As reported in the article “Risk investigation should be conducted for Chinese vice president and doctoral student,” LDP’s Masahisa Sato appeals to the government to prevent technology leakage (Sankei Shimbun, April 12, 2025), in recent years, the risk of research leakage by international students has emerged as a significant concern among advanced nations. With the increasing mobility of global talent and the strategic value of cutting-edge technologies, countries are becoming more cautious about how research data and innovations are managed, especially when foreign nationals are involved in high-level academic or scientific projects.
1. Japan’s Case: Growing Concerns Over Research Security
Japan has witnessed several incidents that highlight the risk of research leakage. One notable case involved a senior researcher at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) leaking advanced technologies to China. Such events reveal the vulnerability of Japan’s research institutions, particularly when they collaborate internationally or host foreign researchers and students.
There are also growing concerns over Chinese graduate students and faculty members at Japanese national universities, some of whom have links to Chinese military-affiliated institutions. For instance, Senator Masahisa Sato pointed out that vice presidents of some national universities have affiliations with China’s “Seven Sons of National Defense” universities or hold dual roles at Chinese governmental or academic institutions.
Japan is currently working on strengthening measures such as data encryption, access controls, and stricter confidentiality agreements to prevent unauthorized outflow of research findings.
2. United States: Heightened Scrutiny and Regulatory Actions
In the U.S., the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has conducted in-depth investigations into the national security risks posed by foreign students, especially in STEM fields. A significant portion of graduate students in these areas come from China, raising alarms about potential access to sensitive or classified research.
The Department of Justice has prosecuted several high-profile cases in which researchers failed to disclose foreign funding or affiliations, particularly those tied to Chinese talent recruitment programs like the “Thousand Talents Plan.” These prosecutions often resulted in terminations or loss of research privileges.
Despite efforts, gaps remain in the monitoring of students and researchers, especially as current databases (like ICE’s SEVIS) lack granular data on individuals’ research involvement or funding sources.
3. Germany and the Netherlands: Proactive Restrictions
Germany and the Netherlands have also taken firm steps to mitigate the risk of technology leakage. Both countries have begun to reassess their academic partnerships with Chinese institutions and have imposed restrictions on the acceptance of Chinese students and scholars linked to national defense entities.
The Netherlands, for example, has tightened visa screening procedures and enhanced due diligence when reviewing applications for advanced degree programs. These actions reflect a broader European trend of prioritizing research security without wholly closing doors to international collaboration.
4. Japan’s Current and Future Response
Japan is gradually aligning its policies with other advanced nations. The Ministry of Education is introducing new requirements for researchers to disclose any foreign funding or affiliations. Moreover, institutions are encouraged to review research content, limit access to sensitive data, and conduct internal risk assessments when hosting international scholars.
Nonetheless, challenges remain. Japan currently lacks a comprehensive database tracking the number of foreign students under programs such as the China Scholarship Council’s “High-Level Graduate Student Program,” which has been criticized as a vehicle for collecting advanced technologies abroad.
5. Key Challenges and Future Outlook
To effectively mitigate research leakage, several actions are required:
- Improved coordination between government, universities, and research institutes.
- Enhanced due diligence during the admission and hiring processes of international students and researchers.
- International cooperation on data protection standards and research security policies.
- Stronger education and awareness among researchers regarding confidentiality and national security concerns.
There is a delicate balance between maintaining academic openness and protecting national interests. As global competition intensifies in fields such as AI, quantum computing, and biotechnology, advanced countries must refine their strategies to ensure innovation does not come at the cost of security.
In conclusion, research leakage by international students poses a real and complex risk that requires a coordinated and strategic response. Advanced countries are increasingly implementing safeguards, and Japan is among those taking cues from global best practices to strengthen its academic and research resilience.