25.Jun.2026
PRESS RELEASE
WEWORLD Hosts Its Largest-Ever Career Expo as the Number of International Students Reaches a Record High
A total of 68 universities and vocational schools and 1,316 international students participated in an academic matchmaking event connecting Japanese language school students with higher education institutions. The next event is scheduled for around July 2026 in Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo.
WEWORLD Inc., the parent company of ISI Japanese Language School, held the WEWORLD Education Expo (Tokyo), an academic matchmaking event, on May 19, 2026. The event reached its largest scale to date, bringing together a record 68 universities, graduate schools, and vocational schools— including institutions represented through brochures— and welcoming 1,316 international students seeking to pursue higher education in Japan.
According to a survey by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), the number of international students in Japan reached 408,069 as of May 2025, up 21.2% from the previous year (※). The record scale of this year’s WEWORLD Education Expo is also seen as reflecting this growing market trend.
(※ 2025 International Student Enrollment Survey Results)
The Growing Number of International Students and the Importance of Connecting Students with Higher Education Institutions
Against the backdrop of Japan’s declining birthrate and ongoing efforts to internationalize higher education, higher education institutions, including universities and vocational schools, are placing greater emphasis on attracting international students. While an increasing number of students at Japanese language schools are choosing to continue their studies at universities and vocational schools, differences in admission procedures and requirements among institutions continue to make it difficult for students to select prospective schools and gather the information they need.
In response to these market needs, the WEWORLD Education Expo is held regularly by ISI Japanese Language School, operated by WEWORLD Inc., as an event that brings institutions together while benefiting both students and schools.
The Largest Event to Date, Featuring Leading Institutions and Diverse Fields of Study
The event featured universities popular among international students, including Waseda University, Keio University, Meiji University, Chuo University, Kwansei Gakuin University, Kyoto Seika University, Tokyo Polytechnic University, and Musashino Academia Musicae, as well as vocational schools such as HAL Tokyo, Tokyo Mode Gakuen, and Nippon Designers School. Information sessions were held covering a wide range of fields of study.
Each participating institution had its own booth, where admissions staff introduced their schools and explained the admissions process. Visitors were able to learn more about each institution’s curriculum, research programs, employment outcomes, scholarship programs, and other key information. Students also asked questions about their Japanese language proficiency and future study plans, creating meaningful two-way communication.
Voices from Participants
［Comments from Students］
“Being able to compare multiple schools in one place gave me a much clearer idea of which school would be the best fit for me.”
“Speaking directly with university admissions staff gave me a much better understanding of the admissions process, which had previously seemed overwhelming.”
［Comments from Participating Institutions］
“A valuable opportunity to meet international students from a wide range of nationalities and backgrounds in one place.”
“Many of the students were highly motivated to learn Japanese and had clear academic goals, which allowed us to have more in-depth admissions consultations.”
Comprehensive Academic and Career Support by the WEWORLD Group
The WEWORLD Group, which operates ISI Japanese Language School, also set up booths introducing a variety of services to support international students with their future academic and career paths. Students received comprehensive information on their academic and career options after graduation.
JUQ, a preparatory school for international students pursuing higher education in Japan, introduced a range of services, including preparation for the EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students) and the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test), as well as support with research proposals and interviews for admission to competitive universities.
GLOBAL REACH, a foreign talent recruitment service that supports employment at Japanese companies, also hosted a booth, where visitors received career advice and consultations on working in Japan after completing their studies. Together, the event showcased the WEWORLD Group’s comprehensive support for international students pursuing higher education in Japan.
The next event is scheduled to take place in Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo in July 2026.
Following the record-breaking turnout at this year’s Tokyo event, the next WEWORLD Career Expo is scheduled to take place on the following dates in July 2026.
- Tuesday, July 14, 2026 – Kyoto
- Thursday, July 16, 2026 – Osaka
- Thursday, July 23, 2026 – Tokyo
To further strengthen our nationwide academic and career support system, we will continue to expand the WEWORLD Career Expo to cities across Japan.
