Janice Lozano
Japan has been taking steps to attract international students to the country. The University of Tokyo, also known as Todai, has announced the establishment of its first new faculty in almost 70 years, with the aim of significantly increasing foreign student enrollment. The College of Design, opening in September 2027, will be headed by a non-Japanese national for the first time in Todai's history. The university has set goals for foreign student ratios of at least 30% for undergraduate faculties and 40% for graduate schools by 2049. In addition to Todai's efforts, the Japanese government has allocated funds to attract eminent researchers from overseas, and international students can take advantage of scholarships and work opportunities during their studies. Obtaining a student visa is a mandatory requirement for studying in Japan, and this visa can eventually lead to permanent residency and even citizenship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| International student enrollment | The University of Tokyo will establish a new faculty to increase foreign student enrollment |
| Faculty head | Miles Pennington, a British national, will become the first non-Japanese to head a Todai faculty |
| Faculty opening date | September 2027 |
| Student visa | Mandatory requirement to study in Japan |
| Work while studying | International students with a work permit can work part-time in Japan for 28 hours per week during their course and 40 hours per week during semester breaks |
| Post-study work opportunities | International students can seek work opportunities and stay in Japan after their studies |
| Examination for admission | EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students) |
| Tuition fees | Same for both international and domestic students |
| Living costs | JPY 105,000 per month |
| Insurance costs | Students must enrol in the National Health Insurance (NHI) |
| Scholarships | Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship, Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students |
| Permanent residency | International students can obtain permanent residency in Japan |
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What You'll Learn
International students require a Japanese student visa
Japan is taking steps to attract more international students to its universities. For example, the University of Tokyo (Todai) has announced the opening of its first new faculty in almost 70 years, which will significantly increase foreign student enrollment. The College of Design will be headed by a non-Japanese national, a first for Todai, and will open in September 2027. The university has set goals for ratios of foreign students of at least 30% for undergraduate faculties and at least 40% for graduate schools by 2049.
To obtain a Japanese student visa, students must comply with the Japan student visa requirements. One requirement is to take the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU), which is mandatory for admission to undergraduate programs at Japanese universities. The exam is held in June and November each year and consists of four subjects, one of which is chosen by the university based on the study program the student is applying for.
International students who have a work permit can work part-time in Japan for up to 28 hours per week during their course and up to 40 hours per week during semester breaks. After completing their studies, international students can seek work opportunities and stay in Japan if they find a job that pays YEN 3,000,000 or more. Japan has fewer restrictions on post-study work visas, allowing students to transition their study permit directly to a residence permit for work.
Obtaining a Japanese student visa can also be a pathway to permanent residency in Japan. However, the process can be lengthy, and the duration of study is not counted toward the time required for permanent residency. International students who wish to obtain permanent residency must stay in the country for 10 years, unless they are highly skilled professionals, in which case the duration can be shortened to 1-3 years.
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Japan offers scholarships for international students
International students who wish to study in Japan must take the EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students) for admission to undergraduate programs at Japanese universities. The exam is held in June and November each year.
Japan offers a range of scholarships for international students, including those provided by the Japanese Government, Japanese universities, and other individual organizations. These scholarships are designed to cover living costs, tuition fees, and other major expenses. Here are some examples of scholarships available for international students in Japan:
- Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students: This scholarship is provided by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) and offers financial support to international students who are privately financing their studies.
- Student Exchange Support Program: JASSO also offers this scholarship for international students accepted by Japanese schools under student exchange agreements or other exchange arrangements with their home schools outside Japan.
- Local Government and Local International Association Scholarships: Local governments and local international associations in Japan often provide scholarships to students living and studying in their districts.
- Private Foundation Scholarships: These scholarships are provided by private companies or organizations and are typically granted to students attending schools in a given district or studying specific subjects related to the company or organization.
- University Scholarships: Many universities in Japan offer their own scholarships and tuition fee exemption/reduction systems for international students enrolled in their schools. For example, Kyoto University offers various scholarship programs, and Kochi University offers scholarships that cover entrance examination fees, enrollment fees, tuition fees, travel expenses, and living expenses.
- Honjo International Scholarship Program: Offered by the Honjo Foundation in Japan, this scholarship provides a monthly grant of up to ¥200,000 for students pursuing degree programs with shorter durations.
- Japan Foundation United Nations University Scholarship Program (JFUNU): This scholarship is designed for students from developing countries pursuing Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. degrees in the fields of Development, Peace, and Science in Sustainability at the United Nations University in Japan.
It is important to note that scholarships may not cover all the costs associated with studying in Japan, so students should also consider their personal financial resources when planning their studies.
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International students can work part-time in Japan
International students are allowed to work part-time in Japan, but they must first apply for approval to do so. This is because international students on a student visa are only in Japan for the primary purpose of studying. As such, they must be careful not to neglect their studies and risk having their period of authorised stay in the country not extended.
