Best universities in Japan

[mihai]

Hello,
My name is Michael. I am new to this forum. I am planning to come and study in Japan.
Many people adviced me to go to Tokyo. But on the other hand, i have talked to some persons that told me about Nagasaki universities.
But to be honest, i still don't have a very clear idea. And to be more specific my area is Electronics and Telecommunications, Computers. Of course i am aiming for masterate studies, but can be also in other domains.
So, my question, can you please post in this thread different ideas, opinions, advices, experiences and so on, related to japanese university, so i could have a better view, and therefore can make my choice easier.
Thank you so much,
Michael.

[nice gaijin]

In what capacity are you planning on Studying in Japan? That is, what student status are you seeking? international student or general student body? Consortial, bilateral or independant?

What language are you looking to study in?

Are you considering any graduate studies programs with the aid of your own or the Japanese government?

What is your proficiency level with the language? Is language acquisition a part of your academic goals?

What do you plan to do with your degree? How does Japan or the university you attend benefit from your attendance?

Why Japan? What does studying in Japan have to do with your academic and career objectives?

What schools have you looked into and why?

How do you plan to support yourself while studying in Japan?


These are all questions you should be able to answer before you can firmly assert your desire to study in Japan; that is, these are questions that you will likely be asked by any institution or committee you apply to.

[Drkns]

Well, first off I'll tell you that you're not the first to post about this and won't be the last. Hell, I think I even posted asking about Japanese universities at one stage.

[Edit] Before reading what I've typed below, I'd say that you should sit yourself down and try to answer most or all of nice_gaijin's questions. If you can't, then take some time to think it over - this won't be a four year+ holiday; it'll be university in a foreign country which you may have never even visited. [/Edit]

I'll try to relay some of the information I've come across on these forums before, but I can't guarantee its accuracy - you'll need to search JREF using the 'Search' function and find the specific threads for details. Even then there's no guarantee, so it's best to contact specific universities when you have some idea of what you want to do. Each one is likely to have slightly different requirements, so it's best to ask them directly to find out*exactly* what is expected of you.

- Unless you attend Sophia (http://www.sophia.ac.jp/e/e_toppage.nsf) or an international university that teaches courses using English, then you're going to need to become proficient in Japanese to the level that you can study at a Japanese university. Even at Sophia you'll need some level of Japanese proficiency to survive in Japan for a full four years or more. I'm not really up-to-date on what Sophia's offering in terms of English-language based classes, so again it'd be wise to consult their website, previous posts on JREF, and the department over at Sophia that deals with all this.
- For most universities you'll need to sit some tough examinations in various fields - which generally don't seem to be based specifically around the subject you're hoping to study at said university. One of these examinations will no doubt be a Japanese proficiency test. They might also require that you sit the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) to prove your competence in the Japanese language.
- Keep in mind that if you're going to be studying something in the Electronics/Telecommunications/Computers field, then you'll also need to be able to cope with all of the technological terminology used - in Japanese.
- I don't know which universities are well-known for their technological departments (or whatever field/department might deal with what you're interested in studying) but Tokyo university (Toukyou daigaku) is generally considered the number one state university and very difficult to get into. Kyoto university (Kyouto daigaku) seems to be considered as being on a similar level, although perhaps slightly below Tokyo university. And then there are private universities, such as Waseda, Ritsumeikan (sp?), Sophia, etc. etc.
Hope this helps to get you started. I strongly recommend searching the forums for information from the folks who've been there and done that, and then contacting the universities of your choice for the information that's specific to each university.

Enjoy! (And this is all assuming that you're sure you want to attend university in Japan, which - depending upon who you are and where you go - could be one hell of a nightmare if you're lacking in language ability, or even if you're not.)

[mihai]

Hi there,

And thank you for the so quick replies that you've offered me here.

Indeed Nice Gaijin for all those questions i should first have an answer, and only then i can start to build up my way to Japan.

Yes Drkns, very true related to checking all kind of other fields when applying, although you're looking to study just in a particular one.

I am now reading about Sophia university. Seems very interesting and attractive.

And if you will allow me i will write some few details about me, and you can say if i stand a chance or not.

Currently studying University of Polytehnics, Faculty of Electronics and Telecommunications, specialisation Optoelectronics. Will graduate in 2008.

