Opportunity of Higher Education for People Living in Local Districts

Abstract

National policy on education in post-war Japan has been grounded on an extension of educational equality and availability throughout the country. The most dramatic measure of this phenomenon is heralded by an increase in the number of institution of higher learning. “Kyusei-daigaku, Kosen, and Shihan” were all made into “university”.
If we are to discover the degree to which the ideas of equal educational opportunity have materialized in the societal context of Japan, we must, in some way, attempt to evaluate the social role that has been played by the talents produced by the current university system in terms of the quality of their social performance. I chose as an object of research private universities located in metropolitan areas, since a majority of students through Japana ttend such institution.
Result of the analysis is summarized as follows:
1. Opportunity for higher education in Japan has been developed and popularly expanded by concentration in metropolitan areas in spite of original intentions.
2. Educational facility concentration results in an obligation on the part of the accepted students to travel to the metropolitan location.
3. However, 40%. of “non-resident” graduates of metropolitan universities return to their home towns after graduation.
4.25% of those 40% get employed as public servants, which implies that local community can not provide sufficient occupational opportunities for returning talents.
5. These are statistics representing data gathered on students and graduates of private universities, not of national universities which educate Japan's professional elite.
6. If local communities are to secure high quality monpower, it is necessary to change the policy of concentration in higher education.
7. At the present stage, the relationship between the universities located in districts is very significant. At the same time, many problems must be solved.