DEOW
DEOW, operating as Ryugaku World, is a Tokyo-based study abroad agency founded in 2003 that places Japanese students at 500+ language schools across 50+ countries through free in-person and online consultation, supported by 12 overseas offices.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What DEOW does
DEOW is a Tokyo-based study abroad agency operating under the Ryugaku World brand, founded in 2003 to connect Japanese students with language schools and academic programs worldwide. The company offers a free, consultation-driven placement service across more than 500 partner schools in 50+ countries, supported by 12 in-house overseas offices in destination markets and a domestic headcount of 11–50 employees. Its product surface has expanded beyond one-to-one school placement to include packaged short-term offerings (Summer Camp, Global Camp in Tochigi), free pre-departure English lessons (up to 7 sessions per week), post-study career support services, ISIC international student cards, and a peer-referral ambassador program.
DEOW firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DEOW
- Legal name
- 株式会社DEOW
- Website
- https://deow.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- DEOW, operating as Ryugaku World, is a Tokyo-based study abroad agency founded in 2003 that places Japanese students at 500+ language schools across 50+ countries through free in-person and online consultation, supported by 12 overseas offices.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DEOW industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Study Abroad Agency Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Services (611), Language Schools (611630)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Overseas Secondary School Admissions Consulting & Application Support (EDAIAHAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Outbound Exchange Advising, Placement & Nomination Services (EDAIABAL), Exam Preparation Language Programs (IELTS/TOEFL/DELE/DALF/HSK, etc.) (EDAIAEAD), On-Ground Orientation, Travel, Transfers & Logistics Support (EDAIAHAL), Language Proficiency Exam Prep (CEFR, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, PTE) (EDANACAD), Foreign Language Subject Tutoring (School Coursework) (EDANAAAF), Academic Support, Tutoring & Language Support for Enrolled Overseas Secondary Students (EDAIAHAK)
Keywords
Where DEOW is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices4 records
Markets served
DEOW business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Commission from Partner Schools: DEOW earns revenue through commissions from partnered educational institutions. The company states they do not charge service fees to customers for most study abroad arrangements, with fees covered by partner schools. They use the bank's TTS exchange rate on the day of transfer, ensuring customers pay the same amount as if they applied directly.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | No service fees for most study abroad programs |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
DEOW product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DEOW (株式会社DEOW) operates as a study abroad agency under the brand 'Ryugaku World' (留学ワールド), connecting Japanese students with language schools, high schools, universities, and specialized programs across 50+ countries via partnerships with 500+ educational institutions. The core offering covers personalized counseling, school matching and enrollment, visa and immigration support, pre-departure preparation, on-site support through 12 overseas offices, and post-return career services. Service fees are not charged to customers for most programs, with revenue instead earned through commissions from partner schools.
Product overview
DEOW (株式会社DEOW) operates primarily as a study abroad agency under the brand '留学ワールド' (Ryugaku World), offering comprehensive overseas study consultation and placement services. The core service connects Japanese students with language schools across North America, Europe, Oceania, Asia, and Latin America. The main product portfolio centers on study abroad agency services including free consultation, school placement, and pre/post-departure support. Additional offerings include the DEOW English Lesson (free online English lessons up to 7x weekly), Career Support Services (free resume reviews and career counseling), Two-Country Study Programs, Working Holiday Support, and a Friend Referral Program. The company also provides 12 overseas local offices for on-site support and issues ISIC international student cards to enrolled students. DEOW positions itself as a low-cost, high-quality study abroad agency with fee-free services (with some exceptions) and same-day fund transfers to partner schools.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ryugaku World Study Abroad Agency (留学ワールド) DEOW's core study abroad agency offering, providing personalized counseling, school placement across 500+ partner schools in 50+ countries, visa/immigration support, pre-departure preparation, on-site support via 12 overseas offices, and post-return career services for Japanese students.
- DEOW English Lesson (無料英才レッスン) Complimentary online English conversation lessons delivered to enrolled and prospective students, with up to 7 sessions per week, to build speaking skills before and after study abroad programs.
- Two-Country Study Program (2カ国留学) Program pathway that combines study in two destination countries (for example, the Philippines for intensive English training followed by Australia, Canada, or New Zealand for further study or working holiday), coordinated end-to-end by DEOW counselors.
- Working Holiday Support Comprehensive placement and ongoing support service for working holiday visa applicants, including pre-departure preparation, country selection (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, Ireland), and in-country support during their working holiday stay.
- Free Consultation Services No-cost consultation access for prospective students, delivered via in-person sessions at Tokyo HQ and Osaka, online booking (deow.resv.jp), telephone, email, and 24/7 LINE chat (@lxb1873i), used to match students with appropriate schools and programs.
