As Japan takes a place as one of the world's technologically and economically advanced nations, the number of foreign students seeking to study in Japan has increased rapidly, as has the number of foreigners expressing interest in studying Japanese culture and the Japanese language. The Japanese government's program of international student exchange is still in a developmental stage and is rapidly changing in size and quality. Japan is at an important crossroads as it attempts to establish a system of foreign exchange study that will meet its goals. This paper discusses the current status of foreign student programs in Japan. The following nine areas are examined: (1) selection of university; (2) immigration and residential qualifications; (3) Japanese language study and pre-college education; (4) application and selection procedures; (5) scholarships; (6) tuition, fees, and exemption programs; (7) housing and medical care; (8) jobs and community relations; and (9) after-service for former students. Of particular note are the differences in the status and opportunities afforded to government-scholarship and non-scholarship students. Tables and figures are included. (DB)