International students with a work permit can work part-time for up to 28 hours per week during their course and up to 40 hours per week during semester breaks. The average monthly earnings from a part-time job are around 59,000 yen (approximately 421 USD), though students can expect to earn anywhere between 200,000 and 300,000 yen per month.
There are many part-time job opportunities for international students in Japan, even for those with a limited ability to speak Japanese. Students commonly work at convenience stores, restaurants, cafes, factories, for delivery companies, on farms, and as English teachers. Jobs that require little to no Japanese include babysitting, working at a 7/11 convenience store, and English teaching. Students with a higher proficiency in Japanese can work in customer-facing roles, such as waitstaff in restaurants or front-desk staff at hotels.
To apply for part-time jobs, international students in Japan typically need to submit a physical, handwritten resume. This resume includes personal particulars, availability, a picture, previous working history, current status in society, and sometimes education history. Resumes are usually in Japanese, so students may need help filling them out.
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International students can gain permanent residency in Japan
As of 2025, international students are allowed to enter Japan to study. However, they must obtain a student visa, which is a mandatory requirement to study in Japan. Once the student enters Japan with a student visa, they will get a landing permit, which replaces the student visa and allows them to stay in the country legally.
International students in Japan can also work part-time if they have a work permit. They can work up to 28 hours per week during their course and up to 40 hours per week during semester breaks. Additionally, there are fewer restrictions on post-study work visas, allowing international students to seek work opportunities and stay in Japan after completing their studies, provided they find a job with a salary of YEN 3,000,000 or more.
The University of Tokyo, also known as Todai, is taking steps to attract more international students. Todai established its first new faculty in nearly 70 years, with the aim of increasing foreign student enrollment. The College of Design, headed by a British national, will open in September 2027. Todai has set goals of achieving at least a 30% ratio of foreign students for undergraduate faculties and at least 40% for graduate schools by 2049.
Regarding permanent residency, international students can eventually gain this status in Japan. The standard rule to qualify for a Permanent Resident Visa is to have lived in Japan consecutively for 10 years. However, the requirements have been relaxed, and it is now possible to apply for the Permanent Resident Visa if the applicant can demonstrate a sufficient score in the Point Calculation Table at the time of application and during the preceding years. Additionally, applicants need to have spent a significant amount of time physically in Japan, usually more than six months per year, and must have a guarantor who is either a Japanese national or a non-Japanese national with Permanent Residency in Japan.
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The University of Tokyo is creating a new faculty to attract foreign students
International students are allowed to study in Japan, and the country is taking steps to attract more of them. However, there are certain requirements that international students must meet, including obtaining a student visa and complying with admission procedures.
The University of Tokyo, also known as Todai or UTokyo, is creating a new faculty to attract foreign students and increase foreign student enrollment. This will be the university's first new faculty in almost 70 years, with the last one being established in 1958. The new faculty, named the College of Design, will be headed by Professor Miles Pennington, a British national and professor of emerging design and informatics at the Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies. Pennington will be the first non-Japanese to head a Todai faculty.
The College of Design is set to open in September 2027, aligning with the start of the school year in most Western universities. The faculty will offer a five-year combined undergraduate and graduate program, with students obtaining a bachelor's and master's degree. Unlike the current entrance exams, students will be selected based on written documents and interviews. The entrance period will be in autumn, and first-year students will live in dormitories to foster cultural understanding. All lessons will be conducted in English, and students will be able to choose their own topics of study across various fields. The university aims for students from overseas to fill about half of the 100 spots available per year, creating a diverse learning environment.
The University of Tokyo is not alone in its efforts to attract foreign students and researchers. Japan has allocated a substantial amount of funding to attract eminent researchers from overseas by offering competitive compensation. Additionally, the university has set goals to increase the ratio of foreign students to at least 30% for undergraduate faculties and 40% for graduate schools by 2049. To enhance the international learning environment, fourth-year students will be permitted to gain experience beyond the campus through internships, study abroad, volunteer work, or entrepreneurship.
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Frequently asked questions
Japan has started to ease border restrictions for international students. From September 2022, foreign nationals with visas can re-enter Japan.
The Japanese government has been petitioned to review entry requirements and make special considerations for international students. They have also introduced scholarships and financial aid options.
There is a sense of urgency in the voices of international students who wish to enter Japan. Business leaders and politicians have warned that the restrictions are obsolete, and Japan will be left behind if they are not changed.
International students have been forced to give up on their plans to study in Japan or graduate without ever entering the country. They have also had to deal with the uncertainty of not knowing when they will be allowed to enter.
International students need to obtain a student visa by first getting a Certificate of Eligibility from their university and then applying for the visa through the local Japanese embassy or consulate. They may also have to quarantine for a certain period upon arrival.
