An article in the Diplomat discusses ways the Japanese government can change the downward trend in overseas study interest. "Total human flow from Japan to the U.S. has declined significantly over the last 15 years, and while the numbers of U.S. arrivals to Japan have grown, they remain low. U.S. Ambassador to Japan, John V. Roos, has frequently stated that he does not worry about the security or economic facets of the U.S.-Japan relationship, but that he does worry about the educational facet." 

Read the article: http://thediplomat.com/2013/07/29/abeducation-new-opportunity-for-us-japan-ties/.