MEXT & GKS Recommendation Letters: Who to Ask (2026)
TL;DR
How to get strong recommendation letters for MEXT and GKS scholarships - who to ask, how to brief your referee, sealed-envelope rules, and mistakes Singapore applicants commonly make.
21 Jan 2026, 00:00 Z
Planning a revision session? Use our study places near me map to find libraries, community study rooms, and late-night spots.
Q: What’s the fastest way to avoid last-minute chaos for recommendation letters?
A: Treat the recommendation letter like a document workflow, not a favour. Choose the right referee, give them the right briefing pack, and follow the official sealing/signature rules exactly - because some programmes will reject letters that aren’t sealed, signed, or dated.
TL;DR (60 seconds) - Read the official instructions for your programme: - MEXT research sample form (shows sealed-envelope handling): https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/_mt/2025/04/07-2026_Research_SampleRecommendation.pdf - GKS recommender instructions (sealed + signed across flap): https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/cmm/fms/FileDown.do?atchFileId=FILE_000000000492848&fileSn=3 - Ask early: in Singapore school calendars, 4–6 weeks is a safer lead time than “next week”. - Your job is to make it easy for your referee to write a specific letter, not a generic one.
Status: Last reviewed 2026-01-21. This is a planning guide. Always follow the current-year instructions on the official pages linked above.
If you’re still deciding between Japan vs Korea overall, start here:
1) Who should you ask? (Singapore reality)
You want someone who can write a specific letter about:
- your academic ability (not just “good attitude”)
- your growth trajectory (how you improved)
- your character under stress (deadlines, responsibility)
- your fit for your intended field
Common choices for Singapore students:
- a subject teacher who knows your work deeply (best for most students)
- a research mentor / internship supervisor (if relevant to your field)
- a school leader (only if they actually know you and can write substance)
If you can only choose one: choose the person who can write the most evidence-based letter.
2) MEXT (Japan): what the official sample shows
The Study in Japan application page includes a recommendation letter sample:
Sources
- Study in Japan (official) - MEXT Research Students application page (forms + recommendation letter sample)
- Study in Japan (official) - MEXT recommendation letter sample (FY2026 PDF)
- Study in Korea (official) - 2026 GKS-U Application Forms (Form 4 recommender instructions)
- Study in Korea (official) - 2026 GKS-U Application Guidelines (FAQ on recommendation letters)
