The Japanese Government is looking to attract Indian students and job-seekers in greater numbers as it competes with the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Germany as a top study destination for Indian students. As of May 2024, approximately 1,600 Indian students were studying in Japan, a relatively low figure compared to other countries. Despite Japan’s reputation for innovation, academic excellence and discipline, it remains absent from the top destinations for Indian students pursuing overseas education.
The Japanese Government Scholarship (MEXT) provides substantial financial support to international students, including Indians, which helps alleviate monthly expenses. Electrical, Civil, Mechanical, and Chemical Engineering are a few of the best programmes in the University of Tokyo, the top-ranked institution in the country. In 2011, it came second only to Harvard for the number of alumni in CEO positions in Fortune 500 companies. Kyoto University, the second most ranked in the country, boasts of producing world-beating researchers, including 13 Nobel Prize laureates. Advanced studies in Environmental, Nuclear, Materials Science, and Energy Engineering at Kyoto University are well regarded.
The understanding is that mastering Japanese is a necessity to get by in the country. In the last three to four years, Japanese universities have introduced full English-taught programs. Another concern that Indian students have is that Japan’s fixed curriculum structure gives little room for exploration. Despite being one of the safest countries in the world in terms of crime, parents hesitate to send their children to a place they perceive as volatile, because of earthquakes and tsunamis, even if the facts say otherwise.
Beyond education, Japan is fostering ties with Indian startups through JETRO, its trade promotion body. To delve deeper into the topic, The Hindu will host a webinar titled ‘Japanese government invites Indians for jobs, higher studies’, on October 4, 2025. The panellists include Jenica Kalra, Assistant Director, JETRO; Sameer Arora, Principal, Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon; Sagar Bahadur, Executive Director, Asia & Head of Regional Strategy, Acumen; Hargun Luthra, Senior Advisor, University of Tokyo. The webinar will be moderated by M. Kalyanaraman, who heads the education vertical at The Hindu.
Register now for free to ask questions and interact with the panellists. The three best questions will receive a free online subscription to The Hindu.
Panellists
Sameer Arora, Principal, Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon
Sameer is an educator with over 24 years of experience teaching across all levels of school. He has established two travel-based start-ups offering experiential education programmes to the youth and has travelled to over 20 countries. He has also worked with National Geographic
Channel for one of their education programmes, Unlock-Hour, as the country head. He has been awarded the Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction for excellence in teaching, the National Society of High School Scholars, USA.
Hargun Luthra, Senior Advisor, University of Tokyo
Hargun Luthra is the Senior Advisor for the University of Tokyo and the Study in Japan Project, an initiative supported by MEXT (the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan). With over three years of experience in promoting Japanese higher education, Ms. Hargun brings both expertise and firsthand insight, having lived and studied in Japan herself. Her deep appreciation for Japanese culture and education fuels her passion for guiding students toward the unique academic and cultural opportunities Japan has to offer.
Sagar Bahadur, Executive Director, Asia & Head of Regional Strategy, Acumen
Sagar Bahadur is a leader in the educational business solutions sector, bringing over 17 years of experience in international higher education. He has spearheaded transformative initiatives across Asia, Africa, ANZ, and the US and UK, building enduring collaborations between governments, universities, and industry to strengthen global education ecosystems.
Previously, Sagar has held leadership roles at The University of Queensland, Gradstar Global Education, and Amity Education Group, earning prestigious recognition, including the Philip Kotler Award (2020) and a Leadership Commendation at the University of Queensland Annual Awards (2021).
(For any suggestions or feedback, please reach out to us at education@thehindu.co.in)
Published – September 29, 2025 02:48 pm IST
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