Global 30 Program: Challenges of Intercultural Communication

Japan, ID CLEaR2015-228;

The Internationalization of Japanese higher education started in 1982. The 1983 target of attracting 100,000 foreign students to Japan was accomplished in 2003 under Prime Minister Nakasone’s “International Student 100,000 Plan”. Since that time, The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has concentrated its effort on internationalizing its universities by developing an educational system called the Global 30 Project (G30). The G30 Project and similar programs were instituted to turn Japan into an international education hub. Data presented in this paper is based on surveys, conducted over a period 4 months, involving 96 respondents conducted at large prestigious universities in Japan conducted at prestigious universities in Japan. This study focuses on the challenges international students face with intercultural communication at large Japanese universities. Findings in this report will be used to identify pull factors of the G30 program. Results will assist in continuing efforts to improve international education at G30 universities.

Keywords: Global 30 Program, Higher education, International education, Japan