Study Abroad Day

What Is Study Abroad Day?

November 12th is "Study Abroad Day" in Japan. On the 12th day of the 11th month of the lunar calendar in 1871 (Meiji 4), Japan's first five female government-sponsored overseas students, including Sutematsu Yamakawa (later Sutematsu Oyama) and Umeko Tsuda, left for the United States together with the Iwakura Mission. The day was established by the Japan Association of Overseas Studies (JAOS) and registered with the Japan Anniversary Association in 2022.

The Day Five Girls Crossed the Ocean

The Iwakura Mission was a large delegation sent by the Meiji government to study Western institutions and culture. On board were five girls selected by the government. Because study abroad was opened not only to men but also to women, JAOS regards this date as the symbolic day when overseas study truly opened up to the Japanese people.

• Origin of the date: the departure of five female government-sponsored students for the U.S. with the Iwakura Mission on the 12th day of the 11th lunar month of 1871
• Notable students: Sutematsu Yamakawa, Umeko Tsuda and others, Japan's first female government-sponsored students abroad
• Established by: the Japan Association of Overseas Studies (JAOS), made up of organizations involved in study abroad
• Purpose: to raise interest in studying abroad and nurture more people who can work globally and contribute to Japan

What Became of the Youngest Student, Umeko Tsuda

The youngest of the five was Umeko Tsuda, who was just six years old at the time. After returning from her long stay abroad, she founded Joshi Eigaku Juku (today's Tsuda University) and devoted herself to higher education for women. She was chosen as the portrait on Japan's new 5,000-yen note, issued from 2024. Sutematsu Yamakawa, who traveled with her, also went on to support women's education and nursing after returning to Japan.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Learn about the lives of Meiji-era female students such as Umeko Tsuda and Sutematsu Yamakawa
• Ask colleagues or friends who have studied abroad about their experiences
• Look into ways to keep learning as an adult, such as short-term or online study abroad
• Take a look at the 5,000-yen note and talk about the person pictured on it

A Step Taken 150 Years Ago Leads to Today's Freedom to Learn

For young girls to set off for a country with a different language and culture was a huge challenge at the time. That step led to today's world, where anyone can study overseas regardless of gender. November 12th is a day to think about the courage it takes to jump into a new world.