Study in Japan

1. Strong job opportunities

According to The Japan Times, the effective job‑to‑applicant ratio has stayed above 1.25 since 2023 and hit 1.26 in March 2025, meaning there are 126 vacancies for every 100 job‑seekers. Reuters cites Recruit Works Institute projections warning of a 3.4 million worker shortfall by 2030 and 11 million by 2040. Shortages span IT, manufacturing, healthcare, construction and tourism, so doors are wide open to international graduates with the right skills. The same holds true for white-collar employees as well as for manual laborers. All firms hope to recruit high performers, but the fact is they have difficulty securing them. 

At the same time, foreign investment is booming. JETRO reports 7,400+ foreign‑affiliated companies operating in Japan as of 2023, nearly half planning further expansion. A 2024 follow‑up survey showed about 49 percent of 7,300‑plus respondents increased sales year‑on‑year. Japan’s inward FDI stock reached a record ¥50.5 trillion at end‑2023 (up 9.3 percent), with the government targeting ¥100 trillion by 2030. This surge means English‑proficient, Japanese‑speaking graduates are in high demand across globalizing sectors such as IT, finance, renewable energy and life sciences—offering strong job opportunities and rapid career growth. From my own experience, Japanese companies that were once closed to the outside world are now starting to embrace global talent. Recently, Seven & i Holdings appointed its first-ever foreign CEO, Stephen Dacus, and Nissan named Mexican executive Ivan Espinosa as its new CEO. Slowly but surely, foreign professionals are stepping into top positions in Japan.

2. Reasonable Tuition & Living Cost

Japan’s national universities charge around ¥535,800 (≈ $3,500) per year in tuition, a fee that hasn’t changed in nearly two decades. Even prestigious institutions like the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University follow this rate. First-year costs, including admission fees, stay under ¥820,000 ($7,200) for public universities. In comparison, tuition at universities in the U.S. or U.K. can easily range from $20,000 to $45,000 per year. That means studying in Japan could cost one-third or less—with no compromise on quality. Even without the benefit of the weak yen, studying in Japan is still very affordable. While private universities tend to charge around ¥1,000,000 per year, which is higher than national or public universities, the overall cost is still quite low compared to Western countries.

While Tokyo is known for its size and energy, student life is budget-friendly. Across Japan, international students spend about ¥105,000 ($700/month) on average—including rent, food, and other essentials. Even in Tokyo, many students keep costs under ¥120,000/month. Plus, student discounts on transportation, campus cafeterias, and affordable health insurance (just ¥2,000/month) help your budget go further.

Additionally, many universities offer tuition waivers of up to 100% for international students, and hundreds of scholarship programs are available across the country.

3. Center of Asia-Pacific

Japan’s geographic position places you at the very center of the Asia-Pacific—and midway between two of the world’s largest economies. From Tokyo, it takes only 10 hours to reach Los Angeles and about 9 hours and 15 minutes to San Francisco. On the other side, you can fly to Shanghai in just 3 hours and Beijing in under 4 hours. This makes Japan not only a global hub, but also a highly convenient base for academic or career activities in both the West and East.

In addition, Japan is ideally positioned near many of Asia’s most dynamic and fast-growing economies. You can reach Delhi in approximately 7.5 hours, Mumbai in 9 hours, and Jakarta in just over 7 hours. Whether you’re attending a regional conference, exploring internship opportunities, or networking across borders, being based in Japan gives you fast and affordable access to the entire Asia-Pacific region.

And most importantly for international students—this proximity makes it much easier to return home during long vacations like summer or winter break. Unlike studying in Europe or North America, you won’t need to spend 15+ hours in transit or face costly layovers. A direct flight often means less time in airports and more time with family—without sacrificing your access to one of the most exciting regions in the world.