isic japan information & demographics

International Student Identity Card ISIC Japan

Information and Demographics

ISIC Japan International Student Identity Card

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ISIC – the card of tomorrow’s leaders and decision makers With a history of more than 60 years, the recognition of UNESCO and access to an immense portfolio of student discounts and offers, the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is a must-have for any student who wants to explore the world and enjoy discounts simply because of their student status – at home and abroad. Each year 5 million students walk around with their ISIC card. They are tomorrow’s leaders, decision makers and senior managers. Engaging with the student community at an early stage, via ISIC, provides discount providers with brand loyalty and awareness among an extremely high potential target group, at an age where they are making important life choices. ISIC Japan works hard every day to continuously expand the already impressive number of ISIC issuing points, ISIC discount partnerships and over-all ISIC recognition and awareness here in Japan - in cooperation with the public and private sector. Our goal is to ensure that as many Japanese students as possible have access to the ISIC card; to facilitate their lives financially and in terms of services during their years as a student and to encourage them to explore Japan and the world. We welcome companies, organisations and institutions in Japan to team up with ISIC Japan in order to support the student community through the only internationally accepted proof of student status – the ISIC card.

Martijn van de Veen Managing Director ISIC Japan | Student Card Service Japan

The mission of the ISIC Association is: “To provide all bona fide students, regardless of their nationality, race, gender or religion, with the opportunity to prove their student status in every country worldwide, via an official and affordable identifier of student status. This unique identifier aims to allow students access to preferential travel opportunities, specially negotiated services, discounts and experiences in every area and stage of student life, consequently reducing the cost of being a student. As such, the ISIC Association aspires to play a supporting role in improving intercultural under-standing and increasing educational opportunities for all.“

The ISIC card has been endorsed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) since 1968.

The ISIC Association is proud to be a UNWTO World Tourism Organization Affiliate Member.

The ISIC Association is a proud member of the International Association of Uni-versities.

The ISIC Association is a founding member of the World Youth Student and Educational Travel Confederation.

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Official International Student ID – since 1953

The ISIC (International Student Identity Card) is the only

internationally recognised proof of full-time student status,

endorsed by UNESCO and distributed annually to over 5

million students in more than 130 countries worldwide. Since

its launch in 1953, the ISIC card provides students with

access to exclusive discounts on travel opportunities

allowing ISIC cardholders to explore the world and discover

new countries, cultures and languages at reduced rates. 40,000+ discounts worldwide

Today the ISIC card gives access to an unrivalled portfolio of discounts and services that go far

beyond travel alone. ISIC cardholders gain preferential access to more than 40,000 products, services

or experiences in every stage and area of student life at more than 125,000 locations worldwide.

ISIC Japan

The global distribution of the ISIC is governed by the ISIC Association, a non-profit association with its

seat in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. ‘ISIC Japan’ is Japan’s exclusive member of the ISIC

Association, and the exclusive Licensed Authority for ISIC distribution in Japan. In Japan the ISIC card

is available through a widespread network of universities, hostels, bookstores and student travel

agencies across the nation where students can obtain the card for 1,750 Yen (incl. VAT). Students can

also buy their card online and have it delivered to their home-address or nearest convenience store.

Each card is valid during 1 academic year plus 4 bonus months.

Teachers and Youth

In addition to the ISIC card, the ISIC Association also governs the ITIC (International Teacher Identity

Card), available to full-time teachers, professors and other teaching staff and the IYTC (International

Youth Travel Card)

available to all youth

under the age of 30.

Both cards are also

endorsed by UNESCO.

About ISIC

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“the only internationally

accepted proof of full-time

student status; endorsed by

UNESCO”

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The ISIC card was first created by students for students in 1953. The decision

to create the ISIC card was an initiative of the Norwegian and Dutch Unions of

Students: at the 3rd International Student Conference in Copenhagen they

collectively made the

decision to “take the

necessary steps to

ensure that an International Student Identity

Card be made available as soon as possible

in as large a part of the world as possible.”

Originally the ISIC card was a student identity card that gave

fulltime students access to special discounted airfares. In

order to get these discounted airfares students bought an

ISIC card allowing them to explore the world and discover

new countries and cultures. This supported the ISIC card’s

pioneering mission statement: “Increasing international

understanding through the promotion of travel and

exchange opportunities among students, young people and the academic

community.” This resulted in the support of UNESCO who since 1968 officially

endorses the ISIC card as proof of student status.

A change in focus

Today, the ISIC card continues to be the only internationally recognised proof of student status.

However, the ever-increasing availability of cheap online flights has

challenged ISIC card distribution in the new millennium. Therefore, the

current portfolio of benefits and discounts accessible with the ISIC

card goes far beyond travel alone. The ISIC card has become an

everyday-use student lifestyle card. Whilst cardholders still enjoy

discounts and services on travel opportunities, they now also gain

preferential access to over 42,000 products, services or experiences in

every stage and area of student life, both at home and abroad.

