- Japan has exceeded its pre-pandemic international student benchmark of 312,000, reaching 336,708 students as of May 2024.
- With a 21% year-on-year growth, Japan is well on track to meet its goal of hosting 400,000 international students by 2033.
- 92.5% of international students in Japan are from Asia, with Nepal showing a 70% surge in enrolments.
Japan is moving fast towards its ambitious target of welcoming 400,000 international students to the nation by 2033. As per ICEF Monitor, the nation beat its initial milestone in May 2024 by surpassing its pre-pandemic threshold of 312,000 international students three years earlier than planned.
Statistics from Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) indicate that there are presently 336,708 foreign students in Japan, a 21% increase annually. This growth rate positions the nation well to hit its 2033 goal.
The overwhelming majority of these students (96%) finance themselves, and a very small percentage are recipients of scholarships offered by the Japanese government or other governments. 68% of the total enrollment is in higher education institutions, and 32% is in Japanese language schools.
Out of 229,467 students enrolled in tertiary education, 40% are undertaking undergraduate or junior college programs, 25% are in graduate studies, 33% are undertaking professional training college, and 2% are in university preparatory course.
Asian students have the lion's share of international students, representing 92.5% of all the enrolments in 2024. China, Nepal, Vietnam, Myanmar, and South Korea together represent almost 80% of the total. Interestingly, Nepal saw an astonishing 70% year-on-year increase in students.
