The higher education sector in Japan has been under pressure to reform due to the declining birthrate and subsequent drop in the population of 18 year-olds. From 2018 onwards, the rate of decline in the 18 year-old population will accelerate and there will be only one million 18 year-olds in 2030 compared to the current 1.2 million. Private universities are likely to be hardest hit by this decline. There are 778 universities in Japan, approximately 80% of which are private, and more than 70% of all university students (2.13m students) are studying at a private institution. Currently 40% of private universities are not filling places on their courses and operate in deficit. A recent Nikkei Shimbun survey of president from 155 leading universities showed that 90% of respondents believe there will be stronger pressure for private universities to close down or restructure as a result of the declining pool of prospective students.

In an effort to attract more students many private universities have already started replacing traditional subjects with more practical and “attractive” programmes, such as international studies, which often include modules in tourism, cultural studies, cross-cultural communication, business, international cooperation, and so on. An increasing number of universities are also offering English study support, short study abroad programmes (English language study and/or academic study) and their own study abroad scholarships in order to differentiate themselves from domestic competitors. This trend is expected to continue.

Times Higher Education Japan University Rankings 2017 compiled a spin-off ranking of universities who have the largest numbers of students studying abroad for less than half a year or one term. The top 4 universities in this ranking are all relatively small-scale private universities that have various measures to promote participation in study abroad programmes. For example, Baiko Gakuin University (student population: 1,168), which topped the list with 17% of their students having studied abroad, boasts that all those wish to can study abroad through the university’s programmes. Their English study programmes in the Philippines, Malaysia and Australia are between 1-5 months and are credit-bearing. At Kyoai Gakuen University, which was ranked second in the list, (students population: 1,031), all English course students must study English abroad for 6 weeks. Meanwhile, fourth-ranked Digital Hollywood University (1,107 students), allocates up to 1 million yen (approx.6,630 GBP) of each students’ tuition fee for study abroad.

Commentary by Rui Ogura, Projects Officer (Education), Japan
What type of partnership strategies do such private universities have? These universities’ study abroad destinations vary; some universities partner with US institutions due to their founding philosophy or strong historical connections with the country, while others prefer to have multiple country options for their students. Each university has different strategies and schemes in supporting their students’ study abroad, so a customized approach is advised when working with these smaller private universities.

Some institutions are interested in developing new partnerships and they are happy to receive visits from UK universities and colleges (for academic/English language programmes). In an interview conducted by the British Council, one private university, which recently established a new course where 90 students need to study abroad for at least a year, noted that Tier 4 visa requirements, English requirements, travel costs and IELTS examination fees are the major obstacles in promoting UK study. They also stated that their students tend to choose their study abroad destination based on their image of a country and the contents of activities included in a programme.