International Students in Japan Hit Record High as Global Japanese Language Learning Surges

Global interest in Japan continues to grow. The number of international students in Japan has exceeded 400,000 for the first time, while applicants for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) have reached a record high, highlighting increasing worldwide interest in Japanese education, culture, and career opportunities.

TOKYO, JAPAN (MERXWIRE) – According to the 2025 Survey on International Students in Japan released by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), the number of international students enrolled in Japanese educational institutions reached 408,069 as of May 1, 2025. This represents an increase of more than 71,000 students from the previous year, up 21.2%, marking the first time the total has surpassed 400,000 and setting a new record.

Japanese language institutes recorded 140,174 students, a year-on-year increase of 23.5%, while vocational schools enrolled 106,829 international students, up 28.5%, the fastest growth among all educational categories. Enrollment in undergraduate and graduate programs also continued to rise, demonstrating Japan’s strong appeal as a destination for higher education and professional training.

China remained the largest source of international students with 131,097 enrollments, followed by Nepal with 100,239 and Vietnam with 38,112. Myanmar and Sri Lanka ranked fourth and fifth, respectively. Notably, the number of students from Myanmar increased by more than 40% compared with the previous year, reflecting the growing diversity of Japan’s international student population.

The growing enthusiasm for studying in Japan is mirrored by increasing demand for Japanese language education worldwide. According to the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), 904,472 people registered for the July 2025 examination, the highest number ever recorded for a single test session. Of these, 351,770 applicants were from Japan, while 552,702 applied from overseas, with international candidates accounting for more than 60% of total registrations.

Observers attribute the trend to Japan’s continued efforts to promote international education, the recovery of global mobility following the pandemic, the relatively weak yen, and the worldwide popularity of Japanese anime, entertainment, tourism, and employment opportunities. Together, these factors have encouraged more people to study Japanese and pursue academic opportunities in Japan, further strengthening the country’s educational and cultural influence across Asia and beyond.

Nguyen, an international student from Vietnam currently attending a vocational school in Tokyo, said her interest in Japanese animation first inspired her to study in Japan.

“Studying in Japan allows me to improve my Japanese while experiencing the culture firsthand. I hope to stay and work in Japan after graduation to gain international experience,” she said.

Lin, a Taiwanese candidate preparing for the JLPT N2 examination this year, said frequent trips to Japan motivated him to learn the language more seriously.

“I really want to become fluent in Japanese so I can read Japanese news and communicate naturally with local people. I’m also considering studying or working in Japan in the future, which is why I decided to take the JLPT,” he said.

Both interviewees agreed that Japanese has become more than just a language for travel. It is increasingly viewed as a gateway to Japanese culture, education, and career development, reflecting the sustained global demand for Japanese language learning and study opportunities in Japan.

The Consumer Aesthetics and Cultural Tourism Society Japan noted that the growing number of Japanese language learners and international students is no longer driven solely by the popularity of anime and other aspects of Japanese pop culture. Instead, it is increasingly linked to tourism, higher education, and employment opportunities in Japan. As the country continues to expand opportunities for international students, Japanese language proficiency has become an essential foundation for overseas talent seeking to study and work in Japan.

The association recommends that prospective students begin learning Japanese as early as possible and choose JLPT levels that align with their academic or career goals. It also encourages students to participate in short-term study programs, exchange opportunities, and cultural activities to better adapt to life in Japan and enhance their competitiveness for future study and employment.

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The Consumer Aesthetics and Cultural Tourism Society Japan

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Ada Huang
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SOURCE: The Consumer Aesthetics and Cultural Tourism Society Japan