1. Active international exchange is now taking place
throughout many parts of the world, and there are now said
to be more than 1.5 million foreign students studying
around the globe. Of them, 138,075 (as of May 1, 2012)
are studying in Japan. What is it that attracts these
students to Japan?
The greatest appeal of studying in Japan is its academic
environment where one can study state-of-the-art technology and
acquire the knowledge that enabled Japan's phenomenal postwar
economic growth. Whether it is electronics, Japanese literature,
medicine or international business administration, Japanese
universities and other institutes of higher education can offer
course studies or research programs of virtually any field. The
ratio of students who go on to universities (undergraduate level)
and junior colleges (regular courses) is also very high in Japan at
56.8% (Source: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science
and Technology (MEXT) "Statistical Abstract 2011 edition").
This figure is indicative of the high standard of education in
Japan. Many institutions of higher education, such as universities
and junior colleges, are well equipped with fine research,
computer, and library facilities and enable students to carry out
their research in an excellent environment.
The awarding of the Nobel Prize to four Japanese scientists in
2008 is still fresh in our minds. Mr. Osamu Shimomura received
the prize in chemistry for “the discovery and development of the
green fluorescent protein, GFP.” The Nobel Prize in physics was
shared by three Japanese scientists—Mr. YoichiroNanbu was
awarded for “the discovery of the mechanism of spontaneous
broken symmetry in subatomic physics”; and Mr. Makoto
Kobayashi and Mr. ToshihideMasukawa, for the development of
the Kobayashi-Masukawa Theory and the discovery of the origin
of the broken CP-symmetry, which opened up new ground in
subatomic physics. Mr. Kobayashi and Mr. Masukawa were
honored for the results of work done in Japan, an indication of
the high level of research conducted in Japan.
Then, in 2010, Akira Suzuki and Ei-ichiNegishi won the Nobel
Prize for Chemistry for their groundbreaking work with organic
compound coupling techniques.
Between the years 2005 and 2009, 8.0% of published academic
papers were produced by Japanese researchers. (Source: Ministry
of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
"Statistical Abstract 2011 edition").

2. Many leading figures playing an active role in the world today
have had experience studying in Japan. Former Secretary of
Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines Domingo L.
Siazon, Jr. and Former Minister for External Commerce,
Industrialization, Fisheries and Competitiveness, Ecuador
Richard Moss Ferreira both spent time studying in Japan. The
network of coursemates that you can build in Japan will
undoubtedly become an invaluable asset for your future career.
Please read the messages from Japan alumni to find out more:
http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/ath/ath05e.html
Modern Japanese culture and society consist of a diverse mix of
the old and new, the East and West, and the natural and artificial.
These seemingly contradictory elements coexist in harmony in
Japan. For example, it is not unusual to see an old Buddhist
temple and a modern skyscraper standing next to each other.
With age-old Japanese traditions - as typified by those nurtured
from the Azuchi-Momoyama Period (late 16th to early 17th
century) to the Edo Period, which lasted nearly 300 years - at its
foundation, Japan flexibly assimilated the culture of Western
civilization later introduced to its soil. However, even with the
rapid growth of Japanese economy and the development of
advanced technology after World War II, Japan continued to
retain its original culture as well. That is to say, the old and new
have coexisted until today. This is what brought about Japan's
diversity and fascination which still attracts many foreigners.
Japan is also a country with rich nature, diverse topography, and
beautiful turns of the seasons. Haiku verse which has blossomed
by absorbing the natural essence of each season is an example of
a very unique Japanese literary culture. The country's rich variety
of local festivals, annual events, and folk entertainment are also
most likely the result of Japan's nature and topography.
If you have been in Japan, you might say that you are a big fan of
hot spring resorts, "Onsen", a unique Japanese version of the
spas. Others may know about J-Pop, Japanese films, or even the
nail arts. Even those who have never been in Japan may be
interested in the beauty and delicacy of Japanese cuisine - some
says that it must be enjoyed with both the eye and palate - as well
as Japanese culture represented by in Kimono, tea ceremony and

