Japan - Education and Training Japan - Education and Training
UNESCO Student Mobility Number-Japan has 31,702 students studying abroad and 49 percent of those students studied in the United States. The U.S. is followed by the United Kingdom (9.3 percent), Australia (5.5 percent), France (5.2 percent), and Canada (4.9 percent) rounding out the top study destinations for Japanese students. http://uis.unesco.org/en/uis-student-flow
CIA World Factbook–22.34% of the population is under 24 years old.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ao.html
Overview
During the 2017/18 academic year, Japan had the eighth largest population of international students studying in the United States. 18,753 Japanese students studied in the United States, which was a 0.1 percent decrease from the previous year.
Japan was the Number 1 country of origin for students to the United States from 1994 to 1998. Since then, Japan has fallen to eighth place due to a variety of circumstances including challenging economic conditions, Japan’s low birth rate, the recruiting cycle of Japanese companies, and a surge of students from other countries. Japan’s downward trend has shown signs of bottoming out as of the 2015/16 academic year. The United States remains the most popular destination for studying abroad. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that in 2017, Japanese students studying in the United States contributed $627 million to the U.S. economy.
The globalization of Japan is one of the pillars of the Prime Minister’s growth strategy. Prime Minister Abe announced the intent to double the number of bilateral exchanges between U.S. and Japan by 2020. More specifically, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) has set a goal to send abroad 120,000 Japanese university students and 60,000 Japanese high school students annually by 2020.
The Japanese school year begins in April and ends in March. The first term runs to around July 20. Exams are given at the end of each grading period. There are usually three breaks in Japanese schools during the academic year: the summer break (late July – August 30), winter break (late December – early January) and spring break (secondary education: late March - early April; higher education: late February – early April).
Sub-Sectors
According to “Community College Data Resource”, during the 2017/18 academic year, Japan had the fourth largest population of international students studying in Community Colleges in the United States. 5,390 Japanese students studied in the United States, which was a 1.6 percent increase from the previous year. (Source: The Institute of International Education (IIE), 2018 Open Doors Report)
MEXT has launched several initiatives for supporting study abroad. Starting in 2013, MEXT is taking a lead on “Tobitate!”, a public-private partnership student study aboard program. This program aims to send approximately 10,000 high school and university students overseas by 2020 and offers financial support to selected students. This program will be accepting student applications until March, 2020. Please refer to the introductory video that describes “Tobitate!”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGFbGZG5UqM
Starting in 2014, MEXT is providing financial support to 37 “Super Global Universities” through 2023 to help those schools internationalize. A list of schools, please refer to the video: https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-tgu/selection.html
TeamUp campaign is an Initiative funded by the U.S. Embassy Tokyo to increase student mobility by promoting strategic partnerships between U.S. and Japanese colleges and universities. The TeamUP RoadMap is a web-based, step-by-step guide for creating partnerships, and also has a matchmaking function. http://teamup-usjapan.org/
Secondary Education
School organized student trips are a typical Japanese tradition. The educational travel sector has great market potential as the demand for international school trips are increasing. Institutions, such as Super Global High Schools (SGH) and Super Science High Schools (SSH), are implementing study abroad programs and are looking for additional attractive short-term programs.
Super Global High Schools (SGH) project started in 2014. MEXT designated 123 SGH schools to implement curricula that will develop a new generation of Japanese students with the skills to compete in the global economy. For the five-year duration of the project, selected SGH schools consider studying abroad programs as a part of core elements. In 2019, the current SGH program will be reborn as the World Wide Learning (WWL) Consortium Project. There are 2 models: 1. Advanced Model (= WWL project): 10 hub schools will be selected. This project will be funded up to US$1.6 million for the selected 10 schools. 2. Regional Model: 50 schools focusing on their community’s growth and fostering resources to support the community collaborating with local industries, NPO, local colleges/universities. This project will be funded up to US$4 million. The period of the programs is 3 years. For the full list of schools and further details, please refer: http://www.sghc.jp/en/
Super Science High School (SSH) project started in 2002 to enhance science education at the higher secondary level. For the three-year duration of the project, selected SSH schools receive increased funding and are encouraged to develop links with universities and other academic institutions. MEXT selects 26 high schools every year. For the list of school, please refer: http://www.jst.go.jp/cpse/ssh/school/list.html
The market for U.S. boarding schools is a niche opportunity. There is a steady number of wealthy families, who can afford to pay boarding school tuition, interested in boarding schools. Working closely with your partner agents would be the most effective way to tap into this market. There are a few Japanese agents that specialize in boarding school programs. CS Japan supports boarding schools’ fairs, including The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) and Linden Education Services.
