Study abroad think tank launches in Japan

Highlighting a “critical challenge” in global mobility, the Japan Association of Overseas Studies (JAOS) has launched JSARI – the nation’s first dedicated study abroad think tank – amid slowing outbound growth and limited policy research.

Japan has already surpassed its inbound student target eight years ahead of schedule, reaching 435,000 international students as of June 2025. But its goal of sending 500,000 students abroad by 2033 remains a challenge due to a weak yen, global inflation, and stricter visa rules in key destinations such as the US, Canada, and Australia.

A survey by JAOS, which supported around 80,000 students annually pre-pandemic through its member organisations, found that 39 members sent a total of 70,253 students abroad in 2024.

Moreover, the number of Japanese students heading to the US fell from 29,580 between January and November 2024 to 26,635 in the same period in 2025, according to US government data.

As the government moves forward with its study abroad policies, it should leverage the insights and experience of the private sector more effectively
_{^{Tatsuhiko Hoshino, JSARI}}

According to JAOS, insufficient data and policy analysis are hindering “strategic growth” in Japan’s outbound mobility, with JSARI aiming to build a stronger research base to support national interests and deliver more reliable insights.

“The official statistics on Japanese students studying abroad, as captured by the government, do not include those handled primarily by private study abroad agencies – such as working professionals or K-12 students who go abroad for graduation purposes without attending Japanese middle or high schools,” Tatsuhiko Hoshino, the first director of JSARI, told The PIE News.

“JSARI aims to bridge this gap. As the government moves forward with its study abroad policies, it should leverage the insights and experience of the private sector more effectively. JSARI intends to present the government with the data and statistics necessary to make a compelling case for this collaboration.”

Led by Hoshino, JSARI is supported by a senior advisory team headed by Mitsuhide Shiraki, professor emeritus at Waseda University, alongside a seven-strong panel of academics and policymakers.

JAOS, celebrating 35 years of industry leadership, will use JSARI to conduct independent surveys and analysis on global mobility and international education, generating data and insights on their social and economic impact. It will also use these insights to support policy and decision-making for governments, educational institutions, and related organisations.

With more Japanese students choosing to study in Asia – a 2024 JAOS survey found 14,713 students in the region, up from 12,460 in 2019 – driven by lower costs and growing TNE options, Hoshino sees an environment where students can access global education without leaving Japan or Asia.

“For English language studies, the Philippines has become a primary hub, while Malaysia and Taiwan are increasingly serving as the go-to destinations for degree-seeking students. Furthermore, Taiwan, Singapore, and South Korea have become popular choices for overseas educational trips organized by Japanese high schools and universities,” stated Hoshino.

“Key examples of TNE growth in Japan include Temple University’s Japan campus, which has seen a surge in enrolments, as well as foundation programs launched locally by institutions such as the University of New South Wales and UCSI University. At the school level, more than 60 Japanese high schools now offer dual diploma programs with the Providence Country Day School, allowing students to earn both Japanese and US qualifications.”

JSARI will also publish an annual “White Paper on Study Abroad” every November 12, designated “Study Abroad Day”, combining JAOS’s statistical data with in-depth research, with the inaugural edition focusing on the prior international experiences of students pursuing overseas degrees.

“While the specific contents of this year’s White Paper on Study Abroad are still being finalised, it is set to include the annual JAOS Statistical Survey on Japanese students studying abroad.

“Additionally, the report will feature results from an upcoming research focusing on Japanese students who have enrolled in overseas universities, specifically investigating whether they had prior study abroad experience and the specific nature of those experiences,” stated Hoshino.

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