Bright future

The ISIC Association is proud to have supported over 110 million students

throughout their studies since 1953. A number of new ISIC programme

initiatives is currently underway help guarantee a bright future for ISIC with new

and innovative opportunities ahead. Ambitious next steps for the ISIC card will

see a virtual digital ISIC being made available online to students, offering

many more services and tools to the student and having their digital ISIC

accessible through any internet device, anywhere, any time.

Extract scanned from the minutes of the 3rd International Student Conference in 1953.

ISIC History

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ISIC Facts & Figures

ISIC stands for International Student Identity Card

1953 is the year that the International Student Identity Card was launched

>110,000,000 ISIC cards have been issued in the past 60 years

in more than 130 countries students can buy their ISIC card, at more than…

…6,000 different issuing points

>42,000 discounts and services are available worldwide for ISIC holders…

…at over 125,000 different locations

8 ISIC cards are issued every single minute

>1,500 universities have upgraded their college card to a co-branded ISIC - college card

Since 1968 the ISIC card is endorsed by UNESCO

JPY 11,000 is the average saving per ISIC card per year

>100 banks worldwide have merged ISIC with their student bank account card

30,000 ISIC cards were issued in Japan last year

125,000 ISIC cards are issued each year in South Korea

135,000 ISIC cards are issued each year in Taiwan

100,000 ISIC cards is the projected annual distribution in Japan by 2016, growing to…

…250,000 ISIC cards by 2020

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With ISIC, universities have the unique opportunity to significantly increase the appeal, usability, perceived value and international recognition of their existing college card, whilst at the same time giving their institution a more global image. This is easily achieved by merging the existing college card with the ISIC card, as such ‘upgrading’ the college card to a globally accepted, UNESCO endorsed ISIC-college card that gives students access to a large portfolio of more than 42,000 discounts and services across the globe.

Adopted by 1,500+ universities worldwide

With the first co-branded ISIC-college card launched in Europe in 2003, today over 1,500 universities worldwide have co-branded their college card with ISIC. Student feedback has been extremely positive as their college card is now accepted nationally and internationally and allows them to enjoy specially negotiated benefits close to home and in whichever country they visit.

ISIC allows college cards to become globally accepted student ID cards with access to specially negotiated discounts and benefits. The card also gives the university involved a more global image.

Options to include more services

Initiatives to include more services have been successfully rolled out in many countries including South Korea and Taiwan. Here, ISIC and universities have set-up partnerships with local transportation and payment service providers, as such creating ISIC-college cards that can also be used as payment card and/or public transport card.

Next step: Japan

Following the successes and experiences in other markets, ISIC plans to introduce the ISIC - university co-branded college card concept to Japanese universities in 2014. The aim is to include additional services in the card such as banking, insurance and transportation, making sure the college card becomes a multi-purpose card that satisfies the needs of today’s students and increases the appeal of the universities involved.

ISIC – Taipei Easy Card: Transportation card, payment card, ISIC card in one (Taiwan)

ISIC – Ajou University Card: College card, Bankcard, ISIC card in one (South Korea)

ISIC College Cards

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The typical Japanese ISIC cardholder is:

ü a full-time student ü 23/24 years of age ü using their card at least once a

week ü mainly interested in travel /

accommodation discounts. ü studying humanities at a public

university

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ISIC Demographics In 2013 the ISIC Association in cooperation with a leading research organisation carried out a small-scale cardholder survey in major markets across the globe. The research was done in recognition of the 60th anniversary of the International Student Identity Card and the objective was to obtain insights into today’s cardholder demographics. Japan was included in a few categories of this survey, and via Direct Mail and social media reach out through partner organisations 1,145 responses were received from Japanese ISIC holders. The results are reflected in the following 5 graphics:

1. ISIC Cardholder age 2. ISIC Card usage – frequency 3. ISIC Card usage – categories 4. ISIC card distribution channels 5. ISIC cardholder field of study

1. ISIC Cardholder age

Age % 12-‐18 6% 19-‐20 19% 21-‐22 26% 23-‐24 39% 25-‐30 7% >30 3%

The large majority (64%) of Japanese ISIC holders can be found in the age groups 21-22 (26%) and 23-24 (39%).

12-‐18 6%

19-‐20 19%

21-‐22 26%

23-‐24 39%

25-‐30 7%

>30 3%

Cardholder age

12-18

19-20

21-22

23-24

25-30

>30

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A growing number of Japanese ISIC cardholders is:

ü 21/22 years old full-time student ü using their card a few times per week ü enjoying study-related discounts

(hardware/software, studybooks) ü studying a professions study at a

National University

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2. ISIC Card usage - frequency

43% of all Japanese ISIC holders use their card at least once a week. 27% use their card a few times per month, against 26% who use their card once a month or less.