3. Ikebana flower arrangement, or traditional sports such as Judo,
Kendo and Naginata.
There are many, many other things that make Japan attractive.
Let us take a glance at a few of them.
Japan boasts extraordinary skills and techniques in the
production of arts and crafts. For example, Japanese lacquer is
known around the world as "japan," the very name of the country
in which it originated. Characterized by its unique texture and
gloss, Japanese lacquer ware gives forth an air of sublime beauty.
There were times when Japanese arts and crafts were so popular
that it had a substantial influence on Western art. For example,
the influence of Japanese porcelain was indispensable for
development of the now world-famous Meissen chinaware.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, Japanese Imari porcelain
(Arita ware), like Chinese porcelain, was greatly adored and
treasured, especially by European royalty and the nobility, who
valued it as much as gold and silver. At that time, Europeans did
not possess the skills to make pure white, thin and hard
porcelain. The desire and the passion to manufacture porcelain
emerged from the admiration for Japanese porcelain, which
resulted in the development of Meissen china. The decoration of
Meissen china was styled after Imari porcelain, a trend that
continues to this day.
From the late 19th to the early 20th century, a vogue for Japanese
culture called "Japonisme" appeared in Europe and the United
States. Japanese arts and crafts heavily influenced the Art
Nouveau movement, and impressionist artists such as Claude
Monet and Pierre Auguste Renoir, who created many
masterpieces, were strongly influenced by Japanese Ukiyo-e
wood prints.
Japanese arts and crafts have a very long history and are highly
appreciated for fine technical qualities and beauty. They continue
to be loved around the world.
- Horyu-ji Temple: With a history of 1,400 years, Horyu-ji
Temple is the world's oldest wooden structure. It is also

4. the first Heritage to be nominated from Japan.
- Noh and Kyogen: Noh and Kyogen are the world's
oldest existing performance art with a history of about
600 years. They are designated an intangible cultural
heritage.
- Gagaku: Performed for over 1,200 years, the music
and dance of Japan's imperial court, Gagaku, is the
world's oldest form of orchestral music.
- Manyoshu: Containing about 4,500 long poems, short
poems and other styles of Japanese poetry spanning
about 350 years, beginning with the early 5th century,
the Manyoshu is the world's oldest existing collection of
poetry. The collected poems are profoundly seeped with
a deep sense of humanity that straightforwardly
expresses real-life emotions.
As you may recall, at the 81st Academy Awards the 2008 Oscar
for Best Animated Short Film went to the Japanese film La
Maison en Petits Cubes (Tsumiki no ie). The film had already
been honored at numerous other film festivals both in Japan and
abroad, including the Annecy International Animated Film
Festival in France, where it received the Cristal d’Annecy. The
Oscar was the culmination of a 20 award winning streak.
There are many different ways of studying in Japan. Regardless
of the course you choose, from Japanese-language training to
postgraduate studies, we are confident that coming in touch with
Japanese culture and lifestyles will prove to be an invaluable
experience for you.
In 2011, four Japanese musicians won awards at the world’s
most prestigious music awards ceremony, the 53th Grammy
Awards.
Tak Matsumoto from the Japanese rock band B’z won the award
for Best Pop Instrumental Album for his collaborative effort with
an american guitarist on the album Take Your Pick. Classical
pianist Mitsuko Uchida won the award for Best Instrumental
Soloist Performance for her most recent album recorded with the
Cleveland Orchestra. The Stanley Clark Band which, features
jazz pianist Hiromi Uehara, won the award for Best
Contemporary Jazz Album for its self-titled release. Yukiko

5. Matsuyama, who plays the koto, a traditional Japanese
instrument, is featured on the Paul Winter Consort’s newest
album Miho: A Journey to the Mountain, which won the award
for Best New Age Album.
Japanese music is recognized world wide for its high standard of
excellence across a wide range of genres including rock, jazz,
classical and traditional Japanese music.
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