An education ministry panel called Tuesday for changes to Japan's policy on foreign students, seeking a greater emphasis on quality rather than quantity.

The proposal was included in a report submitted to Takeo Kawamura, minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology.

The report by the Central Education Council also advocates measures aimed at helping Japanese students who are studying abroad, such as setting up long-term study programs that would allow them to obtain degrees overseas.

Regarding Japan's acceptance of foreign students, the report notes the increase in unauthorized labor by foreign students.

It states that universities should confirm the purpose of stay for prospective enrollees and should test their academic abilities.

Specifically, the report says students' academic performance should be appraised periodically, such as at the end of a semester, and scholarship money should be terminated if their performance does not warrant it.

It states that prospective students should be subjected to a greater number of in-depth interviews and should undergo English-language tests in their home countries.

The report says improving the quality of foreign students is an issue that should be addressed by the government as a whole, and calls for greater cooperation from ministries and agencies.

The education panel has been considering a new policy in light of the fact that the government's goal of accepting 100,000 foreign students in the early years of the 21st century has been achieved.

The goal was outlined in 1983.

As of May, there were around 109,500 foreign students in Japan.