Japanese Universities Consider Admitting Students from Harvard After US Immigration Policy Shift

The Japanese government has urged its universities to consider temporarily accepting international students enrolled at Harvard University, which faces a US immigration policy that bars foreign students. This move comes after the University of Tokyo announced that it will explore enrolling international students from Harvard, while Kyoto University is also considering a similar measure. The University of Tokyo has a system in place to allow international students to attend classes as auditors, with around 20 students from Ukraine benefiting from it in 2022. Meanwhile, the Japanese education ministry has announced plans to release a list of universities that will provide support to international students.

Key Takeaways:

• The Japanese government is urging universities to consider temporarily accepting international students enrolled at Harvard University.
• The University of Tokyo is exploring enrolling international students from Harvard and has a system in place to allow them to attend classes as auditors.
• Kyoto University is also considering accepting international students from Harvard.
• The University of Tokyo has allowed around 20 students from Ukraine to attend classes as auditors in 2022.
• The Japanese education ministry will release a list of universities that will provide support to international students.
• 110 Japanese students and 150 researchers are currently enrolled at Harvard University.
• An online consultation service will be provided by the Japan Student Services Organization to support students studying in the United States.

Statistics:

• 110 Japanese students are currently enrolled at Harvard University.
• 150 researchers are also enrolled at Harvard University.
• Around 20 students from Ukraine have benefited from the University of Tokyo's system to attend classes as auditors in 2022.
• The Japanese government has urged universities to take in international students from Harvard.

Sources:

• "The Asahi Shimbun" on May 26, 2025
• University of Tokyo statement to "The Asahi Shimbun"
• Kyoto University statement
• Education Ministry of Japan