Japan Overview:
Japan—a country of an intricate traditional culture and infused with a balance of ancient & modern society. It has emerged as an extremely advanced economy with techno-entrepreneurs around the globe since, 1950. Japan is one of the most literate countries in the world. Interestingly, Kongo Gumi is the oldest company in the world operating its business since 578. The country also produces the most renowned varieties of melons which can cost $200 each. Over 80% of Japan’s landscape is covered with beautiful mountains which are heaven for wanderlusts’ and skiing explorers. With profound diversification of early centuries in writing, religion, and lifestyle changed the entire portrait of Japan. ‘The land of the Rising Sun’, Japan comprises 5 main islands and stretched vastly with the greatest and oldest human civilization in history. All the local Japanese follow distinctive cultural and religious beliefs and the major 3 religions are; Shintoism, Buddhism, and Christianity. Japanese is the national language of Japan apart from Ainu an extinctive language. The national flag of Japan is known as Nisshoki/Hinomaru and it shares borders with the Republic of Korea, China, and Russia as its neighbours. The currency of Japan is the Japanese Yen (JPY).
Why study in Japan?
The education system of Japan is known for its excellent curriculum and teaching methods. The land of golden opportunities in the spectrum of learning procedures an aspirant can pursue their higher studies in Japan. Around 3 lacs international students have enrolled themselves in the highly renowned universities and colleges of Japan.
The Japanese government has introduced extensive learning programs for international or Indian students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Economics, Arts, and Business fields to generate work-driven opportunities. In the technically advanced environment and research-oriented studies can evolve an aspirant’s personality, practically and theoretically both.
The Japanese government also ensuring the efficiency of learning takeaways for the international students with utmost deliverance has launched various financial support programs. Through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science & Technology (MEXT) and the Japan Students Services Organization (JASSO) one can avail the scholarship benefits from their respective colleges or universities.
There are an ample amount of universities in Japan offering a wide variety of study programs with vocational courses, specialization programs, and other relevant study courses.
Tokyo—Japan’s capital and the advanced metropolitan city provides wonderful learning opportunities and as per the QS World University Rankings 2021, the city’s renowned colleges/universities acclaimed rankings are in it. The University of Tokyo has been ranked 24th, Kyoto University has been ranked 38th, Tokyo Institute of Technology grabbed 56th place in this ranking and other 38 Japanese universities also gained the best places in the list.
All the local Japanese are friendly and polite and the crime rates are quite low. Thus, one can gain quality experience in a safe and warm environment like Japan. They also have a high variety of cuisines and tasty dishes at affordable prices.
For a long-term course, one can learn the national language of Japan by enrolling in the language school for a limited time. The benefit of learning the Japanese language can enhance the possibility of an international student to grab wonderful job opportunities in the country or globally. Additionally, it will be another feather in one’s cap and in the CV/resume as well.
Japan comprises 3-4 types of educational institutions including, public universities, private universities, vocational colleges, and local universities. All the premium universities or colleges offer graduate/undergraduate programs, post-graduate programs, doctoral/post-doctoral degree programs and vocational courses as well.
An undergraduate program may comprise 4-years of academic courses. A graduate degree program consists of 2-years, and post-graduate or doctoral degree programs can be 3-4 years depending on the respective course stream and university. Apart from professional and technical courses, Japanese education institutes also provide short-term courses like Japanese language courses (from weeks/months to 1 year) and Student Exchange Program (a one year course).
Along with the degree and vocational programs, there are a number of other organization that provides incredible options to international students with internships, community-based learning placements, field trips, projects, and many more study abroad programs.
An amalgam of learning and working opportunities in the land of Kung-fu, noodles, and much more for life evolving and developing experience.
Japanese country is a member of renowned international organizations like the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Economic Co-operations and Development (OECD) and the Group of Seven (G7). In terms of military power, Japan is ranked fourth and a global innovator in Science & Technology.
The academic year of Japanese higher education institutions generally follows from April to March. The higher education system of Japan is categorized in quality, equality and assessment/performance. The first semester goes from April to September and the second semester from October to March.
To hone the research skills in a quality education environment and excellent research facilities, Japan is the best choice for an international or Indian student to pursue their doctoral degree from there. Imparting the field of innovative research and creative inventions as per the recent industry trends; the Japanese government has proposed the Top Global University Project to encourage more international students by providing extra funding to 37 universities. These numerous universities will collaborate with other premium universities around the globe.
According to the Times Higher Education Rankings 2021, QS World University Rankings 2021 and Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2020, there are plenty of Japanese universities that has secured the best ranks in the top 100 and 500. Some of them like—The University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Tohoku University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Nagoya University, Kyushu University, and many more.
To develop excellent skills with cutting-edge research, science & technology, and medicine stream (s). An Indian student can attain a quality education by enrolling and studying in the best places in Japan. Some of them are: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Sapporo, Nagoya, Yokohama, Kobe, Nara, Nagasaki, Kamakura, Sendai, and many more.
Japan study visa requirements & eligibility criteria
A short-term stay visa (for short-term courses) will be applicable till 90 days only for travel, business, visiting friends/relatives, etc. purposes. Note that some of the countries have been exempted from the visa category. Thus, check all the detailed requirements before applying under this category and one must have a return ticket within 90 days.
