INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION IN JAPAN: CAN MEANINGFUL INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION BE ACHIEVED?

The Global 30 Project (G30 Project) was instituted to turn Japan into an international education hub. The G30 Project is the result of evolving educational policies that started in 1983 during Prime Minister Nakasone's administration to internationalize Japanese higher education. As originally planned, the G30 Project was mainly concerned with increasing the foreign student population on university campuses. It was believed the project would have the effect of internationalizing the institutions' culture and curriculum. Although these policies seemed straightforward, the intended outcome of internationalizing Japanese universities is falling short of its goals. A key element in providing quality educational programs for international students is in the successful organization of worthwhile opportunities for cultural assimilation into Japan. Intercultural communication between foreign and domestic students at the Global 30 universities has had varying degrees of success. Therefore, the G30 project needs to be reexamined in an effort to improve effectiveness for providing meaningful opportunities for intercultural communication. Data presented in this study is based on surveys conducted at G30 universities in Japan where respondents (G30 students) where asked to evaluate the effectiveness of intercultural communication programs and opportunities within their particular G30 host university.