Japanese universities with a strong international focus have climbed the national rankings this year, as outbound student exchanges continue to recover at varying rates following the pandemic.
Tohoku University retains its position as Japan’s top institution in the Times Higher Education Japan University Rankings 2025. Tokyo Institute of Technology has moved up two places to second, while The University of Tokyo has dropped to third.
Akita International University returns to the top 10 for the first time since 2020, alongside other internationally oriented universities that have improved their standings, such as Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Kanda University of International Studies, Kobe City University of Foreign Studies, St. Luke’s International University and Miyazaki International University.
However, not all globally focused institutions saw gains—Kyoto University of Foreign Studies fell 18 spots to 97th place and International Christian University slipped from 10th to 11th.
Japan University Rankings 2025: Top 10
| Rank | Previous Year Rank | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Tohoku University |
| 2 | 4 | Tokyo Institute of Technology |
| 3 | 2 | The University of Tokyo |
| 4 | 5 | Kyoto University |
| 5 | 6 | Kyushu University |
| 6 | 3 | The University of Osaka |
| 7 | 8 | Nagoya University |
| 8 | 7 | Hokkaido University |
| 9 | 9 | University of Tsukuba |
| 10 | 15 | Akita International University |
Japan’s Push for Internationalization
This year’s data paints a complex picture of internationalization in Japanese higher education, as policymakers work to strengthen the country’s global presence through its universities.
A key component of this effort is encouraging more Japanese students to study abroad—whether for full degree programs or short-term exchanges. In 2023, the government set an ambitious target: sending 500,000 students abroad annually by 2033.
Given that only 220,000 Japanese students went abroad in 2019, this goal presents a significant challenge.
“The target is very ambitious,” said Tatsu Hoshino, executive secretary of the Japan Association of Overseas Studies (JAOS).
However, the reasoning behind it is clear.
“Japan’s population is shrinking, and with the globalization of business, Japan’s international competitiveness is on the decline,” Hoshino explained. By sending more students overseas, policymakers hope to strengthen Japan’s economic ties, improve national development, and foster a more outward-looking society.
Recovery from the Pandemic
Outbound student numbers plummeted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and recovery has been uneven across institutions.
- Universities with a history of high student mobility have rebounded the fastest. Among the 27 universities where over 10% of students previously studied abroad, outbound mobility has returned to 90% of pre-pandemic levels.
- Institutions that had less than 3% of students studying abroad before COVID have recovered to 86%.
- Universities in the middle range have seen the slowest recovery.
But simply returning to pre-pandemic numbers won’t be enough to reach the government’s ambitious goal.
Barriers and Opportunities
To accelerate outbound student numbers, Tokyo’s local government is preparing grants to support study abroad. However, Hoshino argues that financial aid alone won’t be enough—employers also need to place greater value on international experience to incentivize students to pursue it.
Despite these challenges, Hoshino remains optimistic.
With Japan’s domestic market shrinking, businesses are expanding internationally, making graduates with global experience more desirable.
“Japan is an island nation with a considerable economic scale, and until now, people could lead fulfilling lives within the country,” Hoshino said.
However, demographic shifts and pandemic-driven changes have altered this reality.
“Japan’s young people are starting to realize that it’s no longer possible to live without connections to the outside world.”