Factors Pulling International Students to Japan : A Situation Analysis

Japan has 312,214 international students in May 2019, successfully achieving the 300,000 international students target. This study investigates the factors pulling international students into Japan for higher education. Data for literature review was collected from mainly Japanese sources including research reports, review papers, statistics, and online materials, which addressing the issues of international students’ mobility into Japan from 2008 until present. Data was reviewed qualitatively by comparative analysis, comparing the literature with the elements of 300,000 international students plan and the pull factors from the push-pull model. The results showed specific measures in strengthening campus internationalization, expanding international cooperation and alumni network, improving supporting services, diversifying scholarship schemes, job hunting support etc. could be considered as effective pulling factors. Moreover, while these factors could be applied effectively by some universities, it is hard for other universities to follow the same approach. The results imply obstacles to the mid-ranking public universities to attract more international students and the need to improve this situation.