The Japanese government will create national information center (NIC) to increase the chances of students to study abroad

The government plans to create a database of Japanese universities and students’ academic credentials in English, so that foreign universities and companies can access them in 2019.

Currently, foreign universities individually make inquiries about Japanese student applicants, for example, confirmation that one graduated from the university and one’s qualifications. The initiative will make the process of obtaining information for overseas HEIs easier and as a result encourages them accept more Japanese students.

The database will include information in English on the names of domestic higher education institutions, undergraduate or postgraduate courses in Japan and academic degrees. Additionally, it will include other academic qualifications such as “tanki-daigakushi” associate degrees, given to those graduating from junior colleges, and “jun-gakushi” associate titles which are awarded to those graduating from specialized vocational high schools.

Statistically significant decline in the number of Japanese students going abroad can be observed in the recent decade, from 83 000 in 2004 to 56 000 in 2016, the Japanese newspaper The Yomiuri Shimbun reported.

The students of Japanese universities independently choose a foreign language to study. That is why, several activities are aimed at promoting the Russian language and culture.