phd student salary in japan

• Intensive Japanese Courses
• Lite Intensive Japanese Courses
• Part-time Japanese Classes
• Private Lessons
• JLPT Prep Courses
• Online Japanese Lessons
• JLPT Online Instruction & Exercise – 6 Month Course
• Self-Study Courses
• About Coto Japanese Academy
• Iidabashi Japanese Language School
• Shibuya Japanese Language School
• Yokohama Japanese Language School
• Minato Japanese Language School
• Our Teaching Philosophy
• Student Visa Support
• Meet the Coto Team
• Corporate Solutions
• Japanese Blog
• All articles

Charting Your PhD Journey in Japan: Admission, Lifestyle, and Balancing Work with Study

Japan, with its unique blend of ancient culture and technological innovation, offers a compelling environment for ambitious PhD students. Whether you’re diving into cutting-edge research or exploring the bustling streets, life as a doctoral candidate here is full of potential. But to truly thrive, understanding the ins and outs of admissions, budgeting for your lifestyle, and mastering the Japanese language is key.

Advantages of Pursuing PhD in Tokyo

Application Process and Timeline for a PhD Program

Can You Apply From Overseas?

List of English PhD programs offered by Universities in Japan

Navigating financial waters: living as a phd student, working while you learn, mastering japanese: a strategic move for phd students in japan, the key to professional opportunities, advantages of pursuing a phd in tokyo.

There are many advantages to pursuing an English-speaking PhD or master’s degree in Tokyo. Here are just a few:

• High-quality education: Tokyo’s universities are renowned for their academic rigor and research excellence. Many of these universities are ranked among the top institutions in the world.
• Cultural immersion: Tokyo is a vibrant and exciting city with a rich cultural heritage. Pursuing a degree in Tokyo will give you the opportunity to experience Japanese culture firsthand.
• Networking opportunities : Tokyo is a global hub for business and innovation. You will have the opportunity to network with leading professionals worldwide.
• Career prospects: A degree from a prestigious university in Tokyo will give you a competitive edge in the job market.

Application Process and Timeline for PhD Programs

Embarking on a PhD in Japan starts with navigating the admissions process. Programs in English are widely available, particularly in science and technology, economics, business, and various interdisciplinary fields. Admission requires a relevant master’s degree, a well-defined research proposal, and often proficiency in English or Japanese. The admission process for PhD programs in Japan typically varies from university to university. However, the general steps involved in the application process are as follows:

• Meeting Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must hold a master’s degree or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. Check the program website for specific admissions requirements and deadlines.
• Submitting Application Documents: Required documents may include transcripts, recommendation letters, research proposals, and language proficiency test scores (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS).
• Participating in Entrance Examinations: Some universities conduct written examinations or interviews to assess candidates’ knowledge and aptitude for research.

The application deadlines for English-speaking PhD and Master’s programs in Tokyo typically range from April to June. However, it is always best to check with the individual university for the most up-to-date information.

Can You Apply from Overseas?

Applications for English-speaking PhD and Master’s programs in Tokyo can typically be submitted from overseas. The application process is usually online, and you must submit the required documents digitally. However, some universities may also require you to send a physical copy of your application materials.

Additional Considerations

• Admissions requirements: Each university will have its own admissions requirements for English-speaking PhD and Master’s programs. These requirements may vary depending on the program, but they typically include a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
• Language proficiency: While most English-speaking Ph.D. and Master’s programs in Tokyo do not require Japanese language proficiency, having some basic Japanese language skills is always a good idea. This will help you navigate daily life in Japan and make the most of your experience.
• Funding: There are a number of funding opportunities available for international PhD students in Japan, including scholarships, fellowships, and teaching assistantships. It is important to research these opportunities carefully and apply for those you are eligible for.

Scholarships

Scholarships such as MEXT, Rotary Yoneyama Foundation Scholarships, or university-specific grants are vital in supporting your academic journey. They cover everything from tuition fees to living expenses, allowing you to immerse in your studies and the rich culture of Japan. Read what each scholarship offers below!

