Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has recently approved a policy change allowing three prominent national universities to increase their intake of international students beyond standard enrollment limits. This decision marks the first application of a new exemption framework introduced in the previous year. The move is part of Japan’s broader strategy to attract top global talent amid rising international competition for skilled students and researchers.

The three universities selected are Tohoku University, University of Tsukuba, and Hiroshima University. Together, they received certification for 11 specific faculties or academic clusters (referred to as departments, schools, or faculties in reports):

• Tohoku University: Faculty of Science.
• University of Tsukuba: Seven areas, including humanities and culture, medicine (partial), sports sciences/specialized programs, and others.
• Hiroshima University: Three science-related faculties, such as science, biological production, and integrated sciences.

Under the new rules, these certified programs can exceed their official enrollment caps by up to 5% specifically for international (foreign) students starting from fiscal 2026, which begins in April 2026. This exemption applies to undergraduate-level faculties and related clusters.

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The exemption system was created to address long-standing barriers in Japan’s higher education sector. Previously, universities faced penalties, such as restrictions on establishing new faculties, if they exceeded prescribed enrollment standards (typically around 105% for large programs). This discouraged aggressive recruitment of international students, even when demand existed. The new framework relaxes these restrictions for qualifying institutions, provided they meet specific conditions, such as maintaining an overall enrollment rate of at least 90% and demonstrating financial stability.

To support the additional students and ensure quality education (e.g., better facilities, support services, language programs, or specialized resources), the ministry has encouraged—and in some cases urged—the universities to raise tuition fees for international students. All three approved universities plan to implement higher fees for foreign enrollees. For instance, one report notes that Tohoku University intends to set international student tuition at approximately 1.7 times the standard rate paid by domestic Japanese students. This approach allows the extra revenue to fund improvements without straining general budgets.

This development aligns with Japan’s long-term goals to boost its international student population. The country has already seen growth, with over 336,000 foreign students enrolled as of recent data (a notable rise from pre-pandemic levels), surpassing earlier targets. The government aims to reach even higher numbers, such as 400,000 by the 2030s, to enhance global competitiveness, foster innovation through diverse perspectives, and strengthen diplomatic and economic ties.

Sources:

• The Japan Times – “Three national universities to raise international student enrollment caps” (February 19, 2026) https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/19/japan/university-foreign-student-caps
• The Economic Times – “Japan raises enrolment limits for international students at three universities” (February 18, 2026) https://m.economictimes.com/nri/study/japan-raises-enrolment-limits-for-international-students-at-three-universities/articleshow/128499480.cms
• The Mainichi – “Overseas student cap raised at 3 Japan universities to attract talent” (February 18, 2026) https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260218/p2g/00m/0na/025000c
• Japan Today – “Overseas student cap raised at 3 Japan universities to attract talent” (February 18, 2026) https://japantoday.com/category/national/overseas-student-cap-raised-at-3-japan-universities-to-attract-talent
• NHK World-Japan – “Three Japanese national universities to accept more foreign students” (February 19, 2026) https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20260219_05/
• The Asahi Shimbun – “3 universities allowed to hike foreign students enrollment caps” (February 18, 2026) https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16362989
• Bangkok Post – “Overseas student cap raised at Japan universities to attract talent” (February 18, 2026) https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/3199900/overseas-student-cap-raised-at-3-japan-universities-to-attract-talent