Japanese study abroad doubles in one year

The recovery was driven by an increased demand for study abroad in Asia, where levels have increased by 112% since the pandemic. Photo: Pexels.

In person study abroad increased by 218% on the previous year and total numbers (including online study abroad) reached 66,007 in 2023, according to new data from the Japan Association of Overseas Studies. 

Last year, prime minister Kishida said that young people studying abroad was “the key to transforming society,” announcing ambitious new targets to send 500,000 Japanese students abroad by 2033. 

The data, based on a survey of 40 JAOS education agencies, found the rapid increase to be driven by growing demand in Asia, the only region to surpass pre-covid levels, with the most interest in the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Korea.  

Rising costs of living in more advanced economies and the devaluation of the yen are driving a shift towards more affordable study options in Asia, the report suggested, with levels still below pre-pandemic levels in North America (75%), Oceania (72%) and Europe (96%). 

"The idea is that the more Japanese students abroad, the more skills they have, not only in language, but the skills to be innovative and resourceful"

Anna Esaki-Smith

The survey also noted Japan’s improved relations with Korea driving student interest, as well as increased global attention of K-pop, K-dramas and films enhancing Korea’s cultural appeal.

In real terms, the US, Australia and Canada remain the most popular destinations for Japanese students, followed by the UK and the Philippines. 

Japan met its previous goal of 300,000 international students ahead of schedule in 2018 but numbers had been slow to recover since the pandemic when Japan kept its borders closed for one of the longest periods of any country. 

“The fact that the policy was announced by Japan’s prime minister rather than education ministry officials emphasises the importance being placed on higher education becoming more international,” Anna Esaki-Smith, co-founder of Education Rethink told The PIE. 

“Since the population is shrinking, the goal is that the existing population has to be more adaptable to a changing economy. The idea is that the more Japanese students abroad, the more skills they have, not only in language, but the skills to be innovative and resourceful,” added Esaki-Smith. 

The number of Japanese students taking online study abroad courses has decreased significantly from 4,799 in the previous year to 1,568, down from approximately 10,000 in 2020 during the pandemic, according to the report.  

The US remained the top destination, accounting for over 22% of Japanese students studying abroad, believed to be due to the resumption of school-organised study abroad programs at Japanese high schools and universities where demand is overwhelmingly in favour of the US. 

According to JAOS, the upward trend is expected to continue beyond 2024, driven in large by the government’s funding incentives to institutions leading in internationalisation and the increase in scholarships and support for study abroad costs.  

Additionally, the government is expected to actively involve study abroad agencies to promote global opportunities to realise the ambitious 500,000 target, JAOS said.  

Alongside outbound internationalisation targets, Kishida announced last year a target of attracting 400,000 international students to Japan by 2033, incentivising universities to expand English-taught degrees and funding ambitious research programs.