1. The Japanese Government ( MEXT ) Scholarship

This scholarship is offered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT). There are scholarships available for privately financed international students, as well as those under student exchange agreements. The application for the 2024 MEXT Japanese Studies Scholarship will open in January 2024 . Value of Award:

• 100% of tuition (covered by the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship)
• 145,000 JPY per month for living expenses (amount subject to change)
• Economy class air travel between the home country and APU at the beginning and end of the program. 

2. Rotary Yoneyama Foundation Scholarships

This scholarship is provided for future students of Japanese universities and graduate schools. This program serves two different application periods. If your expected enrollment is April 2024, the deadline is March 1, 2024 . If the expected enrollment is September/October 2024, the deadline is August 1, 2024.

Value of Award:

• 100% of tuition 
• The scholarship provides a monthly stipend for the duration of time, for Doctoral students: 140,000 JPY per month for two years

3. Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Fellowship

This fellowship is awarded to postdoctoral researchers who are conducting research in Japan. The JSPS offers two different programs long-term and Short-term; the application period is from mid-April to June 7, 2023 .

• 200,000 JPY per month for living expenses
• Leave for childbirth and childcare: Fellows are allowed to suspend their research for childbirth and childcare and are offered a path back into the laboratory. They can also choose to work short hours while on such leave.

4. The Fulbright Specialist Program Japan

This is a partial funding international scholarship provided by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for international students. For those candidates that met all eligibility requirements, you may apply to join the Fulbright Specialist Roster twice every 12 months . If you were not approved with your first application, you may reapply immediately and be included in the next peer review panel cycle. 

Additionally, the Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) offers about 135 graduate scholarships annually for studies in economics, business and management, science and technology, and other development-related fields. 

As a PhD student in Japan, you’re allowed to work part-time up to 28 hours a week during term-time and full-time during vacations. This can supplement your scholarship and provide real-world experience, but it’s essential to balance this with your study commitments.

For PhD students aspiring to work in Japan, proficiency in the Japanese language is invaluable. It paves the way for greater job opportunities, deeper cultural integration, and successful networking. 

Get the Full Japanese Experience

– Cultural Integration: Understanding the language is the first step to truly immersing yourself in Japanese culture and society.

– Work Eligibility: Many employers prefer or require proficiency in Japanese to navigate the local business environment and workplace culture.

– Networking: Speaking Japanese opens up a wealth of networking opportunities that are otherwise inaccessible, helping you to build valuable connections for your career.

If you’re a PhD aspirant in Japan with an eye on the job market, gaining proficiency in Japanese is more than just an academic requirement—it’s a strategic career move. The ability to communicate effectively in Japanese can significantly broaden your professional horizons and make you a compelling candidate in the job market, both during and after your PhD studies.

Our Language Courses: Tailor-Made for Your Success

Recognizing the importance of Japanese language skills for PhD students in Japan, our part-time and online courses are designed to fit into a busy academic schedule:

– Part-Time Japanese Courses These are ideal for PhD students who want to balance their research with language study. With flexible class times, you can learn Japanese without compromising your academic commitments.

– Online Japanese Courses For maximum flexibility, coto’s online Japanese courses allow you to learn from anywhere, at any time. This means you can advance your language skills even during fieldwork or if you’re on a research trip.

As a PhD student in Japan, your success isn’t solely determined by your academic achievements; it also hinges on your ability to navigate the local language and culture. By integrating Coto Japanese language courses into your study routine, you’re not just preparing for your dissertation defense—you’re setting the stage for a flourishing career in Japan. So, take the first step towards unlocking your full potential in the Japanese job market with our dedicated language courses, crafted to help you excel in both your studies and your professional life.

Test your Japanese level!

