Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology is launching a new pilot initiative designed to encourage students from major metropolitan areas to study and work in regional parts of the country, as the government seeks to address the overconcentration of young people in Tokyo and support regional revitalization.
The three-year “domestic study abroad” pilot program will target universities, junior colleges, and technical colleges in Tokyo as well as neighboring Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa prefectures. Participating institutions will collaborate with regional universities, local governments, and businesses to create programs that allow students to gain academic and work experience outside Japan’s major urban centers.
Under the initiative, selected institutions will be eligible for annual grants of up to JPY 25 million to develop programs and establish the necessary infrastructure. Applications will be accepted between May 25 and May 29, with approximately three institutions expected to be selected during the initial phase.
According to the ministry, the programs are intended to go beyond individual departments or laboratories and instead operate on an institution-wide basis to maximize student participation. Students may engage in projects focused on local challenges, regional innovation, or internships with local companies.
Officials believe the initiative could create stronger connections between urban and regional universities while also helping regional communities showcase their economic and cultural appeal to younger generations.
The policy comes amid growing concerns over demographic decline and the concentration of students and employment opportunities in Tokyo. Data from Japan’s fiscal 2024 School Basic Survey showed that only nine prefectures experienced a net inflow of university students from other regions, with Tokyo recording the largest influx at approximately 78,000 students. This figure was significantly higher than Kyoto Prefecture, which recorded about 19,000, and Osaka Prefecture at roughly 11,000.
Japanese policymakers have increasingly linked regional depopulation to the migration of young people to Tokyo for higher education and employment opportunities. By expanding domestic mobility programs, the ministry hopes to encourage more students to develop long-term interest in regional communities and local industries.
“We would like to broaden students’ experiences and create opportunities for them to develop an interest in regional development,” a senior ministry official said.
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