Why study in Japan? Active international exchange is now taking place throughout many parts of the world, and there are now said to be more than 1.5 million foreign students studying around the globe. Of them, 138,075 (as of May 1, 2012) are studying in Japan. What is it that attracts these students to Japan?
High Educational Standards and Excellent Research Environment
The greatest appeal of studying in Japan is its academic environment where one can study state-of-the-art technology and acquire the knowledge that enabled Japan's phenomenal postwar economic growth. Whether it is electronics, Japanese literature, medicine or international business administration, Japanese universities and other institutes of higher education can offer course studies or research programs of virtually any field. The ratio of students who go on to universities (undergraduate level) and junior colleges (regular courses) is also very high in Japan at 56.8% (Source: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) "Statistical Abstract 2011 edition"). This figure is indicative of the high standard of education in Japan. Many institutions of higher education, such as universities and junior colleges, are well equipped with fine research, computer, and library facilities and enable students to carry out their research in an excellent environment.
The awarding of the Nobel Prize to four Japanese scientists in 2008 is still fresh in our minds. Mr. Osamu Shimomura received the prize in chemistry for “the discovery and development of the green fluorescent protein, GFP.” The Nobel Prize in physics was shared by three Japanese scientists—Mr. Yoichiro Nanbu was awarded for “the discovery of the mechanism of spontaneous broken symmetry in subatomic physics”; and Mr. Makoto Kobayashi and Mr. Toshihide Masukawa, for the development of the Kobayashi-Masukawa Theory and the discovery of the origin of the broken CP-symmetry, which opened up new ground in subatomic physics. Mr. Kobayashi and Mr. Masukawa were honored for the results of work done in Japan, an indication of the high level of research conducted in Japan.
Then, in 2010, Akira Suzuki and Ei-ichi Negishi won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for their groundbreaking work with organic compound coupling techniques.
Between the years 2005 and 2009, 8.0% of published academic papers were produced by Japanese researchers. (Source: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) "Statistical Abstract 2011 edition").
Many leading figures playing an active role in the world today have had experience studying in Japan. Former Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines Domingo L. Siazon, Jr. and Former Minister for External Commerce, Industrialization, Fisheries and Competitiveness, Ecuador Richard Moss Ferreira both spent time studying in Japan. The network of coursemates that you can build in Japan will undoubtedly become an invaluable asset for your future career.
Rich Culture : Coexistence of Tradition and Cutting-edge High Technology
Modern Japanese culture and society consist of a diverse mix of the old and new, the East and West, and the natural and artificial. These seemingly contradictory elements coexist in harmony in Japan. For example, it is not unusual to see an old Buddhist temple and a modern skyscraper standing next to each other.
With age-old Japanese traditions - as typified by those nurtured from the Azuchi-Momoyama Period (late 16th to early 17th century) to the Edo Period, which lasted nearly 300 years - at its foundation, Japan flexibly assimilated the culture of Western civilization later introduced to its soil. However, even with the rapid growth of Japanese economy and the development of advanced technology after World War II, Japan continued to retain its original culture as well. That is to say, the old and new have coexisted until today. This is what brought about Japan's diversity and fascination which still attracts many foreigners.
Japan is also a country with rich nature, diverse topography, and beautiful turns of the seasons. Haiku verse which has blossomed by absorbing the natural essence of each season is an example of a very unique Japanese literary culture. The country's rich variety of local festivals, annual events, and folk entertainment are also most likely the result of Japan's nature and topography.
If you have been in Japan, you might say that you are a big fan of hot spring resorts, "Onsen", a unique Japanese version of the spas. Others may know about J-Pop, Japanese films, or even the nail arts. Even those who have never been in Japan may be interested in the beauty and delicacy of Japanese cuisine - some says that it must be enjoyed with both the eye and palate - as well as Japanese culture represented by in Kimono, tea ceremony and Ikebana flower arrangement, or traditional sports such as Judo, Kendo and Naginata.
There are many, many other things that make Japan attractive. Let us take a glance at a few of them.
Japanese Arts and Crafts
Japan boasts extraordinary skills and techniques in the production of arts and crafts. For example, Japanese lacquer is known around the world as "japan," the very name of the country in which it originated. Characterized by its unique texture and gloss, Japanese lacquer ware gives forth an air of sublime beauty.
There were times when Japanese arts and crafts were so popular that it had a substantial influence on Western art. For example, the influence of Japanese porcelain was indispensable for development of the now world-famous Meissen chinaware. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Japanese Imari porcelain (Arita ware), like Chinese porcelain, was greatly adored and treasured, especially by European royalty and the nobility, who valued it as much as gold and silver. At that time, Europeans did not possess the skills to make pure white, thin and hard porcelain. The desire and the passion to manufacture porcelain emerged from the admiration for Japanese porcelain, which resulted in the development of Meissen china. The decoration of Meissen china was styled after Imari porcelain, a trend that continues to this day.
From the late 19th to the early 20th century, a vogue for Japanese culture called "Japonisme" appeared in Europe and the United States. Japanese arts and crafts heavily influenced the Art Nouveau movement, and impressionist artists such as Claude Monet and Pierre Auguste Renoir, who created many masterpieces, were strongly influenced by Japanese Ukiyo-e wood prints.
Japanese arts and crafts have a very long history and are highly appreciated for fine technical qualities and beauty. They continue to be loved around the world.
Japan’s “World’s Oldest” In the Arts
- Horyu-ji Temple: With a history of 1,400 years, Horyu-ji Temple is the world's oldest wooden structure. It is also the first Heritage to be nominated from Japan.
- Noh and Kyogen: Noh and Kyogen are the world's oldest existing performance art with a history of about 600 years. They are designated an intangible cultural heritage.
- Gagaku: Performed for over 1,200 years, the music and dance of Japan's imperial court, Gagaku, is the world's oldest form of orchestral music.
- Manyoshu: Containing about 4,500 long poems, short poems and other styles of Japanese poetry spanning about 350 years, beginning with the early 5th century, the Manyoshu is the world's oldest existing collection of poetry. The collected poems are profoundly seeped with a deep sense of humanity that straightforwardly expresses real-life emotions.
Japanese Animation
As you may recall, at the 81st Academy Awards the 2008 Oscar for Best Animated Short Film went to the Japanese film La Maison en Petits Cubes (Tsumiki no ie). The film had already been honored at numerous other film festivals both in Japan and abroad, including the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in France, where it received the Cristal d’Annecy. The Oscar was the culmination of a 20 award winning streak.
There are many different ways of studying in Japan. Regardless of the course you choose, from Japanese-language training to postgraduate studies, we are confident that coming in touch with Japanese culture and lifestyles will prove to be an invaluable experience for you.
World Renowned Japanese Music
In 2011, four Japanese musicians won awards at the world’s most prestigious music awards ceremony, the 53th Grammy Awards.
Tak Matsumoto from the Japanese rock band B’z won the award for Best Pop Instrumental Album for his collaborative effort with an american guitarist on the album Take Your Pick. Classical pianist Mitsuko Uchida won the award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance for her most recent album recorded with the Cleveland Orchestra. The Stanley Clark Band which, features jazz pianist Hiromi Uehara, won the award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album for its self-titled release. Yukiko Matsuyama, who plays the koto, a traditional Japanese instrument, is featured on the Paul Winter Consort’s newest album Miho: A Journey to the Mountain, which won the award for Best New Age Album.
Japanese music is recognized world wide for its high standard of excellence across a wide range of genres including rock, jazz, classical and traditional Japanese music.
Refer : http://www.studyjapan.go.jp
