News1: The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Announces Case Examples of Japanese Education

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology recently announced case examples of three universities (including graduate schools) in regards to “efforts pertaining to Japanese education targeting foreign students.” Osaka University has developed the “business Japanese” curriculum together with Communica Institute, a Japanese language school. They are working on efforts that nurture Japanese communication skills allowing high-level discussions and negotiations for creative human “bridge” resources.

 

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (In Japanese Only)

 

News 2: International Students Interact with Young Police Officers

A networking event for international students of Utsunomiya University and young local police officers of Utsunomiya Higashi Police Station was recently held at the said university’s International Student Center (Utsunomiya City, Tochigi-ken). This event was attended by approximately 40 international students from such countries as China, Korea, and the U.S. as well as 15 police officers. It was organized by the said police station to nurture young police officers who have many opportunities to interact with foreigners so that concerns of the international students who just arrived in Japan could be alleviated.

 

News 3: Increase in the Number of International Students Training to Become Sushi Chefs

Tthe number of foreigners studying in Japan for Sushi training is on the rise. “Tokyo Sushi Academy,” the only school in Japan that trains Sushi chefs, began offering courses taught in English from last year. Since there are more foreigners these days wishing to study the technique of authentic Japanese Edo-mae Sushi, such programs as Sushi Chef Course (1 year) and Edo-mae Sushi Diploma Course (intensive course for those on tourist visa) are offered.

Tokyo Sushi Academy

 

News 4: China Aims to Accept 500,000 International Students Annually

While Japan aims to accept 300,000 international students from abroad by 2020, China says that they would like to welcome a total of 500,000 international students by the same year. According to the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, the country began accepting international students from abroad in 1950. Since then, the total number of such students over 60 years has reached to 1.69 million. Currently, there are approximately 240,000 students from about 190 nations/regions studying in China.

 

News 5: BJT to be Discontinued in November

The Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation that sponsors the Business Japanese Proficiency Test (BJT) announced that the said test will be discontinued from the year 2011. November 21 will be the last time it will be held. When it may be resumed is yet to be decided.

Business Japanese Proficiency Test (BJT)

 

 

 

 

News 6: Notice of Holding the Project for Establishing Core Universities for Internationalization (Global 30) Study in Japan Seminar

Study in Japan Seminar will be jointly held by universities adopted by the Project for Establishing Core Universities for Internationalization (Global 30). The said seminar will be attended by many prestigious universities. Participants can acquire useful information pertaining to studying in Japan. Details are as follows: (1) demonstration lectures by professors of prestigious universities adopted by Global 30, (2) brief introduction of respective universities, (3) one-on-one talk with persons in charge of respective universities, etc. As for the schedule of this event, it will be held in Delhi, India (January 28, 2011), Bangalore, India (January 30, 2011), and Bangkok, Thailand (February 1, 2011). Refer to the website below for more information:

Jump to Project for Establishing Core Universities for Internationalization (Global 30) website

 

 

News 7:Ringing in the Japanese New Year with Friends of the World

The National Institution for Youth Education will hold the Ringing in the Japanese New Year with Friends of the World event at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center from 1:00 p.m. on December 30, 2010 to 12:00 p.m. on January 2, 2011 (four days and three nights) to foster greater exchanges between international and Japanese students as well as an understanding of Japanese culture while allowing them to experience Japanese New Year's events and culture. Admission is 3,000 yen, which includes accommodation fee three breakfasts, one lunch and three dinners. Details will be published on the National Institution for Youth Education website on Monday, November 15 (http://www.niye.go.jp/), so check there and then become an active participant. (For inquiries, call the International Affairs and Training Support Division at 03-6407-7751.)

 

 

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News1: First Project for Establishing Core Universities for Internationalization (Global 30) University-Business Joint Forum Held

The 1st Project for Establishing Core Universities for Internationalization (Global 30) University-Business Joint Forum was held on August 2nd in the International Conference Hall of the Keidanren Kaikan, where 370 attendees including business people and academia joined. The Project for Establishing Core Universities for Internationalization is supported by the Japanese government to provide an attractive standard of education for foreign students in order to strengthen the international competitiveness of Japanese universities. On the day of the forum, lectures and panel discussions were held under the general theme of “Globalization of Society and Developing International Talent.” Keynote speaker Kunio Ishihara (Co-Chairman of the Committee on Education and Human Resources Development, Nippon Keidanren and Chairman of Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd.) spoke passionately of his expectations for today’s youth, saying, “The global talent sought after in the business world are those who can come up with new innovations and ideas while society undergoes drastic changes.”

