Japan has crossed its international student enrolment target of 400,000 eight years ahead of schedule, with total numbers reaching 435,200 by June 2025, according to ICEF Monitor. The figure highlights an 8.2% rise over 2024 and exceeds the 2033 goal by more than 35,000 students. A record 180,000 first-time international students drove the increase, based on data from Japan’s Immigration Services Agency, as per ICEF Monitor report. The development signals a major shift in Japan’s higher education strategy as the country seeks to address demographic decline and labour shortages by attracting more foreign students and encouraging them to join the workforce.
Ageing population shapes policy
Japan faces a rapidly ageing population and shrinking domestic workforce. The government views international students as a key talent pool for critical sectors. Of the total foreign workforce in Japan, about 866,000 are classified as “highly-skilled.” Over the past decade, this category has expanded more than fivefold.
At the same time, public debate around migration has intensified. In June 2025, Japan recorded four million foreign residents, the highest number to date.
The new government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has acknowledged concerns about integration. In January 2026, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara announced stronger language support for incoming students and workers and said authorities would double the time required to obtain permanent residency.
English-medium courses under consideration
Universities are also debating the balance between Japanese- and English-taught programmes. Japanese remains one of the most difficult languages for native English speakers, creating barriers for foreign students and researchers.
More institutions are expanding English-medium instruction to remain globally competitive.
However, some argue that expanding English-only degrees may disadvantage Japanese students whose earlier education is largely in Japanese, as per The Japan Times.
Select universities allowed higher intake, fees
On 17 February, Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology permitted three national universities , Tohoku University, Hiroshima University, and University of Tsukuba, to enrol more international students for the 2026 intake in selected programmes.
The decision grants an exemption from rules that restrict institutions from exceeding ministry-mandated international student quotas, which otherwise limit their ability to establish new faculties.
The Ministry has also encouraged universities to raise tuition fees for foreign students to strengthen support services. A previous cap that limited international tuition to 1.2 times domestic fees was lifted in 2024.
From 2027, Tohoku University will increase annual tuition for international undergraduates and master’s students to 900,000 yen. The University of Tsukuba will charge 608,800 yen annually, while Hiroshima University has indicated it will raise undergraduate fees in the near future.
Despite these hikes, tuition levels remain lower than in many leading global study destinations.
Japan’s early achievement of its enrolment target highlights its push to position higher education at the centre of its economic and demographic strategy, even as it navigates domestic concerns over integration and access.
