International Students in Japan Exceed 400,000, Reaching 2033 Goal Early

According to the latest statistics released by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) on the 29th, the number of international students in Japan reached 408,069 in the 2025 academic year, surpassing 400,000 for the first time. This marks the achievement of the government's 2033 goal eight years ahead of schedule. The increase is particularly notable among students from Nepal and Myanmar, who are primarily enrolled in vocational schools and Japanese language institutions. Meanwhile, the number of Japanese students studying abroad remains stagnant due to the weak yen and rising living costs, leaving challenges for the government to meet its outbound goals.