Ibrahim Gardner
Japan has a 6-3-3-4 education system, with six years of elementary school, three years each of middle and high school, and four years at university. While education is mandatory only until middle school, most students continue on to high school and then university before entering the workforce. In 2023, there were approximately 2.95 million students enrolled at Japanese universities, with over 2.6 million of those enrolled in bachelor's programs. However, due to Japan's aging population and declining birth rate, university admissions are expected to decline.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of students enrolled at Japanese universities in 2023 | 2.95 million |
| Percentage of female students in 2023 | 46% |
| Number of students enrolled in bachelor's programs in 2023 | 2.6 million |
| Number of students enrolled in doctoral programs in 2023 | 75.8 thousand |
| Percentage of Japanese adults with tertiary education | 56% |
| Number of international students who travelled to Japan to study in 2019 | 312,000 |
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What You'll Learn
In 2023, there were 2.95 million Japanese university students
University entrance exams in Japan are notoriously difficult, requiring students in their final year of high school to attend cram schools and receive supplementary tutoring. Despite this, due to the country's declining birth rate, the overall number of students is projected to decrease in the future, presenting financial challenges for the education business in Japan. To mitigate this, the Japanese government has launched initiatives to attract foreign students, such as the Study in Japan Global Network Project (GNP). This project helps Japanese universities establish overseas bases in key regions to promote the benefits of studying in Japan.
While 56% of Japanese adults have a tertiary education, which is higher than most Western countries, the inbound mobility rate stood at just 4.7% in 2018. One significant obstacle to increasing international student enrolments is language. Few programs in Japanese universities are taught in English, requiring international students to undergo intensive Japanese language training. To address this issue, some universities have added study abroad requirements to their programs and adopted academic curricula conducive to overseas study. For example, Chiba University made overseas study a graduation requirement for all students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2016 and extended this requirement university-wide in 2020.
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46% of these students were female
In 2023, there were approximately 2.95 million students enrolled at Japanese universities. This figure represents an increase from 2014, when the number of students enrolled was about 2.85 million. Of the total number of students enrolled in 2023, nearly 46% were female. This equates to just over 1.3 million female students enrolled at Japanese universities in 2023.
While the number of students enrolled at Japanese universities has generally been increasing, admissions are expected to decline due to Japan's aging population and declining birth rate. To counteract this, the Japanese government has launched initiatives to attract more foreign students, such as the Study in Japan Global Network Project (GNP). This project helps Japanese universities establish overseas bases in key regions, such as the Middle East, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, and South America, from which they can promote the benefits of studying in Japan. Other initiatives include CAMPUS Asia, which promotes the cross-border mobility of students from Japan, Korea, and China.
Despite these initiatives, there are several obstacles to increasing international student enrollments, such as language. Few programs in Japanese universities are taught in English, requiring international students to undergo intensive Japanese language training before beginning their studies. Another barrier is the lack of clarity around in-country employment pathways for international students, which raises concerns about the value of Japanese higher education. To address this, national universities have started offering month-long internships in cooperation with local governments and private companies to facilitate the transition from university to the workplace for international students.
While university admissions in Japan are competitive, with difficult entrance exams, 56% of Japanese adults have a tertiary education. This is higher than most Western countries, which typically range from 40-50%. However, the idea that one must go to college regardless of their career choice is disappearing, with more people choosing to enter the workforce directly after high school.
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The country's birthrate is declining, so student numbers will too
Japan's birth rate is in a state of continuous decline, hitting record lows in 2022 and 2023. The country's fertility rate, or the average number of babies a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, was 1.2 in 2023, down 5.6% from the previous year. This is far below the fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman that is necessary to maintain Japan's population.
This declining birth rate is a result of a combination of economic and social factors. Firstly, there is a direct correlation between economic instability and a decrease in birth rates. Rising living and education costs, insufficient childcare infrastructure, and the increasing participation of women in the labour market make couples hesitant to have children. The lack of support for working parents to balance child-rearing with their careers is a significant contributing factor. This is especially true in urban areas, where there is a notable daycare waiting list problem.