Intensive English Programs
12,607 Japanese students participated in Intensive English Programs in the U.S. during the 2017 academic year. This represents a decrease in total number of students (from 13,511 in 2016), but average Weeks per Student went up over this period to 12.2 from 11.6. These programs are of increasing interest to Japanese students.
Online Programs
There are growing needs and Japanese people will continue to invest in improving their English through lower-cost options. However, the online English lessons market in Japan is already saturated with visible high-end players and lower-end online option providers. There are many English schools that operate one-on-one tutor-student/small group lessons in both classroom and online. These schools have a physical presence and extensive marketing campaigns in Japan. There are skype-based companies such as Rarejobs that have a huge share of the online English market in Japan. Rarejobs offers lessons at extremely cheap prices, making it difficult for newcomers to gain market share without investing significantly into establishing a local presence. The initial financial investment required to be noticed, and the marketing, general & administrative, and human resources costs are significant in Japan.
Professional Training Services
While the concept of globalization and improving English skills is regarded to be important, the allocation of financial resources and incentives have not followed. This makes it challenging for working professionals to truly invest the time and energy in learning and/or improving their English skills. This is coupled with the fact that Japan has been in long-term economic stagnation since the bubble burst in the early 90’s. Japanese firms has been cutting outside training/education costs and started funding fewer employees for executive education abroad.
Opportunities
The Japanese government is promoting measures to facilitate study abroad participation from the viewpoint of global human resource development, importance of personal interchanges with foreign universities, and globalization of the traditional insular Japanese society. There are potential opportunities for U.S. universities that market short-term offerings to Japanese students.
It is crucial to understand the English proficiency skills of Japanese students. U.S. universities/colleges need to take this condition in to consideration and consider relaxation of some TOEFL score requirement and customize programs to the tastes of Japanese students. The ability to offer conditional acceptances will be valuable in attracting student attention. Please also note that Japanese and U.S. academic calendars do not have a good fit. Japanese universities academic calendar starts in April and runs through late February.
Short-term (1-2 months study abroad) programs are the most popular in Japan because it makes the best use of summer/spring breaks. There are opportunities for U.S. universities/colleges to market attractive short-term program to Japanese students. Showing the direct benefits in relation to future career success encourages students to study in the United States. Service learning and/or volunteer activities to gain resume enhancing experience can be compelling reasons to enroll in a program. Some Japanese universities and education agents are looking for immersion into the English and cultural experience with native speakers while playing sports, music, dance and making friends in the U.S. colleges and universities.
One-semester to one-year study exchange programs with partner U.S. universities are also very popular in Japan. Partnering with Japanese universities is an effective way of entering the Japanese market. In recent years, many Japanese universities are looking for bilateral student exchange partners. Japanese universities are aware of difficulties in maintaining balance in terms of number of students in two-way exchange programs and they are interested in discussing new ways of facilitating student exchange.
Short-term (7-10 days) educational travel programs for high schoolers have great market potentials. Many Japanese high schools are interested in a unique study abroad programs, such as STEM-related programs including scientific field trips, interaction with faculties/students and companies/lab visits. The key to success would be tailored short term programs (STEM, art, entrepreneurial studies, robotics, music, sports, leadership, etc.,) specifically for high school student travel. Information on homestay availability, exchange programs with local schools and other special programs students can join would be helpful. Additional resources such as the availability of Japanese guides at attractions would be welcomed. Super Global High School (SGH) and Super Science High School (SSH) that would be a good potential partner with U.S. education institutions.
