Planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree through a Japanese university’s distance-learning or correspondence program? Japan is known for its advanced technology, vibrant culture, and strong higher education institutions. With online and hybrid learning tools, some Japanese universities now make it possible for students to complete coursework remotely, although students should always check the language of instruction, exam format, and any in-person requirements before applying.
Online and distance learning has become more visible in Japan in recent years. The Japanese government continues to promote digitalization in education, including through the Education DX Roadmap, and some universities operate correspondence or distance-learning divisions. However, these programs are not always fully online or taught in English, so international students should review each university’s latest admissions guidance carefully.
So, if you are looking for flexible study options from Japanese universities, distance-learning programs may be worth considering. In this article, we’ll explore universities offering distance-learning or correspondence undergraduate programs in Japan for students seeking flexible study pathways.
Top Schools Offering Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Japan
1. Nihon University
Located in Tokyo, Nihon University is one of Japan’s largest private universities and has roots in Nihon Law School, which was established in 1889. Its Distance Learning Division offers undergraduate study across four faculties and eight departments or majors, including law, political science and economics, Japanese literature, English literature, philosophy, history, economics, and commerce.
Students in Nihon University’s Distance Learning Division combine correspondence study, schooling, and media or internet-based classes. Bachelor’s degrees are available in law, literature, economics, and commerce after students complete the required curriculum, including 124 credits and required schooling or media-class credits.
International applicants should review the admissions notes carefully. Nihon University states that schooling, subject-completion examinations, and other events are conducted in Japan, and overseas applicants must be able to participate in them. Foreign nationals are also required to have Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 2 or N2 or higher. For this reason, Nihon University is a good option for students who can meet Japanese-language and in-person requirements, rather than a fully English-taught online bachelor’s program.
2. Soka University
Continuing our exploration of universities offering distance-learning undergraduate options in Japan, let’s take a closer look at Soka University in Hachioji, Tokyo.
Founded in 1971 by Daisaku Ikeda, Soka University emphasizes humanistic education and access to learning. Its Distance Learning Division aims to make university education available to a wide range of learners and currently offers regular courses across four faculties and five departments, including economics and management, law, education, and letters.
Soka University’s distance-learning platform includes online classes, real-time Zoom classes, on-demand recorded lectures, online report submission, and subject examinations. The university states that it is possible to graduate by studying exclusively online without attending campus, although some subjects, such as those related to teaching licenses, require face-to-face classes. Students from Japan and around the world study in the Distance Learning Division, but prospective international students should confirm the latest language, qualification, and application requirements directly with the university.
3. Kindai University
Kindai University, based in Higashiosaka, Osaka, is one of western Japan’s largest universities. The university was established in 1949 through the merger of Osaka Technical College, founded in 1925, and Osaka Science and Engineering University, founded in 1943. Today, Kindai offers a broad range of academic fields across multiple faculties and campuses.
Kindai University’s Distance Learning Department was established to make university education more accessible. The department has offered its business and economics program since 1957 and its law program since 1960, making it a long-standing distance-learning provider in western Japan.
Students in the Distance Learning Department study the same general curricula as students at the main campus. However, students should note the degree outcome carefully: according to Kindai University’s official English page, regular students who complete the law program receive a Bachelor of Law degree, while students who complete the business and economics program receive an Associate of Business and Economics degree. Students specifically seeking a bachelor’s degree should therefore confirm the exact degree pathway with Kindai before applying.
FAQs: Online Bachelor’s in Japan
Can International Students Take Online Bachelor’s Programs in Japan?
Yes, but with important conditions. Some Japanese universities operate correspondence or distance-learning undergraduate pathways, and some programs include online classes or remote completion options. However, these programs are not automatically English-taught, visa-eligible, or 100% online for every student.
For example, Nihon University’s Distance Learning Division requires overseas students to participate in Japan-based schooling and examinations and requires foreign nationals to have Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 2 or N2 or higher. Soka University states that students may be able to graduate by studying exclusively online, but some subjects require face-to-face classes. Kindai University offers distance-learning options, but not every distance-learning track leads to a bachelor’s degree.
Online undergraduate programs at Japanese universities can be valuable for students seeking flexible study, but applicants should verify the degree title, language of instruction, residency rules, exams, visa implications, and any in-person requirements directly with the university. With a variety of options available in English and Japanese, students from around the world can explore Japanese higher education while choosing the format that best fits their goals.
We hope this article was informative and helpful. For more articles about Japan, head over to our Study in Japan guide, and check out our Available Programs for International Students.
