Studying in Japan Motivation: Why Going to Japan Shouldn’t Be About Escape

1. Introduction The Dream of Japan

Many highly motivated students from around the world dream of going to Japan, studying and living there. I was one of them, and maybe you are too.  When I thought about Japan, there was a burning desire and an unusual amount of excitement. I was eager, so much so, that I never even asked myself any practical questions. There was no fear and no questions about what would follow. My only motivation to study in Japan was based on the desire to have this experience.

Sometimes, when I talk with MEXT applicants, they tell me they want to escape their current conditions and find something better. I encountered depressed MEXT applicants who want to run away, and they believe this scholarship will save them. But this very mindset is what prevents them from obtaining it. Their goals are not clear, so they make mistakes. Moreover, it is visible for the interviewers who have clarity, desire, and motivation, and who is eager to have this experience. Interviewers can usually sense when someone lacks self-belief. That’s why strengthening your own confidence first is such an important step.

I’ve seen the opposite as well. There was a girl a while ago, and as I helped her prepare for the interview, I just knew, she was so focused, natural, clear-minded and sweet. I knew she would get it. It was no surprise when she later wrote to me and told me she was moving to Japan soon.  

In this article, I proposed to talk a bit about this, and maybe it can help some of you find the right motivation and achieve your dream of studying in Japan.

2. The Trap of Escape: Fear-Based Motivation

High school is a tough period, many students have difficulties and suddenly, they find out about the MEXT scholarship. This, coupled with their interest in animes and Japanese culture, makes them want to try their luck. Just maybe, if they get it, their lives might improve, their families and friends surprised, they would achieve total freedom. And, I can tell you from my own experience, that I felt free in Japan.

However, moving abroad can’t, by itself, heal depression, those feelings tend to follow unless you begin addressing them first. The case of a Brazilian girl comes to my mind. She was a depressed MEXT scholar in IT when I lived in the dorm. She was not going out of her room, not even to sign for her scholarship. Soon she returned to her country. For me, this was a clear reminder that Japan cannot cure depression on its own. It is better to try to solve it before moving to Japan. Trying to escape your current situation will only make it continue no matter where you go.

Last year, I talked to an applicant from Argentina who was in a desperate situation. He was always in victim mode, needing encouragement and emotional support. If you often find yourself depending on others for encouragement, it might be a sign to pause and build up your own belief in yourself before applying. You should believe in yourself first, and then others will believe in you too, even the interviewers.

Your starting point cannot be fear, doubt, or running away. It is normal to be a little nervous, but the moment people around you start giving you emotional support, it might be a signal that you can do things differently. There might be time for a mindset shift.

3. The Power of Pure Desire: A Different Vibration

The best state is genuine eagerness, curiosity, and passion. You have to ask yourself, why do you want to go to Japan, what will you do there, how will you feel as you get there? Try closing your eyes and imagine yourself being in Japan. How does that feel for you? Where would you go from there, what activities or dishes would you try?

I often had dreams of being in Japan during the prep period before leaving. I didn’t know I would go, but I acted as if it was 100% certain. I hadn’t even realized this myself. One of my mother’s work colleagues pointed it out to me. She said: “You are not yet in Japan, but you talk as if you are there.” I was obsessed with Japan. I fully immersed myself in the Japanese culture even before I knew I would go there. I was reading Japanese authors, trying Japanese cuisine, listening to Japanese music, watching anime. I was breathing in and out Japan. I even bought a guidebook, and I was planning my trips.

This kind of joyful obsession feels completely different from the energy of escape. When you are aligned with excitement, you don’t worry about every little detail, and even challenges feel lighter. But when the starting point is fear or desperation, everything feels heavier, more complicated, and more tiring. The same application process, the same interviews, even the same preparations, can either drain you or uplift you—depending on where your motivation comes from.

You don’t need anybody to become obsessed with Japan, to feel as if you are already there. If you feel fear, or uncertainty, take some time for yourself and just put your thoughts on paper.   

4. Finding the Right Reason to Go to Japan

Everything is in your hands. You don’t need motivation from outside. This is like asking people to validate your dream because you do not believe in it yourself. You do not need to see Japan as an escape from your current situation. Your current situation can improve even if you don’t go to Japan.

Going to Japan should be about growth, curiosity, and joy – not fear or desperation. Ask yourself: “What excites me most about Japan?” Write it down, feel your excitement increase.

One simple exercise that can help is to write down your vision of life in Japan as if it were already happening. Describe in the present tense what you see, hear, eat, or experience—whether it’s walking through a Japanese garden, trying sushi at a small restaurant, or attending your first class. This practice shifts your focus from fear or doubt into excitement and anticipation. It helps you connect with the joy of your desire, and that’s the energy that carries you forward.

When you reflect on your studying in Japan motivation, make sure it comes from joy and curiosity, not fear. Your desire shapes your path. Go because your heart is calling you—because it feels joyful, exciting, and full of new possibilities. This is the vibration that carries you all the way. Write to me when you succeed!