Ashahi Shimbun: Japanese Student Visa to the US Drops 40% Suddenly, Trump's Policies Cause Concern
Ashahi Shimbun on July 4th, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of State, the number of F-1 visas issued to Japanese students in May 2025 was only 520, a 40% decrease from 900 in the same period in 2022, marking the lowest level since 2017 (excluding the pandemic period). The suspension of visa appointments, stricter reviews, and policy uncertainties have caused some Japanese students to abandon studying in the U.S. or turn to other countries. Jill Welch, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the Institute of International Education (IIE), criticized the Trump administration for viewing international students as "a threat rather than an asset," which has harmed the global appeal of American universities. Institutions such as Harvard University face financial pressure due to tightened policies. In 2024, international students contributed over $4 billion to the U.S. economy, but the rejection rate for STEM fields has risen to 35%. A doctoral student from Kyushu said that the difficulty in booking visa appointments has stalled his academic plans, "I can only refresh the system every 30 minutes, but it always shows 'no available slots'." Analysts point out that if the policy continues, the U.S. may lose more high-quality students.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836706103458832/
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