Recent Articles

Japanese Language & Cultural Immersion Course: Learn and Experience Japan

Start Learning Japanese With Coto Online Today, Available 24/7

Work Remotely In Japan

Ace Your Next JLPT Exam With Our JLPT Prep Courses

• Account Details
• Newsletters
• Group Subscription

Japan to pay Ph.D. students in quest for cutting-edge tech

Can $23,000 a year persuade master's students to go for doctorates?

TOKYO -- Beginning in April, 7,800 doctoral students in Japan will be eligible to receive an annual 2.4 million yen ($23,139) in living expenses, as they take part in a government program meant to maintain the country's global competitiveness in cutting-edge technologies.

The government will provide the funds to universities, which will pick the recipients. Universities working on artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and other disciplines are more likely to be chosen to take part in the program.

Japan startups cash in on e-learning demand spurred by COVID

Study-abroad hub australia wants students back -- in small doses, japan to accelerate e-textbook use by removing screen time limit, latest on politics, thai ruling party grapples with slow economy 1 year after election, ex-fixer cohen testifies trump signed off on hush money payment to porn star, beijing's transnational repression reaches overseas chinese students: report, sponsored content, about sponsored content this content was commissioned by nikkei's global business bureau..

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

• Job Openings

Please enable JavaScript in your browser.

Seeking a few Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher (R-CCS2205)

• Japanese Page

Supercomputing Performance Research Team RIKEN Center for Computational Science (Team Leader: Jens Domke)

Research field

RIKEN Center for Computational Science (R-CCS), led by Center Director Satoshi Matsuoka, is an international research center in high performance computing and computational science in Japan. Our objectives are to investigate “the Science of (high performance) computing, by computing, and for computing”, to research and develop our technologies (R-CCS technology) and software (R-CCS software), which we consider our core competence, in order to produce world-leading scientific and engineering results for use in Japan as well as globally.

Also, R-CCS started operating Japan’s national flagship supercomputer Fugaku, as a shared national facility to support a wide range of research activities since 2021.

The Supercomputing Performance Research Team conducts performance studies of traditional HPC architectures and software subsystems such as processors, networks, memory, accelerators, and storage; and the team investigates non-traditional hardware, such as neuromorphic chips, optical processors, and quantum computing devices to analyze their applicability to speed up supercomputing workloads. The team’s mission is to improve the performance, efficiency, and usability of Fugaku and upcoming supercomputers by data-driven co-design.

Job title and job descriptions

Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Researcher: A few positions

Job description

The scientist will join a vibrant team and top-class HPC institute to collaborate with other computer science and domain science teams to conduct research on HPC performance, such as performance modeling, simulation, prediction, and monitoring, in order to enhance the community’s understanding of cutting-edge and future supercomputers as well as applications running on these systems. Furthermore, the scientist will be in charge of benchmark design and preservation of existing benchmark suites to conduct short-term analysis of various systems and long-term tracking of performance trends.

The scientist will be able to research novel methods to automatically apply performance tuning and/or portability approaches to large-scale simulations running on Fugaku or other supercomputers, and will disseminate the research findings through scientific publications.

In addition to the above research and development, the scientist might take charge of various tasks in our research team and she/he could be involved in the R&D for the next generation of supercomputers for the RIKEN Center for Computational Science.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a doctoral degree or expect to receive a doctoral degree before the date of appointment. In general, those who earned a doctorate within the past 5 years will be appointed as Postdoctoral Researcher, and those who earned a doctorate more than 5 years ago will be appointed as Research Scientist.

Applicants should have:

• Experience in performance analysis, tuning, or modelling of hard- or software system;
• Knowledge of high performance computing systems; scalable, parallel architectures; and Linux operating system;
• Knowledge of typical high-level programming languages and parallelization paradigms used in the HPC field, e.g., C, C++, Fortran, CUDA, OpenMP, and MPI;
• Knowledge of one or more common scripting languages such a Bash, Python, etc.;
• A high degree of self-motivation, a drive to learn new things, and a desire to solve complex “puzzles”; and
• Confidence in communicating in English, i.e., reading, writing and speaking.

