Moving to Japan for Master’s – Has anyone gotten in via professor recommendation or MEXT?

Hi everyone, I’m planning to move to Japan in the future for a Master’s degree in Computer Science (AI/ML). I still have two years left in my undergrad, but I already have multiple publications (Scopus, Springer) and a competitive GPA.

I’ve heard that contacting professors in advance and getting a recommendation can improve your chances, especially for MEXT. Has anyone here successfully done this? Or moved to Japan for grad school in general?

I’d love to hear your experience — whether through university admission, scholarships, or professor recommendations. Any tips would be appreciated!