Events
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) “Boarding School Fair in Tokyo” in fall 2019: http://www.boardingschools.com/
Linden Education Services “World Boarding Schools and Summer Camp EXPO in Tokyo” in fall 2019:
http://www.boardingschooltours.com/our-fairs/times-venues-contacts.aspx
Tokyo EducationUSA EXPO in September 2019: The U.S. Embassy Tokyohosting the EducationUSA EXPO in cooperation with EducationUSA, the Japan-U.S. Educational Commission (Fulbright Japan), U.S. College Alumni Network of Japan (USCANJ), KagakushaNet and Eiken Foundation of Japan. http://americaexpo.jp/for-us-institutions/
Osaka EducationUSA EXPO in September 2019: The U.S. Consulate General, Osaka-Kobe, and other constituent posts hosts EducationUSA Expo in various locations in Western Japan. There is no fee to participate in this public event: http://americaexpo.jp/for-us-institutions/
Western Japan College Fair in fall 2019 (TBD): The U.S. Consulate General, Osaka-Kobe will endorse the Western Japan College fair organized by Canadian Academy and Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin in fall 2019. The fair will feature about 100 Japanese and foreign universities including U.S. universities and attract international school students and local highschoolers.
Resources
U.S. Commercial Service Contacts
Kazuko Tsurumachi, Commercial Assistant
Commercial Service Tokyo, U.S. Embassy Japan
Email: Kazuko.Tsurumachi@trade.gov
Phone Number: +81/3-3224-5049
Tetsuko Fujioka, Commercial Assistant
Commercial Service Osaka-Kobe, U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe
Email: Tetsuko.Fujioka@trade.gov
Phone Number: +81/6-6315-6078
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.
CIA World Factbook–22.34% of the population is under 24 years old.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ao.html
Overview
During the 2017/18 academic year, Japan had the eighth largest population of international students studying in the United States. 18,753 Japanese students studied in the United States, which was a 0.1 percent decrease from the previous year.
Japan was the Number 1 country of origin for students to the United States from 1994 to 1998. Since then, Japan has fallen to eighth place due to a variety of circumstances including challenging economic conditions, Japan’s low birth rate, the recruiting cycle of Japanese companies, and a surge of students from other countries. Japan’s downward trend has shown signs of bottoming out as of the 2015/16 academic year. The United States remains the most popular destination for studying abroad. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that in 2017, Japanese students studying in the United States contributed $627 million to the U.S. economy.
The globalization of Japan is one of the pillars of the Prime Minister’s growth strategy. Prime Minister Abe announced the intent to double the number of bilateral exchanges between U.S. and Japan by 2020. More specifically, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) has set a goal to send abroad 120,000 Japanese university students and 60,000 Japanese high school students annually by 2020.
The Japanese school year begins in April and ends in March. The first term runs to around July 20. Exams are given at the end of each grading period. There are usually three breaks in Japanese schools during the academic year: the summer break (late July – August 30), winter break (late December – early January) and spring break (secondary education: late March - early April; higher education: late February – early April).
Sub-Sectors
| Academic Level | 2016/17 | 2017/18 | % Total | % Change |
| Undergraduate | 9,095 | 9,190 | 49.0 | 1.0 |
| Graduate Education | 2,967 | 2,918 | 15.6 | -1.7 |
| Non-degree | 5,271 | 5,144 | 27.4 | -2.4 |
| OPT | 1,447 | 1,501 | 8.0 | 3.7 |
| Japanese students total | 18,780 | 18,753 | 100 | -0.1 |
According to “Community College Data Resource”, during the 2017/18 academic year, Japan had the fourth largest population of international students studying in Community Colleges in the United States. 5,390 Japanese students studied in the United States, which was a 1.6 percent increase from the previous year. (Source: The Institute of International Education (IIE), 2018 Open Doors Report)
| Community College | 2016/17 | 2017/18 | % of Total | % Change |
| Japan (ranked 4th) | 5,305 | 5,390 | 5.7 | 1.6 |
| Word Total | 96,472 | 94,562 | 100 | -2.0 |
MEXT has launched several initiatives for supporting study abroad. Starting in 2013, MEXT is taking a lead on “Tobitate!”, a public-private partnership student study aboard program. This program aims to send approximately 10,000 high school and university students overseas by 2020 and offers financial support to selected students. This program will be accepting student applications until March, 2020. Please refer to the introductory video that describes “Tobitate!”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGFbGZG5UqM
Starting in 2014, MEXT is providing financial support to 37 “Super Global Universities” through 2023 to help those schools internationalize. A list of schools, please refer to the video: https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-tgu/selection.html
TeamUp campaign is an Initiative funded by the U.S. Embassy Tokyo to increase student mobility by promoting strategic partnerships between U.S. and Japanese colleges and universities. The TeamUP RoadMap is a web-based, step-by-step guide for creating partnerships, and also has a matchmaking function. http://teamup-usjapan.org/
Secondary Education
School organized student trips are a typical Japanese tradition. The educational travel sector has great market potential as the demand for international school trips are increasing. Institutions, such as Super Global High Schools (SGH) and Super Science High Schools (SSH), are implementing study abroad programs and are looking for additional attractive short-term programs.
