Japan is one of the world's largest economies but one of the lowest outbound student senders among developed countries relative to GDP and population size. This is changing: the Japanese government has made outbound student exchange a national priority through the Tobitate! (トビタテ！留学JAPAN) scholarship programme, and universities increasingly encourage students to study abroad.
This guide covers the best destinations for Japanese students and what each offers.
The Context: Japan's 内向き志向 (Inward-Looking Tendency)
Japan's declining outbound student numbers over the past two decades (from a peak of ~82,945 students in the USA alone in 1997–98 to around 20,000 in recent years) has been called 内向き志向 (uchimuki shikō — "inward-looking tendency"). Causes include:
- Japan's strong domestic economy reduces perceived need for overseas experience
- Uncertainty about job hunting (就活) timing relative to study abroad timing — students who go abroad risk missing domestic recruitment cycles
- High tuition costs abroad relative to Japan's own low-cost university system
- Social pressure toward conventional paths
The Japanese government's Tobitate! programme specifically addresses these barriers by funding bold study plans that would otherwise be financially or socially difficult.
1. USA — Historical Top Destination
The USA has historically been Japan's #1 study abroad destination, though numbers have declined since the late 1990s peak.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary test | TOEFL iBT — 80–100 (varies by programme tier) |
| Key scholarship | Fulbright Japan (JUSST — Japan-US Educational Commission) |
| Post-study | OPT: 12 months (STEM: 36 months) |
| Popular programmes | Science, technology, business, arts, film, music, social science |
| Key universities | MIT, Harvard, Stanford, NYU, Columbia, UCLA, UC Berkeley |
| Japanese community | Los Angeles, Torrance, San Jose, Seattle, New York, Honolulu |
Tobitate! + USA: Tobitate! Industry stream scholars often partner with US companies. Many Tobitate! recipients study at US universities or intern at US firms as part of their plan.
2. Australia — Consistently Popular
Australia is consistently one of the top two destinations for Japanese students — driven by geographic proximity (relative to Europe), a large Japanese community, English immersion environment, and strong language school + university pathways.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary test | IELTS Academic 6.0–7.0 (PTE also accepted) |
| Post-study | Subclass 485: 2–4 years of open work rights |
| Working Holiday | Subclass 417 WHV available for Japanese nationals aged 18–30 |
| Popular programmes | English language study, sciences, business, education |
| Japanese community | Sydney (Chatswood, Hurstville), Melbourne (St Kilda, Clayton), Gold Coast, Brisbane |
WHV + study pathway: Many Japanese students first go to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa (12 months, extendable to 36), improve English in real-world settings, then apply for university. The combination of WHV experience + university degree + Subclass 485 is a popular pathway.
3. United Kingdom
The UK appeals to Japanese students for prestigious one-year master's programmes, London's global profile, and Chevening scholarships.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary test | IELTS UKVI Academic 6.5–7.0 |
| Post-study | Graduate Route: 2 years (master's), 3 years (PhD) |
| Key scholarship | Chevening Japan (annual allocation) |
| Popular programmes | Law, economics, social science, arts and humanities, one-year master's |
| Japanese community | London (Central London, Acton, Hammersmith, Notting Hill) |
4. Canada
Canada has grown as a Japanese student destination, particularly for language study and graduate programmes.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary test | IELTS 6.5–7.0 / TOEFL 90–100 |
| Post-study | PGWP: up to 3 years |
| WHV | Working Holiday Visa available for Japanese nationals |
| Appeal | Lower cost than USA; multicultural; clear PR pathway |
5. France
Japan-France bilateral ties are strong — in fashion, cuisine, philosophy, and the arts. France is a notable destination for Japanese students in cultural and humanities fields.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary test | French language (DELF/DALF) for French-taught programmes; IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught |
| Key scholarship | Eiffel Scholarship for Excellence (French government) |
| Popular programmes | Fashion design, culinary arts, philosophy, art history, international law |
| Japanese community | Paris (notably large) |
6. Germany
Germany offers free tuition at public universities and is particularly strong for engineering and sciences — fields valued in Japan's manufacturing-oriented economy.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary test | IELTS 6.0–6.5 (English-taught) or German B2/C1 (German-taught) |
| Key scholarship | DAAD Japan — bilateral programme |
| Tuition | ~€350/semester at public universities |
| Popular programmes | Automotive engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, business |
| Appeal | Japan-Germany industrial partnership (automotive, electronics) |
DAAD Japan (daad.de/japan): DAAD has maintained a Tokyo office and bilateral exchange programme with Japan for decades. Multiple DAAD programmes are open to Japanese students.
English Test Guide by Destination
| Destination | Primary Test | Target |
|---|---|---|
| USA | TOEFL iBT | 80–110 |
| Australia | IELTS Academic | 6.5–7.0 |
| UK | IELTS UKVI Academic | 6.5–7.5 |
| Canada | IELTS Academic | 6.5–7.0 |
| France | French language or IELTS/TOEFL | Per programme |
| Germany (English) | IELTS or TOEFL | 6.0–6.5 / 79–90 |
The TOEIC Misconception — Critical for Japanese Students
Like Korean students, Japanese students have a TOEIC culture. TOEIC is widely used in Japanese corporate hiring — many major Japanese companies require TOEIC 700–800 as a standard credential.
However: TOEIC is not accepted by any overseas university for admission. A TOEIC 900 does not translate directly to TOEFL 90 or IELTS 6.5 — they test different skills.
Japanese students should budget dedicated preparation time for TOEFL or IELTS even if their TOEIC is high. In Japan, the transition from TOEIC to IELTS/TOEFL requires learning academic writing, graph description, academic listening to lectures, and extended speaking — none of which TOEIC tests.
Scholarships for Japanese Students Going Abroad
| Scholarship | Destination | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Tobitate! (MEXT) | Any | Japan's flagship outbound programme; bold study plans; no age restriction per se |
| Fulbright Japan (JUSST) | USA | Fully funded master's/research |
| Chevening Japan | UK | Fully funded one-year master's |
| DAAD Japan | Germany | Stipend; tuition free |
| JASSO Study Abroad Support | Any | Interest-free or low-interest loans for overseas study |
| Rotary Peace Fellowship | 7 global sites | Fully funded; peace/conflict focus |
Prepare for TOEFL with Gabble — for Japanese students targeting the USA. Or prepare for IELTS for Australia, UK, or Canada. AI-powered Speaking and Writing practice with instant scores, specifically designed for the test formats that matter for your chosen destination.