Japanese university students aspiring to study abroad are being bogged down by the weak yen and a global rise in prices.

The cost of studying abroad, including travel and living expenses, is much higher now compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, universities in the Chubu region are exploring ways to encourage students to gain international experiences, including by providing financial support and engaging them in degree programs offered in English in Japan.

At Nagoya University, a survey by the school’s study abroad office in July revealed that a significant number of students who had planned to go on an exchange gave up on the idea due to financial reasons. At the time of the survey, the yen was trading as low as ¥161 to the dollar.