Japan is an important market for U.S. schools that would like to recruit more international students. Japanese students learn about opportunities to study abroad through Study USA fairs, the Internet and media, and study abroad agents.
Study abroad agencies play an important role in this market. To assist U.S. schools and programs, CS Japan can introduce you to appropriate agents through our Gold Key Service (GKS).
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
(for full report, please access our Market Research Library )
New Student Loan - NEW!!
A non-profit organization, the Japan Scholarship Foundation,
which was founded in 1943, and is run with funding from the
central government, has been in charge of implementation of low
interest student loans. These loans have been only available to
those who enroll in high schools, colleges and universities in
Japan. This organization will be reformed into a new
organization, “Nihon Gakusei Shien Kikou” in March 2004, and will
take over the student loan services and possibly expand it to
studies abroad. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology in Japan (MEXT) has submitted this plan
for reform and $11 million fund for legislation, and it is
expected to pass the Diet in March 2004. If this new plan is
approved, Japanese students will be able to avail themselves of a
low-interest loan to study abroad starting in April 2004.
Japan's "Silver" Market
Japanese society is aging quickly. One fourth of the population
of 127.5 million will be 65 years or older in the year 2015, or
possibly earlier, compounded by ever-shrinking birth rates of
recent years (1.3 level). The retirement age in general is 60,
and company employees and civil service personnel usually receive
a lump sum retirement payment accrued over nearly 40 years of
service. Under the current pension system, senior citizens, who
are called "Silvers,・have good disposable income. These senior
citizens have time and money to spend to lead an enjoyable life
ahead. The potential of the "Silver" market, has attracted a lot
of attention as a big prospective market for home care products,
nursing homes, and hospital products. Yet the needs of the senior
citizens in good health who are looking for enjoyment of life
have been attracting surprisingly little attention. Senior
citizens in their 60s and 70s have a variety of interests, and
many express interest in travel including overseas travel. Many
are also interested in study abroad programs. This short briefs
about the major potential of Japanese market for elderly citizens
with focus on travel/study abroad markets.
2-Year College Market for U.S. Schools
Recently, the number of the Japanese students who wish to enroll
in U.S. colleges straight from Japanese schools is increasing.
Japanese students・interest in studying in colleges in the U.S. is
strong, but the Japanese high school seniors・English proficiency
level is not good enough to enroll in most of the 4-year U.S.
universities. Japanese student/parents and the study abroad
industry have become aware of the merits of U.S. 2-year colleges
where the required TOEFL score is generally lower than that for
4-year colleges, and where the tuition and living expenses are
often not more than what would cost them for college education in
Japan. There is rapidly growing market for U.S. 2-year colleges,
especially for those with transfer programs.
USA Market
This short report briefs the readers on the profile of a total of
about 1,500 visitors to Study USA Japan fairs in March 2002 in
terms of the male/female ratio, programs of interest, and
intended length of stay. The e-learning market is growing rapidly
and is expected to reach 1,000 billion yen ($8 billion) in 2010.
There are opportunities for U.S. companies in this emerging market, (1) by jointly developing programs, or (2) by joint venture partnerships with appropriate Japanese companies, or (3) by preparing Japanese versions of existing products and selling them directly to the Japanese population.
CS JAPAN CONTACTS
Unit Chief: Gregory
Briscoe
Commercial Specialist for education: Mieko Muto