Photo/Illutration Tohoku University in Sendai is among the most prestigious academic institutions in Japan. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Amid rising costs, Tohoku University will raise tuition for international students by 1.7 times starting in the 2027 academic year, marking the first time a national university has imposed an increase targeting foreign students.

Under the new policy, annual tuition for undergraduate and master’s program students from abroad will increase from the current 535,800 yen ($3,400) to 900,000 yen.

The change will not affect international students enrolled before April 2027 or those in doctoral programs.

Until now, the Sendai-based university has charged the same tuition regardless of nationality.

National university tuition fees are set by the education ministry, with a standard amount of 535,800 yen and a cap of 1.2 times that figure.

However, in March 2024, the ministry lifted the cap for international students, following requests from Tohoku University and other institutions to ease financial regulations.

University officials explained that international students often require additional support due to differences in language and cultural practices, leading to higher staffing and resource costs.

They also noted that many leading Western universities charge higher tuition for foreign students.

The decision comes amid worsening financial conditions at Japan’s national universities, which face rising costs due to inflation without corresponding increases in government subsidies.

Tohoku University plans to significantly increase enrollment of international students, following its selection as the first institution to receive funding under the government’s Universities for International Research Excellence project.

The tuition hike is expected to help cover the additional expenses for improving support for non-Japanese students.

(This article was written by Amane Shimazaki and Fumio Masutani.)

Related News