Budget cuts in Japan could severely affect most of the 78,000 overseas students enrolled at the country's 4,800 universities and higher education institutions.
From April next year, self-financing students at the 99 national universities will pay 7.2 per cent more in tuition fees, taking the annual tuition costs to more than 500,000 yen (£2,700).
International students at the more expensive private institutions will be hit by a 10.3 per cent cut in financial assistance from the Japanese government.
Just as a goal set in 1983 of 100,000 overseas students has come within reach, the post-bubble era means that Japan has to refocus commitments.
Since 1987, the national government has offered to pay up to 30 per cent of annual tuition for self-financing international students enrolled full-time at accredited private institutions.