Core in ‘peripheral’ Asia? Evolution of transnational degree programmes in Japanese universities from 2007 to 2021

Abstract

Japan’s transnational higher education (TNHE) has historically been closely linked with Asia. This connection was further strengthened in the mid-2000s, due to the government’s Asia-focused policies, such as the Asian Gateway Initiative. This study focuses on Joint and Double Degree (JDD) programmes, the most prevalent forms of TNHE in Japan. Drawing on the notion of ‘core in the periphery’, which allows for a more nuanced articulation of reality than Altbach’s original theory, this study explores the evolution of TNHE degree programmes in Japanese universities from 2007 to 2021 by utilising the statistics of Joint Degree (JD) and Double Degree (DD) programmes published by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Findings reveal that, even in 2007, there were many TNHE degree programmes with Asian universities as partners; however, in recent years, the focus on Asia has become even more pronounced.