The International Student Office of Kumamoto University (KU), Japan, is pleased to announce that the Short-Term Exchange Program (STEP) for the Fall Semester 2025 is now open for applications. This program is available for full-time undergraduate students in their second year or above from universities that have a student exchange agreement with KU.

STEP offers a variety of courses, including Japanese language, Japanese and Asian society and culture, and advanced science and technology. Students can enroll for one or two semesters while maintaining full-time student status at their home university.

Application Process

Phase 1: Nomination

• Nomination Deadline: Friday, March 14, 2025
• Partner universities must nominate students by submitting their information through the following form:
  Nomination Form

Phase 2: Application

• Application Deadline: Friday, April 18, 2025
• Students must submit all required documents, including:
  1. Application Form for COE (Excel format)
  2. Required Documents for STEP (Excel format)
• Documents should be uploaded via the following link:
  Upload Link
  Password: STEP@2025

Important Notes

• The Certificate of Language Proficiency must be submitted by April 18, 2025. Applications without this certificate will not be accepted.
• The list of elective courses for the upcoming year is not yet finalized. However, students can refer to the previous year’s course list:
  Course List
  Password: Q+3nwMj(
• The number of available spots may be limited if the number of applicants exceeds KU’s capacity.

Additional Resources

• Program Brochure: Download Here
• Application Guideline & Package: https://bit.ly/JASSOSTEPKUMADAIOCT2025 

Contact us for application:

Mahendra Data, S.Kom., M.Kom., Ph.D. ([email protected])