The Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan recently announced that applications have opened for the Japanese government’s 2027 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) scholarship programme for Afghan students. In a statement, the embassy set 26 Mayas the deadline for submitting applications for the scholarship offered by Japan’s Ministry. According to the embassy, the Japanese government will directly oversee all evaluation and selection procedures related to the scholarship programme. Officials emphasised that the process would be conducted independently and based on merit. According to the embassy, the Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan will assist in collecting applications and facilitating written examination procedures but would not have any role in selecting successful candidates.