Work location

Branch and address.

RIKEN Center for Computational Science 6-3-5, Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0047, JAPAN

RIKEN has implemented a work-from-home system. Employees can work from home in accordance with the prescribed procedures.

Salary and benefits

• 1. (Research Scientist) One-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to seven years since the initial date of hire.
• 2. (Postdoctoral Researcher) One-year fixed-term employment contract, renewable based on evaluation, up to five years since the initial date of hire.
• 3. RIKEN may adjust the above maximum period of renewability based on a) the employee’s abilities, work load at the time of contract completion, performance and work attitude and b) the continuation of the employee’s center, laboratory or project and RIKEN’s management situation and budget at the time. In principle, employment contracts will not be renewed for individuals older than 65 years.

In principle, the first two months of employment is considered a trial period. Salary will be an annual salary based on experience, ability, and performance, and will consist of a base salary and a variable salary. The variable salary will be determined each fiscal year based on experience, ability, and performance. The monthly base salary is 290,200 JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher and 417,300 JPY for Research Scientist as of April 1, 2022. The monthly base salary and variable salary are subject to change due to amendments to RIKEN regulations. Discretionary work, commuting and housing allowances will be provided. Social insurance will be applied. The approximate amount of annual salary at the time of employment: The monthly salary including discretionary work allowance at the time of employment will be more than 350,000 JPY for Postdoctoral Researcher and 500,000 JPY for Research Scientist. Mandatory membership in the RIKEN Mutual Benefit Society (RIKEN Kyosaikai). This position falls under the specialized duties discretionary work system; one working day will be calculated as 7 hours and 30 minutes. Days off include public holidays, New Year's holidays (Dec. 29 - Jan 3), and RIKEN Foundation Day. Paid leave includes annual paid leave (up to 20 days per year depending on the month of employment), special paid leave (childcare, family nursing care, etc.), and work-life balance holidays (up to 7 days per year depending on the month of employment). There are also additional leave systems such as maternity leave, childcare leave, and family nursing care leave. No smoking on site These and other provisions are in accordance with RIKEN regulations.

RIKEN is actively undertaking initiatives to promote gender equality and diversity , and moving forward with the establishment of a diverse and vibrant research environment. If multiple candidates are found to have the same aptitude following a fair assessment, active efforts will be made to recruit female candidates.

Also, eligible for an exemption from repayment for category 1 scholarship loans provided by the Japan Student Services Organization before fiscal year 2003, and eligible applying for the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research ( Kakenhi ).

Application and required documents

Required documents.

Please prepare the following documents in English.

• 1. CV No format specified. Please make sure to include applicant’s name, date of birth, nationality, academic background, work history including the applicant’s current affiliation, and email address.
• 2. List of research achievements Include not only peer-reviewed papers but also awards and competitive funds received, achievements in research while working in the private sectors. Also include quantitative evaluation indexes such as the Google Scholar citation index as much as possible.
• 3. Copies of up to five most important publications (Please mark the papers on the list of publications.) When the original publications are not in PDF format, scan the papers and save them as PDF documents prior to submission.
• 4. List of external funds acquired, awards received, and other achievements including, contributions to university/institution operations, contribution to society through activities in academic societies, joint research projects, technology transfers, etc.
• 5. Description of previous research, future research plans, and career goals: No format specified, approximately three to four A4 pages in total. It is desirable that a diagram describing the research is provided.
• * One recommendation letter should be written by the applicant’s current supervisor. When it is difficult to do so, a recommendation letter written by a third party may be accepted.
• * The letters should be addressed to RIKEN R-CCS Director. Digital signature image can be embedded in the recommendation letters within the PDF file. Or please specify the referee’s contact information (name, affiliation, job title, phone number, and email address) in the letter.

Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA), you are required to submit the document, " Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR " with your signature.

* You will find detailed information about General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the following website: Data protection | European Commission

How to apply

Combine the above documents into a single PDF file and upload them to the following website: Applications for R-CCS Supercomputing Performance Research Team

The file name of the PDF should contain the job ad number “R-CCS2205, Supercomputing Performance Research Team” and the applicant’s name. Please write the name of the position that you apply for in the “Add additional information” box. After you uploaded the PDF file, please let us (kobe-jobs [at] riken.jp) know the file name of the uploaded file. When you send us an email, please write your name, Job Ad number and the name of the position that you apply for. If the recommendation letter is directly submitted from the referees, please send it to (kobe-jobs [at] riken.jp) by attaching it to the email. Please write "R-CCS2205 Supercomputing Performance Research Team, [name of the position], [applicant’s name] (Recommendation letter)” in the subject line and specify the applicant's name, referee's name and contact information in the email.

If a confirmation email is not received within 7 days after submission, please contact: kobe-jobs [at] riken.jp.

Note: Submitted documents will not be returned.

Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.

Handling Personal Data

Submitted documents are strictly protected under the RIKEN Privacy Policy and will be used only for the purpose of applicant screening. Personal information will not be disclosed, transferred or loaned to a third party under any circumstances without just cause.

Selection process

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt, and interviews will be conducted for selected applicants (2 interviews for Research Scientist position and one interview for Postdoctoral Researcher position.) No inquiries on the selection process and results will be answered.

Start of employment

At the earliest opportunity (subject to negotiation)

Contact Information

For inquiries on research conducted by the team, please contact the Team Leader by email: Jens Domke Supercomputing Performance Research Team RIKEN Center for Computational Science Email: jens.domke [at] riken.jp

• Updated as of Nov. 3, 2022:　"Salary and benefits"
• Updated as of May. 22, 2023:　"Work location" and "Salary and benefits"

Skip to job results

Skip to refine results

• Skip to main menu
• Skip to user menu

Jobs in Japan

• Refine results

Broaden your search

Refine your search.

• Applied Science   1
• Biomedicine   2
• Chemistry   1
• Computing   1
• Engineering   1
• Environmental Science   2
• Life Science   6
• Physics   1
• Postdoctoral   2
• Principal Investigator   4
• Researcher   2
• Japan Remove selection
• $30,000 - $39,999   1
• Full time   6
• Permanent   1
• Fixed term   5
• PhD Remove selection
• Recruitment Consultant   1
• Direct Employer   4
• Academia   6

Found 6 PhD jobs

World-class leaders for research in materials science.

• Tsukuba, Japan (JP)
• Fellow or Distinguished Group Leader Class
• National Institute for Materials Science

National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS, Japan) calls for outstanding researchers who can drive world-class research in materials science.

View details World-Class Leaders for Research in Materials Science

• 48 days ago
• Save World-Class Leaders for Research in Materials Science You need to sign in or create an account to save

Seeking a Team Leader, RIKEN BDR

• Kobe (JP) or Yokohama (JP)
• Salary commensurate with experiences, ability, and performance
• Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research(BDR) RIKEN

Team Leader to conduct challenging research in the fields of life science informatics and computational science in a broader sense

View details Seeking a Team Leader, RIKEN BDR

• 14 days ago
• Save Seeking a Team Leader, RIKEN BDR You need to sign in or create an account to save

• Salary commensurate with experience, ability, and performance

We are seeking to recruit a Team Leader (principal investigator) to conduct research and development of foundation models for life sciences.

Seeking a Team Leader in Laboratory for Mobile Genomic Elements (tentative) (Y24006) RIKEN IMS

• RIKEN Yokohama Campus (1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 230-0045 Japan)
• The annual salary at hire will be more than 8.4 million yen/year.
• RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences

【Laboratory】 Laboratory for Mobile Genomic Elements (tentative) RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences 【Available positions】 One opening for...

