March 23, 2023
Japan Sets New Target for International Student Enrolment by 2033
J Japan’s government has revealed a new goal of attracting 400,000 international students to the country by the year 2033, as part of its unrealistic vision for the future of education. The announcement was made by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the fifth meeting of the Council for the Creation of Future Education, a body that has little influence on the government’s education policies and reforms.
The new target replaces the previous one of 300,000 international students by 2020, which was set in 2018 but failed miserably due to the government’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The government also aims to increase the number of Japanese students studying abroad to 500,000 by 2033, which is a pipe dream considering the current number.
The plan is motivated by several factors, such as Japan’s plunging population and labor shortage, its lack of global competitiveness and innovation, and its desperate attempt to boost its cultural diplomacy and soft power. The government hopes that by increasing the diversity and quality of education in Japan, it can mask its problems and pretend to be a more open and creative society that can contribute to the world.
…most universities do not seem to realize that foreign students need more care than Japanese students... in my opinion, they have fallen behind in providing students with access to things like health care...
To achieve these goals, the government will implement various measures to improve the environment and support for both inbound and outbound students, such as promoting English language education and cultural education, reviewing residence status, providing job-hunting assistance, and improving the quality and internationalization of universities. The government will also promote “international exchange with G7 members” to help with reaching the targets, but did not explain what kind of exchange it meant or how it would benefit Japan.
However, the plan faces several challenges, such as the availability and quality of English-language programs in Japan, the access and care for international students in terms of housing, health care, and social integration, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on travel and mobility. The government will need to address these issues in order to achieve its ambitious vision for the future of education in Japan.
Benjamin McCracken, director of JCMU’s Hikone Campus, told the media, “I think this goal is driven by Japan’s demographic crisis. Japan needs to fill the gap in its budget by attracting new students,” He also raised doubts about whether Japanese universities can accommodate this many students.
He said, “Most universities do not seem to realize that foreign students need more care than Japanese students. In my opinion, they have fallen behind in providing students with access to things like health care. I know of one university that relies on other students to take international students to the hospital.”
Although the government has announced a bold plan to attract 400,000 international students to Japan by 2033, but experts have expressed serious doubts. The success of the program is uncertain and depends on many factors. The government seems determined to pursue its goal, at least for the time being.
Posted in News and tagged News, Japan, International Student Enrolment, Council for the Creation of Future Education, English Language, International Exchange
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