Lana Oconnell
Japan has a variety of higher education institutions, including universities, junior colleges, colleges of technology, and specialized training colleges. University is considered the most prestigious form of higher education in Japan, with students having to pass rigorous entrance exams. While many Japanese students attend university, some choose alternative routes such as vocational schools or colleges of technology, which provide employment skills without the pressure of university entrance exams. Japan's labor market demands individuals with higher education, particularly in science and engineering, to gain a competitive edge in the job market. As of 2023, around 65% of Japanese aged 25 to 34 have attained some form of tertiary education, with a majority of them being women.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of 18-year-olds pursuing higher education | 80.6% |
| Percentage of 18-year-olds pursuing university education | 52.6% |
| Percentage of female students in universities | 46% |
| Number of students enrolled in universities | 2.95 million |
| Number of Japanese universities in the QS World University Rankings 2025 | 49 |
| Ranking of the University of Tokyo in the QS World University Rankings 2025 | 32nd |
| Ranking of Kyoto University in the QS World University Rankings 2025 | 50th |
| Percentage of students with college plans participating in shadow education | 86% |
| Percentage of students with college plans participating in two or more forms of shadow education | 60% |
| Average annual cost of private primary school attendance in 2013 | ¥1,295,156 |
| Average annual cost of public school attendance in 2013 | ¥450,340 |
| Percentage of Japanese aged 25 to 34 with tertiary education in 2023 | 65% |
| Percentage of women aged 25 to 34 with university degrees in 2023 | 59% |
| Percentage of men aged 25 to 34 with university degrees in 2023 | 52% |
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What You'll Learn
University entrance exams
The first step in the university application process for Japanese nationals is the National Center Test for University Admissions (referred to as the Center Shiken). This is a standardized exam that is used by national, public, and some private universities. It is held over two days in mid-January and consists of 29 separate tests across six subjects. The specific tests taken depend on the university the student wishes to enter. The score from the Center Shiken is used as a screening process, after which successful applicants move on to the university-specific entrance examination.
In addition to the general entrance exams, there are other paths to university admission. One option is the school recommendation, where students are selected through designated schools or open recruitment. Another option is the Sougou Gata Senbatsu (Comprehensive Selection Exam, formerly AO), which evaluates multiple elements beyond academic skills. This type of exam has been gaining popularity, with over half of 2022 university entrants admitted through these recommendation exams. However, there are concerns that this trend advantages students from wealthy and influential families.
International students applying to Japanese universities may undergo special selection procedures, such as the EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission), which is administered twice a year and can be taken in Japanese or English. The subjects include Japanese as a Foreign Language, Science, Japan and the World, and Mathematics.
The competition for university places in Japan is fierce, with a high demand for higher education, especially in scientific and technological fields. The modern Japanese higher education system is adapted from Western education systems integrated with traditional Shinto, Buddhist, and Confucianist pedagogical philosophies. While university is the most prestigious form of education, some students choose to attend vocational schools or colleges of technology, which provide employment skills without the intense pressure of university entrance exams.
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Vocational schools
There are over 2,700 vocational schools in Japan, and they are divided into eight major fields: industry, agriculture, medical care, hygiene, education and social welfare, commercial practice, dressmaking and home economics, and culture and liberal arts. Some examples of occupations that students can train for include interior designer, nurse, nutritionist, chef, interpreter/translator, flight attendant, fashion designer, animator, and game creator.
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Junior colleges
In Japan, not all students go on to attend college or university after completing their mandatory education, which ends after middle school. According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), 80.6% of Japanese 18-year-olds went on to some form of higher education institution, with 52.6% attending university, 4.7% attending junior college, 0.9% attending a college of technology, and 22.4% attending a correspondence school, the Open University of Japan, or a specialized training college.
The total cost of the first year at a junior college in Japan is approximately 1,100,000 yen for private institutions, compared to 820,000 yen for national universities and 930,000 yen for public universities. Classes are generally held in Japanese, but there has been a recent increase in English-taught programs, making Japanese language study less of a barrier for international students.
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Education equality for disabled students
In Japan, the majority of students pursue further education after completing mandatory middle school. According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), 80.6% of 18-year-olds go on to attend some form of higher education institution, with 52.6% attending university, 4.7% attending junior college, 0.9% attending a college of technology, and the remaining 22.4% attending institutions like the Open University of Japan or a specialized training college. University is considered the most prestigious form of higher education in Japan, and students must pass a notably difficult entrance exam to gain admission.
However, Japan's education system has been criticized for its lack of equality for students with disabilities. In 2020, the government introduced a policy that reduced the amount of time students with disabilities could spend in regular classroom activities, instead directing them towards special needs classes. This policy has been criticized by parents and lawyers, who argue that it segregates and isolates children with disabilities, violating their human rights. The U.N. Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has also recommended that the Japanese government abolish its special needs education program, urging the education ministry to integrate disabled students into regular classrooms.
