BE SUCCESS TO STUDY IN JAPAN

 
Active international exchange is now taking place throughout many parts of the world, and there are now said to be more than 1.5 million foreign students studying around the globe. Of them, 138,075 (as of May 1, 2012) are studying in Japan. What is it that attracts these students to Japan?

 HIGH EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS AND EXCELLENT RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT

The greatest appeal of studying in Japan is its academic environment where one can study state-of-the-art technology and acquire the knowledge that enabled Japan's phenomenal postwar economic growth. Whether it is electronics, Japanese literature, medicine or international business administration, Japanese universities and other institutes of higher education can offer course studies or research programs of virtually any field. The ratio of students who go on to universities (undergraduate level) and junior colleges (regular courses) is also very high in Japan at 56.8% (Source: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) "Statistical Abstract 2011 edition"). This figure is indicative of the high standard of education in Japan. Many institutions of higher education, such as universities and junior colleges, are well equipped with fine research, computer, and library facilities and enable students to carry out their research in an excellent environment.

The awarding of the Nobel Prize to four Japanese scientists in 2008 is still fresh in our minds. Mr. Osamu Shimomura received the prize in chemistry for “the discovery and development of the green fluorescent protein, GFP.” The Nobel Prize in physics was shared by three Japanese scientists—Mr. Yoichiro Nanbu was awarded for “the discovery of the mechanism of spontaneous broken symmetry in subatomic physics”; and Mr. Makoto Kobayashi and Mr. Toshihide Masukawa, for the development of the Kobayashi-Masukawa Theory and the discovery of the origin of the broken CP-symmetry, which opened up new ground in subatomic physics. Mr. Kobayashi and Mr. Masukawa were honored for the results of work done in Japan, an indication of the high level of research conducted in Japan.
Then, in 2010, Akira Suzuki and Ei-ichi Negishi won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for their groundbreaking work with organic compound coupling techniques.
Between the years 2005 and 2009, 8.0% of published academic papers were produced by Japanese researchers. (Source: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) "Statistical Abstract 2011 edition").

Many leading figures playing an active role in the world today have had experience studying in Japan. Former Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines Domingo L. Siazon, Jr. and Former Minister for External Commerce, Industrialization, Fisheries and Competitiveness, Ecuador Richard Moss Ferreira both spent time studying in Japan. The network of coursemates that you can build in Japan will undoubtedly become an invaluable asset for your future career. 


RICH CULTURE : COEXISTENCE OF TRADITION AND CUTTING-EDGE HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Modern Japanese culture and society consist of a diverse mix of the old and new, the East and West, and the natural and artificial. These seemingly contradictory elements coexist in harmony in Japan. For example, it is not unusual to see an old Buddhist temple and a modern skyscraper standing next to each other.

With age-old Japanese traditions - as typified by those nurtured from the Azuchi-Momoyama Period (late 16th to early 17th century) to the Edo Period, which lasted nearly 300 years - at its foundation, Japan flexibly assimilated the culture of Western civilization later introduced to its soil. However, even with the rapid growth of Japanese economy and the development of advanced technology after World War II, Japan continued to retain its original culture as well. That is to say, the old and new have coexisted until today. This is what brought about Japan's diversity and fascination which still attracts many foreigners.

Japan is also a country with rich nature, diverse topography, and beautiful turns of the seasons. Haiku verse which has blossomed by absorbing the natural essence of each season is an example of a very unique Japanese literary culture. The country's rich variety of local festivals, annual events, and folk entertainment are also most likely the result of Japan's nature and topography.

If you have been in Japan, you might say that you are a big fan of hot spring resorts, "Onsen", a unique Japanese version of the spas. Others may know about J-Pop, Japanese films, or even the nail arts. Even those who have never been in Japan may be interested in the beauty and delicacy of Japanese cuisine - some says that it must be enjoyed with both the eye and palate - as well as Japanese culture represented by in Kimono, tea ceremony and Ikebana flower arrangement, or traditional sports such as Judo, Kendo and Naginata.

There are many, many other things that make Japan attractive. Let us take a glance at a few of them.

 


Visa Matters
 
Short time studies at Japanese Language Schools  are permitted on a tourist visa . All other foreign student in Japan need a student visa  in order to study in Japan. Visa applicants require an educational institution as their sponsor in order to obtain a student visa.
Student visa holders are not allowed to engage in any paid activities, unless they get the permission of the school and the immigration office. Even then, students may work only a set maximum number of hours per week. Working on a tourist visa is prohibited. 

 
Language Schools
 
Japanese Language Schoolsexist in many cities across Japan, ranging from informal conversation schools to government recognized institutions that offer preparatory courses for students to enroll at universities.
There are language schools for all proficiency levels, and courses of different durations from just a few weeks to more than one year. 

Universities
 
The Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) is a standard examination in existence since 2002, simplifying the process of admission to Japanese universities for international students.
The examination covers the Japanese Language , science, mathematics, Japan and the World and is held biannually in Japan and selected cities outside of Japan. The examination can be written in Japanese or English (except the section on Japanese language; some testing sites don't offer tests in English).
Almost all national universities, about two thirds of the public universities and roughly half of the private universities use the EJU as admission criteria for international students, while the others apply their own entrance exams.
Naturally, most university courses in Japan are only available in Japanese, although quite a few universities offer one or more English courses at a master's and/or doctoral level. Only a handful of universities offer English courses on the undergraduate (bachelor) level. 

Scholarships and Exchange Programs
 
Scholarship programs for international students are provided by the Japanese Government, local governments, the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) and private organizations, foundations and companies in Japan and abroad.
Likewise, there are various governmental bodies, organizations and educational institutions inside and outside of Japan that offer short term exchange programs for secondary and post secondary students to study in Japan and experience life in Japan.