JAPAN OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS, TOP STEM PROGRAMS - SO WHY AREN'T INDIAN STUDENTS GOING?

Despite Japan's reputation for innovation, academic excellence and discipline, it remains curiously absent from the top destinations for Indian students pursuing overseas education.

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While lakhs flock to the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Germany each year, Japan struggles to attract even a fraction.

As of May 2024, there were approximately 1,600 Indian students studying in Japan, a relatively low figure compared to other countries. For instance, China had over 123,485 students, Nepal over 64,816 and Vietnam over 40,323 in Japan during the same period, as per the International Student Survey in Japan, 2024.

Last week, IIT-Bombay announced plans to open an international centre in Japan by 2025 to launch joint PhD programmes, a move aimed at bridging the academic gap between Indian and Japanese institutions.

Land of possibilities

Indian students who studied in the country by chance or by choice are taken aback by the culture, the many opportunities and the Japanese way of life. Japan was the first choice for Shibani Melba, 25, when she pursued under-graduation in International Relations and Peace Studies.

"A combination of factors motivated me to pursue higher education in Japan. At fourteen, I had the opportunity to visit the country through a trip organised by the Japan government after winning a Japanese speech contest. I was deeply drawn to the Japanese way of life—their hospitality, discipline, and respect for others. Since I was already familiar with the language, applying to a Japanese university felt like a natural choice," Shibani Melba, who graduated from the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, said.

The Japanese Government Scholarship (MEXT) provides substantial financial support to international students, including Indians, which helps alleviate monthly expenses. Additionally, Japan offers advanced STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) courses that are popular among Indian students.