fbpx
Market intelligence for international student recruitment from ICEF
25th Apr 2017

Japan’s enrolment growth picking up steam

The growth in inbound student numbers that Japan began to show in 2014 has continued through 2016. Every year, the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) offers a snapshot of foreign enrolment in the country (as of 1 May each year) and the latest numbers indicate just under 240,000 students for 2016. This amounts to year-over-year growth of 14.8% and an overall increase of nearly 30% since 2013. Speaking to The Japan Times, an education ministry official credited the growth to expanded commercial ties between Japanese corporations and key sending markets, as well as increased promotion of study in Japan by local agents abroad. total-foreign-enrolment-in-japan-and-enrolment-by-level-of-study-1983-2016 Total foreign enrolment in Japan, and enrolment by level of study, 1983-2016. Source: JASSO These recent-year gains put the country on track to reach its long-standing goal to host 300,000 students by 2020. That target certainly seemed out of reach until about 2014, but growth since then has been fuelled by a more active recruiting effort on the part of Japanese institutions and by other recent measures to boost the employability of foreign graduates. As we noted recently, along with its overarching enrolment target, Japan also aims to raise the employment rate for its international graduates to 50% (from the current 30% rate) by 2020. In support of that employment target, the Japanese government is offering new incentives to both graduates and employers, including subsidised company internships, help with finding jobs on graduation, additional Japanese language courses, and more streamlined processes for work visas. For 2016, total enrolment breaks down into roughly 70% (171,000) of students enrolled in higher education and 30% in language schools.

Key sending markets

As in previous years, Japan continues to draw almost its entire foreign student population from other markets in Asia. In fact, 90% of all students come from the top ten sending markets, all of which are within the region. top-sending-markets-for-japan-2015-and-2016 Top sending markets for Japan, 2015 and 2016. Source: JASSO As the preceding table reflects, China remains the clear leader among sending markets for Japan. But Vietnam has been the big story in recent years, and was again in 2016 as the fastest-growing market with a very noticeable 38% growth from 2015. In fact, Vietnam accounted for nearly half of total growth in 2016 all by itself. Other notable gainers on the year included Nepal, the third-largest source market with a 20% increase, Indonesia (29%), and Sri Lanka (72%). For additional background, please see:

Most Recent

  • UK Home Office launches Graduate Route review Read More
  • Germany expands in-study work opportunities for foreign students Read More
  • Survey findings underscore the link between English proficiency and career success Read More

Most Popular

  • Canada’s foreign enrolment grew by more than 30% in 2022 Read More
  • Measuring cost of study and cost of living across study destinations Read More
  • Recruiting in the Emirates: Big goals, world-class education, and new scholarships Read More

Because you found this article interesting

UK Home Office launches Graduate Route review The UK Home Secretary James Cleverly officially triggered the government’s review of the post-study work rights Graduate Route...
Read more
Germany expands in-study work opportunities for foreign students Germany is continuing to implement a phased series of new measures contained in newly enacted legislation, the Skilled...
Read more
US stakeholders share priorities for a national international education strategy The US remains the only leading study destination without a national strategy for international education, and calls for...
Read more
Market snapshot: A guide to international student recruitment in Vietnam FAST FACTS Capital: Hanoi Population: 99,200 million (2024) Youth population: 17% of the population is aged 17–25 Median...
Read more
British Columbia releases details of new Provincial Attestation Letter system under Canada’s international student cap British Columbia is Canada’s westernmost province, and a leading destination for international students within Canada. On 1 March,...
Read more
New Zealand: Foreign enrolments climbed steadily through 2023 but full recovery will take years While all study abroad destinations felt the economic bite of losing international students in the pandemic, New Zealand...
Read more
UK: Post-study work rights worth billions but current policies leading to weaker enrolments this year A new analysis released by Universities UK indicates that the UK’s 2019 announcement of extended post-study work rights...
Read more
Demand for study abroad in Australia, Canada, UK already affected by new international education policies New, restrictive policies concerning international students in the UK, Canada, and Australia are already having a significant impact...
Read more
What are you looking for?
Quick Links