I have taken the level 4 nihongo noryoku shiken in december last year, but i failed it with 141 points. I know i have to study more, and more. So, it means i have basic knowledge, rather would say rookie in japanese language.

Apart this i have always been fascinated about Japan. Have read many books, have seen many movies, have listening to many singers and still do this very often.

I am planning to obtain a fellowship and like this to be able to study in Japan. For the moment another big disadvantage for me it is the fact that i am romanian, and that Romania is not yet in the European Union. So my chance to get into Japan are really very, very small.

Thank you for reading this long message, and maybe you can advice me how to pursue with my idea of studying in Japan supported by the government, romanian or japanese.

So my questions is: should i write in advance to many universities, to make a resume, and tell them about my plans and see if they will offer me fellowship, or how should i proceed?

Thank you once again,
Michael.

[nice gaijin]

So you are currently attending a 4-year institution, and considering pursuing your master's at an institution in Japan, yes?

I'm not really qualified to talk about being an international student of Europe, so I'll have to take your word on the difficulties you speak of. I also know little about Sophia other than they teach in English; I'm not sure what degrees they offer. Here's what I can say though:

Even passing the level 4 日本語能力試験 (Japanese proficiency test) is still very basic; to be on the safe side, I would not expect you to be at a level where you could apply as a student for classes taught in Japanese after four years of casual study (I believe one requirement for schools that would allow this is passing the level 1 test, which I understand is very difficult).

That said, your major sounds very specialized, and the more specialized the subject of study is, the less likely you are to find a really good instructor in Japan who can teach it in English. That's not to say that they don't exist, but you should consider the possibility that even if you are accepted to even a prestigious university, if you are studying in English you will most likely not receive the best education possible.

Just a few things to consider. For the meantime, I would consult your school's administrative offices to see what kind of counselling and help you can get from them. Already belonging to a university gives you a pretty good resource for help and information, and they are bound to be much more helpful than a bunch of people from other countries

[mihai]

Hi there Nice Gaijin,

Believe me that the bunch of people from other countries are much more effective than the stupid system that you can find here in Romania. There are many positives parts for studying in Romania, but at the same also negative parts. And to be sincere, everywhere is like this: good and bad. No paradise on Earth.

To be more precise.. i have started this university in 2003, and it is going to last until 2008. It is a 5 years university. And indeed it is nice what it offers this university. Good and useful things that you can learn while here.

But i want to develop in Japan in the future. Therefore i want to make my studies also there. I don't want to make my further studies in America, or Europe, and then move to Japan. No! I want to mix it.. To start studying in Japan, and already getting the feel of living there.

Yes, i see that english teaching in Japan for sure will not offer me the same information as the japanese language would. Therefore, i have to study very well the japanese language and to obtain at least the 2nd level of japanese proficiency language test. Maybe afterwards my chance will grow up.

[cyberryo]

Hi Mihai, I didn't do my masters in Japan but mixed around quite a bit with the masters and doctorate folks during my undergraduate days at Tokyo Institute of Technology between 1987-1991. I understand from these friends then that they had been introduced to their professors before applying to the universities for their master courses. These introductions were through their own professors back in their home countries, or through friends also at the Japan university etc. After sending in their scholarship details, they emailed to the professors a few times to see if the professors are agreeable to accept them. Then, of course, they requested for details about fees etc. Most of these chaps did their masters through research.
I don't think that you would need to be very strong in Japanese for engineering courses at the masters level.
Suggest that you look for contacts in your current university to refer you to a professor in a good Japanese university in your field of specialisation or research such as optoelectronics.
Ken

[Dutch Baka]

According to the top 500 , the Tokyo university is the best

http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/rank/2004/top500(1-100).htm

[cyberryo]

Hi Mihai,
Just realised that you will only be graduating in 2008. That means that you have not really done any research thesis on optoelectronics or work on any graduate thesis project, have you? When you have more or less decided on your engineering specialisation for masters, then what I said would make sense. While working with your contacts in your existing university to reach out to potential professors who take you into their lab for masters in Japan, another way is to read up on the research papers from Japan in your specialisation field. You can then see which professor from which university are focussing on what kind of research etc. and try to study under a professor who is reputable in your specific subject of research in that field. When the time comes, you may find that you would prefer to go to US or other European universities instead to study under other reputable professors instead.
I read about Dr Shi Zheng Rong, CEO of Suntech, recently in a Chinese magazine about China Entrepreneur. In it, it was mentioned that he studied under Professor Martin Green, who is a Nobel Prize Winner, in University of New South Wales, and Shi subsequently started his company to manufacture solar cells. Not all roads lead to Japan.....
Have fun in your undergraduate studies in the meantime!
Ken

