Internationalization of Japanese higher education in the 1980‘s and early 1990‘s

Abstract

The Japanese response to its recognition that the country‘s economicachievements implied that it should increase its interaction with theworld-wide community is analysed with particular reference to developmentsin the 1980‘s and early 1990‘s. Attention is particularly drawn to thesignificant part played by Japanese government initiatives aimed atincreasing the number of foreign students coming to Japan to study and atfacilitating the employment of foreign nationals as members of faculty inJapanese universities. Curricular developments within Japanese universitiesincluding undergraduate programs with an international flavour intended forJapanese students and the development of several graduate schools with afocus on international development are detailed. Programs on Japaneselanguage and culture, some aimed at Junior Year Abroad students mainly fromthe USA, are noted as well as the steps taken to smooth the path of foreignresearchers seeking to complete doctoral studies in Japan.Inter-governmental and inter-university agreements are described includingprojects aimed at training scientists and other specialists from developingcountries which include training in Japanese institutions. The paperidentifies a complementary movement by foreign institutions, mainly in theUSA (prompted in part by awareness of Japan's mounting trade surplus withthe USA) to establish branches in Japan; it is shown that such developmentswere encouraged by Japanese municipalities, especially those anxious tore-vitalize their communities. The conclusion reviews the whole developmentand adds a note on problems which may lie ahead in the future.