<p>Eddieee, I'm Japanese、so I guess I can give you some information on applying to Japanese universities, although I'm attending an American university next year. </p>
<p>You are right about having to take entrance exams for individual universities. And, as you've mentioned, they are extremely difficult. Most high school students spend hours in afterschool preparatory schools in addition to attending their own high school. To be honest, the level of education is much, much higher than that of American high school or most other Western high school diplomas. Particularly areas such as mathematics and sciences are extremely high-level - perhaps equivalent to the first two years of American universities. </p>
<p>Many Japanese kids start their preparation for top universities such as Tokyo University (or Todai) from primary school. This is because, getting into top-tier middle school and high school is crucial to gaining admissions to elite universities. In terms of the level and difficulty, I believe that admissions to Japanese universities are one of the toughest in the world. What you really have to keep in mind is that this is an entirely different culture. For many Japanese, where they GOT IN is much more important than where they GRADUATED from. This is exactly the opposite of American culture, but it's simply because it's hard to get into Japanese unis, but easy to graduate from them.</p>
<p>There are several top-tier universities, which every Japanese person considers to be prestigious. Tokyo university is the best of the best - there is no question about it. Along with Tokyo university, there are other former Imperial Universities that were the 6 best, elite national universities in Japan prior to the end of the Second World War. When people measure the prestige and level of universities, they frequently refer to the former Imperial Universities, which are Tokyo University, Kyoto University, Nagoya University, Tohoku University, Hokkaido University and Kyusyu University. In my opinion, Tokyo, Kyoto and Nagoya are the upper level among the six. These unis are famous for having many graduates receiving Nobel prizes. For instance, Professor Noi, who received Nobel prize for chemistry in 2001 is a graduate from Kyoto and professor at Nagoya. Mr. Koshiba, a graduate from Tokyo received Nobel prize for physics in 2002 for the effective detection of neutrinos and other particle physics discoveries. </p>
<p>For a long time, the commonly perceived "elite course" of life was to get into Tokyo University, pass the First Class National Civil Service exam and work as a bureaucrat for the Ministry of Finance. Once you were on this course, your life was guaranteed in Japan. You could be employed in any private corporations where you could work as managers, consultants, or whatever and could received huge salaries and retirement allowance. But this was only in the past. Nowadays, the younger population is decreasing and people are breaking the shell of this old system. Many go abroad and study in top-level American universities. I guess it's good for the country to diversify the opportunities available for them. Anyways, so my point here is that simultaneously, Japanese universities are starting to open their doors to the outsiders, therefore foreigners and Japanese living abroad. Recently Tokyo University has introduced the system "Special Selection Process" for these people. The Type 1 of the Special Selection process applies to people like you, foreigners, who have no right of permanent residence in Japan. You need an officially recognized high school diploma, TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) score, and entrance exam results. This link will give you more detailed information about the entrance requirements.
<a href="http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/stu03/e01_02_04_j.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/stu03/e01_02_04_j.html</a>
This year, only 15 students have gotten into Tokyo University through the Type 1 Special Selection Process. I must say that this is a very difficult process.</p>
<p>In addition to the former Imperial Universities of Japan, private universities such as Keio University and Waseda University are considered to be very prestigious. Keio is famous for having many of its graduates as heads of famous transnational private corporations. I think you should check these universities out as well.</p>
<p>I'm very happy that you are interested in Japanese universities. I think Japan is a great place to live and also an excellent place to study. Besides regular admissions, I would recommend you considering exchange programs. Perhaps these are more realistic choice for American high school students living outside Japan. Why don't you ask you sister for advice? I'm sure she will be able to give you advice based on her experience, which may resemble yours. Anyhow, good luck for you Japanese university admissions. I admire your courage to take a different path from others and challenge in a new environment.</p>