 

The Project for Establishing Core Universities for Internationalization (Global 30) University-Business Joint Forum

 

News 2: Info Guidance Fairs for Foreign Students Held

On both July 11th (Tokyo) and 18th (Osaka), the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) held its annual Info Guidance Fairs for Foreign Students. There were 3,894 attendees in Tokyo and 1,309 in Osaka. Universities, Japanese language schools and other organizations set up booths at each event, where they had notices on posters and handed out school brochures, application information and more. In addition, each participating institution held one-on-one consultations on curriculum content, entrance examinations and more.

 

2010 Info Guidance Fairs for Foreign Students  (In Japanese Only)

News 3: More International Students Getting Hired

A Kyodo News survey found that Uniqlo operator Fast Retailing, convenience store chain Lawson and online shopping company Rakuten are considering having 20% to 50% of college graduates hired as employees in fiscal 2011 be non-Japanese, mainly from Asia. As domestic demand continues to stagnate, Japanese companies are strengthening their strategies in Asian markets. They are accelerating measures regarding personnel and moving forward with hiring people like students from Asian countries and elsewhere who are studying at Japanese universities.

 

 

News 4: JTB Opening Office for International Students in Beijing

 

In response to the government’s 300,000 International Students Plan, major travel agency JTB will open an office for the Japan Council Study in Japan (JCSIJ) in September, taking advantage of the company group’s network of overseas locations. The office will instill an awareness of Japan as a study abroad destination among Chinese students and promote the features of Japanese universities. For local students it will have a space to collect information on studying in Japan and a study abroad consultation corner while providing information on behalf of Japanese universities.

 

JTB (Group Site)

 

News 5: International Students Study Hiroshima

A study session was held by international students attending high school in the city of Kyoto to discuss war and peace. Attending the session were Asian and European students who came to Japan this past March. In June they visited Hiroshima and toured sites including the Peace Memorial Hall. At the study session they listened attentively to a former newspaper journalist who was there when the bomb was dropped and then expressed their impressions in Japanese. An Indonesian student said, “I want to tell the Japanese about Indonesia and Indonesians about Japan so that both our countries can have peace.”

 

 

News 6: International Students Working on Chinese Tourists’ “Golden Route”

With the relaxation of conditions for issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens that began on July 1st of this year, more Chinese tourists are visiting large consumer electronics retailers, discount stores and other shops. The week of October 1st through 7th, during which the National Day of the People’s Republic of China occurs, is expected to be even busier. The “Golden Route” is popular among Chinese tourists, who enter Japan through Kansai or Kyushu to visit sightseeing spots, head east and then finally enjoy some shopping in Tokyo before departing for home from Narita. Chinese students in Japan are among those working as volunteer guides in each area.

 

 

 

 

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News 1: First Foreign Full-Time Employee in Toyoda – Former International Student from Brazil

In April, the first foreign full-time employee began working in Toyoda, Aichi Prefecture. The city is known for its many South Americans of Japanese descent. The new hire, 24-year-old Hiromi Gilleur Nakasone, came to Japan in 2000 with her parents. Ms. Nakasone took a Japanese language course at Aichi University, entered the university as a full-time student and graduated in March of this year.

 

 

News 2: Companies Interested in Hiroshima University International Student Internships

Internships under the Hiroshima University Study Abroad (HUSA) program, which began in the spring of 2003, have been attracting the attention of companies in Hiroshima Prefecture. According to a survey conducted by Associate Professor Naomi Tsunematsu of the International Student Center , nearly 60% of companies who are members of the Hiroshima Keizai Doyukai (an association of businesses in the prefecture) are reportedly interested in the program. Among the program’s merits cited by companies accepting interns are “interaction with a local university and foreigners” and “revitalizing the workplace.”

Hiroshima University

News 3: Kyoto Bank Employees Learning Languages from International Students

At the Kyoto Bank Financial Academy , established by Kyoto Bank, a trial has begun in which international students are helping bank employees learn languages. Kyoto Bank is providing employee dorms to international students attending Kyoto University, and in exchange the students are teaching languages (English, Chinese and Korean). As the academy was established in April 2010 to train financial experts and cultivate talent that will support the tourist city of Kyoto, it is also working to teach bank employees languages.

