Bring European talent into your team, and give a promising young engineer or scientist their first experience of a Japanese workplace.

Are you a company in Japan interested in hosting a European intern? Vulcanus in Japan gives companies in Japan the opportunity to host a motivated European student in engineering, science or technology for a six-month internship on a real project within their organisation.

The programme is an eight-month experience managed by the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation. Selected European students first spend two months in Tokyo undertaking intensive Japanese language and cultural training, followed by a six-month internship with a host company in Japan. Up to 25 students will be selected for 2027–2028, from 400–800 applicants each year.

First launched in 1997, Vulcanus in Japan will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2027. Over the years, the programme has built an international alumni network of nearly 800 engineers and scientists working across Europe and Japan.

Host companies can offer internship projects in a wide range of fields, including mechanical and electrical engineering, ICT, chemistry, biotechnology and life sciences, architecture, AI & digital technologies, materials science, nanotechnology, aerospace, and other science and technology-related areas. Candidates are bachelor's, master's and PhD students from the EU and countries associated with the Single Market Programme.

What you provide

The Vulcanus programme runs for eight months, from the student's arrival in Japan in August 2027 through to the end of March 2028.

As a host company, you provide:

• An internship project for six months, from October 2027 to March 2028.
• Day-to-day supervision in English, with an on-site supervisor who can provide instructions and consultation.
  The internship is conducted largely in English. Most students have little or no Japanese before the programme; after two months of intensive language training, they start the internship with beginner-level Japanese, and some have a more advanced level.
• Accommodation for the student for the full eight-month programme period, including the two months of language training in Tokyo.
• Arrival and administrative support, including accompanying the student to their accommodation on arrival and supporting them with municipal office procedures and opening a bank account.
• A contribution towards the student's scholarship of JPY 600,000, or JPY 300,000 for eligible SMEs.

What you gain

In return, your company has the opportunity to:

• Work with a motivated European engineering, science or technology student on a real project.
• Bring fresh technical knowledge and an international perspective into your team.
• Give a promising young European engineer or scientist practical experience in a Japanese business environment.
• Build connections with the European engineering and science community.
• Explore potential contributions to research and development, technological innovation and international business activities.

The student will already have completed two months of Japanese language and cultural training before starting their internship, helping them prepare for life and work in Japan.

Tentative schedule

Internship themes

You submit one application for each internship theme you wish to offer. A theme can host more than one student, and if you offer several different themes, each one needs its own application.

Each theme is published as a separate entry in the List of Placements, which students review when applying. A clear and specific description of the project, the skills required and the type of student you are looking for will help students identify the placement that best matches their background.

A placement is confirmed only if a student matching your requirements is selected.

Conditions of participation

By applying to host a Vulcanus intern, your company confirms that it accepts the following conditions.

Eligibility

• Your company must be a Japanese company or a foreign-affiliated company established in Japan.

Financial contribution

• The host company makes a one-time participation contribution of JPY 600,000 per student, equivalent to JPY 100,000 per month for the six-month internship period. This contribution supports the monthly scholarship provided to students for the duration of the programme.
• The participation contribution is invoiced after the student's arrival in August 2027. There are no costs before a student has been successfully matched to your placement.
• Eligible small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as defined by the European Commission SME definition, contribute JPY 300,000.
• Eligible SMEs are asked to submit a self-assessment form after student matching.
• In addition to the contribution, the host company covers rent for the full eight months (two locations if the internship site is beyond commuting distance of the language school in Tokyo).

Accommodation and arrival support

• The host company provides furnished accommodation, ready to live in, for the full eight-month programme period, from the student's arrival in August 2027 until the end of March 2028. During the language training in August and September the student attends school in Shibuya, Tokyo, so accommodation for that period must be within commuting distance. If the internship site is within reasonable commuting distance of that accommodation, the student can stay there for the full period; if the internship site is beyond commuting distance, the student moves to accommodation near the host company from October. Rent, including management and maintenance fees, is covered by the host company; utilities are paid by the student.
• The host company accompanies the student to their accommodation upon arrival in Japan and supports them with municipal office procedures and opening a bank account.

During the internship

• The internship takes place at the host company for six months, from October 2027 to March 2028.
• The company provides an on-site supervisor who is able to give instructions and provide consultation in English.
• The company signs the three-party contract prepared by the EU-Japan Centre.
• The company submits an evaluation sheet at the end of the internship.
• Students stay in Japan under the "Cultural Activities" residence status, which does not permit paid activities. Host companies may not pay salaries or allowances; students cover living and commuting costs from their scholarship. Business travel required by the internship is paid by the host company.

Selection

• Company-specific tests are not permitted. Host companies may interview shortlisted candidates and decide which student(s) to host.
• Student selection is based on the student's application and an online interview for personality screening.

Publication

The following information is published in the List of Placements for students to review:

• Company name and website
• Internship theme
• Host section
• Project description
• Student requirements
• Internship location
• Number of students

Flexibility

In the event of a pandemic, natural disaster or comparable circumstance, host companies are asked to respond flexibly, including where necessary through adjustments to how the internship is delivered.

Ready to host a European intern?

Applications for the 2027–2028 Vulcanus in Japan programme open on 15 October 2026 and close on 15 December 2026.

If your company has a project that could benefit from the skills and perspective of a European engineering, science or technology student, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Please apply via the online form. If you are unable to use it, you can download the Word form and send it to VinJ@eu-japan.or.jp.

[Apply online]
[Download the application form (Word)] 

Both links available from 15 October 2026

For questions about the programme or the application process, please contact VinJ@eu-japan.or.jp.

Programme details in Japanese / 日本語のご案内