Japan Sees 48,000+ Surge in International Students in 2023!

Key Highlights:

• Japan’s international student population increased by 20.8% in 2023.
• Japanese language institutions experienced an 83.6% increase in enrollments, reaching 90,719 students.
• Japan aims to attract 400,000 international students by 2033.

A recent survey conducted by the Japan Student Services Organisation (JASSO) reveals a substantial increase in the international student population in Japan, marking a 20.8% rise compared to 2022. Despite this surge, the number of international students in Japan has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. 

According to reports from Erudera, as of May 1, 2023, Japan hosted 279,274 international students, an increase of 48,128 from the previous year. This growth encompasses 188,555 students enrolled in higher education institutions, reflecting a 3.7% increase from the 181,741 students in 2022. Japanese language institutions also saw a significant rise, with 90,719 students enrolled, marking an 83.6% jump from the previous year, highlights the Japan international students news.

As per the Japan international students news, over 80,000 were undergraduate students, complemented by 1,955 enrollments in Junior Colleges and 501 in Colleges of Technology within higher education institutions. Graduate schools hosted 55,539 international students, while vocational schools and specialised courses saw 46,325 enrollments. Additionally, 3,873 students were in preparatory classes.

China remains the top source of international students in Japan, contributing 115,493 students in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year’s 103,883 Chinese students. Other significant contributors include Nepal, with 37,878 students, Vietnam, with 36,339 students, South Korea, with 14,946 students, and Myanmar, with 7,773 students.

Japan aims to attract 400,000 international students by 2033 as part of the Council for the Creation of Future Education’s plan within the Cabinet Secretariat. The increase in international student numbers began in 2022 following the relaxation of COVID-19 travel restrictions. However, there were 231,146 international students in Japan in 2022, a 4.7% decrease from the previous year.

In addition to the influx of international students, the number of Japanese students studying abroad has also seen a notable rise. JASSO’s 2022 statistics indicate a fivefold increase in Japanese students going abroad compared to the previous year, with the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom being the primary destinations for further studies.

Overall, while Japan has made significant strides in increasing its international student population, it continues to work towards reaching pre-pandemic levels and its long-term goals for the future.

Conclusion

While the numbers have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels, the upward trend signifies a positive recovery post-COVID-19. Japan’s strategic goal of attracting 400,000 international students by 2023 appears increasingly attainable, especially with the steady influx of students from countries like China, Nepal, and Vietnam. Stay updated with more such news with amber news.