Japan is a country with one foot firmly embedded in East Asian culture, while the other foot is greatly influenced by American and Western culture. Thus, it is a popular choice among the youth, as they can find both cultures in the most unique way. Nowadays, studying abroad is not just about education. It is also about opportunities for lifestyle, exploration, and socializing. Japan has an abundance of such opportunities and magnificent educational institutions. As per past records, the country is safe for students and even has low crime rates. Here is a brief guide for international students who wish to study in Japan:

Language and culture

As we have earlier stated, Japan has an amalgamation of both Asian and western cultures. Therefore, international students living in Japan find it an enthusiastic experience. From the world-famous cherry blossoms of Japan to prominent sports like sumo wrestling, Judo, karate, etc, Japan has an endless checklist in every category. Rice, sushi, soups, etc. are world-famous dishes that originated in Japan. The most prevalent language in Japan is Japanese, spoken by almost 98% of Japanese people, while English is barely spoken by less than 30% of the population. 

Education System 

Like any other country, Japan also offers higher education through universities, colleges, vocational schools, etc. The Japanese education system is known for its peculiarities like equality, quality, and innovation. A bachelor’s degree is four years, a master’s degree is two years, and a doctoral degree can take anywhere from two to four years in Japanese educational institutions. Japanese educational institutions deliver higher education in every discipline at different levels. In Japan, the academic year begins in April and ends in March. Moreover, the Japanese institutions follow a four scale grading scheme: 

A: yū (優) Very Good (80-100%)

B: ryō (良) Good (70-79,99%)

C:  ka (可) Average, Pass (60-69,99%)

F: fuka (不可) Fail (0-59,99%)

Top Universities in Japan

In Japan, students can enroll in courses in either the Japanese language or the English language. The list of the best universities in Japan for international students which teach in the Japanese language is as follows: 

• The University of Tokyo.

• Kyoto University.

• Osaka University.

• Tohoku University.

• Nagoya University.

• Kyushu University.

• Tokyo Institute of Technology.

• University of Tsukuba.

• Hokkaido University

• Waseda University

• Keio University

• Hiroshima University

• Tokyo Metropolitan University

The list of universities in Japan which teach in English are as follows: 

• Sophia University

• Doshisha University

• Meiji Gakuin University

• Musashino University

• Kyoto University of Advanced Science

• International Christian University

• University of Tsukuba

• Shibaura Institute of Technology

• Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ)

Tuition fees and costs 

Japan is a country that offers the same tuition fees for both domestic and overseas students. All public Japanese universities have almost the same fees. The average fee in public universities is around USD 8000 per year along with some minor charges and admission fees in the first year. The private universities charge around USD 15000 per year or more. Similarly, the cost of studying in a Japanese language school cost around USD 7000 per year. The cost of studying at different levels is as follows: 

Undergraduate level – USD 23,000

Postgraduate level – USD 12,000

Doctoral level – USD 5,000

When it comes to living, the cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Sapporo and Yokohama are the most student-friendly cities in Japan. The monthly living expenses for an international student in Japan are USD 1200 which includes tuition fees as well.