Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERMENT POLICICIES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND CULTURE 1994 > PART II Chapter 10 Section 4 3

An increasing number of Japanese are studying at universities and other institutions in foreign countries. According to statistics on legal migrants compiled by the Ministry of Justice, a total of 136,162 Japanese cited study, training, or acquisition of technology as the reason for their departure in 1993. This figure represented a 4.4% increase over the previous year's total. Approximately 80% of these people went to Europe or the United States ( Figures II.10.3, II.10.4).

The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture has established a number of government-funded systems to send Japanese students overseas, including student international exchange programs. In addition, approximately 400 students study abroad under scholarships provided by foreign governments. The Ministry assists with the recruitment and selection of students for these programs.

The majority of Japanese studying abroad are privately financed. The Ministry endeavors to provide them with accurate information about study abroad through the Information Center of the Association of International Education, Japan. In July 1994 the Information Center compiled and distributed Guide to Study Abroad for students and other Japanese wishing to study at universities in foreign countries.

Statistics on study abroad by upper secondary school students reveal that in fiscal 1992 a total of 4,487 students studied for three months or longer at overseas upper secondary schools and that 32,288 students went on overseas study trips. The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture has traditionally provided guidance and advice to enable the institutions concerned to ensure that study abroad is a safe and meaningful experience for the students. On the basis of an April 1992 report concerning appropriate content relating to study abroad arrangement programs, the Ministry is providing support for programs implemented by the Japan Association of International Educational Exchange Organizations for High School Students, a group established in June 1992. The Ministry also holds Research Councils for Organizations Involved in Study Abroad by Upper Secondary School Students as forums for executives of relevant organizations and support for the Research Designation System on Study Abroad by Upper Secondary School Students.

Related activities include the sponsoring of conferences of prefectural board of education members and others involved in the promotion of study abroad by upper secondary school students, the designation of pilot schools to cooperate in research on study abroad by upper secondary school students, and research on the safe and efficient implementation of study abroad and the efficient acceptance of foreign students by upper secondary schools.