The weak yen and stagnant salaries have dented the image of Japan from around Asia as a place to go for big paychecks and possible quick windfalls.

Japan, in fact, is now seen as a “less-chosen country” as a work destination.

However, the number of foreign students studying at Japanese language schools has hit a record high this year.

One reason is that students are not coming to Japan just for the money.

“I would rather live a relaxing life than simply earn money,” said Zhang Tengfei, a 19-year-old Chinese student at the Ebisu Japanese Language School in Osaka. “Life is about pursuing what you love, rather than getting money.”

Although money remains a factor in decisions to study in Japan, some other international students said they came to the country because of its safety or simply for a love of learning.

REBOUND FROM PANDEMIC

According to a survey conducted by the Japan Student Services Organization, the number of foreign students enrolled at either Japanese universities or Japanese language schools in fiscal 2023 was about 279,000 as of May 1 last year.

The overall figure has steadily recovered from the decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is still short of the 312,000 foreign students in Japan in fiscal 2019.

However, the number of those enrolled at Japanese language schools was 90,719, a record high. It is expected to increase further this fiscal year, too.

Ebisu Japanese Language School, located in Osaka’s Higashinari Ward, welcomed more than 100 students in spring this year.

In 2019, when the school opened, only two students enrolled. But five years later, the school had about 220 students, mostly from China.

The student visa system had come under fire because many foreign students at language schools were found to be constantly working part-time jobs instead of attending classes. The wages in Japan were higher than what they could gain in their home countries.

But that is no longer the norm, according to Yoshiteru Tsujimoto, principal of the Ebisu Japanese Language School.

“Many foreign students in language schools in Japan in the old days used to work hard and send money to their home countries,” he said. “But currently, there are quite a few students who do not have part-time jobs.”

DIVERSE MOTIVATIONS

Zhang Tengfei came to Japan after graduating from high school in China.

He said he hopes to work in the animation industry but is considering other professions because he is “not talented.” He plans to enter a private college close to where he lives in Osaka.

Another Chinese student at the language school graduated from an international school in his home country.

His parents wanted him to study abroad, and they had considered a college in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But the family members changed their minds, and he came to Japan.

“I’m studying abroad to make my educational history look better. It is important to have a good educational history when looking for work in China’s competitive job market,” he said.

Many Vietnamese are studying at the language school, including Vo Thi Thu Tra, 29, who had been working at a factory in Nara Prefecture as a technical trainee.

After returning to Vietnam, she worked for a Japanese company as an interpreter.

She quit the job, however, and came back to Japan to widen her career choices by studying marketing at a Japanese university. She wants to use her skills to contribute to her home country in the future.

The annual tuition fee for the language school is around 700,000 yen ($4,790).

“The tuition became cheaper because of the weaker yen,” she said. “If you want to make money (in Japan), the weaker yen would be a problem. But I came here to study.

“Japanese people are kind, and this country has a relaxing atmosphere. It fits me well.”

Other students at the language school are from Myanmar, where universities have been shut down and young people face an uncertain future since the military coup three years ago.

“I love Japanese hip-hop,” said a Myanmar student at the language school. “Of course, I like the United States, but we can come to Japan even if we are not exceptionally wealthy.”

He said he hopes to attend a college in Japan and then work in Australia.

HIGH RETENTION RATE

Principal Tsujimoto said about the students: “Their main reason for choosing Japan as a study-abroad destination is the country’s safety and peace.

Japanese people’s kindness follows. Another reason is Japan’s image as a beautiful country rich in nature.”

Many international students in Japan plan to stay in the country as highly skilled workers.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) highly evaluated Japan’s acceptance of foreign workers in its survey conducted in July.

“The retention rate of international students in Japan has increased over the past decade and is high in the world,” the OECD report said.

The number of students from Vietnam and Nepal has increased in Japan, which has helped to lift the retention rate.

Among international students who came to Japan between 2011 and 2017, 57 percent of Vietnamese and 80 percent of Nepalese were still in the country five years after their arrival.

Accordingly, the number of Japanese language schools is skyrocketing.

However, securing talented teachers and improving their working conditions has become an issue. The Japanese government is working to enhance the quality of both schools and teachers.

Based on laws to promote Japanese language education enacted in 2019, the education ministry started the process of accrediting appropriate language schools this fiscal year.

There are currently no official qualifications for Japanese language teachers. But the government will start a national qualification process, including examinations and registrations, this fiscal year.