A long-term study/course visa will be applicable for more than 90 days. Those who have enrolled in the long-term courses must apply for this student visa.
There are certain requirements and necessary points to be remember while applying for a Japanese student visa.
Check the eligibility and verify it according to the Japanese official website for visa application. A student visa application form is required to be filled with the complete details. One can also check all the information on the official website of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
One must visit their nearby Japanese Embassy or Consulate for any clarification or information
- A valid passport and its photocopies
- Recent passport size photographs with plain white background
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan will issue the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) within one-and-a-half or three months (may vary). It is an important document which an individual must have before applying for any long-term visa application like, work visa, student visa, or other Japan visas.
- All the relevant documents related to the academic requirements and a letter of admission into an educational institution in Japan
- A medical document consisting an applicant’s medical history
- Proofs of sufficient funds to study, stay and travel in Japan
- A motivation or cover letter
- Letter of invitation or guarantee issued by the enrolled Japanese university
All the required documents must be printed or scanned on an A4 size paper and one must submit these documents to the university for applying them for the COE for the international applicant
It is also necessary to consult a nearby Japanese Embassy or Consulate to gather the correct information whether or not to submit original or copies of the academic or other documents
What are the courses to study in Japan?
Some of the popular courses like Agriculture & Forestry, Applied Sciences & Professions, Arts, Design & Architecture, Business & Management, Japanese language, Computer Science & IT, Education & Training, Engineering & Technology, Law, Medicine & Health, and many more. These are the most popular courses among the international students who has the most job opportunities in Japan.
How much money is required to study in Japan?
Study in Japan cost can be estimated by the accommodation, lifestyle, food and travel expenses. The costing factor is variable when it comes to a specific city, place, and lifestyle one will have or pursue. However, for accommodation purposes, an international has plenty of options to live off-campus or on-campus and the location.
If one opts to live in Tokyo—the most bustling metropolitan city offers golden and exciting opportunities to the international students to explore and expand their horizons. The living cost can vary from sharing a room in a rented place in Tokyo can cost around 60,000 JPY/Yen per month. To live on-campus can cost around 12,000 JPY/Yen per month.
Monthly expense costings on the basis of food, transportation, and entertainment can also vary from one place to another. Wherein, monthly travelling expenses can be 10,000 JPY/Yen for local transportation and other utilities from 1,800 JPY/Yen to 7,375 JPY/Yen.
What is the Age limit to study in Japan and how much gap is acceptable in Japan?
There is a general criterion that an applicant to get a student visa and study in a Japanese university must be 18 years old. All the different courses have different requirements in terms of age limit. Whereas, an Indian research student must be under 35 years of age and have a graduation degree or have completed 16 years of schooling. Likewise, for other study programs such as teacher training, UG courses, Japanese studies, technology courses, and specialized training college course comprises different criteria (s) from one college to another. Typically, a candidate applying for any course or program must be under 30 years except the teaching course.
How to get a PR in Japan after studying?
A Japanese Residence Card or Permanent Residency permit will be applicable for those international or Indian individuals living in Japan for more than three months. If one has a PR or Residence Card they must carry it all the time. If an individual enters Japan via Narita, Haneda, Kansai or Chubu, New Chitose, Hiroshima or Fukuoka Airport they will receive a residency card on entry or their arrival. Entering through other than mentioned airports, one can get their Residence Card at the local Japanese municipal office (s).
Within 14 days the municipal authority in Japan will stamp and register the Residency Card’s address only after determining the place of residence by an individual.
Work & study in Japan
Japan provides an excellent education in the higher education ecosystem for international or Indian students. They also offer a wide range of Japanese scholarships to bright and talented students to excel in their careers. There is an important scholarship application process is—Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) which falls under the jurisdiction of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology.
JASSO supports and works as a bridge between the educational institutes and the international aspirants to provide them financial aids, study loans, and scholarships. Some of the scholarships are Japanese Government (MEXT) Postgraduate Scholarships., The Monbukagakusho Honors, Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students, Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship, Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Programme, Scholarships provided by JASSO.
The Japanese work environment is polite and warm with the most renowned and leading Asian industries across the globe. The country boosts innovation and creativity in technology, science/medicine, and automobile manufacturing industries with 2nd largest developed economy in the world. Most renowned multinationals like Sony, Mizuho, Mitsubishi Corporation, Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, SoftBank, and Canon.
Part-time work in Japan for international students is available in diverse sectors as per the requirement and qualifications. An enthusiast can apply for a work visa at local immigration office in Japan. On a student visa, one is eligible to work only 28 hours per week with limited employment opportunities. After completing a graduation degree one can apply for a Japan Work Visa once gets hired by an employer.
Apart from working opportunities, Japanese education institutes provide internship opportunities. There are various types of paid-internship opportunities also available for international students.
How to study in Japan without IELTS?
The Japanese educational institutions also offer study opportunities without IELTS scores for international students. An aspirant must check their eligibility and requirements before applying for this category with different options.
There are plenty of Japanese universities that offer study programs for international students without IELTS. Some of the universities are: University of Tokyo, Hiroshima University, the University of Tsukuba, and Meiji University.
Another criteria are if an applicant belongs or knows the Japanese language or is a native English language speaker can apply in the university without the IELTS category. Also, if an individual has completed its former education in English language medium then also they are eligible.