SYNOPSIS

1. SYNOPSIS JAPAN POPULATION TRENDS OTHER FACTORS IN JAPAN Objective: Investigate factors contributing to the sharp decline in Japanese student enrollment at NSU. Hypothesis: This is probably due to demographic and sociological factors in Japan. Methods: We analyzed data from Japan and US sources and interviewed individuals. Results & Conclusion: Contributing factors include: 1) Declining youth population in Japan, 2) Less motivation to study abroad, 3) American has become a less attractive study site. • New public education system from 2002: • "Yutori kyouiku," stress-free education • Academic decline; students show less ambition and motivation • Bad economy -> insecurity, uncertainty • New law in 2006 restricting direct mail -> harder to recruit students for US colleges • Tight job market, especially for US college graduates • Easier international access without leaving home: internet, more foreigners in Japan • Pride in Japan -> less perceived need to learn from America • More Japanese traveling to developing countries in Asia • More companies sending workers overseas so less need to go during college Fewer Japanese Students - Why?Thomas O. Salmon, OD, PhD, Yukari Mishima, Junko SalmonNortheastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry DECLINING STUDENT ENROLLMENT FACTORS IN AMERICA • Safety concerns, crime rate, drugs in schools, decline in US education • Murders of several Japanese students in mid 1990s. (Halloween incident on 10/17/1992) • School violence: Columbine (4/20/1999) … • 9/11/2001 and terrorism • Harder to get visas after 9/11 • Increase in US college tuition • Other negative PR for the US • Tragic car accident on 11/11/2007, two Japanese NSU students killed • Shift in interest toward Korea and China • Economic pressures -> fewer children • 36,300,993 abortions (1949-2005) • Fertility rate <2.0 since 1974, now 1.2 • Fewer marriages • Women marrying later (mean age 28.6) • Death rate now > birth rate • Declining youth population Oklahoma Research Day, November 4, 2011