The societal implications of Japan's declining birth rate are significant. An aging population coupled with fewer newborns will lead to a rapid shrinking of the country's labour force, resulting in economic stagnation and affecting corporate competitiveness. Industries such as manufacturing and services will experience severe labour shortages, and the burden on the working population to support the aging population will increase.
As a result of the declining birth rate, Japan's student population will also decrease over time. This presents financial challenges for the education business in Japan, as a smaller student population means less revenue for universities. While the number of students enrolled in Japanese universities was approximately 2.95 million in 2023, up from about 2.85 million in 2014, this number is expected to decline due to the country's declining birth rate.
To address the declining birth rate and its impact on student numbers, Japan's government has taken several initiatives. The Angel Plan, for instance, aims to enhance childcare support and create a more family-friendly society. Additionally, the government has earmarked significant funds to provide financial support for child-rearing parents and expand access to childcare services and parental leave benefits. However, experts argue that these measures fall short of addressing the underlying issues, and a more comprehensive approach is needed to resolve the serious problem of Japan's declining birth rate and its consequent impact on student numbers.
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56% of Japanese adults have a tertiary education
Japan's education system is often referred to as a 6-3-3-4 system, with six years of elementary school, three years each of middle and high school, and four years at university. While education is mandatory only until the end of middle school, most students continue on to high school and then university. In 2023, there were approximately 2.95 million students enrolled at Japanese universities, up from about 2.85 million in 2014. Of these, nearly 46% were female.
University entrance exams in Japan are notoriously difficult, requiring students in their last year of high school to attend cram schools and supplementary tutoring to prepare. However, once students are admitted to university, there are reportedly fewer expectations placed on them compared to their high school years. The name of the university holds a lot of weight and has a significant impact on future job applications.
Despite the emphasis on university education, due to the declining birth rate in Japan, the overall number of students is expected to decrease over time, presenting financial challenges for the education business.
In light of these challenges, it is notable that 56% of Japanese adults have a tertiary education. This is higher than most Western countries, which tend to fall in the range of 40-50%. This statistic reflects the importance placed on higher education in Japan, where the majority of students pursue a university education before entering the workforce.
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Japan has initiatives to attract foreign students
In 2023, there were approximately 2.95 million students enrolled at Japanese universities, with over 2.6 million of those enrolled in bachelor's programs. Japan has a 6-3-3-4 education system, with four years dedicated to university education. While the majority of students follow this path, it is more common in Japan to find employment straight after graduation from undergraduate programs.
Japan has been actively working to attract more international students to its universities. In 2023, foreign enrolment in Japan reached record levels, and the country has set ambitious goals to expand its international student enrollment further. Japan aims to attract 400,000 international students by 2033, which would make it a notable competitor in the international education market. To achieve this, Japan has introduced several initiatives and policy changes to make the country more appealing to foreign students.
Firstly, Japan has recognised the need to improve support for immigrants and international students entering the country. This includes issuing more short-term visas, increasing the maximum residency period, and streamlining the immigrant registration system. Additionally, Japan offers special visas for international students to facilitate their job search after graduation, as many international students hold part-time positions during their studies and often remain in Japan after graduating.
Secondly, Japan has identified the demand for information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI) skills in the job market. By attracting international students with these skills, Japan can help fill labour shortages in key industries. The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program, for instance, offers a five-year visa status and support services to attract middle-skilled workers in sectors such as construction, agriculture, nursing, and food service.
Lastly, Japan has also focused on promoting its higher education institutions and academic programs to a global audience. The government has set a target of increasing the number of Japanese students studying abroad, with the understanding that this will also encourage more inbound mobility and partnerships with foreign institutions. The J-MIRAI strategy, for example, includes a plan to expand scholarship programs for overseas study and encourage companies to sponsor employees through scholarship funds.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2023, there were approximately 2.95 million students enrolled at Japanese universities, up from about 2.85 million in 2014.
56% of Japanese adults have a tertiary education.
Yes, Japanese university entrance exams are notoriously difficult. Students in their final year of high school often attend cram schools and receive supplementary tutoring to prepare.
Japan has a relatively low inbound mobility rate of 4.7% as of 2018. However, the Japanese government has launched initiatives to attract more foreign students, such as the Study in Japan Global Network Project (GNP).
Yes, it is common for Japanese students to enter the workforce directly after high school instead of going to university.
