Academic exchanges with Japan are rebounding, with both exchange activities and the number of overseas participants increasing.

The number of overseas students traveling to Japan for academic exchange activities continues to rise. (Image for illustrative purposes only and not related to this report.) (Photo via unsplash.com)

TOKYO, JAPAN (MERXWIRE) – Academic exchanges between Japan and other countries are showing a clear upward trend. A 2024 survey revealed a significant increase in both in-person school exchange programs and the number of overseas participants, becoming a new highlight of international academic exchange. Meanwhile, the number of tourists visiting Japan also reached a new high, reflecting its continued strengthening international appeal in both education and tourism.

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) announced that there were 771 in-person school exchange activities in 2024, an increase of 194 from the previous year (an increase of 33.6%). Taiwan accounted for nearly half of these, with 349 activities, followed by China with 90, South Korea with 60, the United States with 51, and Hong Kong with 44. By school type, high school exchange activities were the most numerous, totaling 425, accounting for 55.1% of the total. By region, the Chubu region had 210, the Kansai region 187, and the Kanto region 135, all showing varying degrees of growth.

Online school exchange activities totaled 339, a decrease of 11 from the previous year (a drop of 3.1%). Taiwan accounted for more than half (166), followed by South Korea (51) and the United States (62). Although the number of online activities decreased slightly, the number of participants continued to grow, indicating that the demand for online exchanges remains stable. High schools remained the main participating schools, with 255 activities, accounting for 75.2%, with activities concentrated in the Kansai and Chubu regions.

Regarding overseas participants, in-person school exchange activities had 18,736 participants, an increase of 3,420 from the previous year (an increase of 22.3%). Of the participants, over half were from Taiwan (9,457), followed by China (2,514), South Korea (1,815), and Hong Kong (1,491). High school students had the largest number of participants, at 10,481, accounting for 55.9% of the total. By region, the Kansai region had 5,931 participants, the Chubu region 4,350, and the Kanto region 3,778, all showing an upward trend.

Most of the schools participating in in-person exchanges are located in Asia. (Photo via MERXWIRE)

Online participants from overseas totaled 4,982, an increase of 681 (15.8%) from the previous year. Taiwan accounted for more than two-thirds (3,378), followed by South Korea (843) and the United States (448). High school students remained the main participating group, totaling 2,967, accounting for 59.6% of the total. The Kansai region had the most outstanding online participants with 3,043.

Analysis indicates that as the pandemic eased, in-person exchanges in Japan gradually recovered, with international students pursuing academic exchanges becoming a new trend. This not only boosted educational exchanges but also led to record-breaking numbers of tourists. Whether in-person or online, participation in international academic activities continues to rise, demonstrating Japan’s growing attractiveness in education, culture, and international exchange.

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