9 REASONS TO CHOOSE JAPAN FOR STUDYING ABROAD

For those who love languages and want to develop themselves, studying abroad is always a top choice. In contrast to previous trends where young people often chose English-speaking countries like the UK, the US, the Netherlands, Singapore, etc., in recent years, Japan has become a top destination for Vietnamese students. So, what makes Japan so attractive to international students? Let’s explore the reasons together!

1. Top-Quality Education

Japan is renowned for its high-quality education system, especially in fields such as technology, engineering, medicine, and science. Japanese universities such as the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, and Osaka University are consistently ranked among the top universities in the world.

Japanese universities stand out in the QS World University Rankings:

• University of Tokyo: Always at the top of the list of Japanese universities, ranking within the top 20-30 globally in the QS rankings.
• Kyoto University: Ranked in the top 33 globally and second in Japan in the QS rankings.
• Osaka University: Ranked in the top 70-80 worldwide and is one of Japan's largest universities.
• Tohoku University: Known for its strong emphasis on science and engineering, ranked in the top 100-150 globally.
• Hokkaido University: Ranked in the top 150 globally.

2. Reasonable Tuition Fees

Compared to countries like the US, UK, or Australia, tuition fees in Japan are quite reasonable, and there are many scholarship programs available for international students. This helps alleviate the financial burden when studying abroad in Japan.

• Public Universities: Tuition fees are approximately 535,800 yen per year (~3,600 USD).
• Private Universities: The average tuition fee is around 800,000 - 1,200,000 yen per year (~5,300 - 8,000 USD).
• Colleges and Vocational Schools: Tuition fees range from 600,000 - 1,000,000 yen per year (~4,000 - 6,800 USD).
• Japanese Language Schools: Tuition fees are approximately 500,000 - 800,000 yen per year (~3,400 - 5,400 USD).

3. Excellent Support and Benefits for International Students

The Japanese government and universities provide extensive support for international students, including scholarships, financial aid, and counseling services. Furthermore, Japanese companies highly value international students, offering numerous attractive job opportunities.

Japan is not only an academic destination but also an ideal environment for personal development, both academically and culturally, as well as professionally.

• MEXT Scholarship (Monbukagakusho): This is a Japanese government scholarship that funds international students at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. It covers tuition fees, living expenses, and round-trip airfare.
• JASSO Scholarship: Provides financial assistance to international students, including both partial and full scholarships, to help cover tuition fees and living costs.
• University Scholarships: Many Japanese universities offer scholarships to international students, particularly for those with outstanding academic records. These scholarships may cover 50% to 100% of tuition fees.
• Scholarships from Organizations and Businesses: International organizations and Japanese companies also offer scholarships and financial aid to international students, especially for advanced research or international collaboration.

4. Large International Student Community

Japan has a well-established and vibrant international student community. You will easily find support groups, community activities, and opportunities to interact with students from various countries.

Japan offers many organizations and communities to support international students during their studies and stay:

• JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization): This is an official government organization that provides various services for international students, including information on scholarships, dormitories, study abroad counseling, Japanese language courses, and cultural exchange programs. JASSO also organizes cultural events, career workshops, and helps students integrate into Japanese society.
• International Student Support Offices at Universities: Every Japanese university has dedicated departments or offices to support international students. These offices provide services such as counseling, organizing social and cultural events, visa assistance, job search information, and other aspects of life in Japan.
• International Student Communities at Universities: Japanese universities often have clubs or international student organizations (ISOs) where students can connect, share experiences, learn from one another, and support each other in adapting to Japanese culture. These communities also organize social events, festivals, and meetups to help international students make friends and build networks.

5. Career Opportunities After Graduation

Japan is one of the largest economies in the world, with many international companies headquartered there. Graduates from Japanese universities have the opportunity to work in large companies across various sectors, particularly in technology, engineering, finance, and manufacturing. Here are some major financial companies in Japan:

• Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG): MUFG is one of the largest financial groups in Japan and the world. They offer commercial banking, investment, insurance, and other financial services.
• Nomura Holdings: Nomura is one of the largest investment banks in Japan, providing financial services, including securities trading, investment banking, and asset management.
• Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG): SMFG is one of Japan’s largest financial groups, offering banking, insurance, and financial products for individuals and businesses.

6. Experience a Unique Culture

Japan is a country with a rich and long-standing cultural heritage. Studying here gives you the opportunity to directly experience its traditional values, festivals, arts, cuisine, and vibrant social life, such as:

• Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing): Every year in spring, the Japanese celebrate the cherry blossom festival, a cultural tradition that honors the beauty of nature and life.
• Obon: A festival to honor ancestors, during which the Japanese believe that the spirits of their ancestors return to visit their families. During this time, families hold ceremonies at temples and participate in Bon Odori dance.
• Tanabata: The star festival, based on the legend of the two stars Orihime and Hikoboshi. During this festival, the Japanese write their wishes on paper and hang them on bamboo trees.

7. Safety and Secure Living Environment

Japan is one of the countries with the lowest crime rates in the world. The living environment in Japan is very safe, quiet, and well-organized, allowing students to focus on their studies.

• Violent Crime: Japan has a very low rate of violent crime compared to many other developed countries. Cases involving robbery, domestic violence, or assaults are extremely rare and are handled very strictly.
• Petty Crime: Incidents of theft, such as pickpocketing, handbag snatching, or personal property loss, almost never occur in public areas or on public transportation. Japan has an exceptionally strict and effective security system.
• Police System: Japan has a strong and professional police force, with police stations (koban) located in most urban and rural areas. These stations play a key role not only in crime prevention but also in providing advice to citizens and tourists.
• Strict Legal System: The legal system in Japan is known for being very strict and fair. Criminal acts are typically dealt with quickly and appropriately. To protect community security, penalties for crimes are also very severe.

8. Developed Public Transportation System

Japan has an extremely modern and efficient public transportation system, making it easy for students to travel between cities and reach their study and work destinations with minimal difficulty.

• Shinkansen (Bullet Train): This high-speed train can reach speeds of up to 320 km/h. The Shinkansen connects major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hokkaido, allowing for quick travel between these cities.
• Local and Rapid Trains (JR): JR (Japan Railways) operates local, rapid, and express train lines. The JR network covers almost all areas, from urban centers to rural regions.
• Subway: Major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto have highly developed subway systems. Each city has multiple lines that are well-connected to other forms of transportation.

9. Pioneering in Research and Innovation

Japan is renowned for its strong development in technology, research, and innovation. If you are pursuing studies in the fields of science, engineering, or technology, Japan is an ideal place for learning and research.

• "Society 5.0" Strategy: This is an innovation strategy launched by the Japanese government to transform society into a new model, where digital technologies (IoT, AI, Big Data, etc.) are integrated into all areas of life. Society 5.0 aims to create a "smart society" that combines the physical and digital worlds.
• R&D Policy: The Japanese government has established financial mechanisms to support research, including national research funds and public-private partnership programs. They particularly focus on fields such as information technology, robotics, renewable energy, medicine, and manufacturing industries.
• "Innovation 25" Plan: This is a long-term strategy aimed at building a foundation for innovation, including initiatives such as supporting startups and promotion.