Japan's Universities Welcoming International Students

Japan’s Growing Appeal to International Students

In the last decade Japan has quietly become one of the most welcoming study destinations in Asia. Data from the Ministry of Education (MEXT) show 336 k international learners—a 57 k increase in a single year—are now enrolled nationwide. Unlike the “one‑size‑fits‑all” approach of some anglophone countries, Japanese universities offer English‑taught degrees, generous tuition waivers, and streamlined visa support. The government’s 300,000‑International‑Students Plan hit its original 2020 goal despite COVID‑19, and the new target (400 k by 2033) looks achievable thanks to Top Global University funding and relaxed post‑study work rules.

Behind the numbers lie two trends future applicants should know:

• STEM & SDGs pull‑factor — Japan’s edge in robotics, green tech, and health science means labs compete for doctoral talent with full stipends.
• Diversity push from the regions — Local governments (e.g. Kyoto, Fukuoka) now co‑fund housing and language courses to counter population decline.

Snapshot of Leading International‑Friendly Universities

The table summarises ten institutions that actively recruit abroad. Figures are the latest publicly available counts of enrolled international students.

University (National/Private)	Int’l Students*	Quick Fact / Source
Waseda University (Private)	6,056	CIE Data 2025
University of Tokyo (National)	4,350	Enrollment Stats
Kyoto University (National)	2,715	Facts & Figures
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (Private)	2,776	44 % of campus is international
Osaka University (National)	2,595	MEXT Survey 2024
Kyushu University (National)	2,568	At‑a‑Glance 2024
University of Tsukuba (National)	2,341	Academics Page
Tohoku University (National)	2,142	MEXT Survey 2024
Nagoya University (National)	2,002	G30 Stats
Keio University (Private)	2,169	MEXT Survey 2024

Innovative Support & Engagement Initiatives

Tuition & Funding

Osaka University has launched a new ¥600 million fund to welcome up to 100 displaced researchers and graduate students from the U.S., offering full tuition waivers and accommodation news release. This mirrors Kyushu University’s long‑running Q‑Lead scholarship that covers 100 % of fees for STEM master’s candidates.

English‑Medium Degrees

Tohoku University’s FGL tracks let undergraduates finish entirely in English while still accessing Japan‑specific internships. Nagoya University goes further with its G30 Project, guaranteeing on‑campus housing for first‑year internationals.

Border‑less Campus Culture

Ritsumeikan APU stands out: 44 % of its 6,000‑strong cohort hail from 90+ countries, and classes are scheduled in both English and Japanese so student clubs naturally operate bilingually. At Waseda, the ICC café events pair Japanese learners of English with English learners of Japanese—an easy networking hack to build presentation skills for the Bilingual Job Fair held each autumn.