- ISIC International Student Card International Student Identity Card issued to enrolled students at no additional cost, providing worldwide discounts on travel, accommodation, and related student services during the study abroad period.
- Corporate / Professional Training Programs (法人研修・社会人留学) Overseas English training and professional development programs tailored for Japanese corporations sending employees abroad, structured for business language and skill outcomes.
- Parent-Child Study Abroad (親子留学) Family-targeted study abroad programs that place parents and children together in child-safe, age-appropriate overseas language programs with coordinated family accommodations.
- Summer Camp Programs (2026 サマーキャンプ) Seasonal summer camp placements including the 2026 Sebu summer program in the Philippines and the 2026 DEOW Global Camp in Tochigi for children and junior participants.
- Career Support Services (帰国後キャリアサポート) Free career counseling, resume reviews, seminar attendance, and job hunting assistance provided to study abroad customers after returning to Japan to help them leverage their international experience professionally.
Companies that use DEOW
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
DEOW technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
DEOW partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Partner Schools NetworkcoreDEOW maintains partnerships with educational institutions across North America, Europe, Oceania, Asia, and Latin America. This extensive network includes over 500 partner schools offering programs in language study, high school exchange, university admission, and professional training. The company acts as a distribution channel for these schools in the Japanese market.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
DEOW competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- EF Education First: Global education company operating its own language schools and study abroad programs worldwide. While much larger and operating its own schools (DEOW partners with schools), both serve Japanese students seeking overseas language study with similar destination coverage.
- Navitas: Global education provider specializing in university pathway and English language programs. Comparable in the pathway-program segment DEOW supports via university admission consulting.
- Study Group: Global education provider offering language programs and university pathway courses. Comparable in pathway/bridging program offerings and international student placement, operating at broader global scale.
- IDP Education: Global education services company placing students into universities and language programs, with strong Asia-Pacific presence including Japan. Comparable in placement/agency function and international student flow, though with a heavier university-admission focus.
- Kaplan International: Major global language school operator with significant presence in key DEOW destinations (USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Malta). Comparable in destination mix and Japanese student recruitment, though Kaplan runs its own schools rather than placing into partners.
Direct peers
- World Across: Japanese study abroad agency (formerly Ryugaku JACS) operating overseas offices and partner school networks. Directly comparable placement-and-support agency model targeting Japanese outbound students.
- Ryugaku.com: One of the largest Japanese study abroad agencies, offering language school, university, and working holiday placement to Japanese students. Directly comparable business model (consultation-based placement, commission-funded) and overlapping customer segments in Japan.
- Study Abroad Journal (Ryugaku Journal): Established Japanese study abroad agency providing counseling and placement for language, high school, and university programs. Directly comparable service portfolio and Japan-centric customer base to DEOW.
Regional players
- CEBU GITC Academy: Philippines-based English language school featured as a DEOW partner in customer testimonials. Comparable as a destination-side counterpart in DEOW's network — a representative partner school illustrating the Philippines language-study market.
Emerging players
- Into University Partnerships: University pathway provider offering English language and academic preparation for international students. Comparable in the integrated language + academic skills bridging segment relevant to DEOW's university admission support services.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DEOW social profiles
Digital presenceDEOW compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
DEOW financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DEOW leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
DEOW funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DEOW M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DEOW
What does DEOW do?
DEOW (株式会社DEOW) operates as a study abroad agency under the brand 'Ryugaku World' (留学ワールド), connecting Japanese students with language schools, high schools, universities, and specialized programs across 50+ countries via partnerships with 500+ educational institutions. The core offering covers personalized counseling, school matching and enrollment, visa and immigration support, pre-departure preparation, on-site support through 12 overseas offices, and post-return career services. Service fees are not charged to customers for most programs, with revenue instead earned through commissions from partner schools.
Is DEOW a public or private company?
DEOW is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was DEOW founded?
DEOW was founded in 2003. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is DEOW based?
DEOW is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does DEOW make money?
One revenue line is on record: commission from Partner Schools.
Who are DEOW's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are EF Education First, Navitas, Study Group, IDP Education and Kaplan International. Direct peers are World Across, Ryugaku.com and Study Abroad Journal (Ryugaku Journal). CEBU GITC Academy is listed as a regional player. Into University Partnerships is listed as an emerging player.
Does DEOW have an API?
No public API is recorded for DEOW.
What industry is DEOW in?
DEOW's product category is Study Abroad Agency Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIAHAE, Overseas Secondary School Admissions Consulting & Application Support, with a secondary code of EDAIABAL, Outbound Exchange Advising, Placement & Nomination Services. Its NAICS code is 61171 and its SIC code is 8200.