Critical Changes in the Japanese Higher Education System

Abstract

　 As a result of external pressures during the 1990s, the Japanese higher education system underwent quick and remarkable changes. Some of the most significant factors that influenced those changes included a decrease in the youth population, a prolonged recession and lack of jobs, and a rather hasty structural reform in higher education spearheaded by the government. Resulting changes in Japanese higher education are apparent in four prominent ways. First, the higher education system has moved from a growth industry into a declining one as the traditional college-age population declined and employment prospects became gloomy for college graduates. Second, the movement toward universal access to higher education has brought serious confusion and hollowness to the system in terms of quality. Moreover, the vital ideas that used to define university roles and missions have been abandoned. Third, universities have been rapidly bearing more of a resemblance to profit-making companies. These lean years have put a financial strain on universities which have forced them to make efforts at fundraising to support their operations and research. Finally, the higher education system has nearly given up its autonomy and has become subordinate to political and economic systems.