Japan faces challenge in luring foreign students after border closure

40,000 applicants gave up on coming to the country altogether

20220915N Foreign students in Japan

Foreign students attend a welcoming event at Ritsumeikan University. (Photo courtesy of Ritsumeikan University)

MARIE SHIMOKAWA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- The number of foreign students entering Japan has recovered to pre-pandemic levels after the nation eased entry restrictions, but colleges still face an uphill battle in attracting new overseas applicants after a long border shutdown.

Japan let in 121,573 new international students between March -- when the easing of border rules began -- and August, recovering to levels seen before the pandemic.

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