Global English, neoliberalism, & governmentality: towards an understanding of globalization in japanese higher education policy

This conceptual paper investigates the intersection of globalization, neoliberalism, and governmentality within Japanese higher education policy, focusing on the role of English language learning (ELL). By employing Foucauldian governmentality, the paper examines how State-sponsored initiatives, including the Top Global University Project (TGUP), exploit ELL and ‘elite’ higher education institutions to cultivate gurōbaru jinzai (global human resources) and, more pointedly, position citizens as homo oeconomicus—rational, self-governing individuals aligned with neoliberal market values. As argued here, English functions as a proxy for internationalization, a mechanism for hierarchizing institutions, and a tool for reinforcing credentialism within an increasingly competitive and stratified education system. Consequently, these processes ultimately serve national economic interests under the guise of globalization, shifting educational responsibilities from the State to individuals and institutions. The findings illuminate how policy rhetoric and funding shape public opinion and institutional behavior, with implications for social equity and the commodification of education under the global knowledge economy.