This article examines such a strategic direction of the activities of educational institutions in the international arena as internationalization. The author examines the main factors and indicators of internationalization of higher education in the country (Russia and Japan) educational strategies and world university rankings, as the struggle for getting into the top lines can transform universities and change the system of higher education. The author concludes that the international competitiveness of higher education in Japan is declining, and Russian universities, despite their success, are still far from being highly competitive in the global educational market.