While Japan has made some strides towards providing equal educational opportunities for disabled students, this policy change highlights the ongoing challenges and the need for further progress in ensuring inclusive and accessible education for all.
To promote education equality for disabled students in Japan, several measures can be implemented:
- Inclusive Classroom Settings: Embrace inclusive education by encouraging disabled students to attend regular schools and classrooms alongside their non-disabled peers. Provide the necessary accommodations, resources, and support to ensure their successful inclusion.
- Accessibility Enhancements: Improve the physical accessibility of schools, including ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms. Ensure that educational materials and technologies are also accessible, accommodating various disabilities.
- Teacher Training: Equip teachers with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively teach students with diverse needs. Provide training on disability awareness, instructional strategies, and the use of assistive technologies to support the inclusion of all students in the classroom.
- Individualized Education Plans (IEPs): Implement personalized learning plans for students with disabilities. Collaborate with parents, teachers, and special education experts to develop tailored goals and strategies to meet the unique needs of each student.
- Collaboration and Support: Foster a collaborative environment where parents, teachers, and support staff work together to create a supportive and inclusive school community. Ensure that parents of disabled students are actively involved in their child's education and are included in decision-making processes.
- Resource Allocation: Allocate sufficient resources and funding to support inclusive education. This includes providing additional staff, such as special education teachers, classroom aides, and therapists, to ensure that disabled students receive the necessary attention and assistance.
By adopting these measures, Japan can move towards creating a more inclusive and equitable education system that values the potential of all students, regardless of their abilities. It is important to recognize that each disabled student has unique strengths and challenges, and by providing the necessary support and accommodations, they can thrive academically and socially alongside their peers.
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University degrees taught in English
In Japan, the majority of students continue their education beyond the mandatory middle school level. However, it is more common for students to seek employment immediately after graduating from undergraduate programs than to pursue graduate courses.
University is considered the most prestigious form of higher education in Japan. However, many students choose to attend vocational schools or colleges of technology as an alternative route to gaining employment skills without the pressure of the university admissions process.
While the entrance exams for universities are notably difficult, Japan has seen an increase in the number of students enrolled at universities over the years. In 2023, there were approximately 2.95 million students enrolled at Japanese universities, with nearly 46% being female students.
For students interested in pursuing a university degree taught in English, there are several options available:
Kyoto University offers a range of English-taught degree programs for international students, including:
- The Joint Degree Master of Arts in Transcultural Studies (JDTS), a joint program with the Heidelberg Centre for Transcultural Studies at Heidelberg University, Germany.
- The International Joint Master Degree Program in Global Markets, Local Creativities, a two-year master's degree program in collaboration with the University of Glasgow (UK) and the University of Barcelona (Spain).
- The International MBA Program (i-MBA), which leads to a general management degree.
Tohoku University, ranked number 1 in the Time Higher Education Japan University Rankings in 2023, offers the FGL (Future Global Leadership) Program with three courses taught in English:
- Advanced Molecular Chemistry (Bachelor of Science)
- International Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (Bachelor of Engineering)
- Applied Marine Biology (Bachelor of Agriculture)
Hiroshima University hosts the Department of Integrated Global Studies, a four-year undergraduate program taught in English, focusing on the integration of humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) is Japan's largest and oldest foreign university, with all courses taught in English.
The International University of Japan (IUJ) has English as the primary language on campus and offers the following graduate programs:
- Graduate School of International Relations (GSIR) offering Master's and PhD programs
- Graduate School of International Management (GSIM) offering Master's programs
Other English-taught degree programs in Japan include:
- Political Science
- Economics (GSE)
- Law
- Science and Engineering
- Social Sciences
- Sport Sciences
- International Culture and Communication studies
- Asia Pacific Studies
- Information Production & Systems
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Frequently asked questions
No, they don't. While the majority of Japanese students do pursue some form of higher education, they have a variety of options to choose from, including universities, junior colleges, colleges of technology, and specialized training colleges.
According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), 80.6% of 18-year-olds in Japan pursue higher education. Of these, 52.6% go to university, 4.7% to junior colleges, 0.9% to colleges of technology, and 22.4% to other institutions like the Open University of Japan.
Japan's economy is largely scientific and technological, so its labor market demands people with higher education, particularly in science and engineering. University education is seen as integral to future career prospects and social status.
Japanese colleges and universities have rigorous and competitive entrance exams, which high school students spend a significant amount of time preparing for. However, once accepted, the general consensus is that maintaining good grades is less challenging than in Western universities.
