2023 Volume 184 Pages 34-48
In 2021 the Japanese government initiated an accreditation system for international student career development programs, with the aim of increasing the ratio of graduating international students who find employment in Japan from 30% to 50%. The three pillars of this system are: Japanese language education, career education, and internships (MEXT, 2022). Education on careers for international students at universities needs to respond to this initiative, but at the same time, we must bear in mind the diversity among international students, many of whom would not be covered by this system, seek a better understanding of all their needs in relation to the ideals of university education, and work to enhance actual practice.
This paper provides an overview of the accreditation system, followed by a case study of a university with a diverse population of international students, which presents the potentials and the challenges of career education for international students.
