Fewer Japanese Students Studying Abroad
January 10, 2011
Recent data has confirmed that fewer Japanese students are choosing to study abroad, with significantly less studying in the United States in particular.
The Japan Times reports that recent data from the country's education ministry noted that the number of students studying overseas declined for four straight years from 2004 to 2008. In 2008, it dropped 11 percent from 2007 to a total of 66,833 students, and the number of Japanese students studying in the United States fell 13.9 percent to 29,264.
More recent data from the Institute of International Education confirms that the number of Japanese students in the United States is indeed dropping: In 2009-10, Japanese students dropped over 15 percent to 24,842.
The Daily Yomiuri reports that IIE has held study abroad fairs in Japan every year since 1991. But according to Peggy Blumenthal, IIE's executive vice president and chief operating officer, the organization is considering halting the fair in Japan because of a noticeable decline in participating U.S. universities.
For example, the Washington, D.C.-based Linden Educational Services used to send 35 to 40 people to recruit in Japan every year. But since 2009, the company has dropped Japan from their itineraries. Similarly, the University of Denver stopped participating in the Japan fair in 2008 due to a lack of interest among students.
The Japan Times suggests a reason for the downward trend: Students may fear that studying abroad will reduce their chances of finding employment in Japan. "This is because many enterprises stop accepting applications before students reach the fourth year of college," The Japan Times notes. "Students have to start visiting enterprises to find job opportunities quite early." Changing Japanese business recruitment practices could potentially rectify the problem.
That's important, because experts agree that studying abroad ultimately helps Japan compete globally. "Both the government and private sectors should realize," notes the Japan Times, "that a decline in the number of students studying abroad could have a devastating effect on the future of Japan."
Compiled by Yaffa Klugerman
Sources:
"Fear of Studying Abroad," The Japan Times, December 27, 2010
"International Students: Leading Places of Origin," Open Doors Data, Institute of International Education
"Universities in U.S. Giving Up on Japan/Japanese Kids Would Rather Stay Home," The Daily Yomiuri, January 9, 2011, Yuji Yoshikata
