Focus on English Proficiency Propels More Japanese Students Abroad

(from ICEF Monitor) The number of outbound students from Japan grew by roughly 15 percent between 2015 and 2016. While many of the 200,000+ visiting students in 2016 were enrolled in short-term language programs, high school programs attracted some 15,220 students. Much of the trend is attributed to a growing emphasis on English-language proficiency as part of a national strategy to become more globalized. As a result, more high school stuents are heading west, often with their parents, in hopes of doing well enough on standardized tests to gain admission to overseas universities.

The U.S. is the most popular destination for Japanese students, followed by Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. 

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