This study examines the living conditions of Southeast Asian international students in Japan through a secondary analysis of JASSO survey data (N=1,650 from Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia) to inform support strategies for the School of Global Studies and Collaboration at Aoyama Gakuin University (GSC).The analysis revealed three main findings.First, common challenges across countries include high living costs (75-81%), Japanese language difficulties (30-34%), and limited interaction with Japanese students (27-31%).Second, significant differences exist among the three countries.Indonesian students receive high remittances (253,000 yen per month); however, 71.5% work part-time out of economic necessity, with 46.7% reporting lifestyle difficulties related to religious needs.Malaysian students face severe economic constraints (lowest remittances at 78,000 yen per month, 81.3% working for survival) and show gaps between their Japanese test scores (80.8% N1/N2) and practical competence in Japanese.Thai students show better economic conditions (lowest part-time rate 54.8%) but face language challenges.Third, economic difficulties, long working hours, and social isolation often coexist, particularly among Indonesian and Malaysian students.These findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive, country-specific support strategies.Future GSC-specific surveys are recommended, as this study focused on long-term privately financed students rather than short-term exchange students.
Yusuke Tsukada (Sun,) studied this question.