Consequences of the Policy on the Regional Equality of Access to Higher Education in Japan

Abstract

　 This paper aims to clarify, in the context of higher education policy, the actual state of equality of opportunity in terms of access to higher education, and to facilitate an understanding of the policy implications of this situation. In postwar Japan, the policy of regionally dispersing higher education has had successful results, and at present, it is claimed that there are no great regional differences in access to higher education. The result of this is that equality of opportunity in terms of access to higher education in different regions has ceased to be a major policy issue. However, a more detailed investigation makes it clear that major problems still remain in connection with regional disparities in higher education. The fact is that there are large differences between national and private universities in terms of the rate of advancement to higher education in urban and rural areas, and in terms of the underlying causes. Focusing primarily on the private sector, policies aimed at correcting disparities and at restricting access and promoting regional dispersal have had a significant degree of success, but regional differences in opportunities to acquire higher education are still present, making it clear that a policy of regional dispersal is still just as necessary as it used to be.