ADB Japan Funds

25/05/2026

As infrastructure expands, supporting affected communities is just as important. Through the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (JFPR), ADB helped vulnerable households affected by the Philippines’ South Commuter Railway Project access services, build skills, and prepare for new opportunities as they resettle into safer communities.

21/05/2026

Can AI help make roads safer across Asia and the Pacific? 🚗🤖

AI for Safer Roads Innovation Challenge is calling on innovators, startups, researchers, and tech experts to develop AI-driven solutions that can improve road safety, reduce risks, and save lives. If you have an idea that can help create smarter and safer transport systems, this is your chance to make an impact.

Submit your AI model and geospatial analysis by 25 June.

👉 Learn more and join the challenge: https://challenges.adb.org/en/challenges/ai4saferroads?lang=en

17/05/2026

"I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program for supporting me in pursuing my master’s degree at The University of Tokyo, Japan.

As a laboratory technician and research assistant at an educational institution in Indonesia, my dream was to gain advanced knowledge in health sciences to make meaningful contributions to my home country. At the Department of Biomedical Chemistry, I focused on parasitology research, particularly on developing antiparasitic compounds using in-vitro techniques. This work is highly relevant to Indonesia, a tropical country burdened with numerous neglected tropical diseases. My experiences at The University of Tokyo equipped me with the skills and knowledge to address these critical public health challenges effectively.

Upon returning to Indonesia, I resumed my work at my previous institution, expanding my focus to cancer research. Together with my supervisor, I have been developing anticancer treatments derived from natural sources, with a focus on their biological functions.

This work has resulted in multiple publications and contributes to efforts to combat the growing burden of breast cancer among Indonesian women, which has been on the rise since 2018, according to the World Health Organization. My ultimate aim is to contribute to making Indonesia a healthier country, and I am deeply grateful to ADB and everyone who supported my journey."

Nurul Qomarilla (Indonesia)
The University of Tokyo, 
School of International Health Master of Health Science in Biomedical Chemistry April 2022–March 2024

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For more information about ADB-JSP,
visit https://www.adb.org/jsp

Read more stories of ADB-JSP alumni at
https://www.adb.org/documents/adb-japan-scholarship-program-annual-report-2024

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15/05/2026

"I had the opportunity to receive a scholarship from the Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program (ADB–JSP) to study for a Master of Engineering degree in the Environmental Science and Civil Engineering Department at Saitama University, Japan.

As a child from an ordinary rural herding family, studying in Japan was an amazing moment in my life. It was my first journey abroad and I was quite nervous and worried that there would be cultural differences.

However, I was grateful for the warm welcome from my supervisor Professor Dr. Oguchi T Chiaki, and the support from the Foreign Student Office. Through the program of infrastructure development and environmental management, I did my thesis on the coal mine predictive analysis taken by soil, water, and coal samples from an open coal mine in Mongolia.

After returning to Mongolia from Japan, I worked at an international company as a GIS and Environmental Specialist.

Furthermore, I started working as a National Consultant on international projects, armed with research and analysis skills I acquired while studying at Saitama University, which helped to further my career. I have been doing spatial analysis in road network datasets, disaster risk assessment, civil water management, and mineral resource information. I gained more professional experience through all of these consultancies and currently, I am a consultant at the World Bank.

The ADB scholarship program has enabled me to achieve all of this, and I hope that these opportunities will reach more people of developing countries in the future."

Dejidmaa Damdindorj (Mongolia)
Saitama University
Master of Engineering in Environmental Science and Civil Engineering 
April 2006–March 2008

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For more information about ADB-JSP,
visit https://www.adb.org/jsp

Read more stories of ADB-JSP alumni at
https://www.adb.org/documents/adb-japan-scholarship-program-annual-report-2024

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12/05/2026

06/05/2026

A new ADB financing partnership with support from the Government of Japan is advancing disaster resilience across Asia and the Pacific. Two technical assistance (TA) projects funded by the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific supported its establishment.

With an initial contribution of $2.9 million from Japan to the Pacific Trust Fund (P-PREPARE), the PREPARE facility will strengthen countries’ ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.

For more details:

English: https://www.adb.org/news/adb-japan-announce-new-financing-partnership-facility-enhance-disaster-resilience-asia-and-pacific

Japanese: https://www.adb.org/ja/news/adb-japan-announce-new-financing-partnership-facility-enhance-disaster-resilience-asia-and-pacific

12/04/2026

"Receiving the prestigious Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program to study international law at Kobe University was a transformative experience that marked one of the most enriching periods of my life. From the moment I arrived in Japan, I was captivated by its unique blend of tradition and modernity, the warm hospitality of its people, and the academic excellence that Kobe University offered. The program provided me with the opportunity to study under distinguished professors and alongside talented classmates from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. The lively discussions in classrooms and informal debates over coffee breaks expanded my perspectives on international legal issues, particularly those related to transboundary water governance and regional cooperation. Japan’s efficient, disciplined, and innovation-driven society left a deep impression on me, inspiring both my academic pursuits and personal growth.

