Higher
educational institutions in Japan, in principle, conduct all their
classes in the Japanese language with only a few offering classes
in English (Refer to Chapter 5, 4.) It is extremely important, therefore,
that international students wishing to study in Japan have an adequate
knowledge of the Japanese language. For this reason many international
students study the language in Japan for six months to two years
before applying to higher educational institutions for admission.
1. Types and numbers
There are two types of Japanese-language institutes that provide
Japanese-language education designed for international students
who wish to enter Japanese higher educational institutions. There
are 58 schools operated by private universities and 373 schools
accredited by the Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language
Education, as of February 2003.
Students who have only completed 10 or 11 years of education after
completing their primary and secondary education (e.g. in Malaysia,
the Philippines) are eligible for university entrance qualification
if they have completed the "course of preliminary study for
university entrance" designated by Monbukagakusho: MEXT. (Offered
by 17 schools; see (3) Course of preliminary study for university
entrance and Chapter 15.)
(1) Preparatory Japanese-language programs at private universities
Preparatory Japanese-language programs at private universities for
international students in Japan are regular courses offered by private
universities, defined by law (the School Education Law) as a part
of university education. The duration of the courses is not more
than one year. These courses have been established for international
students who wish to study the Japanese-language, the culture and
society in Japan, or basic subjects to prepare for entrance examinations
to enter a university undergraduate course. International students
who wish to go on to higher education may either proceed to the
same university, or other universities.
Students in these courses have the advantage of facilities, such
as part-time work, accommodation, welfare programs, such as medical
fee subsidies, as they are eligible to acquire the status of residence
as "college student."
(2) Private Japanese-language institutes
Private Japanese-language institutes include various establishing
bodies such as school juridical people, juridical people provided
for by the civil law, joint-stock corporations, private organizations
neither controlled nor protected by law, and individuals. As for
their status under the law, some institutes are authorized as specialized
training colleges (senshu-gakko) or miscellaneous schools (kakushu-gakko).
In addition to Japanese courses, some of these institutes offer
preparatory courses in subjects tested in university entrance examinations,
private tuition and short courses, in duration ranging from several
weeks to several months.Preparatory courses for university entrance
may range in length from half a year to two years. Number of hours
and availability of accommodation vary depending on the institute.
Students are granted a status of residence of either (1) "college
student", if taking a postsecondary course at specialized training
colleges; or (2) "pre-college student", if taking other
courses, for example at miscellaneous schools.
Courses are available for students with less than 12
years of primary and secondary education in their home countries.
(Refer to (3) Course of preliminary study for university entrance.)
(3) Course of preliminary study for university entrance
To be admitted to a higher educational institution in Japan, students
should have completed 12 years of primary and secondary education.
Students who have only 10 or 11 years of education after completing
their secondary education (e.g. in Malaysia, the Philippines) should
either
(1) attend a higher educational institution in their home country
for one or two years to complete the required 12 years of education;
or
(2) come to Japan after completing their secondary education in
their home countries to take a one-year course of preliminary study
endorsed by the Monbukagakusho (offered by 17 schools; See Chapter
15). Students are advised not to seek university entrance status
from institutions whose preliminary study courses are not endorsed
by Monbukagakusho. The status of residence for international students
of preliminary study for university entrance will be "college
student."
*According to the survey conducted by the Japanese Ministry of Justice
in the year-end 2001, 41,766 international students were granted
"pre-college student" status of residence. 30,170 of them
came from China (including Taiwan and Hong Kong), 7,587 from North
and South Korea, 440 from the Philippines, 430 from Myanmar, 409
from Thailand, and 2,730 from other countries. Besides pre-college
students, there are several thousands students attending Japanese-
language institutions under the status of residence as "college
student." |
1.Types and numbers