87.5% of vetted education consultancies lack partnerships with Japanese institutions despite record interest
A new study by ICEF, developed in collaboration with researchers from the Japanese higher education sector, has identified a significant "interest gap" in Japan’s international student market. The research, based on a survey of 303 professional, screened education consultancies across 68 countries, reveals that while global student interest in Japan is at an all-time high, the institutional infrastructure to support this demand remains underutilised.
Key findings:
-The interest gap:On a scale of 1–5, global interest in Japan as a study destination sits at 4.41, yet 87.5% of surveyed advisors currently have no formal partnerships with Japanese institutions.
-A professionalised network:The study highlights a shift away from traditional "broker" models toward expert-led consultancies. 82% of respondents invest in formal staff training, and 91% manage rigorous document verification to ensure application integrity.
-Capacity to scale:The global agency network represents a turnkey recruitment infrastructure.51% of these professional firms employ more than six highly experienced, student-facing counselors.
-Market barriers:76% of consultants cite a lack of brand awareness as a primary hurdle, while 75% point to a misconception that programmes are not available in English.
"Japan has the world-class education and the safety that students crave, but it currently lacks the 'window to the world' provided by properly screened education consultants," says Martijn van de Veen, CBDO at ICEF. "Our findings, supported by insights from colleagues at Waseda and Hitotsubashi Universities, suggest that this high-integrity network is ready to support Japan's growth goals.”
The full report can be foundhere