Oita Prefecture ranked third in Japan for international students per 100,000 residents, according to 2025 data released on July 9. The prefecture hosted 3,569 international students, up 6% from the previous year, or 331.4 students per 100,000 people, behind only Kyoto and Tokyo. Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) in Beppu accounted for more than 80% of the total with 2,927 international students, placing it fifth nationwide among universities. Students came from 108 countries and regions, with Myanmar, China, Indonesia, South Korea, and Thailand the largest source countries. Although more than 800 international students graduate from schools in Oita each year, only about 60 find employment within the prefecture, highlighting the challenge of retaining international talent. Souce: Nikkei / OBS News
Photo: Fukuoka Now
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