View details Seeking a Team Leader in Laboratory for Mobile Genomic Elements (tentative) (Y24006) RIKEN IMS

• 19 days ago
• Save Seeking a Team Leader in Laboratory for Mobile Genomic Elements (tentative) (Y24006) RIKEN IMS You need to sign in or create an account to save

postdoc/senior postdoc

• according to experience
• Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology

Devise and carry out state-of-the-art interdisciplinary research in Evolutionary Biology, and have fun doing it!

View details postdoc/senior postdoc

• 50 days ago
• Save postdoc/senior postdoc You need to sign in or create an account to save

Postdoc or Staff Scientist in Fish Biodiversity (Ichthyology)

• Based on experience
• Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology - Macroevolution Unit

Postdoc/Staff Scientist in Ichthyology at OIST. Design your own project, access to a marine station and top facilities, housing/child care benefit.

View details Postdoc or Staff Scientist in Fish Biodiversity (Ichthyology)

• 51 days ago
• Save Postdoc or Staff Scientist in Fish Biodiversity (Ichthyology) You need to sign in or create an account to save

Your browser is outdated

Please upgrade to a more modern version to fully experience JapanToday site and for security reasons

• Real estate
• Classifieds

The number of doctoral students in Japan is now almost half of what it was 17 years ago

If you want to get ahead in the world, everyone says you should go to college and get a bachelor’s degree. That’s true in Japan, where it’s generally a requirement for getting any decent salaried position. But though there’s always the option to pursue a higher level of education with a master’s or a PhD, in Japan, they don’t have the same appeal.

In fact, the number of doctoral students in Japan has been steadily decreasing since it hit its peak in 2003. This is worrisome for Japan’s science industries, as graduate university students are thought to be the lifeblood of scientific research and development in Japan, and provide the core work force at the country’s science industries, including their world-famous chemical companies, which are among some of the richest in the country.

According to the Japanese Ministry of Education, the number of PhD graduates was 11,637 in 2003, but has since decreased by almost half, to just 5,963 this year. Since 2003 was 17 years ago, you might think the decrease in doctoral graduates is due to the country’s continually declining birth rate, but in fact the statistics say otherwise. The number of doctoral graduates per one million citizens has also decreased; in 2017, it was 119, compared to 131 in 2008.

Compare that to the U.S., Germany and South Korea, which all increased their number of graduates per one million citizens since 2008. These numbers are bleak for Japan, whose science industries form the backbone of their economy. But what could be causing this decline in interest in pursuing the sciences to a higher academic level? Experts in the science and academic industries say it’s because the costs of getting a PhD outweigh the benefits in Japan.

Akira Yoshino, Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry, pointed out that it’s because PhD candidates are concerned about their employment prospects once they graduate. Yoshino says that, though having a doctorate provides a leg-up in finding employment in most other countries, there are no such considerations in Japan.

“I think that there should be recognition of the achievement of a PhD, as well as preferential treatment and pay for doctoral graduates,” he added. He also suggested that young people these days are not able to devote themselves to long-term research. “Academic research is a search for the truth, or is based on something the researcher has a deep curiosity about that they can single-mindedly pursue. It’s absolutely important to have one mission to focus on. Along those lines, I believe that it’s very important to cultivate an environment in Japan where someone can settle down to research something for 10 years or more, and feel secure about it.”

Yoshino himself started studying lithium-ion batteries when was 33 years old, and devoted all his energy to researching that single topic for nearly 40 years. His hard work paid off when he earned the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2019 for his impactful work on lithium-ion batteries.

Hirotaka Sakaue, associate professor of Aerospace Mechanical Engineering at Notre Dame University, agrees that having a doctorate amounts to little in the eyes of Japanese companies. Sakaue attained his PhD at Purdue University in the United States, but when he tried to find work in Japan, all of the jobs available based their pay on age rather than achievement, and the experience he gained through his PhD courses wasn’t even considered.

