<p>OP is confusing prestige w/ being well-known.</p>
<p>A school like UIllinois is better known (and hence, better regarded) in Japan than a LAC like Bowdoin, even tho Bowdoin is generally considered more prestigious (particularly on the EC).</p>
<p>Otoh, if one were to attend uni in Japan, where one goes does matter since the big corporations and govt. (the biggest employers) generally hire from the top 10-15 schools.</p>
<p>In Japan and other parts of Asia, college and even high school ties/relationships are more impt. for business/govt. than here in the US.</p>