FGL: Get Started at TU for 2025 entrants
This page is for newly admitted undergraduate students in the FGL Program.
Latest Information
- September 16: Updated required documents for bureaucratic procedures (under the "Schedules for the First 2 Weeks" section).
- September 10: The PDF guide for the Sendai City online system for administrative procedures has been updated (under the "Schedules for the First 2 Weeks" section).
- September 10: Information about the orientation slides and videos has been posted (under the "Schedules for the First 2 Weeks" section).
- Our website was published on September 1.
FGL website top
Pre-departure Reminders
1.Please check TU Support website
To help students start their life in Japan smoothly, Tohoku University (the International Support Center) provides various support services including assistance with ward office procedures and opening a bank account.
Please ask for the administrative procedures you need help with once you receive an email from Tohoku University (International Support Center).
Administrative procedures will be conducted at the Aoba Ward Office or a designated venue, and a prior reservation is required. The reservation start date, venue, and other details will be announced in the "Schedules for the First 2Weeks" section below.
2．Completing the Google Form
As announced on August 6th in the pre-enrollment education Google Classroom, please complete the following form by September 4th.
*Students who have been accepted through the グローバル入試Ⅱ期 are not required to complete the form.
3．About Orientation Materials
After you arrive in Japan, we will hold a full orientation. Prior to that, some of the materials will be made available on-demand. Please be sure to review these materials in advance to deepen your understanding. The same materials will also be used during the FGL Orientation on Thursday, September 25th, where we will provide explanations and answer your questions.
More details will be posted at a later date.
4. Regarding Your Flight Ticket
When booking your flight to Japan, please avoid flights to Sendai Airport.
Except for the MEXT Scholarship recipients, all new FGL students should purchase their airline ticket to Japan at their own expense. You should avoid taking a flight that directly arrives at Sendai Airport; you won't be issued your residence card at Sendai Airport, which will cause a delay doing the resident registration and opening a bank account. In case you enter from Sendai Airport, it will be sent to you by postal mail within 10 days after you perform resident registration at the Sendai City Aoba Ward Office.
Unless there are unavoidable circumstances, it's suggested to take a flight that arrives at Narita Airport or Haneda Airport.
5．To residents approved for the UH Aobayama dormitory:
The assigned move-in date is not flexible. Should you arrive prior to this date, you will be responsible for securing and covering the cost of your own lodging until your official move-in day.
Schedules for the First 2 Weeks
| Date | Event | Time (JST) |
Place |
|---|---|---|---|
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By Wednesday, September 24 |
Make a Reservation for Bureaucratic Procedures Sendai City Online Reservation System *Recommend you to register by September 20. *Choose the date between September 24-30 avoiding orientation and ceremony schedules. Apply for necessary supports from TU Support. |
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Wednesday, September 24 |
Dormitory Orientation *Move-in Day cannot be changed. * Your room will be available after the orientation. * From airport arrival to Tohoku University * Receive an individual envelope at the UHA office. It encloses necessary documents for the orientation on the next day. |
Check in by 17:00 |
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Thursday, September 25 |
FGL Program Orientation *The details for what will be explained during the orientation have been posted in the Pre-enrollment Education Google Classroom. Please be sure to review them before the orientation.
Bring: □ Documents in the envelope □ Insurance fee □ Original copies of Certificates (Graduation) □ Flight tickets stubs※MEXT students only
*For more details, please check the envelope that will be distributed by the day before. |
9:30-12:00 |
1F A101 |
|
Wednesday, September 24 - Thursday, September 30 |
Bureaucratic Procedures ・Address Registration ・National Health Insurance ・National Pension (those who are over 20)
Sendai City Online Reservation System
Bring: □Reservation confirmation email *If you live in a private apartment, the rental agreement (賃貸契約書)
After you completed procedures... Submit Documents via Google Form |
Reserved time (9:00-17:00)
*Friday, September 26 9:00-15:00 |
Sendai City Medium & Small Sized Enterprise Activation Center, AER 6F |
|
Friday, September 26
|
AMC Course Orientation |
9:45-10:45 |
Kawauchi Lecture Room 1F A101 |
|
AMB Course Orientation |
10:00-10:45 |
Kawauchi Lecture Room 1F A102 |
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|
FGL Entrance Ceremony |
11:00-11:30 |
Education and Student Support Center East Building 4F Large Conference Room |
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|
IMAC-U Course Orientation |
13:00-15:00 |
Kawauchi Lecture Room A101 |
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|
AMC Welcome Party |
14:00-16:00 |
Katahira Campus |
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|
Wednesday, October 1 |
First day of Fall Semester |
- | - |
|
Wednesday, October 1~ |
Opening Bank Account *You can apply supports from TU Support
As soon as receiving cash card... 1. Submit cash card copy via Google form for Scholarships 2. Register your signature at Kawauchi Japan Post office 3. National Health Insurance Automatic Withdrawal |
・We may use photoes taken at these events for university publications, SNSs (GLC Facebook and Instagram) and other public relations materials.
Pre-Entrance Requirements
In order to create student ID, you will be asked to submit a photo of your face and katakana name via Google form in advance. The Google Form for your response was posted on August 6th in the "2025 Pre-enrollment Education" Google Classroom. The deadline to submit your response is September 4th.
Pre-arrival
Tohoku University International Support Center provides various support services. The FGL office has already requested the International Support Center to create your “Jibun Page” account and support for opening a bank account. If you need any other support, please apply through the "Jibun Page" or the Call Center.
