＜Release Title＞
Study Abroad seekers among Japanese more than doubled in 2023, recovering to 83% of
Pre-Covid 2019. Study Abroad from Japan to Asia hits all time high.
~JAOS Annual Survey ~Study Abroad Numbers by Japanese in 2023
＜Summary Text＞
JAOS comprises 64 organizations, including private education agents and overseas
government agencies, to promote the healthy growth of study abroad businesses andstudy abroad programs in Japan. In April 2024, JAOS conducted its annual survey toresearch the volume of Japanese students studying abroad targeting 40 education agent
members of JAOS., with the results compiled into the "JAOS Survey Report 2023”. As aresult, it was found that the total number of study abroad students for the year 2023
from the 40 member companies of JAOS was 66,007 (including online study abroad).
Offline study abroad has recovered to 83% of the pre-COVID 2019 levels, a 218% increase
compared to the previous year. Particularly noteworthy is the number of Japanese study
abroad students to Asian regions such as the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, andKorea, which has reached 112% of the pre-COVID 2019 levels, surpassing those ofEurope, North America, and Oceania, which have not yet exceeded their 2019 figures.
※ Survey are conducted to 40 full membership organizations of JAOS.

"Survey of Japanese Study Abroad Students by JAOS in 2023"

※ Number of Japanese Study Abroad Students by Study Abroad Destination Purpose"JAOS Survey Report 2023”

【Survey Background】
In 2023, the Kishida Cabinet declared to increase the number of Japanese students goingabroad to 500,000 by 2033. While there are surveys on the number of Japanese overseas
students conducted by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) and theMinistry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology based on OECD dataand others, these surveys only measure the number of Japanese students studying atoverseas universities, graduate schools, etc., or the number of students studying abroad
through domestic universities in Japan through their exchange programs. "JAOS Survey
Report 2023” provides statistical data on the number of study abroad students, including
adults, and junior and senior high school students. The aim is to clarify the number ofJapanese study abroad students more accurately.

※ Number of Japanese Study Abroad Students by Offline Study Abroad Destination
Country "JAOS Survey Report 2023”

※ Number of Japanese Study Abroad Students by Online Study Abroad Destination
Country "JAOS Survey Report 2023”

