Education Tokyo University considers accepting Harvard students if barred

On Monday, the University of Tokyo announced that it is considering temporarily admitting international students from Harvard University who may be impacted by recent U.S. government measures preventing them from studying there. This potential move follows a similar initiative launched in 2022 when the university began hosting researchers and students displaced by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Under that programme, it offered free access to research facilities and accommodation. As of the end of March 2024, the university's website reports that more than 30 individuals have participated in the scheme. In addition to financial assistance, the programme has provided Japanese language instruction and counselling support.

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has moved to end Harvard's ability to enroll foreign students and force existing foreign students to transfer or lose their legal status by deciding to revoke the university's certification of its Student and Exchange Visitor Program. But international students are expected to remain enrolled at the university under a temporary injunction issued by a U.S. federal district court, while the legality of the administration's decision is under review.

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After months or even years of preparing to study in the United States, many Japanese students reportedly faced uncertainty and anger, as their plans had been thrown into disarray following a directive issued on 27 May by the Trump administration, which temporarily suspended new appointments for student visa interviews at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide.



U.S. media outlets stated that the suspension applied to visas for full-time academic studies, cultural exchanges, and vocational training. It was also reported that previously scheduled interviews would proceed as planned. The pause in new appointments was expected to remain in place until the U.S. State Department issued further instructions in the coming days. A man in his 30s from Tokyo, who had planned to apply for a student visa to begin graduate studies in the U.S. that summer, reportedly expressed disbelief at the news. He said he would have to wait and see what would happen next. The United States remained the most popular study-abroad destination for Japanese students, and reports indicated that the policy change could affect thousands.


The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo has officially suspended new interview appointments for student visa applicants.