The number of Japanese universities focusing on internationalising higher education has increased since Covid-19, with many implementing various initiatives such as study abroad programmes, experiential learning programmes and internships.

Of particular interest among universities seeking to boost internationalisation are double degree and joint degree programmes, and this is also a key focus of the Japanese government. 

A presentation by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (MEXT) on International Higher Education: Prospects and Challenges for the new decade of Student Mobility, delivered during the G7 International Higher Education Summit in July 2023, showed that the number of joint degrees offered at Japanese universities nearly doubled to 27 between 2018 and 2022, while the number of double degrees rose from 189 in 2017 to 209 in 2020. 

Recognising the importance of internationalisation of Japanese universities, the government, through MEXT, is now actively promoting the establishment of more joint degrees with a goal of doubling the number of joint degrees from 27 in 2022 to 50 by 2033. 

There has been co-ordinated effort and cooperation from the sector to expand the number of joint degree programmes nationwide. This includes the setting up of the National University of Joint Degree Council in 2022, comprising 12 member and observer universities as of January 2024. The Council aims to share information and knowledge, discuss strategies and future prospects, as well as provide recommendations to MEXT. It also aims to provide advice and support to universities that are considering or planning on establishing joint degree programmes within an internationalised system. 

https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/daigaku/04052801/mext_00001.html
https://jdp-council.jp/

What this means for the UK sector

Transnational education (TNE) has never been a particularly major theme when it comes to higher education in Japan, with distance learning the main medium of TNE. However, the country is now geared towards tapping into an area that was not greatly explored prior to the pandemic, with Japanese universities now keener than ever to expand into international education partnerships and internationalisation of their universities. This is clearly a very welcome development for the UK sector. Out of 27  joint degrees, there are currently only 2 joint degree programmes between UK and Japan, reflecting the vast potential for growth. 
Information on the application and approval process is available in Japanese from MEXT, as is the list of existing joint degrees between Japanese and UK universities.  UK universities are therefore recommended to seize this opportunity and identify/approach potential Japanese partners to discuss potential areas of collaboration, discuss needs and goals, as well as evaluate prospects and barriers to forming a potential TNE partnership. With Japan also seeking to raise the number of Japanese students studying abroad, we would expect mobility to the UK to be a key aspect of UK-Japan TNE programme arrangements, with mutual benefit to both countries.