Super Global High Schools (SGH) project started in 2014. MEXT designated 123 SGH schools to implement curricula that will develop a new generation of Japanese students with the skills to compete in the global economy. For the five-year duration of the project, selected SGH schools consider studying abroad programs as a part of core elements. In 2019, the current SGH program will be reborn as the World Wide Learning (WWL) Consortium Project. There are 2 models: 1. Advanced Model (= WWL project): 10 hub schools will be selected. This project will be funded up to US$1.6 million for the selected 10 schools. 2. Regional Model: 50 schools focusing on their community’s growth and fostering resources to support the community collaborating with local industries, NPO, local colleges/universities. This project will be funded up to US$4 million. The period of the programs is 3 years. For the full list of schools and further details, please refer: http://www.sghc.jp/en/
Super Science High School (SSH) project started in 2002 to enhance science education at the higher secondary level. For the three-year duration of the project, selected SSH schools receive increased funding and are encouraged to develop links with universities and other academic institutions. MEXT selects 26 high schools every year. For the list of school, please refer: http://www.jst.go.jp/cpse/ssh/school/list.html
The market for U.S. boarding schools is a niche opportunity. There is a steady number of wealthy families, who can afford to pay boarding school tuition, interested in boarding schools. Working closely with your partner agents would be the most effective way to tap into this market. There are a few Japanese agents that specialize in boarding school programs. CS Japan supports boarding schools’ fairs, including The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) and Linden Education Services.
Intensive English Programs
12,607 Japanese students participated in Intensive English Programs in the U.S. during the 2017 academic year. This represents a decrease in total number of students (from 13,511 in 2016), but average Weeks per Student went up over this period to 12.2 from 11.6. These programs are of increasing interest to Japanese students.
Online Programs
There are growing needs and Japanese people will continue to invest in improving their English through lower-cost options. However, the online English lessons market in Japan is already saturated with visible high-end players and lower-end online option providers. There are many English schools that operate one-on-one tutor-student/small group lessons in both classroom and online. These schools have a physical presence and extensive marketing campaigns in Japan. There are skype-based companies such as Rarejobs that have a huge share of the online English market in Japan. Rarejobs offers lessons at extremely cheap prices, making it difficult for newcomers to gain market share without investing significantly into establishing a local presence. The initial financial investment required to be noticed, and the marketing, general & administrative, and human resources costs are significant in Japan.
Professional Training Services
While the concept of globalization and improving English skills is regarded to be important, the allocation of financial resources and incentives have not followed. This makes it challenging for working professionals to truly invest the time and energy in learning and/or improving their English skills. This is coupled with the fact that Japan has been in long-term economic stagnation since the bubble burst in the early 90’s. Japanese firms has been cutting outside training/education costs and started funding fewer employees for executive education abroad.
Opportunities
The Japanese government is promoting measures to facilitate study abroad participation from the viewpoint of global human resource development, importance of personal interchanges with foreign universities, and globalization of the traditional insular Japanese society. There are potential opportunities for U.S. universities that market short-term offerings to Japanese students.
