This study aims to open up a new avenue for the study of intercultural communication in higher education, through exploring the structural relationships among eight individual differences factors that affect intercultural communicative competence (ICC). A group of Japanese university students participated in the study by answering a questionnaire addressing these factors. Willingness to communicate (WTC) was introduced into the ICC model for the first time to connect the field of second-language acquisition to the field of intercultural communication. "Constructive conflict resolution," was integrated for the first time into the ICC model, reflecting Hoff's [(2014). 'A Critical Discussion of Byram's Model of Intercultural Communicative Competence in the Light of Bildung Theories.' "Intercultural Education" 25 (6): 508-517. Doi:10.1080/14675986.2014.992112] argument that disagreement and conflict could potentially be beneficial situations for enlightening individuals through profound discourse between self and other. The model presented new perspectives, and the pedagogical implications are discussed.