“In America, once you have a PhD, your annual salary changes greatly,” he said. “In my field of aerospace mechanical engineering, getting a PhD in Japan has no effect on your pay and so doesn’t have any appeal.”

What’s more, many U.S. doctorate programs in the sciences provide a stipend to their students, but Japanese universities offer no such benefits. “Since they’d have to work while studying for three years, I’m not sure many master’s students see any reason to get a PhD,” Sakaue said. He believes that a revision of the compensation system and the fostering of an environment that makes it easy for students to continue their post-graduate degrees is essential to raising the numbers again.

This problem serves as yet another example of much-needed workplace reform in Japan. The emphasis on seniority, rather than actual experience or qualifications, is a problem in many industries and for many workers, not only PhD candidates but also foreign workers and other employees with specialized qualifications.

Given that having a PhD has merit when applying for permanent residency in Japan, it’s probably not a matter of society viewing the degree as worthless, so hopefully more companies can change their tune and begin to actively work to promote advanced education in science.

Source:  NHK News  via  Hachima Kiko

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- Whoever made the science department PR video for Tohoku University deserves a raise【Video】

-- Most female doctors in poll can understand Tokyo medical school reducing female applicant scores

-- Japanese university graduate students solve 2,000 year mathematical problem

• External Link
• https://soranews24.com/2020/10/09/the-number-of-doctorate-students-in-japan-is-now-almost-half-of-what-it-was-17-years-ago/

Teach English in Japan

Join the leaders of English Education for Children in Japan!

17 Comments Login to comment

gogogo Oct. 13, 2020 07:58 am JST

Because most universities only have one PhD intake a year which has a selection progress and then they only take about 5-10 students

rgcivilian1 Oct. 13, 2020 08:56 am JST

Why bother when compared to the rest of the world they just take the doctoral's degree and make a better high paying salary job.

BackpackingNepal Oct. 13, 2020 09:04 am JST

If they're Not doing those Phd for just themselves, then it's good, otherwise rather employ a person who is determine and interested to do for the whole by giving some training.

kohakuebisu Oct. 13, 2020 09:42 am JST

I suspect that this is because companies do not want or want to pay overly clever young employees. Any extra education is feared more than respected.

The number of ryugakusei, Japanese studying abroad, has also greatly fallen, regardless of any talk of internationalization and globalization.

Some of this is due to demographics, a simple fall in the number of young people. Compared to 17 years ago, there will be millions fewer people in their twenties.

kyushubill Oct. 13, 2020 10:24 am JST

Unless they will be teaching in a university as a tenured professor then there is little need today for a PhD. The face of degree need has changed drastically since the 2010s. With AI and technology advance there is now little need for a high number of STEM advanced degrees as well. If the students want a career most employment recruiters are calling for medical and trades.

virusrex Oct. 13, 2020 10:46 am JST

There are two very important reasons for this.

1.- There is no jobs in academia, if a department have a single postgraduate student a year, but it takes 10 years to have a vacancy it still means they are preparing 9 PhD graduates more than what they are going to take in a permanent position. The rest are to search for a job elsewhere, but since this is a generalized situation there are simply no jobs anywhere. So graduates are to look to a series of temporary positions until they leave for a job in a company where their degree is not even wanted.

2.- Research gets mostly short grants that require immediate results. For the principal investigators this is not so bad, they get to publish sooner or later with anything useful any of their students or postdocs manage to produce in that time, but for the students and researchers hired for a specific program there is a very good chance their efforts will not be reflected in a published paper. Something requiring 4-5 years of work has to be done with a budget that last only 1 or 2. For a doctoral graduate this means 1 or 2 years of their CV not justified with a paper, which means he will not be hired anywhere else.

