A perfect storm of demographics and economics has caused both Japan and the United States to aggressively woo students from abroad to enroll in their respective universities. Based on the evidence to date, it's hard to know which country will ultimately be successful in achieving its objective.
Japanese students who opt to earn a degree even from a marquee-name university abroad find themselves at a distinct disadvantage when they return home to enter the job market. By that time, their peers from lesser universities have already contacted dozens of companies and have received support from local alumni networks.
The cachet of a degree is simply no match for shukatsu, the hiring of workers directly upon graduation from college and employing them until retirement. Despite changes in Japanese society, it remains a powerful tradition.