【Summary of Survey Results】
This study abroad student numbers for 2023 from the 40 member study abroad
companies of JAOS were collected by a third-party organization. The numbers for nonmember study abroad companies are not included.
1. Recovery of traditional offline study abroad numbers to 83% compared to 2019. An
increase of 218% compared to the previous year.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the number of Japanese study abroad
students decreased significantly. However, with many study destinations reopening theirdoors to international students in 2022, the number of Japanese study abroad students
has begun to recover. According to the latest JAOS statistical survey, it was found thatthe number of traditional offline study abroad students in 2023 has recovered to 83%
compared to 2019. This represents a 218% increase compared to the previous year. While
offline study abroad is on the rise, the number of Japanese students taking online study
abroad courses has decreased significantly from 4,799 in the previous year to 1,568, downfrom approximately 10,000 in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. The top three destinations for Japanese study abroad students are the United States,Australia, and Canada.
In traditional offline study abroad, the United States remains the top destination, with
14,444 students accounting for 22.4% of the total, surpassing Australia, which wassecond with 19% and 12,221 students. This is believed to be due to the full-scale
resumption of school-organized study abroad programs in Japan in 2023. The choice ofstudy abroad destinations for study abroad programs at Japanese high schools anduniversities is overwhelmingly in favor of the United States. Meanwhile, Canada, which
was the top destination for Japanese students in 2022, fell to third place in 2023 with
9,485 students, accounting for 14.7% of the total. The fourth and fifth places are theUnited Kingdom (10.7%, 6,903 students) and the Philippines (9.0%, 5,792 students),
respectively.
3. Rapid increase in study abroad to Asia. Surpassing 2019 levels as the only region.
Looking at the number of Japanese study abroad students by region - Asia, Europe,North America, and Oceania - in 2023, Asia ranks third with 14,012 students, following
North America (23,929) and Oceania (17,133). However, in terms of the ratio compared
to 2019, while North America is at 75%, Oceania at 72%, and Europe at 96%, Asia is at112%, surpassing the 2019 figures. This can be attributed to factors such as thedepreciation of the yen, high cost of living, leading to a shift towards affordable study
abroad options in Asia, and an increase in study abroad programs to Asia by domesticuniversities.
4. Notable study abroad destinations include Korea, Malaysia, and Taiwan.
In 2023, notable study abroad destinations include Korea, which has rapidly improved
its relations with Japan since last year and has gained global attention through K-POP,
K-dramas, and movies. Additionally, Malaysia and Taiwan, which have been known as
new destinations for Japanese students to study abroad for degree programs due to thedepreciation of the yen and inflation in countries like the United States and Australia,
have also increased in popularity. Korea saw an increase from 1,605 Japanese study
abroad students in 2019 to 2,486 in 2023. Malaysia saw a rapid increase from 481 in2019 to 893 in 2023, while Taiwan, which was slow to recover from the COVID-19
pandemic, had almost the same number of students studying abroad as before thepandemic, with 1,191 in 2023 (a 251% increase from the previous year). It is worth notingthat while most study abroad in Korea is for language learning purposes, the proportionof university degree study abroad is very high in Malaysia and Taiwan.
【Future Prospects for Japanese Study Abroad Students】
Following the decision of the Kishida Cabinet last year, the goal of the government toincrease the number of Japanese students studying abroad to 500,000 by 2033 has
become one of the government's key goals.
According to government documents, with the number of Japanese study abroadstudents at 220,000 as of 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic, the 500K target aims tomore than double the number of Japanese study abroad students in about 10 years, ahighly ambitious goal for the 2033 target.
In this context, the Japan Association of Overseas Studies (JAOS) has summarized thefuture prospects for Japanese study abroad students as follows.
1. Despite the depreciation of the yen and high cost of living overseas, Japanese study
abroad students are expected to continue its growth.
Due to historical depreciation of the yen and high cost of living in advanced countries,
the cost of studying abroad has increased. However, in 2023, Japanese study abroad
students increased by 218% compared to the previous year. This upward trend isexpected to continue beyond 2024. The reasons for this are believed to be (1) thegovernment's push to promote study abroad in order to achieve the 2033 500K target,along with an increase in budgetary allocations, (2) an increase in support for study
abroad costs through scholarships and support for university and high school-organized
study abroad programs, (3) Due to the industry needs in future major projects such as
the Osaka Expo 2025, the integrated resorts (IR) scheduled to open in 2030, and theentry of foreign hotel chains into Japan in anticipation of inbound demand, there is ahigh demand for highly specialized global talent, and (4) an increase in the choice ofstudy abroad destinations to affordable options such as the Philippines, Malaysia,Taiwan, Korea, and Malta.
2. The value of study abroad experiences will increase in the AI era, as real-world
experiences become more valuable.
The latest models of Samsung smartphones feature translation AI functions, supporting
conversations with foreigners. In the future, AI will likely eliminate language barriers
that have existed until now. Furthermore, information and knowledge from overseas will
be easily accessible in Japanese using AI while in Japan. In this context, questions areoften asked about the necessity of going abroad to study. Study abroad is not simply ameans of acquiring language skills or academic knowledge. It is an experience of living
in a foreign country, learning from new culture and relationships firsthand. Experiences
and knowledge gained from such real-world experiences cannot be replaced by AI.
Therefore, the study abroad experiences will be much more highly valued than everbefore.
3. The critical role of study abroad agencies in achieving 2023 500K target.
The government's target of increasing the number of Japanese study abroad students to500,000 is a very aggressive and ambitious goal, more than double the number ofJapanese study abroad students before COVID-19. While various policy proposals havebeen included in the recommendations of the Education Future Creation Council for over
30 years, the study abroad agencies, the largest promoters of study abroad activities inJapan, have actually actively promoted study abroad on a daily basis during those 30years. JAOS member study abroad agencies alone sent approximately 80,000 students
abroad in 2019. Additionally, many study abroad agencies are involved in the planningand operation of study abroad programs at domestic universities and high schools, withexpertise in crisis management and knowledge of overseas study conditions. Moving
forward, the government is expected to actively involve study abroad agencies, theprofessionals in promoting and realizing study abroad opportunities for next generation
global talent, to successfully fulfill the 2033 500K target.

【Summary of Survey Overview】
Period: January to December 2023
Survey Subjects: 40 JAOS-member education agent organizations■ 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 fororganizations, educating and training study abroad counselors and advisors, andengaging in various other promotional activities to increase awareness of, and further
the development of a safe and rewarding environment for Japanese study abroadstudents.
Recognized by the Japanese government as a General Incorporated Association in 2008,
JAOS membership consists not only of private companies but also includes publicorganizations such as the Australian Embassy Marketing Office and the British Council,
as well as various trade-related associations. As of 2019, total membership now exceeds
60 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