ABSTRACT
The history of Chinese students going to Japan to study dates back to the late 1800s, with the estimated number reaching 8,000-10,000 before the relationship between the two countries became strained by repeated wars. Traditionally, Japanese has been the language of instruction in Japanese higher education institutions (HEIs). However, there is a new language option for international students to study in Japan: English as a medium of instruction (EMI) is now part of Japan's strategy for the internationalization of higher education. The literature shows that Chinese people's choice to study in Japan reflects their strategies to navigate the uneven socioeconomic and academic systems within China and other countries. The data for this chapter is drawn from a broader study that included interviews with faculty, staff, and international students, and examined the intersection of the internationalization of universities and international students' experiences in Japan.
