By Qi Wei
TOKYO, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- There are a multitude of talented people among
Chinese students, and if it had not been for the Chinese students, Japan could
not have achieved so much in its education for overseas students, said a
Japanese education ministry official in a recent interview with Xinhua.
"Chinese students are often referred to as being well-grounded in their
academic studies, outstanding in their theoretical level and fine in their
personal qualities at universities here," said Yuichi Oda, who is in charge of
student exchange programs in the higher education bureau of Japan's Education
Ministry.
In colleges of Japan's universities, students from China command a large
share, and they have played an important role in Japan's higher education, he
added.
"In a sense, Japan's education for overseas students can not possibly make
progress without the participation of those from China," the official said.
Chinese students account for more than 60 percent of overseas students
studying in Japan, a marked rise from some 20 percent in 1983, according to Oda.
Chinese students began to study in Japan in 1972 when the two nations
normalized their diplomatic relations, but the number remained small until 1978,
he said. It hit a peak in 2005 when a total of 80,592 Chinese students were
studying in Japan.
"There have been an increasing number of Chinese students studying in Japan
since 1979 when the Chinese government-funded student exchange programs were
launched," said Oda.
In July 2008, six Japanese government departments, including the education,
foreign and justice ministries, launched a program aiming to attract 300,000
overseas students to Japan.
Under the program, relevant authorities will simplify immigration
procedures, facilitate the internationalization of universities and provide
support for overseas students in their daily life and employment.
"Japan heartily welcomes Chinese students to Japan and is looking forward
to a greater number of Chinese students under the program," Oda
said.
