Want a paid internship in Japan? This programme offers free travel and stay

Indian students and graduates dreaming of working in Japan now have an exciting opportunity to gain international work experience through the METI Internship Programme 2026.

Launched by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the programme allows selected candidates to work with Japanese companies while learning about the country’s professional culture and business environment.

The internship is designed for highly skilled foreign talent and offers both online and in-person modes. Through this initiative, interns will work with Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), helping them strengthen global business ties while giving participants valuable international exposure.

Applications for the programme are currently open and the last date to apply is June 30, 2026.

TWO INTERNSHIP MODES TO CHOOSE FROM

The METI Internship Programme 2026 has been divided into two formats so that students can participate according to their convenience and career goals.

Online internship

Students can complete the internship remotely while staying in India.

• Internship duration: August 24 to September 18, 2026

• Work duration: Around 80 hours total

• Daily work schedule: 2 to 8 hours

• Final presentation scheduled for September 18

In-person internship in Japan

Students selected for the physical internship will travel to Japan and work directly with host companies.

Batch 1:

• Arrival: October 7, 2026

• Departure: November 26, 2026

Batch 2:

• Arrival: November 4, 2026

• Departure: December 20, 2026

Interns may work for up to 30 business days with approximately 7–8 working hours daily.

STIPEND, FREE FLIGHTS AND ACCOMMODATION

One of the biggest attractions of the programme is the financial and logistical support provided to interns.

Benefits for online interns

• Daily allowance of JPY 1,000

• Access to laptops, Wi-Fi and required digital tools

• Internship insurance coverage

Benefits for in-person interns

• Daily allowance of JPY 3,000

• Round-trip economy airfare to Japan

• Free accommodation during internship

• Visa support and travel insurance

• Mobile phone for emergency communication

• Transportation support inside Japan

• Japanese language training before and during the programme

The programme also provides cross-cultural and professional training sessions to help students adapt to Japanese workplace culture.

WHO CAN APPLY TO JAPAN METI INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME?

Applicants must fulfil all eligibility conditions mentioned by METI.

Eligibility criteria

• Must be between 18 and 39 years old

• Must belong to an OECD/DAC-listed country, including India

• Should be a university student, final-year student, or graduate

• Must have good English or Japanese language proficiency

• Applicants currently living in Japan are not eligible

• Candidates should not have participated in the programme between FY2016 and FY2025

• Applicants should have interest in working with Japanese companies

Students may also be required to submit:

• Recommendation letters

• University enrolment or graduation certificates

• Language proficiency documents

HOW TO APPLY FOR JAPAN METI INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME?

Interested candidates can apply online through the official METI Internship portal.

Steps to apply

• Visit METI Internship Programme official website

• Read the internship overview carefully

• Choose online or in-person internship mode

• Fill in the application form

• Upload all required documents

• Submit the application before June 30, 2026

The official website mentions that the application process may take around 30–40 minutes to complete.

Read the official METI Internship Programme 2026 details here

A BIG CAREER BOOST FOR STUDENTS

The internship programme aims to connect talented international students with Japanese businesses and strengthen future global collaboration.

Interns will get exposure to real projects while working alongside professionals in engineering, research, business expansion, interpretation, and several other domains.

For Indian students interested in Japan’s work culture, technology ecosystem, and international careers, the METI Internship Programme 2026 could become a valuable stepping stone towards future opportunities in Japan and beyond.