[mihai]

Hello Ken and thank you for your input. Indeed not all roads lead to Japan. And it is most probably that if in a couple of years shall i have other view and perspective about life, i will not say, boy i didn't plan things happen this way. But this is life.. you never know where the road will lead you.

But forgive me Ken, i may be a little bit unpolite or rude.. but may i ask what and where have you studied, for i am really fascinated by people that knew what they wanted and step by step fought for it and got what they aimed.

I know that Japan is a country of tehnology, but also China can and will one of the powerful economic states in the world. And for this i have to tell that here in Romania it is crazy what has happened in the last years, that a huge invasion of chinese people has come. And when i tell you this.. i mean about the shops, about the electronics, clothes and so on products, that come at very few prices from China. And of course most of the people go and buy such things.

And what about Singapore? How is the general situation over there?

Sorry for the so many questions, hope i didn't offend or get bored with all these and hoping you will supply me a reply.

Have a great day,
Michael.

[cyberryo]

Hi Michael,
Sorry for my late reply. I graduated with BSc Engrg control engineering at Tokyo Institute of Engineering. I was awed into studying robotics in Japan because of the 1985 Tsukuba Robotics Expo. Regretably, I was not able to continue my studies in engineering as I had to return to Singapore after graduation. But I managed to maintain my destiny with Japan through my Japanese wife and am also in precision engineering business with some Japanese friends from Suwa, Japan. I met the latter in the course of my work back in Singapore.

Frankly, China today is a growing force to reckon with. The economies of the Asian Tigers and ASEAN countries managed to grow strongly since 1960s due to China's preoccupation with internal issues after the Cultural Revolution. Western manufacturers looking for cheaper production costs here in the east ventured into these Asian countries but shunned China due to its communist regime.

However, an open progressive China in recent years have resulted in a shift of these investment dollars to China. Increasingly, Japan and the Asian Tigers had also focussed their manufacturing investments into China to capitalise on the latter's strengths, and more recently its growing domestic market. Chinese enterprises will continue to grow and prosper as the Japanese and Asian Tigers have done, barring unforeseen circumstances (a favourite legal term).

China has become an important part of Singapore's trade and business. China's top 10 trading partners for 2005 are in order, EU, US, Japan, HK, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Russia, Australia and Canada. Trade between Singapore and China jumped 26% to US$33.15 billion. Singapore is also China's sixth largest source of foreign direct investment, putting in about S$19 billion investments in 2003. China's direct investment in Singapore for 2003 was S$841 million.

Yes, there are more and more made-in-China products here in Singapore too. A Chinese friend from China who visited me last year had a hard time trying to buy a toy for his children. He was not able to find a toy which is not made-in-China. Ironical indeed.

Ken

[euske]

I got a BS and MS (Computer Sci.) in Japan and now am studying for PhD in the U.S. But I have noticed a huge difference between Japan and US universities.

First off, there're very few scholarships for students in Japan. Many Japanese parents have to pay the tuition for their children's school for years (including grad school).

Secondly, the quality of courses is quite different. I was studying at Tokyo Inst. of Tech, one of top-schools in Sci. and Tech. area in Japan, but most teachers seemed hating teaching. And many fellow students are not very interested in studying, partly because there's no system to stimulate competition among students, and most companies don't care about their grade. They only care about the name of the university. I was surprised some students can't even program in C language after studying Comp. Sci for four years. But they still can get a job in big companies as long as they manage to graduate.

I think the university should not graduated such slackers, but they simply do because if so many students fail the media will start bashing the university (because they're supposed to be one of top-schools) and they'll lose the face. The same thing applies to foreign grad students in Japan. I've seen a PhD student who did horribly in his defense, but graduated anyway (the professors said "if we reject him, we'll have a political problem.")

