ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the history, current condition, and future vision of Japanese education, focusing on its own attractiveness, or soft power, for both Japanese and non-Japanese citizens in a global context. Japanese education as a source of soft power is in crisis. Three stages in the transformation of the relationship linking education and the military, the economy, and soft power can be identified, namely: education supported by military power, accumulation of soft power in education through economic development, and utilizing soft power for transformation to a postindustrial society. The official governmental authorization of foreign university programs such as that offered by Temple University Japan can stimulate the Japanese higher education market and could facilitate the further establishment of international university environments for both Japanese and non-Japanese students. The increase of exchange and partnership programs as observed at Kansai Gaidai University can also foster channels for student exchange, again for both Japanese and non-Japanese students.
