Chinese students are flocking to top Japanese universities such as the University of Tokyo, Keio, and Waseda, amid concerns about an apparent gap in entrance difficulty with Japanese applicants. A leading Chinese-focused prep school in Takadanobaba posted strong 2024 results: UTokyo 10, Kyoto 5, Hitotsubashi 10, Tokyo Tech 1, Osaka 9, Tohoku 4, Nagoya 7, Hokkaido 2, Kyushu 3, Waseda 15, Keio 29; tuition runs about 1–1.5 million yen per year; about one-third of its students study online from China before coming to Japan; the staff includes 30 full-time and 90 part-time teachers. Principal Li Zenan says many Chinese students intend to stay in Japan after graduation to work and obtain permanent residency, and he has never met a Chinese student who says they do not want permanent residency.