JAOS (Japan Association of Overseas Studies), Japan’s representing association in the worldwide professional network of similar associations (FELCA), with 70 member organizations, has received approval from the Japan Anniversary Association to designate November 12 as Study Abroad Day. This signified that the 12th of November is now officially celebrated annually in Japan to recognize and promote the value of studying abroad.

The 12th of November 1871 was the first time five female students, who included Sutematsu Oyama and Umeko Tsuda, left Japan and accompanied the Iwakura Mission to the United States for a study-abroad program under the sponsorship of the Japanese government. JAOS has designated November 12, the symbolic day when women were first given the opportunity to study abroad, as Study Abroad Day to commemorate the beginning of private ambassadors through education. Since studying abroad had been an exclusive privilege reserved for elite men up until then, this was also an epoch-making day to open up the possibility for the Japanese public to seek study abroad opportunities.

Japan has a long history of sending its students abroad since around 600 AD, and many of them who returned from their study-abroad experiences have contributed to Japan’s growth. As the world becomes increasingly integrated today, the development of global talent has become a top priority task for Japan. JAOS has designated Study Abroad Day with the aim of raising public awareness of study-abroad opportunities so that the country can continue to nurture significant and influential representatives of talents who will play active roles in the global arena and contribute to Japan’s future through the experience they have gained from studying abroad.