan in Japan”
The official form asks you to describe:
* your **research theme**, and
* your **research plan**, including the ultimate goal(s).
This is where people drift into buzzwords. Don’t.
Use this practical structure (guidance, not a rule):
1. **Research question (one sentence):** what you’re trying to find out.
2. **Why it matters (two sentences):** the academic or real-world reason.
3. **Approach (3–5 bullets):** what you will actually do (methods, data, experiments, modelling, fieldwork).
4. **Feasibility (2–3 bullets):** why this is doable in Japan (facilities, labs, datasets, supervisors — only claim what you can support).
5. **Outputs (1–2 bullets):** thesis, paper, prototype, dataset, or a specific deliverable.
If you’re also emailing professors, keep the plan aligned with your outreach message so you don’t look scattered:
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/MEXT-Research-Singapore-Professor-Outreach-Email-Strategy-Guide-2026
---
## 3) The “anti-buzzword” checklist (make it readable)
Before you submit, search your draft for words like:
* “passion”, “impact”, “innovation”, “global”, “meaningful”
Then replace each with something concrete:
* What did you do?
* What did you measure/build/analyse?
* What did you learn?
* What will you do next in Japan?
If you can’t answer those questions, the sentence is too vague.
---
## 4) How this connects to your recommendation letter (brief your referee properly)
MEXT accepts recommendation letters in various formats, but the official application page publishes a sample that shows what recommenders are expected to comment on:
* https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/_mt/2025/04/07-2026_Research_SampleRecommendation.pdf
When you ask a teacher/professor to recommend you, don’t just say “please write me a letter”.
Give them:
* your 1-page research plan summary (the core idea)
* your CV (one page is fine)
* the official sample link above (so they see the expected content areas)
* your deadline and submission rules (sealed envelope / signing across the seal, if required by your channel)
If you’re applying via Singapore’s embassy track, confirm the local submission rules here:
* https://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/culture_mext_research.html
---
## 5) Next action (today)
Do this in one sitting (60–90 minutes):
1. Download the official form and read the guide section:
- https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/_mt/2025/04/05-2026_Research_Studyplan.pdf
2. Draft Section 1 as 8–12 bullet-style sentences (past/present field of study).
3. Draft Section 2 as a one-sentence research question + 8–12 bullets (theme + plan).
4. Send your draft to one adult who will actually critique clarity (teacher, mentor, supervisor), not just “proofread”.
