Of 2,004 students surveyed for the Japan: Debunking the ‘inward-looking’ myth report, 33% said they were interested in study abroad and 12% already had, while 46% said they were not interested.

The number of Japanese students studying abroad dropped from 83,000 in 2004 to 57,501 in 2011

In comparison, 37% of UK students and 44% of US students responded favourably when asked if they were considering study abroad in the British Council’s Broadening Horizons 2014 report.

However, these attitudes are not reflected in Japan’s study abroad figures, which have been the subject of huge concern in recent years. The number of its students studying abroad has plummeted – from a high of 83,000 in 2004 to just 57,501 in 2011 – sparking a number of government-backed initiatives including Prime Minister Abe’s signature ‘Abeducation’ plan that aims to double the number of domestic students studying overseas by 2020.

However, the survey reveals a lack of awareness of such initiatives, with the majority of students surveyed saying they were unaware of government policies to increase outbound student numbers.

Language plays a key role in deciding whether and where to study abroad, the report shows. The opportunity to improve foreign language skills is the biggest motivator for studying abroad, with 79% of those who had already studied abroad or were interested in doing so giving it as one of their top three reasons.

At the same time a lack of language skills was the biggest perceived barrier to study abroad, raised by 51% of those who were unsure or did not want to study abroad.

Among other motivators to go abroad, survey respondents listed a desire to travel abroad and to launch an international career.

Not surprisingly, English-speaking destinations were most popular, with the most popular countries for students who had already studied abroad being the US (18%), Canada (12%), Australia (12%) and the UK (10%).

Other hurdles to going abroad include cost, named by 41% of surveyed students and and safety concerns mentioned by 32%.

A lack of language skills was the biggest perceived barrier to study abroad, raised by 51% of those who were unsure or did not want to study abroad

Increased financial support and language learning provision could be key to boosting outbound student mobility, the report suggests. Findings show that 28% of respondents who said they were not interested in study abroad said they might if they received a scholarship or financial support, while 17% said they might if given language training.

“There are cultural considerations that are unique to students across the globe,” Anna Esaki-Smith, Editorial Director at Education Intelligence and the author of the report, commented. “However, with this survey we can see that very fundamental considerations, such as inadequate foreign language ability, cost and employment, play significant roles when Japanese students consider overseas study.”

The survey also found a correlation between study abroad and attitudes towards the future, with those who had previously studied abroad being the most optimistic about their own futures.

In contrast, those who were most pessimistic about their futures were those who were not interested in studying abroad.

“With a deeper understanding of what students see as the benefits of study abroad, and the possible advantages to be gained, the potential to inspire more Japanese students to become more globally competitive through study abroad increases,” Esaki-Smith added.