Global 30

Establishing English Degree Programs at the Selected 13 Universities

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has launched the "Global 30" Project for Establishing Core Universities for Internationalization, for the purpose of selecting universities that will function as core schools for receiving and educating international students. In 2009, 13 universities were selected. These core universities have established English degree programs and will play a major role in dramatically boosting the number of international students educated in Japan as well as Japanese students studying abroad.

What is the Global 30 Project for Establishing Core Universities for Internationalization?

Japan formulated the "300,000 International Students Plan" in July of 2008, with the aim of receiving 300,000 international students by 2020. The "Global 30 " Project for Establishing Core Universities for Internationalization is being implemented to realize this goal by selecting measures for the internationalization of universities including the recruitment of international students, along with forming Japan's centers of internationalization. Selected universities will receive prioritized financial assistance of 200 to 400 million yen per annum over the next 5 years. Endowed with this aid, each university will strive to recruit 3,000 to 8,000 international students.

Thirteen Universities to Lead Japan's Internationalization

In 2009, the following 13 universities were selected as global centers:
Tohoku University, University of Tsukuba, The University of Tokyo, Nagoya University, Kyoto University, Osaka University, Kyushu University, Keio University, Sophia University, Meiji University, Waseda University, Doshisha University, and Ritsumeikan University

Action Plans for the Core Universites

Core universities will take the following steps to create an attractive educational and research environment for international students.

(1)Expansion of course programs in which degrees can be earned through English only classes

→Establish courses at the universities selected through which English-only degrees can be obtained: 33 undergraduate courses and 124 graduate courses over the next 5 years

(2)Enhancement of systems for receiving/hosting international students

→Enhance systems for receiving/hosting international students, such as specialist support in studying and academics, as well as for completing various procedures and formalities both in and out of the university, and providing internship programs at Japanese corporations, etc.

(3)Provide international students with opportunities to learn about Japanese language and culture

→A plan to provide high-quality instruction in Japanese language and culture

(4)Promotion of strategic international cooperation

→Establish two separate overseas offices per core university, to enable local recruitment through admissions tests, etc., and boost the number of Japanese students studying abroad through exchange study programs, etc.

Establish "Overseas Offices for Shared Utilization by Universities" as the liaison for Study in Japan

Establish "Overseas Offices for Shared Utilization by Universities" as the liaison for Study in Japan; in the following 8 cities in 7 countries. Upon completion, these offices will provide comprehensive information on Japanese universities overall, including enrollment seminars, and entrance examinations.
Tunis, Tunisia (University of Tsukuba), Cairo, Egypt (Kyushu University), Bonn, Germany (Waseda University), Moscow and Novosibirsk, Russia (Tohoku University), New Delhi, India (Ritsumeikan University), South India (The University of Tokyo), Tashkent, Uzbekistan (Nagoya University), Hanoi, Vietnam (Kyoto University)