Japan vs USA and Canada: Comparing Study Costs and Opportunities

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Japan’s international student numbers are rising

According to the Japan Student Services Organization, or JASSO, Japan hosted 408,069 international students on 1 May 2025. That was a record, with enrolment increasing 21.2% from the previous year.

That represents 71,361 additional students in one year. These figures cover universities, graduate schools, professional training colleges, Japanese language institutes and other eligible institutions. They describe students enrolled in Japan, rather than the number of new visas issued.

Sources: JASSO’s 2025 enrolment survey and record-enrolment announcement.

The growth extends beyond language schools

Undergraduate enrolment increased from 87,421 to 92,442, while graduate school enrolment rose from 58,215 to 60,013 between the 2024 and 2025 surveys.

However, the growth was uneven. Professional training colleges and Japanese language institutes recorded much larger percentage increases than universities. The overall 21.2% rise should therefore not be presented as university growth alone.

For applicants, this is a reason to explore the different routes carefully. A language course, vocational qualification and university degree serve different goals.

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What US and Canadian student visa trends tell us

The USA and Canada remain options worth considering for the right course and budget. Their official figures also show why families should review current requirements before committing money to an application.

USA: F-1 visa issuance declined in FY2024

The US Department of State recorded 445,418 F-1 visas issued worldwide in fiscal year 2023, compared with 400,737 in fiscal year 2024. This was a decline of approximately 10%, calculated from the published totals.

These are historical worldwide issuance figures, not an India-specific refusal rate or a statement about 2026 outcomes. Fewer visas issued does not, by itself, establish why the decline happened.

Source: US Department of State, Table XV(B).

Canada: fewer arrivals and higher study permit refusal rates

In an April 2026 briefing, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada reported that Canada welcomed approximately 115,385 international students in 2025, about 61% fewer than in 2024.

The same briefing reported a 59% refusal rate for new study permit applications in 2025, compared with 52% in 2024. These figures cover all nationalities, rather than Indian applicants alone.

Source: IRCC’s international student briefing.

What should students take from this?

A broader shortlist gives you more room to find a suitable course, manageable costs and realistic funding.

Japan’s enrolment figures and North American visa figures measure different things. They do not prove that students moved from one destination to another, or that Japan offers easier visa approval. They do support taking a fresh look at your options.

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Japan study abroad costs compared with the USA and Canada

Cost is one of Japan’s clearest practical attractions, particularly when comparing national universities with overseas undergraduate options.

The table below uses published official benchmarks. Japan’s figures include first-year admission and tuition fees; the US figures cover annual tuition and required fees; Canada’s figure covers annual tuition.

Japan’s private university figure excludes medical, dental and pharmaceutical programmes.

Sources: JASSO academic fees, NCES/IPEDS tuition table and Statistics Canada, Table 37-10-0045-01.

What about living expenses in Japan?

JASSO lists average monthly living expenses of approximately ¥105,000, excluding study and research costs. This benchmark comes from its 2023 survey of privately financed international students.

Using that average, 12 months of living expenses would be ¥1,260,000. Adding approximately ¥820,000 in first-year national university fees produces an illustrative total of ¥2,080,000, or ₹12.48 lakh at the example exchange rate above.

This is a starting calculation, not a complete funding requirement. Add travel, initial accommodation costs, application expenses and an emergency buffer. Your city, housing and programme will affect the final amount.

Source: JASSO living costs and expenses.

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Scholarships can strengthen your Japan study abroad plan

Before deciding that an overseas degree is out of reach, check which funding routes match your profile.

MEXT: government scholarship support

The Japanese Government’s MEXT Scholarship provides tuition exemption, a monthly allowance and airfare support, subject to the relevant programme’s rules.

JASSO lists monthly allowances of ¥117,000 for undergraduate scholars and ¥143,000 to ¥145,000 for research scholars, depending on their study status. Applicants should check the guidelines for their application year and category.

Selection is competitive. Allow time for the documents, tests, interviews or research proposal required by your chosen route.

Source: Official MEXT Scholarship information.

For an India-focused overview, explore our MEXT Scholarship guide.

JASSO and university funding

JASSO’s Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship lists a monthly allowance of ¥48,000 for eligible undergraduate and graduate-level students, subject to the scheme’s conditions. This is partial support, so it should sit within a wider funding plan.

Universities may also offer scholarships or fee reductions. Check when you can apply, how selection works and whether support continues throughout the degree.

Sources: JASSO support programmes and official academic fee guidance.

You can compare funding routes in our scholarship directory.

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Can you study in Japan in English?

Yes. Japan’s official study portal confirms that universities and graduate schools offer programmes where students can earn a degree through classes taught entirely in English.

This opens a useful route for applicants who have found a suitable course but have not yet developed advanced Japanese. Each programme sets its own academic and language requirements.

Source: Official guide to degree programmes in English.

Build Japanese into your longer-term plan

Even when your classes are in English, learning Japanese can help you handle everyday situations and participate more confidently in local life.

If employment in Japan is your goal, research the language expectations of your intended roles early. Choose a course you value, then build language skills alongside your subject knowledge.

Start your shortlist with our university guide, then confirm course details on each university’s official website.

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Career planning matters from the first year

A Japan study abroad experience can help you explore a different academic and professional environment. The value depends on how closely your course, skills and career plans connect.

JASSO describes employment support that includes career guidance, internships and interview events. It also makes clear that securing a job can be challenging for international students.

Before applying, ask universities about support for international graduates, internship access and outcomes for students in your specific programme.

Source: JASSO employment guidance.

Treat part-time income as a supplement

With the required permission, international students can generally work up to 28 hours a week, subject to the applicable conditions. JASSO advises students against relying on part-time earnings to cover all their education and living expenses.

A stronger plan funds essential costs before arrival and treats any part-time income as additional support.

Source: Official part-time work guidance.

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Is a Japan study abroad plan right for you?

Japan is worth serious consideration if you can identify a suitable programme, build a realistic budget and prepare for life in a different language and culture.

Start with a few manageable steps:

1. Shortlist three programmes that match your academic interests.
2. Check the teaching language and entry requirements.
3. Calculate the cost of the full degree, including living expenses.
4. Identify scholarships and note their deadlines.
5. Review career support and begin learning Japanese.

For the standard student visa route, the accepting institution usually helps with the Certificate of Eligibility application. Applicants may also need evidence that they can fund their stay. Follow the official instructions for your circumstances.

Source: Official student visa and COE guidance.

Japan’s rising enrolment is a useful reason to look closer. The strongest reason to choose it is finding a course, funding plan and future direction that work for you.

At StudyinJapan.info, we bring together information on universities, scholarships, admissions and student life to help you turn that research into a clearer plan.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Japan cheaper than the USA or Canada for university study?

Japan’s national university fees can offer a lower starting point than the US and Canadian benchmarks shown above. Your final comparison should include living expenses, degree length, scholarships and the actual fees of your shortlisted programmes.

Do I need fluent Japanese for an English-taught degree?

Not necessarily. Check your programme’s admission requirements. Learning Japanese remains a useful part of preparing for daily life and future opportunities.

Does Japan’s student growth mean visa approval is guaranteed?

No. Enrolment growth describes a national trend. Your application still needs to meet the relevant admission, financial and immigration requirements.