The Japan Association of Overseas Students (JAOS) has released new 2024 data revealing the recovery of outbound study abroad to near pre-pandemic levels, based on a survey of 39 member organisations conducted in April 2025.
According to the findings, the number of students sent abroad in 2024 by JAOS members totalled 70,253. The figures show an increase of 4,246 from the previous year – reaching 90% of 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
For the first time the survey included study tours organised by junior and senior high schools or local governments, which accounted for 22% of the total number of study abroad participants.
This reflects growing efforts by schools and municipalities to promote global education.
It comes as Japan is pursuing an ambitious internationalisation strategy, with JAOS executive secretary, Tatsu Hoshino, highlighting the government’s goal of increasing the number of Japanese students studying abroad to 500,000 by 2033.
According to Hoshino, expanding the study tour sector is the most “reliable and feasible strategy” to achieving the government plans, pointing to the work of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in doing so.
“The MEXT, which is leading the implementation of the 500,000-student initiative, oversees junior high schools, high schools, and universities in Japan, making it relatively easy to influence these institutions. The government’s move to increase subsidies for students participating in study tours through their schools is evidence of this approach,” said Hoshino.
The data showed a decline in study abroad to the US which lost its top spot, moving to second place, while Australia saw an increase of about 4,300 students, making it the top destination for Japanese study abroad students. Canada remained third, followed by the UK. While Canada’s numbers slightly decreased, the UK saw an increase of about 1,300 students, the research showed.
Asian countries such as the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea have exceeded their 2019 levels, while regions like Oceania and North America have yet to fully rebound.
Hoshino highlighted an expected increase in Japanese students’ outbound mobility to Asian countries and a notable example of English language study tours in the Philippines.
“Over the past decade, the number of Japanese students studying English in the Philippines has been steadily increasing. Initially, only a limited number of early adopters chose to study there, but as more Japanese began operating English language schools locally, the overall image of studying in the Philippines improved significantly, leading to a sharp rise in student numbers,” he said.
“Today, even more conservative institutions such as Japanese high schools and universities are actively incorporating study abroad programs in the Philippines. Programs like parent-child study abroad and summer camps in the Philippines are also gaining popularity. This trend is expected to continue growing,” Hoshino predicted.
The data also pointed to increasing interest in students pursuing undergraduate degrees overseas, with the US proving most popular despite decreasing interest, followed by Australia.
Hoshino commented: “Malaysia and Taiwan are drawing increasing attention as destinations for Japanese high school students seeking to pursue university education abroad. Traditionally, the US dominated this sector, and Australia had also been popular in recent years.
“However, with the yen’s depreciation and global inflation driving up the cost of studying abroad, more students are turning to Malaysia and Taiwan, where national policies actively promote the recruitment of international students, and where education is more affordable.”