As a consequence the people that are successful are either the 5% that is above the rest and can secure a permanent job or those that already could get it without the PhD (like medical doctors that do a postgraduate course). In any case there is no incentive for students to enter a doctoral course, well rewarded and fulfilling alternatives are much easier to complete. The loss is mainly to Japanese science, to the advantage of many foreign companies and institutes.

It's sad seeing how people still hope to get a lot of Nobel prizes every year

timeon Oct. 13, 2020 01:12 pm JST

One of the biggest problems is the money. Japan is one of the few countries that doesn't pay for Ph.D., moreover the students have to pay tuition by themselves. There are few scholarships (most notably the JSPS DC), and mostly low- or no-interest loans. Combined with the lack of a clear advantage in job hunting for a PhD, and insecurity in academic positions, the program becomes less and less attractive. The typical age bracket is 24-27 years old, and peer pressure and often parents pressure* forces sometimes even academic types into finding a job after master.

*I remember a guy (at Todai!) whose father was adamant against him going to Ph.D. in science. The father even said that Ph.D.s are "society garbage"（社会のくず）and he was a medical doctor! The guy was stubborn though, and went to US for a Ph.D.; he is struggling now, 3rd year into postdoc in Japan.

Mocheake Oct. 13, 2020 02:11 pm JST

All you're going to get for your B.D is bs. You'll be overworked, undervalued, underpaid and stressed out anyway so why bother.

timeon Oct. 13, 2020 02:43 pm JST

Mocheake, you talk about B.D. or Ph.D. (the topic here)? And you talk from experience?

I got a Ph.D. in science from a Japanese university, and my career to date was good. Of course, it could be better, and it could be worse, but overall I am happy I made that choice

quercetum Oct. 13, 2020 04:13 pm JST

If you're a PhD student who speaks English in Japan, be careful your professor will expect you to check his English if not write or translate his papers, slideshows and presentations.

sakurasuki Oct. 13, 2020 07:19 pm JST

Especially in Japan, your previous background when entering company almost doesn't matter since many Japanese company will train anyone including those PhD graduate as other graduates.

There is no jobs in academia, if a department have a single postgraduate student a year, but it takes 10 years to have a vacancy it still means they are preparing 9 PhD graduates more than what they are going to take in a permanent position

Especially when the number of local students is declining so no new opening position except to replace those who retires. Also having new universities in Japan chance are really small .

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20180406110416788

dbgt Oct. 13, 2020 08:29 pm JST

2 years ago i got my PhD from one of the top universities in Japan. Looking back, it was kind of worthless academically speaking.... I got very little and poor laboratory training.... so I didnt got a lot of skills out of my PhD....

Overall i dont regret it, because living in Japan for 4 years was fantastic as a life experience, I really enjoyed my time there and miss the country a lot.

Sven Asai Oct. 13, 2020 11:17 pm JST

Intentionally forced shrinking of population and economy includes shrinking of the number of PhD. You don’t even need any degree to understand that, do you?

kurisupisu Oct. 15, 2020 09:34 pm JST

Japan’s standing is on a slippery slope.

China will soon dominate Asia in the majority of fields and as their products surpass all others, Japan will become a footnote in the annals of history...

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users.

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Login with your JapanToday account

Articles, offers & useful resources.

A mix of what's trending on our other sites

How to Switch to Cashless Shopping in Japan

Savvy Tokyo

Bethany “Bitsii” Nakamura on Breathing New Life into Abandoned Homes in Japan

Tokyo Cherry Blossom Viewing: The Most Beautiful Spots for 2024

The Best Japanese Shows To Get A Sense Of Tokyo

Valentine’s Day Do’s & Don’ts In Japan

Mother’s Day in Tokyo: Special Experience and Gift Ideas

100 Yen Shop Must Haves for Home Decor

Celebrating International Women’s Day in Tokyo 2024

LGBTQ+ Events in Tokyo for 2024

Japanese Self-Pleasure Toys for Women

Coping With White Day’s Emotional Toll in Japan

Dating Apps in Japan 2024: What’s Worth It and Not?