3. ISIC Card usage - categories As can be seen from the ‘usage categories’ data, the ISIC is and remains very strong in the travel and related categories. There is a growing trend visible worldwide of the ISIC card becoming more popular for local use in non travel-related categories such as hardware/software and ‘study’ (books, courses, access to information),

8%

22%

13%

27%

7%

14%

5% 4% every day

a few times per week

once a week

a few times per month

once a month

a few times per year

once a year

don't know

28%

18%

15%

14%

12%

5% 3%

2% 1% 2%

Travel

Accommodation

Transportation

Culture

Food&Beverage

Hardware and software

Study

Clothing

Entertainment&Leisure

Other

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4. ISIC Card distribution channels Where do they get their card? ISIC card distribution is dominated by educational institutions: nearly 2 out 3 students (64%) get their card via their university or other educational institution.

5. ISIC Cardholder type of study With both categories representing approximately one third of all Japanese ISIC holders, Humanities and Professions seem to have the most ‘natural fit’ with the ISIC values.

34%

17% 5%

7%

33%

4%

Humanities

Social sciences

Natural sciences

Formal sciences

Professions

Other

19%

21%

15% 9%

17%

13%

4%

1% 1% National University

Public University

Private University

Other education institution

Student exchange organisation

Student travel agency

Bookstore

Postal order

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6. ISIC Cardholder travel destinations Where do ISIC holders go? Most ISIC holders tend to travel to foreign countries, for example for leisure, language training or study abroad programmes; ranging from a weekend to a full academic year. Most famous destinations are the USA, South Korea and France.

22% United States 6% (Other EU countries combined)

12% South Korea 4% Thailand

9% United Kingdom 3% Italy

8% France 3% Taiwan

8% (Other Asia Pacific Countries combined) 2% Canada

7% Australia 2% Spain

6% China 2% Hong Kong

6% Germany

When asked “Do you also use the ISIC card in Japan before and/or after your trip abroad? The response was - Yes 71% - No 29%

United States, 22%

South Korea, 12%

United Kingdom,

9%France,

8%Other Asia

Pacific countries, 8%

Australia, 7%

China, 6%

Germany, 6%

Other EU countries, 6%

Thailand, 4%

Italy, 3%

Taiwan, 3%

Canada, 2%

Spain, 2% Hong Kong, 2%

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7. Foreign ISIC Cardholders visiting Japan Where do foreign ISIC holders come from? Each year around 80,000 foreign ISIC holders come to Japan, mainly for a semester or full year in the context of a study exchange programme. These students are predominantly from neighboring countries such as South Korea, China and Taiwan.

43% South Korea 7% Malaysia

21% China 5% Vietnam

13% Taiwan 2% Indonesia

7% Thailand 2% United States

South Korea43%

China21%

Taiwan13%

Thailand7%

Malaysia7%

Vietnam5%

Indonesia2%

United States2%

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About the ISIC Association The ISIC Association is a membership organisation made up of 54 organisations worldwide. Association members are the organisations that hold the exclusive license to distribute, promote and develop the ISIC card within their territory or country. New members can be appointed each year at the ISIC Association Annual General Meeting (AGM), when the ISIC Association Board and ISIC Global Office report on achievements, developments, strategy and finances. ‘ISIC Japan’ is Japan’s exclusive member of the ISIC Association, and the exclusive Licensed Authority for ISIC distribution in Japan. ISIC Constitution and Convention A non-profit organisation, the ISIC Association is governed by the rules set out in the ISIC Association Constitution and Convention. The Constitution details the rules and principles of the ISIC Association and aims to protect the rights of all members. The Convention documents the agreed rules, practices and use of the ISIC card. All ISIC Association members can vote on changes to the Constitution and Convention and are eligible for election to the ISIC Association Board.

ISIC Association Board The ISIC Board is elected by the ISIC Association members at the Annual General Meeting held in May each year as part of the ISIC Event. Board member terms are rotated, meaning only five new Board members are elected each year to allow for consistency and a gradual transition between Board member terms. The Chair of the Board is elected annually by the ISIC Board members. The ISIC Association Board oversees the management of the ISIC Association, and ultimately the ISIC card. The Board’s role is largely to provide oversight and strategic direction for the ISIC programme worldwide. ISIC Global Office Daily administration, operations and decision making are the responsibility of the ISIC Global Office B.V., located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The ISIC Global Office reports to the ISIC Association Board.

ISIC Japan Shinjuku Park Tower N30th Floor 3-7-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku

Tokyo 163-1030 JAPAN www.isicjapan.jp

T 03-5326-3008・F 03-5326-3001・E [email protected]

isic japan information & demographics

Documents

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isic association

student community

isic discount partnerships

overall isic recognition

impressive number of

world youth student

stage of student life