Press Release
Dominance of America Shifts to Drastic Diversification of Destinations.
New Era of Study Abroad Destinations Shown in 2019 JAOS Report.
Overall Outbound Study Abroad Students Increase in Japan-“JAOS 2019 Statistical Report on Japanese Studying Abroad”[Introduction]
JAOS aims to promote the healthy development of the study abroad industry and provide instruction
and guidance to improve and maintain quality of service providers in Japan. JAOS consists of 72
private and public-sector organizations based in Japan. In August 2019, JAOS organized the “JAOS
2019 Survey on the Number of Japanese Studying Abroad”, a data analysis of 42-member education
agencies that provide study abroad services. The survey collected from these 42 organizations
demonstrates the trend of the number of Japanese who used their study abroad support services. The
survey was answered by all of 42-member organizations, and it reported 80,566 students studying
abroad in 2018. The most evident result was the change from the period of American dominance as
study abroad destination, and in addition, the trend demonstrated that study-abroad candidates
chose from a wider variety of destinations.

*Reference attached: Statistics on Study Abroad Destination of Japanese by Country “JAOS 2019
Survey on the Number of Japanese Studying Abroad”[Background of the survey]
Prior to this JAOS survey, most widely publicized statistics on the number of Japanese people
studying abroad were provided by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO)’s “Survey ofJapanese Students Studying Abroad Based on Student Exchange Agreements between universities”,
and from surveys published by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology(MEXT), for example the OECD survey. However, MEXT statistics include only Japanese people whostudy at overseas institutions of higher education such as universities or graduate schools. JASSO
also include only those students who study abroad via Japanese universities. Therefore, the surveys
did not include students who do not use a university program to go abroad, junior high school students
who study abroad, or working adults who go abroad for language learning purposes. These omissions
led JAOS to conduct a new yearly survey of its own to produce statistical data that includes juniorhigh school students and working adults: the “JAOS Survey on the Number of Japanese StudyingAbroad”. Our goal is to paint a more accurate picture of the number of Japanese people studyingabroad and thereby help the study abroad industry develop appropriately.
JAOS used data from this survey and statistics from such groups as JASSO to estimate the numberof outbound Japanese study-abroad students in 2018 to be around 200,000.

*Reference attached: Statistics on Study Purpose of Japanese by Country “JAOS 2019 Survey on theNumber of Japanese Studying Abroad”[JAOS Survey Result at a Glance on Study Abroad Purpose]*JAOS outsourced to a neutral third-party organization to survey 42 JAOS member education
agencies who provide study abroad services to candidly report the number of students they helped
send abroad.
*Survey does not include numbers from non-JAOS member study abroad agencies.

[Study Abroad Trends in 2018]
Most visible sign was America’s continuing decline and losing its dominance as clear front runner ofstudy abroad destination.
The data from JAOS show a three-year declining trend in the number of Japanese students studyingin the U.S. The 2017 JAOS report showed that 17,894 students were studying abroad in America, andthe number continues to decline in 2018 at 17,642. A survey done by the IIE (Institute of InternationalEducation) also shows a decrease in the number of students enrolling in America. One visible sign
could be that the current administration and immigration policy is discouraging professional andcareer minded candidates to move away from the U.S. in fear of not landing a permit to remain tobuild their career upon completion of intended study. The similar trend is found in many major studyabroad student-sending countries.
2) Rise of the Philippines, Malta, and other study abroad destinations
In Japan, the trend of study-abroad from Japan has always been connected with and reported bymedia by the number of students studying in the U.S. However, the decrease in the number ofJapanese students going to America is not an accurate reflection of overall study-abroad market in
Japan these days. On the contrary, the overall number of outbound students is actually increasing inspite of decreasing 18- year old population in Japan, a sign of encouragement in the young generation. .
Simply put, more students are going abroad and choosing locations other than America.
For example, looking at the numbers for Europe show that the UK is in decline, but recently, theMediterranean island of Malta has seen an increase of 30% in students studying there compared tolast year, which is a rapid and significant progress. Ireland has also seen an increase of 30% comparedto the previous year. Some of the students who chose the U.S. may have switched to Canada, aneighbor on the same continent with more flexible immigration policy, which has seen nearly a 10%
increase since last year. In Asia, such countries as the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia arepopular, but especially the Philippines, which overtook the UK as the number four destination lastyear, has seen a 20% increase, and is in its path to overtaking Canada and Australia in the comingyears. Furthermore, reports on the Philippines and Malta also suggest continuing growth inforeseeable future.
3) Study abroad increases as companies demand more practical English ability
The field of study for students going abroad grew the most last year in language training. Several ofJAOS member companies provided their insights to this trend as due to companies having higher andhigher expectations for new-hire to possess English ability at the time of application, and English
proficiency is rapidly becoming as a critical criteria for management-level positions in Japanesecompanies aiming to expand to the global market.

Stemming from this trend, we are seeing an increase in both university students seeking language
training abroad and professionals looking to advance their career opportunities by enhancing theirlanguage ability both on their own and also as company sponsored trainees. Many who study abroadfor a period longer than three months are either university students who take a break from theirstudies, or professionals who put their career to a halt to enhance their career potential andopportunities.
[On JAOS Statistical Survey]
Period: January 1st, 2018 - December 31st, 2018
Surveyed: 42 JAOS member education agencies that provide study abroad services[About JAOS]
Established in 1991, our mission is to promote the healthy development of the study abroad industry
in Japan by establishing ethical best practice guidelines for organizations, educating and training
study abroad counselors and advisors, and engaging in various other promotional activities toincrease awareness of, and further the development of a safe and rewarding environment forJapanese study abroad students.
Recognized by the Japanese government as a General Incorporated Association in 2008, JAOS
membership consists not only of private companies but also includes public organizations such as theAustralian Embassy Marketing Office and the British Council, as well as various trade-relatedassociations. As of 2019, total membership now exceeds 70 organizations. JAOS is also an active
member of the international association FELCA (The Federation of Education and Language
Consultant Associations). By representing Japan through this membership, JAOS is able to educate
and promote Japanese market needs to industry providers and assist them in developing the optimal
study abroad environment for Japanese study abroad students.
[ For more information and inquiry]
Tatsu Hoshino
Executive Secretary, JAOS
hoshino@jaos.or.jp
TEL: +81-3-3269-8446

URL: http://www.jaos.or.jp/top-eng