Bangalore: Global software major Infosys chairman emeritus N.R. Narayana Murthy Monday exhorted Indian students to study in Japanese universities, especially in the University of Tokyo, as it is not only 50 percent cheaper than in the US, but also provides an opportunity to better career prospects. "I urge young Indians to explore Japan for higher education as it has one of the world's best technology and research institutes. One should seize the opportunity to study in Japan as its universities are at our doorstep inviting our youngsters to make best use of the facilities and financial assistance," Murthy told reporters at the unveiling of the University of Tokyo's India office here. Asserting that studying in Japan makes economic and academic sense, Murthy said at $10,000 per year an Indian student would be able to pursue higher education in contrast to paying about $20,000 per annum for studying in an American university, excluding boarding and lodging expenses. "About 100,000 young Indians go abroad every year in pursuit of higher education, with over 75,000 of them to the US alone, while the remaining students go to Britain, Europe and Australia. Academically, the 135-year-old University of Tokyo is ranked seventh in the world and Japan is the second most innovative country after the US," Murthy pointed out. The 65-year-old Murthy is a member of the University of Tokyo's president's council. "The University of Tokyo has been selected to be the flag-bearer of the Japanese government's initiative to make studying in Japan as an attractive option to Indian students because of its stature and its students playing a seminal role in the success of Japan as the world's third largest economy," Murthy observed. Noting that India and Japan have been sharing a close relationship over the past six decades in diverse areas, Murthy said the future looked bright for the two Asian countries with various academic and business collaborations on the anvil. Echoing Murthy's call, University of Tokyo alumni association chairman Shrikrishna Kulkarni said studying in Japan would give Indian students an opportunity to imbibe the spirit of innovation, absorb its extraordinary culture and learn its language. "It's high time Indian students started looking Far East and make Japan a preferred destination for higher education, including research and job opportunities to work in Japanese firms in India or Japan and live in its famous and safest cities such as Tokyo and Osaka," Kulkarni added.