Internationalization of Japanese Universities: Current Status and Future Directions

Abstract

This chapter examines the current status of the internationalization of Japanese universities by focusing on the multiplicity of its connotations and practices from a Japanese socio-historical perspective. First, it conceptualizes university internationalization and introduces emerging phenomena in the internationalization of Japanese universities. It then illustrates what we name ‘stratified diversification’ of university internationalization, by presenting a categorical model of five distinctive approaches of Japanese universities toward internationalization (global, innovative, ad hoc, pseudo-international, and no-international). The model highlights the multiple yet stratified modes of internationalization practices, with each approach based upon different rationales and facing different problems and issues at stake. Finally, the chapter concludes with a brief discussion on the implications of the model for future research and development of Japanese higher education.