INTERNATIONALIZATION OF JAPANESE HIGHER-EDUCATION IN THE 1980S AND EARLY 1990S

The Japanese response to its recognition that the country's economic a chievements implied that it should increase its interaction with the w orld-wide community is analysed with particular reference to developme nts in the 1980's and early 1990's. Attention is particularly drawn to the significant part played by Japanese government initiatives aimed at increasing the number of foreign students coming to Japan to study and at facilitating the employment of foreign nationals as members of faculty in Japanese universities. Curricular developments within Japan ese universities including undergraduate programs with an internationa l flavour intended for Japanese students and the development of severa l graduate schools with a focus on international development are detai led. Programs on Japanese language and culture, some aimed at Junior Y ear Abroad students mainly from the USA, are noted as well as the step s taken to smooth the path of foreign researchers seeking to complete doctoral studies in Japan. Inter-governmental and inter-university agr eements are described including projects aimed at training scientists and other specialists from developing countries which include training in Japanese institutions. The paper identifies a complementary moveme nt by foreign institutions, mainly in the USA (prompted in part by awa reness of Japan's mounting trade surplus with the USA) to establish br anches in Japan; it is shown that such developments were encouraged by Japanese municipalities, especially those anxious to re-vitalize thei r communities. The conclusion reviews the whole development and adds a note on problems which may lie ahead in the future.