It is crucial to understand the English proficiency skills of Japanese students. U.S. universities/colleges need to take this condition in to consideration and consider relaxation of some TOEFL score requirement and customize programs to the tastes of Japanese students. The ability to offer conditional acceptances will be valuable in attracting student attention. Please also note that Japanese and U.S. academic calendars do not have a good fit. Japanese universities academic calendar starts in April and runs through late February.
Short-term (1-2 months study abroad) programs are the most popular in Japan because it makes the best use of summer/spring breaks. There are opportunities for U.S. universities/colleges to market attractive short-term program to Japanese students. Showing the direct benefits in relation to future career success encourages students to study in the United States. Service learning and/or volunteer activities to gain resume enhancing experience can be compelling reasons to enroll in a program. Some Japanese universities and education agents are looking for immersion into the English and cultural experience with native speakers while playing sports, music, dance and making friends in the U.S. colleges and universities.
One-semester to one-year study exchange programs with partner U.S. universities are also very popular in Japan. Partnering with Japanese universities is an effective way of entering the Japanese market. In recent years, many Japanese universities are looking for bilateral student exchange partners. Japanese universities are aware of difficulties in maintaining balance in terms of number of students in two-way exchange programs and they are interested in discussing new ways of facilitating student exchange.
Short-term (7-10 days) educational travel programs for high schoolers have great market potentials. Many Japanese high schools are interested in a unique study abroad programs, such as STEM-related programs including scientific field trips, interaction with faculties/students and companies/lab visits. The key to success would be tailored short term programs (STEM, art, entrepreneurial studies, robotics, music, sports, leadership, etc.,) specifically for high school student travel. Information on homestay availability, exchange programs with local schools and other special programs students can join would be helpful. Additional resources such as the availability of Japanese guides at attractions would be welcomed. Super Global High School (SGH) and Super Science High School (SSH) that would be a good potential partner with U.S. education institutions.
Events
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) “Boarding School Fair in Tokyo” in fall 2019: http://www.boardingschools.com/
Linden Education Services “World Boarding Schools and Summer Camp EXPO in Tokyo” in fall 2019:
http://www.boardingschooltours.com/our-fairs/times-venues-contacts.aspx
Tokyo EducationUSA EXPO in September 2019: The U.S. Embassy Tokyohosting the EducationUSA EXPO in cooperation with EducationUSA, the Japan-U.S. Educational Commission (Fulbright Japan), U.S. College Alumni Network of Japan (USCANJ), KagakushaNet and Eiken Foundation of Japan. http://americaexpo.jp/for-us-institutions/
Osaka EducationUSA EXPO in September 2019: The U.S. Consulate General, Osaka-Kobe, and other constituent posts hosts EducationUSA Expo in various locations in Western Japan. There is no fee to participate in this public event: http://americaexpo.jp/for-us-institutions/
Western Japan College Fair in fall 2019 (TBD): The U.S. Consulate General, Osaka-Kobe will endorse the Western Japan College fair organized by Canadian Academy and Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin in fall 2019. The fair will feature about 100 Japanese and foreign universities including U.S. universities and attract international school students and local highschoolers.
Resources
- U.S. College Alumni Network of Japan: http://www.uscanj.net/
- Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT): http://www.mext.go.jp/en/
- A list of existing exchange agreements at higher education level: http://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/shitu/1287263.htm
- Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO): Japanese institutions offering programs in English: http://www.jasso.go.jp/en/index.html
- JAFSA, Japan Network for International Education: https://www.jafsa.org/en/
- Japan School Tours Bureau: http://jstb.or.jp/ (Japanese website only)
- EducationUSA at American Center Japan (ACJ) http://americancenterjapan.com/; AmCtrJapan@state.gov
- Fulbright Japan: http://www.fulbright.jp/eng/index.html
U.S. Commercial Service Contacts
Kazuko Tsurumachi, Commercial Assistant
Commercial Service Tokyo, U.S. Embassy Japan
Email: Kazuko.Tsurumachi@trade.gov
Phone Number: +81/3-3224-5049
Tetsuko Fujioka, Commercial Assistant
Commercial Service Osaka-Kobe, U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe
Email: Tetsuko.Fujioka@trade.gov
Phone Number: +81/6-6315-6078