Can Self-Autonomy Be Protected in Universities in the Near Future ?

Abstract

　 This study analyzed the history of universities and university organizations in Japan up to the present day, with the aim of examining the improvements and reforms that are necessary to ensure that universities continue to be self-autonomous institutions in the future. After World War II, universities were self-autonomous and were regarded as authorities. As the universities’ foci were on the university entrance examinations and finding employment for the students after graduation, university management was not prioritized and because of favorable political, economic and social conditions, they were not keen on reforms. Since the 1990s, the changes in economic conditions in Japan has meant that the government has promulgated many university reform policies, most of which have had a significant impact on university management, such as the introduction of national accreditation assessments, the incorporation of national and public universities, and faculty meeting and president selection governance reforms, which have changed decision making structures. At the same time, the relationship between the government and universities has changed, with the power of the Cabinet Office strengthening and the power of the Ministry of Education weakening. Faculty members and staff responsible for university management also have quality and quantity problems. To protect self-autonomy, instead of being unilaterally influenced by politics, it is necessary for universities to actively work on the politics and policy process to solve problems.