I'm waiting to hear from Japan too for a full grant. I however, am like everyone else here, and am completely in the dark about the decision process and schedule. I saw that all three grants to Japan on this forum for the year 2011-12 were postmarked around April 26th, and received the 29th, but I don't know it that is standard process. I was told by a past grantee to Japan to expect in late March. So with no concrete indications, there's nothing to do but to keep refreshing my e-mail.