Page 12 - ELG2408 August Issue 491

NEWS FEATURE .

J-MIRAI

The grand concept of Japanese international education.

apan is currently facing Further internationalisation to
significant challenges, Japanese education was the focus
particularly in enhancing of the second recommendations
Jits human resources to from the CCFE, finalised in
adapt to rapid technological September 2023, and dubbed
advancements. J-MIRAI (Japan-Mobility and
Following the economic bubble Internationalisation: Re-engaging
burst, Japan endured years of and Acceleration Initiative for
deflation, often referred to as Future Generations).
the ‘lost twenty years’. During J-MIRAI holds particular
this time, the causes of long- significance for international
term stagnation were vigorously education stakeholders in Japan,
debated, but recently, many have outlining ambitious targets for
attributed this stagnation to international human resource
insufficient investment in human development:
resources. By 2033, Japan aims to increase
To address these issues, the inbound international students to
Japanese government launched 400,000 and outbound students
the Council for the Creation to 500,000. They also aim to
of Future Education (CCFE) promote internationalisation in
in December 2021, chaired by education through the expansion
Prime Minister Kishida. By May of English-taught courses and
2022, CCFE had formulated its dual degree programs with partner
initial recommendations, and universities abroad.
in its the fourth meeting, Prime However, achieving these targets
Minister Kishida underscored is being met with challenges, such
the importance of increasing as the depreciation of the Japanese
investment to develop and secure Yen, alongside high travel costs,
highly skilled human resources; which dampen the motivation
not just domestically, but globally. of young people to study abroad.
The Council’s first Additionally, the governmental
recommendations were budget is limited, meaning Japanese
comprehensive and well-received educational institutions are required
in Japanese society. They to work with their international
emphasised the need to foster partners in order to enhance the
talent with universal knowledge international experience through
and skills that transcend collaborative programmes, and save
disciplinary boundaries, and to costs through reciprocal exchange
encourage more female students to programs.
pursue STEM fields. Additionally, Japanese universities also need
the Council recommended to work with private institutions;
increasing the number of Master’s the Ministry of Education, Culture,
and Doctoral graduates in society. Sports, Science and Technology
However, many stakeholders in (MEXT), through the Japan
Japanese international education Student Services Organization Through collaboration with
found these recommendations (JASSO), has endeavoured to the domestic or international Professor Mori
inadequate; they lacked specific enhance scholarship systems for tourism industry, universities was Vice President
government policy directions studying abroad. Initiatives like can educate young people to for International
related to international education. the ‘Tobitate! Ryuugaku Japan effectively promote their local Relations and
Over the past two decades, the program’ have been launched, areas and develop tourism there. Director General of
Japanese government has actively gathering private donations International students can also the Organisation
promoted the internationalisation totalling ¥652 million (~£3 work in tourism and contribute for Promotion of International
of higher education, exemplified million) in 2022 to support study to creating attractive programs for Relations (OPIR) of Kyoto
by initiatives like the ‘Global abroad scholarships. international tourists. University from 2009 to 2016.
30’ project, launched in 2009, Universities could also work The future of Japanese society From 2016 to 2018, he was
with the aim of attracting with various industries such rests on its youth—those involved Professor at Danang University,
300,000 international students as inbound tourism. Inbound in international education in Vietnam and from 2018 to 2021
by 2020. Numerous universities tourism is becoming increasingly Japan are dedicated to enabling
received government support popular in Japan, with many local both Japanese and international he taught at Kyoto Tachibana
for internationalisation projects, authorities trying to attract more youth to gain enriching global University, Japan. He is a
resulting in the number of international guests. However, experiences. We welcome marathon runner and also a
international students reaching they often lack the proper human ideas and suggestions from our painter.
310,000 by 2019. resources to do so. international partners.
12 August 2024