Okayama University has announced that starting with the 2027 academic year, tuition fees will be significantly increased. (For the past news on tuition increase of Okayama University, see the article, Okayama University to Raise Tuition in 2027 .) For Japanese undergraduate students, the annual fee will rise by 20% from ¥535,800 to ¥642,960. For international students, the increase is much steeper: tuition will more than double to ¥1,339,500, making it the highest among Japan’s national universities.
The decision was finalized on June 24 after internal deliberations, following the tuition adjustment proposal first presented in March. To soften the impact, the university plans to introduce support measures such as partial tuition waivers for certain international students and scholarships equivalent to tuition fees for high‑achieving students.
By fiscal year 2032, the university expects the tuition hike to generate around ¥1.6 billion annually. The additional revenue will be invested in expanding domestic and overseas training opportunities, improving student facilities, and strengthening career support services. President Yasutomo Nasu emphasized that the funds will be used to enhance the overall education and research environment.
Graduate tuition will also be adjusted: from 2031, Japanese master’s students will pay the same as undergraduates. However, international students already enrolled who advance to doctoral programs will continue paying the current rate. Until now, Tohoku University’s planned increase to ¥900,000 in 2027 was the highest tuition for international students at a national university, but Okayama University’s new policy surpasses that.
(Source: Nikkei, June 29, 2026)
Global University in Japan view:
For international students in Japan, annual tuition averages about ¥535,800 at national universities, around ¥540,000 at public universities, and between ¥800,000–¥1,500,000 at private universities depending on the field of study. Private institutions are consistently the most expensive.
Due to Japan’s declining birthrate, the number of domestic students will continue to decrease in the coming years. Tuition hikes are therefore likely to spread to other universities as well. However, it goes without saying that any increase in tuition fees must be accompanied by improvements in the quality of education.
| University Type | Annual Tuition (Approx.) | Notes |
| National Universities | ¥535,800 – ¥642,960 | Standardized by MEXT. Same rate for Japanese and international students. Some universities plan hikes for new foreign students. |
| Public Universities | ¥535,800 – ¥540,000 | Similar to national universities. Admission fees vary: ~¥141,000–¥392,000 depending on residency status. |
| Private Universities | ¥800,000 – ¥1,500,000 | Humanities: ~¥800,000–¥1,000,000. Science/Engineering: ~¥1,100,000–¥1,500,000. Medicine/Dentistry: ¥2,000,000–¥6,000,000. Admission fees ¥200,000–¥300,000. |