I'm sorry I said too many bad words about Japan's universities, but I have to say Japan's higher education is much worse than the U.S. one. So, why don't you study in U.S. first and then move to Japan?

[cyberryo]

Euske, agree with you on your points about undergraduate course in Japan. I had made similar observation in another thread within this forum. BTW, did you get your BS from Tokodai? Any chance we were there at the same time? I graduated in 1991.
Ken

[euske]

Hi Ken,
Unfortunately, no. I was there from 1994 to 2001. Then I came to the U.S.

I can say I had good times at the university (I miss the cherry blossoms in the front of the main bldg), but when it comes to academic achievement, there's not much.

(A bit off topic): I guess the real problem lies in the society rather than universities themselves, because there's a common conception in Japan that college students deserve enjoying their life, as the reward of the harsh competition at their admission exams. So even parents don't expect their children to study hard. "Because they experienced enough hardship, so why don't you let them take a rest? Anyway they'll get a job after graduation..." I think the whole thing is a really bad idea, but it's very difficult to change...

Another cause might be life-time employment system in Japan. Many companys are fine with the poor education at universities, because they tend to train their new employees in house. For those companies, obedience is usually more important than skills.

[cyberryo]

Euske,
Yes, I miss the cherry blossom this time of the year too, and share your observation about the university being a "holiday" for the students before being pushed into the employment system. The recent revival of push to promote more "supaa ginosha" or super technicians to preserve Japan's manufacturing edge would, as in the past, make up for this gap.
I just hope that prospective foreign students would understand this before joining Japanese universities so that they don't get disillusioned or worse, end up regreting their stay in Japan.
Ken

[mihai]

Hello and sorry for being SO late with my replies here.

Once again sweet thanks for the very nice inputs that you've offered me here Cyberryo and Euske.

I have had similar answers in the past regarding Japan about the education system, and i had my doubts and still have.
Definately i think US is one of the best locations in the world to go for studying, and as you say Euske, why not study first in US and then move to Japan?

I am impressed by all the great transactions and investments that occur in Singapore, and it is really ironical Ken to look for a gift in another country, but still everthing is made from your country. The case of your good friend from China. Nice one! I will keep it in mind..

Now gentlemen, can you please answer this question that i have..

Which do you think would boost up more the career of one person, a master degree (phd is already a great achievement) in a good/strong/famous university or just an university degree and a couple of international certification (like Cisco, MSCE, A+ etc.) ?

I am really curious to read your ideas about this one.
Thank you and have a very great excelent week whereever you all may be,
Mihai.

[phoebe79]

Hi
I graduated University with the major of Law 2 years ago. Now im working as a consultant in a Law company. I want to get a master of law in Jp (study by E not Jpese), but i have a little information about universities in Jp.
Can u show me some usefull advice to choose the university, and the informations surrounding it such as fee of study, condition to entry,anyfavour for foreigner...etc
Thanks a lot.

[nice gaijin]

phoebe, would it be possible to get your company to pay for your education as a form of "training"? Sometimes it works that way here at least.

One thing is the kind of law you wish to study. Unless you're studying International law, I'm guessing that a law degree in Japan would mean a degree in Japanese law; is that what you want?

[phoebe79]

Hi Nice_gaijin!
My major in university was Economic Law, so i want to get MBA in Jp. Its inlelligence property Law, exactly. International Law is okay.
Getting my company to pay for my study isnt possible. Its only a small company and the leaders seemly dont care of investing their biz.
I wish i would establish own company after finish MBA!!!
When my country is in the process of integratation into WTO, heheh, is it able to have chance for us?

[Mike Cash]

Originally Posted by phoebe79

Getting my company to pay for my study isnt possible. Its only a small company and the leaders seemly dont care of investing their biz.

I wonder why....

I wish i would establish own company after finish MBA!!!

Oh! That's why!

[phoebe79]

The investment depend on many sectors. One of the most important thing is prospect in investor's mind.
I have changed my work several times with many positions.
When the Director have problem in domestic administration with another holder, they can focus on investing in biz activity. After 5 years cooperation, each holder seperate with their owner company,dispute in interest, of course.

[Mike Cash]

But why should they pay for skills you plan to take elsewhere? That's not an investment in their future, it's an investment in your future.