Kyoto Bank Financial Academy (PDF, Japanese only)

News 4: International Students Design “Historical and Cultural Walking Map”

In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Sakyo Ward’s establishment in Kyoto, the ward has begun distributing a “historical and cultural Sakyo walking map by international students.” The map was mainly designed by international students attending university in the ward. It is a never-before-seen map edited from a foreigner’s perspective, highlighting aspects such as “pop culture” and “international student’s favorite shops.” The map can be obtained at the Kyoto International Community House (Sakyo Ward), the Kyoto Station tourist information center (Kyoto SGG) and elsewhere, and a downloadable version is available at the Sakyo Ward Office website.

Sakyo Ward Office (Japanese only)

 

News 5: Integration of “College Student” and “Pre-College Student” Residence Statuses

The “College Student” and “Pre-College Student” residence statuses will be integrated as of July 1st. The residence status for students attending Japanese language schools had been “Pre-College Student,” but now they will be given the “College Student” classification. The number of “foreign students ” is expected to rise by about 40,000 people, bringing the total to over 170,000. Students currently holding the “Pre-College Student” residence status who continue to study in Japan do not need to change to the “College Student” status.
(Reference) Number of foreign students: 132,720 (as of May 1, 2009; JASSO survey)

“Changes to the Immigration Control Act!”

 

 

 

 

 

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News 1: International Students Join in Tokyo International Anime Fair

Tokyo International Anime Fair 2010 was held recently over four days, bringing together about 130,000 attendees. This year was the ninth time the event has been put on. Over 250 anime-related companies and organizations from Japan and abroad, including anime production companies, TV and movie studios and toy and software companies, gathered in one hall. There were also several visitors from overseas who came to the venue. We saw a Korean student who attends a national university checking out what there was to see at every booth because, as she said, “I want to learn about cutting-edge Japanese technology and set up a company in Korea in the future.”

Tokyo International Anime Fair

 

 

News 2: Chinese Students Propose “Business Startup Assistance”
Eight Chinese students studying at a Japanese language school in Osaka have compiled a book with research on government support networks for and differences in how Japanese and non-Japanese people think about establishing companies, and have submitted the text to the Department of Commerce, Industry and Labor. The book proposes, “If Osaka Prefecture enacts policies offering favorable treatment to non-Japanese establishing companies, many more international students will come to Osaka and help revitalize its economy.”

 

 

News 3: Vietnamese Student Crowned Miss Beppu

The judges have made their picks and announced the results of this year’s Miss Beppu contest. Ton Diep Nhat Trang, a third-year Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) student from Vietnam, and a 23-year-old company employee were selected. Ms. Ton is the first foreign national to be crowned Ms. Beppu. She will hold the title for two years.

APU

 

 

News 4: 25-Year-Old Estonian Sumo Wrestler Baruto Becomes Ozeki

Baruto Kaito, a member of the Oguruma Stable, was promoted to the rank of ozeki for his excellent 14-1 record at the March Grand Sumo Tournament. When he greeted the messenger delivering his promotion, Baruto stated, “I humbly accept. I will devote myself to my training and endeavor not to sully the honor of my position.” Former yokozuna Asashoryu retired upon accepting responsibility for an assault in February, so Hakuho is now the only yokozuna and he needs a strong wrestler worthy to be his rival.

 

 

News 5: Forum on Assistance for Foreign Residents Entering Rented Housing

The Japan Property Management Association will hold the Practical Seminar on Foreign Resident Employment and Housing Assistance on May 11 for real estate companies with the purpose of helping foreign residents move into rented housing. The seminar will include a lecture regarding “selecting housing for international students and the current situation,” as well as teach participants techniques for handling foreign residents and provide information on how to handle hiring foreign residents in actual situations and more.
Japan Property Management Association, International Exchange Committee

 

 

 

 

 

 

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News 1: Earthquake orphans conduct emergency fund-raiser for orphans of the Haitian earthquake

In January, an emergency fund-raiser was held on the sidewalks of Tokyo and Kobe to benefit children who had been orphaned by the Haitian earthquake. Orphans of the Great Hanshin Earthquake, the Asian Tsunami, and other students that have received support from the orphan support organization ASHINAGA took to the streets to garner support.

ASHINAGA

 

 

News 2: Hosting of "Japan Year 2010 in Turkey"
2010 marks the 120th anniversary of the beginning of the friendship between Japan and Turkey. The relationship developed from the visit to Japan of the Ottoman frigate Ertugrul and its subsequent shipwreck on its return trip, and the efforts to rescue its crew by Japanese villagers. To commemorate those events, a wide range of exchange activities are planned to be held in Turkey.

