KUALA LUMPUR - Universities, businesses and local governments in Japan have joined forces to strengthen the country’s appeal as a destination for international doctoral students.

The initiative aims to increase enrolment among foreign PhD candidates and encourage them to remain in Japan after graduation.

The Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) and the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) announced plans in April to establish a new online members-only platform, as reported by The Asahi Shimbun.

The platform is named the Triple-Helix Roundtable for International PhD Talent.

It is designed to share information on international PhD graduates working in Japan while linking overseas doctoral students with employment opportunities in the Japanese private sector.

The platform will also highlight challenges faced by foreign PhD holders living and working in Japan.

In addition, it plans to provide career support services and organise networking events connecting international doctoral students with potential employers.

Speaking during a press conference on April 15, OIST physics professor and graduate school dean Thomas Busch said attracting international doctoral talent would strengthen Japan’s global competitiveness.

“Attracting and empowering high-quality international Ph.D. talent brings fresh expertise, diverse perspectives and allows one to tap into and build global networks that strengthen a nation’s competitiveness on the world stage,” he said.

Several universities and private companies are expected to participate in the initiative.

These include the University of Osaka, Kyushu University and six other higher education institutions.

A total of 27 businesses, including an artificial intelligence startup and a major semiconductor manufacturer, are also expected to join alongside the Nara prefectural government.

Naoya Taniguchi, specially appointed assistant professor of career support at NAIST and head of the platform, said cooperation between NAIST and OIST was particularly significant.

“The two institutions have expanded scientific and technological research capabilities due to a group of international students representing diverse backgrounds becoming the driving force,” he said.

OIST and NAIST currently record the highest proportions of international doctoral students in Japan.

At OIST, foreign students account for 77 per cent of PhD enrolment.

NAIST records an international doctoral student ratio of 50 per cent.

The national average across Japan is estimated at between 20 and 30 per cent.

The initiative follows criticism surrounding the Japanese government’s decision last year to exclude foreign doctoral students from a national financial support programme.

The programme currently provides annual grants of up to 2.4 million yen to support living expenses for doctoral students.

The policy change is scheduled to take effect from the 2027 fiscal year.

Critics have warned that excluding foreign students from the scheme could weaken Japan’s position in the global competition for research talent.

Some have argued that the decision may reduce Japan’s attractiveness as a destination for advanced academic studies.

The financial support programme was first introduced in fiscal year 2021 to increase the number of PhD graduates.

Japan remains the only advanced economy experiencing a consistent decline in doctoral graduate numbers.

NAIST vice-president Hirokazu Kato said greater interaction between Japanese and foreign researchers would also benefit local students.

“Working with able foreign peers will facilitate Japanese students to develop their own skills.

“To nurture global talent, students need to be exposed to an international environment,” he said.