Apply for Support Services
What to Bring
Here are things that you need to bring from your country to start life at Tohoku University.
□Graduation Certificate ※The original copy
□ Academic Transcript ※The original copy
□ Proof of Withdrawal from your former university (If you were attending another university at the time of your application)
※The original copy
□ English translation of the above documents if they are written in other languages.
□JLPT Certificate (If you have) ※The original copy
※Only for students wishing to appy for the Japanese class credits exchange in the fall semester.
□ Cash (approx. JPY 300,000)
□ Credit Card
□ LAN cable ( You can get one in Japan)
□ Residence Card (if you are already a resident of Japan)
□ Social Security & Tax Number "My Number" (if you are already a resident of Japan)
□ US Social Security Number (the U.S. citizens or Green Card holders)
□ Medicine
□ Laptop Computer
* All new students should have their own laptop computers and must bring a laptop to class when asked to do so by the instructor. Computer requirements can be found in the link below.
** Japanese power outlets are Type A and 100V.
Post-Arrival
Student Insurance
All FGL students are required to join both types of student insurance.
1. Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education & Research (Gakkensai Insurance)
Insurance Premium : JPY 3,300 for 4 years
2. Comprehensive Insurance for Students Lives Coupled with "Gakkensai Insurance" for International Students (Inbound Futaigakuso)
Insurance Premium(IMAC-U, AMB) : JPY 48,670 for 4 years
Insurance Premium(AMC) : JPY 47,750 for 4 years * AMC course differs in insurance cost from the other two courses.
* Payment instructions will be announced after entry into Japan.
Payment of Tuition
Your tuition will be automatically deducted from your JP Bank account twice a year (per semester). The amount deducted each time is JPY 267,900. Be sure to have enough funds in your bank account by the payment date.
Automatic Tuition Fee Payment Registration Page
*If you indicated during the enrollment process that you would be applying for a postponement of the admission fee for financial reasons, please visit the website below to confirm the required documents and submit your application by the specified deadline.
[NOTE] The above amount is subject to change. If there is a revision to the payment amount, the revised amount will apply from the time the change takes effect.
Student Discount Pass for Sendai Public Transportation
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Public Transportation (TU support) STEP 2: Go to a ticket office at Sendai Subway Station (N10), Kotodai (N08) or Yagiyama-Dobutsukoen (Zoo) Station (T01) with your Student ID card and a completed application form to buy a pass. |
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FGL Student Mailing List
We have a mailing list for FGL Undergraduate students, through which you will receive various information on both on campus and off campus events. Your email will be automatically registered for the mailing list around the beginning of October. The mailing list is managed by the FGL Office. The email address of the mailing list is fgl-students[at]grp.tohoku.ac.jp but please note that you cannot send emails to this address.
Curriculum Information
Please visit the following webpage and register for courses.
Click "Curriculum" tab and check Curriculum Information. You can find syllabi and schedules on general/specialized education. Check "How to Register Class Online" as well and register courses by Student Affairs Information System during class registration period.
*Registration for language subjects for Japanese students will be explained separately at each course orientation.
[NOTE] The following webpage contains important information for students enrolled in the FGL course. Please be sure to check it regularly until you graduate.
FAQs
Q. How should I get a smartphone in Japan?
A. If you already have your own SIM free mobile phone that you use in your country, you can access the Internet in your room at University House Aobayama with your PC (via LAN cable. No Wi-Fi) and on campus (via TU campus Wi-Fi. Student ID & password required. The ID will be given to you on October 1st.) without contracting with a Japanese mobile carrier. Once you get used to living in Japan, you can look for a SIM card that suits your needs. We recommend to check TU Support website for "Campus SIM" of prepaid SIM card.
However, buying a mobile phone in Japan is quite tricky. When purchasing a mobile phone, if you are under 20 years old, you will be required to submit a consent form signed by your parents/guardian. Also, you must have a bank account in Japan. Student Help Desk can give you useful information. Note that TU teaching/admin staff CANNOT sign any consent forms on behalf of your parents.
Q. Do I need to pay the National Pension Plan Premiums(国民年金保険料)?
A. Those who are 20 years or older at the time of entry into Japan are required by law to join the National Pension Plan and pay premiums. You need to submit an enrollment application form at Aoba Ward Office’s Health Insurance and Pension Division.
Remember to apply for the Special Payment System for Students as well since you can postpone the payment of insurance premium during you are a student (国民年金保険料学生納付特例申請).
You can get an application form and submit it at the Education and Student Support Center, 1st floor, counter 1 on Kawauchi North campus.
*Make sure to attach a copy of your Student ID.
*The student ID will be given to you around the early October.
*Please note that you need to apply every academic year (from April to March of the following year).
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Q. How can I register a bank account for receiving scholarship?
A. Scholarship recipients must open a bank account as soon as possible after October 1st. As soon as you receive a cash card, please submit to FGL Office. Regarding the method of submission, you will be informed shortly.
Contact
FGL Office
Office Hours: 8:30am-5:00pm, Mon-Fri *We are not available during 12:45pm-1:45pm (Lunch break)
Counter #6-B, 2nd floor, Education and Student Support Center (A01 on the map), Kawauchi Campus,
41 Kawauchi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8576 Japan
Tel: +81 (0)22 795 3242
E-mail: g30-kyom[at]grp.tohoku.ac.jp