Japan Year 2010 in Turkey

 

 

News 3: A record 130,000 international students in Japan

According to the statistics gathered by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) last December, there were a record 132,720 international students attending universities, junior colleges, and professional training colleges in Japan as of May 1, 2009. This is an increase of 8,891 (7.2%) over the previous year. The home countries and regions that had the largest representation of international students were China, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Malaysia, in that order.

International Students in Japan 2009 (JASSO)

 

 

News 4: Introducing the results of research to an overseas audience through foreign-language comic books

Last December, Kyoto University published English, Chinese, and Korean versions of its comic book MANGA Kyoto University. The manga (comic book) describes the results of research, etc., conducted at the university in an easy-to-understand manner. It is posted on the Internet and will be distributed to a variety of organizations, including partner universities, overseas diplomatic facilities, and the university's overseas offices.

Kyoto University :Reference Page (In Japanese Only)

Kyoto University Research Information Repository

 

 

News 5: Former international student appointed to be the next Chinese ambassador to Japan 

In January, the Chinese government made the decision to appoint Cheng Yonghua as its next ambassador to Japan, and submitted a request for approval to the Japanese government. Mr. Cheng is a former international student who studied at Soka University. With approximately 15 years of experience working in Japan, Mr. Cheng is fluent in Japanese and is a diplomat that is well-versed in Japan. He has a wide range of personal connections in business and government in Japan, and is expected to be highly effective.

 

News 6: China's younger generation has a more favorable view of Japan

In a survey conducted last December by the Chinese newspaper Global Times, 12.3% of surveyed individuals between 15 and 20 years old selected "Japan" as their "favorite country," higher than any other country. It is believed that this has resulted from the significant popularity in China of animation, fashion, music, and other elements of Japanese youth culture. In second place were France and the United States, followed in order by South Korea and England.

 

 

News 7: "College Student" and "Pre-college Student" residence statuses consolidated as "College Student" beginning July 1

The consolidation of the “College Student” and “Pre-college Student” residence statuses as “College Student” in accordance with the revision of the Immigration Law that was covered in Japan Alumni eNews No. 14 will take effect on July 1.

The Immigration Bureau Office, the Ministry of Justice of Japan

 

 

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News 1: International student-turned-physician receives the Renato Prize 

Dr. Moazzem Hossain, a physician in Bangladesh and a former international student at the Nagoya University School of Medicine, received the Stefani Renato Prize in October. The prize is given to groups and individuals that have persevered in aiding the socially vulnerable. Dr. Hossain is the first foreigner to receive the prize. After returning to Bangladesh, Dr. Hossain has opened a hospital under the support of the Japan Bangladesh Co-operative Society based in Japan. He provides free medical care to poor children, conducts volunteer medical activities in slums and, drawing on his own experience, has established a scholarship program for medical students.

Nagoya NGO Center (In Japanese Only)

News 2: Former international student obtains disaster prevention certification in Japan 

In September, Matthew Lindley, a US citizen, became the first westerner to obtain a disaster prevention certification in Japan. Mr. Lindley enrolled in Tokyo International University (TIU) as an international student, and has gone on to work at the same university’s International Exchange Section. The disaster prevention certification is a private qualification issued by the Japan Bousaisi Organization, a non-profit group. Mr. Lindley’s plans include translating the disaster prevention map at the TIU Disaster Response Group.

 

 

News 3: Event held in India to recruit students to Japan

An event to recruit international students to Fukuoka Prefecture was held November in India’s National Capital Territory of Delhi. The participants were Kyushu University, the Kyushu Institute of Technology, and three prefectural Japanese language schools. Out of all the municipalities in Japan, Fukuoka is the first to host a student recruitment event in India.

Fukuoka Prefecture (In Japanese Only)

 

 

 

News 4: Former international students receive the Autumn Conferment of Decoration

The following two former international students, along with 61 other foreigners, received the 2009 Autumn Conferment of Decoration, at a ceremony held each year on November 3: Mr. Chatchai Khumsap, former president of the Old Japan Students’ Association, Thailand (OJSAT), received an Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette; Dr. Chin Yam Chin, president of the Brunei Association of Japan Alumni (BAJA) received an Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays.

(Reference Page: In Japanese Only)

 

 

News 5: JTB to aid Japanese universities attracting international students

Travel agency giant JTB is set to open Japan Council Study in Japan offices in seven Asian cities including Beijing and Seoul in September 2010. The offices will support Japanese universities in a wide range of activities aimed at local students, such as briefing sessions and examinations. JTB plans to open offices in 14 more cities across the globe in 2011.
JTB Press Release (In Japanese Only)

 

 

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