Beyond the classroom, I actively participated in a range of academic seminars, roundtable discussions, and policy forums focusing on international politics and law. Engaging with experts, diplomats, and scholars allowed me to deepen my understanding of pressing global issues and refine my analytical skills. One of the most valuable experiences was attending a specialized career development course, where I gained insights into professional opportunities in international organizations and public service. The friendships I built with fellow students from across the world enriched my journey, fostering a network of future leaders committed to global cooperation. My time in Japan not only strengthened my expertise in international law, but also shaped my vision for contributing to regional and global legal frameworks in the years to come."

Valeev Artur Makhmudovich (Uzbekistan)
Kobe University
Master of International Cooperation Policy Studies
October 2023–September 2025

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For more information about ADB-JSP,
visit https://www.adb.org/jsp

Read more stories of ADB-JSP alumni at
https://www.adb.org/documents/adb-japan-scholarship-program-annual-report-2024

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ADB Uzbekistan

10/04/2026

"Pursuing a master’s degree is no easy feat. Besides the fact that it requires mental fortitude to excel in classes and make it through sleepless nights of doing research, this endeavor entails a lot of expenses—accommodation, allowance, travel, and so on. Without the Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program (ADB–JSP), I never would have been able to take up my master’s degree in Water Engineering and Management (WEM) at the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand. I am immensely grateful to have been given the opportunity to further my studies to ultimately serve the people better.

I have worked as a Water Supply and Sanitation Associate in the Safe Water Project in the Philippines funded by the United States Agency for International Development. The objectives of the project were to increase access to resilient water supply and sanitation services, improve sustainable management of water resources, and strengthen water sector governance in water-stressed regions in the country. My degree in WEM has been extremely helpful as I am able to apply my knowledge in the development of the water sector in the Philippines. I will always be grateful to ADB–JSP for funding my postgraduate education and enabling me to reach my goals as a water engineer."

Maria Teresa Llera (Philippines)
Asian Institute of Technology
Master of Engineering in Water Engineering
August 2021–May 2023

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For more information about ADB-JSP,
visit https://www.adb.org/jsp

Read more stories of ADB-JSP alumni at
https://www.adb.org/documents/adb-japan-scholarship-program-annual-report-2024

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05/04/2026

"I never imagined pursuing higher education. Growing up in a slum area, it felt like an unattainable luxury. My focus was on studying and working hard to build a better life than my parents’. Fortunately, a scholarship allowed me to earn a bachelor’s degree, which launched my career as a public sector analyst. However, I soon realized that deeper knowledge and skills were essential to support public policy initiatives effectively.

To enhance my expertise, I pursued further studies at the Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Tokyo, with support from the people and Government of Japan and the Asian Development Bank. I am deeply appreciative and grateful for this opportunity. There, I gained invaluable knowledge and built networks to contribute to policymaking in Indonesia. After completing my degree, I served as Assistant Deputy Advisor for Economic Affairs to the President of Indonesia and established a social enterprise focused on addressing environmental challenges."

Gusti Raganata (Indonesia)
The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Public Policy
Master of Public Policy
September 2017–August 2019

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For more information about ADB-JSP,
visit https://www.adb.org/jsp

Read more stories of ADB-JSP alumni at
https://www.adb.org/documents/adb-japan-scholarship-program-annual-report-2024

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Asian Development Bank - Indonesia

03/04/2026

"I had the honor of studying at Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech), where I pursued a master’s degree in Global Engineering for Development, Environment, and Society. Under the guidance of Professor Hiroshi Takagi, my research focused on coastal disaster mitigation. Specifically, I developed hybrid structures designed to reduce urban coastal flooding by integrating small coastal dikes with mangrove development, resulting in a more sustainable overall structure. This experience significantly enhanced my understanding of coastal development in Japan, while sharpening my data analysis and writing skills.

Upon returning to Indonesia, I had the opportunity to work as a Project Monitoring Specialist for the National Urban Flood Resilience Project funded by the World Bank. This role allowed me to deepen my knowledge of international loan funding and further refine my reporting and data analysis skills. After a year, I transitioned to a role as Senior Coastal Engineer at Royal Haskoning DHV, where I served as both Senior Engineer and Project Manager for coastal development projects in Indonesia. In this role, I also had the opportunity to publish my research and present it at an international conference in Bandung, where I reconnected with academics from Japan who had collaborated with my former professor at Tokyo Tech. I am grateful that my ongoing work in engineering and research is contributing to meaningful progress in environmental and societal development."

Octareza Siahaan (Indonesia)
Institute of Science Tokyo (formerly Tokyo Institute of Technology)
Master of Global Engineering for Development
October 2021–September 2023

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For more information about ADB-JSP,
visit https://www.adb.org/jsp

Read more stories of ADB-JSP alumni at
https://www.adb.org/documents/adb-japan-scholarship-program-annual-report-2024

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Asian Development Bank - Indonesia