The number of young Chinese enrolled in the art schools in Japan has shot. It’s a springboard to stay

For some time to this part Japan has been living A arrivals boom from abroad. We do not talk only about tourists, since a percentage of the people who arrives do it with the bags to stay. In fact, a nation stands out in these statistics. The Chinese are traveling in mass to not return due to economic opportunities and socio -political challenges themselves. That is why, many young people are aiming at the university to study art.

Art as a way for residence. Chinese migration to Japan is reaching unprecedented levels. It We have recently: With the flexibility of Visa requirementsthe migratory flow from China has expanded beyond the wealthy elite, also covering to the middle class. Moreover, it is estimated that by 2026 the number of Chinese citizens residing in Japan It will exceed one million.

This increase is transforming not only the demographic structure, but also the culture, lifestyle and educational systems in Many Japanese cities. And within this phenomenon, a group has gained particular relevance: Chinese art studentswho see in Japanese universities an opportunity to establish themselves permanently in the country.

The case of Li Yalin. Nikkei told him The weekend with an example. Li Yalin, a 28 -year -old girl, reflects the trend. After obtaining his degree in China, he moved to Japan in 2019 to study Japanese at a language school in Tokyo. However, the pandemic forced her to return to her country. Determined to return, he approved the entrance exam at the University of Arts of Kyoto remotely and today resides in Japan, specializing in Videogame characters design.

Raised in a middle class family in Guangzhou, Li grew immersed in Japanese culture, especially through video games like Pokémon. Now he has achieved work in a video game company in Tokyo, where this spring will begin to work. With just a few years in the country, he is already evaluating his way to The permanent residence.

A growing phenomenon. The number of Chinese students in the main art universities in Japan It has increased exponentially. He Nikkei study revealed That there are currently 245 Chinese students at the University of Arts of Tokyo, 462 at the University of Art of Musashino, 448 at the University of Art of Tama, 692 at the University of Arts of Kyoto and 823 at the University of Kyoto Seika.

In total, Chinese students represent 70% of international students In these universities, which reflects a clear migratory pattern that links education with long -term residence.

The 2017 inflection point. He counted the medium in his analysis that the phenomenon It took strength in 2017when the Japanese government relaxed the requirements To obtain permanent residence. The measure was especially beneficial for international students, allowing them to request residence in just one to three years, instead of the five required above.

Not just that. Politics is part of the “Cool Japan” initiativewhich seeks to boost the Japanese cultural industry, such as anime, design and video games. As a result, facilities have been implemented in obtaining work visas for foreigners in these sectors, which has made careers animation, design and video games into quick accesses to permanent residence.

How they get the residence. Apparently, Japan evaluates residence applicants through A point system which takes into account the academic level, work experience, annual income, age or mastery of the Japanese language. Those who reach 70 points are classified as “highly qualified professionals”, while those who exceed 80 points can request permanent residence In just one year.

Ren Junying, 30, is Another successful example. Originally from Hebei, he completed a doctorate at the University of Arts in Tokyo and now works as a jewelry designer in the Japanese capital. Despite having less than a year in the labor market, it has reached 90 points in the evaluation system, which will allow you to obtain residence shortly.

Chinese migration and labor structure. Japan has a unique massive hiring system of recent graduates, which facilitates international students to find employment more efficiently than in other developed countries such as the United States or Europe. As a result, the number of Chinese with permanent residence in Japan has grown 40% since 2017, reaching 330,000 in June 2024.

Not just that. Permanent residence too benefits spouseswho can obtain unrestricted work visas. In recent years, the number of people under this category has increased significantly, even more strengthening the Chinese community in Japan.

Universities such as “Migrant” springboard. Nikkei explained Cases such as the Coach Academy, a preparatory school for Chinese students in Shinjuku, Tokyo, has seen an increase in the registration of young people seeking to enter Japanese art universities. Yang Kailin, 25, arrived in Japan in April 2023 to prepare for a postgraduate degree at an University University. “My goal is to work for a Japanese toy company and, if possible, obtain permanent residence,” I assured the environment.

The school introduced an art course in 2015 with just 10 Chinese students. Today, the figure has exceeded 200. Plus: a new phenomenon has emerged. Chinese parents are the ones who drive their children’s migration to Japan. In this regard, an employee of a preparatory academy pointed to the environment that he saw “more enthusiasm to study art in Japan by parents, rather than the students themselves.” The reason? If a student obtains the permanent residence in Japan as a highly qualified professional, Your parents can also benefit of a possible migration.

Chinese migration expands. It We counted recently. Japan’s appeal as a migration destination is not limited to art universities. In a context where the Chinese economy shows signs of stagnation and increasing unemployment, many young people seek Alternatives abroad.

In fact, the growth of the Chinese community in Japan is transforming the social structure of the country, where the combination of flexible immigration policies, labor access and a high standard of living have turned the Nation into an attractive destination for those who seek stability outside China.

Image | Toshihiro Gamo

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