Asia Japan Alumni International (ASJA International) (hereinafter to as ASJA)is an international institution established in April 2000 as a counterpart to ASCOJA (ASEAN Council of Japan Alumni).
The organization was initially founded with five countries and currently has members from ten countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Brunei).

Background and Mission

With the support of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ASJA had implemented scholarship programs for students nominated by the Japan Alumni Associations in each country that is a member of ASCOJA. In addition to supporting educational research in Japanese graduate schools, the goal of the program is to help international students learn Japanese and develop an understanding of Japanese culture and people before returning home in order to cultivate future leaders who can act as a bridge between their native country and Japan. One scholarship student was accepted from each country, and 110 trainees had participated as of FY2015.
After the general election in 2009, the new government began reviewing and screening its existing national projects and budget. As a result, the Government Revitalization Unit conducting the screening process sentenced ASJA to be abolished by March 2014. Following the result, ASJA ceased to accept new ASJA scholars as of Fiscal Year 2011. Although the original ASJA scholarship system was abolished, as of Fiscal Year 2014, ASJA managed to secure its budget under the category of ‘ASEAN-Ryugakusei-Koryutou-Kyoshutsukin’ (Contribution to ASEAN international student exchanges) of the Japanese government budget. With the new budget, ASJA now implements programs for recipients of the Japanese Government (MEXT) scholarship.

ASJA-MEXT Students

As of March 2024, 245 scholars have completed their terms as ASJA students.
2024年度はアセアン10カ国から各国元日本留学生会が推薦した国費留学生(大学院生、学部生)14名をアスジャ国費留学生として採用しました。これにより、2023年度のアスジャ国費留学生は、大学院生66名、学部生11名の計77名です。

Support Projects for ASCOJA-Japan Alumni Associations

ASJA, as a counter part of ASCOJA, has been supporting the activities of ASCOJA and Japan Alumni Associations in each country. In addition, ASJA also carries out supportive projects for strengthening ASJA and ASCOJA network.
Political and business leaders from ASEAN also belong to ASCOJA network with more than 50,000 members.
An annual ASJA board meeting is held in Tokyo, where ASJA directors and ASCOJA executives conduct an international conference.