Overview #
The METI Japan Internship Program 2025 offers a rare opportunity for students and recent graduates from Global South countries to gain hands-on experience in Japan’s leading tech industries. Sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and implemented by Pasona Inc., this internship is completely fully funded, with no application fee. Interns are placed in Japanese companies working in domains like Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation, IT Engineering, and Web Development.
Key Highlights #
- Program Name: METI Global South IT/AI Engineer Internship Program 2025
- Host Country: Japan
- Duration: 1.5 months
- Internship Period: October 31 to December 15, 2025
- Entry & Exit Dates: October 29 (Entry) – December 17 (Departure)
- Funding: Fully Funded by METI
- Application Deadline:
- AI Engineers: June 19, 2025
- IT Engineers: June 26, 2025
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Requirements #
To ensure only qualified candidates apply, the following criteria must be met:
- Nationality: Must hold citizenship of a country listed on the OECD DAC list (excluding China).
- Residency: Applicants must currently reside outside of Japan.
- Education:
- Currently enrolled in or recently graduated (within last 3 years) from a university, technical college, or higher education institution.
- Language Skills:
- Must have English communication skills.
- Should not possess Japanese proficiency equal to or above JLPT N5.
- Commitment: Willing to attend all training sessions and internship activities from start to end.
- Additional Requirements: Some companies may request specific skills or academic backgrounds.
Internship Roles and Activities #
Interns will be placed in Japanese companies and will engage in real-world tech projects. Possible roles include:
- Developing digital transformation solutions
- AI-based product development and data analytics
- Web design and UI/UX for global markets
- International marketing and market research
- Business development for overseas expansion
- Localizing services for emerging markets
Financial Coverage and Perks #
The METI internship program is fully funded, covering:
- Airfare: Round-trip international tickets
- Stipend: 3,000 yen per day (for meals and transportation)
- Accommodation: Free lodging provided
- Training: Cross-cultural communication and work culture orientation
- Insurance: Comprehensive internship insurance
Application Process Timeline #
For IT Engineers
- May 1 – June 26: Submit application online
- June 28–29: Online Coding Contest
- July – August: Interviews with companies for high scorers
- End of August: Final intern-company matching
- Early September: Pre-departure virtual training
- October 29: Arrival in Japan
- October 31 – December 15: Internship period
- December 17: Departure
For AI Engineers
- May 1 – June 19: Submit application online
- June 21–22: AI Project Contest and screening
- July – August: Interviews and matching
- End of August: Company placement announcement
- Early September: Online orientation
- Internship Duration: October 31 to December 15
- Departure: December 17
How to Apply? #
- Visit the https://japaninternshipglobal.go.jp/students
- Choose either AI or IT stream based on your background
- Fill out the online application form
- Upload all required documents (CV, proof of education, etc.)
- No application fee required
- Shortlisted candidates will receive further instructions via email
Step-by-Step: Filling the METI Internship Form #
- Access the Application Portal: Visit the official internship website provided by METI.
- Select Your Category: Choose between IT Engineer or AI Engineer.
- Register Your Account: Sign up with a valid email and verify it.
- Fill in Personal Details: Provide academic, contact, and nationality information.
- Upload Documents: Attach your CV/resume, university documents, and other required materials.
- Submit Before Deadline: Ensure timely submission before the respective deadlines.
Here’s a clean and structured way to insert the “Current DAC list of ODA recipients” and its related updates into your existing article. I’ve organized the content into headings and sections so it integrates smoothly into most article formats:
Current DAC List of ODA Recipients (as of latest update) #
The Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the OECD regularly updates the list of countries and territories eligible to receive Official Development Assistance (ODA). This classification is based primarily on per capita income levels and other development indicators. Below is the current categorization:
Updates to the List
The following classifications are based on 2022 per capita Gross National Income (GNI):
- Least Developed Countries (LDCs): per capita GNI ≤ $1,135
- Low Income Countries (which are not LDCs)
- Lower Middle Income Countries & Territories (which are not LDCs): per capita GNI $1,136 – $4,465
- Upper Middle Income Countries & Territories (which are not LDCs): per capita GNI $4,466 – $13,845
Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
(Including countries classified as low and lower-middle income within the LDC framework)
Afghanistan (L), Angola (LM), Bangladesh (LM), Benin (LM), Burkina Faso (L), Burundi (L), Cambodia (LM), Central African Republic (L), Chad (L), Comoros (LM), Democratic Republic of the Congo (L), Djibouti (LM), Eritrea (L), Ethiopia (L), Gambia (L), Guinea (L), Guinea-Bissau (L), Haiti (LM), Kiribati (LM), Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LM), Lesotho (LM), Liberia (L), Madagascar (L), Malawi (L), Mali (L), Mauritania (LM), Mozambique (L), Myanmar (LM), Nepal (LM), Niger (L), Rwanda (L), Sao Tome and Principe¹ (LM), Senegal (LM), Sierra Leone (L), Solomon Islands¹ (LM), Somalia (L), South Sudan (L), Sudan (L), Tanzania (LM), Timor-Leste (LM), Togo (L), Tuvalu (UM), Uganda (L), Yemen (L), Zambia (LM)
Low Income Countries (which are not LDCs)
- Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
- Syrian Arab Republic
Lower Middle Income Countries & Territories (which are not LDCs)
Algeria, Bhutan, Bolivia, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Eswatini, Ghana, Honduras, India, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tokelau*, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe
Upper Middle Income Countries & Territories (which are not LDCs)
Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, China (People’s Republic of), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Gabon, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana² (H), Indonesia, Iraq, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Montserrat³ (H), Namibia, Nauru⁴ (H), Niue*, North Macedonia, Palau, Panama² (H), Paraguay, Peru, Saint Helena*, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Serbia, South Africa, Suriname, Thailand, Tonga, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Venezuela⁵, Wallis and Futuna*, West Bank and Gaza Strip
Footnotes:
¹ Recently graduated from LDC status but still included for transitional assistance.
² Countries in transition – special considerations apply.
³ May receive assistance as a special case (high-income but eligible under specific criteria).
⁴ Receives aid in a humanitarian or strategic context.
⁵ Status may be under review or conditionally included.
* Territories included due to specific aid arrangements.
Important Guidelines and Terms #
- No Part-time Jobs: This program is not employment; interns are not allowed to work part-time during the program.
- No Midway Withdrawals: Once selected and matched, interns cannot cancel or leave midway.
- Public Disclosure: Internship summaries and participating companies may be published on METI’s official portal.
- No Re-application: Interns who exit early may be disqualified from future METI internships.
- Limited Seats: Only 1–5 interns are selected per company through a competitive process.
FAQs #
- Is knowledge of Japanese mandatory?
No, but you must not have JLPT N5 or higher. - Can final-year students apply?
Yes, as long as you expect to graduate by the time the internship begins. - Do I need to pay anything?
No, the internship is entirely free and funded.
