Foreign Student Enrollment in Japan Surpasses 400,000, Reaching Record High
According to Japanese media reports, a survey conducted by the Japan Student Services Organization (JSSO), an independent administrative institution responsible for supporting international students, reveals that the number of foreign students studying in Japan reached a historic high in the 2025 academic year, surpassing 400,000 for the first time. Since data comparison became possible starting in 2011, the proportion of foreign students enrolled in Japanese language schools and specialized vocational schools has exceeded 60% of the total for the first time. Experts analyze that the number of international students aiming to work in Japan is steadily increasing.
The survey data shows that the total number of foreign students increased by 71,361 compared to the previous year, reaching 408,069. By institution type: students enrolled in Japanese language education institutions such as language schools numbered 140,074—up 32,933 from the previous year; those attending specialized vocational schools totaled 106,829—up 30,342; and university and graduate school students amounted to 156,593—up 7,692.
Looking at the countries and regions of origin, Chinese students led with 131,097—up 7,612 from the previous year. Students from Nepal numbered 100,239, a significant increase of 35,423; Burmese students totaled 29,413, up 12,817. The growth in students from South Asian and Southeast Asian countries was particularly notable.
To attract high-level foreign talent, the Japanese government proposed a plan in 2023 aiming to increase the number of foreign students accepted in Japan to 400,000 by 2033.
Sato Yuriko, a committee member of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s (MEXT) International Student Employment Promotion Project, noted that job opportunities are scarce in countries like Nepal and Myanmar, prompting many young people to seek better employment prospects overseas. Specialized vocational schools are increasingly preferred over universities because they offer shorter programs and practical skills directly applicable in the Japanese workplace.
Sato Yuriko stated: “Due to the depreciation of the yen, tuition fees and living costs in Japan are lower than in Western Europe and North America. At the same time, Japanese companies struggling with labor shortages are becoming more willing to hire international students. Furthermore, given the cooling of Sino-Japanese relations, it is highly likely that the number of international students from Asian countries other than China will continue to rise in the future.”
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866530169095178/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.